First and Last Visit to AKL this last weekend

[Advance The Man]

It just wasn't for us. We have been to the local zoo so many times, the newness that a Giraffe was outside the window became no big deal within an hour.

Minus the sparse animals in the viewing area, it is quite ugly. There's a dirt road that surrounds it, some grass, scrubby trees and some small ponds. Our walk to the room was long from the lobby. Certainly I would not recommend taking your bags by yourself. We utilized the bell service. Valet is unneccessary, it's not a bad walk from the parking lot to the lobby. The following has to do with the bus service. It is lousy and I guess is awful for wherever you are staying when you need to use it. I swear it's on purpose to slow the visitors down! No one should ever rely on the buses if they have purchased a multi-park ticket, you will be wasting a couple of hours traveling. We decided to drive to MGM and that was nice b/c you don't get charged for parking if you are staying at a resort and we got there within 15 minutes. Even when the bus arrives, it takes a really long time to get to MK, Epcot and Downtown Disney. We waited 30 minutes for the bus to and from Downtown Disney. The building is awesome and the pool looks terrific. I asked if it was heated on this forum and I think someone said no, but it sure felt like it was. I could of swam without being cold. For my family, I will only stay at the following and in this order of preference: Swan/Dolphin, Ft Wilderness (will stay there in April), Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary. When traveling to one of the parks, it is much easier to get stroller on/off a boat or monorail than a bus. They are also faster.

 

[fljelad]

Sorry you had such a lousy experience. We are going for our first trip in May and we'll be staying at AKL. I fully expect to have a fantastic experience!

 

[safetymom]

Sorry to hear that your vacation wasn't what you expected. BTW, all the resort pools are heated.

You will also find lots of Disney transportation fans on the DIS. I hope your next vacation is everything you want it to be.

 

[Advance The Man]

To each their own. It wasn't for us, but many people love it. You just don't know till you go. Now we didn't have a bad time! We had a blast at the parks. We'll just stay closer for now on.

One more thing about AKL. The employees are terrific. I received a call this morning that we left a bag and they are shipping it to me today.

Sorry you had such a lousy experience. We are going for our first trip in May and we'll be staying at AKL. I fully expect to have a fantastic experience!

 

[wld]

That's what is so great about Disney hotels, something for everyone. While I will agree with the Swan as number one for deluxes, we just stayed at AKL and loved it. We generally had several animals and I found it relaxing to look at them. We also had good bus service. While we did not have a stroller, I understand that comment.

Now we also stayed at the Poly this trip for the first time, and if I didn't keep it out of my head, that little voice would say "you paid $234. for this?"

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

WOW!!! This is by far my favorite resort! Sorry you had a bad stay!

 

[Shells9]

That's a bummer that you did not enjoy it -- we love it there!

I suppose the decor could really turn you off if you were not into that sort of thing. I understand where you are coming from in a way, though. Many people rave about Port Orleans. We stayed there once, and while there was nothing really wrong with it that we could pinpoint, we all agreed (even DD who is 7), that we would not go back there.

 

[lillygator]

Sorry you did not have a fantastic time...we were there last May and it was wonderful...quiet..animals outside our balconey ALL the time (by a feeding pen) and there were animals in the viewing areas all the time as well. That may be a hit or miss thing.
I thought the resort was beautiful and had lots for children to do. If it was on the monorail we would be staying there this next visit as well.

 

[Momof5cubs]

Sorry you didn't like it, Advance! We loved it when we went last June, but I can understand that it isn't everyone's taste.

 

[Kapp]

We have stayed at the AKL and LOVED it! We have also had many friends that have stayed there and all loved. I can see how it may not be for everyone.

 

[Harambe]

We are also big fans of AKL - but since our last visit was short (a few days) we chose a monorail resort so the travel time didn't chip away at our limited time at the parks. And its funny because we stayed at the GF, and that was not for us!

So as others have said, it's a good thing we all like different places. I'm sure you're glad you tried it once, and now know you won't have to include AKL as one of your choices from now on.

I'm gald you had a blast at the parks!

 

[pumpkinboy]

WOW!!! This is by far my favorite resort! Sorry you had a bad stay!

AKL is our favorite too! But then Different Strokes for Different Folks. (American English) De gustibus non disputandum est. (Latin) A chacun son goût. (French)... and so on...

Just means less competition for the rooms we want.

 

[MrsKreamer]

That is one reason why I wouldn't stay at AKL. While it is beautiful it is too far from everthing else. The All Stars are closer to everything! Just doesn't seem a point to spend all that money and be so far away.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

We stayed at AKL once. I'm glad I had the experience of staying there but much prefer the convenience of POFQ.

 

[TwingleMum]

We love the AKL. But then again I never met a WDW resort I didn't like. Our goal is to stay at each resort at least once.

 

[alecam]

We stayed at AKL once. I'm glad I had the experience of staying there but much prefer the convenience of POFQ.

Same here! I found POFQ to be a much prettier resort too, theming wise. The only real difference that I found was the room size, and I would rather save the money and have a smaller room.

 

[idinagirl]

I love resort hopping... so last March my bestfriend and I headed to AKL because I'd heard to many fantastic things about it.

I was incredibly impressed with the interior decor, and the restaraunts. However I found the exterior landscaping to be boring. Well not BORING... because nothing at Disney is boring but it was all something I'd seen before at zoos everywhere. Plus, spending the day at Animal Kingdom had the very same feel.

Of course if I had the bling to stay there, I'm sure I wouldn't be complaining!! And I probably wouldn't turn it down. I too, though, prefer staying closer to everything.

As I stated in my very first post in another thread, the Poly is my numero uno resort of choice.

 

[disgal1]

first 5 nights at the Swan( we have stayed there before and loved it) then the last 3 nights at the AKL. The boys want to go to Universal ,Islands and blizzard beach, We plan on driving to BB with them, but dropping them off at US, so those last three days will be for that. While they are off at US, DH and I will be relaxing at the AKL.( My sons are 16-19 years old)

I have taken the bus from MK to AKL for our Boma's ress., and was really glad we left MK an hour before our PS. It is much more time efficient staying closer.

 

[Divamomto3]

I ate at Boma for the first time on my last trip and experienced the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We thought it was spectacular and can't wait to stay there. Then again, I want to stay at each and every resort (well the deluxes anyway!) As for the Swan, I would only stay there again if I had no DVC points left and no codes for a weekend. It was not "Disney" to me.

But thankfully, different strokes...as they say. Or else, all of our "favorite" resorts would be booked up!

 

[MajorDaisy]

We are planning the next trip to stay at AKL the 1st night so we can experience it, along w/ Boma's & then next day do AK, then spend the rest of the nights at a resort closer to the other parks. DH always wants to do AK the first full day of the trip anyways.