Don't hate us but we did not like AKL

[MNRMommy]

Well to re-phrase we liked the lodge and the concierge staff could not have been nicer but we have always stayed at Epcot area resorts and felt completely isolated at AKL. After two nights of our five night reservation we requested and were transfered over to the Beach Club Concierge. We have always found the easy access to both Epcot and MGM to be highly favorable elements of the Epcot area resorts. I know that many people have said that the buses run regularly to the AKL but that is not what we found to be true. Disney is trying to institute a new on demand busing dispatch and the busses took FOREVER to get there. Basically there has to be enough people to justify a bus before it gets dispatched is what we were told. So if you are the only couple waiting to go to Epcot you WILL WAIT. Also, we did not like the unvarying offerings of the concierge lounge. The African inspired foods of Jiko and Boma were OK but not our cup of tea. They however were the only offerings unless you wanted tiny pb&j sandwhiches that I assume were for the kids. The breakfast offerings were good though and more continental. Again, we thought the lodge was absolutly beautiful and having the view of the animals from our balcony is beyond words. However, if you are used to an Epcot or MK area resort you will feel isolated. I recommend giving it a try but would not book my whole stay there. Try a few days and then head over to another resort. Luggage transfer makes this a very easy option. If anyone has any specific questions feel free to ask.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Oh -- we just HATE you!
It is a beautiful resort. Although we just walked the grounds and ate at Bomo's. I can see how you would feel isolated too.
But aren't we glad not everyone likes the same resorts?
Sounds like you had a great time though! Welcome back!

 

[Michelle]

I TOTALLY understand, TC Mattoon, I'm an "Epcot Resorts Area" person myself. We enjoyed our stay at the AKL in August but I definitely did feel isolated. I like being able to walk right out of the hotel and be at the Boardwalk, or walk to Epcot, and have a choice of MANY eateries within a short distance. When we were there the bus service was pretty good at AKL, so that wasn't the big problem, it was just the isolation that was the issue.

Different strokes for different folks!

 

[mickey7861]

Every one likes something different. That's not good or bad, just different. We just spent 3 weeks at WDW from 7/27 to 8/16. We spent 2 weeks at the Beach Club Villas and hated it. We loved our weekend at AKL and plan a full week there next summer. We never waited more than 10 min. for a bus and never had more than a dozen people on it. A great change from waiting 45 min for a MK bus at the BCV and BWV and having it already packed when it arrives. Maybe it's because we were there at a busier time. Good thing WDW has so many different choices.

 

[dandave]

We'll <i>try</i> not to hate you...
Thank you so much for your report! Glad you were able to transfer.

 

[anniet]

T C Mattoon you must have missed Mara the cafe at Animal Kingdom Lodge that offers more food court type fare.

We stayed at Coronado Springs in 2000-not far from AKL and there were 13 of us total. My Aunt, Uncle, cousin and his wife and two children decided NOT to rent a car and after day two realized it was a mistake. Luckily there were 3 other cars there so we were able to pile in and travel in a more timely manner. I agree the bus service at this end of the resort area leaves much to be desired.

Glad you were able to transfer and enjoy the remainder of your trip!

 

[jabrown40]

I stayed at BC in August, but took a ride over to AKL to see it. We all agreed we were very happy that we had not booked there. I thought the lodge was very dark and depressing, and I just didn't like that burning smell. Also, there wasn't a single animal out in the savannah area when we looked around. I know plenty of people like it however, I just like the colors at BC and atmosphere of the Epcot area as well.

 

[erikthewise]

Hate you?! Of COURSE not!! But recommend next time you try Sleep Inn Maingate .

We're trying 5 days BCV followed by two days AKL. Perhaps we'll be Epcotted out by the time we hit AKL and won't miss it.

 

[markºoº]

We just got back - stayed one night at AKL prior to our cruise and 4 nights at BC after the cruise. We stayed concierge at both resorts.

We really liked AKL and liked our room, the concierge lounge, and the overall resort better than BC. Although acceptable, BC is showing some age and needs some work. AKL, on the other hand is new and spotless.

The AKL theme may not be for everyone as it is a dark, African themed resort. Lighting is very subdued throughout the resort and in the rooms. Disney could offer more light in the rooms.

That said, the BC is VERY convenient. Being able to push the stroller to EPCOT or onto the boat to MGM is very nice. We drove to MK, AK and Typhoon Lagoon rather than wait for a bus and had no problem driving. AKL's location was not a problem since we just hung around the resort all day. If we stayed longer at AKL, I would consider driving to the parks.

As for the comment about no animals - that is sometimes the case. When we checked in, the bellman said the animals are not always out. Sometimes they will be called in when there are people in the savannah. Also, the animals do move around and are not always visible unless you move around and look from different spots.

I spoke to a CM in the concierge lounge at AKL about its occupancy. She acknowledged it had not met Disney's expectations. She said AKL is, however, becoming a weekend get away resort. Occupancy is very high on weekends as many people come for the weekend and just hang around the resort or do things other than the parks. Our bellman's comment on Sunday as we left would confirm this - he said they had over 700 rooms checking out that Sunday. We noticed the pool, restaurants, and other parts of the resort were packed all day Saturday.

Everyone had differents tastes and needs - that is why Disney provides such a wide variety of resorts.

 

[PlutoPal]

Thats very true that it is isolated. We visited there, but never stayed there and we thought it was a knock off of WL. Out of 10 I would give it an 7.

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by PlutoPal
we thought it was a knock off of WL.

Close- they were designed by the same architect!

 

[DeeP]

I think people that really like the Epcot resort area are people that love the convenience to 2 parks, entertainment, multiple dining choices etc and miss the convenience and pampering that you get at the Epcot resort area when you go to a resort in a more isolated location. I am also a Epcot resort area person and I just love this area and for me it is the best location at WDW. When we stayed at AKL we thought it was beautiful and a very unique resort but we are definitely not in any hurry to stay there again. Give me an Epcot resort anyday. Some people do not like the Epcot resort area because they find it too busy, I find it fun, exciting and super convenient.

 

[carriep1657]

TC, thanks for your review. We will be staying at AKL in November. I'm very excited about the trip. But, I am a little worried about the dispatch on demand system for the busses. I hadn't heard about this. We were hoping to use the Disney transportation during our stay but I don't want to wait at the bus stop forever with two small kids. Could you explain a bit more about how it works?

 

[eeyore0062]

Oh TCMaroon, I am so sorry you were disappointed in AKL. I understand the feeling, though, as I was disappointed in WL, and everyone raves about that resort as well. I think it all depends on your likes and dislikes. I happen to like lighter more whimsical theming, and WL is a little too masculine for me. We were also disappointed with the room size for a deluxe accomodation. Of course that is not to say that we didn't think that the staff wasn't wonderful, the lobby breathtaking and the pool and guyser something to see... it just wasn't my cup of tea!

Isn't it nice that WDW has so many resorts from which to choose, so everyone can pick something that best suits their taste?!

 

[bjakmom]

Just back from last week of Aug stay - First 3 nights we stayed at BWV and final 3 at AKL. Loved both resorts, but have to say that we were actually relieved to be using AKL buses after spending the first few days making all those stops (Boardwalk,Swan, Dolphin, YC & BC!) every time we took a bus - and we had our longest bus waits there! Once we hit AKL we never waited more than 5 or 10 min for a bus (max) and they were always direct route. We also found it extremely easy to grab a bus to AK and jump onto a resort bus to get back to the Boardwalk area. Fortunately for us, they were not using any dispatch on demand system, since there were often only a few of us on the bus. Sometimes they change things so much and so quickly that we can all get very different experiences!
We loved spending the end of our trip at AKL, a great place to relax and unwind a little - couldn't wait to get back there at any time of the day!
PS: the animals were very active in the early morning - they take them out every day about mid day for an hour so they can clean and replant the savannah - then they were again very active in the late day - hey! it's hot out there! - the best time for me was at 4:30 AM when I woke up and sat on the balcony for over an hour - amazing! the animals were very close and active- if you wake up in the night like I sometimes do take a look out!

 

[MNRMommy]

From what we observed of the dispatch on demand the busses no longer just loop around a set course going back to the same resorts each time. They go to a designated place like Epcot or MGM and when they arrive someone tells them which resort loop to hit next. So if you are on a bus from AKL and decide not to get off at MGM you are not guaranteed to go back to the AKL. The bus may next get dispatched to the Swan Dolphin etc. There was someone who would walk out and kind of check the situations at the bus stops and report back to the dispatchers. We waited 50 minutes one day at WL for a bus to Down Town Disney. We waited 40 for a bus to AK from BC once. And every bus we waited for at AKL took a while with the exception of one. We only waited ten minutes for a bus from the AKL to the AK one day. The other waits were over 30 minutes each. We had several people complaining to the bus drivers who said that they needed to let guest services know becuase that was the only outlet for saying this was not working.

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

I don't hate you at all, you think like me, I love the Epcot resorts, YC is my all time favorite. I stayed just one night at AKL so that wasn't bad but to be honest I could not stay there any longer. It is a gorgeous hotel, the food court is nice, Bomas was wonderful, the staff is one in a million but I still like those Epcot resorts, I'm with you

 

[Simba's Mom]

No problem! You're an example of how everyone's taste is different-even in the same family. That's why I get such a kick out of the "favorite" resort posts. I stayed at AKL solo and LOVED it. On my next trip with DH, I took him over there to see this beautiful resort, and while he thought it was "OK", he wasn't overly impressed. Sort of "Been there, done that, not going back".

 

[tycase]

We loved AKL and found the bus system actually better than Beach Club and Grand Floridian as the AKL busses are direct to your destination and don't make any stops. We never waited more than 5 minutes for one. We loved the theming of the lodge, kind of like another park. The cm's were fantastic. Jiko's was the best meal I have had in WDW. That said, two things... we had a room overlooking the "people pens" in one of the side savanahs. These are the same price as the other savanah view rooms, but you only have a view of fencing, concrete and occasional lower level **** sapiens spitting over their balconies (!!??). Also, the lighting is so low in the rooms, if you wear makeup, you need to go out on the balcony in the sun to apply it! This is my favorite resort, but I would not stay there again unless I could get a savanah view room overlooking the main savanah, and not over the people pens.

 

[Wilma Flintstone]

I seem to remember reading (in the early days of WL) that it was originally deemed a "moderate-price resort." That would explain the size of the room--the smallest in the "deluxe" category. When Disney got wind of its immense popularity, the hotel was changed to "deluxe" and extras were added: coffeemakers, iron/ironing board and newspaper delivery. They outdid themselves with the beautiful architecture, theming and "we try harder" attitude that was soooo refreshing when we stayed in '97. When we checked into the Yacht Club after checking out of WL, we noticed quite a difference in cast members' personalities: i.e. "cold shouldered indifference." I still LOVE the YC, but will continue to sing the praises of the wonderful cast members at the Wilderness Lodge. Hope this helped you...all the best, Wilma