It's NEVER Too Late, for Number 8 - the most UNOFFICIAL, 'official' AKL thread yet!

[Angel16]

Tim is one lucky man--especially lucky to have you.

Aww thank you Kathy

Ann

 

[jillmc40]

I just rented points to stay for 2 nights in February in a studio...I am SOOOO excited! We are staying a week in our 2 bedroom timeshare, then in a studio. I figured no more cooking for me - We are going to eat at Boma(first time, breakfast and dinner) and Jiko (second time - we loved it!) I was hoping we could soak up the resort as much as possible. We are in Jambo House in a "deluxe studio" savannah view. I cannot wait! Thank you for all the great info on this page, it has made me even more excited! Any must do's? Kids will be dd6 and ds3. What does Deluxe Studio mean? Where is it in the resort?

 

[t_daniels]

We are DVC owners through SSR, but we have NEVER stayed there! Why You ask???

BECAUSE WE LOVE ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS TOO MUCH! We stayed there for the first time right after we bought into DVC, and have been hooked ever since! We REGRET not buying into AKV when we had the chance!

There isn't one negative thing I could say about this resort. It is beautiful, and my kids call it their "second home"

We will be there 10/6 to 10/14 in a one bedroom savannah view and CAN"T wait to be "welcomed home!"

Jambo everyone!

I just rented points to stay for 2 nights in February in a studio...I am SOOOO excited! We are staying a week in our 2 bedroom timeshare, then in a studio. I figured no more cooking for me - We are going to eat at Boma(first time, breakfast and dinner) and Jiko (second time - we loved it!) I was hoping we could soak up the resort as much as possible. We are in Jambo House in a "deluxe studio" savannah view. I cannot wait! Thank you for all the great info on this page, it has made me even more excited! Any must do's? Kids will be dd6 and ds3. What does Deluxe Studio mean? Where is it in the resort?

Excited for you guys!!!

 

[Angel16]

Monday the Doc said it looks the best it has since he took over her case in May. Medicare allows here five of the Applegrafts and got her fifth one on Monday. I like when she gets those because the dressing changes are much simpler and only have to be done every other day.

Next week she will have to switch to another "product". She gets her last dose of the antibiotics for the infection tomorrow and they will take out the pik line. She will be so happy about that, the darned thing catches on everything and is a real PITA.

It would be really nice if we could actually go on our F&W trip and she could take a shower on vacation without me having to bring along Saran Wrap and medical tape!

Alison this is great news. I am so pulling, praying and wishing for no wound problems for this trip.

Ann

 

[Angel16]

Had a wonderful two days at AKL CL. Special thanks to Don and Emily for making us feel like we were back at home. Loved all the animals outside our room (4 giraffe, 2 zebras, 9 Thomson gazelles, etc.). Ate at Jiko and tried Sanaa for the first time. It won't be the last!!! Absolutely loved it!!!!! Pool time was great too! Lots of activities and my son loved it.

I am so glad to hear you had a great time. Don is so wonderful...I have not met Emily yet. Sanaa became one of our new favorites on our last visit. Great food, service was super and the the view of the animals

so I get to add two days onto my trip, one extra park days and another for our last night. I figured that the day I run the half marathon I am not going to want to be in a park, so we are going to spend the day relaxing going swimming and downtown disney.

Congratulations! You certainly deserve it and especially after doing the half marathon. I can picture you sitting in the hot tubs with a nice cold beverage watching the animals and just relaxing.

Good morning and Happy Friday!

Time to get this party started!

Thank you Laura for the domes and the party.

Mmmmm! Beats the oat bran I'm having!!
Will for sure buy some from Mara in May!!

*does happy dance*

How did I survive without ZD Fridays?!

Tina your post made me smile. I can just feel your excitment at not having to eat bran on Fridays.

Just wanted to put in my two cents about CL wines... And I have been known to drink a few wines...

Indaba South African wines aren't swill. Not "top shelf" but definitely drinkable. We have been known to buy them here at home too.

Elin I was so glad to see your post. I am not a beer drinker, but I think I will try one of the two types Laura (and everyone) talks about here on the DIS. I honestly don't remember what kind of wine they had except I do remember there were three and they were good. Not super great but certainly not box wine... Thank you Elin for the winery information.

Yep I am a wine drinker

Ann

 

[princesscate]

Sunrise Safari is for CL only.

Wanyama (Sunset) Safari is for any AKL/AKV guests.

The Culinary Tour (offered daily at 3:45pm) is for ANYONE and it's FREE!!! Check-in at the Jiko podium. (The Culinary Tour should be posted on the Activities Board by Bell Services and by the Boma restrooms. )

Thank you! I'm going to check this out. Hopefully we can do one!

 

[dolphingirl47]

just found out a friend who had CF passed away.. Bah. Finding these things out over Facebook is terrible..

I am sorry for your loss. It is horrible that you found out through Facebook.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

I'm so glad she's progressing along. I was worried when she had that last new opening.

I think it's been 2 maybe 3 weeks since any new holes so that's a good sign.

Alison, I am so glad to hear that she is healing up very nicely! That is really great news.

You mean you don't the saran wrap?

You must've had to do the saran wrap thing after your surgery too! Fun, huh?

Alison this is great news. I am so pulling, praying and wishing for no wound problems for this trip.

Ann

Let's hope so. I am so ready for a WDW trip!

 

[swimchick1984]

Hi everyone sorry I have been away, the power outlets in my room decided they didn't want to work and then it took them 36 hours to fix it. It was torture I tell you . My computer was dead, my portable DVD player, TV, and my nook were all dead. It's a good thing that I had a lot of paperbacks and magazines to read.

However, the power went out the day of the women's gymanstics final. Luckly, my friend has a TV with Armed Forces Network (AFN, a way for military families overseas to watch primetime/regular tv) and I got to watch it in his office. Those girls are awesome.

My goal today is to call disney and get my package extended and add park hoppers so that we can go to Magic kingdom one night so we can watch the light parade as DD will love it.

 

[kellyg403]

Sooo..dh and I were orginially booked at WL 12/10-15. Last week, we decided to see if we could take the two oldest grandson's with us. It was a go!

So now our plan is: AKL, Arusha view, 12/10-12/15 with my 2 grandsons age 6. We can not wait to show them AKL!

I am hoping we get close to the great room we had last year. While a walk from the elevators, the feeding station was right near our balcony. So many viewing opportunities!

DH is beside himself as AKL is definitely his favorite resort, and while I was happy to try a different resort, love AKL too.

Kelly

 

[RachelTori]

Sooo..dh and I were orginially booked at WL 12/10-15. Last week, we decided to see if we could take the two oldest grandson's with us. It was a go!

So now our plan is: AKL, Arusha view, 12/10-12/15 with my 2 grandsons age 6. We can not wait to show them AKL!

I am hoping we get close to the great room we had last year. While a walk from the elevators, the feeding station was right near our balcony. So many viewing opportunities!

DH is beside himself as AKL is definitely his favorite resort, and while I was happy to try a different resort, love AKL too.

Kelly

Congrats! How exciting!!

 

[dgbg100106]

We are DVC owners through SSR, but we have NEVER stayed there! Why You ask???


BECAUSE WE LOVE ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS TOO MUCH! We stayed there for the first time right after we bought into DVC, and have been hooked ever since! We REGRET not buying into AKV when we had the chance!

There isn't one negative thing I could say about this resort. It is beautiful, and my kids call it their "second home"

We will be there 10/6 to 10/14 in a one bedroom savannah view and CAN"T wait to be "welcomed home!"

Jambo everyone!

Welcome and I have added you to the "list"

 

[dgbg100106]

Sooo..dh and I were orginially booked at WL 12/10-15. Last week, we decided to see if we could take the two oldest grandson's with us. It was a go!

So now our plan is: AKL, Arusha view, 12/10-12/15 with my 2 grandsons age 6. We can not wait to show them AKL!

I am hoping we get close to the great room we had last year. While a walk from the elevators, the feeding station was right near our balcony. So many viewing opportunities!

DH is beside himself as AKL is definitely his favorite resort, and while I was happy to try a different resort, love AKL too.

Kelly

Congrats that is awesome! I have added you to the "list"

 

[kellyg403]

Congrats that is awesome! I have added you to the "list"

Thank you! Very excited! Our prior stay was an adult's only so we didn't explore the resort through a 'child's eyes'. We loved everything about it regardless. This time it will be great to see my grandson's excitement! We haven't gone with small children and no parents before, so it will be a different trip for us!

Thank you for such a great thread!

Kelly

 

[kellyg403]

Congrats! How exciting!!

Thank you! And if anyone has information on all of the child related activities it would be greatly appreciated. I have been researching and, obviously, we will not be able to do everything, we are hoping to do 'some'.

So what to do with 2 6 yo boys, both have been to WDW before, so we can plan plenty of time at the resort. Definitely only planning a short trip to Epcot and DHS as MK and AK top their list of parks.

Tell me about some things you have done at AKL before!

Kelly

 

[RachelTori]

Thank you! And if anyone has information on all of the child related activities it would be greatly appreciated. I have been researching and, obviously, we will not be able to do everything, we are hoping to do 'some'.

So what to do with 2 6 yo boys, both have been to WDW before, so we can plan plenty of time at the resort. Definitely only planning a short trip to Epcot and DHS as MK and AK top their list of parks.

Tell me about some things you have done at AKL before!

Kelly

Lots for the kids to do (much of it at no cost!). I would definitely recommend the Primal Parade -- perfect for energetic children! It takes place in the evening (somewhere around 8pm at the gift shop (Zawadi). The kids parade through the lobby following the lead of a cultural guide. Have your cameras ready, it's adorable!!

The Medallion Rubbing in the Jambo lobby (around 12:30pm) is something a lot of kids (and adults!) enjoy too.

Around 9am each morning by the Flamingo Pond - learn about the feeding of pelicans and flamingos -- kids enjoy that! That activity will earn the boys each a "bead".

African Face Painting (2pm) in the Mara.

If the boys are interested in earning "beads", there are activities they can do to earn them: Flamingo Activity (above); Music of the Savanna (play African instruments and learn our role in the circle of life); Wildlife Games (in Sunset Lounge Mon, Wed, Fri).

There are also daily activities offered at Kidani. Besides the activity sheet you will be given at check-in, be sure to check the Activities Board daily (by Bell Services).

And of course, if the weather cooperates, the boys will probably LOVE the pools! You are welcome at either pool, but Kidani has more water-play areas.

 

[kellyg403]

Lots for the kids to do (much of it at no cost!). I would definitely recommend the Primal Parade -- perfect for energetic children! It takes place in the evening (somewhere around 8pm at the gift shop (Zawadi). The kids parade through the lobby following the lead of a cultural guide. Have your cameras ready, it's adorable!!

The Medallion Rubbing in the Jambo lobby (around 12:30pm) is something a lot of kids (and adults!) enjoy too.

Around 9am each morning by the Flamingo Pond - learn about the feeding of pelicans and flamingos -- kids enjoy that! That activity will earn the boys each a "bead".

African Face Painting (2pm) in the Mara.

If the boys are interested in earning "beads", there are activities they can do to earn them: Flamingo Activity (above); Music of the Savanna (play African instruments and learn our role in the circle of life); Wildlife Games (in Sunset Lounge Mon, Wed, Fri).

There are also daily activities offered at Kidani. Besides the activity sheet you will be given at check-in, be sure to check the Activities Board daily (by Bell Services).

And of course, if the weather cooperates, the boys will probably LOVE the pools! You are welcome at either pool, but Kidani has more water-play areas.

Also, we are thinking, (trust me dh is always thinking..)of doing a room only for Sunday night. I actually thought about doing CL for that one night and finding out about the Sunrise safari. Not sure if the boys are old enough yet. A little more research needed on that. (The tours are still only Sun am and Thurs am correct)?

Taking our time and driving down on Sunday. Have not decided what to do, but thinking this is our best bet so that we can easily check in and check out, getting out KTTW cards and heading to AK Monday morning. Has anyone experienced doing this?

The trip is 10 hours for me and dh...more like 12 with the boys probably. And dh will NOT fly. So this seemed to be an answer to enjoying as much of time as we could. A good nights rest and then hit AK first thing Monday morning.

Advice? If you can't tell my excitement in taking the boys is overwhelming. Dh and I used to winging it pretty much and the only thing we plan are ADR's. This time it feels like I should have a PLAN You would never know I have been going to the World for years. I have already purchased a new lens for my camera, some T-shirts for 'gifts' every morning. This is the ultimate grandparent trip


Kelly

 

[RachelTori]

Also, we are thinking, (trust me dh is always thinking..)of doing a room only for Sunday night. I actually thought about doing CL for that one night and finding out about the Sunrise safari. Not sure if the boys are old enough yet. A little more research needed on that. (The tours are still only Sun am and Thurs am correct)?

Taking our time and driving down on Sunday. Have not decided what to do, but thinking this is our best bet so that we can easily check in and check out, getting out KTTW cards and heading to AK Monday morning. Has anyone experienced doing this?

The trip is 10 hours for me and dh...more like 12 with the boys probably. And dh will NOT fly. So this seemed to be an answer to enjoying as much of time as we could. A good nights rest and then hit AK first thing Monday morning.

Advice? If you can't tell my excitement in taking the boys is overwhelming. Dh and I used to winging it pretty much and the only thing we plan are ADR's. This time it feels like I should have a PLAN You would never know I have been going to the World for years. I have already purchased a new lens for my camera, some T-shirts for 'gifts' every morning. This is the ultimate grandparent trip


Kelly

Correct - the Sunrise Safari is only offered on Sundays and Thursdays. You have to check in upstairs in the Club Lounge before 7am, have your park passes swiped, then you meet the group downstairs in the lobby.

At 6, I personally don't think your boys are too young. Now whether or not the safari is something the boys will like........ totally depends on the child. They will be sitting in the Kilimanjaro Safari vehicle for about an hour - hopefully the animals will be very active that particular morning! Then there is a buffet breakfast in a private room at Pizzafari. It is a wonderful meal, plus a chance to speak personally with the Guides. Maybe the boys will have some questions! (Also, obviously, they will have to get up pretty early that morning -- usually not a problem for young children -- teens, yes! )

It's a wonderful experience so if you think the boys would enjoy it (I know you and your DH would!), then I say GO FOR IT!!

 

[John's Mom]

Morning all!

I can't wait to try a zebra dome in 18 days!!!!!!

Question about AKL ....
I've read so much info on AKL but I'm not sure what is current and what isn't.
So I'm turning to my Jambo friends.
We aren't able to stay CL so I'm not able to take any tours, correct?
DH isn't feeling good these days ( he has an autoimmune disease which is bugging him, but I know AKL will cheer him up!)

So, I'm guess I'm asking ......

Tours for non CL people yes or no?

thanks,
Cathy

What tours? I'm half asleep....
I know some safaris non CL people can do.

Just wanted to mention that there is a tour of Sanaa. You'll have to check the activities board at Kidani for the time.

A CM from Africa will tell you about the African Culture and explain all the artwork in the restaurant. At the end of the tour, there is a complimentary tasting of Sanaa's Indian Bread Service featuring 3 different types of authentic breads cooked in the Tandoor ovens along with a selection of dipping sauces. One of Sanaa's Chefs will explain the different types of bread and the dipping sauces.

Kathy

 

[PNO4TE]

Good afternoon, Js & Ks!

Just trying to keep up!!!