AKL really impressed me

[durangojim]

We had stayed there twice, each for 2-3 nights. Once in 2011 and 2005. Our experiences were good but not great. We stayed there last week for 2 nights with a pool view reservation and the AP discount. I still feel that the hotel is too far out of the way from the rest of WDW to have the same Disney World feeling to us, however the staff was excellent. On arrival we were upgraded to an Arusha Savannah (the most expensive) view room without asking which our kids loved. We had lunch reservations at Sanaa and when the hostess didn't seat us and realized someone else had been given our table, she apologized profusely and after finding out we had tables in Wonderland she said she would "take care of us". I didn't know what that meant at the time but found out at the end of the meal that it meant our $100+ meal was paid for entirely by Disney (I still left a $20 tip because I didn't want the server to be penalized). So huge kudos to the staff of AKL for still acting like the WDW of old. Just wish AKL was on a lake or within walking distance to a park.

 

[belledream]

Imagine if there was a walking path to AK. with a few displays or animal themes benches here and there. That'd be awesome! I know they can't have that but it'd truly make AKL a Deluxe IMO.

I'd love to stay there one day. Glad you had a great experience!

 

[Much-Pixie-Dust]

We love staying there. Just got back last week from a stay and I agree that all of the staff are very nice. They act happy and want to help you. On Father's Day, they were wishing Dad's a happy day and it felt genuine. Concierge was great and we are always impressed with the leaders of the cultural programs. They are a lot of fun and great to chat with about where they live in Africa.

It's our home resort and we love it there. We spend as much or more time there than we do in the parks. It is remote, but that is one of the reasons we love it. It's kind of like having two vacations. The hotel and then the resorts. We rent a car and drive to the parks, so we can be to the TTC in about 10 minutes.

Glad you loved it too.

 

[jpittore1]

All the reasons we bought into the DVC at AKL...don't forget Boma and Jiko - yum

 

[tigger1968]

I had stayed at AKL twice over the years and loved it. The cast there has always been amazing. On my previous trip, I had extended family with us, including my mother, who had mobility issues. I had requested a room near the lobby and upon arrival we ended up with a room much farther away. I went back to the front desk and explained the situation. The CM was totally apologetic and worked with a manager to get us moved to a closer room. We were blown away at how fast they acted and how professional and courteous they were. Of course, everyone loved the resort.

Last year I took my girlfriend to her first trip to WDW in 15 years, and her first on property stay. It was my third trip to AKL. We had booked Pool View. Showed up, had an amazing CM at check in who upgraded us to Arusha, and we had an amazing time as I knew we would. Every CM interaction we had was great, and of course, the resort was amazing. My girlfriend was completely blown away by the resort and staff. And the giraffes.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

This is great to hear. We will be staying at AKL for the first time in a few months, quite honestly because we were gifted DVC points by my mom and it was the only DVC that was available during the dates we wanted so we took it. I've always been hesitant about AKL because it's a delux with no special transportation like all the other deluxes and I always felt like its not too close to anything. But it does have the savannah and great dining. Now that we've researched it and have Boma reservations, we are actually very excited to stay here for the first time. Hoping for a great stay.

 

[ToTBellHop]

We had stayed there twice, each for 2-3 nights. Once in 2011 and 2005. Our experiences were good but not great. We stayed there last week for 2 nights with a pool view reservation and the AP discount. I still feel that the hotel is too far out of the way from the rest of WDW to have the same Disney World feeling to us, however the staff was excellent. On arrival we were upgraded to an Arusha Savannah (the most expensive) view room without asking which our kids loved. We had lunch reservations at Sanaa and when the hostess didn't seat us and realized someone else had been given our table, she apologized profusely and after finding out we had tables in Wonderland she said she would "take care of us". I didn't know what that meant at the time but found out at the end of the meal that it meant our $100+ meal was paid for entirely by Disney (I still left a $20 tip because I didn't want the server to be penalized). So huge kudos to the staff of AKL for still acting like the WDW of old. Just wish AKL was on a lake or within walking distance to a park.

Sounds like you just got extremely lucky with freebies. Wonder how you would feel with a "ho-hum" visit where you merely get the room you paid for and the food you paid for.

 

[durangojim]

Sounds like you just got extremely lucky with freebies. Wonder how you would feel with a "ho-hum" visit where you merely get the room you paid for and the food you paid for.

We've had plenty of those at most resorts including the 3 nights we stayed at WL right after AKL, although they did honor a room request that I had to have a room with a view of Bay Lake. I don't think any visit to WDW is just "ho hum". My guess is that if we had stayed with the pool view room that we paid for, we would have still enjoyed our stay but my kids would not have been as excited. Also, if the management at Sanaa didn't do anything for us, I would have been peeved and probably would never have gone back. They went above and beyond. I would have been happy with a free desert or appetizer. We've stayed at enough WDW resorts (mostly deluxes) to know that it's the staff that can really make or break a guest's experience, not just the resort itself.

 

[Rob562]

Imagine if there was a walking path to AK. with a few displays or animal themes benches here and there. That'd be awesome! I know they can't have that but it'd truly make AKL a Deluxe IMO.

I'd love to stay there one day. Glad you had a great experience!

The problem is that such a walk would be about 1.1 miles each way from near the AKL bus stops to the front gates of AK... (Though that's about the exact same distance from the International Gateway to the Studios gates when cutting through Boardwalk)

-Rob

 

[durangojim]

The problem is that such a walk would be about 1.1 miles each way from near the AKL bus stops to the front gates of AK... (Though that's about the exact same distance from the International Gateway to the Studios gates when cutting through Boardwalk)

-Rob

As someone who does that walk when we stay at the BC, it'd be nice to have the option.

 

[Rob562]

As someone who does that walk when we stay at the BC, it'd be nice to have the option.

Yeah, but unlike the walk to the Studios, there is *nothing* along the way. If something were to happen mid-walk there isn't really any civilization nearby. At least along the Studios path you have hotels, parking lots and the Studios bus stops nearby.

-Rob

 

[ToTBellHop]

We've had plenty of those at most resorts including the 3 nights we stayed at WL right after AKL, although they did honor a room request that I had to have a room with a view of Bay Lake. I don't think any visit to WDW is just "ho hum". My guess is that if we had stayed with the pool view room that we paid for, we would have still enjoyed our stay but my kids would not have been as excited. Also, if the management at Sanaa didn't do anything for us, I would have been peeved and probably would never have gone back. They went above and beyond. I would have been happy with a free desert or appetizer. We've stayed at enough WDW resorts (mostly deluxes) to know that it's the staff that can really make or break a guest's experience, not just the resort itself.

Oh, I agree. We encountered HORRIBLE staff at the Contemporary and have no need to return (even if it does have a beautiful view of the MK and the walking path to the park is a great perk). Staff was just wonderful when we went to Wilderness Lodge in January and we simply can't wait to go back there.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Yeah, but unlike the walk to the Studios, there is *nothing* along the way. If something were to happen mid-walk there isn't really any civilization nearby. At least along the Studios path you have hotels, parking lots and the Studios bus stops nearby.

-Rob

A river with a boat would have been a better option. Of course, building a river isn't cheap. Early-1990s Disney would have done it. But not early 2000s Disney. It is uniquely sucky (and surprising) that AKL was allowed to be built with only bus transportation, something that isn't true of any of the other deluxe resorts (DVCs notwithstanding).

 

[durangojim]

A river with a boat would have been a better option. Of course, building a river isn't cheap. Early-1990s Disney would have done it. But not early 2000s Disney. It is uniquely sucky (and surprising) that AKL was allowed to be built with only bus transportation, something that isn't true of any of the other deluxe resorts (DVCs notwithstanding).

I think a really long zipline from AKL to AK would work, or even better a gondola like on ski slopes.

 

[fbp]

I think a really long zipline from AKL to AK would work, or even better a gondola like on ski slopes.

A gondola would be amazing!

Or if I could ride an ostrich. Only if they ostrich were into it though.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

That's awesome .

 

[JasonDeyoung]

I've only stayed there once last month for the Everest challenge andi had always heard good things. It's a beautiful resort, the theming is awesome the pool is great the safaris viewing is very cool and the buss system runs possibly the smoothiest I've had at a wdw resort. Yes, it is out in no mans land which did get annoying at times but not enough to ruin a trip. I'd defstay there again, I had a pool view and was pretty cool. Defiantly a place you should try once. Also I agree with a comment above, a walk way to AK would add a big + to it granted it would be a it of a walk it not horrible

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

Having stayed twice at AKL(once in lodge and once at Kidani Village) we love the place. We see the location as a plus actually. After a busy day at the parks or DTD and having all things DISNEY pretty much shoved down your throat... it is a nice change of pace to return to a resort that does not have that at the same level as most of the others.

 

[steviej]

I stayed at AKL once and enjoyed it. I found the cm's nicer than usual. The only drawback for me was the walk. BEing DVC I usually stay at OKW, and love parking right outside my room, but at AKL, after walking all day in the parks, it felt like a whole other walk there. At the end of the day though, Id stay at AKL again.

 

[totaldisneygirl]

We've stayed there before with a Savanna view and we LOVED it as well! The theming is great, waking up to giraffes right outside our window was great, and their restaurant Jiko is AMAZING! Sometimes if we're in Orlando, we'll go to Jiko for a meal. My only fault with it is that it is a little remote from things like Animal Kingdom is, and it is a bus only transportation resort but I am a little spoiled because I just love the monorail