Akl

[marias]

Hi all,

We are visiting Orlando in July 2006 (I know a bit premature) and we have already booked our villa. I wanted to arrange something quite special and have contacted Dreams Unlimited for a quote for a couple of nights on resort. I asked for Animal Kingdom and they have come back with the figures which seem OK ($720 on this years prices – will increase, but don’t know how much) with a request for a savannah view.

I just wanted to check what fellow Dis members think of the hotel and whether they think there is a better one to choose for a first time visit. We are only going to be there two nights (the last two of our holiday). Does anyone think it is worth it just for two nights or should we continue to save and do a complete holiday in a few years?

Thanks for your help.

 

[maleficent_man]

Can't comment at the moment as I haven't stayed there yet but am staying for 8 nights next month. I'm really looking forward to it. I have read some average as well as some staggering reviews of the hotel and what it offers. It depends on what you are looking for I suppose. The food seems to be good but you'd need to book in advance. Apparently characters are thin on the ground and the walks to rooms can be quite a bit. The location on site also seems to be a downside with some people. Also, the rooms are apparently very dark. On the up side, the pool is awesome, the themeing amazing, the views over the savannahs amazing and the decor of the Lodge second to none. I'm only doing it as I got an AP rate for it.

What are your own reasons for staying here as opposed to the others? You could always go for a moderate and also save some money towards a future trip. Bear in mind location and your transport. If you want to be near MK then one of the deluxes might suit you better.

There are plenty of threads about AKL particularly over on the Disney hotels board - check them out!

 

[marias]

Hi maleficent_man,

Thanks for your post. In answers to your questions i suppose reason for choosing AKL was in order to satisfy DD's love of animals (but this can be achieved anyway i guess by visiting AK) and because it was in the Deluxe category.

Could i ask a favour? When you return from your stay would you be able to give me your personal opinion of the resort?

In the meantime i will check out the other threads.

Thanks for your help.

 

[maleficent_man]

No probs! I intend to bore everyone rigid with my trip reports!

 

[UKDEB]

How many rooms is that for? July (after 4th) is Value Season for WDW Deluxe Resorts and the rack rate for a Savannah View is $280 a night. It is worth considering getting an Annual Pass for one member of your party. If an Annual Passholder Discount becomes available for your stay (usually no more than 3-4 months in advance), it can be applied to your existing reservation. Dreams Unlimited will check on your behalf.

We stayed at AKL shortly after it opened and I would agree with everything maleficent_man says. The rooms are a bit dark for my liking (although everything was shiny new when we stayed, so that was a plus). The resort itself is incredible. However, you don't have to stay there to experience it - anyone can visit and look around both the hotel and the savannahs. Boma (breakfast or dinner buffet) and Jiko (upscale dinner) are both great restaurants, but it's a good idea to make a Priority Seating reservation as both are very popular.

The downside of AKL (and the reason it is cheaper than most of the other Deluxes) is that it's located at the bottom left-hand corner of WDW property and is the furthest resort from the parks with the exception of Animal Kingdom. Even then, you need to drive or take the bus - you can't walk between AK and AKL. If you choose to stay there, I don't think you'll be disappointed, but you might also want to consider a Monorail Resort (Grand Floridian, Polynesian or Contemporary) for easy access to MK, or an Epcot Resort (BoardWalk, Yacht Club or Beach Club) for easy access to both Epcot and MGM.

 

[florry]

We spent 11 nights there in August last year and had a fantastic time. It does depend on your expectations of a hotel I suppose but we thought that the African theme running through the hotel was superb. There is an atmosphere that is hard to describe if you have not visited this hotel - yes it is kind of dark but the furniture and fittings around the hotel all blend together to create a peaceful and relaxed feel. The smell and sounds in the magnificent lobby are wonderful and the savannah's are great for animal watching. You can also get a coffee or a beverage from the bar and plonk yourself down in one of the comfy sofa's in the lobby for a "people watching" session (almost as much fun as the animal watching! LOL)
Outside the huge atrium window is a fire pit with rocking chairs (there are a couple of balconies with these too) where there are African storytellers every evening.
We had a pool view room which I know is not as good as a savannah view but you can go out onto any of the balconies around the hotel to view the animalsand there are viwing windows in all the corridors.
If you are right at the end of one of the "trails" then it is quite a walk to the lobby/restaurants/pool but you have the advantage of the peace and quiet of the savannah.
The pool is big and brilliant - the hot tubs are the hottest I've ever been in! and there are beds/chairs/towels aplenty and all free of charge.
You WILL love this place and if you are dissapointed with the size or darkness of the bedroom - then - you are spending too much time in it!!!!
Do sample Boma or Jiko restaurants - they are more expensive but worth the experience IMHO.
Oh - and if you are there for more than a couple of days - get the refillable mugs (see 7 months late trip reports!).

 

[maleficent_man]

Hahaha!! I can't agree enough - I don't spend too much time in my room but am looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Maria,

We are staying at AKL for 2 nights this trip. This thread helped make my mind up!

We wanted to spend one night here at the start of our trip but Annual Passholder rates were not available for that night. So we booked it for a Fri/Sat night at the end of our trip instead with a rate of $124 plus tax per room / per night for a standard room. We could have had a savannah room but they were more expensive.

It looks like a wonderful place to stay and I can't wait I must admit!

Karen

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

AKL is our favourite onsite resort. It is fantastic. The dark colours didn't really bother us like they have others because we were expecting them and they did seem to fit in with the African theming.

Our Savannah view room was excllent. No matter what time - day or night - you looked out on the balcony there were all sorts of different critters and birds around and about.

Awesome place in our books, even beat the Poly

 

[Frances999]

I enjoyed our stay at AKL last year, too. I was a little disappointed with the rooms, but the resort itself is sensational. The theming is excellent and there are so many friendly CMs wondering about offering help, stories or information. The food is good too! Don't miss Boma or Jiko - they are both excellent.

Awesome place in our books, even beat the Poly

Ohhhh, I don't know about that Annie

 

[marias]

Hi all,

Thanks for your messages, I knew i could count on you.

Had a good discussion about it at home and it looks like concensus of opinion is - yeah go for it!

Looking forward to it already.

 

[lucy_love_]

hi

we stayed there for 2 weeks last year and it was fantastic. looked amazing and even smelt fab. we didnt pay for a savanah view as the consensus was that alot of people got upgraded for free, which we did. saying that we went in september which was very quiet.

love

lucy

 

[marias]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to update you on the plans for AKL in August 2006. I contacted Dreams Unlimited and arranged a reservation (rates were not out at the time so the lady based it on this years prices).

Result - Shirley emailed today and the rates have gone down - yeahhhhhh!!

Just had to share the news.

 

[maleficent_man]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to update you on the plans for AKL in August 2006. I contacted Dreams Unlimited and arranged a reservation (rates were not out at the time so the lady based it on this years prices).

Result - Shirley emailed today and the rates have gone down - yeahhhhhh!!

Just had to share the news.

Congrats - I'll let you know how I get on there!!

 

[traceycooper]

QUOTEwe didnt pay for a savanah view as the consensus was that alot of people got upgraded for free, which we did.

lUCY - did you ask for the upgrade or did they just offer it to you??

 

[maleficent_man]

QUOTEwe didnt pay for a savanah view as the consensus was that alot of people got upgraded for free, which we did.

lUCY - did you ask for the upgrade or did they just offer it to you??

From what I've heard, it seems that they upgrade you without you having to ask - that's the basis I'm going to be working on! I think it could depend on when you check in. I plan to do it around lunchtime - fingers crossed!!