AKLV - Special Occasions?

[Princess_Melanie]

Next week will be our first stay at AKLV (we're SSR owners) - it's a surprise for DBFs 30th Birthday (he knows about the trip now but not where we're staying or anything else!).

I didn't want to arrange anything from Disney Florals or the new Birthday stuff Disney has going on - I wondered from those of you who call AKLV Home know of anything I can organise? Can I arrange some of the in-room dining things like regular hotel guests can or is is different because we're DVC? Can I sneakily creep off from my DBF after check in and chat to AKL about arranging a turn down service or anything the night of his birthday (I'd pay extra if that was the issue) etc....

Any helpful suggetions would be most appreciated!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Villas don't get turn down service.

 

[bobbiwoz]

You can have in room dining. I don't know about other things.

Bobbi

 

[Princess_Melanie]

Thanks for the replies, I know that the villas don't get it but do you think it's an extra I can pay for as a one-off - just for the occasion? Is it worth me asking or am I going to get laughed at at the desk?!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I used a service once to get a special Gift Basket for DH's birthday. We enjoyed it and still use the Mouse Ear Etched wine glasses. I got the name of the service from one of the Disboards maybe "resorts."

Bobbi

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for the replies, I know that the villas don't get it but do you think it's an extra I can pay for as a one-off - just for the occasion? Is it worth me asking or am I going to get laughed at at the desk?!!

No, turn down service isn't available for the villas. You either need to go through the Disney Florist or some other service if you don't want to bring your own surprise.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

We used Memories By Betsy for a gift basket for my Dad in December - it was sooo well done and we didn't let on it was from me and DBF so dad still thinks it was from Mickey lol!

Thing is Aaron knows all about those sorts of things, so I was hoping for some different things - especially as he's wanted to try AKLV for so long and this will be such a surprise for him anyway - something like a turn down service on his birthday night will be lovely. We have an early start 8.05 reservation at 1900 PF, a day in DHS (his fav park) and ADR at Tony's for 5pm (his 2 dogs were called Lady and Tramps). Will prob have a romantic stroll around the resort and lots of present opening when we get back to AKL, would be nice to surprise him for one more thing.

 

[hellerjw]

Just talk to someone at the hotel concierge desk (the hotel concierge, not the DVC one on the 6th floor).

We were at AKV for our first DVC stay back in 2007 and had purchased some things from the gift shop for my son's birthday. They put them all together in a nice basket and created a card to him from Stitch and delivered it to the room with balloons while we were out one day. He loved it.

They could probably arrange something as simple as turn down service one night without any problems.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

Just talk to someone at the hotel concierge desk (the hotel concierge, not the DVC one on the 6th floor).

We were at AKV for our first DVC stay back in 2007 and had purchased some things from the gift shop for my son's birthday. They put them all together in a nice basket and created a card to him from Stitch and delivered it to the room with balloons while we were out one day. He loved it.

They could probably arrange something as simple as turn down service one night without any problems.

Thanks for the advice on which concierge to speak to, I'll see what they say next week!! That was very sweet of them to do that for your son!

 

[LisaS]

We got turn-down service when we stayed in an AKV Concierge room. They provided fresh towels, turned down the bed, turned on the lights over the bed and left two chocolates on the bed along with a little card with an African proverb. We appreciated the fresh towels and the chocolates but otherwise this is a service I would never pay for or will miss on future non-Concierge stays, but that's just me. But if you think it would make your DBF's day, then I have two suggestions.

1. Suggest to DBF that the two of you have a drink in the Victoria Falls lounge. Excuse yourself from the table, telling DBF you need to use the ladies room or whatever. Go up to the room, turn down the bed, turn on the lights over the bed, put two chocolates and a birthday card on the bed. When you return to the room later with DBF, let him think the AKV staff did this as a special surprise.

2. Pay for an extra housekeeping service on DBF's birthday. You will get fresh towels, new bed linens, etc. See if you can make a special request that when they change the bed linens, they leave the bed turned down. Maybe they will take the hint and leave a couple of chocolates as well.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although this may not be what you had in mind, don't forget about the sunset safari. You have to be staying at AKL, but it's not necessary to be staying in concierge. It just costs more if you're not in concierge-$210 pp non-concierge, $160 (or is it $150?) for concierge. It not only is a 1 1/2 hour tour of the savannahs surrounding the lodge, it includes a 3 course meal with wine at Jiko. The food is served family style with 3 different offerings at each course. Although it's not intimate, it is limited to about 15 people.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

Actually, we do have a trash and towel service scheduled for that day, so I'll see what I can arrange....

But I do like the idea of having a nice drink together and then excusing myself - will give me chance to nip to the room, arrange the gifts and cards for him to open and lay out the personalised chocolates I had made for him too...Thank you!! I never would have thought of that!!

 

[Princess_Melanie]

Although this may not be what you had in mind, don't forget about the sunset safari. You have to be staying at AKL, but it's not necessary to be staying in concierge. It just costs more if you're not in concierge-$210 pp non-concierge, $160 (or is it $150?) for concierge. It not only is a 1 1/2 hour tour of the savannahs surrounding the lodge, it includes a 3 course meal with wine at Jiko. The food is served family style with 3 different offerings at each course. Although it's not intimate, it is limited to about 15 people.

That sounds wonderful - I'll see if they have any vacancy when we check in - we have quite a bit scheduled in but also some down time too. Is there a menu I can look at for the meal - I have allergies so have to be careful

 

[SunnieRN]

I have seen some really cute chocolate treats you can order at AK and have delivered to the rooms. Some are animal shaped cookies with chocolate I think and there are choc. AK logo type signs. I know people have said they are a bit pricey, but it would be a fun surprise.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

There were some yummy things on the in-room dining I liked the look of - especially the chocolates but I already have some personalised ones from the chocolatier I used to work for, ready for the trip....