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

[padisneylover]

One of the reasons we keep going back to AKL is the transportation. It has always been excellent and the not sharing buses is a big plus for us. One trip we decided to eat at the Poly and took the bus to MGM and transferred their to the Polly bus. We couldn't get over the difference in bus service. Not only did we have to walk farther in the line for the bus but we had to stand since there was so many people going to the three different resorts serviced by this bus. Then to top it off we had to make a stop before we even got to the Poly. Just one taste of this was enough for me. I guess I am spoiled by the direct buses

 

[teentoddlermom]

Thanks for the replies so far, everyone! I'm beginning to get really excited about AKL! Anyone else have any opinions about my origingal questions above...transportation, bunk beds, and August crowds?

 

[kimmar067]

teentoddlermom ~
I'll be excited WITH you.....

 

[SeaSpray]

One of the reasons we keep going back to AKL is the transportation. It has always been excellent and the not sharing buses is a big plus for us. One trip we decided to eat at the Poly and took the bus to MGM and transferred their to the Polly bus. We couldn't get over the difference in bus service. Not only did we have to walk farther in the line for the bus but we had to stand since there was so many people going to the three different resorts serviced by this bus. Then to top it off we had to make a stop before we even got to the Poly. Just one taste of this was enough for me. I guess I am spoiled by the direct buses

I want to add my 2 cents on this topic!

We've stayed at the Grand Floridian, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Polynesian a few times, and the ONE thing I really didn't like about those resorts was the fact that they all shared bus transportation!!! I still don't like that one fact, about all of those resorts, that I otherwise enjoy. Of course the GF and the Polynesian are on the monorail line and that's great for getting to MK and Epcot, but when we were going to MGM, AK, DTD, or a water park, all those stops were a real time waster.

At first glance, the transportation options, or rather, lack of transportation options, at the Animal Kingdom Lodge might seem to be a negative when considering AKL as a resort choice. But personally, I'm excited to be staying there for the first time ever, in a couple of months, and I have a feeling that I'll be more than satisfied with the transportation. I really like knowing that AKL doesn't share their bus with any other resort!

 

[HockeyGoddess]

i'm not really worried about the transporation either, if we find it necessary to be somewhere quickly we may just call a taxi.

but from everything i've read about AKL my dh may just have to carry me over his shoulder kicking and screaming to go see the theme parks

 

[Cindie-rella]

We just returned from AKL, the bus transportation was fine. AK took about 2 min if that being the closest park to AKL. The furthest park away was MK and it took approx. 16 min each time from the time we left the resort until we stopped at MK. DTD was almost the same. The other parks were about 8 min. each. It was great not to share buses. It sometimes took a while until the bus we were waiting for to arrive at AKL, but that's my luck, we probably just missed the bus we were heading for The longest we waited was about 15 min. which would sometimes feel like forever when we were in a hurry. This time of year parks close earlier and we could just never pull ourselves from this amazing resort! We'd end up heading to the parks after sunset. So we really didn't have much park time this trip. Next time we will definitely extend our stay to 10 nights, 7 nights just ain't enough!

 

[disneytraveler]

All the photos are great! I am staying at Akl this summner from September 9th-16. I requested savanah view with the Platinum plan package . I dont really have a preference what type of view. Really like the look of the lodge
when i visited there last summer.

My dinning reservaton time is Monday and just wondering if IPO will email me or contact me by phone. They have both contact info.

 

[padisneylover]

All the photos are great! I am staying at Akl this summner from September 9th-16. I requested savanah view with the Platinum plan package . I dont really have a preference what type of view. Really like the look of the lodge
when i visited there last summer.

My dinning reservaton time is Monday and just wondering if IPO will email me or contact me by phone. They have both contact info.

Are you staying concergie? If so I would send them an introductory e-mail today and then once you hear back from them I would start requesting your dining reservations. It seems to take them initially about 1-2 days to respond to your initial e-mail of introduction.

 

[teentoddlermom]

Thanks for all your input on the transportation, AKL lovers!

 

[APB513]

My boys and I will be staying at the AKL one night post cruise on September 30th.

I originally planned to try to spend the day at one of the parks but after reading this thread, I'm thinking we might end up spending the whole day at the AKL!!!

 

[disneytraveler]

Are you staying concergie? If so I would send them an introductory e-mail today and then once you hear back from them I would start requesting your dining reservations. It seems to take them initially about 1-2 days to respond to your initial e-mail of introduction.

Not staying concergie but the Platinum Plan provides me with an intinery planner . I did email them october of last year but i think i should redo it
now. The planner would take of the dining reservations and describe the other details of the plan. Looking forwards to staying at the Akl in the summer.

 

[Kimberly815]

Just joining the thread.

My first stay at the ALK with my fiance and soon to be MIL (It will be her first trip to WDW) is this coming May! I can't wait!

 

[disneytraveler]

I just received a packet in the mail from the Akl intinery staff. I was so busy yesterday that i just opened it now.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I prefer the Zebra Trail. With Zebra Trail you are closer to the Mara which is nice if you plan on getting the mugs. Here is a view from my room (Zebra Trail 4428)

I know this was posted a little while ago but I am just now catching up. What an awesome view and a great pic!!!

 

[padisneylover]

Not staying concergie but the Platinum Plan provides me with an intinery planner . I did email them october of last year but i think i should redo it
now. The planner would take of the dining reservations and describe the other details of the plan. Looking forwards to staying at the Akl in the summer.

Thats right I forgot that the Platinum Plan was the same as the old Grand Plan. We used the Grand Plan about 3 years ago at AKL and the planners are the same as for the concergie area since I recgonize the same names helping us with our stay this time. They were really great and helped us to get a lot out of our package. We truly loved having room service at AKL since the menu for both breakfast and lunch was great. By the third day on that plan though we were so sick of eating that we ended up loosing a lot of meals and when we check out they couldn't imagine the amount of meals we had left and kept applogizing that there was no way to use them up. Hence we haven't used that plan since but we truly miss the room service option on the others.
Hope you have lots of fun planning your tirp and be sure to get lots of extra activities planned to really get the maxium out of it.

 

[kimmar067]

I just received a packet in the mail from the Akl intinery staff. I was so busy yesterday that i just opened it now.

.... Where are yours PRIORITIES???!?!?

 

[kimmar067]

Just joining the thread.

My first stay at the ALK with my fiance and soon to be MIL (It will be her first trip to WDW) is this coming May! I can't wait!

JAMBO...... Feel free to post here ANY time.....

 

[disneytraveler]

Thats right I forgot that the Platinum Plan was the same as the old Grand Plan. We used the Grand Plan about 3 years ago at AKL and the planners are the same as for the concergie area since I recgonize the same names helping us with our stay this time. They were really great and helped us to get a lot out of our package. We truly loved having room service at AKL since the menu for both breakfast and lunch was great. By the third day on that plan though we were so sick of eating that we ended up loosing a lot of meals and when we check out they couldn't imagine the amount of meals we had left and kept applogizing that there was no way to use them up. Hence we haven't used that plan since but we truly miss the room service option on the others.
Hope you have lots of fun planning your tirp and be sure to get lots of extra activities planned to really get the maxium out of it.

I am looking over the itinery package i just opened up now . I am definately getting spoiled ! Lol I can email them ,call, or fax the information in. Right now
i am getting all the details together.

 

[pyrxtc]

I'll be there in December and can't wait! Anyone have any photos of the Deluxe Savannah view roooms with Bunk beds?

 

[kimmar067]

I'll be there in December and can't wait! Anyone have any photos of the Deluxe Savannah view roooms with Bunk beds?

We stayed in a Savannah Deluxe room, but I didn't take any pix inside the room.... ! Sorry!