Just back from AKL

[etail]

We just got back from 4 nights at AKL.

We loved the hotel! Now we are spoiled for any other Disney resorts.

Rate was $189 per night for standard view, upgraded to pool view with bunk bed.

Boma was great and Mara had some good choices.

Any questions?

 

[QJ411]

Hi Etail!!!

Welcome back! I just posted a question on the board regarding AKL. HOW WAS IT?! We're staying there in May and my DH and I have never been there? How was the view from your room? How much was the upgrade? Sorry, we're just really excited. We stayed at WL in December and We LOVED it, but we wanted to try Disney's other resorts. Let me know how it was at AKL and if you have any photos! THANK!!!

Welcome back again!!!

 

[minnie56]

in December for 12 days and now would not stay anywhere else!! In fact...we are heading there in August for 10 days again!

What a great place this is...and just far enough away from the crowds to feel it is a real escape!

We also loved Boma....especially the soups and of course...Zebra Domes! It's the best!

 

[etail]

QJ411-

AKL may well be the best for those that want to spend time at the resort. We don't have any photos yet.

Check-in/Guest Services can be a little slow depending on the staffing, but that was our only problem.

We could find animals out and about at almost any time. One of the giraffes like to follow the feed truck to get the best food before the others. With enough time you can start seeing personalities among the animals.

THe CM are great and always willing to talk. The evening presentation on African life were very good.

Our 7 year old DS loved the pool slide. We could find quiet corners to swim laps in and enjoyed the spas.

The room with a bink bed was roomier than with two queens and the balcony (even facing the pool) was a good place to relax at the end of the day.

Bus to MK was timely and not crowded. We did have to wait 10 minutes after MK closed but the line for PO was much larger.

Boma is our favorite place to eat by far and Mara was a pleasant surprise after CBR and Captain Cook at Poly.

You will love it. Plan to spend time at the hotel. Skip the expensive meal out and just hang out and check the schedule of activities (games, crafts, presentations, etc.)

 

[Patio]

Welcome back! What trail were you on? Room number? Did you ask for the upgrade or just given it? Thanks and glad you enjoyed it, I love it there too.

 

[QJ411]

Hi Etail,

Thanks for all the info!!! I'm really looking forward to AKL actually. We never got to stop by there in Dec. to check out the resort, so the anticipation is so great!!!

Also, did they offer you the upgrade? It'll just be my DH and I, I think the standard Queen bed or King bed rooms will be ok. We booked it for May and we got a rate of $139 plus all the taxes, but it was for a Standard room...do all rooms have a balcony?

Sorry, don't mean to be a pain in the neck, just really excited. Thanks again Etail for all the info!

 

[etail]

Queenie-

We were given the upgrade without question or comment (we had tried to get some park credit due to the closure of BB but that didn't work so the may have been sympathetic). Many upgrades are provided and some discounted upgrades seem to be available at checkin.

Even with a pool view, we could still go to the outlooks (outdoor ones on the 2nd floor) to read a newspaper and watch. If you aren't tied to a sleeping child in a room, plan to spend time at these look outs or in the spas by the pool (15 minutes soak, walks around to look for the critters, maybe a swim and then another 15 mintues soak!)

As I understand it, all rooms have a balcony except some standard views on the 3rd floor that have mini terraces with tall walls.

 

[QJ411]

Thanks Etail!!!

I see you're from NYC...I work in the downtown area. I'm happy to meet people from all over on this board expecially my neighbors too!

Can't wait to go, it sounds like you guys had a blast! We're actually just staying for one night , we have ressies for CBR for the night before. It's going to be a really short trip, but we just wanted to go and relax at the resorts, we're staying for 3 days, but we might just relax for the 2 days at CBR and AKL, then only one day at MK.

When we were at WL for our Honeymoon in Dec., they couldn't grant any of our request due to the crowds. We were even willing to pay for the Honeymoon Suite upgrade but they were all booked.

Hopefully, this time around, AKL could help us w/ our requests!

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[kimmar067]

...were ok, but the coconut tirimisu was TO DIE FOR!!!!

 

[lizzie64]

Originally posted by kimmar067
...were ok, but the coconut tirimisu was TO DIE FOR!!!!

Oh no Kimmar,

You just added another 5 pounds to my diet.

 

[kimmar067]

....don't I know it...

 

[MinnieGi]

etail - Welcome home and glad you had such a nice stay! We really enjoyed our visit too!

 

[Alice Sr.]

Oh great, I'm feeling an intense need to book a short stay in the summer. I love this place.