Just back from AKL...WOW!!

[bb_in_alabama]

Just got back from a week at AKL. What a wonderful resort! I highly recommend it. If anyone has any additional questions that I don't answer below, feel free to post and I will be happy to answer them.

First, the negatives: We were a little disappointed in our room. We booked our room four months in advance and didn't get what we wanted. I realize that they have limitations on what can be confirmed in your reservation. We requested a king bed with a day bed, refrigerator, crib and a savannah view room with a view of Arusha rock. We got 2 queen beds, crib, no refrigerator and a savannah room overlooking one of the side savannahs. We even went back and asked about changing rooms, but they said that they couldn't do it. We stayed in room 2226. After seeing the hotel from all angles, it appears that we received one of the worst views of a savannah.

However, with all that being said, our view did treat us to giraffes every morning about 50 feet from our balcony. One of the trees that is loaded with leaves every feeding was located very near our room. My wife and I have a 5 year old and a 1 year old, so the animals were a great treat.

Now the positives: Basically, everything else. I'll be quick about these....be sure to ask follow-ups if you want more information.

Cast Members: Wonderful, very helpful about everything.

Restaurants:
Mara - great...never had to wait....nice to find a place to get fresh fruit (which, because of the heat was not only good for you, but refreshing)....played continuous Disney movies for the kids.

Boma - fantastic! Did not eat breakfast there, but did eat dinner. Wonderful buffet.
Jiko - Did not eat, but all indications were that it was good also.

Character caravan: Great way to start off your day and to allow the kids to get pictures/autographs without waiting in the sun.

Laundry facilities: We did three loads of clothes. The facilities were very clean and all of the machines worked very well. We enjoyed visiting with others that were in there.

Pool: Huge pool with a slide. Kids loved it. (Okay, I did also.)

Lobby/Decor: Fantastic. The same architect that designed WL also designed AKL, so there are a number of "general" similarities. But the place is absolutely beautiful. Huge window at the end of the lobby that looks out over Ashura Rock, thatched roofs, etc.

Refillable Mugs: Can only be filled at Mara, so if you have a room on the ends of the long hallways, then it will be a moderate hike to get another drink. However, it is immediately adjacent to the pool area.

Transportation: Much better than I ever expected...one of the biggest surprises of the trip. Direct busses from AKL to all four parks. How about this for convenience.....we saw Fantasmic on Wednesday night, which ended at 9:00pm....we walked through the crowd out to the bus station....our bus was waiting on us and we were in our room at 9:25pm. Amazing.

When we go back (notice that I didn't use the word "if", but "when"), we will probably request a concierge room. Obviously, it is a bit more expensive, but it would have been nice to have the ability to eat breakfast (fruit, pastries, juice) without paying $30 for the same things at Mara. Also, we probably could have also skimped on dinner in the parks if we knew that once we got back to the resort, we could have small sandwiches and snacks until midnight. With the savings on meals, that could offset some of the additional concierge cost. In addition, we would have had all of the concierge "perks". Does anyone have any input on this?

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

 

[lynnandjb]

Glad to hear you had such a good time. I am planning a honeymoon trip in Dec. and have ressies at AKL, so I love reading all about it. One question: I have looked thru the menus and saw that there were waffles for breakfast at Mara. Are they Mickey waffles? I LOVE mickey waffles and would hate to drag my fiance to CBR for breakfast every morning!

Lynn

 

[bb_in_alabama]

Actually, I don't know if they had Mickey Waffles or not. When we ate down there, we only got the cereals, muffins, juices, milk, etc.

The only "real" breakfast we ate was at GF at a Mary Poppins Character Breakfast.

Sorry that I didn't answer your question.

 

[mouseclick1]

Welcome back! As you did, I fell in love with the resort back in February! We spent one night only at AKL before heading off on DCL. We did not even go to the parks; just hung out at the resort all day. We booked a concierge room and definitely felt it was worth it for us since we were around to enjoy all the amenities. The continental breakfast was nice, and the evening food was enough for us for dinner. I don't know if they change the offerings from night to night. If it was the same thing every night, I would have gotten tired of it, but definitely great for 1 night! They played Atlantis on DVD in the lounge for the kids in the evening, which mine enjoyed watching. We are DVC members, so we will be spending most of our future trips at the BWV. The AKL concierge was such a wonderful experience, though, that we will probably add another resort only day there in the future.

 

[Tinkbell]

I'm glad to hear your good review of the transportation. I like the idea of not sharing the bus with other resorts.

 

[hallie]

We requested a king bed with a day bed, refrigerator, crib and a savannah view room with a view of Arusha rock. We got 2 queen beds, crib, no refrigerator and a savannah room overlooking one of the side savannahs.

I might be wrong, but I think that the rooms with day beds are only the deluxe 5th floor rooms, which cost more $$. That's probably why you didn't get one. But who knows I could be wrong-

 

[LindaBabe]

at AKL. We had a deluxe 5th floor room and there was only a table and chairs.

 

[MemereMouse]

We also loved AKL. Only stayed two nights but never left the hotel. Enjoyed all the programs with CMs and the tour. The pool was just great. Stayed in Concierge and all the food was outstanding. Felt we actually saved money since didn't have to buy many meals. Sorry we didn't go on the early a.m. Safari since we have only heard good things about it. Definitely plan to return one day!!!!

 

[cottontail]

Hello: Glad you had a great time, we were at akl just before you and I guess we were lucky we received all of our requests, but what hubby and I did was. We arrived in orlando the night before and stayed in an off site motel, amerisuites nice hotel, and let the kids (young adults) sleep while we drove to akl at 7.30 to register, then went back packed up the kids went shopping to lake bunavista outlet and had lunch and arrived back about 1.30 our room was ready.

I had also mentioned that it was our 25th anniversary, now nothing special was done here but we did get all of our requests, arusha savannah, third floor, and bunks, so I am not sure if it is luck of the draw or getting there early.

We loved it there too, by the way after that went to the poly concierge, first time in concierge and there was enough food for two meals, and lots of fruit, cookies, drinks for the rest of the day. Lunch, I guess they figure you are in the parks for lunch. So go for it.

Deb.