Some AKL Questions and Concerns.

[rgf207]

I just upgraded from POFQ to AKL. I am really excited about this but I have been reading some threads about rude CM's there. I understand that more people complaing about bad things than compliment the good. I am just worried. I booked a standard room. I was hoping that I would be lucky to get an upgrade to a Savannah Room. What are the chances of that. I will be going on March 4 - 11. Also what are the not to miss things at the AKL.

If anyone wants to share their experiences there, that would be great too.

Thanks so much

 

[Spoisal]

I just upgraded also! From POR to AKL!! Very excited!! I just wanted to chime in & read some of the responses. BTW, I also booked a standard view room....if we get upgraded, that will be a nice bonus, but it isn't neccesary for us.....

 

[tekmom]

Count me in as switching from POFQ to AKL standard view. We are going with the intention of standard room, because that is what we are paying for.
If you really want a savanna view you should book it , so that you wont be disappointed. When are you going? We will be there July 17-24th.

 

[720L]

We've stayed at AK Lodge once and are going back this year. We LOVE this resort. Never had a problem with a rude CM. Actually, having gone to Disney about 9 times, only once have we encountered a rude CM! This is just my opinion, but I think some people are expecting "star treatment". We were upgraded to a Savannah room, but changed back to a standard (I know it sounds crazy!)--we did this because the Savannah room was a LONG walk to the buses and with a 2 and 5 yr old that wouldn't have been good. So we ended up with a room in the front of the lodge where the buses/cars unload/load. (we never had a problem with noise eithier). You will love this resort. Don't miss the storytelling around the firepit. The swimming pool is very nice. Take time to walk around and look for animals at the viewing areas around the resort. The lobby is beautiful. Enjoy!

 

[Goin4forty]

We are booked in a Savanah room for March 17th. I was worried about the location of these rooms. How long of a walk are we talking? We are only staying there 3 nights, but after a long day at the parks, I don't want a long hike!

Thanks for your help!

kris

 

[PrinceJohn]

the cm's are not rude at AKL - perhaps some people do not understand that people from some other countries do not respond exactly the same. AKL has many ethnic cm's (which is what makes it so great and authentic). Their english is not always perfect and they may seem to be terse. JMHO

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

Change back while you still can. Beter yet stay at the WL instead!

 

[rgf207]

Change back while you still can. Beter yet stay at the WL instead!

can you give a reason for your response?

 

[vacanut]

I just returned from a 5 night stay, I had a standard room booked and was given a complimentary upgrade to Savannah View upon checkin. I agree with the previous post it is a long walk to the room we had, we were at the end of the hotel, we didn't mind as it was just the two of us. The CM checking us in was extremely friendly and each time we passed a CM they went out of there way to speak with us. I was concerned with the location of the hotel in relation to the parks, but we never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus. I would stay here again.

 

[ILuvWDWorld]

We love AKL! We were there a couple of weeks ago with my family - 21 of us. We had 5 standard view rooms booked and we were all upgraded at check-in! It was quite a hike though - but it only seemed long the first couple of times, then we got used to it. It was great!

 

[sandraB]

I also just changed from POFQ to AKL for march 5-12!

I am very excited about the trip, and am hoping the extra money will be worth it.

We have stayed at CBR and Ft.W cabins, and am looking forward to a Deluxe.

I requested bunk beds, and wonder about our chances for that! We are checking in late, and am worried about requests when checking in later.

Does anyone know how they decide requests, first come first served basis?

just wondering.....thanks

 

[Spoisal]

sounds like savannah views are a hike to the food & buses.....are all of the savannah views this way?

 

[NC Belle]

My dh and I had a pleasant stay last week. We were only upgraded from a pool view to a deluxe pool view. We had a lovely view and not too bad of a walk to the viewing areas and to the buses.

 

[tekmom]

Please post a review when you get back!

 

[Kaybee]

We love AKL!! We were upgraded from standard to savannah view on the 3rd floor Zebra trail which is just off the main lobby. The rooms were great and just a short distance to walk!! My only problem with the resort was being so close to the lobby we had traffic noise...children screaming, people laughing, etc. past midnight, then start up again at about 6am. The CM's we encountered were all very nice. Never had a problem with any of them. When we checked in they saw my son waiting in line and came over with a large round rock type object and asked him what he thought it was. Then they took him over to a table with animal bones and artifact and asked him to tell them what animal they came from. It was very interesting!! They have activities throughout the day for children. After completing an activitiy you can earn a bead...collect several beads and make a bracelet!! The firepit is something to behold at night. Don't miss the story telling. The pool is great. It is also fun just to walk around and see the various animals. CM's are posted at various walk ways to answer your questions about the animals. The food court( the Mara) is a nice place to catch a quick bite to eat. We never waited in any long lines. They have a nice variety of foods to choose from especially if you have picky eaters!! They have the refillable mugs here too. Never got a chance to try the Boma resturant, but have heard many good reviews. The store at the AKL is quite large and has a variety of disney things to buy. The buses run exclusively to AKL so you go directly to where you want to go without stopping at another resort. You won't be sorry you switched to this lodge. It is worth it even if you end up in a standard room. The place is just magnificent!! Wait till you enter the lobby for the first time it is just awesome sight to behold!! Have fun!!

 

[pixiefaery]

We are also staying at the AKL. We have a standard booked but are hoping for an upgrade. I was a little nervous booking here because of the mixed revues, so I am interested in everyone's opinions.

Valerie

 

[racheltyler]

I could write a book about how much we loved the AKL. One word of caution however - do not get your hopes up about an upgrade. We've booked standard here before and got standard. For everyone on this thread who got one, there's probably many many others who didn't. Honestly, I prefer the pool view over the savannah view - I like the tropical feel of looking at water and palm trees, it is such a beautiful pool area. Then we would make it an adventure to go looking for animals.

When we went, the CM's were very nice. Our one at check-in seemed new however. She gave us a handicapped king room after telling us it was not one of those. We had to go back to the front desk and get it straightened out. Other than that, everyone at this resort was very, very nice.

I'm sure you will love it there! Enjoy!

 

[rgf207]

We love AKL!! We were upgraded from standard to savannah view on the 3rd floor Zebra trail which is just off the main lobby. The rooms were great and just a short distance to walk!! My only problem with the resort was being so close to the lobby we had traffic noise...children screaming, people laughing, etc. past midnight, then start up again at about 6am. The CM's we encountered were all very nice. Never had a problem with any of them. When we checked in they saw my son waiting in line and came over with a large round rock type object and asked him what he thought it was. Then they took him over to a table with animal bones and artifact and asked him to tell them what animal they came from. It was very interesting!! They have activities throughout the day for children. After completing an activitiy you can earn a bead...collect several beads and make a bracelet!! The firepit is something to behold at night. Don't miss the story telling. The pool is great. It is also fun just to walk around and see the various animals. CM's are posted at various walk ways to answer your questions about the animals. The food court( the Mara) is a nice place to catch a quick bite to eat. We never waited in any long lines. They have a nice variety of foods to choose from especially if you have picky eaters!! They have the refillable mugs here too. Never got a chance to try the Boma resturant, but have heard many good reviews. The store at the AKL is quite large and has a variety of disney things to buy. The buses run exclusively to AKL so you go directly to where you want to go without stopping at another resort. You won't be sorry you switched to this lodge. It is worth it even if you end up in a standard room. The place is just magnificent!! Wait till you enter the lobby for the first time it is just awesome sight to behold!! Have fun!!

wow...thanks for this review. I was so excited about upgrading. I booked a standard room and that woulud be fine but it is fun to think of being upgraded and there is a chance but if it doesn't happen, that wont matter at all. We will just be thrilled we are there. It's funny because my trip originally started out at POP then I upgraded to POFQ and then I came across some extra money so I went all the way up to AKL. I am so excited. I am taking my GF and she is thrilled too. We will be sure to check out everything at the resort and the idea of exclusive buses is great too. Since it is sometimes chilly in March, we were wondering if the pools were heated? That will make it even better because I am a kid at heart and can't wait to try the slide

 

[luvdzny]

AKL is our favorite resort. We are going back for our 4th visit in June. We always book a Savannah view room because we spend a lot of time sitting on our balcony and watching the animals. This year we are taking DD's BF and since it is his first time there the view is espcecially important! We have always had great CM's while we have been there. The resort is so relaxing and a great place just to hang out. We have been to Disney many times so we spend a lot of time at the resort. The lobby is beautiful, it is great to get a drink and sit aroung the inside fireplace and soak it all in. Some of the rooms are quite a hike from the lobby & bus stops, but this has never botherd us. We like that fact the the resort is all in 1 building. If you have any questions let me know and I will try to help, enjoy your vacation!!!

 

[cart-mom]

We stayed AKL standard view 2 yrs ago and LOVED IT! We were the very last room on the left hallway right as you walk inside the lodge (Ostrich trail?). Very quiet and never met a rude CM. I even helped out one of the researchers with a digital picture of a strange looking bug that he couldn't identify on the spot. He came back after a few minutes with a book and thanked me with details of the insect. Storytelling is way cool - my kids just loved the activities and the pool there.

As for walking - you are at WDW - when don't you walk????
I really think that you walk less at this resort than at the mods because the many buildings are more spread out than the AKL. It never seemed like a long walk to me.
We didn't get upgraded because the resort was booked solid but that's okay with us. We didn't expect it and weren't disappointed with our experience at all. I can't go back to the value or mods - I've been spoiled with AKL & Poly.

Enjoy your stay at the AKL.