Staying at AKL for the first time!

[EsmeraldaX]

I got AP rates today. We decided since we are not paying for airfare this trip (got free vouchers on United from a family member who had to use them or lose them so he gave them to us ) we'd splurge this time and do a Deluxe since $139/night for AKL was too good to pass up!

So tell me everything. The good, the bad. What do you love? What do you hate?

We're two adults/no kids (but we love kids so kids running around everywhere doesn't phase us at all). We will be in a Standard room with a Standard view. I requested any set up that did not have bunkbeds (figured families with kids would want those bunk rooms). We'll be there from May 18th (our flight lands at 4:45) and we'll be leaving on May 23rd (our flight home leaves Orlando at 6:30 pm)

How is the noise?
How is the transportation?
How is the pool & what are the pool & pool bar hours?
My SO, despite being a grown man, wants to know how is the arcade?
Can you walk around and look at the animals?
What are the bathrooms like? Is the sink in the same room as the shower & toilet or is it separate?

I'm really excited. I've wanted to stay at AKL since it was built!

Thanks!
Sheri

 

[720L]

You'll love it! Not much noise. Buses are awesome because they are only for AK lodge. Love the pool it has a water slide and cool poolside bar. Arcade is small I think only walked by it never in it. Yes you can look at the animals all around the lodge. There are CMs at the viewing points to answer your questions. Sink is separate from shower and toilet. The food court (Mara) is good and generally not very busy. Spend time looking around the lobby it is beautiful. The gift shop is one of the best I think. Enjoy!

 

[Kapp]

We loved our stay there and still think back on it!

To answer your questions:

How is the noise? What noise! Our favorite noise was hearing the animals chewing their food!!!

How is the transportation? It was fine. You hear folks say that it is bad at the AKL but we never had any problems at all.

How is the pool & what are the pool & pool bar hours? The pool is great although the zero-entry style took some getting used too!

My SO, despite being a grown man, wants to know how is the arcade? Have no idea on this one!

Can you walk around and look at the animals? There are various viewing locations all over the resort.

What are the bathrooms like? Is the sink in the same room as the shower & toilet or is it separate? The sink is away from the shower/toilet.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!"

Kapp

 

[EsmeraldaX]

You'll love it! Not much noise. Buses are awesome because they are only for AK lodge. Love the pool it has a water slide and cool poolside bar. Arcade is small I think only walked by it never in it. Yes you can look at the animals all around the lodge. There are CMs at the viewing points to answer your questions. Sink is separate from shower and toilet. The food court (Mara) is good and generally not very busy. Spend time looking around the lobby it is beautiful. The gift shop is one of the best I think. Enjoy!

I'm glad the sink is seperate from the rest of the bathroom. That's one thing I like about the values and mods. It's always quicker in the AM if one of us can be showering and the other brushing teeth or whatever...

The food court sounds great. We're light eaters so it would be nice to grab snacks here throughout the day.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

We loved our stay there and still think back on it!

How is the pool & what are the pool & pool bar hours? The pool is great although the zero-entry style took some getting used too!


Kapp

What is a zero entry style pool, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[kathmzh]

My boys 7 and 9, said the arcade was "really cool." As far as noise, I remember thinking some of the pool view rooms may get some noise, as they form a half-circle around the pool, but others who have stayed there would know better. We were at the end of the Kudu trail and it was as quiet as could be, although a long walk to the lobby, pool, etc. It's a wonderful place! Enjoy!

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

Is when you able to walk right in. It slopes down to five feet gradually.

 

[thedisneymom]

Zero entry means it is the height of your toes going in rather than having to climb down stairs or a ladder. The water will gradually increase in depth the further you walk in(like at the beach). I love zero entry!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Zero entry is a graded entry into the pool so you can walk in. It gets deeper as you go.

We'll also be staying at AKL before our cruise next February. We visited this year and loved it. At night they have a fire going out back with rocking chairs where you can sit and relax while listening to the soothing sound of distant drums. Also out there at night, there's a CM with night vision goggles to use so you can see the animals even though it's dark. The pool area was beautiful with viewing areas off to the side.

Have a good time. You'll be missing your babies while you're there!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thanks so much for the info!


My pups will be staying at Best Friends Pet Resort It costs almost as much for their "vacation" as it does for mine!

 

[DisKim]

I'm going to be staying at AKL for the first time too! I'm so excited! I've visited the resort before to eat at Boma. When we saw it, we were so upset that we hadn't booked our ressies there. I'm sure you'll have a great time. BTW, I also booked standard view because there are so many great places to view the animals from. There are also cm's around to tell guests all about the animals. My DD was in heaven. She wants to be a vet so she loved learning about all of the animals. The cm's were so nice!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You're going to be knocked out by this resort! It is our fav and the only resort that my wife will stay at anymore. The restaurants are out of this world, including the Mara, AKL's "food court". Try the African Stew.
As for the arcade, it's not as big as the arcade at the Contemporary, but it's a pretty good size. I'd say about 20-25 games.

 

[njchris]

My favorite resort so far (can't afford the poly/contemporary/GF yet!).

I find it SOOOOO relaxing, which is great after a day at the parks. The rooms always have felt very quiet for me. I even had one with the door opening to the lobby area (couple floors up). I thought I'd hear noise, but I heard absolutely nothing.

It's great going out to one of the viewing areas and watching the animals.

I didn't notice a lot of kids running around, but at Disney it doesn't bother me. I'd be happy and excited too (oh, wait.. I am when I'm there... but I don't run around the lobby - they might put me away).

I'm grown too and like to stop in the arcades.. but I don't remember this one.. .I think the animals distracted me from thinking about it.

Oh and there are 2 sinks outside the bathroom.. which is great so you can both use a sink to get ready (no lines! hehe)



Glad you got your reservation after your near-nervous-breakdown-threads. hehe I bet you didn't get much done today at work anyway!

 

[crcormier]

Hooray! I'm glad it came through and you got it!!! Must make the cold a little more bearable!

 

[justhat]

You'll love it! We're going back for our 4th stay there in 5 weeks!! Generally we've been happy with the transportation (only time we really had trouble was our 12/27-12/31/02 stay, long, long waits), as you might guess since we've been back many times. One of the best areas I found to view animals is from the very back of the pool area. If you walk out of the resort to the pool, then head to the left, pass the hot tubs, there is a great, secluded area with mister umbrellas. There are lounge chairs and regular chairs and tables back there, and the animals practically came up to the fence when we were there. There's also a pond right near there that had baby ducks when we were there in June. My only regret is that we just found this area of the resort on our last stay there, and not sooner.

 

[kerrynic78]

AKL is definitely our favorite resort, you will love it!! Now that we live down here I have no excuse to stay at the hotels anymore (well, at least that is what my DH says but I will just have to change his mind!!!)

Just drop those adorable dogs off at my house, I'll watch them for you for free!!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Just one quick question (we also got the standard rate of $139), is there a power outlet between the beds that is accessible? Our daughter is going back on CPAP, and we need the power for that.
Kim ( doing the AKL dance)

 

[EsmeraldaX]

My boys 7 and 9, said the arcade was "really cool."

I told SO this (who is 32 by the way) and his response was "Well, then I'll probably like it. If a 9 year old likes it, so will I"

Guys never grow out of video games I guess...

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Just drop those adorable dogs off at my house, I'll watch them for you for free!!

They look sweet but wait till you're trying to sit down and eat. They will sit there and stare at you, using their amazing powers of cuteness and make you want to feed them....

 

[kerrynic78]

OH I know exactly what you are talking about, our dog Jack is a pro at that!!! And what do we end up doing.......feeding him!!!! Bad owners!