First AKL Visit - Wow!

[ksc37]

I'm back from a short stay at the AKL (2/2 - 2/6). This was my first trip there, and (wow!) what a beautiful resort! I did not expect to like it as much as I did, but I was really impressed with the details in the decor and overall theme of the resort. I also liked the hidden Mickeys in the bed spreads and the hallway carpet!

We had booked standard view, and were upgraded to a Pool view (without asking). I didn't bother to ask for an upgrade to Savannah because we were traveling with another party and the room assigner had put us next door to one another.

I really liked the room we had. The pool view had a very tropical feel, and I could sit on the balcony and watch my husband and son swim while the baby slept. We were in room 3418 in Zebra Trail, which is just down the corridor from the main atrium (quick access to everything). I'd heard that some people had issues with hallway noise, and though there was some, it wasn't enough to wake anyone (or keep anyone awake).

Boma was awesome, and to everyone recommending the Zebra Dome, you were right (yum!). The only problem was that my 3 year old kept eating mine.

The problem with the AKL... the busses. Now I've heard over and over that they were fine, and going to the parks, we timed it right and didn't have to wait long. However, they didn't seem to run enough busses in the late afternoon (they only ran one when the Animal Kingdom closed, so we had to wait for 3 trips until we got on), and we had to wait about 25 minutes one afternoon when leaving the MK. Halfway through our trip we decided to drive to and from the parks, which worked out much better, especially since we were toting two strollers and two kids under 4.

Check-in took longer than expected... I waited 15 minutes in line to check-in. But I was okay with that since we got our room right away (we checked in at 11:30 am).

The other problem was that no one cleaned our room on our first full day there. I finally called housekeeping at 5:00 pm and asked someone to come up and make up the room. A minor inconvenience.

The animals weren't as available as expected. They tended to keep their distance, but we did like watching the zebras and the wildebeest through the night vision scope.

We had a great trip, but I think we will stay at a MK resort next time, solely because of the distance and the commute. When the kids are older, we will definitely be back!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Glad to hear you enjoyed AKL! Sorry you had a few problems. We booked a pool view for our next trip, I am glad to hear that it is nice. Fifteen minutes for check-in isn't too bad. When we stayed at POFQ and then POR we waited over an HOUR!! That was horrific - especially with a tired one year old. I will definately give Boma a try because it is getting such good reviews! (did your son eat any of the food?)

 

[MelessaG]

Thanks for your post. I saw Matt Lauer in Botswana this morning and questioned my desire to stay in the Contemporary. But, with little kids on our trip (6, 4, 2, and 6 mos. when we go) easy access to MK is more important this trip than Mommy's desire for 'further research'. (I did a special seminar on the Kalahari desert last Fall, I'm in grad school) It does sound wonderful and since we go every other year, I'm sure we will stay there someday. Just not this year-my kids would never handle the bus wait at their ages. Thanks for helping me stop second-guessing myself.

 

[Selket]

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay! And thank you for confirming that it is possible to have a 25 minute wait for a bus! We did as well one evening when leaving the MK and one of the dudes on the DIS who works in transportation at WDW posted about my comment saying it was *impossible* to have such a long wait! Oh yea baby - it is possible. The guy behind me was so steamed he was calling the AKL on the cell phone asking where the bus was (I was just overhearing him). This was after the fireworks one night in August. We had to wait through several busses to get back to the hotel. Generally we didn't have problems with the busses but we usually waited 10-15 minutes each way for a bus to come. We also had problems with getting the room cleaned before 5 pm - that happened several times to us.

I've not tried a MK resort but I'd like to do that next time - or maybe WL which has the boat over. The AKL is really lovely though!

 

[ValerieK]

My son and I also saw Matt Lauer in Botswana on the Today show this morning. We are beginning to plan our next trip to WDW, and it made us think about staying at AKL also. But my Dh and DS love MK and we also have a 3 year old. I don't know if I would want to bus to MK all the time. Maybe when the kids are older.

 

[veruka]

Our first visit at AKL will be later this month! It was a last minute decision and I'm so excited! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your trip!

 

[time101]

I appreciate how even though you had some negative comments, you did not let these problems ruin your stay. I think a positive attitude is needed on any vacation to enjoy it fully. There are always negative things that happen on any trip. It's refreshing to read a trip report like yours after reading how some have let the absence of towel animals completely spoil the "Disney magic" for them. You waited 15 mins to check in, 25 mins for a bus, heard noise from the hallway, didn't see many animals, and didn't have ANY housekeeping one morning, and you're still ready to go back!! Good for you!!!!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[ksc37]

Lexxiefern,

Regarding your question about whether my son ate the food at Boma... my one year old ate some of the food, but my 3 year old opted to eat the spaghetti and chicken fingers from the childrens' buffet, and fresh fruit from the salad bar. He really enjoyed the dessert buffet, though!

 

[jcemom]

we checked into akl on the 3rd, there was no line to check in (around 4:00) but the cm doing the checking-in was very s..l..o..w. nice, just slow. we were upgraded from standard to savannah view and that was terrific! there is a giraffe feeding station right outside our balcony, so we get to watch the giraffes eat every morning at about 7:15, otherwise we haven't seen many animals... an occasional ostrich, some vultures and cranes.

housekeeping has been very consistent, plenty of towels and such...no towel animals, but the childrens' plush have been arranged a couple of times. we can hear people in the hallways, but it's never been loud enough to keep any of us awake, or to awaken us from sleeping, not even during daytime naps.

the beds are comfortable (the boys have bunk beds, and DD has been sleeping just fine in the pack 'n play provided), though we find the pillows a bit too thick. (anyone else notice that?)

we have a rental car, but have mainly used the buses. we haven't had any problems other that AKL to and from AK of all places! It's only five minutes away, but DH waited over 30 minutes for a bus from AK one day, and we were on the bus to AK with a couple who had been waiting an hour! It seems the driver didn't show up for work and no one replaced him to cover his route--at least that's what they were told by a cm.

we had breakfast at boma this morning and it was great! we haven't tried dinner yet.

overall, we're very happy with the resort, but will probably choose something closer to everything else next time. although we haven't waited long for buses in general, it's a long bus ride to and from all but AK and MGM.

we're off to cirque tonight, then mk tomorrow. we'll be heading home thursday afternoon.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Originally posted by ksc37
Lexxiefern,

Regarding your question about whether my son ate the food at Boma... my one year old ate some of the food, but my 3 year old opted to eat the spaghetti and chicken fingers from the childrens' buffet, and fresh fruit from the salad bar. He really enjoyed the dessert buffet, though!

Thanks! Sounds like my 3 year old Good to know there are some old favorites offered.

 

[kume]

jcemom:

Did you ask for the upgrade? That would be great for the kids but it's just too much for our budget......Thanks

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by kume
jcemom:

Did you ask for the upgrade? That would be great for the kids but it's just too much for our budget......Thanks

No, I didn't ask for the upgrade. I was quite happy to have received it, though! Maybe you'll get lucky, too! I'm sure it has much to do with what is available at the time.