Just back from AKL and YC

[scottygirl]

We had a great trip, even in the rain!!! To sum it up we LOVED the Yacht Club and thought AKL was OK. You can't beat the YC location. Easy walk to Epcot and bus service was great to MK, we never waited more than five minutes. Service was fantastic, CM's were very nice. We got a late checkout and great turndown service. We were in room 4096. SAB can't be beat!!! Never saw a problem with saving lounge chairs, and it was never really crowded.

AKL was dark, they really need more lighting in the rooms. It was overcast most of the time so natural sunlight was not helping the room lighting. We paid for a deluxe savanna room and saw only a few animals. It was truly not worth the price we paid. Our phone was not working and we never received our Mickey wake up calls or messages left for us. My daughters day bed was dirty. The CM's were not very friendly at the front desk, the bell hops were great though. I requested the Arusha savanna, zebra trail and got Arusha, kudu trail room 5223. I realize the pool is suppose to resemble a watering hole, however, it just looked like dirty water to me!!! Boma was great and bus service was fast and easy to MGM and AK.

Any questions, just ask!!

 

[Nancybell]

Say It Ain't So...I'm scheduled to be at AKL the week of July 5th - have been pondering this decision over and over and now I'm nervous. What to do - should I cancel res. and change hotels or just stay put....Any advice.

Thanks

Nancybell

 

[SarahAndMike]

Naw, I would keep to what you have planned. I've never been to AKL, but I have been to hotels that other people have not liked. We all have different experiences and different tastes. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[cattycat]

Nancybell - Stick with the AKL! We were there in September and *loved* it - saw lots of animals (maybe time of day is important). We found the CMs very friendly - especially those who walk around near the various lounges/animal viewing spots. They helped us to identify animals and told us all about their homes in South Africa, Botswana, etc. We found the rooms very clean and with cozy decor. You *do* have to take buses everywhere, but we never had to wait more than 15 minutes. At night, enjoy the fireside storytelling or a drink at Victoria Falls. Definitely a unique experience!!

I've stayed at the YC, too, and thought it was convenient (close to Epcot), clean, but somewhat a sterile environment. Or maybe being from New England, didn't find the environment nearly as exotic or interesting as AKL!!

 

[boston-yachter]

when it comes to the AKL...its definaltey format over function....
The overall theme is fantastic....and the details are just stunning....
But if your not planning on spending a lot of time there...then its somewhat of a waste....
The animals are great...IF your in a Savanah view room! If not then your stuck with parking lot or a view of the pool.....which is nice as well though...
The pool, though themed really well...is nothing special....the zero-entry is a nice touch, but the slide is a dissapointment, and it is just a large pool, no shape, no thrills, I even considered the pool at one of the All Stars to be just as nice and more kid friendly...
The rooms are darker, but I don't consider them to be horrible, its definaltey tough on a rainy day....
The distance is somewhat of a pain as well....we once waited a half hour for a MK bus, and then had to enjoy the nearly 20 min ride!
the postives balance out the negatives...but I wasn't impressed to say the least...

Overall I would stay here again....but only if we had a savanah vew room, and if were going to utilize it, most of the time, we only need a resort for pool, sleep, shower, and TV....as nice as the view is, I'd rather stay at the WL, of even a moderate....

 

[PamNC]

with your feelings on YC. It's my favorite, the BC too. I consider them one. It's fantastic. Love Stormalong Bay, walking to Epcot and MGM, the boardwalk area. Can't beat it. We stay there each trip UNTIL we got to feeling like we needed to try something new this year. So for our annual memorial week trip we did the WL for 4 nights and then drove over to Siesta Key (near Sarasota) for 3 nights. We were so disappointed with WL. Service wasn't as good, transportation wasn't as prompt, room was small and dark and the pool at WL was sickening compared to Stormalong Bay. Well, we know better now. Never again will we feel guilty about frequenting the same resort.

PamNC

 

[bunnyfoo]

Scottygirl, are the buses crowded? I noticed that YC shares buses with BC and the Boardwalk.

I like AKL but I didn't see many animals from our savanah view room either. I found that I was able see a greater variety of animals by walking around the resort. I didn't have a problem with the staff ... only the staff at Boma. Overall, I think it's a really great resort

 

[JESW]

We just got back too! We were at the AKL 6/15 - 18th and then the Boardwalk Inn 6/18 - 22.

We loved the AKL and thought it was such a beautiful resort! Yes, it could be dark in places, but it was such a dreary, rainy week so that didn't help. We were concierge level room 5309 and we were over-looking the Kudo savannah with a lot of those cattle-thingies. Loved the zebras and giraffes!

If you like lots of detail then the AKL is a great resort. Everywhere you looked there was something special to see - lots of hidden Mickey's.

The BWI has a great location and is a "pretty" resort but does not have the character of the AKL - we still liked it tho. We have stayed at the YC many times and we love its location. It's style is similiar to the BWI.

The buses are not too crowded since the AKL does not share with other resorts - nice feature! But it is a distance away from some things so you have a 20 minute or so ride to places like the Magic Kingdom. We didn't find that bad at all.

Jill

 

[Goofy'sFriend]

Jill....a question for you. Funny that you have stayed at YC and just came back from AKL concierge.....that is what I'm deciding between now. We currently have reservations at Poly/LV Conc., but we have stayed at the Poly. My DH and boys thinks we should try something new. DH has always wanted to stay at YC.....the AKL fascinates us all.

Which do you prefer? How crowded does Stormalong Bay get? Which has better transportation to MK?

We could stay AKL concierge or YC waterview (no concierge) for about the same price. We LOVE the Poly, hate to give up Monorail/boat access.....but need to try something new......any suggestions?? THANKS!!

 

[scottygirl]

Originally posted by Nancybell
Say It Ain't So...I'm scheduled to be at AKL the week of July 5th - have been pondering this decision over and over and now I'm nervous. What to do - should I cancel res. and change hotels or just stay put....Any advice.

Thanks

Nancybell

It's up to you, like some of the other posters have stated, everyone has different experiences. I personally wouldn't stay there again. I like the "sterile" classy environment of the YC. I tried the AKL based on the rave reviews and didn't care for it and neither did my husband.

The YC buses were sometimes crowded, but we always were able to get on a bus and back to our hotel within a reasonable amount of time.