3 Families doin' a Surf & Turf Trip! AKL CL & Dream...Good-Byes

[jennyjinx3]

Ok so we are for sure going to rent some points to stay here....maybe in May....time to add some more hours to my work schedule!! Love the room!!!

 

[wdwtwins]

What a beautiful resort and room!

 

[rustytss]

All CL rooms have the following:
Table and chairs on private balcony
Ceiling fan
Vanity area with 2 sinks and bath
Alarm clock /iPod dock
Coffeemaker
DVD player (which was AWESOME!! You can check out movies in the lounge)
Hairdryer
2 Bath robes (which I used, just because I could)
Complimentary WiFi
Iron, ironing board
Pack 'n Play
Refrigerator
Safe
[/CENTER]

Ok...for those not staying club level (that would be my family) the standard view rooms look exactly the same and come with all the same things. The only things I am not sure of (because our trip was cut short due to cancelled flights and we only stayed there over night) are the DVD player and free WiFi. The room may have had it but because we were only there from 1:00 am to 10:00am i didn't really need those things so didn't pay attention. Also our view was great. My brother-in-law was joking saying we were going to view the parking lot with standard view, but we had a view of animals as well. Heather was quite surprised too I think when she saw it.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Love the club level room review! It's so pretty! AKL is one of my very favorite resorts!

 

[Missoutandabout]

...

Wowsa! I think I'm in love!

So, that view is a Standard, not a Savannah View? That's amazing.

 

[amandaw]

I really want to stay at AKL one day! Your review makes me want to stay there even more. For whatever reason, Ed really does not want to stay there. Hmmm.....maybe if I show him your review, he'll change his mind. The room looks really, really nice. And you just can't beat seeing animals from your balcony!

Oh....and I'm so glad the camera was still at TREX! That is such a bad feeling when you realize you've forgotten something.....especially something like that.

 

[hstrickland]

Love it! I sooo want to stay at this resort! Alas, I switched us back the Poly.

I can't wait to read more!!!!

I don't blame you for switching back...you can still stay in 1 room at the Poly (for now) When the little one is older, you can do the split stay with 2 rooms. Save the money

Ok so we are for sure going to rent some points to stay here....maybe in May....time to add some more hours to my work schedule!! Love the room!!!

You'll love it! The Arusha savannah was great for viewing all the animals...you're kids would go nuts!

What a beautiful resort and room!

For sure! More photos to come...

Ok...for those not staying club level (that would be my family) the standard view rooms look exactly the same and come with all the same things. The only things I am not sure of (because our trip was cut short due to cancelled flights and we only stayed there over night) are the DVD player and free WiFi. The room may have had it but because we were only there from 1:00 am to 10:00am i didn't really need those things so didn't pay attention. Also our view was great. My brother-in-law was joking saying we were going to view the parking lot with standard view, but we had a view of animals as well. Heather was quite surprised too I think when she saw it.

You got lucky! I found this on another website....

Standard view rooms at AKL are usually found along the Ostrich and Giraffe Trails at the front of the resort. These are the only trails that border the parking lot.
However, there are "standard view" guest rooms that are located in pool or savanna view areas of the resort and simply have a "less than exemplary" view, making it impossible for Disney to charge savanna view prices for them.

Love the club level room review! It's so pretty! AKL is one of my very favorite resorts!

Like Stephanie said, it's the same room across the entire resort...just a different level of service and perhaps view. For me, CL is worth it....IF you're going to be there more than a night.

...

Wowsa! I think I'm in love!

So, that view is a Standard, not a Savannah View? That's amazing.

No, no my room is a savannah view...Arusha savannah. What my sister had was a standard room, but she got lucky and had one of those "less than exlemplary" (I'm quoting from another website) views of a savannah. Here's a picture of what the room would be looking at...

But ya know...if you want to pay a standard price and get a bit of the savannah...ask for a room in this location I might have to take my own advice

 

[Sue M]

More great photos Really enjoying reading it. I don't recall toothbrush & toothpaste either. We stayed BC CL last year. I think all the CLs have different little extras. More H2o products. I recall getting the Solar gel, & mouthwash in addition to the soaps, shower gel, lotion, and shampoo & conditioner. Love the h2O products. What did you think of the new ones?

Can't wait to see pics of the CL food

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Ugh... I can just imagine the sick feeling in the pit of your stomachs over the camera bag. Thank goodness your dad found it!

The room looks great! I've only stayed at AKL once (not CL) and remember being like a kid myself each morning & afternoon returning to the room wondering "who" I would see outside my window.

I have never seen toothbrushes in the rooms... that must be new or perhaps, like the robes, is a perk of the CL rooms.

How sweet of the staff to leave b-day gifts for your mom and Stephen. Very cool!!

As always, looking forward to more!

 

[hstrickland]

I really want to stay at AKL one day! Your review makes me want to stay there even more. For whatever reason, Ed really does not want to stay there. Hmmm.....maybe if I show him your review, he'll change his mind. The room looks really, really nice. And you just can't beat seeing animals from your balcony!

Oh....and I'm so glad the camera was still at TREX! That is such a bad feeling when you realize you've forgotten something.....especially something like that.

Your son would love it!! I actually had my reservations about staying at the Lodge, too. And honestly, if we were doing a week long trip, I might not choose AKL....kinda far from everything. But for our purposes it was perfect!!!

More great photos Really enjoying reading it. I don't recall toothbrush & toothpaste either. We stayed BC CL last year. I think all the CLs have different little extras. More H2o products. I recall getting the Solar gel, & mouthwash in addition to the soaps, shower gel, lotion, and shampoo & conditioner. Love the h2O products. What did you think of the new ones?

Can't wait to see pics of the CL food

There were two toothbrushes and little tubes of toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and mouthwash.....(no solar gel). The packaging and fragrance was different than the other deluxe resorts.

Last year at the CR, we did get the solar gel.....Poly CL was the same (year before that)

And my favorite....the ship!!

If I remember correctly (back in 2009), the GF had toiletries that said GF on the packaging. See....I told you I loved the H2O products. And believe you me, we had plenty to bring home

Ugh... I can just imagine the sick feeling in the pit of your stomachs over the camera bag. Thank goodness your dad found it!

The room looks great! I've only stayed at AKL once (not CL) and remember being like a kid myself each morning & afternoon returning to the room wondering "who" I would see outside my window.

I have never seen toothbrushes in the rooms... that must be new or perhaps, like the robes, is a perk of the CL rooms.

How sweet of the staff to leave b-day gifts for your mom and Stephen. Very cool!!

As always, looking forward to more!

Christine, sick was the understatement!!! Stephen insisted on carrying the camera bag, so I let him. When dad returned to TRex, they had it with the lost and found stuff....thank heavens we were at Disney!!! I realize that there are dishonest people there, too....but you know what I mean.

 

[Lisa29]

Yay, I hadn't realised that your trip was coming up and was very excited when looking at the trip report thread to see your name!

Great first updates, can't wait to hear more.

As ever, your kids look gorgeous and love the first pic of all of you on the dream.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Oh, you captured well that sinking feeling you have when you think you've forgotten something - that stop dead in your tracks moment where your mind races trying to retrace your steps. There is so much to remember when you're traveling and so many distractions at WDW.

Did you go to any parks other than a water park this trip? I can't recall, but I thought you had APs?

So glad 'we'll' be eating in the lounge soon

Ok...for those not staying club level (that would be my family) the standard view rooms look exactly the same and come with all the same things. The only things I am not sure of (because our trip was cut short due to cancelled flights and we only stayed there over night) are the DVD player and free WiFi.

Nice to have you around here again this year. All rooms throughout WDW have free WiFi (only DVC and suites had free WiFi in the past). And, your room should have had a DVD player. I totally understand why you're not sure seeing what you went through just to get there and how you were only in the room literally to sleep. I hope the trip gets more relaxing for you soon!

...

Wowsa! I think I'm in love!

So, that view is a Standard, not a Savannah View? That's amazing.

The confusion with CL views is that Disney often describes them (like at AKL and WL) as "standard rooms." This description has nothing to do with the view, but rather the room type. It really only means you are not in a Deluxe room or a suite. But as Heather said, all AKL CL standard room views are of the savanna. So when you compare the price of an AKL non-CL savanna view room with a standard CL room, the difference is very small for the same view, but with all the CL amenities.

 

[amandaw]

Your son would love it!! I actually had my reservations about staying at the Lodge, too. And honestly, if we were doing a week long trip, I might not choose AKL....kinda far from everything. But for our purposes it was perfect!!!

Hmmmm......I might have to put it on the list of possible resorts for next May. We're only going to do a night or two before the cruise. I know we'll be going to MK since I want to see the expansion stuff. But, it may not be bad just for one day. Wonder if Ed would agree to that?

 

[hstrickland]

Yay, I hadn't realised that your trip was coming up and was very excited when looking at the trip report thread to see your name!

Great first updates, can't wait to hear more.

As ever, your kids look gorgeous and love the first pic of all of you on the dream.

for the nice compliments. So glad you found us again! We always like sharing our trips with everyone

Oh, you captured well that sinking feeling you have when you think you've forgotten something - that stop dead in your tracks moment where your mind races trying to retrace your steps. There is so much to remember when you're traveling and so many distractions at WDW.

Did you go to any parks other than a water park this trip? I can't recall, but I thought you had APs?

No APs...wouldn't have worked for us this year....and yes, we did Blizzard Beach (more on that later)

So glad 'we'll' be eating in the lounge soon

....Remember, my friend, patience is a virtue.........(that I don't possess)

Nice to have you around here again this year. All rooms throughout WDW have free WiFi (only DVC and suites had free WiFi in the past). And, your room should have had a DVD player. I totally understand why you're not sure seeing what you went through just to get there and how you were only in the room literally to sleep. I hope the trip gets more relaxing for you soon!


The confusion with CL views is that Disney often describes them (like at AKL and WL) as "standard rooms." This description has nothing to do with the view, but rather the room type. It really only means you are not in a Deluxe room or a suite. But as Heather said, all AKL CL standard room views are of the savanna. So when you compare the price of an AKL non-CL savanna view room with a standard CL room, the difference is very small for the same view, but with all the CL amenities.

I didn't realize all rooms at AKL had DVD players...that's nice to know. I wonder why other resorts don't do that? You know what's strange....if you price an Arusha savannah view room w/ bunk bed and CL room, guess which is higher...the Arusha! Strange.....must be a premium view or something

Hmmmm......I might have to put it on the list of possible resorts for next May. We're only going to do a night or two before the cruise. I know we'll be going to MK since I want to see the expansion stuff. But, it may not be bad just for one day. Wonder if Ed would agree to that?

Which resorts are you considering? And do 2 nights.....one just isn't enough We want to see the Fantasy Land expansion, too. Can you imagine how packed it's going to be??!! Better get there super early!!! And which resort are y'all staying in for the Disney run?

 

[nemofans]

Yes, Arusha savannah view & CL (which is Arusha view anyway) are almost the same price that you may as well book CL. CL is cheaper if you consider the food & drinks you get included.

 

[Sue M]

No shower gel either? Guess each resort has different amenities. I love the H2O lotions, etc too! So sad, I went into our Sears yesterday only to find out they are not going to carry it anymore

We had a DVD player in our BC room last Aug too.

Did you like the new H2O products?

Can't wait to see your lounge pics 45 more days for me

On our 2007 trip one of my daughters left her bracelet in the Narcoossees' ladies room. She didn't realize it till we were back at our resort, so from room phone we were connected to GF lost and found. They found it!!! And delivered it to our room, amazing :good vibes pixie dust:

 

[elphie101]

I'm in! I can't wait until my brothers and I are old enough to take a big family trip like this - it sounds great! Love AKL, can't wait to stay there someday!

 

[hstrickland]

Yes, Arusha savannah view & CL (which is Arusha view anyway) are almost the same price that you may as well book CL. CL is cheaper if you consider the food & drinks you get included.

I like your way of thinking!!!! Makes perfect sense...next time I book CL, I'll run this by Bill. We'll see if he takes the bait

No shower gel either? Guess each resort has different amenities. I love the H2O lotions, etc too! So sad, I went into our Sears yesterday only to find out they are not going to carry it anymore

We had a DVD player in our BC room last Aug too.

Did you like the new H2O products?

Can't wait to see your lounge pics 45 more days for me
On our 2007 trip one of my daughters left her bracelet in the Narcoossees' ladies room. She didn't realize it till we were back at our resort, so from room phone we were connected to GF lost and found. They found it!!! And delivered it to our room, amazing :good vibes pixie dust:

for double digits!!! Your trip is approaching quickly!

Yes, we did have shower gel...sorry I left that off. Last year at the CR and Poly, we had all of it. The AKL products smelled really good, but I still like the ship's H2O products better. Maybe it's just because they are bigger

So when did they add the DVD players to all the rooms? At the CR and WL we didn't have one. Maybe that's new along with the WiFi.

 

[hstrickland]

I'm in! I can't wait until my brothers and I are old enough to take a big family trip like this - it sounds great! Love AKL, can't wait to stay there someday!

Family vacations are great!! (for us, anyway) You hear nightmare stories about extended families that travel together, but so far, so good for ours. I guess if you're doing something like WDW, you have to have the same traveling strategies....otherwise things may get intense Are your brothers big Disney Fans?

 

[Sue M]

I like your way of thinking!!!! Makes perfect sense...next time I book CL, I'll run this by Bill. We'll see if he takes the bait






for double digits!!! Your trip is approaching quickly!

Yes, we did have shower gel...sorry I left that off. Last year at the CR and Poly, we had all of it. The AKL products smelled really good, but I still like the ship's H2O products better. Maybe it's just because they are bigger

So when did they add the DVD players to all the rooms? At the CR and WL we didn't have one. Maybe that's new along with the WiFi.

It was a CL room at BC. I think all the CL rooms have DVD players? Don't know, as that was our first time CL. Now I'm hooked, Mawhahahaha!

One more question (well for now) what kind of coffee maker was in the room, Cusinart or keruig? I heard some CL resort rooms were getting Keurig makers