Just back from AKL - long.

[3Mousketeers]

Well, just got back from the long awaited, much planned trip to AKL. It was great and it was horrible. Horrible - we all came down with the stomach flu, one by one, fell like dominoes. Great - we did manage to fit in some magical moments like watching Wishes from in front of the castle. Regarding AKL - the resort itself is just as beautiful as I heard. The CM's were average. Not unfriendly, just not really interested. The first night my 5 yr got sick my husband went out and bought cleaning stuff so I actually cleaned up the mess myself. The only thing I needed from mousekeeping was to change the sheets (for which I tipped extremely well). I didn't expect anything huge but maybe a little note to cheer up my DS would've made us all feel better. I guess it was just an example of the way I felt about AKL. Its a beautiful resort with a great pool (the kids loved the slide) but there was no disney magic to be had. No warm fuzzies. No smiles. Maybe that is just the aura of AKL and that's fine, but I think I'd like a friendlier atmosphere next time.
Boma was great. Once the boys were better they fit in one night at Simba's and had a great time. But again, the CM's at Simba's were nothing special.
About the room, we had connecting bunk bed rooms. I guess because we really needed the connecting rooms it limited the view that was available. We had rooms 5265 & 5266 which overlooks the feeding area only. So, a couple times a day you had a great view of the animal feeding but then nothing for the rest of the day. The rooms themselves were nice. One was a deluxe room (an unrequested upgrade). They were good sized, clean and the kids loved the bunkbeds. I know its hard to give an accurate opinion of the resort when we had sickness to deal with. But, I think my honest opinion is that it is a great experience to be in the atmosphere but you just don't have a "disney feel." I think we will stay there again at some point though. Maybe we just had bad luck with CM's this time. Sorry to be so long - would be happy to answer any questions.

 

[buckeye]

Welcome back! That stinks that you all were sick at Disney. Not fair!!

I have a couple questions for you because we are heading down for spring break. Did you use the bus transportation at all? How was it? Did you try Mara?

We have adjoining bunkbed rooms (poolview.) Did the bunkbed rooms feel spacious?

Thanks for your feedback and again, welcome home.

 

[LindaR]

3Mousketeers, sorry your trip was marred by illness. We never cared for AKL when we stayed there in May 2003. I hope that on your next trip ALL goes well.....health AND a resort that you love!

 

[3Mousketeers]

Hi Buckeye - Thanks. It was sad b/c it was only a short 4 day trip but what can you do??? Its making me feel better talking about it.
Anway, I thought the bus service was great. Barely used our rental car. We had one 10 minute wait at MK for ride back to AKL but otherwise really no wait. That ride was a bit crowded too but otherwise would highly recommend the bus. Best thing is that AKL doesn't share buses so there are no stops. Longest ride was to MK but it was probably only 15 minutes and you can dropped off right in front so no dealing with the monorail or ferry.
We tried Boma and Mara and liked both alot. Boma had such an amazing selection of food. Sadly, only went once due to illness. Did Mara a couple times with the kids. Food was good (not special), fast and convenient if you're at the pool or just want a quick bite. Also, there is a TV to keep the kids busy. Mara did have an African Stew in a bread bowl that was really good.
You'll love the connecting rooms. It worked out so well for us. Who knows, you may get upgraded to savannah view but I think there are limited in where the connecting rooms are located. They don't guarantee the bunk beds so remember to ask again when you check in (and try to let the kids know its not a definite). But, even with a pool view, there are lots of public areas to view the animals. And with some of the pool view rooms you can actually see parts of the savannah depending on where you are.
Hope you have a great trip. Feel free to ask any other questions.

 

[dreamingdisney]

3mousketeers,

Sorry that you all got sick. I wanted to know what exactly made you feel that AKL lacked that "Disney" feeling? Was it due to the CMs or the theme of AKL? We're going in May, so I'm really curious.

I know your kids were sick, but did you feel that there were enough activities at the resort to keep them busy? Thanks so much for the report!

 

[spiceycat]

okay I have a reservation here for July....

I really wanted to go to Pop - but I got the postcard - so I decided to try the AKL....

Now you make me want Pop again....

I am also staying at VWL and BCV for the rest of the week - but I wanted to try AKL and just go to AK - no other parks - if that one....

Gee I sure hope your complaints are because your family got sick.

So sorry that your family got sick! was it something you caught at WDW?

is everyone okay now?

 

[3Mousketeers]

I didn't mean to cause panic. Really, we liked the AKL. There were kids activities like arts & crafts that we didn't get a chance to take advantage of because of the timing (usually mid afternoon when we were at the parks). The night time storytelling was short but the kids liked to hear about Africa and thought the fire pit was neat. There is night vision animal viewing (with goggles) we tried to do one night but the animals weren't really out, but I'm sure the kids would like that. The pool was the most fun for the kids. It has a good slide & zero entry at one end. They also really liked Simba's Clubhouse which gave us a break at night too.
I just don't know how to describe the feeling I had though. I really don't think it was just because of our illness. It was a great resort but you do feel sort of removed from Mickey. To alot of people that is probably a good thing after long days at the parks. I think if AKL was somewhere other than Disney I would have loved it. We just felt like the CM's were lackluster. When we checked in we could have just as easily been checking into the Holiday Inn (NOT that the hotel resembles one, the lobby is breathtaking!) at Disney prices. There was no "Welcome to Disney" feel. Actually, they tried to charge us way too much - the CM disappeared for a while and when she reappeared said they upgraded us to a deluxe room and charged us for it by mistake. Well, I guess the little bit of extra space was nice but the view was not too great. I got the feeling the deluxe room was all that was left. I know it sounds like I'm nitpicking but I just didn't feel the disney magic at AKL.
Don't worry about your upcoming trips. I'm sure you will love AKL and it is definitely worth the experience. The place is beautiful and being that close to the animals is a special experience. But, if you're used to being more upclose and personal to the Mouse then AKL will be different for you. That being said, one friendly CM could've changed my whole attitude. Maybe a split stay might be the best when you're planning to visit AKL. That way you can have the exotic experience of AKL for a few days and then the more Disney experience of another resort for a few days.
I don't know if that helps at all. Please post if you have different experiences at AKL because I'd like to give it another shot at some point and it would be nice to have some positive anecdotes about the service to my DH.

 

[3Mousketeers]

Spiceycat - I just realized in your post that you are splitting your stay. Definitely spend some time at AKL. You will love it as a change of pace and it is a 2 minute bus ride to AK. If I were to do it again, I would do it your way. I just wouldn't spend my whole trip at AKL.

 

[spiceycat]

thank I am feeling better - I hate to pay more money for a resort and like it less than the Pop.

i really enjoyed the Pop Century!

I am paying $153 with AKL - I could be paying $66 with the Pop with the postcard discounts...

 

[3Mousketeers]

My DS got sick our first night so I'm guessing he picked it up from school. It was yucky!! Of course now that we're home, everyone is better. Thanks for asking!
We paid $151 AP rate for AKL & got an upgrade to a deluxe room (which is a little bigger and sleeps five on a pull out sofa). My advice is to go into the AKL experience expecting something completely exotic, subdued and different and then you'll appreciate it. You won't see lots of Mickey (in fact the only trace is the free toiletries) or vibrant colors.
Hope you have a great trip!

 

[KIMHELMS99]

So sorry to hear you were ill. We stayed at AKL a few years back and really loved it. Sorry that you didn't have the pixie dust. Hopefully you'll have a better time all around next time.

 

[Tiffany]

You won't see lots of Mickey (in fact the only trace is the free toiletries) or vibrant colors.
Hope you have a great trip!

Actually, there are many hidden mickey's throughout the resort. You can even go on a Hidden Mickey safari. Just ask guest services for the map.

 

[dmslush]

Actually, there are many hidden mickey's throughout the resort. You can even go on a Hidden Mickey safari. Just ask guest services for the map.

I agree, we had a ton of hidden mickeys on our trip. I remember there was even one in the bathroom wallpaper, it was like a swirly mickey LOL!

 

[schrodstrip]

I posted this question on the main board w/ no reply, but if I might ask, My reservation is for a deluxe pool view. Does this mean a bigger room? I thought that the only connecting rooms were if you paid for two. I am bringing My dd (11) and nephew (12) and think I should maybe get two mod rooms just for more space.
The flu went through here and 185 kids (of about 250) were sick. Maybe you could write a nice letter and they would give you a future discount? Doesn''t hurt to try.

 

[3Mousketeers]

I'm not quite sure if I understand your question. We did pay for 2 rooms. They were connecting rooms. One of the rooms was a deluxe room. My understanding is that the difference between a standard and a deluxe room is that a deluxe sleeps 5 instead of 4 because there is a pull out couch and a little additional square footage. It wasn't Disney's fault we got the stomach flu so I can't really write a letter. I just wish we came across friendlier CM's.

 

[njchris]

Sorry to hear about the illnesses. That really can put a damper on things. Maybe that did have SOMETHING to do with it.

I've been there twice so far and I love it. The check-in people weren't super perky, but I never seem to get those at any of the hotels (stayed at all stars 3 or 4 times and coronado springs once).

The people outside that you could ask about the animals were friendly as were the people that held our luggage while we waited for a room(got there early!). The people in the resturaunts were always nice and asked where we were from and all that stuff.

As for distance, I never felt far removed. Maybe that's a state of mind or something you kept in the back of your head. It wasn't an issue for me.

Anyway, everyone has different experiences, and I've seen similar posts about every resort. Everyone is different and something important to one person isn't important to another.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I stayed in a standard pool view queen/bunk room for 11 nights and a deluxe pool view 2 queen for 3 nights. With the bunks there were 2 adults (me and sister) and 2 kids (10 & 13) With the 2 queens there was me and my husband. I know the deluxe room was bigger, but there was PLENTY of room in the standard room. I liked the view much better from that room (3030) also. My husband did not care for the AKL at all, but he is a non Disney person anyway. I think he would like the Swan as it is more corporate and less Disney, but I loved the AKL and would go back there if I had a postcard rate again. It is a beautiful place, and I loved going out and seeing the giraffes up close.

 

[njchris]

My husband did not care for the AKL at all, but he is a non Disney person anyway. I think he would like the Swan as it is more corporate and less Disney,

When people say things like this, I wonder if there is some Disney Stepford place we can bring them.

 

[mickeyfan1]

When people say things like this, I wonder if there is some Disney Stepford place we can bring them.

If you find it, let me know. At least I have freinds and one sister who "get it". One of my sisters was at Cornado Springs a few weeks ago, she said it was nice but there was too much Disney stuff there! She doesn't get it either, apparently!

 

[spa101]

What time does the story telling around the fire start, and was it everynight?