Serious AKL question

[babyblue61]

AKL looks absolutely beautiful from the photos, and now I'm considering AKL instead of PO-FQ. The one question I have is how long does it take to get to the various parks? Last year, I stayed at All Star Sports. I remember thinking that the trip to DD took a long time, but can't remember much else. Any opinions/experiences would be helpful. Thanks much!!

 

[Mainebound]

I'm curious about this one too. You never hear complaints these days on this board about AKL transp., but I wonder if Dis-ers who stay at AKL are bringing cars???

 

[daannzzz]

The trip to the parks on the buses is about the same as the All Stars. The buses pick up and drop of only at AKL and not any other resort. We always have a car but sometimes use the buses and sometimes not though always use a bus to MK.

 

[hallie]

We stayed at the AKL for 2 weeks in April over Easter. We never waited more then 10 min for a bus. The rides weren't long at all, it's nice because the AKL doesn't share busses with other resorts and it cuts the ride time down.

MK - about 12 minutes after bus leaves.

AK- really quick, 5 minutes.

Epcot- about 12-15 min total

MGM- the longest ride when it stops at BB about 20 minutes, without stop 10-15 minutes.

One of the best parts about the busses at AKL are the stops are all up front!!! We just stayed at the POR (loved it)and they were always the one of the last stops and far from the park entrance. Which you feel at the end of the day-lol.

We loved the AKL and highly recommend it.

 

[justhat]

We'll be there in almost 2 weeks (yea!!!!) and I'm hoping the bus service will be as reliable as I've heard. I know it will be crowded so I'm expecting lines going to parks in the morning and leaving parks at night, but hopefully it won't be too bad. Last December I ate at Boma and then went to MK and from what I remember the bus ride was not that bad at all. We were staying at ASMo at the time and that ride always seemed much longer, and we also had sometimes long waits for the bus we wanted.

 

[susy]

We were there over Labor Day Weekend. The resort was booked soild and we never waited long (more than 5 min) for buses.

Now, the bus to DTD takes longer if you go to TL first (just like it does from AS).

We had an 8am PS at Cindy's for my b day that I was worried about. Well, we got to the bus stop at 7am and the bus came within a few minutes. We were at MK in 15 mintes flat- I timed it. That was the longest it took to get anywhere.

There is just one bus stop in front of the resort and it doesn't stop at any other resorts. The mods have more than one stop, so I think AKL's trans. is better.

This place is a dream come true! I think you will be very happy there!

 

[webray]

AKL is an outstanding place to stay, and I wouldn't give it up for the POFQ, no way, no how. You will regreat it.

The staff, the rooms, the entire property is wonderful. The restaurants are delightful.

No matter where you stay on disney property...one of the parks, or resorts you go for dinner are going to be further away.

Have a wonderful trip...AKL is our favorite deluxe resort!!!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

The AKL is beautiful and as is often said here at the Dis, there really isn't any comparison between the deluxes and the moderates.

We have stayed at AKL twice and loved it. It is our favorite resort. We didn't use the buses either trip so I can't comment. My wife is claustraphobic so we have always driven.

However, this July we stayed at the CBR, the only moderate we have stayed at, and used the buses and my wife now wants to use them for our Christmas trip when we stay at the Dolphin and any "commute" to the MK. She considers the monorail to be a great hassel with a stroller. And she is right...of course.

I certainly wouldn't let the distance from the MK scare you off from the AKL. If you go to the MK twice and it takes 10 minutes longer each way, you are only talking about 40 minutes for the whole vacation. You'll save that much time on the trip to the AK!! Since we always drive our car, I know the distances from AKL to all of the parks fairly well and don't see it taking an extra 10 minutes to get to the MK.

 

[jennymouse]

We stayed at AKL for 8 nights the last week of October and had no problems what so ever with the transportation. Go, enjoy, you won't regret it!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

AK Lodge really isn't as "Remote" as some folks think that it is.

Depending on your driver, and road conditions... the bus ride to the MK is about 13 minutes... Epcot about 10 minutes... AK about 5 mins...

The Disney-MGM Studios bus services Blizzard Beach... BB is about 5 mins away... and then the Studios is about 8 mins past that... with the stop, it could potentially take 15-20 mins for that.

Downtown Disney is the furthest away... basically, you're traversing property among the most trafficky (Is that a word?) corridor. 15-20 mins for that. (It'd take that amount of time for a car, too.)

 

[srsmom]

Stayed at the AKL last January for 8 days and it was awesome. Transportation was quick and efficient. The longest we waited for a bus at the lodge was 10 min, and bus stop is conveniently located just outside the lobby's main entrance(?about 100' or so). The longest wait we ever had (20min.,only once) was going back to the lodge from the AK. We love it there and will be returning this January, anyone going first week in January?

 

[Janet2k]

The Dis has some pretty nifty information (I just love this website):

click here for transportation database

and

click here for driving distance chart.

I hope that helps.

 

[babyblue61]

Thanks everyone! This is all very helpful. Most importantly, no one has discouraged me from staying at AKL due to bus transportation. I believe I will be very impressed with the service, as I was last year at AS Sport and the previous year at CBR. Never waited very long for a bus. Moreover, I think the fact that we always go the first week of Feb means that there are not long bus rides because their are less people going to the parks and the buses are not fighting a lot of traffic. Thanks!!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Just a note about that transportation guide thing... It's a bit out of date and not very accurate at this time. There have been many changes (and many more to come) with Disney Transport.

 

[wdwnut61]

srsmom

We are also going to be there the first week of January. We'll be there Jan. 1-7th after we finish our stay at the CR. We are very excited, it's our first stay at AKL. We were staying at the Poly with a great AP rate but my DH loves animals and has always wanted to stay there. We got an even better rate at the AKL so I'm surprising him for our anniversary...he still thinks we're staying at the Poly

Wear some lime green and we'll have to keep a look out for each other. When are you arriving?