Just back from AKL - review

[sjw4870]

Just back from my first stay at AKL. I absolutely loved it. I think it MAY have even replaced the Polynesian as my favorite resort.

I had a savannah view on the 3rd floor of Giraffe trail. The view was perfect, plenty of zebra, giraffe and antelope; the room was right near an elevator which gave quick access to the pool and the Mara. It was also, not far from the lobby.

The room itself was nice too. I loved the smell! (yes - maybe a strange comment!). I read some complaints that the lighting was too dim. I thought the room was a bit dark, but it didn't bother me. I could read perfectly fine at night using the lighting over the bed.

I had breakfast and dinner at Boma. I'd had the dinner buffet before and I had enjoyed it very much. This was my first time at breakfast and it was good too. I really liked the specialty juice "Frunch"? (or something like that - I'd love the recipe!)

I was a bit nervous about the buses. I liked the Polynesian because of the monorail and generally drove to MGM and Animal Kingdom from Poly when staying there. This time I still had a car, but used the bus more. It was perfect. I don't think I ever waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. Once the bus came, it was really only crowded when it was near park closing times.

If anyone has questions, I'd be happy to try to answer!

 

[tink44]

Thanks so much for the review. I'm staying at AKL for the first time in March and you helped me look forward to it even more (if that's possible).

 

[>>^..^<<]

Yup it's easy to fall in love with AKL.. its all the best parts of Disney plus you feel transported to another country..

I love the smells of AKL too... such a great atmosphere.

Thanx for the review

>>^..^<<

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I keep going back and forth between AKL and WL - your review is making me want AKL! Thanks!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Glad to hear from another AKL lover. We had our first stay there this past spring and we can't wait to go back. It is by far our favorite resort. Thanks for the wonderful review.

 

[jcemom]

What kinds of "smells" do they have?

For some reason perfumes and things like incense make me naseous (sp?). I hope it's not too "perfumey" a smell?!?

 

[wannabee princess]

Loved reading the positive review for AKL, since we are heading there in Dec! Had you made any special room requests prior to checking in? What room number did you have?

Thanks for posting. I am glad you had such a magical stay!

 

[ckj]

jcemom - it's more like a 'what's cooking in the kitchen' kind of smell. kinda woodsy and spicey...NOT overpowering at all! it's VERY inviting!

 

[sjw4870]

"What kinds of "smells" do they have?

For some reason perfumes and things like incense make me naseous (sp?). I hope it's not too "perfumey" a smell?!?"

jcemom:

The smells weren't overpowering, it was just a clean pleasant smell. My mother thinks it was something the wood was polished with. I thought it might have been a hidden air freshener.

 

[jcemom]

That's a relief! Kitchen smells I have NO problem with...LOL

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by sjw4870
The smells weren't overpowering, it was just a clean pleasant smell. My mother thinks it was something the wood was polished with. I thought it might have been a hidden air freshener.

That sounds okay, too. I even like the smell of Pledge...lol. Just not heavy floral perfume-type smells. Thanks! I won't worry now.

 

[sjw4870]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
I keep going back and forth between AKL and WL - your review is making me want AKL! Thanks!

I'm a huge fan of WL too. The AKL room reminded me a lot of WL. The layout was exactly the same - only differences seemed to be the decor. The balcony at AKL also seemed larger.

 

[wintermom]

Sounds like you had the perfect room, how and when did you
request it? Did you fax or call the resort? We are spliting our
stay between AKL and the Swan and can't wait!

Wintermom

 

[sjw4870]

Originally posted by wintermom
Sounds like you had the perfect room, how and when did you
request it? Did you fax or call the resort? We are spliting our
stay between AKL and the Swan and can't wait!

Wintermom

When I made my reservation I requested Arusha Savannah. When I checked in, the front desk clerk showed me my room (which was the very last room at the end of the hall on Kudu Trail) - I simply asked her if there was anything closer to the lobby. She then said she could put me not far off the lobby on Giraffe trail, but that the room was currently occupied with guests who were checking out that day. I said I would wait for the room, headed to the parks and checked into it later in the day. It was well worth the wait!

 

[MJTinNH]

I definitely want to try this resort in the near future. I was able to stop in on my last vacation to check out the lobby and it was very impressive.

Did you have a chance to try the two restaurants while you were there? I believe they are Jinko's and Boma. If so what did you think?

 

[#1hockeymom]

I am in the midst of planning a very last minute trip to the world, first time for my mom! I have a conference in Tampa and my mother is driving up from Venice on Saturday and I told her I am kidnapping her and taking her to Disney World for the first time ever! Hard to believe I have been there eight times and she has never been there! *gasp* The safari theme interested her so I booked AKL for two nights, my treat. Right now we dont have any tickets purchased, although I am considering just buying an AP for myself since I will be back during Easter. A PH could be used again for my DH or kids during our later trip. Any ideas on how to get the most out of our trip with the least amount of tickets? I want to show her EVERTHING yet we don't have the time! Any advice would be appreciated!

Debbie

 

[mep319]

Love AKL...it's our favorite. Glad you had a wonderful time!

 

[cdrn1]

AKL is my favorite too. It's so pretty and unique. The smell is sooooo yummy and I loved the subtle music playing on the grounds. We didn't find the rooms too dark at all. The bus service was very VERY good when we were there. And Boma...no words to describe how good.
Do a search for Boma recipes online. I found many of their recipes, including frunch. Haven't tried any yet, though.

 

[audflash]

We stayed at the AKL in October. LOVED IT!!!! Everything: the music, the "smell", our room, the artwork, the animals... I could really go on and on.

Some advice: Make time to do some of the activities at the lodge. We waited until our last night to go to the fireside storytelling and I wished we hadn't. I would have liked to go again. The cultural safari was great - a CM from Zimbabwe talked about his country and it was very interesting (sort of a lecture so small children might be bored). They had children's games and activities every day which were very cool. Again, I wish we had done more of these. There is a board in the lobby that tells what activities are going on each day - check it out.

We ate at both Boma and Jiko. Both were very good. I was not too impressed with Mara - very limited hot food selection. I asked about the sugar cane chicken that I had read about on the restaurant board and was told they don't do that anymore. Bummer.

We booked a standard room and asked for an upgrade when we arrived. The CM put us in a 5th floor deluxe pool view. I could not have been happier. I loved sitting on the balcony and watching the activity at the pool - it was absolutely beautiful.

The bus service was great and I can't imagine that any other resort at WDW could top this one!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Thank you to everyone for their advice on our last minute trip!

Debbie