Why are AKL rooms so readily available...?

[Esmerelda]

I have a concern. I am using a TA for the first time ever! I had originally reserved BC/waterview but the price was just waay too high. I have stayed at the BC 3 other times but never paid $300+ for a room. I have always been very blessed with getting a good deal. Apparently there are no good deals this year at the BC? My guess is because of the F/W Festival but the odd thing is we always come at the same time each year? Needless to say, my TA tried to change me to a standard view...no luck. I told her to just change resorts. We wanted WL but got AKL because there was nothing else. I have noticed that Animal Kingdom Lodge always seems to have rooms? That worries me...it is not my first choice for a resort and I'm not sure why? If its such a popular place..why is it the only place that seems to be available?

Please tell me I didn't make a bad choice....also...is there any chance that any other rooms will open up in the next 4 weeks?


Esmerelda

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

When we stayed at AKL in March they were booked 100% for most of our stay. I think it is one of the newest resorts, so people tend to go to old favorites. I agree that that is a high price for the BC. I love it there, but would not pay $300 either.

We loved it at ALK! We had a wonderful savannah view room amd had a great time watching all the animals. One night at dusk, 3 zebras ran at top speed playing and chasing each other for a long time. It was quite a sight! The restaurants are great, and the gift shop is hugh and one of the best at WDW. We really enjoy the Epcot area, but ALK is like a world away.

Read some of the reviews here on the board and I think your fears will be long gone!

 

[Disney Girl #1]

I have no idea why there seems to be more rooms available at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, to me it is the greatest Disney Resort ever built. If you like animals you'll love it. The Savanah's with the beautiful African Animals are so great and I enjoy talking to the Native African CM's posted to the Savanah's to hear their stories of Africa and experiences with animals there. It seems they come to the AKL through an exchange program for a few months and then return to Africa. Where else but Africa can you get an experience like this? As far a getting good rates for October thru December, I just found out on another one of the DIS boards that a new discount code has been released for room only stays. This is code BAT. This might provide you with a better savings. I understand that rooms are going fast with this code, so time is of the essence in booking it. I know it is frusterating when you can get a room type that your looking for but don't give up, keep trying back because sometimes there are openings when people adjust their reservations. Hope this helps! I'm going back in November to AKL and can't wait!!

 

[old lost boy]

Let me start by saying WL and AKL are my favorites. But I think their availability is greater because of convenience. The Magic Kingdom Deluxes (except WL) have the monorail and the Epcot deluxes have Epcot a short walk away. AKL and WL are much more isolated and the transportation isn't as good. Personally, the extra 10 minutes on the bus is well worth the fabulous resorts.

 

[WDWHound]

I think there are several factors at work here:

AKL is bigger tha WL, so it has more rooms available.

AKL is not a monorail or Epcot resort. Some people don't like not being able to walk or monorail to a park.

AKL is new. Repeat visitors seem to have already extablished their favorites at the old resorts and dont want to switch.

You have to go to AKL to see AKL. Every other resort can been seen while going to a park (from the monorail or from the road). AKL is purposefully set apart from everything, which means you only see it if you specifically go there. Out of sight = out of mind.

Despite its greater availablity, AKL is a wonderful resort. I kind off hope it never becomes as popular as the others. That way the rates will remain cheeper and the ressies will remain easier to get.

 

[chyam]

I have often wondered the same thing........it seems the AKL is always available. I have been trying to get a code added to my ressies at the WL with no luck but they always tell me the AKL is available. I just don't like the idea of being what seems like so far away. I like the convenience of the WL to the parks and to DD. Although I may have to bite the bullet on this one if I don't get a code soon added to my ressies, and drop the 2 weeks I have booked at the WL for Oct. and Dec. I have never paid rack rate there and have been going there since it opened 10 years ago.

 

[ead79]

I wasn't crazy about the idea of staying at AKL, but my friend really wanted to stay there so I agreed to it. Boy was I surprised! I'm not a huge animal lover, but I found myself waking up early (another shock--just ask my husband LOL!) to see the animals outside in the early morning hours eating. The resort's theming is amazing, and the lobby is spectacular. Though the transportation is by bus only, we only encountered one even remotely long bus wait (to Downtown Disney late one night). Now AKL is one of my very favorite resorts!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

AKL is our family's favorite resort. We have stayed at Yatch Club, Polynesian, Swan (twice), Dolphin (three times), Caribbean Beach Resort (once), and Animal Kingdom Lodge four times and are returning for our fifth stay at AKL in December. We always prefer either the AKL or one of the Epcot resorts. But, AKL is our all time fav!

 

[johnsonet]

Originally posted by Disney Girl #1
I have no idea why there seems to be more rooms available at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, to me it is the greatest Disney Resort ever built.

I so TOTALLY agree! And I'm glad it's not always fully booked - especially when I got the AP code applied to my reservation the other day One thing is, the "remote" aspect. I think a lot of first-time visitors don't want to feel that they're staying away from the action. Also, it is HUGE - over 1200 rooms, I believe. Whereas, the Beach Club has fewer than 600 rooms.
Try not to worry - AKL is divine

 

[spudnig]

No offense, but at first read, I thought you were kidding. I believe that if you were to track visitor poll's for deluxe resorts, AKL would be number one with GF and WL second and third respectively.

I can't think of any person who has stayed at the AKL who was disappointed with their stay. The resort is like no other on property. From the theme to the animals and the aromas from the outstanding restaurants to the hidden and muted sounds of the African music playing throughout the resort. It is amazing.

Read through some of the posts or check out the photos on this and Debs' site. There is even a video of the resort on this site that you can watch. I assure you, you will not be disappointed and will wonder why you never stayed there before.

Nov. 29th - Dec. 12th. Back in the USA, back in the world. AKL Can't wait!

 

[racheltyler]

We just got back from AKL and just can't keep talking about how wonderful it is there. I agree people must not be sure about staying here because it is new. This resort was hopping with people and activity when we were there recently. I was unsure about staying after hearing you have to like the "African theme". I wasn't sure if I would and now after my experience, I didn't feel you have to like Africa to stay here. It is Disney's best, IMO, magical, gorgeous, wonderful huge pool, foodcourt (which most deluxes are lacking), luxurious rooms, and the animals are a bonus! One thing that I was unsure of also was I heard there were no walking trails here but I didn't notice this, we were always walking on the Arusha Rock lookout area and to all other animal lookouts and paths around pool area. Also used fitness center near poool which was free to all guest which I didn't know.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Originally posted by spudnig
No offense, but at first read, I thought you were kidding. I believe that if you were to track visitor poll's for deluxe resorts, AKL would be number one with GF and WL second and third respectively.

There was a survey a few months ago, and Disney hired an independent research firm to administer the survey.
Question: What is your favorite Walt Disney World Resort?
1.) Wilderness Lodge Resort
2.) Polynesian Resort
3.) Animal Kingdom Lodge

I believe the room availability is one reason size:

BoardWalk Inn: 378 rooms
Beach Club: 583 rooms
Yacht Club: 630 rooms
Wilderness Lodge: 728 rooms
Polynesian Resort: 853 rooms
Grand Floridian Beach Resort: 900 rooms
Contemporary Resort: 1046 rooms
Animal Kingdome Lodge: 1307 rooms
So with three times the number of rooms as Beach Club, and twice as many as a few other deluxe resorts...I believe that would be the reason. Not that guest don't enjoy the AKL.

(I loved staying there and I'm trying to get a discount to stay concierge to do the Safari)