What else is going for at AKL besides the animals?

[*Fantasia*]

If you're not into animals, would you still enjoy AKL? I mean if that is the only room available in the deluxe and you don't want value and there is no room avail in moderate either. Would you take it?

Just curious. I just don't see anything exciting about AKL except to see the animals, but to see the same animals day after day, doesn't it get old? There is no sand beach, no water sports, no rental bikes, no fireworks, no EWP, the pool looks plain... what else is going for at this resort besides animals? I mean besides eat at Boma and Jiko, anything else?

I was thinking of trying this resort someday, but what else is there to do or see?

 

[freediverdude]

Well, as much as I'm not a fan of AKL, I do have to say that at checkin, they do give you a list of activities going on at the resort- things like drummaking, story telling by the firepit, night binocular animal watching, the list went on and on. I imagine you could spend the day at the resort doing activities even if you didn't go to the theme parks. Also there's lots of African art everywhere on display, with a little informational card next to each thing, telling you what it is, and you can walk around the resort like in a museum, just taking that all in as well.

 

[Tiffany]

If you're not into animals, would you still enjoy AKL? I mean if that is the only room available in the deluxe and you don't want value and there is no room avail in moderate either. Would you take it?

Just curious. I just don't see anything exciting about AKL except to see the animals, but to see the same animals day after day, doesn't it get old? There is no sand beach, no water sports, no rental bikes, no fireworks, no EWP, the pool looks plain... what else is going for at this resort besides animals? I mean besides eat at Boma and Jiko, anything else?

I was thinking of trying this resort someday, but what else is there to do or see?

It sounds as if the AKL migt not be a good fit for your vacation interests. We stay at the AKL when we want to relax. When we take our afternoon break we just side on the balcony and enjoy the animals and the peace and quite. We are from an urban area so the decor and theming of the AKL is a big change for us and we find it truely relaxing. But, if you are looking for what you noted above I would say that the POLY or BC/YC might be a good fit for your interests.

 

[sleepyone]

Looking for all the Hidden Mickey's was tops on our list

If you're not into animals, would you still enjoy AKL? I mean if that is the only room available in the deluxe and you don't want value and there is no room avail in moderate either. Would you take it?

Just curious. I just don't see anything exciting about AKL except to see the animals, but to see the same animals day after day, doesn't it get old? There is no sand beach, no water sports, no rental bikes, no fireworks, no EWP, the pool looks plain... what else is going for at this resort besides animals? I mean besides eat at Boma and Jiko, anything else?

I was thinking of trying this resort someday, but what else is there to do or see?

 

[Tiffany]

Looking for all the Hidden Mickey's was tops on our list

I forgot about the hiddend mickey safari. That was cool to do.

 

[Princess Mommy]

We are staying there in December mostly b/c our girls are animals crazied, but it also looks SUPER relaxing. So, we are splitting our stay. Our girls will be 3 & 5 so we'll be at MK a lot and using a stroller, so the hike on a bus to the MK with a stroller isn't fun So we are at SoG for the first 5 nights and then AKL the last 3 for a break & a nice ending to our holiday trip. I know there is tons to do there for the girls (and their parents too) & I had heard about the activities list they give you at check in as well.

 

[dee loo]

I've stayed there twice and it is a super relaxing resort. We are into the animals and enjoy the savannas. It has an excellent pool, and they have excellent crafts and activities for the kids. The last time we spent a whole afternoon hand painting ostrich eggs. Otherwise, it doesn't have a lot on site like fishing, tennis, bike riding, boating like some of the other resorts. I would stay again, if the parks are the main focus, and you just want a nice hotel to "chill out" at.

 

[d-hlaw]

I like to drink wine and sit on my deck making monkey noises........ ooh ooh, ahh ahh

 

[*Fantasia*]

I like to drink wine and sit on my deck making monkey noises........ ooh ooh, ahh ahh

LOL... cute!

 

[SeattleMark]

The pool looks plain??? It's the largest pool at Disney World and it's designed to look like a watering hole or oasis. "Plain" to me means a rectangular pool with white walls and a cheap slide. This is anything but that. We love it.

We love AKL, and that's where we're staying again this year. But if you're looking for non-stop action, AKL isn't for you.

 

[*Fantasia*]

The pool looks plain??? It's the largest pool at Disney World and it's designed to look like a watering hole or oasis. "Plain" to me means a rectangular pool with white walls and a cheap slide.

Sorry... I guess watering hole or oasis look "simple" to me. But true, it's not like a rectagular pool with your basic color walls. I guess I was looking for something different or something else.

Yes, I see you're an AKL lover. I see it on your sig. Yes, perhaps AKL is not for me.

 

[Mymatisse]

I would stay there and just look at the place all day. This resort is gorgeous! And I love the smell as soon as you walk into the lobby. And could just sit in that amazing lobby smelling that huge fire, Jiko, and boma and taking in the sights all day long


I love the AKL! And I haven't even stayed there. It's probably next on our list

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks guys for sharing your thoughts and experience. I think I would try it for one night just to see how it really is. I'm not really an animal lover. I mean I enjoy going to the zoo, I like animals, but I don't have passion for animals. I wouldn't be too surprise if I end up loving this place. I always like to stay somewhere a little different. And different is good from the ordinary.

Just like WL, I never thought I would fall in love with WL. I am not a camping outdorsy kind of girl, but as soon as I walked in the WL lobby, the rest is history! I keep coming back to WL! It's the closest way of me going camping!!

Poly... I knew I was going to fall in love with this resort. The themeing says it all. I am a tropical islander kind of girl. And sure enough, I will coming back for more island feeling!

 

[Connor' Dad]

I like to drink wine and sit on my deck making monkey noises........ ooh ooh, ahh ahh

Nah.... I think I will do something different on vacation.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi Fantasia!

I have to tell ya, I think you would LOVE the AKL! I know how much you love the WL, and the AKL was done by the same architect. It is beautiful. I am not "into" the idea of an African Theme, but it is very tasteful and not over the top. The restaurants at that resort...well, sorry, but they are way better than the restaurants at WL! The Mara is the counter service restaurant, and is fabulous...puts RF to shame! I am CRAZY IN LOVE with Boma and Jiko is out of this world. The only restaurant I really care for at WL is AP, and I can't afford to eat there every night!

The pool at AKL is incredible...the zero entry is so cool! The activities during the day for kids are plentiful. My DD did a safari hunt thingy (forgot the name) and also decorated cookies in the afternoon at Boma. I did the free culinary tour of Boma and Jiko at 4 pm.

Now, since I feel like I "know" your tastes, and you just said you are not crazy about watching so many animals...I highly suggest the POOL VIEW for you. We had a PV booked and got a complimentary upgrade to savannah. I am glad I got it, just to experience it, but next time I will book and KEEP the pool view! You can see a lot more at night (at night the savannah is just dark, whereas the pool view has activity and it lit beautifully.) Plus, during the day, i dunno, please, no flames...but I got kind of bored looking at the animals. I love animals, but I am not into wild animals and I am not a "zoo" person.

The next time we stay there, it will be when we are not going to focus on the parks...like maybe a split stay so that when we are there, we will not leave the resort. We have our car, but when we are at WDW we like to park our car and forget it. We love the boat to MK from the WL...and the boat to the CR where we hop the monorail. AKL is pretty isolated. But it is a great resort just to hang out at.

I am tellin ya...you would love it!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Wow wildernesslodgelover, with your post, you convinced me to try AKL on our next trip... well maybe not in August. In August I already got Poly and POFQ. I mean maybe next year. Just reading your post made me want to try the restaurants there. Wow.. it's like that huh? Put RF to shame! I like how you word it. And the part that you're not a zoo person but you enjoyed the resort. I am also not a zoo person either, so I think the PV would be best for me. Since at WL I like my courtyard view, PV would be the closest to CY view. It has the pool and to watch the folks enjoy themselves is just like having CY view at WL, except for the lake and the gyser.

Yea... you probably know my taste. You seem like you already know I am going to love this place, I probably will!! Thanks!!

 

[Daryl]

Fantasia, I'm kinda with you on this. For years I've been trying to find a good excuse to try out AKL. its just not very close to any place except the AK. I think it would have been great if the hotel design could have allowed for a footpath directly to the AK park. As it is you have to drive or take a bus from the resort. My favorite resorts, GF and the YC, seem right in the middle of the action by comparison. Of course having said that my dinner at Jiko on my only visit to the AKL was fantastic, and I was very impressed with the hotel staff as well as the artwork. Everyone was just so nice. The staff took a lot of time to just talk and answer questions and it was never intrusive. I learned a lot about the native countries of staff members just through casual conversation. It seems like a very relaxing place. Now look at that! I think I've talked myself into giving it a try....maybe just a night or two

 

[*Fantasia*]

Now look at that! I think I've talked myself into giving it a try....maybe just a night or two

Yes! Try it! If I'm trying it, you should too! At least a night or two should be fine. And if we like it, stay longer next time!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Yes, Fantasia...do give it a try. I was unsure, but I could not get a room at WL for Nov 2004, so I "settled" for AKL. Well, I fell in love with the place. DH and I are torn. The only reason I still consider the WL my favorite is location and also theming. Like...if someone offered me an all expense paid trip to the Pacific Northwest OR to Africa...well, I would take the Pacific Northwest. I just like that type of atmosphere. And the location of WL is so great, with the convenience of the boat and all...

The rooms at the AKL are almost identical to WL..no big deal either way, as far as I am concerned.

When I read your post, I got so excited to respond to you, because I can see why you would think you would not care for AKL...I felt that way, too. But you will love it. Plus, you seem to have a positive attitude so I am sure you will have fun no matter where you go!

maybe in August you could go eat at Boma or Jiko and check out the resort?

 

[septbride2002]

I'm not a huge animal lover but I loved AKL. It was the most relaxing trip DH and I ever took to WDW. I love that it is sort of out of the way. The rooms are sort of dark (think WL) as far a lighting which made it so easy to nap the day away. I loved getting a glass of wine from Victoria Falls and sitting out by the fire pit at night. It was great. There are also many nooks and crannies at AKL to discover. The one I liked was near the pool but looked over a savannah. I spent a whole morning over there with my paper and coffee and no one ever distrubed me. Don't feel you need to book a savannah room either, we had a standard room and saw TONS of animals.

The food is incredible! Mara is the bomb! And I like that they serve selections from Boma and Jiko. I had African stew in a bread bowl when we stayed there - Oh. My. Gosh! It was so incredible!

~Amanda