[KarenWDWCP]

So, I never did a true trip report for my free dining trip at the end of August. It was not my most magical trip ever but we still had a great time.

HOWEVER, I did want to at least post about AKL and how much I ended up LOVING it! AKL was never on my list of "must stay" resorts and to be honest, I probably never would have stayed there if my aunt and her kids didn't want to try it, but I was game to stay there once. For some reason, it has never really appealed to me, even though I love eating at Boma.

My mom was even less enthusiastic about the resort than me but we both ended up truly loving the place. Even though I have been there several time whether just to eat or to look around, staying there gave off a completely different feeling.

My mom, dad and I had stayed at the Beach Club in April (our first Deluxe stay since the Contemporary in 1984) and really, really loved it. At the end of our stay at AKL, I had decided that though I really loved the location of the Beach Club (you can't beat it!), I loved the actual theming and feel of the resort at AKL better.

We were unexpectedly upgraded to a savannah view room which probably had something to do with our awesome stay. My mom would get up and run to the balcony every morning like a little kid. We had a great view of the Kidani Village construction...which leads me to the most surprising part of our trip.

After our return, my mom became really curious about DVC (I think because it was being pushed so much at AKL while we were there) and she and my dad ended up buying in at AKL last month! It is totally unexpected and super exciting!

Of all the places I ever thought about having DVC, I think AKL would have been last on the list, but after our great stay, we really loved it!

[bethishooked]

Amen to that. Each time I stay there, I love it more and more. There is so much to see, smell and explore, and the CM's are truly wonderful. No matter how much I try to explain it, you really can't do it justice until you stay there and get the "feel" of being in a different world.

[Diane Nolan]

After 3 stays at the AKL/Club Savannah, we are so torn when we can't get a room for our visits. We absolutely love it and we stay at the AKL as aften as we can. bethishooked is so right, there are no words to properly describe it.

[zefyr]

Welcome home, neighbor!

I'm so glad you made this post. I bought into AKL DVC this past August...I knew I was interested in the program but when they showed me the mock-up rooms they made at SSR I was super excited. Now to hear someone's report is making me all the more excited for my first stay there August 09

[DVC Mike]

We love the AKL, which led us to buy points at AKV. We love the great theme and ambience of the resort.

[Dopey]

Congratulations
I love AKL although I have only bin there once for dinner.

[A Goofy Family]

We tried it ourselves this past May/June and though I was excited about trying a new resort and very excited at the fact that our entire party actually were able to book rooms of our choices at AKLV at 7 months out (5 rooms...one family in our party had a waitlist for SV view, but it came through for them in about a week after making their reservation), we were ALL pleasantly surprised and quickly fell in love with the resort, the restaurants and all of the activities for kids and adults. It was awesome, it's on our list to do again!

[LRTJS]

I have only toured AKL but thought it was beautiful and is on my list of places to stay when I strike it rich!

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by LRTJS

I have only toured AKL but thought it was beautiful and is on my list of places to stay when I strike it rich!

The only way we get to stay is with the magic of DVC!

[mickeysgirlz]

This is my DREAM resort . . . I'm hoping they have the bounce back in the room when I stay in Oct . . . cuz I'm booking it!!

[Dana]

I know what you mean about AKL. It truely is a vacation in itself when you stay there. I have to say that it's my favorite deluxe resort. I like the remote location and the way you feel like you are in another place entirely when you stay there. I would stay there again in a heartbeat, but always have to decide between a longer stay at WDW and staying at a deluxe and unfortunately longer stay always wins.

[Remy]

I felt the same way about AKL before our trip in July- I wasn't too thrilled about staying there. After checking into this amazing resort I simply fell in love and can not imagine our next tirp to WDW staying at another resort. The location was perfect because you actually feel like you are "going home" because you are further away from all the commotion. The dim lights that some guests complain about was a warm welcome and I can not imagine the resort any brighter-it would take away from the warm, relaxing feeling it gives. I can go on and on and on... about my love for AKL but I think you know what I mean. You have to stay there to trully appriecate the magic this resort has to offer.

YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LUCKY TO HAVE FAMILY THAT ARE DVC owners of AKL.

[dancing4disney]

I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. I would love to own at AKV. I would love to be able to check out the animals from my balcony each morning.

[ddoll]

Wow Karen, that's nice to hear. And congrats on getting an inside link to the AKL villas! That place has always appealed to me too, I just have not had th e opportunity to stay there. Someday....

[timsha]

Glad you fell in love with it. AKL has taken over as our favorite resort (over Y&B), which I thought would never happen due to the location and the other amenities. We love sitting on the balcony at night and watching the animals. Boma is great, and Victoria Falls (the lounge), has some spectacular wines from Africa!!