Does anyone NOT like the theming and decor of AKL?

[disney-super-mom]

I'm still feeling a little unsettled about our reservations here and I'm not sure why. I see all these wonderful reviews and reports about AKL, but I'm just not all that excited about staying here. I don't know why.....maybe I'm just weird? DH and I did happen to visit the AKL on our last trip when we had breakfast at Boma, and what we saw of the resort was beautiful.

The thing is, it's our only choice for a deluxe resort that we can afford (the Wilderness Lodge was already booked for our dates, Dec 7-14), so that leaves us the choice of staying at the AKL, or a moderate, which would either be CSR or CBR.

I'm not sure what to do, or what's wrong with me. I should be grateful that we are fortunate enough to be able to stay at the AKL, and yet I'm not sure if I want to. I don't know if it's the decor, or the theming, or the darkness, or what it is that's making me feel like this.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

 

[madalex]

I definitely do not feel that way. I love everything about the decor and theming at AKL. I am sure once you are staying there, you will be in love with it.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I felt that way about WL and stayed there despite my feelings. Well I didnt like it just as I thought. I on the other hand love AKL. Everyone is different so if you think you wont like it and go into the trip that way you may be disappointed just as I was at WL. I would keep trying to get what you really want maybe you can shift the dates by a few days and that will help. Good luck!

 

[conmama]

I didn't really like the dark lobby. It was springbreak and we had come from the cold north. I was more in the mood for lightness. I think if it had been in the middle of the hot, hot summer, I would have appreciated the dark, cool feel of AKL.

I would take another look at Coronado, then.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I like the look but then I am not terribly picky about the lobby. Keep trying, I bet you can get the WL if you just keep trying. CSR doesnt appeal to us but we do like the CBR.

 

[fla4fun]

I don't like AKL. In fact, it's pretty much at the bottom of my list of resorts I choose to stay in. It's not that it's a bad resort. It just doesn't do a thing for me. Once I've watched the animals for a half hour or so, I'm done, and I can do that without staying there from the public viewing areas. The last time I stayed there, in a savannah view room, I could see the savannah, but I could also see traffic going by on Hwy 192. I didn't have a horrible stay - but unless that's the only resort left, I would stay somewhere else. But, then, I love CR, and there are a lot of people who think CR is cold, boring, and looks like a generic hotel. It's all in what appeals to you. That's what is so great about Disney. They have something for everyone.

If you are unsure about your resort choice, sit down and make a list of what you want from your resort overall, and then see which of your possible choices best matches what you want. For example, if your list has "interior corridors", then AKL would be the only one of the three that would work, as the other two have exterior corridors. If you want room service, AKL would have the most extensive room service menu, CSR would be more limited, and CBR (I believe) still has only pizza delivery. If a balcony is important, then you're back to AKL again. It's all about deciding what makes a vacation good for you, and then seeing which Disney resort works best to fill those needs.

 

[Cindie-rella]

AKL is themed African which is darker colors and deep rich woods and subdued lighting. Actually, its quite romantic. It has a very rich, warm feel to its ambiance. The theming is rather upscale African and you will actually find quite a bit of interesting arts and information along your strolls through the hallways, not to mention all the viewing area's along the way. Pool area is very relaxing and nice. Food offerings are also quite unique (as you have already sampled). This vacation took me as a surprise b/c I really was not interested in African theming prior to our stay here, I do however enjoy wildlife. Well, it is now my favorite resort anywhere. I fell in love with AKL. It is a very unique vacation and you too might find yourselves not even leaving the resort some days. It's relaxing and very, very different. Don't even consider switching. Give it a chance since you are already booked. We are now considering buying into the DVC AKV Timeshares.
Relax and don't worry. Go with confidence that you will be entering a whole new vacation experience. Enjoy.

 

[MinnieSummer]

The AKL during December, which is when you will be there, is absolutely breathtaking. I liked it better than WL, even GF (but I don't really like the whole Victorian Christmas theme). I also found the AKL to me so much more relaxing than WL during the holidays. You'll be fine. You'll be at WDW during the most beautiful time of the year. AKL is my first choice for Christmas this year. I've tried everywhere and just really feel WOWed by AKL for Christmas. If I can't stay there I'll be at WL or CSR. Those three resorts, IMHO, are the best places to be for Christmas or the month of December. CSR decorates as well as the deluxe resorts -- better than Poly, CR, YC/BC. So if you really don't think AKL will suit you and you can't get into WL, CSR is a great alternative.

 

[LukenDC]

The lobby is dark, but the rooms have some nice color to them. I love the brightly colored comforters, the colorful tile work in the showers, and the mosquito netting. The rooms are very attractive.

 

[Northern_Julie]

I was down to AKL and CSR. I chose CSR becasue I LOVE colour and wanted the light feel to my holiday. I live in the very cold north and October starts the dark months so it was simple I wanted sunshine. Money played into it to. I do plan on a trip to eat at Jiko and perhaps Boma just to see it but CSR just met my needs more.

 

[heatherlynn444]

if you are really concerned about it, can you change your vacation dates?

 

[eliza61]

AKL & WL are two very heavily themed resorts. This can be good or bad, if you're not into the "flavor" of the resort it's very hard to like it. I absolutely love the WL but AK doesn't do any thing for me. My dh is dying to try it though. As some one else posted it is done in muted colors and dark woods so that may not be to your liking. Absolutely nothing wrong with you. Try CSR you'll like that one.

 

[luna99]

I think I agree with you on not liking AKL too much .. this is why:

while I have never stayed as a guest at AKL I did go visit it in order to eat at Boma.... I thought the lobby was beautiful and loved the big window but I too thought it was a bit too dark inside. We walked out towards the giant window and went down to the first floor (past the camp fire area) and looked out on the savanna for a bit while we were waiting for our other friends to arrive for dinner... there were a few animals out and watching them was fun... then we walked back inside.. walked through the gift shop which was nice and went downstairs to boma.

I felt like the resort was small actually.. I mean, is there a lot more to the main area besides the lobby/gift shop/and restaurants? Where is the main pool? Does anyone have a detailed map of AKL?? Because if that was really all there was besides the rooms I remember thinking to myself that I really don't think I would ever want to stay there! Here are the con's to staying for me:

1. I love animals but I can't imagine spending all that money just to see them .. especially when I will be out in the parks most of the time.

2. The main areas just seemed small to me! Please tell me I'm missing something. I guess I like the moderates and how they have a lake in the middle where you can rent the boats or have trails to bike ride on. It seemed like AKL was just this big (tall) main lobby with a few things off of it and there was nothing else besides the hotel rooms. (not a lot of places to wander around)

3. It's dark. When I'm on vacation I like the feel of brightness, sunshine, color, and AKL just doesn't have that.

and the only pro for staying is Boma!! which was absolutely delicious and how great would it be to be able to just walk out of your hotel room and eat some of that yummy food?

but all in all I feel ya.... I mean... if it came down to staying at AKL or not going at all.. yeah, I'd go to Disney!! but honestly, I think I'd rather stay at POFQ or POR.

 

[Cindie-rella]

"The thing is, it's our only choice for a deluxe resort that we can afford (the Wilderness Lodge was already booked for our dates, Dec 7-14), so that leaves us the choice of staying at the AKL, or a moderate, which would either be CSR or CBR."

One more thing I think you should consider. IMHO, CSR does not really have quite the same Disney feel as the other resorts. It is a convention resort, and when we visited I was sooo glad we did not stay there. The day we were there there were many men/women standing around in business attire outside the food court, chatting with their drinks and smokes in hand, and also all around the pool bar and the lounges around the pool. It just felt like I would have felt like I was on a business trip instead of a WDW vacation. My opinion only. Just felt I wanted to share that. At least with CBR you'll have a beachy/islandy theme/feel to it. And also, I see you're from Washington state. I would think WL would feel like something that surrounds you back home. You know, the mountain theming and such. I'm from the Pocono area of PA and we do weekend cabin get-aways at the grand canyon of PA. I wouldn't feel much like I left PA if I stayed at WL. But I still say to stick with AKL, you might be surprised at how much you like it.

 

[DVC Mike]

AKL is my wife's favorite resort, followed closely by WL. She just loves the exotic theme of AKL and the animals.

 

[livie1205]

we stayed at AKL for the first time last sept and I only did it because I got offered a really good deal 129.00 a night savanna view..I never wanted to stay there but now it is my fav resort at wdw! we fell in love with it, it was so pretty and quite...we loved it so much that when we got our 40% postcard this year I made resis for AKL IN DEC 08 club level.... we cant wait..

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

For us, AKL would be the last resort on our list. I'm sure it's a nice resort, but we have no interest whatsoever in the theme. I'd much rather take the $$$ and stay at the GF or WL.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Have you considered renting points from a dvc member. Staying at a dvc resort can be a more afordable way of staying at a deluxe resort without paying the rack rates and the rooms are bigger. OKW

 

[Angel16]

I love, love, love AKL for Christmas. The decorations are fantastic and the tree is one unlike any other I have seen. AKL does special things during the holidays. Last year while we were there they had a singing group from Kenya that preformed on the stairs during the day and again in the evening. The beautiful African voices singing out in the lobby gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. We enjoyed the nice warm fireplace to sit around in the lobby and enjoy a drink or head outside and enjoy the storytelling around the fire pit. I just can't get into those activities in the hot weather. IMHO AKL is not dark; the whole resort transports me to Africa. I do not feel like I am in Disney, from the moment we arrive until we leave for a park (I am on a different continent, enjoying the sights, smells and textures of a place I have not been able to visit.) And quite honestly will never be able to visit due to required immunizations. So AKL is our African safari.

However, on that note it is not a resort for everyone. Disney has given us so many resort choices both in style, theme and price, that we can find what is perfect for each family. Wilderness Lodge is beautiful and we enjoy having dinner there at Artist Point on our last two visits. We also went on a sleigh ride with our family last year. It was wonderful to visit, and I am sure we will go back for a visit, however wouldn’t stay there. WL reminds us of the lodges in the Southwest part of the United States. We live there and are able to enjoy the California coast, Grand Canyon Lodges (South and North rim) Yosemite and others once or twice a year. So for us we prefer a resort that gives us a theme and style that is different.

However, I do feel from you note that staying at Wilderness Lodge is very, very important to you. I would try every couple of days to see if your dates open. You are really quite away out for your trip. I imagine that something will open up. I have been known to call on a daily basis trying to obtain my dates. And so far it has worked every time. One trick that I use is to explain to the CM in reservations what I am trying to do. If you can move your dates one way or another by a day or two, it could make a difference right away. Usually the CM is more then willing to check every possibility to meet your needs. Good luck and please come back to this thread and let us know where you decide on staying. Anywhere you stay is going to be wonderful. It will be Christmas and you’re at Disney!

 

[Tink3Belle]

Maybe you can split your stay a little there and at another hotel. I may do that with the SKL and POR.