Is AKL really that isolated?

[wdwnut2]

Every complaint I read about AKL says it is too isolated. In my new Passporter (I love this book!) there are approximate times to get to the different parks. I don't notice that there is that big of time difference between AKL and other resorts. Sure the monorail resorts are close to MK, but not to the other parks. Epcot resorts are close to Epcot, but not the other parks. I just don't see that AKL is out in the middle of nowhere like people say. Has this just become the standard complaint of AKL, like GF is too stuffy, Poly smells musty, CR has no theme, etc? Am I going to need to leave a trail of bread crumbs to the main road?

 

[bobcat]

Well if it was located right next door to other parks/hotels then people would complain that it didn't give them a true African savanah feel. It is located near the AK so the bus ride there is almost nonexistant and the ride to the other parks shouldn't be that much further. It takes 15 min. max to get to MK from the All Stars and they are located in the same general area as AKL. One plus about AKL is they don't share a bus with other resorts. The other Deluxe resorts do.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I didn't think the bus rides were bad at all... The 2 longests are MK and DTD. I didn't ever time the bus ride (I used the time to take a nap), but 15 minutes sounds about right. I didn't feel isolated at AKL because there is a lot of other stuff to do at the resort.

 

[susy]

My mom recently returned from BWI. She loved the location. She even walked over to YC/BC and delcared that there was "nothing to do" over there. Sure, the BW has lots going on.You won't find that same kind of things at AKL. She also stayed at AKL and said that once you were there, you were "there". We stayed at AKL over Labor Day Weekend and had a blast. We ate dinner at Boma and Jiko, and Boma for breakfast. We ate lunch at Mara (out by the pool), enjoyed seeing the animals and the pool. We took buses to all four parks and DTD. We had a blast at AKL. It is a true deluxe hotel with such a different feel than any deluxe hotel I've ever stayed in..... it is truely unique!

About it being isolated..... It takes 5 min to AK, 10 to Epcot and MGM, and 15 to MK. I timed it to MK because we were trying to get to a Cindy's 8am PS. No problems at all with the transportation. This was over Labor Day Weekend, mind you. The buses have no other stops. You get on and go straight to the park. The buses were NEVER crowded and sometimes it was just us and another family. We also took breaks every day. If you can handle the transportation times described above, you should have NO problem and just go and enjoy the resort. We really look forward to going back to AKL!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi,

We stayed there for 9 nights and did not find it isolated at all.... the longest bus ride was to the Downtown Disney West side - it took maybe 15-20 minutes...

It was very convenient to Animal Kindom Park and Blizzard Beach & Winterland/Summerland golf.

I am not sure why people feel it is isolated - it is definately very unique which separates it from all the other resorts - it's in a class by itself.

>>^..^<<

 

[palmtreegirl]

About it being isolated..... It takes 5 min to AK, 10 to Epcot and MGM, and 15 to MK.

Those were the times we experienced during our stay at AKL over Easter break last year. We never waited longer then 10 minutes for a bus, the transportation was excellent! I loved that it didn't share the busses with other resorts, it definitely cut down on the trip time- no stops!

 

[JESW]

I love hearing positive posts about the AKL as we will be there 2 WEEKS FROM TOMORROW!!!! Our family is very excited about our first visit there. I didn't know that the resort didn't share buses - nice bonus! You learn something new all the time on these boards...

Jill

 

[DEH3rd]

see ya there...we arrive on the 19th...then to BWI for our 1st trip home ever...11 nights there befdore HH for 4 nights. Can't wait!

 

[Gillian]

If I said the AKL was isolated (which I might say to certain people) I wouldn't be talking about the busses, but rather the fact that you can't walk to anything from there! There isn't a single place to stroll at the resort either.

I don't think it's a "standard" complaint at all, but a legit concern for some parties.

If you were there as a single adult with kids, you might feel it was difficult to get around, even with the excellent bus service. Toddlers, especially, make it difficult to travel around the world when you are just one parent. Also, adults looking for some nightlife will not find it at the AKL. To get anywhere in the evening by bus can be a pain in the neck.

Those used to the Epcot resorts may feel constrained by the lack of activities within walking distance, and anyone who wants to walk or jog for exercise is out of luck!

 

[wdwnut2]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm glad to hear noone felt too isolated. I understand that for the theme to work there needs to be a little isolation, it really wouldn't work to be watching giraffes and see other hotels too! The buses sound great, no sharing with other resorts! I wasn't too worried, but I just wanted to know what to expect. Boy, I wish December would get here!!

 

[heffalump9]

We have spent 14 days at AKL in the past two years and love it.

The lodge is isolated but that is for the protection of the animals. Plus it adds to the romance of African decor and cultural experience. Just walking into the magnificent lobby can refresh your spirits in an instant!

With the wonderful animal encounters, oasis pool, fire pits for story telling and top notch dining, it is a resort that you won't want to leave. I have seen children in the mornings not wanting to leave for the parks because of all the animals and activities.

But don't worry when you do leave the resort, the bus transportation is great, we have never felt the need to rent a car. The AK is right next door, the MK and DTD take about 20-25 minutes and EPCOT and MGM about 10-15 minutes. We park hop daily, visit other resorts for dinner and future research, take in DTD for shopping and PI and have never been found AKL too far away, but an inviting home waiting for us at the end of the day.

 

[daannzzz]

Travel time to the parks is only 3-5 minutes longer. Access is easy with a car or by bus. What many people don't like is there is no other resort next door. There is nothing. No body of water. No recreation area. No shopping or them park or night club. You just have the AKL and the animals. If you want to do anything else you have to drive or take a bus or taxi. I loved it there!!!

 

[DisneyMim]

We've stayed there 2X and never found it to be islolated at all. We always rent a car, so we didn't use the buses at all. AK (obviously), Epcot and MGM were very close, not a long ride at all. Parking in the parking lots of these parks in very easy, most times we just walk to the entrance. I will say that MK is always the worse park to get to. Unless you are staying at the monorail resorts it is the most difficult park to reach. When we have stayed at WL we even found it to be a pain. Seems like the bus or boat were never on "our" schedule. We just parked at the MK parking lot. From talking to people who have stayed at AKL and have used the buses, I haven't heard any complaints that the bus service is any worse than the other resorts, in fact some have said that is is better because it doesn't share as many stops as other resorts. Part of the themeing of the AKL is that it is supposed to give you the feeling of being isolated. We absolutely love AKL and are very much looking forward to staying there again some day. I don't think you will be dissapointed. Sometimes, I have found, you have to stay at a place yourself to really see if you like it. Opinions are wonderful, but your own experience is the best.

Have a Wonderful Vacation!!!