How Relaxing is AKL?

[Anim8ed]

Due to a mix up, our ressies at the Poly got cancelled. Now we are scrambling to get an onsite resort for the week after Easter, which looks to be mobbed. Our choices are Savannah view at AKL or Standard at BC.

We are only staying onsite for three days before meeting family and then will be staying offsite due to a convention. We wanted to relax and take it easy...lounge by the pool, try a few new places to eat and hit the parks in the early evening.

How peaceful is AKL? There aren't boats or bikes to rent like at the Poly, BC, or BWI, right? Are the animals active enough to make it worth while to sit on the balcony for a while?

How easy is it to get to other resorts for meals? This is probably the bigger concern as we have a few of our PS's in place at the monorail resorts.

Thanks!

 

[rosamindy]

You are going to love the savannah view...nothing is more relaxing than sitting out on your balcony, watching the giraffes and ostriches (or whatever animals are on your particular piece of Africa) graze by the watering hole whilst you munch away on your Cap'n Crunch and coffee. It is SO worth it.
As far as transportation, allow yourself plenty of time. Hop on a bus to one of the parks, then the monorail or bus to the resort your ressies are in. DO NOT use Downtown Disney as your crossover point...busses there are notoriously slow.

 

[SuperDuperBounce]

Very relaxing!!! It's almost like you've left Disney. Definitely a relief from the crowds.

 

[Harambe]

Holy Cow (or should I say big-horned cattle). AKL is so relaxing. I just re-did our itinerary for August (I know - pathetic overplanned! LOL!) and scheduled a whole resort day into the mix. We'll do the storytelling one evening, followed by a dinner at Jiko. Beforehand, we'll swim at the pool, then stroll around the grounds looking at the animals.

Last year I ran up to the room to grab clothes to throw in a wash while the family was swimming at the pool. I stepped out onto the balcony, and spent a whole hour just watching the giraffes under our window play-fighting, then chasing each other around a water hole. DH came looking for me, afraid I had succombed to a heart attack or something!

You will truly enjoy this resort!

 

[benedicttw]

Great choice. Relax and really quiet and away from all the crowds. Be sure to do the night vision glasses. It is done after dark in the savanna. Ask a CM where it is. The kids and I thought it was great.

 

[nwdisgal]

The AKL is a very relaxing place. You can relax on your balcony and watch the animals. There is also a nice observation tower with rocking chairs.

 

[MiJo]

This is the first resort we stayed in that I actually found myself just sitting in the lobby, taking in the sights and watching the guests mill about. And, every morning I would get up just before dawn so I could sit on our balcony and watch the giraffes, bongos, etc., coming out for breakfast. This resort is totally peaceful and relaxing. There are also 2 spas near the pool area; one is fairly secluded and a great place to relax.

 

[HGLightlyj]

I love AKL. I have stayed there many times before joining DVC. Every trip I plan at least an hour before ps at Boma to take in the sights and "feel" of AKL. I enjoy sitting in the lobby and reading before heading down to Boma.
Other than DVC resorts, AKL is my favorite resort.

 

[Anim8ed]

Wow!!! Thanks for all the great info! I'm not stunned to hear that it's relaxing, and I'm glad for the tips on the buses. But are the animals really that close and ever-present from your balcony? I don't want to get our hopes up and end up straining over the balcony just to see a critter. Is the photo on the AKL official site website accurate in terms of how close the animals are?

 

[rosamindy]

We had a room on the 5th floor, which some people complained was up too high to really see well. I didn't find any problems at all with the view...as a matter of fact, I think you can see out much further when you're up high. Many people prefer the 3rd floor for that reason, though.
The best time to view animals is at dawn, when the food truck makes its rounds, depositing food and grass for the beasties to eat. It's fun to watch the giraffes reach right over the back of the truck to snatch it up before the CMs can put it into the trees and on the ground. If you're getting up early to take advantage of Early Opening at the parks, this works right into your schedule. If not, there are several birds and ankole cattle that spend the night right at the watering hole, which is dimly lit, so you really can watch them all evening, although mostly the animals are asleep, so there's not much to watch.
During the day, there are many places you can go to watch the animals. Every room section overlooks different savannahs, so it's probable you won't see ALL the animals from your balcony. But out on the Overlook Rock, you have a much greater vista, and CMs are almost always on duty to direct your view to interesting animals. No matter where I went, I never left disappointed.

 

[minkydog]

We just got back from AKL and it was very relaxing. We specifically chose this resort because I felt it would be restful and less hectic for my DH, who has heart problems. During the day the halls were dim and quiet, allowing him much needed naps. There was plenty to occupy me while he rested. the "animal show" varies with the tmie of day and the weather. There was always something to watch. The pool was very nice, much like I would imagine an oasis to be. I enjoyed talking with the staff--AKL has a very diverse staff from several different countries in Africa. They are ready and willing to share their homeland at any moment(some were incredibly homesick.)

 

[mirlow]

The problem I have with the AKL is that it's too relaxing We're going for our 4th visit and we have only done a couple of the resort activites. I'm hoping this time I can find the time to take the tour of the resort. It's just so hard to pull yourself away from the pool or your balcony.
BTW my dh has a conference the first week in April too.

 

[heffalump9]

You will love AKL it is a wonderful paradise for the senses. Take time to enjoy all the lodge has to offer, wonderful CM's, relaxing music, wonderful smells, fantastic food, great entertainment for the kids, and of course Animals, Animals, Animals . . .

 

[twojo21]

we loved staying at the akl savannah view for my fiances bday in nov 2003. the akl is very relaxing. we had dinner at sunset one night on our balcony, watching the animals. we also spent plenty of time near the fireplace, pool, spa/healthclub & on our balcony. akl is one of my favorite romantic resorts, it has a magical far away feel/theme.