Dillema

R

Rocabilly

New Member
Original Poster
Ok, so I posted a thread in regards to me wanting to surprise my girlfriend and upgrade our package, I followed through and upgraded to AKL, but today, I'd been reading all sorts of bad reviews saying that the bus times can be really bad and that it takes quite a while to get anywhere, so I called up again and upgraded to a Saratoga one bed villa. But now, again, I'm seeing bad things about bus waits and the sorts.

So I'm looking for some help, whether it be a reasurance that all will be good, or maybe some advice. If I change package again I'll have to pay a fee, so I'd rather not do that.

We'll be there in September if that alters anything. I'm just a little worried because I'm so used to POFQ and I'm worried I won't enjoy it as much in comparison.

Also, are the gym facilities included?

Thanks you everyone!
 
Andrew C

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
I have never stayed at ALK but heard great things. If you stay there, be sure to try Sanaa if you haven't before. Great food.
 
jpittore1

jpittore1

Well-Known Member
We bought into the vacation club because of Animal Kingdom Lodge. Boma, Jiko and Sanaa are all great restaurants. There are great activities to do at the resort too. We found that the transportation is very good to AKL. When coming home from the parks at night we never have to wait to a bus and if we see the bus is filling up, there is usually already one waiting so we have never stood going back at night. Truthfully the only long ride is from the Magic Kingdom and it is approx 15 minutes
 
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Sparkle81

Sparkle81

Well-Known Member
I've never stayed at AKL but I've heard wonderful things.
We stayed in a one bed villa at Saratoga Springs and loved it. So spacious, peaceful and relaxing :)
 
R

Rocabilly

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks for all your replies so quickly!

I think my biggest worry is that staying at French Quarters, which is reasonably small and compact, I might find the bigger resort harder to cope with.
 
L

Lauren2288

New Member
Can't comment on AKL (other than the lobby being quite spectacular and Boma being great!) but I've stayed at Saratoga a few times and love it. Last time I stayed there was October just gone during F+W and buses weren't always great (we did wait about 45 mins for MK one day and the bus was so full by then that the driver missed out a lot of hotel stops, so hope those people didn't have dinner reservations!) but I stayed in Sept '09 and they couldn't have been any better. Perhaps this was due to a busier time of the year?
Rooms have always been immaculate and the one slight issue we had with the air con was sorted almost as soon as it was logged. We request a room at the Paddock- quick service counter and decent sized pool in this area and only a 5minute walk across the lake and you're at the main lobby/gym. Also only a 10 minute walk to downtown, although a bit of a trek if you're wanting to take a boatride. Areas close to Downtown have a great view and a quieter pool so depends what you're after really.
Never stayed at Old Key West but I'd choose Saratoga for the walking distance to downtown alone.
Hope this helps!
 
lostpro9het

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Stayed at AKL in September and during the week of Christmas, the bus wait times are, IMO, over exaggerated. We NEVER waited 10 minutes or more for a bus to get us and the bus trips to parks were not that bad either. We've also stayed at SSR during Christmas and during May. IMO, the bus wait times are roughly the same as AKL BUT you then have to go through all the stops at the resort.

Again IMO, AKL is the way to go especially if you can secure a savanna view.
 
mouse_luv

mouse_luv

Well-Known Member
AKL is great. And SSR has many perks and it's close enough you can walk to DTD(Disney Springs) Depending where you are staying there. If the choice comes down to SSR or OKW tho, I'd choose SSR. Have fun!
 
coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
We have stayed at AKL more than a few times and have had our share of long waits for buses; however, it cannot take away from all the great things you have at that resort! In fact, we will be spending part of our summer stay there again! The rides to the parks from AKL really aren't that bad. If busing is your biggest concern, then I'd say look into WL. Its a short boat ride (or bus to MK) and similar in price to AKL. If you don't mind the walk, the BW, BC and YC are all walking distance to Epcot and HS. Whatever you choose, have a great trip! I'm sure your girlfriend will appreciate the extra effort!
 
slappy magoo

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
The one serious negative about the switch is that, IMHO, Animal Kingdom Lodge is a much more romantic resort than SSR. However, by upgrading to a 1BR villa, you'll have a washer and dryer, and you'll be able to do laundry without having to take an afternoon and haul it to the laundry room, and nothing...NOTHING is more romantic than clean underwear.

As far as bus service, AKL is all the way on the west side of property and SSR is all the way on the east side of property, so it's got longer bus rides than most other deluxe resorts. It is totally random how good or bad the bus service is, IMHO, there can be a bad day on any given day. SSR, it's a little rougher because the resort is so much more spread out and there are more stops, but on the flip side, you're walking distance to DtD, with buses to all the other resorts (making visiting other hotels and making meal reservations easier) and whatever action there may be at Downtown Disney. For all the romance Animal Kingdom Lodge exudes from its pores, it is more isolated, so you need a bus or your own car (or a cab) to do anything at all outside the resort itself.

Stop sweating the switch. Every resort has pros and cons, focus on the pros, they're there.
 
Princess Sara

Princess Sara

New Member
We have stayed at SSR every September for the last 5 years and love it. We have never had an issue with the bus service and found it better than the other resorts we have stayed in POFQ and CB. Enjoy x
 
jlsHouston

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
I'm at Saratoga Springs for the first time and so far the bus service has been excellent. Caught the bus to Epcot around 6 this evening after less than a 5 minute wait. Left HS right before the fireworks were starting and minutes after I got to the stop bus pulled up. Can't get much better than those wait times!
Stayed at AKL once and loved the resort in general but was unhappy with the room and spotty wifi. With the wifi enhanced everywhere on property I'm sure this would no longer be an issue.
I can't see how any deluxe would not be an upgrade on a mod.
 
Gabe1

Gabe1

Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
coachwnh said:
We have stayed at AKL more than a few times and have had our share of long waits for buses; however, it cannot take away from all the great things you have at that resort!
Click to expand...

Spot on.

We too have had long waits for buses staying at the lodge but it is a trade off. This is the resort that we budget a few taxi rides for and let me tell you, very worth it. We've even hopped on a bus to a resort in the vicinity of AKL and then Taxi'd the rest of the way. Mornings at prime time it can be long but you still have your whole day in front of you. Night, well that is when we opted a few times to treat ourselves to a Taxi. Most ran $25 to $30. Just don't get in a gypsy taxi, Disney has anointed ones that are operated by Mears and Bell Hop will call one forward at any resort. Coming out of the MK take the first boat to any resort and hop a taxi or after Illuminations go to Boardwalk and hop a Taxi.

I'd go with AKL if you want to treat her to something special this trip. The pool in the evening is charming.
 

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