64 Days to the AKL About This Page:

[AKLRULZ]

We are at 64 days until our next trip to WDW and we (Dad, Mom and three kids) are alreading bouncing off the walls.

Help! I haven't heard much about the AKL in recent posts? Anyone been there since the resort fully opened? I've heard a lot about the food, but what about room recommendations? We're in a Deluxe Savanna - any tips? Also, what are your thoughts on the pool? And does the resort seems isolated?

Thanks!

[bfth]

Ok, I was there when the resort wasn't fully opened, but we enjoyed it tremendously.

Yes, the restaurant, Boma, had the best breakfast I've ever had on property (probably period).

We have a regular savannah view and what can I say, but WOW!


The pool? It was ok. I wasn't overly thrilled with it. It's not very deep. Ok, so at it's deepest, I couldn't touch (but I'm just 5 ft), but hubby was only up to his chest.

It is isolated from the rest of "the world" and that's a plus in my book. You forget about everything and just enjoy the peace of AKL.

Feel free to email with any questions!

[CU Tigger]

Beth,

I'm going to be in a regular savannah room in October. Is there any particular trail or side of the lodge I should think about requesting? How important is proximity to the elevator? Is one floor better than the others as far as viewing the animals?

[DVC_Don]

We stopped at the AKL to look around on our last day at WDW. That is one nice lobby. Almost as good as the WL. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] We had lunch there, but the only restaurant open was Mara, the quick-service one. Actually it was pretty good. One thing though, the place seemed deserted during the hour or so that we were ther. We did go out to the viewing area to look at the Savanna, but ony saw three giraffes. That may be due to the heat of the day though. It is one nice looking resort though. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[AKLRULZ]

Beth, I, too, would be interested in knowing more about which trail is better and which side of the resort.

Thanks - we cannot wait. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[dsny4me]

There are three savannahs with animals at the AKL, so no matter which trail you are on, you will be overlooking one of the three savannahs. The animals are taken off the savannahs and back to their barns for their daily check-ups and training, so that is why the savannahs seem deserted during the late morning to mid-afternoon.

The deluxe savannah rooms are on the 5th floor.

[Ears42]

We will be at the AKL in 18 days. I would be happy to report on it as soon as we get back. Give me couple of days do laundry and I promise to have the first installment of my trip report up by October 6.

We are spending our first night of a ten day trip at AKL. We are taking our almost three year old and staying in a Savanah view room. We have PS for dinner and breakfast at Boma. We plan on spending the day at the resort and using the pool. I'm so excited I can't sit still writing this. I promise to give a full report when we get back.

Janet
18 days to go!

[pilferk]

We (my wife and I) will be there in just under 18 days. Way back when Jennifer and Dave did their initial report on AKL, I asked a very similar question. Here was Jennifer's Answer:

This is easy: all rooms on the fifth floor in either Zebra Trail or
Kudu Trail are deluxe savannah rooms. We recommend you simply request
the trail (Zebra or Kudu) you prefer rather than room number, as that
should be easier for the cast members to do for you. We LOVED our
deluxe room on the Zebra Trail (5235).

Hope this helps!


Back to my words, now. We prefered Zebra Trail, with a view of the Arusha savannah (someone told us, I believe, that that was the odd numbered rooms, but I don't have that email right in front of me)....

[HiddenMickey]

We just got back a few weeks ago. Loved the resort. We had a room on the Zebra Trail overlooking the Uzima savanna (faces east). We wandered all over the resort but were really glad to be on the side near the pool and food places since we used them alot. No need to go through the lobby to get to anything except the bus stops. Nice elevator ride to the 1st floor (fast elevators). Our room was on the 4th floor (5422) and overlooked a watering hole and several feeding stations. The animals were most active during the afternoons and we never really saw them in the early morning or after bedtime.

If you have any specific questions, just ask. -HiddenMickey

[mitra]

Hidden Mickey, can you please answer my questions on AKL:
I have heard that the transportation from AKL is not good - is this true ? I plan to visit the water parks frequently during my stay.
Also, can you sleep two adults and three children age 4, 6, 11 in one room there?
[img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[AKLRULZ]

Mitra - you'll have to go for a Deluxe room. I, too, have three kids ages 9, 7, and 4 and only a Deluxe room will accommodate us (and you). Our room has one queen, a bunk (which the kids are excited about, and a daybed. The room size is a little bit larger and the Deluxe rooms are on the 5th and 6th floors.

Can't comment on the bus service - but I haven't heard anyone complain about it.

Anyway - it's no longer 64 days - we're down to 42! Whoo!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Prov 18:10

[HiddenMickey]

Dadtojb is right about the rooms....only the deluxe rooms will accomodate 5 people. We had great bus service while there. Had very short waits or the bus was already waiting almost every time we went to a stop (both departing AKL and coming back from the parks). The only time we had a real wait was leaving Blizzard Beach, when we waited about 15 minutes around lunchtime. The buses were never full and we never had to stand....great treat. Loved AKL! -HiddenMickey

[AKLRULZ]

That's good to hear about the bus service to AKL. We always rent a car while at Disney, but sometime the bus service can be more convenient! Glad you enjoyed your stay there - we cannot wait!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Prov 18:10

[CU Tigger]

Not to make you jealous or anything [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] , but my AKL vacation is only 31 days away! This is great information regarding room placement. Janet, I've not been to the Trip Report board in awhile, but I'm looking forward to reading your trip report.

[DisneyFan]

Just returned from AKL on 9/9. I had planned on writing a great trip report and now I can hardly remember the vacation. Too much has passed since then.
We were in room 5221 which was right next to the Presidential Suite and on the Kudu Trail. Our friends were in 5223(adjoining rm) which was the same except that it was 1 Queen size bed with the bunks, and ours was 2 dbls. Since they have a little one with them they took the room with the bunk beds in 5223.
This is a wonderful property, absolutely amazing. We saw the Zebra, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Ankole Cattle and the Pelicans each day from our balcony. Just got the pics back and they are great.
We were booked for the Grand Floridian in December and I called on 9/10 and changed us to the AKL. We liked it so much. It's very peaceful and relaxing thee.
Boma for dinner was excellent. We never did get there for breakfast.
Bus transportation was a breeze. We had a car, but only used it to go to downtown Disney when it was pouring rain. Otherwise there wasn't much need. I'd say the ride to MK is about 12mins. Buses are frequent and the crowds were sparse this time of year. Probably more so now then the first of Sept.
This resort has quickly moved to the top of my list. We were in a deluxe room and at least for 2 of us was more space then we needed. Excellent service all the way around. Everyone is very friendly.
DisneyFan