Transportation from AKL

[LBAK]

We are planning a trip next month and are thinking about staying at the AKL.
I have heard mixed things about Disney transportation. I will have my car there but my DD insists its not a "real" disney vacation unless we use the buses. Can anyone tell me how the buses run and how long it takes to get to the parks?

 

[Mousemommy1]

We are planning a trip next month and are thinking about staying at the AKL.
I have heard mixed things about Disney transportation. I will have my car there but my DD insists its not a "real" disney vacation unless we use the buses. Can anyone tell me how the buses run and how long it takes to get to the parks?

Your longest ride will be to MK which is about 20 minutes. I really don't think 20 minutes is a big deal. I have to travel 3 hours by plane to get to be within 20 minutes of the MK. It's vacation, I don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

I will have to say that the 20 minutes standing-up on the bus every night does get old and the bus is your only option, unless you have your own car.

 

[minniebeth]

True a standing room only bus to or from the MK is not ideal, but you also can't beat a five minute bus ride to AK.
We've found the bus service at AKL is pretty good with the exception of the Downtown Disney buses, which in our opinion is poor to and from all the resorts overall.
If AKL is the resort you want to stay at, I'd go for it because everything else about the resort is wonderful. You can have hit or miss bus transportation at any resort. Buses can be a pain sometimes but I like them over driving to and from the parks.

 

[mmmears]

True a standing room only bus to or from the MK is not ideal, but you also can't beat a five minute bus ride to AK.
We've found the bus service at AKL is pretty good with the exception of the Downtown Disney buses, which in our opinion is poor to and from all the resorts overall.
If AKL is the resort you want to stay at, I'd go for it because everything else about the resort is wonderful. You can have hit or miss bus transportation at any resort. Buses can be a pain sometimes but I like them over driving to and from the parks.

. I totally agree. AKL is wonderful and the buses really aren't bad.

 

[tvsdisney]

I loved AKL!! Such a beautiful resort. The bus system wasn't bad. We didn't seem to have a problem other than our last night after Wishes but that was also two days before Christmas too

 

[Sue M]

Our last stay at AKL I thought the busses were fine. At park closing, all busses are crowded. Either get out of the parks before closing time, or linger, stroll around the shops etc till the crowds thin out if you don't want a crowded bus.

 

[carrie1626]

My bus experience with AKL was good+.

it was an adults only trip **** wait times with tired kids will always seem longer
it was in late Aug
the cost to rent a car for 8 nts at that time (2010) was insane (
I remember having a seat- almost always

I also remember happy to NOT have to drive after a HOT day/evening in the parks. it was a relief to just - sit.

 

[minnie mum]

I agree with the PPs. We drive to WDW, park the car at the resort, and don't see it again until we leave. All of the resorts have bus issues from time to time. It happens, but IMO no resort has better bus transpo than another. I'd much rather deal with the buses and crowds when MK closes than contemplate the alternative:

Join the crowds waiting for the monorail or ferry. Then join the crowds waiting for the tram to the parking lot. Then find the car. Then get out of the parking lot and join all of the other cars on the road. Drive the unfamiliar maze of Disney roadways, at night, in heavy traffic, when I'm dead tired from a long, hot day in the park. Get to the resort and try to find a parking spot close to our building and not way out in the boonies.

No, on second thought, I'll take the bus.

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with everyone else. We didn't think the buses at AKL were bad at all. Since AKL is kind of out of the way from everything, it does take a little longer getting around (longer as in maybe 5 more minutes), but I didn't find it any different from any other resorts we've stayed at. All resorts have their good and bad with transportation. Since the buses only service AKL and Kidani, there is no sharing with any other resort, which makes it a little nicer than some others that share with a few resorts. Have a great trip.....AKL is a beautiful resort .

 

[kanderson89]

Ditto on all the comments. AKL is superb. I thought I would miss all the transportation options of other resorts, but I really didn't. Busses don't get old for me; trying to find your car in a hot parking lot when you're pooped? THAT gets old!

 

[tink70]

We just returned from AKL and honestly I hated the bus situation. It seemed like I was either waiting for a bus or riding on one for a long time.
Please keep in mind I never rent a car and always take Disney transportation. But for some reason it just seemed longer especially like others said, when you have a tired kid. If I stayed here again I would consider renting a car, I hated it that much. I timed it and the longest was 30 minutes. Not sure which park that was, but at the end of the day that stinks!!!
Just something to keep in mind. Of course this week had a ton of people so that may have added to the delays.
I did love the resort but hated the bus transportation.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'd ride the bus to AK once and the bus to MK to satisfy your DD. And then drive to the other parks.

When I stayed at AKL the buses weren't too bad except from DTD to AKL. Then I wish I'd taken a taxi.
But it would still be faster to drive yourselves.

 

[bamberc]

We stayed at AKL last September and we LOVED the resort so much! It was so beautiful and a peaceful, relaxing place to come "home" to at the end of a long day at the parks, however....

There is a reason we are staying at the CR this September. We dreaded the bus stop every morning and afternoon/evening. No matter which park we were going to or what time of day, we waited at least 15 mins. for a bus, but usually around 20-30 mins. And because the bus stops at Kidani first, by the time it got to Jambo, it was standing room only and with two children (5 and 3 at the time) standing on a moving, lurching, wide-turning vehicle for any amount of time is miserable. Maybe twice we actually were able to get seats. Coming home from the parks was better as far as getting a seat, but we still had to wait a while for a bus to come. Plus, the way they have the bus stop set up at the resort with no actual line-meaning no ropes or chains-it was a free for all. People have no manners and are rude...I know that's true in general, but it really did start every day on a sour note. A few mornings, we chose to wait for the next bus, but that's hard too with little ones that are excited to get to the parks. By the end of the trip, we decided to drive a few times.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

bamberc: Consider staying at WL sometime if you haven't before. We were MUCH happier there than when we stayed at AKL. The boat option is a great, easy, extra IMO.

 

[magicLAL12]

LBAK:We just returned from a stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We were at Kidani Village, but I'm sure my TR will still help you either way. You can see it here

I wouldn't fret about the bus transportation at AKL. Yes, it may get frustrating at times after 4 or more days, but the first few days you don't notice a thing since you are in Disney Bliss. The bus rides to MK are generally the longest- but they don't always run you 20 minutes (sometimes its less!). Downtown Disney is the only place we noticed a significant distance.

We never had to stand on a bus ride home, only on the way to the park, but then again we always left early in the afternoon or LATE at night.

I wouldn't worry about the buses. Plus, getting to AK in 5 minutes is wonderful!
Enjoy your trip!

 

[sdkuhn77]

We checked out of Jambo house a week ago and the transportation wasn't bad. Going to all parks, except MK was a breeze. The morning bus to MK we couldn't all get on the first bus because it was full from Kidani, so the CM called for an empty bus to come directly to Jambo to take us to MK. Yes, it was a little frustrating having to wait on another bus, but the fact that an empty bus showed up specifically for us, your frustration was gone. Disney does an amazing job at accomodating to their guests and you will have a great service if you ride the busses!