Bus Troubles at AKL

[tlady]

Stayed at AKL May 17 thru 20. Major delays of up to and over 30 minute waits for AKL buses, both going to and returning from parks. Almost missed a dinner reservation. Another man almost missed his Frozen reservation. Spoke to an AKL mgr. She apologized and gave us extra FPs and even a free cab ride next morning to MK! She later called our room. Said she had spoken to Trans people. They admitted problems with AKL buses. No details provided. Just thought I'd warn people. And kudos to the AKL mgr! I will write WDW about the mgrs' great response.

 

[Pennstate6411]

Glad they resolved/are resolving things- will be there in November hoping it will be fully fixed by then

 

[goofy4tink]

While I realize that bus troubles can, and do, occur at most resorts at some point, it isn't every manager that steps up and does the right thing! That's really good to hear!!

 

[maxiesmom]

It is in part because of unexpected troubles that Disney recommends we allow 90 minutes to make it to an ADR. Glad you didn't end up missing yours.

 

[OKW Lover]

Great example of how to handle an issue while you are there.

 

[Dis703]

A friend of mine was there maybe a week or two earlier and said she had multiple waits of 45 minutes. She was pretty unhappy with the bus situation. I've been considering AKL for our next trip so it's disappointing to keep hearing negative experiences with the buses here. Glad they compensated you for it.

 

[quandrea]

This is troubling. We own at AKL Kidani and bus service has always been exemplary.

 

[bumbershoot]

This is troubling. We own at AKL Kidani and bus service has always been exemplary.

Not when I've stayed there...

 

[quandrea]

Not when I've stayed there...

Really? I've stayed there probably thirty, forty times, no complaints. Haven't been there since January 2016 though.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would also say a bus arriving 10 minutes after Disney's goal of 20 minutes is not a "major delay".

 

[LisaS]

We were there the first week of May and the bus service was fine heading to the parks but a couple of times we waited a very long time for a bus back to the resort.

 

[BaymaxForever]

We were there the first week of May and the bus service was fine heading to the parks but a couple of times we waited a very long time for a bus back to the resort.

I agree with this. Never had an issue on our trip getting to the parks, it was always getting back to the resort. We waited about 40-45 leaving MK one afternoon at about 4pm. We were the second family in line and didn't see a bus leave as we were walking to the stop. I think they must have had only one bus going back and forth. Waited 3 bus loads leaving AK one evening. Guess it's just luck of the draw and timing as to why some folks have difficulty when others don't.

 

[mb187143]

We stayed at AKL 4/30-5/6 and the buses, for us, were much better than the last time we stayed there in 2015. Rarely waited more than 5 minutes in either direction. The buses stopping at jambo house after kidani were never full, and going back at night often as one bus pulled away another was pulling right in.

We have had good and bad experiences everywhere. Our worst wait was actually at the Grand Floridian and we had amazing bus service at POFQ in 2016. It's really a crapshoot. It is nice though that he manager took care of the OP. I wonder if it was the same one who finally resolved our issues with housekeeping.

 

[joelkfla]

I think they must have had only one bus going back and forth. Waited 3 bus loads leaving AK one evening.

Buses do not go back and forth. All of the buses picking up Guests at the park are in one pool, and are dispatched to a resort as they arrive at the park.