What did you NOT like about AKL and why ?

[maryj11]

I've stayed at AKL 2x; once Jambo w/waterview and Kidani 2Br.

I've stayed at CBR at least 4 times.

They are a little hard to compare. AKL is SO UNIQUE. Boma and Jiko are outstanding as well. Mara (CS) is OK (see my previous post) but has a convoluted system for ordering and takes forever. Ridiculous--and I am by no means impatient. The quality of teh food was good, selection was limited, but I'm not picky.

CBR is a quiet resort with big rooms and bright, pastel theming. If you like to walk outside and tour your resort, sit by a pool (LOTS OF POOLS) or stroll a lake, it is the place to be. _I_ also really like that the pools have deep ends.

The CS is 'meh.' Nothing terrible, nothing special. I've yet to have a good experience at their sitdown, so I no longer even try.

CBR is spread out and you can do a lot of walking to the food court if you don't have a preferred room. AKL is spread out but indoors so your hiking to the CS will be indoors with dim lighting.

My vote would be CBR, but it is just more to my taste--still, I'd hop a bus to AKL to dine!

Do you have any specific questions? FYI, I will be back at CBR in September.

If we stayed at the AKL we would book pool view. I'm hoping that would limit the walking a bit.
Right now I have a preferred room booked at CBR so we are hoping we will be close to the OPR and pool. Yes we know about the full beds it wont be a problem even though queens would be better
Thanks for all your information, it helps to have someone who has stayed at both. If I have anymore questions I will let you know Oh I thought of one. Is Jiko kid friendly or is it mostly adults that eat there ?

 

[Sue M]

We've stayed at both too. We enjoyed CBR, beautiful tropical theme, beaches with hammocks :good vibes. Nice pools.

But the dif. between mod & deluxe is like comparing apples to oranges.

AKL is all indoor- you don't have to go out and walk in the rain, hot sun etc to get a mug refill, go to gift shop, eat, etc.

I don't get the long walk thing? You would walk at least if not further if you were in a resort with separate buildings, and outside too

Rooms have a balcony, giving you extra living space. I love sitting on the balcony enjoying my morning coffee, and in the evenings with a glass of wine :good vibes
The rooms have more storage, and a closet. Queen beds!
The main thing I like about deluxe rooms is that nobody is walking in front of your room windows, looking in. I have having to sit in a dark room with drapes drawn.

I love the resort activities at AKL- evening animal viewing with night scopes, culinary tour, Cultural Safari, and just enjoy walking around enjoying the savannas, talking to the CMs, etc. And if you have kids, there's lots for them to do too.

One bus stop! Just out and to the left of entrance, under cover walkway.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

We took a tour. We asked the CM why it was so hot. Planting keep the temp 10 degrees higher for the animals. Makes it extra hot in the summer. Pool was great looking.

 

[PolyLover]

We took a tour. We asked the CM why it was so hot. Planting keep the temp 10 degrees higher for the animals. Makes it extra hot in the summer. Pool was great looking.

Interesting about the plants. A CM from the Polynesian told me that about the AK Park too. I didn't really feel the temp difference at AKL but I feel it at AK park. We stayed in a pool view with bunk beds and loved it. We were "driving through" to Tampa and the AKL was a great little side trip, didn't even need to go to the parks! The kids loved seeing the animals and swim in the pool. I don't think a savannah view is necessary unless you are dying to see the animals early in the am, however, there's no guarantee. Luckily we always have a car or I think I'd feel isolated at this resort. Obviously it needs to be located far away from the "fireworks" parks for the animals' sake. Not sure if I could stay here more than 3 nights. Have you considered a split stay? I think everyone should try the AKL at least once, it's so unique!

 

[asmit4]

The buses stunk- it took FOREVER to get anywhere.
The pool area was small and over crowded.
The rooms seemed very small.

We were not impressed. Then again- I'm not impressed with any of the deluxes except GF and I'd never pay those rates.

 

[Minnesota!]

(1) Not all of the savannah views are good. Many rooms overlook empty emergency "people pens" instead of animals and I call the Sunset Savannah the "Vulture Savannah" for the most popular animal there.

(2) The "Aroma de Boma" is nice for a day or two, but becomes overpowering once you're there for a while.

(3) The Mara (CS restaurant) can be difficult to get to.

(4) Some of the standard view rooms are the worst in WDW. I'm thinking of the ones that are right outside of the buses and the walkway from the bus stop. I always feel sorry for those people who paid so much for such a crappy room.
All that being said, Animal Kingdom Lodge was my husband's favorite resort so we purchased DVC points there. We love it!

I am actually kind of hoping we get one of those rooms next month! I have always been intrigued by the rooms on the path to the bus. I am strange like that, though!

We are staying for the first time in 29 days so I will be sure to report back on if there is anything we didn't care for!

 

[pigletto]

We just came back from AKL in May. I can honestly say there wasn't anything I didn't like. We were very close to the lobby though. I can imagine that some of the walks would be long but it wasn't an issue for us.
We also had a car, which made things much easier for us. I generally don't mind the buses, and realize it's going to take awhile to get anywhere. However, at AKL we did bus back from DTD once when dh and ds were somewhere else and it just felt ridiculous. It was 45 minutes to an hour with all of the stops and the waiting. Blah.
But..that can and does happen at EVERY resort. I had way worse bus experiences at the Boardwalk. No resort is perfect and it's going to come down to what theme and amenities are a fit for your family. AKL was not my favourite of all the resorts we have stayed in.. but it was a solid 8/10 and I would not hesitate to go back

 

[raven69david]

The only thing I didn't like about AKL was the fact that I had to leave back home on my departure date.

 

[robinb]

I am actually kind of hoping we get one of those rooms next month! I have always been intrigued by the rooms on the path to the bus. I am strange like that, though!

We are staying for the first time in 29 days so I will be sure to report back on if there is anything we didn't care for!

I'm bet you will make some CM's day if you ask for it! I'm sure that they cringe every time they have to assign one of those rooms. I guess this is another example of "There is a lid for every pot." . Have fun!

 

[tinkmom76]

I think everyone who wants to stay there should try it for themselves.

I did not like the LONG hike to the CS (Mara), the small selection there, long wait and ridiculous ordering system and feeling like I was in a church basement rec room.

While I have only stayed there twice, check in/out has been an ordeal each time (and I had no special requests, nothing.) The first time check in was an hour and 10 minutes. I have not found the front desk staff at Jambo or Kidani to be very friendly. At Kidani the guy all but refused to print my SWA boarding pass.

It just left me with a bad taste, especially given what had been spent to stay there. But you should try it for yourself!

You must have just had a couple of bad experiences. I have stayed there several times and always had excellent customer service. We went by there via AK one year and they printed our boarding passes. We weren't even staying there.

 

[Ego831]

The resort is definitely one of the pretiest and best executed Disney resorts. From the lobby with the vaulter ceilings and beatiful wood work to the custom headboards in the rooms, sconces and bathroom tile work.

Our only issue is that (1) The resort is very far from all the parks. We mainly like spend our time at Epcot or Magic Kingdom and the bus ride (there is no other options - other than a personal taxi) is very far. At the end of the day when you are tired - having to go through multiple other resorts prior to FINALLY reaching Animal Kingdom is arduous.

(2) Even when you get to the resort - it is larger than many of the others - your room location can force you into a very long, long, long walk within the resort.

We generally stay at the Boardwalk simply because we can walk to Epcot (again because it is our main place to go). But you should stay there once just to see how well they have "themed" the lobby and rooms....

Enjoy!

 

[Tink415]

We've stayed at AKL and CBR each over 6 times. We enjoy both. I try to book pool view at AKL and preferred location room at CBR. Sometimes having a more central room location helps if people get exhausted - happens to me sometimes. The faraway rooms can feel a million miles away even if they really aren't ..on a good day!

If I plan on lots of relaxing time I choose AKL, if medium amount of relaxing time I choose CBR. Both are very nice, so it comes down to what we plan to do and price.

As far as beds go, I prefer a king, but can't get that in a hotel room for 4 at WDW, so we make due and don't rule out doubles. IMHO counter service is better at CBR, but then CBR only has 1 sit down. I could eat at BOMA a few nights in a row, but dh hates buffets.

Also, I could spend a long weekend at AKL , not visit any parks at all and have a nice time. Not sure I can say the same for CBR even tho there are more outdoor activities at CBR. Maybe because there isn't an indoor lobby or bar to hang out in not sure.

I don't understand all the bus complaints. We've had good bus service and bad bus service at all the resorts (good & bad monorail and boat service too!). I just try to chill cause I'm on vacation And the comment about having to go multiple resorts before reaching AKL, its just Kindani and Jambo ? And funny, I felt exhausted taking taking bus from MK or DD to BWI/BWV/BC/Dolphin/ect. I usually bring money for cabs, or get a rental car, when I don't want to wait.

Anyway, hope you have a great vacation wherever you stay!

 

[vettegirl]

A better slide at pool and duvet comforters would be nice. Everything else is pretty much perfect there

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I absolutely love AKL - it is and will likely remain one of my favorite resorts -

that said I wish it had -
a quiet pool
ditto on the duvets - I love a nice duvet
more comfortable mattress - really didn't think the mattress was that lush

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
We really liked AKL. The only thing was is that our room was dusty and there was a huge cobweb in the corner ceiling of the room. It was so thick that it actually looked like fabric. I took a picture of it and told the front desk, so hopefully they'll clean next time.

 

[CanadianPaco]

We'll be staying there for the first time next month! This has been a very interesting thread! I wondered how we'll cope with the Mara for a week of bfast. Hmm....

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We'll be staying there for the first time next month! This has been a very interesting thread! I wondered how we'll cope with the Mara for a week of bfast. Hmm....

I wouldn't worry about breakfast - There are plenty of choices.
Mickey Waffles
Bounty Platter - scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, Mickey waffle, biscuit
Croissant Sandwich
the potatoes were really yummy.
Plenty of pastries, muffins, bagels, fresh fruit, yogurt, hard boiled eggs and smoothies...etc

They do have some *interesting* options - but one of the African inspired breakfast plate options included a roasted tomato - so we passed on that.

 

[CanadianPaco]

They do have some *interesting* options - but one of the African inspired breakfast plate options included a roasted tomato - so we passed on that.

I read that there was an African bfast platter at the Mara. What else was on it if you recall?

 

[pigletto]

We'll be staying there for the first time next month! This has been a very interesting thread! I wondered how we'll cope with the Mara for a week of bfast. Hmm....

I had no complaints with Mara. Though the "church basement rec room" comment made me laugh. It does seem like Mara was a bit of an afterthought design wise. But there were wonderful selections, especially for my vegetarian dd. I did almost get my lunch stolen by a dive bombing bird outside though

 

[cjsm&d]

I read that there was an African bfast platter at the Mara. What else was on it if you recall?

If you want a real african taste for breakfast, do the buffet at Boma! Though if you can only do one meal at Boma, I'd recommend waiting for the dinner buffet! It was awesome IMO.

Here is the breakfast menu for Mara.

http://allears.net/menu/menu_mara.htm

Bobotie - corn beef, eggs, cream, potato and onion

Quinoa is like an oatmeal that you can put toppings on.