We just got back this morning from POR and AKL. At AKL we had room 4241 Kuda trail, Arusha. We loved it, my 7 yr. old dd cried last night and this morning and all through take off saying she wanted to stay and not leave (I definately knew how she felt, but I had to be the mature one) 
A few days before leaving for WDW, I decided to see if I could get AKL Sav. view (had poolview), well I"m glad I did. The hotel was very busy. I usually do alot of things for my kids, but this is something I really enjoyed also, so did my DH. DH and I loved waking up early and sitting out on the balcony drinking coffee watching the animals and listening to sounds. Both dd's slept with their heads at the bottom of the bed so they could look out onto the the Sav. and animals while laying down.
Positives loved pool
favorite food (but with AR, sitdowns are hard to get)
loved the theme and animals
breakfast on balcony watching zebras, giraffes, etc.
loved kids stuff to do (we only got to do a few things but they were fun, eg. music parade with instruments from the store the kids marched around the lobby. Then got a certificate).
I found the CMs knowledgable and friendly ready to help with AR's, printing boarding passes for SW fliers, helping with problem with tickets at a dinner theatre (not disney)
Kids loved the pool and zero entry and slide.
Negatives-all are minor in my mind, I still loved the place.
Long lines everywhere Conceirge, registration, restaurants.
(check in took about an hour)
Distant location to parks (we are used to staying at Swan/Dolphin Epcot area with many park and eating options without getting into your car.
The rooms were dark, I hated the lighting in the rooms (not the fixtures but the amount of light). I turned on the light to look for something in the closet and it didn't make a difference, it was like (40 watt bulb) for the hall and closet area.
Mara's was a bit of a walk even though we were 4 floors almost directly above it, but had to cross the hotel to get there.
A few days before leaving for WDW, I decided to see if I could get AKL Sav. view (had poolview), well I"m glad I did. The hotel was very busy. I usually do alot of things for my kids, but this is something I really enjoyed also, so did my DH. DH and I loved waking up early and sitting out on the balcony drinking coffee watching the animals and listening to sounds. Both dd's slept with their heads at the bottom of the bed so they could look out onto the the Sav. and animals while laying down.
Positives loved pool
favorite food (but with AR, sitdowns are hard to get)
loved the theme and animals
breakfast on balcony watching zebras, giraffes, etc.
loved kids stuff to do (we only got to do a few things but they were fun, eg. music parade with instruments from the store the kids marched around the lobby. Then got a certificate).
I found the CMs knowledgable and friendly ready to help with AR's, printing boarding passes for SW fliers, helping with problem with tickets at a dinner theatre (not disney)
Kids loved the pool and zero entry and slide.
Negatives-all are minor in my mind, I still loved the place.
Long lines everywhere Conceirge, registration, restaurants.
(check in took about an hour)
Distant location to parks (we are used to staying at Swan/Dolphin Epcot area with many park and eating options without getting into your car.
The rooms were dark, I hated the lighting in the rooms (not the fixtures but the amount of light). I turned on the light to look for something in the closet and it didn't make a difference, it was like (40 watt bulb) for the hall and closet area.
Mara's was a bit of a walk even though we were 4 floors almost directly above it, but had to cross the hotel to get there.
