Just back from AKL

[DisneyFreaks]

We absolutely fell in love with AKL! We had standard view rooms on Ostrich Trail and they were not bad at all. Very quiet and simply gorgeous decor. The food at Mara and the bus service were great and the breakfast buffet at Boma is to die for. Some of my family members have stated they never want to stay anywhere else. Even with the unbearable heat and humidity of last week we still managed to have a wonderful time. I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can.

 

[MinnieGi]

We loved our AKL stay too! So much so that I am very much considering staying there again in February even though I usually like to try something new. But our AKL stay was just so wonderful. The atmosphere was great and staff so friendly. Be sure to try Boma for dinner if you stay there again - Awesome!

Glad you had such a nice stay!

 

[Nathan's Grandma]

I am so happy to hear that. We changed to AKL because of the FT and it is really where my daughter has wanted to stay since it opened. I am so glad to hear people love it so much. At first I was not that excited about staying there and now I can't wait.

We are staying in a Deluxe Savannah view so I know we will be on the fifth floor, I just not sure what trail to request. There are nine of us in three rooms.
We would like two to connect because of the baby.
Kathy

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We had 3 rooms also and when we first checked in they put us on the fifth floor with the enclosed balconies. We did not care for these at all. They are nothing like the enclosed balconies at WL which we loved. My DH went down to the front desk the next morning and asked if we could pay the extra for 3 pool view rooms. Since none were available they graciously offered to move us to 3 other standard view rooms with the open balconies. They were so nice about it and took care of everything. Our new rooms were wonderful. Ours had a king bed and sofa in it and connected to our daughter and son in laws room. Every night they came in and did complimentary turn down and tidied up a bit. We didn't even have that at WL and we had payed for court yard view. The CM's at AKL just bend over backwards to make your stay terrific. You will love this resort.

 

[Nancybell]

HELP!!! I am holding reservations at AKL and CONTEMP. I have not stayed at AKL and was wondering if it's worth switching to because of the monorail convenience. Please advise.

Thanks,

Nancybell

 

[Snowysmom]

We really love AKL too and are going back this year. The transportation is actually pretty good and it is nice that you don't share the buses with any other resort. It is a ways from the parks but I like that because then it becomes a vacation within a vacation. You have the hustle and bustle of the parks and then can relax in peace and quiet at the resort. Boma is wonderful!

Candy

 

[lalapodip]

People rave about the Contemporary being a monorail resort, but I was surprised to read that it still takes 20 minutes to get to MK (by monorail)? In light of that fact (and trust me, with an eight-year-old severely autistic son, convenience DOES mean a lot ), we decided on AKL. With 3 kids we'll have a Savanna view room with bunks, and I really can't wait! I've heard so many great things about the theming at AKL and my DDs can take advantage of the kids programs.

Good luck with your choice Nancybell!

Everyone else - thanks for posting the rave reviews! The kids are going to be SO SURPRISED when we pull up (I told them that we could NEVER afford AKL ).......

 

[Vermin]

Originally posted by Nancybell
HELP!!! I am holding reservations at AKL and CONTEMP. I have not stayed at AKL and was wondering if it's worth switching to because of the monorail convenience. Please advise.

We just got back from a stay split between Poly and AKL. The monorail was nice, but quite honestly, it wasn't that much faster to get to the parks (esp EPCOT), than the buses at AKL. Even at the contemporary, you only have a direct monorail line to MK, otherwise, you have to switch at the TTC.

At AKL, only once did we have to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus, and that was to get from DD back to AKL, the same would apply for the CONT. We never had to wait more than 5 minutes to leave from AKL. The trips themselves were also very quick, as there were no other stops along the way.

As an added note, we liked the AKL more than the Poly. Liked the pool better, liked the atmosphere better, liked the fast food restaurant (MARA) better, as well as the BOMA.

I say go for the AKL!!!

 

[Nancybell]

I appreciate the time you have taken to answer my question. I have stayed at all the monorail resorts for the convenience, however, you are correct as far as transportation being direct to MK only. We have never stayed at AKL so this might be a good choice and nice to try something new. I will discuss this evening and make a final decision. Again, thanks everyone!

Nancybell

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I was shocked at how well the AKL busses ran. We never waited for very long. Even after having just missed one. The transportation at WL was so bad I figured it would be the same way but it was not. And the bus rides were not long as I had previously heard. I cannot think of one thing that wasn't great at this resort. If it hadn't been so darn hot everything would have been perfect.

 

[girlsx2]

We are going to be at Disney next February and we are currently booked at POR. However, with the renovations going on over there, we are considering moving to another resort. We stayed at the WL this past Feb. and loved it. I like the idea of staying at new places each trip. My husband told me to go ahead and upgrade to the WL from POR to get away from the refurbishment. I suggested the AKL. I think I am just about sold on the idea. These boards are such a wonderful tool for the newbies who don't know a thing!! Like ME!!

Thanks for all your help!!

Sherri

 

[audflash]

Thanks for posting Disneyfreaks - I just booked us for a standard room at AKL in October. I requested bunks and the Ostrich Trail but I was worried that I would be mad at myself for not paying the extra $ to get a savannah view room. We've already added quite a bit to the cost of our trip by upgrading to the AKL (we were booked at the Grosvenor) so I don't feel right about upgrading further.

I feel better now -

Audrey

 

[Harambe]

Audrey - there are many areas at the resort to see the animals without the savannah view, so enjoy your standard view room at the AKL.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Harambe is right Audrey. You can see the animals practically everywhere. Be sure to walk out by arusha rock after dark and see them by "moonlight". It is wonderful. You are in for a real treat with AKL. I still can't believe I fell so hard for it. Usually I like to be by the water. Of course the pool there is huge and it resembles a watering hole. We even saw some animals behind the pool area. The standard view rooms are exactly the same decor as the pricier view rooms and ostrich trail is great. Very quiet. Ours were on the third floor same as the lobby but they aren't ground level as I had thought. They're actually up a bit higher than the road.

 

[jamsmom]

The AKL is my favorite! That is where I will be staying in June with my niece. (My 3rd stay)

But, I may have to be more budget consciense in the future (sine I am doing the unemployment thing right now) and may return to ALMovies.

 

[regnurs]

We are staying standard view 2 rooms and savanah view 1 room in June...9 of us. Which trails would accomodate us all being near by?

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We had 3 rooms and they managed to put us all together. We requested this in our room requests. We were in ostrich trail standard view rooms 3123, 3125, and 3127. 3125 & 3127 connected. They were beautiful rooms. 3125 had a king bed and a sofa in it. I think the one side of ostrich trail has animal views but they may be just birds. Kudu Trail and Zebra Trail have the bigger animals but there are no standard view rooms on those trails. HTH.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I just remembered we did see some zebra and a giraffe or two across the hall in the big windows on Ostrich Trail. I believe the people pens are there too but I'm not sure. I overheard some other guests say that.

 

[regnurs]

Thanks for the info...I will request Ostrich trail then!! I'm so excited!!