Bus service AKL

[NelleBelle]

For those who e stayed at AKL, what is the bus service like for pick-up? Do they pick-up at Jambo first or Kidani? Thinking hard about potentially switching our resort from YC to AKL for the awesome AP rate. But since my mom
Is going to have a scooter, not sure if it’s worth it?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I stayed at Kidani last summer and in the morning Kidani and Jambo had their own buses to the parks. On the way back from the parks they stopped at Kidani first then Jambo but if coming from/to Disney Springs the bus stopped at Jambo first.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I stayed at Kidani last summer and in the morning Kidani and Jambo had their own buses to the parks. On the way back from the parks they stopped at Kidani first then Jambo but if coming from/to Disney Springs the bus stopped at Jambo first.

This was our experience as well, although we had shared buses some mornings. Kidani was always first pickup and first dropoff coming to/from the parks, which meant that we (who stayed at Jambo) were often left standing on the buses to the parks because most or all seats were taken before they got to us. For that reason, if someone in your group needs a scooter, Kidani might be more convenient.

That being said, the buses were frequent and regular, and we never had to wait more than a few minutes for one. While feeling "distant" is sometimes a complaint about AKL, we didn't feel we spent more time on transportation there than at other onsite hotels. We absolutely LOVED AKL and would recommend it to anyone. Best food of any onsite resort, amazing savannah views from many common areas and Sanaa, lovely rooms, and breathtaking lobbies...

 

[NelleBelle]

We’ve stayed AKL Jambo years ago before Kidani was built and LOVED it! I loved the savanah view room we had, the pool, the food (my mom isn’t a huge fan but looking at getting a 1 bdrm). Thanks for the info on the buses!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

After I read @Weather_Lady 's post, I was very pleased at the frequency of the buses at AK: Kidani. I had read about how terrible the buses were and how far away from everything it was but I didn't have that experience. I was actually worried about the lack of the queue line for the bus, it makes me anxious when there isn't an organized line for the buses but the stops at Kidani weren't crowded and people were respectful of who was there first and all that which isn't my experience at other deluxe and moderates.

 

[NelleBelle]

After doing some math, switching to AKL from YC will save me $2000 using my new AP discount! That even includes my mom’s PH ticket! This switch more than paid for my incredipass today Will miss the walkability/proximity to HS and Epcot but love the atmosphere that you get at AKL.

Oh and for those who have stayed recently, what ”floor” is considered ground so that if we want to avoid taking the elevator to our room (pain in the rear with a scooter)? Is it 2nd floor?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

After doing some math, switching to AKL from YC will save me $2000 using my new AP discount! That even includes my mom’s PH ticket! This switch more than paid for my incredipass today Will miss the walkability/proximity to HS and Epcot but love the atmosphere that you get at AKL.

Oh and for those who have stayed recently, what ”floor” is considered ground so that if we want to avoid taking the elevator to our room (pain in the rear with a scooter)? Is it 2nd floor?

3rd floor is lobby level and where you'd enter coming in from the bus stop. 1st floor is actual ground level on the back side of the building, which is where you'd get to restaurants, including QS, and the pool. QS access is outside, but covered.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

This was our experience as well, although we had shared buses some mornings.

Yeah I think it's seasonal depending on how busy they are. I've seen days where they share buses for everything, days when they don't share buses at all, days when they share buses midday but not at park opening and closing, and days where they share buses for everything except Magic Kingdom.

 

[Ayla]

After doing some math, switching to AKL from YC will save me $2000 using my new AP discount! That even includes my mom’s PH ticket! This switch more than paid for my incredipass today Will miss the walkability/proximity to HS and Epcot but love the atmosphere that you get at AKL.

Oh and for those who have stayed recently, what ”floor” is considered ground so that if we want to avoid taking the elevator to our room (pain in the rear with a scooter)? Is it 2nd floor?

Third floor is lobby.

 

[jaklgreen]

Jambo house is first except to Disney Springs.

 

[vettechgirl]

I have stayed there several times over the years and have loved the bus service. They ran frequently and always had room. If you can swing it, go for it. It is an amazing resort to stay at. Very peaceful and relaxing.

 

[bpiper]

I wife has a saying, "There is always a bus to the lodge" when we are leaving the park. If not, the wait is very short.

 

[NelleBelle]

Thanks all! I remember that you definitely entered a level or two above (but it's been years since we stayed there and it was a split stay after doing the marathon, so my brain doesn't quite remember all the details from then)! But this helps for room requests

 

[nickys]

Jambo house is first except to Disney Springs.

Your reply is contradicting @Weather_Lady who said Kidani was first. When were you there?

 

[nickys]

I wife has a saying, "There is always a bus to the lodge" when we are leaving the park. If not, the wait is very short.

The worst experience we had staying at AKL was waiting for a bus from AK! We waited at least 40 minutes, it was torture. Other people waiting with us said it wasn’t usually that bad.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Your reply is contradicting @Weather_Lady who said Kidani was first. When were you there?

We were there in 2019, but every source I can find on blogs and message boards from 2023 says they still run the same way, with Kidani being the first pickup and dropoff to/from all parks (and Jambo first to/from Disney Springs).

 

[nickys]

We were there in 2019, but every source I can find on blogs and message boards from 2023 says they still run the same way, with Kidani being the first pickup and dropoff to/from all parks (and Jambo first to/from Disney Springs).

I agree.

 

[Doberge]

Regarding the scooter, your group would board ahead of other guests so that makes Jambo a little easier with a shared bus than it might otherwise be. At Jambo you'd only really have a problem if all ECV spots filled at Kidani, but I don't think this would happen often so I'd choose based on other factors (splash pad, view, quick service needs, etc).

 

[jaklgreen]

Your reply is contradicting @Weather_Lady who said Kidani was first. When were you there?

You are right, I was thinking the opposite building for some reason. They do go to Kidani first for everything except DS.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

We were there in 2019, but every source I can find on blogs and message boards from 2023 says they still run the same way, with Kidani being the first pickup and dropoff to/from all parks (and Jambo first to/from Disney Springs).

Regarding the scooter, your group would board ahead of other guests so that makes Jambo a little easier with a shared bus than it might otherwise be. At Jambo you'd only really have a problem if all ECV spots filled at Kidani, but I don't think this would happen often so I'd choose based on other factors (splash pad, view, quick service needs, etc).

You are right, I was thinking the opposite building for some reason. They do go to Kidani first for everything except DS.

And depending on.... something?... time of day? season? crowd levels? staffing?... there are conflicting reports about whether to expect a dedicated shuttle between the buildings versus just using the parks busses to get between them.