Just back from AKL - long.

[kimisabella]

We stayed at the AKL last month and loved it. The whole atmosphere is breathtaking. We booked a standard room, got upgraded to a pool-view, but then I realized I wanted to see the animals so I asked if I could get a savannah view, they let us change rooms for an extra $25/night. It's funny though, I would sit on the balcony at night and hear people on their cell phones telling others how the resort itself is beautiful, but has no "disney feel". To us, it was definatley worth it, we had a great time, couldn't take my dd's away from the pool & slide. I think next time we go, we will stay at a different resort, but I would love to go back to the AKL.

 

[Princess Patti]

I too know exactly how you feel. There is no Disney Magic at the AKL. Many CM at the front desk are so rude. They treat you with no respect at all. I get that same impression all of the times we stay there. The hotel is just beautiful and restful so I try and forget the rest. I was wondering if the WL has the same feeling. Maybe it is time for a change.

Hope you are all feeling well now.

 

[3littleHalls]

Too bad you caught the tummy bug! We caught it while there when we went this past spring. We were at the Poly and mousekeeping there wasn't any better. We had to beg for towels and sheets. I cleaned everything up from the kids(I even bagged it for them and used lysol wipes) they wouldn't come in the room to get the regular garbage. Being sick sure takes away from the magic. We are staying AKL this time...we wanted to try something new. I hope it isn't bad.

 

[wendypooh]

I'm so sorry this happened and I'm glad you are all better now!! I'm actually glad you posted this, I've been a little worried about the "disney feel" issue myself. DH LOVES Disney, his favorite place to stay is ASMov. because it is "Disney"!! We agreed to try the AKL for this trip, as he and ds love animals, we thought it would be ideal.................. however, in the back of my mind I keep hearing, is it "disney" enough to make him happy??? He'd LOVE a resort it if it was over the top with the disney'esque theme, I think that's why he really likes ASMov. I'm certain we'll all love AKL, and enjoy it, but I'm sad that you got the same feeling I"m dreading......... If you could choose somewhere else to stay, where would it be?? To get a more "disney" feel.

Thanks!! Glad you are all feeling better!!

 

[Pooh1219]

I've stayed at AKL three times within the past year and a half, and we are returning for our fourth visit in February. The first trip wasn't that great. I got very sick our second day there, spent a couple of days in the room, and then we ended up cutting our trip short by a few days to come home. This is where we experienced the "magic" of WDW. Our mousekeeper, Jill, couldn't have been warmer and more attentive if we were her own family. She respected our privacy and understood that we didn't want the normal level of mousekeeping due to my illness. Nevertheless, she checked in on us each and every day to make sure I was all right, and to see if there was anything I needed to help make my stay more comfortable.

When we decided to leave a few days early, my friend went downstairs to notify the front desk. They, too, were just wonderful. We told them at 6 p.m. that we were leaving the next morning by 9 a.m., and we were not charged for any of the remaining days of our reservation, even though we didn't give much notice at all. Due to some bad memories because I was sick, we hesitated returning to AKL, but decided to try again, and am so glad we did. It's my favorite Disney resort now.

I understand some of the views expressed here that some CMs don't have quite the Disney spirit you may find at some other resorts, but many of them do. We may have been lucky by running into the ones who really cared. I'm not sure what "Disney" feel you're not getting at AKL, but I've always felt that I was surrounded by the magic every time I've stayed there, and can't wait to get back to my home away from home.

 

[liamsaunt]

It is true that AKL does not have the "over-the-top" Mickey feel that some of the other resorts do, but it is a beautiful, relaxing resort with great restaurants and theming. Our last stay the person that checked us in was not the friendliest CM I have ever met, but frankly, I think she was irritated by the attitude of one of the people I was traveling with--he was not being the friendliest guy I have ever met! The CMs we encountered at Boma, Victoria Falls, and Jiko were all friendly and helpful, as were the CMs out on the savannah trail. Mouekeeping was excellent also.

In the same price category, the WL definitely has more of a "Mickey" feel, but for us the relaxing vibe of the AKL was just right after a long day in the parks. I can't wait to be back at AKL in 21 days for DH's birthday. I told him we could stay anywhere he wanted, and he chose AKL.

To the OP, if you have not tried WL yet, you should check it out for your next trip. It costs about the same as AKL, and it is much more overtly Mickey themed. Plus, it too has great restaurants and theming. I hope you and your family are feeling better!

 

[DisOrBust]

In our 7 trips to wdw with four at akl we have always had hit or miss with the CMs and that "disney Magic" no matter where we stayed. In 99 and 2000 it was a much "happy" place to visit. The unfortunate part is our esrlier trips have set a standard of expectations for us that go unmet now.

We love AKL, and really all the WDW resorts. There is still some pixie dust left just not as much as in the past. I don't know if the CM at any of the other resorts would be any more "Disney."

 

[NJBILL]

What Time Did The Pool Close At Night?
Thx

 

[califred]

The AKL pool does not close but the slide closes when the lifeguards leave.

We had a great time there. I was happy it was a little less disney, we had stayed at POP first, which I also loved. I think my dh liked it more b/c it wasn't so over the top disney and our son did a lot of the kids activities, it was great.

 

[wendypooh]

Well, I appreciate the replies. We are not going to switch resorts, as we are all really looking forward to our stay at AKL. Our DS is so excited, last night he wanted to watch the show about it that we dvr'd. I'm sure it will be wonderful, my only concern was that it was maybe not "disney" enough, as some have suggested, not just by the OP, I've seen that posted before.

As far as Simba's clubhouse, could you give a little more info on that? DS is going to stay there one night while DH and I celebrate my B-day. Thanks!!

 

[ruttie]

I totally agree with you about AKL while i am glad is tayed there i doubt i will again, just because, it was not my fav... the place was beautiful but I did not get teh deluxe special treatment one would expect from a deluxe resort. I think disney really needs to do a bit better if they are gonna bill AKL as a deluxe resort. We did not recieve any special service that we always get when staying at WL or poly....yes the resort was beautiful but.... we get better more pesrsonal servive the 2 times we have stayed at Port orleans...

 

[dixiedizfan]

Just read a post saying the pool doesn't close. Anyone staying in a pool-view room have trouble with noise at night?

 

[applechips]

I am so sorry that you all came down with a stomach bug! That is no fun. Thanks for the report of the AKL.