Just back from AKL 8/4-8/10 - Any Q?

[chesirechik]

We had a fantastic time and loved AKL. We booked two standard view rooms and they both got upgraded (without asking!) to savanah view. I'll be doing a trip report in a few days, but if anyone has any questions, let me know!

We also tried Boma. It was pretty neat, but it was still a buffet. I wish we had just gone to Jiko, spent the extra $$ and had really good food.

 

[Viki]

Yes, from what I read you have to try Jikos. I can't wait to read your report, but in the meantime, what temperature was the pool water? Tepid? Steaming?

 

[chesirechik]

The pool water was comfortable - not to warm, but not cold. The sun was pretty unbearable for most of the time we were there, so I'm sure that contributed to the water temp.

We were woken up several mornings by (I think) Ankole Cattle mooing or making some sort of noise right under our balconey!

 

[PLUTO2]

How were the busses?

 

[Joan1]

How were the busses?

Same question from me. We will be there in 8 days and were wondering about the buses. We have a car rented just in case but we can cancel that last minute

 

[letterdavidman]

Same question from me. We will be there in 8 days and were wondering about the buses. We have a car rented just in case but we can cancel that last minute

Yeah, how were the buses? DW and I leave in eight days (and arrive in 10), and I'm quite curious.

Also, how was check in? And how was the staff? Good service from mousekeeping?

TIA!!

 

[ariel'sdaddy]

We stayed at AKL in December of 2003. It is now our favorite resort. The buses were not bad at all. AKL buses run only to this resort and do not stop along the way. We had no wait time at all and never had to use our own vehicle. We were a little worried before we got there because of some of the replys we had read. Rest assured you will not have any problems and you will enjoy this resort.

 

[Viki]

I'm glad to hear about the pool water! So many people have complained that it was way too warm!

Thanks again.

 

[chesirechik]

The bus service was fantastic. The longest we waited for a bus was 10 minutes for an MGM one morning. A couple times it went to Blizzard Beach first for drop off, but only once or twice in the mornings. Our last trip was to POFQ in November 2002 and buses were a nightmare, so we were thrilled!

Check in was ok - when we checked in the person who assisted us spoke with an accent and very quietly. It was a real struggle to understand her and ask questions since it was loud in the lobby. I ended up having to go back down later to get my questions answered because I just couldn't understand/hear her. I went down the night before we left and they checked us in for our flight online and printed our boarding passes with no problem. Everyone at the resort was VERY nice. It was my parents first time at WDW and they were very impressed with the staff. My Dad loved talking to some of the guys outside about the animals and the savanah.

Mousekeeping was ok. Our sheer curtain over the sliding glass doors had a stain in it - very visible and obvious and there were crumbs on the nightstand and on top of the fridge. Overall not bad, but nothing fantastic.

 

[LeesyUD]

Are the rooms too dark like other posters are saying?

 

[kimisabella]

Glad you had a good time at AKL - just switched from POP to AKL and very excited!!

 

[WDWBetsy]

Thanks for your post. I'm so glad you had a fun time. Looking forward to staying there in November (after switching resorts several times!).

 

[letterdavidman]

Thanks for all the info, Chesirechik!

So, do tell: How awesome was it having animals outside of your room? That's cool that you got upgraded to Savannah View. DW and I booked Deluxe Savannah View, and we're beside ourselves with excitement right now.

Did you eat at Boma for both breakfast and dinner? What time was your AR (if, indeed, you had one)? How long was the wait to get your seats? How early did you show up for your AR?

Again, TIA for taking the time to answer this barrage of questions! Like I said, I'm just a touch excited.

 

[chesirechik]

LeesyUD - the room was a tad dark, but it didn't bother anyone in my family. I could see how it could bother people though.

letterdavidman - it was COMPLETELY AWESOME having the animals right outside. I think we were put in the Uzima trail (i will have to look later), it seriously felt like the most far flung room ever, but it was totally worth it. If we ever stay there again I will gladly pay the extra $$ to ensure I have a savanah view room rather then just hoping for an upgrade.

We just ate at Boma for dinner. We had a 7:20pm AR and arrived at 7:30pm thanks to my brother taking off to the arcade and not telling anyone. We got seated around 7:45pm. I don't know if they just figured we weren't showing or if we would have waited that long anyway. They were very busy. If you are really interested in trying the food I would really recommend trying Jiko. Boma was nice, but it was still a buffet - some of the food had been under the heat lamps for awhile, etc. The desserts were fantastic though.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!! Love AKL!! Want to go back someday!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

So glad you had a great time!

We too, have found the buses at AKL to be among the best on property!

 

[chipper10]

Did you have a zebra dome? What is it? Thanks!

 

[kgkmom]

Thanks cheshirechik, for the post! I have a question about the upgrade. We'll be there next week and we have a standard room booked. When you checked in, did they just say, oh, by the way, we've upgraded you? I've never been so lucky!

For others who have received an upgrade, did you ask, or were you surprised on checking in? Is it worth it to ask if there are any complementary upgrades?

Thanks!

 

[Noah122898]

Did you get towel animals from mousekeeping????

 

[tekmom]

When we were there last month, we never asked for the upgrade and weren't told about it. Only when she gave me our map to our room with the room number, did I mention that we didn't book that section. She then said "you've been complimentary upgraded." Very nice. We booked almost 7 months out at a standard rate, so I believe we were bumped up long before we arrived. I think, as the few standard rooms get booked up, Disney will move people around to reopen those rooms for future bookings...maybe maybe not? I was told the resort was at capacity, so I doubt we would have gotten the upgrade at checkin. We did arrive at about 10:15 and the room we were assigned was ready, so that was a plus. Good luck on you're trip! We are already booked again for next July.