We're going!!! AKL questions

[bbogz]

Just got ressies to AKL in late January. So excited. Have never stayed there. DD and granddaughter and I will be there for three nights. GD is 2. What have you found to be plusses and minusses (if there even could be) to staying at AKL with toddler.

Anything we should not miss there?

We have a Savanna view. What's it like?

How is transportation to MK AK and MGM? Are there long waits for the busses?

This was a spur of the moment decision (maybe because it's snowing like crazy here. Can't wait to hear any suggestions.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Your granddaughter will love it. The Savannah view is incredible. It is so nice and peaceful to sit out on your balcony to watch the animals. There is also cookie decorating that your granddaughter might like, the decorate cookie giraffes. This is my favorite resort so I never found a minus.....Have a great time!!!

 

[0506]

Have a great time. We were there in November room 4237, great view of the animals. What a peaceful resort. My daughter is 8, she loved the animals, up every morning at six to see the first animal feeding. Loved the pool (great slide), cookie decorating (free), made a rag doll too ($10.00 fee), story telling by the fire, animal feeding. I could go on and on. I can't say enough.

The buses worked great. We stayed at the compt. the first half of our trip and had to share the bus we the poly and grf each time.

I wish I was going with you. It's still snowing here too.

 

[bobcat]

Take a pair of inexpensive binoculars to watch the animals. The pool is a zero entry so it is perfect for littel ones. Enjoy!

 

[sbelyo]

I have to say I have enjoyed the AKL the most so far. My son was 2 and 1/2 and we really didn't stay in the lodge too much except for the feedings and watching the animals. We had booked a standard view in 2002 but my parents decided to come and my Dad got us both upgraded to savanah view. The view of the animals is definitely special. The only thing you MUST plan on is adequate travel time if you have PS's for meals. As there are no character breakfasts in the AKL it will take you 30 minutes or so to leave the AKL, catch the bus and then enter one of the three monorail resorts or the MK.

 

[sprtnfan]

We were there last March with our 2 1/2 and 8-mo-old. It was such a fun resort and had so much to do and see that we never NEEDED to leave the resort. We missed so many things when we were at the parks. It was very memorable for my DD too because of all the animals. Of course, she now thinks that there are animals at all hotels she stays at! The only negative was the long bus ride from the parks, but if we had just left before the park closed, this might have been avoided. Have fun! We'll be going back in Feb.

 

[TJA]

Hi, we were just at AKL a few weeks ago with our 7 mon. old twins. You mentioned you have a savannah room, which is my recommendation. We had a standard room and always "forgot" we were even staying at a resort w/ animals. So next time, a savannah room it is!! The resort is beautiful...you will love the pool and slide....you will love the food too! A negative is the amount of time it took to get back and forth to MK. As someone above noted, simply plan adequate time if you have PS's. We did not have to wait more than a few minutes for the buses at AKL. The service was exceptional. Also, the AKL buses don't service any other resorts, so we found that to be a real plus. Have fun!

 

[Kapp]

is totally the way to go! If you going to the trouble and spending the $$$ to stay at the AKL, you must have a savannah view (IMHO). I would recommend you get a room on one of the lower floors as I believe you have more contact with the animals than one of the higer rooms. Be sure to enjoy Boma for dinner at least once. It is our favorite place to eat at WDW! Be sure to check out all of the different savannahs and views. If weather permits, the pool is great. If time permits, the cookie decorating in Boma in the afternoon ( for AKL guests only) is fun for the kids. The gift shop is great too.

You all will have a blast!!!!!!

 

[merrywether]

I agree with everything posted about this resort - it's fantastic! Even without a savannah view room, there were plenty of places for DH and I to view the animals. The only downside, in my opinion, was Mara - the food court. It was dark and kind of damp - reminded me of a basement. Also, I didn't think the food options were as good as some of the other resort food courts. Aside from that, the place is just magical and unlike any resort I've ever been to before! The breakfast buffet at Boma was out of this world!

 

[christianweecare]

We just returned yesterday from our first stay at AKL! We had a savannah view (zebra trail). This is DH's new fav! Wants to go back next year. We split our stay between AKL & WL. We loved both resorts but DH thinks AKL has a slight edge. He loved being able to sit on the balcony to watch the animals. We never had any problems with the busses. We did allow an hour to get to the Poly the last evening for PS at Ohana. We got there in 45 mins. including catching the monorail to the Poly from the MK. We also ate dinner at Boma-a great meal! DH thought Mara to be a little bit better than Roaring Forks. Maybe because he could get Mickey Waffles at Mara! LOL!

 

[B3LM]

Best advice I can give - be sure to go to Boma's!!! There dinner is wonderful and I enjoy their breakfast even more!

 

[caseih]

Boma has wonderful buffets for breakfast and dinner. Don't miss the special juice they serve for breakfast, I believe they call it "frunch". We stayed at AKL last December and loved the resort. Bus service was great. There are many places that you may walk to see the various savannah sections around the resort.

 

[sbelyo]

The juice is almost worth staying there alone. I can't figure out what they mix together?

 

[Bstanley]

Don't Miss : The CMs! Make sure to walk out to Arusha Rock and actually talk to the CMs, attend an evening story-telling around the fire, etc. They may not actually be from Kenya - but they make you believe they are!

Savannah View : early morning and late afternoon is when the critters are most present (in the middle of the day many go back to the 'barn' for R&R). When you check in talk with the CM to get the most 'appraopriate' Savannah. There are different mixes of critters on different Savannahs - since you are going in Jan you should be able to get a room on any of them. The 2nd floor is the lowest floor - that means closest to the critters!

Transportation : Buses. The ride to AK is brief and since the bus just goes back and forth it happens pretty often. The ride to EPCOT or The Studios is the same as taking a bus from WL (15 minutes or so). The waits are really dependent on your luck. The buses seem to run on a 20 minute schedule so if you happen to walk up just when the one you want just left you'll have to wait the full 20 minutes. The bus ride to the MK seems long - perhaps 25 minutes.

As already pointed out by others - The Boma is a fantastic restaurant, don't miss it.

 

[mep319]

It is our favorite resort thus far....my one recommendation is to take time to enjoy the resort...it is a vacation in it's self! Enjoy! I'm jealous!

 

[momof2OH]

We just stayed there for the first time 2 weeks ago. I can't say enough good about it. We loved it so much, we plan on staying there everytime we go to WDW. I can't seem to think of anything bad about the place.


From one Ohioan to another....Have fun and enjoy the weather!!! (bring some back) Waiting 6 more months to go back seems like forever!! he he

 

[caseih]

Here's the recipe for the juice served at breakfast:

FRUNCH
Yield: 12 servings (1 gallon)

Ingredients:
1 8 ounce can Lemon Juice, frozen and canned
1 8 ounce can Pineapple Juice, frozen and canned
1 8 ounce can Orange Juice, frozen concentrate and canned
12 ounces Mango Juice
6 ounces Grenadine

This recipe is easier for home use when frozen juice is used.

Method:
Follow the package instructions on the frozen juice containers. Mix in a large bowl. Add the mango juice and grenadine. Mix well and server over ice in a tall glass.

 

[epcotfan]

Plus: Transportation is good. The staff are Mara are really nice.

Minus: Difficult to escape other guests. Only outdoor public areas are the pool grounds and public animal viewing areas. No where else to walk unless you walk through the interior wings of the building. I found the pool area to be packed all the time.

 

[bbogz]

FRUNCH sounds wonderful. Thanks for all the info. I think we got our ressies straightened out, still a little disappointed with
cro's attitude--when it was their mistake! But we are looking forward to a great time.

 

[heffalump9]

You will love the AKL. There is plenty to do for everyone, when you check in get times for the cookie decorating at the Boma, storytelling at Arusha rock firepit, pelican feedings and night vision viewing. There is also a playground area back by the Simba Club and hot tub areas.

The Boma has great food at both breakfast (don't miss the frunch and pressed pots of Kenya AA coffee, great smoked meats and great pastries) and dinner (great BQ items, soups and curry, hummus, african breads, and Zebra Domes) and make sure you make a PS. Refillable mugs are available at the Mara and their Grab and Go area has a good variety of salads, prime rib sandwiches, turkey wraps, desserts and breakfast items.

During our visits we had many a breakfast on our balcony and found ourselves wanting to get up early to see the animals. Another great time to see the animals is just before dusk, there are numerous outlook areas scattered through out the lodge.

Only negatives were the pool bar closes early and the ride to DTD was a little long. All other bus service was great we never waited more than a few minutes. Other wise this is a perfect place to enjoy the Disney Magic, because it starts when you walk in!!