Tips for staying at AKL?

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We never had any issues with the busses at AKL unless it was a peak time to begin with (like spring break). Hnestly I think the bus service is quicker from AKL than from most other resorts because your the only stop.

 

[lucky1]

Early April, there were serious issues with the bus service. Lots of buses coming for some parks - sometimes two at a time (I'm not making that up) - while other parks had no buses for 20 minutes or more. Which wouldn't be so bad if they simply said there are 20 minutes between buses, but when you are watching all the other buses come and go... some leaving empty because it arrived seconds after - or at the same time as - the previous bus, it gets annoying.

I can 2nd that having been there the 2nd week of April. Seemed like the worst bus was the bus to AK took at least beyond the 20 minute normal time frame and the bus from DHS to AKL, both times we waited for the bus at DHS, we waited about 45 minutes. Other than that, all the other buses seem to be on a good rotation. In most cases we never had to "bus Surf" (Stand).

 

[pruesmom]

This will also be our first stay at the AKL. Our concern was also distance and bus transportation but it sounds like it isn't so bad. When we called, the savannah view was not available. We got a pool view instead. What do you think about it? Can you go somewhere else in the lodge to see the animals?

 

[dmccarty]

If you have kids, Simba's was excellent. We ended up sending the kids there instead of a planned family night. They really loved the place.

Boma's is good but we don't like to eat at a buffet. For what we paid at Boma's we could eat at Jinko's and not have to get up to get food. Boma's has a large selection which makes it real easy to overeat.

Jinko's is a very good restaurant and now on our favorite list.

Spend time at AKL. There is much to do there. We barely touched our to do list. The pool is really nice and the kids enjoyed it after spend 4-6 hours in the parks.

We never had a problem on wait times with the buses. It can take 15-20 minutes to get to MK but it is at the other end of the WDW. Going to AK only takes a few minutes. We took the bus to AK to get another bus to get us to the Contemporary. One time we went to MK and then walked to the Contemporary for dinner.

After experiencing the chaos at CBR, Mara's was remarkably fast. Only had to stand behind 5-6 people worse case.

 

[lovedoggies]

Boma's is good but we don't like to eat at a buffet. For what we paid at Boma's we could eat at Jinko's and not have to get up to get food. Boma's has a large selection which makes it real easy to overeat.

Jinko's is a very good restaurant and now on our favorite list.

Where is Jinko's, what kind of food do they have, tell me more!

 

[geokeim]

Where is Jinko's, what kind of food do they have, tell me more!

It's located on the ground floor, near the pool area and the fast food restaurant. If you want privacy ask for a booth. (we went once and had a child who should have been in bed already, laying on the bench seat next to us pitching a fit)
The food is excellent. My personal favorite is the bar-b-q filet w/ mac n cheese (I know it doesn't sound like it should go together, but it does!)
And the South African wine selection is very good and reasonably priced if you enjoy wines.
It's on the expensive side, but worth it IMO.

 

[geokeim]

This will also be our first stay at the AKL. Our concern was also distance and bus transportation but it sounds like it isn't so bad. When we called, the savannah view was not available. We got a pool view instead. What do you think about it? Can you go somewhere else in the lodge to see the animals?

Pool view is great (higher floors are less noisy obviously) and yes there are a number of little alcoves where there are rocking chairs and those viewing things that work like binoculars, to view the animals.
Also near the pool are a flock of flamingos who were nesting while we were there, just hatching a chick. The kids loved that.

 

[EnnEss]

Early April, there were serious issues with the bus service. Lots of buses coming for some parks - sometimes two at a time (I'm not making that up) - while other parks had no buses for 20 minutes or more. Which wouldn't be so bad if they simply said there are 20 minutes between buses, but when you are watching all the other buses come and go... some leaving empty because it arrived seconds after - or at the same time as - the previous bus, it gets annoying.

Disney's intended time at all resorts between buses is 20 minutes. A 20 minute wait is not uncommon at any of the resorts I've stayed at.

 

[nytimez]

Can you go somewhere else in the lodge to see the animals?

There are LOTS of places to see the animals besides the room, don't worry. And some of those places are better than the views you get from the rooms, too.

 

[happybratpack]

I think my biggest tip for staying at the AKL is to make the time to really enjoy it. Schedule it in if that's what it takes.