Anyone not like AKL?

[weluvDW]

The reason I ask is because we are thinking about making ressies for AKL in June and though most everyone seems to think this is a beautiful resort, when I look at photos, I'm not so sure it appeals to me that much. It seems kind of dark and dreary. Just wondering if anyone had the same feeling I have before staying at this resort. We stayed at CBR a few years ago, and really liked it there, but thought maybe we would try something different. The theming of CBR and AKL is definitely different! Also, we really like the idea of having the queen beds offered at AKL instead of the doubles at CBR. This may not be an issue for some, but when you're traveling with two older teen sons, it is!

I'd appreciate anyones comments about their stay at AKL.
Thanks.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there..

When I had heard about AKL and the animals I wanted to stay there!

I made my booking and then started looking for photos and researching it more. SOme of the photos I came across were not flattering at all to the resort. The grounds looked dried and barron and the interior looked dark as you suggest.

I kept my reservation - even though I was considering switching to Poly and I was so glad I did...

In the day time the lobby is filled with light a really a glorious & uplifting place to walk through... the thatched ceiling is so high about you and the zulu shields are whimsical. The huge glass window covered with vines lets in lots of light.

I found the corridors dim and cool - opposed to the 95 degree weather outside (in August)

At night the resort feels warm and cozy and the artificially moonlit savanna a great place for animal watching - even late at night.

Have a look at my AKL photos from my trip report on my website link below... it will give you an idea of the light and space in the lobby during the day.

I also found my room bright and sun filled... in the evenings cozy and comfortable.

Good luck deciding on your trip - I am sure you will not be disappointed with AKL.

>>^..^<<

 

[dansyr]

Honestly I felt the same way you did when looking at the pics. When we were at wdw in March we had breakfast there and absolutely fell in love with it. It is so much different in person than looking at pics. It is really not all dark and dreary but more of a relaxing type of atmosphere. If you can catch the great hotels show on the travel channel...it might give you a slightly better perspective than pics. We are staying concierge in Sept and the staff has been wonderful. I had sent them an e-mail with some questions and mentioned it would be my dbf's birthday when we are there and they replied that if we would like they would like to send up a birthday cake for him. I thought this was so wonderful.
I would highly reccommend this resort !!!

 

[Sammie]

It is not really a case of disliking AKL, but it is not a favorite.

One visit, just to see what it was like and experience it was enough.

I prefer the resorts that have a lake or lagoon and rooms with bright colorful beddings and decor.

 

[chrissyk]

I guess we're in the minority here, because my DH and I would never stay at this resort again. The decor is lovely and everything, but the walls are paper-thin! We could hear people going to the bathroom and toilets flushing, especially at night It was disgusting! I posted about it here right after we got back. No way would we ever stay there again.

 

[Darla and Alfalfa]

Hi weluvDW,
I too am wondering if we are going to like it, that is why I checked out your thread. We are going in Feb. for two nights on the recommedation of my sister-in-law. She said it was awesome. I have a question for Cass. Do you have any details on the cookie decorating at Boma? How long does it last, how much does it cost and when can you make reservations? I have two daughters, 8 and 5, and I think they would love it. Your pictures were great. You showed a lot of detail and helped me get a feel for the place. (Your Noel is a little cutie)

Darla

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there...

The cookie decorating took place every day at 1:30pm in BOma (the buffet restaurant)

We just walked in and the tables were set up and the kids got started... there was usually about 10- 15 kids at 2 large tables... with lots of icings and sprinkles. It lasted about 20-30 minutes.

It was free!

I noticed another person on the board said they were turned away becuase there was too many people - I did not have any problem when I was there - so you might want to ask guest services about this.... this is a regular scheduled activity and I believe it happens every day.

Glad you liked Noel... she was not so cute today and got sent to her room!!

Chrissy - I was there for 9 nights and never heard a toilet (other than my own) also no noise in the halls etc... we were on the 5th floor - perhaps you were on a different floor? Maybe some areas are more sound proofed than others. Sorry it affected your holiday.

>>^..^<<

 

[Harambe]

We are going next Jan. I love the Animal Kingdom Park, and the AKL seems to convey the same feeling. Although MK, and MGM have those great rides, I look forward to AK just to mosey along and take in the sights and animals. My heart beat slows immediately!

But the best recommendation I can give is from my DH! He is not a huge Disney fan and has always gone along with me for my "plastic cartoon" vacation (he prefers camping!). When I made plans to stay at Port Orleans for our next trip, he asked me to change it to the ALK! I was shocked!

Give it a go! As mentioned above, you have to see it in person! Read the review at wdwig.com also.

 

[chrissyk]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
Chrissy - I was there for 9 nights and never heard a toilet (other than my own) also no noise in the halls etc... we were on the 5th floor - perhaps you were on a different floor? Maybe some areas are more sound proofed than others. Sorry it affected your holiday.

>>^..^<<

We were on the 2nd floor when we heard the toilets and other gross noises. We actually had to move to this room because our neighbors in our 1st room spent most of the previous night fighting loudly in a foreign language The night-duty manager took care of this after midnight (when we called the front desk finally), but it started up again at the crack of dawn. Our 2nd room was where we could really hear the pottying and the toilets flushing. We were grossed out! It's totally weird, because we stayed at the AKL last Nov. for 2 nights also and we had a great time! We never heard any noises that time...maybe the resort was empty then Anyways, that resort could use some soundproofing!

 

[Darla and Alfalfa]

Thanks Cass for the quick response to my questions. I guess there is something in the air. My 8 year old was not cute today either. Sometimes she talks back to me as if she was 18! They grow up too fast.

 

[milmore104]

weluvDW,
I had always wanted to stay at AKL. But my DH and I thought it would be for our 10th Ann. We didn't think we could ever bring ourselves to pay that much to stay there. I hadn't seen much pictures of the rsort but knew what it was about and knew my family would love it. Well last year I decided to suprise me DH w/ a trip to WDW and stay at the AKL. I started to look at pictures and got a little worried that it was going t be to "dark". Well let me just say that our trip was planned to be 7 nights at AKL and 9nights at ASMo. We switched to 16 nights AKL. It was beautiful and breath taking. Believe me when I say the rooms are not dark during the day the balcony door lets in so much light that it's beautiful and at night the lighting is perfect. It feel just like your at an African savanh watching the animals but yet you still know your in WDW. Trust me it is ruely worth every bit of it. You won't be sorry!

 

[CarolA]

One thing to remember on boards like this. Yep, someone won't like AKL. Someone won't like everyplace. For example, most people love Grand Floridian. I stayed there once and unless they are paying ME, never again. I would rather do All Stars! I love AKL however. The nice thing about Disney is that they have something for everyone, but I think you have to stay there sometimes to make your mind up.

 

[Jomrog]

AKL is beautiful but not our favorite. The positives: pool, Boma, talking to the exchange students, the animals. The negatives: proximity to parks (unless you are an AK fan), transportation. I felt like we were far away from everything & figuring out how to get from here to there was difficult at times.

Of course this is just my opinion.
Good luck!

 

[mrsltg]

I understand your concern completely. When my DH first heard and saw pictures of AKL, his heart was set on it. I told him, "No Way!". I hated the look of it, the location, the African food??? YUK!!! Mind you, I'd never had African food... sometimes I'm a tad judgemental! At any rate... last Summer when the codes came out I decided to surprise DH and changed our ressies over to AKL (mind you, I was still certain that I would hate it and there was no way I was eating at Boma). Well, can you guess how this story ends????

I LOVE AKL!!! I ate at Boma 3 times! I cancelled my upcoming Disney cruise so that we could spend 12 days at AKL this December. I thought it was amazing and now I'm afraid that I'll never stay anywhere else on property because my "yard stick" for all hotels now is, "Can I see a giraffe out my window?"

Really, give it a try... it's truly one of a kind!

Erin

 

[Hollymom1229]

I can tell you that last year I was pumped to stay at CBR, was really looking forward to the theming there. Then they closed it and there was no availability at the Poly or WL and we ended up at what would have been my last choice resort, AKL.

I had a hard time getting excited again because I just wasn't interested in staying here. From the moment we arrived I fell in love, as did my fiancee. I will never forget riding the bus home after a long day at MK and my fiancee whispering to me through my half sleep, "we're home," and it truly felt like we were. We may never stay at another resort on WDW property again.