Talk me into AKL :)

[MrPTato]

This is our favorite resort so far and will be our next point addition. The bus ride, like others have said, is really nothing. Still on property and it just goes quick. You are on vacation!!!! Why rush. A little bus ride can be enjoyable in the heat. If you love AK, you are less than a 5 minute ride away.

 

[Mynamewastaken]

The smell in the hallways is nice. I miss it

 

[DSLRuser]

I am the opposite of most. We stayed there one time, and that was plenty.

we had a Savannah room view, and it became a running joke for us.

1-cool, look, a zebra
2-he zebra is back
3-wow a zebra
4-honey, the zebra
5-OMG, the zebra is back
6-did you see the zebra
7-cool a zebra

it just got very old. to this day, when we go to the zoo, my wife and I crack each other up with "look, a zebra".

So I will say if you have never stayed here, yes you should try it. But there are so many better options.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I'm glad to read so many positive things about AKL--I too just booked there (Savanna view) and had read some somewhat negative things about it (that it didn't really feel "deluxe") so I was getting nervous.
Regarding the restaurants---this is for an adults only trip and if I wanted it to be somewhat romantic, should I book ADRs at Jiko? Thanks!

 

[pigletliz]

This is my favorite resort! So relaxing. We ordered coffee from room service and sat on the balcony to enjoy it. The lobby is gorgeous and the kids love the gift shop. Boma is also my favorite restaurant on property. We've never had issues with the bus service. Some of the rooms are at the end of a long hallway, but in the big scheme of things, you will be doing a lot of walking anyway.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'm glad to read so many positive things about AKL--I too just booked there (Savanna view) and had read some somewhat negative things about it (that it didn't really feel "deluxe") so I was getting nervous.
Regarding the restaurants---this is for an adults only trip and if I wanted it to be somewhat romantic, should I book ADRs at Jiko? Thanks!

Jiko is the signature. Sanaa is also quite good. Boma is a buffet and I've never encountered a romantic buffet. (Delicious? Yes. Romantic? Less so.)

 

[athumann]

I've stayed here twice and loved it. I'm not sure why people think it is so far removed because it really isn't. We stayed at POR last November and it took twice as long to get anywhere as it did from AKL. The theme is the best I've ever seen and if you are into animals and like Animal Kingdom at all then you will love it. It's relaxing and quiet after the hustle bustle of the parks. I really don't think you'll be disppointed.

 

[MrPTato]

I've stayed here twice and loved it. I'm not sure why people think it is so far removed because it really isn't. We stayed at POR last November and it took twice as long to get anywhere as it did from AKL. The theme is the best I've ever seen and if you are into animals and like Animal Kingdom at all then you will love it. It's relaxing and quiet after the hustle bustle of the parks. I really don't think you'll be disppointed.

It did feel like POR was out of the way.

 

[dec15disney]

So much great feedback in this forum. Thank you!!

 

[bigskip]

We stayed for one night a couple of weeks ago, after 14 nights at SSR.

Next WDW trip will be 14 nights at AKL. Best Hotel Ever. Buses better than SSR, and i like a little sleep on the bus on the way back from the parks anyway.

I'm not sure i want to stay anywhere else on property, better than POFQ - which was previous fave.

You will not be disappointed.

 

[toodycat]

Love the AKL. We celebrated DH's 50th birthday there. It was incredible. The lobby is gorgeous---you can spent a lot of time just looking at the special touches and artifacts. The savannah is amazing. The CMs who work there know a lot about wildlife and are great to talk to. The public viewing areas are really beautiful. I've always booked a savannah view room in the past, but if you don't, there are still many places from which to view the animals. The pool area is very peaceful, and the water slide is great fun. The rooms are very pretty and comfortable. And, oh the food. All of the restaurants are just incredible. DH's birthday celebration at Jiko was superior both in cuisine and service. As for the bus service, we usually rent a car, but the times we've taken the bus, it was no better or worse than buses from BC or BW. You will have an incredible visit!

 

[Aurora0427]

We've never stayed at AKL, but went and checked out the resort one day during one of our kid free trips. We cannot wait to stay there. The only thing stopping us is we spend so much time at MK with our little one, that the monorail resorts just make more sense right now. But she'll be tall enough to ride everything at all the parks by the time we go back so we won't have to spend the majority of our time at MK, and AKL is at the top of my list!!! You'll have a great time!!!