las3888
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 30, 2001
- Messages
- 2,457
We just got back from 4 nites at AKL. We had been to the resort twice to eat and look around before, so we sort of were familiar with the general areas. It is a beautiful resort and we would definitely plan a return visit to it. Here are a couple of general comments...
We booked with our AP discount a standard view and as it seems it has happened to many others with a standard view, we were upgraded to a pool view without asking. We were in the pool room for a few minutes...it was a very nice room, but once we looked out over a savannah lookout area, we went back to the front desk and paid for the savannah view. The pool view was nice...somewhat noisy but nice.
We ended up at the Sunset Savannah on the 3rd floor. We loved this area. I hadn't really researched other savannah room areas on the board, knowing we weren't booked in one, so I am not sure if this is a frequently asked for spot or a dud, but we enjoyed it alot. It was very quiet and we saw many animals almost at all times of the day/evening. At night the savannahs are lit up very lightly and you can still see the animals. It was really wonderful! The only animal we didn't see in this area is the zebra.
While the area was very quiet, there were times when we could hear others on their balconies. Sound really seems to carry very easily in this area, so you can really hear other people quite well. It wasn't a big deal, but I wanted to post to those with especially smaller kids, to be mindful of the kids when they are viewing the animals. I know kids get excited when they see the animals, but sometimes we heard kids squealing and screaming. The animals didn't seem too disturbed, but when one kid was banging on the railing of his balcony, it sent a herd of "tommies" running away from our savannah around the corner. I guess the point is that I felt bad for the animals at times because we are guests in their home, and not everybody is completely respectful of that. Please don't get upset with my comments - I am just asking politely for those to remember to respect the animals in their environment.
The resort seemed really empty the first few nights (Tues, Wed), but seemed to really pick up more on Thurs and Friday. When we first got there, we were parking in the first 3 rows of parking but later in the week we were maybe out 6 rows. Even when the crowds picked up, the resort didn't seem overcrowded or anything.
We didn't use the bus system, so I can't comment on that.
The CM's were all very friendly...everybody we encountered was very helpful.
The parks were very slow...our longest wait was for the Savannah ride at AK....it was 20 minutes for standby. We walked right on to every other ride we went to.
We would definitely go back to AKL although it isn't our favorite spot - we love the Boardwalk area. I would rate the AKL much higher over WL (that's just my two cents!). I think because I am from the midwest, when I come to Florida, I want to feel like I am in a warm weather climate, not in a lodge-like atmosphere. I also think the animals really offer something very special that WL does not. We will add the AKL on our list of places to stay...especially with the specials, I imagine we will come back at some point!
We booked with our AP discount a standard view and as it seems it has happened to many others with a standard view, we were upgraded to a pool view without asking. We were in the pool room for a few minutes...it was a very nice room, but once we looked out over a savannah lookout area, we went back to the front desk and paid for the savannah view. The pool view was nice...somewhat noisy but nice.
We ended up at the Sunset Savannah on the 3rd floor. We loved this area. I hadn't really researched other savannah room areas on the board, knowing we weren't booked in one, so I am not sure if this is a frequently asked for spot or a dud, but we enjoyed it alot. It was very quiet and we saw many animals almost at all times of the day/evening. At night the savannahs are lit up very lightly and you can still see the animals. It was really wonderful! The only animal we didn't see in this area is the zebra.
While the area was very quiet, there were times when we could hear others on their balconies. Sound really seems to carry very easily in this area, so you can really hear other people quite well. It wasn't a big deal, but I wanted to post to those with especially smaller kids, to be mindful of the kids when they are viewing the animals. I know kids get excited when they see the animals, but sometimes we heard kids squealing and screaming. The animals didn't seem too disturbed, but when one kid was banging on the railing of his balcony, it sent a herd of "tommies" running away from our savannah around the corner. I guess the point is that I felt bad for the animals at times because we are guests in their home, and not everybody is completely respectful of that. Please don't get upset with my comments - I am just asking politely for those to remember to respect the animals in their environment.
The resort seemed really empty the first few nights (Tues, Wed), but seemed to really pick up more on Thurs and Friday. When we first got there, we were parking in the first 3 rows of parking but later in the week we were maybe out 6 rows. Even when the crowds picked up, the resort didn't seem overcrowded or anything.
We didn't use the bus system, so I can't comment on that.
The CM's were all very friendly...everybody we encountered was very helpful.
The parks were very slow...our longest wait was for the Savannah ride at AK....it was 20 minutes for standby. We walked right on to every other ride we went to.
We would definitely go back to AKL although it isn't our favorite spot - we love the Boardwalk area. I would rate the AKL much higher over WL (that's just my two cents!). I think because I am from the midwest, when I come to Florida, I want to feel like I am in a warm weather climate, not in a lodge-like atmosphere. I also think the animals really offer something very special that WL does not. We will add the AKL on our list of places to stay...especially with the specials, I imagine we will come back at some point!
