Question about arrival/parking/ at AKL

[mika911]

Hi,

Originally I was going to arrive at AKL via Magical express, but now I'm going to have a rental, but I'll be too early in the day to physically go to my room, but I will check-in of course.

However, can you access the self parking area after the guard stand, or do you have to go to the front entrance area? If so, will they let both of us go in to checkin without valet, or what? The reason both of us need to go in as the second guest is the AAA card holder.

So can we just park in the self park area, or do we need a pass from the check in desk before we can do that?

Also, with your heavier bags question: Is the self parking a terribly long walk? Wondering if I should give my heavy main bags to bell services for the day, or just keep in car?

Thanks!!

 

[SB in KY]

You can self park without a problem...just tell the guard you are checking in and give him a photo ID and he will point you in the right direction. It is not very far from the front entrance, although I would probably park, go in and check in and then pull up to the front and have the bellman take my bags or leave them in the car until later and then have them unloaded at the front. They will not allow you to leave the car unattended in the drive at the entrance.

Be careful about leaving luggage in a locked car in the FL heat all day...it is murder on toiletries and cosmetic, etc.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I agree with SB in KY that you should have the bellman take your bags because the walk from the self parking lot is up a little hill the closer you get to the front entrance.

 

[raven69david]

Once you get to the hotel, there will be a guard who will ask you for a photo i.d. They will have you on the list of guests staying at the hotel and they will grant you access to the lodge. If the room is reserved under someone elses name and they are with you, just give them the other persons i.d. so that they can send you on your way.

When you get to the front of the lodge to unload, you can either valet or you can self-park. Since it's early and you probably won't be able to check-in, you can leave your bags there and they'll hold them for you until your rooms is ready.

The parking lot is right in front of the main entrance, but at night it gets pretty filled up. Unless you have a handicap placard, expect a little bit of a walk, but it won't be that bad. The AKL parking lot is not that big IMO.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

To the OP, if you have been to the Wilderness Lodge before they have the same set up for their parking lot the way it is set up at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.