Considering AKL - thoughts?

We have visited most of the resorts at this point (although only stayed at a couple) and AKL was one of the ones that after visiting I knew made it to my someday I have to stay here list. We've stayed there twice now and absolutely love it. Although a little longer to MK, we didn't find the bus rides to be too bad for the most part (there was one night our first trip that the wait for the bus from Epcot to AKL was horrendous, but we didn't see that happen on our second trip, so I think it was a fluke). We were there last summer with our two year old and didn't find the bus rides to be too long even with him. The cast members, architecture and theming in general are amazing, and we love the restaurants. We visited Kidani Village on our last two trips and I think that will be our next Deluxe resort to try. But I would whole heartedly recommend giving AKL a chance. As someone else has said, if you have a Savanah view room, having coffee on your balcony watching the giraffes and other animals is a truly incredible experience.

AKL is one of my favorites. My biggest dislike is that it's such a great resort that I find we don't spend as much time at the parks as we might on other trips because we don't want to miss out on anything at the resort. But is that really a disadvantage? Seriously, although the CS, Mara, is one of my favorites, for its offerings, the way it's run, where people stand in line, order while the CM writes it down, then wait for their food, makes it extremely slow.

Thanks for all the replies! We booked AKL for our trip!! I am excited. The kids will love it. We're planning a day at the resort to explore and such. Now I need to start counting down. 10 months to go. 😃

I love AKL and can't wait to visit it again. I like Jambo House better than Kidani, though I did want to mention one thing. ONE time we had a horrid experience with the buses to Hollywood Studios. The bus wasn't showing up. The cast member that was stationed at the parking area kept saying that one was on its way but none ever arrived. It turns out that the bus was filling up at Kidani and skipping the Jambo stop because there was no room. We hopped onto a Downtown Disney bus, got off at Kidani and got on the next bus to HS (which skipped Jambo as well). That's the only time that has ever happened, and I've stayed there multiple times, but if it's something you're worried about it's really not that long of a walk to the Kidani bus stop (or take the Downtown Disney bus to it) and then you'll be the first pick up location for the parks.

mydisneygirls;2486424 wrote: Now this is just my opinion, but when we entered the lobby, I found it to be dark and unappealing (to me).

Now that we've stayed there I can say I agree with you on this.

TheHD;2486429 wrote: We ended up with a Savannah view and found it to be our most favorite stay of all-time. Being able to relax and watch the animals from your balcony just separated it apart from any other stay.

This was my most favorite thing. We would return midday for naptime for DS and he would eat a snack on the balcony and it was so peaceful and quiet in comparison the parks.

mechanic;2486434 wrote: Love akl. Lowest priced deluxe usually. Very friendly, first class staff. Great service. Immaculate grounds. Long walk to bus stop from some areas. One of the best gift shops at wdw. Bus rides are longer, but mostly just to mk.
Highly recommended at least once. Twice for us so far.

We stayed last month and viewing the animals was a plus; however, DH and I decided it is likely a one-time stay for us. The room was small, staff was not as cheery and attentive as expected. At check-in we were not cheerfully greeted at the counter and were not given the details of the resort (schedule, where things are located, etc.), mousekeeping was great the first day but late every other day (we returned for naptime between 2-3 every afternoon and the room had not been serviced (except the first day) but when I called for service they came quickly though).

deedee73;2486444 wrote: Just remember while the AKL is further from MK, it is the closest of any resort to AK.

The ride time to AK was AWESOME. Less than 5 minutes we were going through back check. :thumbsup:
The rides to other parks and Disney Springs was not terrible. Around 20 minutes at most.

Cinderelley;2486458 wrote: I loved rocking in the rocking chairs.

We loved the rocking chairs too. :thumbsup:

WiltonJohn;2486476 wrote: It was fantastic. Sitting there having breakfast at the room watching the giraffes and other animals out of the room balcony each morning......... priceless.

Loved this too. Best part of the whole stay.

WiltonJohn;2486476 wrote: Mara is "OK".

I completely agree. We ate here twice and were disappointed.

AgentC;2486519 wrote: Sizewise both Wilderness Lodge and AKL have smaller standard rooms than the other deluxe resorts. My kids particularly like the bunk bed rooms.

We had bunk beds and my kids liked that too. :mickey: However, we also noticed the room felt smaller than when we stayed at Coronado Springs on our last trip.

AgentC;2486519 wrote: The resort is very tranquil and the animals are a great plus. One of our favorite activities is night viewing and talking to the cast members from Africa. We have never stayed in a Savannah room but still enjoy the resort. If the Savannah rooms are too expensive, the pool rooms are a nice option especially since they are very centrally located at Jambo.

We booked pool view and were upgraded to Savannah View. Score. :thumbsup::mickey:

i treated use to two days and loved it! There is nothing - I mean NOTHING - like sitting on your balcony watching giraffes on a savannah. Or if you don't have Savannah view - using the lovely public viewing areas. They have a great pool, great food choices etc. We have only ever stayed POR or CBR so I certainly didn't notice the buses at AKL taking any longer than that. I highly recommend it! I think it also has about the best chance of an upgrade - we booked pool view but got Savannah.

j2k;2502945 wrote:

I completely agree. We ate here twice and were disappointed.

On Mara being just OK - I guess that depends where you normally eat. We found it head and shoulders over the food courts at the moderates! Small, but much more interesting choices, and they even give you a beeper instead of making you stand and wait for your food!

mydisneygirls;2486424 wrote: We have never stayed at AKL but have visited the resort. The main reason for not looking to stay is because of the distance it is from the parks. I was also talking to a travel agent friend of mine who stayed there and he didn't care for it. He said the rooms are smaller than other resorts he's stayed at. Now this is just my opinion, but when we entered the lobby, I found it to be dark and unappealing (to me). Even the grounds outside didn't do anything for me. I know a lot of people rave about Boma but it wasn't my cup of tea. I'm glad we visited the resort because I now know it's not on my Disney bucket list! We usually stay at the Poly or WL which are our two favorite resorts. This year because the amount of people in our party, we are staying at the cabins in Fort Wilderness. It looks like it should be fun!!

This just struck me as a good example of "to each his own". I know people love Wilderness Lodge, but I would never, ever stay there. Just as you visited AKL and didn't like it, I had to visit WL - but my problem with it is that I live in the Canadian Rockies and found it to be JUST LIKE HOME. LOL - no kidding - it felt to me like a camping trip ;-)

mom2morgan;2502948 wrote: On Mara being just OK - I guess that depends where you normally eat. We found it head and shoulders over the food courts at the moderates! Small, but much more interesting choices, and they even give you a beeper instead of making you stand and wait for your food!

We agree 100%. Mara is by far our favorite resort counter service. We really enjoy the selection of sandwiches, flat breads, soups, and goodies.