Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[Shanti]

Can you request a microwave?

I don't know. I've read posts by people who have done this a few years ago, but don't know if it's still possible, and even at that time, it might not have been available at every resort.

 

[Doug S]

Can you request a microwave?

You can, but there's no guarantee.

 

[disnmooner2013]

You can, but there's no guarantee.

Thanks

 

[tseitel]

A few questions from an AKL newbie-
1. On an 8am MK opening time, what time do you recommend being at the bus stop?
2. We are doing a split stay. On the day we are "moving" do you recommend taking our bags down to bell service for transfer, or setting up a time the night before for them to come up to the room in the am?
3. If having bell service come up, is it your experience that they are on time?

TIA!!!

 

[jvattes]

A few questions from an AKL newbie-
1. On an 8am MK opening time, what time do you recommend being at the bus stop?
2. We are doing a split stay. On the day we are "moving" do you recommend taking our bags down to bell service for transfer, or setting up a time the night before for them to come up to the room in the am?
3. If having bell service come up, is it your experience that they are on time?

TIA!!!

1. Buses begin running an hour (or more) ahead. If you're looking to be one of the first, I would try to grab one of the first buses. I might be out there 6:30-6:45 for that purpose. Otherwise, if you just want to get there at 0800, 7:00-7:15 might be just fine. It's a 20 minute ride once you get on a bus, so figure that plus wait time, plus time to clear bag check.
2. It would be easiest probably to bring your bags yourself. I did not know this was an option on our split stay and we waited a LONG time for them to come get our bags (ASSports) because the resort was very busy that morning.
3. I'm not sure you can prearrange a time. My husband called early in the a.m. and was told to call back when we were ready for them to be picked up.

 

[disnmooner2013]

1. Buses begin running an hour (or more) ahead. If you're looking to be one of the first, I would try to grab one of the first buses. I might be out there 6:30-6:45 for that purpose. Otherwise, if you just want to get there at 0800, 7:00-7:15 might be just fine. It's a 20 minute ride once you get on a bus, so figure that plus wait time, plus time to clear bag check.
2. It would be easiest probably to bring your bags yourself. I did not know this was an option on our split stay and we waited a LONG time for them to come get our bags (ASSports) because the resort was very busy that morning.
3. I'm not sure you can prearrange a time. My husband called early in the a.m. and was told to call back when we were ready for them to be picked up.

jvattes this is very helpful

 

[Momtwofour]

The Mara goes to a limited menu around 12;00. A few flatbreads were available and few other items. The fryers get shut down. They had a bunch of items in the fridges. Yogurts/salads/desserts. The bakery bar also had some cookies/pastries.



The arrival boards drive me crazy watching the times go up. I would rather no sign. Going to the parks the bus waits weren't bad. 10-15 minutes. However, leaving the parks they were brutal. 20-45 minute waits. Every time. The line cues were filled up most of the time. You know people have been waiting a while when they are sitting or even laying down. I keep seeing bus wait time being an issue, not just at AKL. Maybe they have less buses running for cost cutting??

The never ending question.....were there early buses for breakfast reservations? We have several breakfast ADRs I really want to use Uber but we need a car seat and I dont know how difficult that would be to get.

 

[KrazeeK120]

The never ending question.....were there early buses for breakfast reservations? We have several breakfast ADRs I really want to use Uber but we need a car seat and I dont know how difficult that would be to get.

Buses start running at about 6:30 in the morning.

 

[Momtwofour]

Buses start running at about 6:30 in the morning.

Thank you!!

 

[Lvsdisney]

A few questions from an AKL newbie-
1. On an 8am MK opening time, what time do you recommend being at the bus stop?
2. We are doing a split stay. On the day we are "moving" do you recommend taking our bags down to bell service for transfer, or setting up a time the night before for them to come up to the room in the am?
3. If having bell service come up, is it your experience that they are on time?

TIA!!!

We did a split stay (due to snow at home, so not pre-planned!) and we brought all of our stuff to bell services our selves. Probably took 10 minutes to fill out the forms and have them label everything. I would rather do that since it's timing I control vs waiting around for someone to come to your room.

 

[vikster1]

The never ending question.....were there early buses for breakfast reservations? We have several breakfast ADRs I really want to use Uber but we need a car seat and I dont know how difficult that would be to get.

You will make your park ADR's. Buses run early. I have not used Uber personally. I have read about Uber's with car seats though. I'm not sure if you can request it when placing your Uber. I'm sure it's very common in WDW.

 

[Juliet0778]

The never ending question.....were there early buses for breakfast reservations? We have several breakfast ADRs I really want to use Uber but we need a car seat and I dont know how difficult that would be to get.

I asked this in another thread and a poster told me they wouldn't have made their early morning ADR's if they had waited for the bus. So apparently it varies.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I asked this in another thread and a poster told me they wouldn't have made their early morning ADR's if they had waited for the bus. So apparently it varies.

Buses only run about every 30 minutes that early. If they had just missed a bus, they may have been cutting it pretty close. But Disney absolutely does start buses early enough to get people to early ADRs.

 

[kimmar067]

My family just returned from our first Disney trip with our 3-year old! We loved the AKL so much, we just bought a DVC interest in it! Planning another trip for later this year! I can't wait until my son can join the bush camp!

....awesome!

 

[my2lovedisney]

Hi everyone! We stayed at AKL 2 years ago in a Standard room with Bunk Beds, I know they have them..has anyone done this recently? I am attempting to make a room request in hopes that I'll get pixie dusted. I cannot remember our room number from 2 years ago. TIA!

 

[Shellyb84]

Is there anywhere else to get coffee other than The Mara? I read that they don't open until 7AM but a lot of mornings we're leaving by 7AM for EMH.

 

[Juliet0778]

Buses only run about every 30 minutes that early. If they had just missed a bus, they may have been cutting it pretty close. But Disney absolutely does start buses early enough to get people to early ADRs.

Interesting. Whoever had replied to that other thread said the people at AKL desk told them they were supposed to come tell the front desk if they had an ADR because otherwise they wouldn't guarantee buses more than 45 minutes before. Either way, we're planning an Uber for our one early ADR just to be safe.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Interesting. Whoever had replied to that other thread said the people at AKL desk told them they were supposed to come tell the front desk if they had an ADR because otherwise they wouldn't guarantee buses more than 45 minutes before. Either way, we're planning an Uber for our one early ADR just to be safe.

I see. We did EMM last month and needed to be at MK early. We weren't at AKL, but we caught a bus from our resort at about 7 AM. When we pulled in at MK, there were buses dropping people off from other resorts. Also, while we were at the bus stop, we saw buses come and go for the other 3 parks as well. But yeah, if you just miss one, you could be waiting awhile for the next one.

 

[Minnesota!]

My family just returned from our first Disney trip with our 3-year old! We loved the AKL so much, we just bought a DVC interest in it! Planning another trip for later this year! I can't wait until my son can join the bush camp!

Awesome!! Love when first-timers catch the bug

A few questions from an AKL newbie-
1. On an 8am MK opening time, what time do you recommend being at the bus stop?
2. We are doing a split stay. On the day we are "moving" do you recommend taking our bags down to bell service for transfer, or setting up a time the night before for them to come up to the room in the am?
3. If having bell service come up, is it your experience that they are on time?

TIA!!!

We have done 2 or 3 split stays from AKL. What we always have done, and that works super slick, is we pack up, and then me and the kids go check out and hop on a bus to wherever we are going that day. DH takes the bags in a taxi to the next resort, checks in, and they hold the bags (or he drops in the room if it is available). Then he catches a bus to wherever me and the kids are. Takes a minimal amount of time (less than an hour each time..), and no wondering where the bags are in transit, etc.

 

[julieFitz]

Hi everyone! We stayed at AKL 2 years ago in a Standard room with Bunk Beds, I know they have them..has anyone done this recently? I am attempting to make a room request in hopes that I'll get pixie dusted. I cannot remember our room number from 2 years ago. TIA!

I called to request bunk beds and did not put anything for online check in requests. So I was expecting a Standard View room with bunk beds but we actually got a Savannah View room with bunks last month (May 2017). It was awesome.

According to the Touring Plans room finder, there are 1 or 2 (can't remember) bunk bed standard view rooms. I would put in the request for bunks and hope for the best. Good luck!