JAMBO! The UN-official AKL Thread ~ UPDATED(short film/pg 8 & slideshow/pg 12) Part 3

[RachelTori]

Okay - so now I'm worried....IF we are at AKL, is it that hard to get to MK or MGM or anywhere else for ADRs?
Ktink, I've followed all of your posts and have seen you wavering and back and forth, but will it REALLY be a hassel to get back and forth from the AKL? I know it's the most remote of all places, but.......

HELP!

Please don't be worried. AKL has some of the best transportation of any WDW property! True, the resort is remote, but the buses @ AKL don't share with any other resort and they run frequently. It'll be fine.

 

[ktink]

Okay - so now I'm worried....IF we are at AKL, is it that hard to get to MK or MGM or anywhere else for ADRs?
Ktink, I've followed all of your posts and have seen you wavering and back and forth, but will it REALLY be a hassel to get back and forth from the AKL? I know it's the most remote of all places, but.......

HELP!

Oh, NO! AKL probably has all around better transportation than most other resorts. It's just the close proximity to MK that my family wanted. I was outnumbered 3 to 1. I gave in but I feel good about it now. We just have ADRs in the MK area and spend some time at MK on a daily basis.

To be honest the thing that worries me is that AK is our second favorite park and we spend alot of time there. I'm concerned that the busses from WL to AK will be more of a hassle than AKL busses to MK.

Really it was a trade off based on MK.

 

[Flossbolna]

Okay - so now I'm worried....IF we are at AKL, is it that hard to get to MK or MGM or anywhere else for ADRs?
Ktink, I've followed all of your posts and have seen you wavering and back and forth, but will it REALLY be a hassel to get back and forth from the AKL? I know it's the most remote of all places, but.......

HELP!

I actually think that AKL provides excellent transportation. Of course, busses aren't as nice as boats nor as special as a monorail, but they are fast and provide plenty of room! We never had a transfer time of more than twenty minutes to any park, the big advantage is that the bus leaves AKL and then the next stop will be the park! In my opinion the boatride from WL to MK took us as long as the busride from AKL to MK.

 

[plutospup]

In my opinion the boatride from WL to MK took us as long as the busride from AKL to MK.

It's true! The boatride (which I love!) does take about the same time to get to MK, as the AKL bus. The monorail from CR to MK actually takes longer!

 

[John's Mom]

I just wanted to post over here due to the fact that everyone is so kind and with all of the advice that is given. We decided that this stay we will be staying at WL instead of AKL. The construction played a very small part in that but the main thing for us was proximity to MK. We also have ADRs at several MK resorts and MK restaurants. It just made sense to change at this point.

One of these years you will stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and you'll realize what us AKL lovers are always talking about. Enjoy your stay at the WL. Don't forget to take plenty of pics.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I actually think that AKL provides excellent transportation. Of course, busses aren't as nice as boats nor as special as a monorail, but they are fast and provide plenty of room! We never had a transfer time of more than twenty minutes to any park, the big advantage is that the bus leaves AKL and then the next stop will be the park! In my opinion the boatride from WL to MK took us as long as the busride from AKL to MK.

Our bus from AKL to MGM stopped at Blizzard Beach first. It was the first and only time I had ever seen buses from AKL go to more than 1 place in the 2 times we've stayed there.


We were just there last week and really only had 1 bad transportation experience, which I attribute to just being a bad luck day that could have happened anywhere. We needed to get to Ft Wilderness for the BBQ, and looking at a map, it's just about as far away as you can be from AKL and still be on Disney property. BBQ started at 6:30. We were downstairs at 5:05 for the bus, which unfortunately had just left at 5:04 (we saw it pulling out.) We figured, no worries, we haven't waited more than 15 minutes for any bus. 25 minutes later the next MK bus pulled up. Got to MK in about 15 minutes, and ran for the boat, which we waved good-bye to from the dock. Yup - just left. Waited about 20 minutes for the next boat, then on the way the boat had to stop and wait in the water for one of the big ferry boats to make its way out of dry dock. 1 more stop at Wilderness Lodge, and we were finally at Ft. Wilderness for our 6:30 BBQ at...about 6:50. 1 hour and 45 minutes after we had left. Coming back was fine. Boat was there within 10 minutes of us getting to the dock, and the bus was waiting in it's stall at MK for us to go back to AKL.

Other than this 1 unfortunate night, we HONESTLY found the buses to be wonderful...they go direct from park to lodge, and since the lodge is all in 1 building the bus stop is convenient. (Yes, it's a big building and the halls are long, but it's nothing like CBR or CSR where there are several buildings, pools and lawns between room and bus) I would not change resorts because of the transportation. We loved it there!

 

[tiffanym5375]

I just wanted to post over here due to the fact that everyone is so kind and with all of the advice that is given. We decided that this stay we will be staying at WL instead of AKL. The construction played a very small part in that but the main thing for us was proximity to MK. We also have ADRs at several MK resorts and MK restaurants. It just made sense to change at this point.

I've loved reading your post on trying to choose your resort. I too struggle between the two. I liked not being alone here...lol We are sticking with AKL just because my gut tells me I will love it. I visited this Jan before or cruise.. and loved it. Just not sure about WL even though the pictures look great. I like wl because of the boat ride, rentals, campfire stuff, horse carriage rides, but the theme we were not truly sold on but we plan on visiting there the first day of or stay. Have fun and keep us posted on your trip.

 

[ktink]

John's mom, I do hope to stay at AKL one day. It was a really tough call.

tiffany, you will have the best vacation and please take pictures for me.

 

[momtoPrincessA]

I'm so glad to hear transportation doesn't seem to be an issue. We are staying at AKL for the first time in August. During those 6 days we only have 1 day at the MK anyway, we will be hitting MGM, Epcot and Typhoon Lagoon and of course AK. AKL doesn't seem that far from those parks.

Anyone have any special ideas I can do at AKL for DS's 6th birthday? My DD got a "girls trip" for her 6th so I want to make this special for my DS.

 

[PolyAddict]

Can you tell me what toiletries I will find in the bathroom? We arrive 6/4.

Thanks

 

[d4est]

20 more days until I can make my ADRs!!

 

[ktink]

You will not believe this.. yeah, you will... DD 6 has been at her nana's all week and she came home tonight. When we would talk to her everynight she would ask about the Wilderness Lodge. Well she told me as soon as she walked in the back door that she couldn't wait to go to Disney and see all of the animals. I told her we weren't staying at the AKL because they all wanted to stay at WL. She said, "but I thought the animals were in the Wilderness."

Needless to say after hearing that DH said, go ahead, I can't tell no.

I think she was confusing AKL as the park. I'm not sure but both of us are happy now. I told DH at this point I don't care what comes up. They could come in and actually start construction in our room at AKL. I'm NOT going through this resort drama again.

But I had to share that story w/ you.

 

[carol/houston]

ktink, I'm glad you are back. Sometimes we just try to please too hard. Just remember, and remind your family ...... when Mom is happy everyone is happy. Hope you are feeling better!

 

[ktink]

ktink, I'm glad you are back. Sometimes we just try to please too hard. Just remember, and remind your family ...... when Mom is happy everyone is happy. Hope you are feeling better!

Thank you.

 

[tiffanym5375]

You will not believe this.. yeah, you will... DD 6 has been at her nana's all week and she came home tonight. When we would talk to her everynight she would ask about the Wilderness Lodge. Well she told me as soon as she walked in the back door that she couldn't wait to go to Disney and see all of the animals. I told her we weren't staying at the AKL because they all wanted to stay at WL. She said, "but I thought the animals were in the Wilderness."

Needless to say after hearing that DH said, go ahead, I can't tell no.

I think she was confusing AKL as the park. I'm not sure but both of us are happy now. I told DH at this point I don't care what comes up. They could come in and actually start construction in our room at AKL. I'm NOT going through this resort drama again.

But I had to share that story w/ you.

I love it!! Thats kind of the boat I'm in.. except my little guy will only be 26 months. He loves animals.. loved visting AKL this Jan. He will have so much fun if all he does is set and stare and talk about the animals!!! I'm gald your back too!!!

 

[LWcalif]

You will not believe this.. yeah, you will... DD 6 has been at her nana's all week and she came home tonight. When we would talk to her everynight she would ask about the Wilderness Lodge. Well she told me as soon as she walked in the back door that she couldn't wait to go to Disney and see all of the animals. I told her we weren't staying at the AKL because they all wanted to stay at WL. She said, "but I thought the animals were in the Wilderness."

Needless to say after hearing that DH said, go ahead, I can't tell no.

I think she was confusing AKL as the park. I'm not sure but both of us are happy now. I told DH at this point I don't care what comes up. They could come in and actually start construction in our room at AKL. I'm NOT going through this resort drama again.

But I had to share that story w/ you.

Ktink - You've got to do what you know is right!

 

[Flossbolna]

You will not believe this.. yeah, you will... DD 6 has been at her nana's all week and she came home tonight. When we would talk to her everynight she would ask about the Wilderness Lodge. Well she told me as soon as she walked in the back door that she couldn't wait to go to Disney and see all of the animals. I told her we weren't staying at the AKL because they all wanted to stay at WL. She said, "but I thought the animals were in the Wilderness."

Needless to say after hearing that DH said, go ahead, I can't tell no.

I think she was confusing AKL as the park. I'm not sure but both of us are happy now. I told DH at this point I don't care what comes up. They could come in and actually start construction in our room at AKL. I'm NOT going through this resort drama again.

But I had to share that story w/ you.

I hope you have the most fantastic time at AKL!!!

 

[d4est]

AKL is popular. I tried to add another night to our stay (at the beginning) and there is nothing with the discount. I didn't have her check rack rates. Too sad...

 

[pilferk]

I love it!! Thats kind of the boat I'm in.. except my little guy will only be 26 months. He loves animals.. loved visting AKL this Jan. He will have so much fun if all he does is set and stare and talk about the animals!!! I'm gald your back too!!!

My 4 year old and 2 year old are chomping at the bit to stay at AKL (and they don't even know we're going in Jan....and likely won't until the day we leave.).

They ask to watch Great Hotels: AKL (permanent fixture on our TIVO) and even the DVC "Village come to life" AKV video regularly.

 

[RachelTori]

My 4 year old and 2 year old are chomping at the bit to stay at AKL (and they don't even know we're going in Jan....and likely won't until the day we leave.).

They ask to watch Great Hotels: AKL (permanent fixture on our TIVO) and even the DVC "Village come to life" AKV video regularly.

I can just picture the looks on their faces when they see those animals live and in person for the first time! Make sure you have your camera ready to capture those beautiful little faces! There's nothing sweeter!