?'S about AKL

[jeeperwy]

We are currently booked at WL for Nov 30-Dec 7, but I was showing DS9 pictures of the resorts and he really liked AKL. I have done no research on AKL, so I am looking for some help. I originally booked WL because of the boat, so how is the bus service from AKL to the parks? I know that they were designed by the same people and the photos of the rooms are similar, but I am concerned about "being away from MK." Will this be a problem for Me, my Mom DS9 and DS3? Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks so much!!!!

Kari

 

[milmore104]

We have gone during that time and stayed at AKL me,DH DD(2),and DGM (78). We loved it. This is our favorite resort!!!!We found everything about it to be wonderful. We had the best trans. we have ever had a resort. We never waited more than 10 min. to and from the parks. And the buses were never crowded. You will love this resort! We didn't feel like it was to far away form anything. I think it was because we never waited really for a bus.

 

[SeattleMark]

We absolutely love AKL, it's our favorite resort too. The bus service is great, I love the fact that it's dedicated to AKL and doesn't make a ton of stops at other resorts. Your own express lane to the parks!

Your kids will love it too. Great pool, lots of fun with the animals. Check with guest services too as there are daily activities for the kids.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi! We had the same concern when we went in May with our 6 and 3 year old ds's. I have to say that we were blown away by AKL! The bus service was outstanding! We never waited more than a few minutes, and the service was speedy. Even to MK, the ride was not long at all! Now, keep in mind that we always got to the park 1/2 before opening, and left by the afternoon. Maybe the buses are more crowded later in the day. We had a lot of fun at AKL and would stay again!

 

[MickeyFlirt]

AKL is wonderful. The buses are fast and not shared with any other resorts. The resort itself is beautiful. I don't really find it to be that far away. My DD 6 says this is her favorite resort. She loved waking up everyone and watching the animals out on the balcony. I don't have anything negative at all to say about AKL.

 

[ILuvWDWorld]

We love AKL! We've stayed twice and had a great experience both times. There is so much to do. My kids love all the children activities (i.e. - cookie decorating at Boma, medallion rubbings, Hidden Mickey hunts, pool activities and activies to earn beads for their bead necklace. Activities include flamingo feeding, junior researcher, music of the savanna, animals of the savanna, and animal tracking. All the times are posted by the bell services desk in the lobby.) Of course, there are animals to look at it throughout the resort and storytelling by the firepit at night.

We've never had any problems with bus transporation even with our group of 21 last February! We enjoy the bus ride - talking about the first things we want to do while traveling to the park and we talk about our favorite things we did and relax on the bus ride home.

We love it!

 

[tinksmygal]

I may be biased since it's the only WDW resort hotel we've stayed at, but AKL was the best!
Great service and very little wait time for the buses.
We would definitely stay there again.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

AKL is our favorite WDW resort. It is just so unique. During our most recent stay (May), the buses were crowded but came pretty promptly (with the exception of one evening at MK when several resorts seemed to be having problems with prompt and adequate bus service). The additional travel time to MK (really not that much more than taking the boat from WL to MK) is more than made up by the fantastic theming of the resort and its proximity to AK (5 minutes?). Since we had our 3 children (2.5, 4, and 12 yo) with us on our last trip, we did drive ourselves to meals at other resorts. However, dh and I stayed at AKL without a car last fall and had no problems.

 

[luvdzny]

AKL is our favorite resort - but if you really want to be close to the MK it may not be a good choice. We have never stayed at WL but have stayed at CR & Poly, and in comparison AKL is a LONG way from MK. It is true that you do not share the bus with any other resort, but if you are just trying to make a "quick trip" to MK it is probably a lot faster from WL. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. The resort is beautiful but the location is a bit remote.

 

[rgf207]

My Girlfriend and I stayed there March 4 - 11 and we absolutely LOVED it. It was our first On property stay but it was the best resort we have ever stayed at anywere. We had a savannah view room and there were Giraffes outside our room everyday not to mention the countless other animals. The CMs were great and so knowledgable about all the animals. The pool was fantastic and the Mara was great too. We decided to try Boma one night and loved it so much that we went again the Next night. The smell in the lobby is fantastic. It is hard to describe but it is almost like a mixture of spices that would be found in the African Foods. The bus service was very good, not perfect, but very good. Twice we had to wait about 20 minutes for a bus from AKL to a park but that was only 2 times in the 8 days were there. All other times it was about 10 minutes fora bus. The best part is that you have dedicated bus service and they dont stop at any other resort.

If you have any other questions I would be glad to answer them for you. I cant say enough great things about this resort.

 

[tysonfamilyof4]

We just got home from 9 days at the AKL yesterday and we loved it! The buses were great, the Boma and the Mara were very good. My kids 8 and 5 loved the pool, it only goes to 4 ft 11 in so with life vests they could go everywhere!!!!

 

[jeeperwy]

Thank you SO much for your help. The activities sound great. I had no idea that there was anything like that. My only other question is about the rooms. I checked on the disney website, and there were like 8 different types of rooms. I would prefer one with bunk beds, and maybe a savannah view, but not sure if it is worth the $$$. Any suggestions about this? My ressie at WL is rack rate though, so any discount like AAA (I have since got a membership) would just be a bonus, right?
Again, thanks for the info. Keep the suggestions coming!!!

Kari

 

[rgf207]

We booked a standard view room and were given a complimentary upgrade at checkin. I would not rely on getting a free upgrade. If you truly want a savannah view room and would not be happy with anything else, than book that. There are plenty of places around the resort to view the animals if you are in a standard/pool view room. AAA rates will give you about a 10-15% discount which would be great. Could save you a couple hundred dollars.

 

[jimmiej]

We had a pool view room & it was beautiful! Our new fave!

 

[disneylover55]

i love akl, its the best resort in my opinion!

 

[Laurajean1014]

It's a big mis-conception that AKL is far from MK. If you view the maps on www.wdwinfo.com you will see that it's not as far as you think!

 

[LeesyUD]

Wow all these responses make my day too! I was flippin back and forth between AKL and WL. Glad to know I made the right choice!!

 

[BigFanOfTheWorld]

Anyone else going to be at AKL for the Expedition Everest Challenge in September? The Three Sweaty Yetis will be there ready to run, overcome obstacles and scavenge for clues!

 

[golfgal]

My opinion is that you go to AKL for the animals, get a savannah view room. It is wonderful sitting on your balcony watching the animals, day and night. You will not be disappointed with AKL. Make sure you do the night viewing of the animals and schedule some time just to be at the resort. We didn't spend enough time at the resort and missed a lot of things to do there.