Pros and Cons about AKL

[mastermind307]

Planning a trip for June 2018. It will my DD(11 at the time of our trip) and myself, first mother/daughter trip! We will stay 7 nights and I already have 6 day park tickets. I've rented points on our 2 previous trips, we stayed at BWV (loved the location) and VWL (loved this resort) and thinking about renting points again our trip in 2018. We are thinking about AKL this time, but I have some concerns. My main concern is transportation. We will most likely fly and will use Disney transportation, and I don't want to feel like we're stuck. The other resorts had other options besides a bus to get places.

So convince me to stay here or to not stay here. All advice, information, and opinions welcome!

 

[buteraa]

We are staying at AKL for the first time this coming March and I'm also interested to hear what others have to say. I have visited the resort before and used the bus system and it seemed to work find like the others.

 

[Dakota731]

I loved AKL for the theming and of course the animals! I found the buses to be slow and far between during our stay. The location of BWI was amazing. We enjoyed walking or taking the boat to Epcot or the Studios. Also, we could have dinner at any of the Epcot area resorts or restaurants where at Animal Kingdom we were limited dining-wise. So like anything, there are pros and cons to each.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

AKL is absolutely beautiful. Are you considering AKV or AKL? If AKL, just know the rooms are a bit on the small size, but with 2 people that shouldn't be an issue. We've stayed there twice and the transportation is fine. Obviously, AK is super easy to get to. My DS9 and I are now addicted to uber in WDW. For about $5-$7 you can get from a resort to a park in a very short period of time. If you are willing to spend a little extra for that convenience, feeling out of the way at AKL wouldn't be an issue!

 

[gmboy95]

we also stayed at AKV for a few days a while back.....my biggest issue is the distance to anything...felt like we were on the bus forever

 

[Cirlonde]

The first resort we ever stayed in was Kidani at AKL and I fell absolutely in love with it. For me, the sacrifice of the hotel being further out was far outweighed by the amazing ambiance and decor and of course...animals! Plus, we really enjoyed all of the restaurants at AKL so we didn't really feel like we were missing anything there.

However, we drove our car to Orlando, so that really helped us not to feel the pain of longer transportation times or feeling "trapped" at the hotel. But during another visit that was part of a business trip, we stayed at one of the hotels near Disney Springs without a car. We made great use of Uber during that trip and had a wonderful experience with it. So if you really want to stay at AKL but you're nervous about the travel times, consider using Uber as a backup for when you want to get somewhere without relying on the bus system.

 

[Babsy]

The AKL is a beautiful resort with great dining options and lots of activities. It is the most distant from the MK, but the difference is only about 5 - 10 minutes each way on the bus. We hardly notice that as we are busy chatting about our day and deliberately forget worrying about anything once we are on the bus and on our way! Plus, there is only one bus stop at Kidani or Jambo House, so you will only have one stop after you board the bus to be on your way.

There is very little or no difference in travel time from AKL to Epcot or DHS that we noticed, anyway. AK is very close and quick to get to (5 MIN).

The extra distance bothers some people more than others. the fact that there is only bus transportation affects only one or two theme parks. All other destinations will be bus anyway from even the most expensive resort. With an 11 year old daughter you won't have stroller folding issues, so I personally don't see a big problem with bus transportation.

If you loved WL, you will likely also love AKL. Although the themes are different, there is a very similar feel to these resorts.

The rooms feel 'dark' to us with the african decor, but it is doable and the theme is well executed so we like the rooms anyway.

Personally, I think that it is a great choice for a mother/daughter trip!

Enjoy!

 

[loves to dive]

We tend to stay at the Epcot resorts but I would not hesitate to stay AKV if I could get a price that was less than say $500 from one of those. As far as distance goes, it's not any further from any of the parks than any of the moderates are, as a matter of fact it's closer than the values. We have stayed there and found the bus service hit and miss, which is the case at every single resort (and I've stayed at most of them).

 

[nkereina]

IMO, the biggest justification for the higher prices at a deluxe resort is the alternate transportation. AKL charges the higher prices but only has buses, which is a negative for me. That said, since you're renting points, it's not as much of a concern.

We stayed at AKL in 2015 in a standard studio in Jambo House on rented points and had a great experience. We had an obstructed savannah view. We thought the pool was really nice. The Mara had great QS options. And being so close to Boma gave us a great excuse to finally try it. The buses were decent during our time, but we're tolerant of the buses from having stayed at moderate resorts. I can't think of many cons - we didn't care for the dark decor and feel of the room but that's just personal preference. Also, the bus ride to Disney Springs and MK was noticeably longer, but not a huge issue if you leave yourself enough time.

 

[hakepb]

The AKL is a beautiful resort with great dining options and lots of activities. It is the most distant from the MK, but the difference is only about 5 - 10 minutes each way on the bus. We hardly notice that as we are busy chatting about our day and deliberately forget worrying about anything once we are on the bus and on our way! Plus, there is only one bus stop at Kidani or Jambo House, so you will only have one stop after you board the bus to be on your way.

There is very little or no difference in travel time from AKL to Epcot or DHS that we noticed, anyway. AK is very close and quick to get to (5 MIN).

The extra distance bothers some people more than others. the fact that there is only bus transportation affects only one or two theme parks. All other destinations will be bus anyway from even the most expensive resort. With an 11 year old daughter you won't have stroller folding issues, so I personally don't see a big problem with bus transportation.

If you loved WL, you will likely also love AKL. Although the themes are different, there is a very similar feel to these resorts.

The rooms feel 'dark' to us with the african decor, but it is doable and the theme is well executed so we like the rooms anyway.

Personally, I think that it is a great choice for a mother/daughter trip!

Enjoy!

The same architect designed the WL, Jambo and Grand Californian lobby's .. and the are all amazing in their own way!

I think it's highly worthwhile to try AKL, it's so unique! (Even if one decides to not stay at AKL every trip)

 

[mrswillson]

This is my all-time favorite resort - not just because of the theming, but because my husband and I got married in one of the rooms overlooking the savannah.

The positives... while slightly reminiscent of Wilderness Lodge's feel in the lobby, the design and theming behind the resort is truly incredible. You'll feel immersed in the African culture, and it's a very cool experience being able to walk outside of the main lobby and/or your resort room to watch giraffes, zebras, and antelope (among others) wandering around, and so up close and personal. The restaurants offer a wide variety of ethnic African cuisine, so if you're up for trying something new (and VERY flavorful), you won't be disappointed. Regardless of the view you pick for your room, each has something to offer (the pool and savannah views are outstanding, however even the garden view doesn't disappoint in my opinion). Also, I don't think I could fawn over the lobby enough - it was the one resort that truly took my breath away when walking in for the first time (and every time after).

I honestly cannot think of any negatives!

 

[toodycat]

We love AKL for its uniqueness. No other place has a savannah filled with animals and CMs so knowledgeable about them. The lobby is totally breathtaking. All of the restaurants are excellent. We celebrated DH's 50th birthday with a stay at AKL and dinner at Jiko, and the staff was incredibly attentive and lovely. The CMs also sent a gift and cake to our room, which was very nice. The rooms are a little smaller than other deluxes, but a savannah view more than makes up for it. Even if you don't pay for a savannah view, there are many public spaces to view the animals. I haven't stayed at AKV, but my friends who are DVC owners loved it. The only complaint that people have is the transportation, but honestly, I've had bus rides from BCV or BWV that took as long as from AKL. That would not be a dealbreaker to me. I say go for it!

 

[BalooFan]

I agree that the transportation issue shouldn't be a deal breaker. I have never felt "stuck" because of the transportation. AKL is one of my favorite resorts and YC is the other. I have never dined at Jiko, but it is a well-regarded restaurant. I love Sanaa and Boma (my favorite breakfast anywhere) and The Mara is one of the best quick service restaurants at WDW. The lobby is beautiful. I lose track of time sitting on the balcony watching the animals.

 

[huntconn]

While I think AKL is a beautiful resort with amazing theming, there are several things about it that I don't care for personally. I don't like the location or the limited transportation options. It is far away from the MK area which is my favorite area at WDW. Also, even though it is close to the AK it does not offer any convenient access to that park. That's one of the things that make resorts like the Y&BC, BWI or the CR unique. I also do not like that there are no bodies of water (besides the pools) at the resort. These are all just my opinions about of course!

 

[Vader-was-framed]

My family is dvc members and AKV is our home resort. As far as the resort itself it is second to none. The buses seem to always worry people but it really is a non concern. We have stayed at almost all the resorts and travel times are very comparable. Weird thing is that when it comes to magic kingdom. This resort is easier to get there then any other resort except for the mk area resorts. It just has simple bus routes with little stops. And no multiple internal bus stops. All around great place to stay. Now we actually prefer Jambo and since your renting points it puts you on the 5th floor.(dvc floor in Jambo)

 

[mickeynut1]

The AKL is a beautiful resort with great dining options and lots of activities. It is the most distant from the MK, but the difference is only about 5 - 10 minutes each way on the bus. We hardly notice that as we are busy chatting about our day and deliberately forget worrying about anything once we are on the bus and on our way! Plus, there is only one bus stop at Kidani or Jambo House, so you will only have one stop after you board the bus to be on your way.

There is very little or no difference in travel time from AKL to Epcot or DHS that we noticed, anyway. AK is very close and quick to get to (5 MIN).

The extra distance bothers some people more than others. the fact that there is only bus transportation affects only one or two theme parks. All other destinations will be bus anyway from even the most expensive resort. With an 11 year old daughter you won't have stroller folding issues, so I personally don't see a big problem with bus transportation.

If you loved WL, you will likely also love AKL. Although the themes are different, there is a very similar feel to these resorts.

The rooms feel 'dark' to us with the african decor, but it is doable and the theme is well executed so we like the rooms anyway.

Personally, I think that it is a great choice for a mother/daughter trip!

Enjoy!

My thoughts exactly .

This is my all-time favorite resort - not just because of the theming, but because my husband and I got married in one of the rooms overlooking the savannah.

The positives... while slightly reminiscent of Wilderness Lodge's feel in the lobby, the design and theming behind the resort is truly incredible. You'll feel immersed in the African culture, and it's a very cool experience being able to walk outside of the main lobby and/or your resort room to watch giraffes, zebras, and antelope (among others) wandering around, and so up close and personal. The restaurants offer a wide variety of ethnic African cuisine, so if you're up for trying something new (and VERY flavorful), you won't be disappointed. Regardless of the view you pick for your room, each has something to offer (the pool and savannah views are outstanding, however even the garden view doesn't disappoint in my opinion). Also, I don't think I could fawn over the lobby enough - it was the one resort that truly took my breath away when walking in for the first time (and every time after).

I honestly cannot think of any negatives!

I agree with everything, but especially the bolded part. We have stayed both pool and savanna view and while it's great seeing animals from your room, I loved our pool view just as much and wouldn't hesitate to book it again. AKL is a great resort with a lot to offer .

 

[danikoski]

We stayed in Kidani, 2 bed Savannah view in 2013. My mom really didn't like the busses, but the rest of our group didn't find them too bad. Usually didn't have to wait too long. In the evenings after fireworks it could get a bit hectic.

The resorts, both Kidani and Jambo, are amazingly beautiful. I've been to Africa and stayed on the Serengeti, and although not quite the same, it was still amazing. And Disney has done such a great job of bringing the cultures of the many Africa cultures together for a really immersive experience. The CMs are also fabulous. We spent time waiting for our room to be ready out on one of the porches off the lobby of Kidani watching animals. The CMs in the area were great about answering questions.

Also, there are activities at both AK resorts that are interactive and usually everyone can participate. The resorts alone are destinations unto themselves.

 

[Ralphmiller007]

While I don't have kids, I have been going to Disney twice a year lately with either my husband or as a "girl's trip," and I just can't bring myself to book anywhere but AKL. There are some standard view rooms with very good views, and regardless there are so many savannah overlooks that room location isn't always a huge concern. I agree with all the previous posters that said the lobby is just breathtaking. They have a great pool, and there's just something about seeing flamingos near the pool and a baby giraffe chasing around other animals right by Arusha Rock. The restaurants are all good, even the quick service. The bus service can be somewhat slow as far as wait time at the station, but the time on the bus never bothered me. This last trip, we utilized uber a lot. Between referring each other to get free trips, we mostly just paid for tips. It just was more convenient for us than waiting for the bus, but we would have probably done that anywhere. I debated booking beach club our next trip as Epcot is our favorite park, but I just can't tear myself away from AKL. Another vote for difficult to find "cons!!"

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Wife and I stayed at AKL and we loved it, we had an Arusha savanna view room. For us; we don't worry about having more than one choice of transportation when we choose our resorts. But we don't have any children tagging along with us; with extra packs and/or strollers. And I can't understand why people make it sound like your miles and miles from all the action. I don't believe that you are tacking on that many more minutes to you destination. But I can understand the feeling when you are packed in! We didn't have issues with wait times while we were there, but I believe that can be hit or miss with any resort bus you take. We have had some looooong waits for buses from park back to resort at other resorts, watching multiple buses showing up for other resorts for the one bus we are waiting for to get back to ours.

The theme of AKL is fantastic, we love the choices of places to eat (made a special trip for Boma while staying at another resort), even if you don't have a savanna there are plenty of viewing areas inside and out, fun talking to the cast members stationed around the outdoor viewing areas, the night vision binoculars at one end of a path each evening, s'more making for the kids (adult kids also), the lobby is beautiful. If you stick with AKL I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!!

 

[mastermind307]

Thank you for all the replies.

If I rent point through a company then it is $239 cheaper to stay in a standard view studio at AKV than BWV, but if I could get a value studio (I know they are hard to get so that's a big if) it would be $524 cheaper. But to get a savannah view it's $221 more than BWV, which is a little bit more than my DH will allow me to spend. Is it worth it to stay at AKV in a standard view studio?

Since DD will be considered a Disney adult, we will be eating at mostly quick service places. I've read good things about Mara, but I've looked at the menu and there doesn't seem to be a lot of choices. We will eat a a few TS places, but none at AKL because DD is a very picky eater.

We normally go to the parks early and are done by early afternoon. What activities are there to do besides swimming? We'll swim some, but it's not something I want to do all the time. This is where I'd feel like we were "stuck". If we wanted to go do something or eat somewhere, we'd have to take a bus, vs at the Boardwalk where we have options to walk to.