Just back from AKL (long)

[sm4987]

I was looking forward to staying at the AKL, and I must say I wasn't dissapointed. I booked a standard room and that is what I got. It didn't detract from seeing the animals at all. Actually, I'm glad that we didn't get a savannah view as my children never really asked to see the animals. They were content to just stay and play or sleep in the room when we were there (which wasn't often). The resort has plenty of viewing areas that are extremely relaxing and a great place to see the animals.

I wouldn't say that the rooms are dark at all. I think the lighting is great and works well with the room. The rooms are decorated beautifully. It was truly a great place to stay.

I do have two wishes. One is that Mara had a greater variety of food. Two is that the bus service was better. MK had the worse bus service and the other parks were so so.

I love this resort, and hope to go back to visit some day. I found out however that my children and husband prefer to stay on the monorail line. Everytime they saw the CR, they all got this look on their faces and looked at me!!! They liked the AKL, but want to stay at the CR again. Oh well, I had a new experience and I enjoyed it. Any questions fell free to ask.

 

[Horizons16]

I agree 100% with you!

Did you eat at Boma? I thought it was an awesome place. How old are your kids?

 

[sm4987]

Yes we ate at Boma and the food was great. I loved the smells that came from there as you walked into the lobby. I couldn't do Jiko though, I'm not that adventurous. I would suggest that even if you just vist and come to eat it is worth it. Even for breakfast, they have different things for you to eat that are uniquely African.

BTW, my children are pretty young and love animals. They are 4 (girl) and 7 (boy). They love the AK and the safari is their favorite. Somehow being at the resort, they didn't just want to constantly look at the animals.

 

[sm4987]

one more thing, I notice that a lot of people compare the WL to the AKL. To me they are to entirely different animals (no pun intended!!!) WL is more woodsy and rustic. I think the AKL has a more out of America feel. The lobby's while similar, are really different. I really liked the AKL much more than the WL. It is truly a different experience.

 

[Kaybee]

Just wondering about your room. You say you got a standard view room. What did your room overlook? Did you have a balcony?
My sister and I are planning a trip in May with our kids, and I would probably go with a standard view room. So I am glad to hear it was okay. Just wondering about the room location and view. Thanks.

 

[sm4987]

I was in room 3115. It was on the same floor as the lobby. Short walk to it actually. I did have an enclosed balcony ( more like a patio since it was ground floor). It looked out towards the parking lot and the main entrance where you drive to check in. I could see the parkling lot, but the view was obstructed. There were beautiful palm trees in front of us plus many shrubs and flowers. I never heard any noise out there. It was a really quiet spot believe it or not. When you sit out on the balcony, the wall is high enough to where you don't see too much and other's can't really see you. This room had bunk beds and was outstanding. I know that many get upgraded after booking a std. view room. If you don't, try not to get disappointed. It is really a great place no matter what the view. Plus if you are like my family, you don't spend to much time in the room anyway.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by sm4987
Two is that the bus service was better. MK had the worse bus service and the other parks were so so.

Hi,

Just wondering what happened to make you write the above about the bus service from the AKL? We will be there in less then 30days and have stay at the AKL three times before and always found the bus service to be excellent. They tell you that the buses run about every 20mins from the resort to the main parks and we have never waited more then 15mins for a bus to the parks during all of your stays at the AKL. Hoping that the bus service has not gone downhill at the AKL since this past Feb.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Thanks for the report! I can't wait to stay here

 

[sm4987]

Honestly, the bus service was strange. At the beginning of our visit, we would be in the waiting area for let's say EPCOT (this was Saturday). We would sit there about 10- 15 minutes and in that time watch several MK buses go buy, 2 or 3 for DD, occasional for AK (they close so early), 1 or 2 for MGM, and none for EPCOT. We actually had to call on the phones that they had outside to ask where a bus was! A group of about 6 had been there before us had already waited 30 minutes to goto EPCOT. Needless to say they were pretty angry. It was like this all week long. However as the week wore on (towards Christmas) the buses to MK or from took longer and longer each time. It may have been a traffic problem, but it is hard to sit and watch buses from other resorts (PC, CB, CS, PO who all rely on bus service only) see busses galore picking up their guests at all of the theme parks.

I have stayed at CB and the bus service was great! Now don't misunderstand, the bus service was good, I just noticed that often we had long waits for the buses to come along.

 

[Samsma]

We stayed at AKL over 4th of July Weekend, 2003. The bus service left something to be desired that time too. We spent a long time trying to leave EPCOT at around 4:00 one day.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I love the AKL but please the bus to DTD was awful after waiting forever to catch the bus to DTD it was even a longer wait after we where ready to go back to AKL....I think it was me, wherever I was going the bus wasn't....

 

[Harambe]

I think it was me, wherever I was going the bus wasn't



LOL! This is me also!

 

[Snowysmom]

AKL is a great resort but I have to agree about the bus service. This past July, we waited and waited one day to go to MGM and after buses came for all the other parks and in some cases, 2 buses came, we drove. We found MK and Epcot to be the best. We waited at AK for the AKL bus for 35-40 minutes. Buses came for all the other resorts plus the other parks but no AKL bus. People were threatening to hijack one of the other buses! When we stayed in 2001, the only problems we had were with the Typhoon Lagoon and DTD buses. Some people don't have any problems so it could be an off and on thing. AKL is still worth staying at. I also wish MARA had a few more menu items especially for breakfast but the food is good.