First stay at AKL !!

[Ron from Michigan]

We will be staying at AKL for the first time next month and I was wondering what everyone has to say about it.

 

[mpbs]

My family stayed there July 2004, and loved it. The savannah view is beautiful. Have a great time, you will love it.

 

[tekmom]

Hi, we stayed there last month for the first time and we loved it as well. It was very relaxing and peaceful. The bus service was very quick and we always made it to our destination on time and without any complaints. The kids enjoyed the pool time and watching the animals. I thought everyone might get bored, as there aren't any watersport activities, but there was always something going on activity wise. The rooms were big enough for us and not dark as I had heard...but then I like that look. Mousekeeping was great...room always clean and we received towel animals for the kids. We enjoyed it enough that we are currently booked for next July as well...Enjoy your stay!

 

[fortizsyr]

AKL is truly Magical!

Enjoy it!

 

[Pig Pen]

It's absolutely fabulous.

 

[Iansmom]

our family stayed there during a split stay this past May.
We absolutely LOVED AKL!!!

Have a fantastic time!!

 

[Nik's Mom]

My family loved it! The lobby is great! And the savanah view is beautiful. There's nothing like watching animals from your balcony! I must admit that we did not enjoy the pool. The zero entry section was narrow and got very congested. But other than that, we love AKL!

 

[dixipixi]

We were at the AKL June 1st this year.

I absolutely LOVED it. I cannot say enough good things about it. We had a savannah view room and I could have spent hours just watching the animals.

We were only there for one night. After that we moved over to the YC.

I would love to go back for a longer stay. Be sure to catch the nighttime storytelling. The pool is wonderful. Beautifully landscaped. We ate at Boma and found it to be exceptional (though I will admit, not exactly to everyone's tastes). We only passed through the food court area but it was really clean and neat and there seemed to be a good selection.

I found the entire resort to be spotlessly clean and the CMs were some of the nicest I have ever encountered in WDW!

Have a wonderful time!!!!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I forgot to mention the food court. We enjoyed eating there (ate several times). There's a good selection. One of my favorites are the zebra prints! They are the best brownies! Yum!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks everyone for the replys. Hope we can get a savannah room, but just staying at AKL will be enough.

 

[Noah122898]

We will be arriving at the AKL next Wednesday, August 24th. I am so excited!! Have a great trip, I'm sure we will too!!

 

[kimisabella]

I'm so glad for all the great reviews - we're going in 6 weeks, so exicted!!
You definatley have to post a review when you get back!!

 

[cjsmom5]

If you have kids be sure to take advantage of the kid activities. The schedule is posted on the bulletin board by Boma's. Those doing the activities are all from Africa ... they share tons with the kids. And, for each one they go to they get a bead to make a "bracelet" or necklace that they take with them when they leave. Each bead stands for an activity. My DS loved the music and the animal guessing one. They are free and worth the time it takes to go to them. We really like the resort!

 

[Harambe]

We love AKL - absolutely beautiful. Wish I was going back . . . hey, what a minute . . . I'll be there Sunday! Yipee!!!!!

 

[ruzer28]

I just changed my reservation from POFQ to a savannah room at AKL. I was trying to get a standard view room , but they were all sold out, so I had to go with the savannah view. (Oh well!!!) The cost was considerably more than the POR would have been, but I'm an animal lover and I decided to go for it. After reading what everyone has said, I'm glad I did! I read that one of you didn't care for the pool, can anyone else give an opinion? I'd really be interested to hear what everyone thought. Thanks!

 

[cjsmom5]

The pool has a zero entry and is themed like an oasis. There isn't anything magical about it but it is very serene looking. When we go in off season it typically isn't crowded at all. The slide is okay but not one that my dare devil DS thinks is great. As he says it is okay. We aren't in the pool alot as we have one in our backyard and live in AZ where we enjoy it most of the year. But as far as pools go, it is nice...just nothing exceptional like Stormalong Bag at BC/YC or teh pool at the Boardwalk.

 

[Harambe]

Yes, I agree the pool isn't as exciting as others (my kids love the Poly pool), but you truly can't beat picking up a Pina Coloda from the pool bar, and strolling a couple of paces to see giraffes running thru the savannah. Just awesome!

 

[momoftwodisneykids]

We just returned Sunday from our first stay at AKL. We absolutely loved the resort. I faxed my room request 4 days before arrival asking for a room with bunk beds. Upon checkin, the CM confirmed we would get bunk beds. I politely asked if there was any chance for a savannah view (we paid the cheapest rate). At first she said they were sold out. However, before issuing our keys she went into the back for a few minutes and when she returned we were magically upgraded for free to a savannah view with the bunk beds. Had breakfast one AM at the Mara. Thought the Mickey waffle was overpriced, but the standard breakfast and kids meals were fair. The CM was very generous when my son asked for "lots of bacon". Spent Sat AM at the pool. We loved the zero depth entry. While I agree with other posters that the slide isn't near as nice as others (like Coronado Springs), the zero depth entry is great if you have little kids who can't swim. My 3 year old daughter and her 2 year old cousin played where they could stand, while my sister and I were able to sit submerged in water and keep a close eye on them. Very relaxing. I would go back again in a heartbeat. We are planning a return trip to WDW 10/21-23 and we may do AKL again if the Fla Resident rates or AP rates are good.

Joanne

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks again everybody for the great posts. We are so looking forward to our stay at the resort. We have been to dinner at Jiko & Boma many times and strolled all over the resort, it is such a beautiful resort.

 

[klofan]

I actually just came back from a 8 night trip this Sunday. The hotel is really nice. The savannah view is all worth it. The animals were always out too.