Thinking about trying AKL this time-Tell me all about it

[cruisnfamily]

Hi All,

We're thinking about a 4 day trip in Feb or March and want to try AKL as we've never stayed there(or even visited it). I'm hoping for some details. Here are my questions/concerns:

1)We have no need(or budget) for concierge but the sunrise safari sounds cool. Is the only way to do that by staying concierge? We wouldn't use any of the services.

2)We are FL Residents so we will probably be able to get a decent rate but would really like to do it as cheaply as possible. Any suggestions?

3)I like the idea of the queen bed and 2 bunks...what type of room is that? We'll be traveling with the kids ages 8 & 11. We really like larger rooms but it's not mandatory.

4)Is it worth paying extra for the view? Do all rooms have balconies? Tell me about the room "categories" or whatever they're called.

5)What are the food options? I believe there is a "fancy" sit down place, and a "not so fancy" sit down place. Is that it? Or is there some sort of food court or quick snack type of place? What kind of hours can you get food and drinks?

What else do I need to know?

You're help is very much appreciated as we know absolutely nothing about this resort!

 

[morrow4]

Our family stayed at AKL for the first time this past July. We loved it!
The room, like most at WDW, was not large but was fine for no more time than we spent in it. We had a pool view rather than a savannah view and would do the same again. We love wildlife, and found the viewing stations to be great. Of course we could not sit on our balcony and watch the animals, but I enjoyed sitting on the balcony and watching my "two animals" (ages 6 and 9) in the pool.
Enjoy your trip.
Donna

 

[susy]

The FL Res rates are out for that time, aren't they? Check mousesavers.com. I don't think the rates are that good, because it is peak season. We went in 2002 over Labor day weekend. We paid the value season Fl Res rate ($109 I think) for a standard and were upgraded to a deluxe pool view.

This resort is unlike anything else. It's very grand and luxurious, but in a rustic way (if that makes sense). The bus service was EXCELLENT, the restaurants were very good, pool-amazing with a zero-depth entry and great pool bar. The smells from the lobby are wonderful.....

 

[bekkiz]

If you can swing the extra 30 bucks or so a night, really reserve a savanna room. Although every room has a balcony, sitting out there watching the animals feed, or roam, was bay far one of my favorite things in al of disneyworld. Your kids will love it too!

Obviously if cost is an issue, the other rooms are still nice and there are plenty of public areas to view them, but then you have to get out of you PJs and brush your hair to see them

I believe you can request a bunkbed room (There are lots) either when you reserve, fax ahead of time, or when you check in. The other rooms have 2 double beds.

You must stay concierge the night before the sunrise safari to be able to book it. That means you could stray concierge one night, and switch to regular the rest of the nights.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

cruisnfamily -

Hi! I'm so envious - we would love to live in FL!!!

We stayed at AKL last Mar. and are going again in April. We have fallen in love with this resort, it is so exotic and beautiful. As the PP stated, the smells in the lobby are fantastic, and the buses only serve AKL, no other resort stops, so even tho no monorail or boats, the trans. here is great.

1. The sunrise safari is only on certain days, can't remember which right off hand, but as stated before you could book for the night before and switch to reg. later - or vice/versa, which would be my choice!

2. I think FL Res. rates are comparable to AP rates, my rate for April for a pool-view is 216.25/nt., std. vw. is 199.50/nt., sav. vw. 255.25/nt. - not sure about concierge.

3. I think you can ask for bunk beds in any room, but that is only a vague memory of Deb's site (allearsnet) description of rooms - I would check her website for more details.

4. Last Mar. we stayed sav. view and loved it - this April we will be staying pool view to save a few bucks - but if you can swing it, sav. vw. is the best, IMHO. We have read a lot of posts from people who have stayed pool view and loved it, tho, so don't give up on AKL if you can't afford sav. vw.

5. Boma is a buffet, with awesome food! I think the price is around $23/adult, but check Deb's website for more accurate info. Jiko is an upscale rest. with delicious food, on the more expensive end of WDW rest. the tab for me and DD last time was around $130 w/tax and tip. But DD is 14 and orders from adult menu, and I had wine! We saw plenty of peole with small children, so don't be afraid to take little ones if that is your wish.

This was long, but I hope it helps. I would definitely read the AKL FAQ on this site, as well as check out Deb Wills' "allearsnet" accomodations site to find out all you can. Have a great time!!!

 

[DisneyMin]

We stayed there the week before Christmas this year,and i'm not a big fan. Not being critical,thats just my honest opinion. We requested bunk beds,but didn't get them. We had a savannah room view,and it wasn't the greatest. To the right,was the back of the bldg the busses pull away from. To the right was this big cage thing. We did see some neat giraffes and gazelle's and such,,but i don't know,,it wasn't as great as i was expecting. Maybe it would be better during warmer weather. I wouldn't recommend a regular room,,they do have balconies,but you'll have a view of the parking lot. not too fun to sit and look at. The pool view would be nice i bet. The pool area seemed very nice. We ate b'fast at Boma,,it was a buffet and was very good.I think $9 for kids,$15 for adults. The juice is fabulous!! We got Fla resident rates,and i *think* we paid $343 for the 2 nights. I thought the room smelled a little funny,,i think its the wood the furniture is made out of. I'm biased,i guess,,we've stayed at Wilderness Lodge twice and had a blast.I think you may be disappointed to get a standard view room at AKL. I'd request either a pool view,or savannah.The resort itself was very nice,,i guess i thought we'd see elephants and lions from the room,but they don't have predators which makes total sense. One tip,if you go,,bring bionoculars,,its neat seeing the eyelashes an ears on an ostrich!!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

We love this resort, it is our favorite. When I made reservations for our stay last May I requested bunk beds and we did get bunk beds. We felt it gave us a little more extra room than 2 queen beds would have. If you can swing the extra money for savannah view then I would do it. It is incredible.

 

[TJA]

I can answer a few of your questions. We just stayed at AKL last month.

2) I also think FL resident rates are comparable to AP rates. I don't think you can do much better.

4) Yes, I think it's worth it to pay for a view other than standard. We stayed in a standard room and felt we missed out on a lot that the resort has to offer. Of course, if you will not be spending much time in your room, then don't pay for the view. We have 2 babies now and spent a LOT of time in the room. So we should've paid for the view.

5) The food was the best part of this resort, we thought! We did not eat at Jiko, the sit-down, rather expensive restaurant. There is a menu posted at the entrance of the restaurant so that you can look at the meals offered and the prices beforehand. Boma is a buffet that serves breakfast and dinner only. We had both and they were fantastic. We would definitely go there again. Mara is the fast-food place that offers a lot of seating and a fair amount of food selection. You will find all of the normal quick bites there, such as burgers and pizza. You won't find any tacos or nachos, though.

As far as other things you should know -- well, the transportation is exceptional. The buses serve ONLY AKL, so you won't have to share with other resorts. There is not monorail or water service to any parks from AKL. Hmmm, what else....I would recommend asking for a room near the elevators. We had to walk a country mile from our room to the elevators (to get to the lobby or restaurants) and with 2 babies it was a HAUL. Oh, the pool! Your family will love the pool. It has a zero-depth entry and lots of square footage. It also has a very cool slide. This resort is simply beautiful!