Anyone not like the AKL

[MinnieM3]

Liked some things: The neat African art, the gift shop, Boma

Didn't like some things: not enough animals to see from room; watching animals not that exciting after a few days...out of room too much to appreciate it, too. Long walk to everything.

Didn't mind: darkness

 

[KayakDaddy]

I loved staying at AKL. It is a beautiful resort with details everywhere. I'll agree that it may not be for everyone however. If you don't get to Florida that often and are looking for a more traditional Florida vacation, you will not find that at AKL. I didn't even feel like I was in this country!

I never had a problem with the bus system or seeing animals. Boma's is a special experiance, worth revisting whether you are staying at AKL or not. I didn't feel like you get good value at Mara, but it is similar to the quick service joints at other resorts. I did prefer the atmosphere at Mara to Roaring Forks.

The best part about our stay was the free upgrade from standard to Savannah view. The worst part came about half-way through the week when I tried to extend our visit another day and they were all booked up. All they could offer us was POP or CSR - hardly worth the move for just one day.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

We check in next Friday, should we pack flashlights?

 

[grumpyandbashful]

Like some of the other posters, we find the lower light levels relaxing. After a day in the parks - sun, crowds, heat, noise - we like coming back to some peace and quiet. The first time I walked into the lobby, I said "Wow", and I still do every time!
I love the smell from Boma - and I've never smelled animal droppings?? Even from our savannah view balcony.
My DH and DD and I are going to WDW 1st week of June - DSs will be on a separate trip. We let DD pick resort and she jumped right on AKL. It's her favorite, too (she's 16).
But, to each their own - Beach Club used to be our favorite. We stayed there last summer to revisit it and missed the AKL the whole time!

 

[Laurajean1014]

We love AKL. Most of our friends love it, too.

The food at Boma and especially JIKO is top notch. The bar at the pool and the spa overlook the animals. The pool is great and open late. The staff, from what we have encountered is very friendly and most accomodating. Our CM went out of there way to tell us about the area of Africa they were from and how it differs from USA. The CM at the Savanah's were very nice, as well. I love the bonfire outside. The gift shop is great too.

You cannot beat the wine at JIKO. Also, JIKO has been voted (consecutively) a 5 star restaurant. I believe Citrico and CG are the only other WDW restaurants that can boost that!

We have friends that are waiting to joing the DVC when they add DVC to AKL - Villas. I prefer AKL to WL anyday. The pool at WL is the pits. And I thought the transportation at WL was poor, considering the location to MK. The ferry is always so crowded at WL - I protest not to stay at WL and hubby agrees.

We are staying at AKL this fall and can't wait.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I now know why the hallways are called trails. Long, winding, and narrow!

 

[epcotfan]

I was there late April to Early May 2003. Bad experience.
Dirty Room, Maid threw out personal property and receipts, extremely rude and obnoxious guests (not hotel's fault), Front desk had us wait up till 3am promising fridge to be delivered and never showed....All in all a very frustrating vacation and we are easy to please. This is the first time I ever complained about a hotel room stay. We know the hotel is meant to give an aura of being remote, but we felt really isolated (not in a relaxing way) The public areas were packed with people so there weren't many places to get away from people, other than going back to the hotel room. I really wanted to love this hotel, but I didn't.

 

[dejavu]

Wow! I guess my stays there were unusual! We love it there and will be going again in Dec. First off it is a property that is far off if you are staying there rent a car and then transportation will not be an issue. Housekeeping is only as good as your housekeeper, there are bad ones at all hotels, Not once have my personal belonging been tossed out or have I had bugsin thr room,or dirty towels left on the floor or any of the other things mentioned here. As far as the animals go, well they ARE animals, they are not required to stand outside your balcony all day & night-when you go to the zoo do you see ALL the animals? If you don't do you complain to the zoo management that the lions were sleeping? I think it's correct to say that it's a little dark but certainly no darker than WL IMHO. It's quiet and I love the fact that a lot of people don't take the time or effort to venture over so it seems alot less hectic than BC & YC, GF, & Poly. Try it you just might enjoy it.

 

[disfanatiks]

We stayed at AKL back in March. My DH and I, 14-year-old DD and 36-yr old DS. Our daughter did not like it at AKL at all. But the 3 adults all really enjoyed it. I was relaxed there and did not want to have to venture to parks. I think if we went again, I would like to go for a relaxing weekend and not do anything but relax.

My DS LOVED AKL!!! Her husband is from Africa and she loved Boma, room, Arusha Savannah which our room was on. We had animals most of the time...At 3AM we are all sleeping and my DS was still out on the balcony....

Epcot Resort Area is still our Favorite Area to stay, though.

 

[n2mm]

Food choices are my only problem with AKL. There is no place to get a sit down breakfast or lunch. We didn't like Mara/fast food counter service. And unless you want a buffet breakfast you can not eat at Boma's. The same for lunch. All of the other deluxes have a place for a sit down lunch except AKL. Jiko, only dinner. I wish they would offer you a menu choice at Boma's for lunch and breakfast. My only complaint.

 

[Kapp]

Didn't have a bad experience with anything and totally loved the themeing, the smells of the lobby, BOMA, the pool and especially....the animals! We found the bus transportation to be fine and loved the gift shop!

 

[flyball]

We love AKL. Most of our friends love it, too.

The food at Boma and especially JIKO is top notch. The bar at the pool and the spa overlook the animals. The pool is great and open late. The staff, from what we have encountered is very friendly and most accomodating. Our CM went out of there way to tell us about the area of Africa they were from and how it differs from USA. The CM at the Savanah's were very nice, as well. I love the bonfire outside. The gift shop is great too.

You cannot beat the wine at JIKO. Also, JIKO has been voted (consecutively) a 5 star restaurant. I believe Citrico and CG are the only other WDW restaurants that can boost that!

We have friends that are waiting to joing the DVC when they add DVC to AKL - Villas. I prefer AKL to WL anyday. The pool at WL is the pits. And I thought the transportation at WL was poor, considering the location to MK. The ferry is always so crowded at WL - I protest not to stay at WL and hubby agrees.

We are staying at AKL this fall and can't wait.

AMEN to all the above! We've visited AKL the last 2 Augusts (last year during hurricane Frances), and my DH and I are having to convince our 2 DDs (12 and almost 14) to try another resort. We've also stayed at WL, POR, and CR. My older DD often tells me that she can still smell the lobby at AKL and daydreams about the resort often. We had outstanding service, from the bell staff to the savannah CMs. We made many friends during our stay, because the CMs are so unbelievably friendly and informative. We were there under less than perfect circumstances (to say the least with the hurricane) and still managed to have a wonderful time. I cannot say enough good things about this resort. My children have many happy memories from staying here, and isn't that the point of a great vacation? By the way, the CMs are often perplexed by guests' discontent at not seeing "enough" animals. The resort goes out of its way to mimic the animals' natural habitat; it's not a circus, and the animals are not "trained" to perform for the guests!

 

[dreamflight99]

It's the one deluxe we have yet to experience (overnight). Although we have visited the restaurants, and also shopped in the beautiful gift shop, walked outside at night viewing the nocturnal habits of the animals, etc. I clearly recall being taken~in immediately by the "aromatherapy" of the interior lobby. The intense mixture was nearly intoxicating, and immediately relaxing. The dark interior coincides perfectly with the theme, lending genuine credence to the ambience...painstakingly created to mirror the REAL THING (half-way around the world). I find it fascinating and intriguing, piquing all the senses in a manner DISNEY has ultimately mastered with this creation! The restaurants offer incredible fare, prepared masterfully by a top-notch staff of chefs. Again, a triumph for the Mouse. I plan to visit this resort in the near future, and look forward to a memorable stay.

 

[kimmar067]

It's the one deluxe we have yet to experience (overnight). Although we have visited the restaurants, and also shopped in the beautiful gift shop, walked outside at night viewing the nocturnal habits of the animals, etc. I clearly recall being taken~in immediately by the "aromatherapy" of the interior lobby. The intense mixture was nearly intoxicating, and immediately relaxing. The dark interior coincides perfectly with the theme, lending genuine credence to the ambience...painstakingly created to mirror the REAL THING (half-way around the world). I find it fascinating and intriguing, piquing all the senses in a manner DISNEY has ultimately mastered with this creation! The restaurants offer incredible fare, prepared masterfully by a top-notch staff of chefs. Again, a triumph for the Mouse. I plan to visit this resort in the near future, and look forward to a memorable stay.

...you sure have a way with WORDS!!

And, on behalf of all those AKL enthusiasts, here's another

for the AKL! We found the "darkness" to just lend to the ambiance, quite soothing and relaxing. The CM's were freindly and helpful. We also enjoyed the 'remoteness' of the AKL, and it has become my DH's FAVORITE!

 

[stinkerbelle]

We have friends that are waiting to joing the DVC when they add DVC to AKL - Villas.

Sadly - this will never happen.

We have stayed at AKL 4 times now...all concierge...and they always recognize us when we walk into the lounge. heheh. We've became very friendly with the AKL CM's up there...and mentioned "AKL villas"...sadly, they said, this will never happen...as the villas would be on the other side of the parking lot. They didn't think to leave room I guess!

It always bothers me when people say "I paid good money for a savannah view and I didn't see any animals!"

Yes - you paid for a SAVANNAH view...not an animal view! Animals are not 100% guaranteed!

I have never, EVER smelled "animal droppings" while staying in a Savannah view room.

Ah well - to each their own!

 

[Pooh1219]

I've stayed at AKL twice, returning again in three weeks, and can't wait to get back to my new favorite resort. Yes, the hotel is a little darker in its decor and lighting, but that's what many people like about it. There's no irritating assault to your senses, like you receive at the Contemporary, but rather a soothing feeling that comes over you once you enter the lobby. The bus rides to parks other than AK are not that much longer, yet people complain about the distance all the time. I have to wonder if they were riding the same buses we were! As far as smells from animal droppings, I've been there on miserably hot days and I never detected a trace of bad aroma from any of the savannahs.

Like one of the posters above said, that's why Disney has such a wide variety of resorts - there's something for everyone.

 

[#1hockeymom]

All I can say is... I wanna go home! Four visits to AKL, three of them concierge, and I consider it my favorite spot in the United States. I am actually happy to hear about people not preferring AKL, as that leaves more room for those of us who are in heaven there! To each his own, to thine own self be true!

 

[leanne11]

but we also adore POLY we got a postcard rate of $105 last yr. and stayed at akl, my son still talks about the bridge he walked on and the stained glass windows,elegant we had seen it on the travel channel right before we left and it was voted 1 of the best resorts, the food court was so close to the pool we just filled up our mugs and relaxed, the kids loved the extra's (cookie decorating,chalking the animals on the floor, the animal quiz) and the simbas club,loved having a close back road that led us to all the touristy cheap stuff(cheap buffet rest cheap souvin.) we loved that they had a bus sign for the differnt stops, maybe some people don't look into all the extra's