Is AKL worth visiting?

[halssister]

My family are huge POR fans and DH especially can't imagine staying anywhere else. However, I've always thought AKL looked AMAZING, and if we ever had the budget to stay Deluxe, that would definitely be my first choice. I've read about people going to visit resorts before. If we did that, what would we actually be able to do? Can you see the animals on the savanna from the lobby or anything? Is there cool places to walk around, or gift shops with unique items, or a good QS or grab and go kind of place where we could try some unusual food items without a full sit down meal? Basically, is it worth taking the time to go over there? The only resort we've ever even been to is POR, and we love the sprawling, beautiful grounds, and I wasn't sure if other resorts were really set up for just wandering around.
Honestly, part of my motivation is hoping that if DH sees it, he may decide to try a night there someday, maybe for a solo (no kid) trip or something . But I'd also love to see it myself

 

[mickeynut1]

My family are huge POR fans and DH especially can't imagine staying anywhere else. However, I've always thought AKL looked AMAZING, and if we ever had the budget to stay Deluxe, that would definitely be my first choice. I've read about people going to visit resorts before. If we did that, what would we actually be able to do? Can you see the animals on the savanna from the lobby or anything? Is there cool places to walk around, or gift shops with unique items, or a good QS or grab and go kind of place where we could try some unusual food items without a full sit down meal? Basically, is it worth taking the time to go over there? The only resort we've ever even been to is POR, and we love the sprawling, beautiful grounds, and I wasn't sure if other resorts were really set up for just wandering around.
Honestly, part of my motivation is hoping that if DH sees it, he may decide to try a night there someday, maybe for a solo (no kid) trip or something . But I'd also love to see it myself

AKL is a beautiful resort and is definitely worth visiting (IMO) as there's a lot to see. There are several animal viewing areas around the resort, the gift shop is nice, and Mara is great for a quick CS meal/snack (we also love Boma for a sit down meal). It's a great place to stay, but it's also a great resort to visit and explore .

 

[EdmondD]

Remember that you can rent DVC points at the AKL villas and stay for about the same as what you currently pay for POR. So you may already have the budget for a deluxe (and from what I understand, since it's fairly far-flung, AKL villas don't fill up as quickly as other DVC properties [but this still requires advanced planning]).

So yes, absolutely go! And check out Sanaa for dining, where you do get good animal viewing.

 

[Nancyg56]

AKL is gorgeous. I like to resort hop and will often plan a meal at a specific resort that we want to visit. AKL has amazing dining options, Boma and Jiko at the Lodge and Sanaa at Kidani Village. If you have an afternoon or evening free so go for it. Also, there is a wine tasting at AKL every Wednesday, and that may be a nice reason to gallivant in that direction. You could take time to explore this lovely resort, check out the animals and the savannahs, and enjoy the wine tasting event.

 

[GreatLakes]

I visit AKL every single trip no matter where I'm staying. I love all three of the restaurants and the savannas. I say go for it.

 

[Babsy]

AKL is a beautiful resort and is definitely worth visiting (IMO) as there's a lot to see. There are several animal viewing areas around the resort, the gift shop is nice, and Mara is great for a quick CS meal/snack (we also love Boma for a sit down meal). It's a great place to stay, but it's also a great resort to visit and explore .

AKL is gorgeous. I like to resort hop and will often plan a meal at a specific resort that we want to visit. AKL has amazing dining options, Boma and Jiko at the Lodge and Sanaa at Kidani Village. If you have an afternoon or evening free so go for it. Also, there is a wine tasting at AKL every Wednesday, and that may be a nice reason to gallivant in that direction. You could take time to explore this lovely resort, check out the animals and the savannahs, and enjoy the wine tasting event.

I agree with all the above. Mickeynut1 and Nancy56 say it all!! Lots to do at the beautiful AKL!

 

[rangerxenos]

If you ever get the chance to stay here, DO IT! We stayed at AKL last year, and it was amazing! The pool was wonderful, the animals were amazing, and we LOVED BOMA!

Definitely worth a visit as well if you're not staying there, my Mom and I visited every time she came with me for a trip, she loved the resort.

 

[Grumpy247365]

Yeah it's a beautiful hotel, on par with WL, in my opinion. There are animals to see if you walk out the back of the lobby and the restaurants are awesome. Jiko has some amazing food. Also, if you are in the mood for food, Sanaa at Kidani Village has animal views as you are eating. Just ask for a window seat. Have fun.

 

[halssister]

Thank you everyone for your input! Sounds like we are definitely adding it to one of our afternoon breaks!

 

[hodad]

In May we had 5pm Sanaa reservations and headed to the AKL resorts around 3pm, which felt like just enough time to explore both.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

YES! AKL is very much worth visiting. The lobby itself is jaw-dropping gorgeous. Animal viewing stations are all over. Animal guides are posted during the day and so much fun to talk to. The gift shop has several, very nice, unique items. Sometimes you can even watch the wood carver working in the shop in Jambo. Often people are near the front doors playing bongos or down in front of Boma playing them. You can also walk to or catch a van shuttle to Kidani to see the animals there. They have some animals that differ from those at Jambo. Kidani also has animal guides. I think both Jambo and Kidani have evening activities. We stay at Jambo, though, so I'm not certain about Kidani. I just think I remember one of the CMs telling us that. Oh, there are also animals in the pool area (in their own pens) at Jambo, so walk around there, too.

Almost forgot, yes, the Mara is a fabulous quick service. The food is very good. The desserts are way too tempting and delicious, too.

 

[AmyA]

I visit AKL every single trip no matter where I'm staying. I love all three of the restaurants and the savannas. I say go for it.

We do too...we always plan a dinner at around 7:30 and head over there straight from our days AK. This gives us a couple hours to enjoy the resort before dinner. I've loved AKL from the first time we went to Jiko in 2002. Now that our kids are older and we don't need the convenience of a monorail resort, we are staying at AKL for the first time in September!

So, all that to answer the OP...yes, I definitely think a visit to AKL is worthwhile!

 

[halssister]

So, follow up question - what's the best plan to get from POR to AKL (or vice versa)? We generally take a break around 1 or 2 (earlier if it's our DHS day!) so DS can hit the pool to decompress. He has autism and loves the parks, but needs that break. We would likely either go to AKL right after we spent the morning at AK (or maybe, again, after DHS since we may be done sooner at that park), so we could take the bus directly there from the park - or, go AFTER we take our pool break and just eat dinner at Mara instead of our usual POR food court dinner. If we go from POR, do we take a bus to AK and then get on another bus to AKL? Or is theree an easier way? Same with getting back, unless we decide to go to Disney Springs after dinner (in which case we could catch a bus from AKL to DS), what's the easiest trip back to POR from AKL?

 

[Belleandtinker]

Visiting the AKL is always on our agenda.

AM - we have BOMA for breakfast before a water park or theme park. Taxi to AKL then take the bus to our next stop.

PM- we can spend the entire evening there. Watching animals, getting a drink, play at he playground, arcade, dinner at any of the fine dining restaurants (or quick service), story telling, activities. Truly it's a full evening.

 

[2girlsR2good]

Thank you everyone for your input! Sounds like we are definitely adding it to one of our afternoon breaks!

PM- we can spend the entire evening there. Watching animals, getting a drink, play at he playground, arcade, dinner at any of the fine dining restaurants (or quick service), story telling, activities. Truly it's a full evening.

That's what we did--visited and spent time there while on another trip. Be warned though--you'll likely book a trip after (see ticker below )

In fact, this is a totally AK focused trip--only visiting AK for one day and planning a full resort day at AKL as well.