How Far Away Is AKL From The Parks?

[Wish Upon A Star]

Seems like AKL is a pretty long ride to MK and Epcot.

Is it really that far out placed from everything? I've always wanted to try new resorts, but I also don't want to spend my entire vacation on a bus.

 

[milmore104]

I'm asuming you mean AKL the Lodge not the park right?!? It's actually not bad. We didn't find it to take us long at all to get to the parks. Normally we would give ourselves an hour to get to a PS but it usually took us about 20 minutes in all. This includes waiting for the bus! We found the AKL to have the best bus transportation of all. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus. And it never took more than 15min to get to the MK. We loved it. If your looking for something like the BW than this isn't the resort for you. It is a fab. resort and has plenty to do. however you can't just get up and walk somewhere else.
Hope this helps.

 

[erikthewise]

If you're concerned about *feeling* isolated, that's a legitimate concern at AKL. There is nothing else visible and you can't walk anywhere.

But the truth is that resort-park bus rides in WDW are short! Even AKL-MK can't be more than 10-12 minutes. What takes time is (a) waiting for the bus, (b) extra stops along the way. Based on what I've read, all of the AKL buses to theme parks are nonstop, and the waits are no worse than anywhere else. Very likely you'd get to MK faster than someone getting on at Yacht Club, as that bus would ordinarily make stops at Beach Club and Boardwalk.

 

[ducklite]

No further than the GF is from the AK if you look at it from that perspective

We have stayed there twice and always found the transportation to be great!

From the AKL to the MK, about 15 minutes. To the AK, about four minutes. To Epcot about ten minutes. To MGM about ten minutes.

Anne

 

[mrsltg]

AKL feels far removed, but it's really not. I like to drive to all of the parks on my own, and that took 10 minutes or so at the high end. The times when we did utilize the bus it was great. Hardly any waiting, and every route was direct. Give it a shot... it's a fantastic resort!!!

Erin

 

[jadedNYer]

We just back from AKL and had no problem with the buses. I didn't time the ride so I can't add anything to that. The only bus that made and extra stop was the bus to MGM which stopped at Blizzard Beach.
It was me and my five and nime year old boys and I found getting around easy. We enjoyed AKL so much that we could have just stayed at the resort and not gone to the theme parks as there is always something to do there.

 

[daannzzz]

AKL is only a 3-5 minute longer bus ride or drive to the parks and in some cases might even be less than some other resorts. I think one of the complaints about AKL is that it is not connected to anything else via pathways, boats, lakes, river or monorails. You have to take a bus or drive to get anywhere from here. I loved it there though and would not hesitate to recommend it. If you are some one who stays at the Polynesian or Yacht Club because you like to be in the middle of the excitement and walk or boat everywhere than AKL may be a bit "different" for you.

 

[musicmom3]

Every time I looked at whatever park I was at it seemed like there was an AKL bus either coming or going. The BC/YC, BW, D&S bus system...now that's a story of filled busses, standing room only, and waiting forever for the "overflow" bus to arrive. Of course you can walk to Epcot and cruise to MGM from BC, but bus transportation was really sub-par. Having said that, we just rolled with it and had a great time!

 

[susy]

I had an 8:05 PS at Cindy's adnt eh bus got us thre with PLENTY of tiem to spare. It's only a 15 minute ride. I love that you don't share buses and there is only one stop. At CBR we stopped like 7 times within the resort. I was pulling out my hair! From Epcot and MGm the ride is maybe 10 minutes. I don't care about feeling isolated after being in the parks. The pool at AKL was so wonderful!!!!! AKL has so many great things going for it. It is luxurious, with an extra something special that you can't get at any other just "fancy-schmancy"place.

 

[lalapodip]

Thanks for all of your helpful details about the bus transportation - just makes me MORE excited about our upcoming trip!!

 

[randbmom]

I know this is just reiterating what has already been said, but bus service from AKL is far superior from bus service at any other deluxe resort since there is no sharing of busses. Example: CR to DTD in the evening took 45+ mi utes both times, with the stops at Poly and GF. As others said, YC, BC and Boardwalk share service as well. We're staying at AKL in August and planning on using the bus service over our rental car most of the time.
Enjoy!