My Recent Year-End Road Trip (AKL)

[kcb1dizbksfan]

Between Christmas and New Years I took a road trip from Long Island to Charleston (2 nites), Savannah (2 nites) and a relatively last minute decision to head to the WDW again for 3 nites at Port Orleans - Riverside. Every resort was sold out and it was a real challenge to find a moderate priced resort during that week but I kept persistent in my efforts.

My first first day driving from Savannah to Orlando, I chose to go to AKL and Disney Springs. Having a car worked out well from the perspective of not having to take a Disney bus from the resort to one of the theme parks and then connecting to a bus to AKL. I have done that many times in the past and it can be very time consuming in that journey. It was nice to get into my car and the CM at the AKL gate simply scanned my magic band, and I parked. I immediately went and got my *Pina Calava (thanks CM Laura for the great recommendation from years ago and I purchase at least one while I am at AKL by the pool).

You can get some great photos of the animals there at the various Savanna's at AKL. What a great resort this is . . . while its outside of my financial budget, I was fortunate enough to stay there once two weeks after its grand opening on April 16, 2001. I go to AKL without exception every trip I take to the world, because I just enjoy the whole vibe there and while your at a Disney resort, it is just so different then any other resort on Disney property. Its also a photographers dream in terms of the property, animals, etc.

*Pour 1.5 ounces Bacardi Razz Rum in a 12 ounce Hurricane Glass and fill the glass with Piña Colada mix and ice. Mix everything in an ice cream/slushy machine until you have a creamy texture. Pour the drink back into the Hurricane Glass and swirl in a dash of Sweetened Raspberry Purée. Serve with a pineapple wedge on the edge of the glass.

Here are a few of my photos from my 12/30 visit there in no particular order . . . I got lazy!:

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Awesome pics, thanx for sharing! Sounds like you had a great time, sometimes the spontaneous adventures can be the best ones!

 

[GAN]

Fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing them, sounds like you had a nice road trip....

 

[samsteele]

Great pics! I also find AKL not only out of my budget but because I am in the parks all day, just not a sensible choice for me. But I do love checking out the resort at least once every trip . . . I usually have an ADR for Boma so I get there at least 45 mins early to enjoy the animals out back and to sit in the lobby and soak up the atmosphere. I also enjoy its smaller sister Kidani Village when I have a Sanaa ADR.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Great pics! I also find AKL not only out of my budget but because I am in the parks all day, just not a sensible choice for me. But I do love checking out the resort at least once every trip . . . I usually have an ADR for Boma so I get there at least 45 mins early to enjoy the animals out back and to sit in the lobby and soak up the atmosphere. I also enjoy its smaller sister Kidani Village when I have a Sanaa ADR.

I agree Sam, in that I try and visit AKL at least one a trip for meal/look around, same as I do with WL. I was fortunate enough to stay at AKL in the past - once in the Villas - which I actually did NOT enjoy as much as I thought I would, because I was @ Jambo House in a corner studio, so had quite a few balconies close to me when I was on mine, and had a BUNCH of rude, very noisy families all around me for my whole stay (had to go so far as to stay OFF the patio, and keep the door closed, really sad, since I had a savannah view) - totally ruined it for me, I'm sorry to say. My previous 2-night stay there years ago in a regular room (not in a corner room) was awesome though. Have walked around Kidani once (had one of the best naps of my life in the lobby!) , but have not tried Sanaa yet (always thought it would not appeal to me, but that bread service and butter chicken DO look really good!)

 

[samsteele]

The Bread Service appie alone at Sanaa is an easy, inexpensive lunch/dinner for a solo guest. Definitely check it out on your next trip! All the best to you, Heidi!