Don't hate us but we did not like AKL

[eeyore0062]

Wilma, I wasn't saying that the CM's at WL weren't wonderful, they were. I just don't like the room interior colors, even though they are appropriate to the theming. We were there when the WL was being built in 1993, and it was being touted as a resort between a deluxe and a moderate... so the room size doesn't surprise me... and wouldn't be too bad, except for the oversized furniture... it feels so cramped, especially for more than 2 people. As I said before, it just isn't my cup of tea... too masculine for me!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by TC Mattoon
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.

AK Lodge is NOT part of Magic On Demand. In the morning, those busses will run on set routes, with fixed intervals. At 11:00am, MK, Epcot, and Studios all convert over to Flex Dispatch. Flex is a modified version of fixed routes, but allows for flexibility. Flex dispatch is NOT demand based, and most busses now run at 7-14 minute intervals.

On a side note, for those resorts who do have Magic on Demand... the busses will run a maximum of 15-17 minutes apart, even if there are only 2 people waiting. The "On Demand" part just signifies the addition of more busses as needed.

 

[Disneylvr]

Thank you Chip and Dale Express!!! I was beginning to get worried about my upcoming stay at AKL. I have heard such glowing reports about the resort's transportation.

 

[MNRMommy]

Chip n Dale Express

I am very happy to hear an actual transportation cast member say it is not based on how many people are waiting. That would have been horrible. We were told this by a member of the valet staff so now I have hope.

Perhaps they were just in transition from busy to non busy periods when we were there and were working out kinks. I know that we waited much longer than the average 15 minutes we are used to on several occaisions. We got to kind of making a game out of timing it so we wouldn't go crazy. Of course on Disneys defense we also had a little murphys law going on becuase when we were waiting on the Down Town Disney bus at WL (for 50 minutes) we did see three MK busses come and go.

Busses won't deter me from coming again though as we usually stay in the Epcot area and can walk or take launches to most places.

 

[jgates]

Just a thought on your problems - I didn't catch the dates you were there but.......

We had no problems when we were there, however, one night on the way back from MK (to Swan), the people for Y & B (are those the ones on the boardwalk?) behind our stop were IRATE. They had been waiting nearly an hour and they were starting to yell and become rather irate with the CM's who were in that area.

I was just ready to turn around and tell them to get on the S/D bus if it came before their bus and then give them directions on WALKING back to Y & B so they could get back faster. However then a bus for Y &B showed up (followed immediately by a S/D bus). They JUST ABOUT CHEWED THE DRIVER UP IN TO LITTLE PIECES AND SPIT HIM BACK OUT AGAIN!

The next day the driver taking us back to our resort said he had 4 busses break down on him the day before (and so did other drivers). The busses actually stil ran. But NO AIR CONDITIONING. He said that was the number one problem on the busses and of course, depending on which ones break down, they may not be able to get one 'back in the loop' of things right away.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by TC Mattoon
we were waiting on the Down Town Disney bus at WL (for 50 minutes) we did see three MK busses come and go.

I'm assuming this is a typo, as MK Busses do not service the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by jgates
We had no problems when we were there, however, one night on the way back from MK (to Swan), the people for Y & B (are those the ones on the boardwalk?) behind our stop were IRATE. They had been waiting nearly an hour and they were starting to yell and become rather irate with the CM's who were in that area.

I'm not discrediting your story or whatnot, but I personally find it hard to beleive that guests were at the MK waiting for a bus for that amount of time. In that period of time, there should have been 4-5 busses into that load zone. And with Flex Dispatch, which has been at the MK for quite some time now, if a bus goes out of service, it does not affect the frequency of service to any location.

Originally posted by jgates
However then a bus for Y &B showed up (followed immediately by a S/D bus). They JUST ABOUT CHEWED THE DRIVER UP IN TO LITTLE PIECES AND SPIT HIM BACK OUT AGAIN!

It really bothers me when folks do this. I understand they might be frustrated or whatnot, but the driver has no control over anything. They just go where they are told. 95% of the time it is not the drivers fault.

Originally posted by jgates
The next day the driver taking us back to our resort said he had 4 busses break down on him the day before (and so did other drivers). The busses actually stil ran. But NO AIR CONDITIONING. He said that was the number one problem on the busses and of course, depending on which ones break down, they may not be able to get one 'back in the loop' of things right away.

During peak summer months, when it gets the hottest, the A/C units get pushed to thier limits. And as all mechanical items, they are prone to failure when pushed too hard. Keep in mind, each bus runs an average of 16 hours per day, 7 days a week. 250-400 miles per day. If the A/C goes out on the bus, the bus WILL be removed from service. This even goes for late night, when it's cool. The A/C does more than just cool the bus, it de-humidifies it, and prevents the windows from fogging up. That's why the driver is unable to turn the A/C off.

Disney is very safety conscious, and as such, if the driver feels that the passengers safety is compromised in any way, the bus will be taken out of service. Whether it be bad brakes, or windshield wipers, the bus will be replaced.

In the past, when each bus had a set Route... if a bus went down, it created a gap in the route, until that bus could be switched out. With the new Flex Dispatch, if a bus goes down, it doesn't affect dispatch times. The driver simply removes itself from the system, replaces the bus, and enters back into the system.

 

[MNRMommy]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
I'm assuming this is a typo, as MK Busses do not service the Wilderness Lodge.

It was - I meant MGM. My husband caught that one too. My bad.

 

[PamNC]

Although we haven't stayed at the AKL I can understand how you feel. We LOVE the Epcot resort area - the location is second to none IMHO. In fact YC/BC is our favorite resort and we've found we can't stay away. We tried to stay at the GF during our May visit and after one night we transfered to the Beach Club. GF is gorgeous - but we missed the Epcot area and Stormalong Bay.

I think I would feel isolated at AKL - although we have visited the resort and I think it's lovely. We've decided that we want to try different resorts, but we feel like we're missing out if we don't stay at YC or BC. So, for our next trip we're going to split our stay so we can experience the other resorts.

PamNC

 

[las3888]

I know how you feel...we don't care much for WL either and as eeyore0062 has mentioned, many just love it.

We will be staying at AKL next month, and are trying to set our expectations somewhat low. We are in a standard view room and I know everybody says to book the savannah because that's what it is all about, but we didn't want to spend the extra money. Basically, I feel like we are staying at a deluxe for the price of a moderate on this trip. We LOVE the EPCOT/BW area and would love to stay there, but again didn't want to spend the extra money on this trip. It's kind of our last trip before my AP expires, so I want to really get my final use out of the pass without spending an arm and a leg...

I hope we won't be too sorry, but we are going into it with pretty low expectations. We will also have a car, so we will not have the problem with the busses. The way I look at it, we have stayed at all deluxes except AKL and BWI, so we are just trying something new!!!

We've been to AKL a few times and find it pretty, however, Boma is not our cup of tea either...oh well! To each his own!

 

[GinaDice]

We just returned last night from 6 absolutely wonderful nights at the the AKL.

We were originally booked at Coronado Springs for this trip, but since the trip was to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary I really wanted to upgrade to a deluxe resort and stay at the Animal Kingdom.

And we were not disappointed at all. The room was beautiful, we were on the sunset savannah. We could see the "people pen" but we still had a great view of the savannah and we saw animals every single day. While it was in the high 90's and very humid each day - the animals were out in the morning and then again later in the day - every day!

The bus service was better than any other time we have been at Disney. A direct route to each park! While we waited 10 minutes for a bus....once we were on board we made no other stops until we got to the park!!!

Yes, the rooms tend to be a bit darker than other resorts - BUT that it part of the theme. One of the best things about Disney is they offer something for everyone.

I for one prefer this resort to many of the others. It is much more relaxing and calming.

I agree that the food may not be to everyone's liking but having eaten in all three of the restaurants a the resort I can say that the menu offered the very basic to the more exotic.

If you are thinking about a stay at this resort - GO For it !! It is a wonderful place - and some of the nicest cast members I have encounterd at Disney work there!

 

[nwdisgal]

When I was there in July, the busses were running about every ten minutes. I was very impressed with AKLs transportation. I have never stayed at the Epcot resorts, but do like their proximity and the convenience (especially by foot) and will likely do that next time. I do agree that AKL is set out, but if the bus transportation is running smoothly it doesn't make much of a difference. It is a great place to get a way from the theme parks and relax. I can see why many make it a weekend destination.

If you want to be in the hustle and bustle, I can see why AKL might not appeal to you.