tinkbell and jdads2,
We thought the Disney transportation to/from AKL was excellent! Of course, we did not have any children with us (ours are grown) so we did not mind a 15 minute ride to MK. There is only one bus station at AKL so you do not spend time riding around the resort to different stops like we have at PO (then DxL) and CSR. Our longest trip was to DTD; I think the bus went to Typhoon Lagoon and then made several stops at DTD, PI, etc. I believe EPCOT and MGM were about 10 minute rides and AK was about 5 minutes. We used Your Ride for our airport transportation so we did not have a car. I hate to drive at WDW!
We did not think the resort was crowded but it is very large so it is hard to tell. Mara was not bad early in the morning; Boma filled up quickly after opening for supper at 5:00 PM (make early PS ressies). The pool is huge (11,000 sq ft) and has 2 hot tubs and a small kiddie pool. It never really seemed crowded. And, it was open 24-hours a day; the hot tubs are supposed to be closed between midnight and 8:00 AM but there were people in them during those hours. I was a little surprised that people were throwing balls around in the pool and that there were some very young children (3-5 years old) in the hot tubs. The pool is also on the same level as the restaurants, spa and game room and there are a few "viewing areas" near the pool for the Uzima Savanna.
We did sit outside at the fire pit several times but not during the story telling. We also sat at the lobby fire pit to relax. We did, however, talk to the "rangers" stationed around the savanna viewing areas; we took the lobby tour with CM Jed; and we completed the Hidden Mickeys Safari at the resort. This is really an incredible resort! Enjoy it!
Mike
