Just back from AKL--any questions??? ***updated with pics***

[ead79]

My mom and I just got back from a great stay at the AKL. We got a complimentary upgrade to a savannah view, and had room 4224 on the Kudu Trail side of the lodge. I'll post some pics of the room and the view later today so you can see them. Any questions? :)

[kimmar067]

..undecided about making PS's to Boma....convince me!!!;)

[mickeyx2]

Hi,
Can't wait to see your pics! 2 questions....was the pool very crowded?? Did you always manage to get a chair? And, I don't beleive the the resort has coffee makers in the room but I thought I would just check to make sure this is correct. Hope your trip was wonderful. Thanks in advance.

[barbliny]

We also just returned -- we too had an upgrade to savannah view for our stay. I don't know if I'll ever stay anywhere else on Disney property. As a matter of fact we're planning to do a long weekend just so we can return.

kimmar -- I'll convince you to go to Boma. We liked it so much we went 2 nights in a row. The first with the kids, the second by ourselves while the girls were in the Simba Club. The food was very good -- they have wonderful soups. The entrees were great -- they always have prime rib, they always have a fish, they always have some sort of roasted chicken pieces (don't know exactly how they're flavored). The rest of the selections vary based on the night you're there -- I believe there are a few rotations. One night they had pork ribs, the other a loin of pork dish (this was great). Each night they had a salmon cooked in a different way (I don't eat seafood but my husband loved both). They have an extensive selection of desserts and fruit. The desserts also change slightly from night to night (both nights they had a chocolate mousse crunch mini 'cake', a mini pumpkin cheescake, zebra domes, cookies -- sugar, oatmeal, chocolate chip. The atmosphere is wonderful -- although a little loud, the acoustics get a little out of hand. The service was great. I miss it already.

[kimmar067]

....C O N V I N C E D ! ! ! !

barbliny -
What should we make sure we "check out" when we go here for dinner?? (I mean, is there something special we should really take a look at? We should be arriving around noon -by car- and didn't plan on going to any park on this day [more like an "explore the surroundings" kinda day]. Do you think we should make ressies for this same nite? (maybe around 5-ish so we can check out the AKL, too!)

[jsmla]

How did you get your upgrade? We have a standard (parking lot view). It's all we can afford but would LOVE an upgrade! Thanks.

[barbliny]

It's not something I personally would feel comfortable doing -- but I was more than happy to accept it. We checked in at 8:45 am and our only requests on the reservation made through CRO on our standard room were non-smoking and bunk beds. She just assigned us to a room and based on where it was on the map I knew we were getting a bonus!! The most unbelievable part of the entire process is that the room was ready!!!

As far as what to see and do at AKL -- gosh there is just so much to soak in!! The lobby is huge and interesting in and of itself. The bar -- Victoria's Falls is beautiful and one open level down from the lobby (the lobby of AKL is actually on the 3rd floor). Victoria's Falls hovers above Boma -- again open ceiling. When you enter the lobby at the far end will be a three or four level glass wall with sculptures all around. There is african art all around the lobby. At the back of the lobby is a staircase if you go down those stairs and through the doors in the glass wall you will be by one of the savannahs -- Arusha Rock. THere are usually zebras there plus other animals. There is a fire pit here surrounded by wooden rocking chairs -- at 6:30 there is story tellling by a 'guide'. This was very interesting and even my young girls were mezmerized. If you follow the path you will be walking down one of the trails (zebra I think) towards the pool -- you'll pass plenty of animals along the way (they were fairly plentiful in the early evening hours and even after sunset). The pool bar (Uzima) is nice and relaxing and there featured drink of the day is usually very good. The gift shop at the front of the lobby is interesting with a lot of african themed souvenirs and art. On the lobby level if you walk down the hallways you will pass lookout points that are little patios (I think most of these are on the second floor) with rocking chairs and binoculars for looking at the animals.
I would definitely make a PS for Boma -- when we were checking in anyone without one was being quoted a wait time of one hour. One night we had a 7:15, the other 7:00. Both of these PS's were made at the spur of the moment on the same day I was looking to go (the second night I made the PS just 1/2 hour before I wanted to go, but this is off-season)

[kimmar067]

The idea of getting to see the animals sounds kewl!!! I am definitely going to call CRO tomorrow and make ressies!!! (what a great way to start our vacation!!!)

[B3LM]

I have a friend who also just got back from AKL. She said they'll never stay anywhere else at Disney again! They absolutely loved it and went to Boma's 3 times. (And they were only there for 3 1/2 days.)

They did have a savannah view, but I don't know if it was an upgrade or part of their original ressie.

Glad to hear you all enjoyed it! We've had dinner at Boma's, but haven't stayed at the resort, yet.

Beth

[kimmar067]

...won't be staying at AKL either, but I still wanted to try Boma. Many have posted that their fav resort to stay is WL until they stay at AKL. (I hope I won't be disappointed if I, too, visit AKL for dinner and experience a "let down" when we check into WL.....:( )

[ead79]

Here is a link to my ofoto album with the pictures of our room:
AKL pictures (http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=60366662403&n=1657336401)

We actually didn't swim, but I think the pool was crowded at some times of the day and not at others. Looked like the kids really enjoyed it a lot though!

As far as the upgrade goes, we just politely asked at check in if it would be possible, and the CM went and checked and got us a savannah view room. She did warn us that the room probably wouldn't have the best view of the savannah, but we told her we were just thrilled to get it. Though we did see a giraffe very close several times, we didn't see the variety of animals or see animals nearly as often as when I went in December (then we had room 4229, and it had a very good savannah view--but we paid for that savannah view).

Boma was excellent, but we did have to wait both for dinner and for breakfast even though we had PS's. I would advise against eating breakfast there on a Sunday or a rainy day (it was super crowded the rainy Sunday that we checked out). The food is really delicious, and the desserts at dinner are outstanding! Give it a try!

[jennymouse]

Nice photo's...hope you don't mind, but the first giraffe one was so nice I set it as my wallpaper for a while.:D

[ead79]

Of course I don't mind, jennymouse, what a nice compliment! :)

[Patio]

Thanks for sharing your incredible photos. They brought back so many pleasant memories from my last trip!!:D :D

[kimmar067]

..thanks for sharing your photos with us. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Question: I'm not staying at AKL in July, but I will be making ressies for dinner at Boma. Can you see the animals from this restaurant?? Or do you have to go outside to a special viewing area to do that?


Countdown to WDW:
2 months - 3 days - 3 hours - 10 minutes -- Yippee!!!

[sharoncity]

None of the 3 restaurants have a "view" at AKL. To see the animals, go for a walk around the pool, towards the back are some viewing areas. Also, the larger viewing area is at the back of the lobby. Make sure to take a walk around either before or after dinner - it is wonderful!:)

[happydays]

Thanks for all of the great info. and photos! Your room photos are the best I've seen. We're so excited to be going (at least my DH and I are - the kids don't know yet and are in for a surprise on their last day of school, when we pick them up and go straight to the airport!).

One question - is the storytime still at 6:30? One night I made PR for Boma at 7pm and am hoping I didn't cut it too close.:D

[sharoncity]

Yes storytelling is still at 6:30pm. If this is your only night to do it, you might consider pushing the PS back to 7:15 or 7:30. The night we went to it, it definitely was longer than 1/2 hour.

[ead79]

kimmar, the previous poster is correct--Boma does not overlook any of the savannahs. But, there are tons of places to look out on the savannahs throughout the resort and out on the Arusha Rock viewing area. Enjoy! :)

[kimmar067]

I can't wait!!!!


Countdown to WDW:
2 months - 1 day - 20 hours - 2 minutes - Yippee!!!

[Janet2k]

Oh, ead79, it looks like you had a lovely stay. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. And welcome home!

[kimmar067]

...thanks again for posting about your stay and including some pics. Do you have any others(photos) to share with us? I told the other people in my party that I am making PS's at Boma, and they seemed to get really excited, too. How long is the story-telling session? (Is it really geared for the "younger set" though?) Since we will be arriving on the 26th, and it will be an "exploring" day (getting to know CBR, unpacking, unwinding, pool time, etc.) I really think we will enjoy eating at Boma, especially since, hopefully, we will get to see the animals. My oldest DS is really mad at me because this (AKL) is where he really wanted to stay, but, because of tight budgeting, we are unable to do so. (There's always next time!!!!:D )

[jiminy1]

Wow! These are wonderful pictures of AKL! Thanks for sharing them with all of us. My husband and I have been thinking about making ressies at AKL for our next trip in October. I think your pictures have convinced us!

[ead79]

Kimmar, I don't have any more pics of the AKL, but I do have some general pictures from the parks of my trip. Here's a link:

WDW Pictures (http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=30012723403&n=646588499)
:)