AKL LITE unofficial FAQ thread#10 - I believe that's known as a 'Jambo Dozen'

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We are BEYOND excited! We were originally booked for another resort, but I got a free dining pin (woo hoo!) and we "had" to switch to take advantage of it. Which worked out really well because it's my parent's 45th anniversary trip and I had really really really wanted to book AKL to begin with (they're HUGE animal lovers) and just couldn't figure out the finances. My dad still doesn't believe he'll be able to have morning coffee on a balcony, (hopefully) watching animals! (yes, I've shown him pictures )

We're booked for a savanna room....are there any requests I should make when I check in to help make our stay even more magical? (Although, seriously, just BEING there is going to be magical enough!)

Oh how amazing! I loved sitting on the rocking chairs in the morning after getting a cup of java from the mug refills and watching the animals from the viewing areas ( didn't have a savanna view ) every morning I had to pinch myself it was real. The resort is awesome. I don't know re requests as I am disabled so I just wanted ground floor near reception at Kidani and we got exactly this which we loved for parking and less walking/pushing for DW and me! Honestly I can't imagine being disappointed with anything in Jambo or Kidani but others may advise differently maybe I am easily pleased! I loved the proverbs and poems around the resort the staff are so friendly!

 

[jillmc40]

Thank you Laura! I saw your message this morning, and I also saw the CLOSED on the other board. I am here! OMG, it will be soooooooo long until I am staying at AKL again, but I love reading this board

 

[RebelSoul]

99 more days til I get to eat Zebra Domes!

 

[ddixon1]

Just returned from a 4-night stay in a savanna view AKV studio. Great experience all around, with a few bumps (children running in hallways, one 1-hour wait for a DTD bus, another bus driver from MK to AKL not paying attention and missing the exit ramp to the lodge...) but otherwise fantastic.

Room was terrific location - zebra trail, 5503 - dedicated studio, so we had a real closet in addition to the armoire. The room was ready upon check-in at 11 AM, which was much appreciated, as we had awoken at 4 am to catch a 7 am flight!

We saw a variety of animals each day from our balcony. I picked up a bottle of Cape Indaba merlot from the Mara, and enjoyed sipping a glass whilst taking in the amazing sights.

Lunch with an Animal Specialsit at Sanaa far exceeded my expectations, as did dinner at Raglan Road!

My son enjoyed the pools at both AKL and Kidani village. So did I!

We shared zebra domes from the Mara each day.

Only went to MK on the first night, then focused on spending time with newly acquired friends at the resort.

Dinner at Boma was delicious but overwhelming. I'm not a big eater and felt uncomfortably full by the end of the meal, as did my son. We will try Jiko and stick with the Mara and Sanaa from now on.

We had groceries delivered from GardenGrocer - a seamless process. It felt great to eat breakfast in the studio, then grab lunch from the room later.

My 8 y/o son emerged from his bedroom in tears shortly after bedtime on the first night back home - "Mom, I'm homesick for Disney! When can we go back?"
He has never done that before.

Luckily, I had already booked a return trip for December!

Cheers!

 

[jillmc40]

Great experience all around, with a few bumps (children running in hallways...)

What is it about those hallways that makes kids want to run at full speed??? My kids (DD5, DS3 at the time) are not usually hall runners, but when we got there that was the first thing they did! It was like someone shot the gun and they were off! I was so surprised the first time they did it they were halfway down the hall before I could even figure out what happened! I felt like my whole trip there was quietly yelling at them to stop running down the stinkin halls! AND, that is the only place they have ever done it. We had a split stay and they didn't do it before we got there SO weird! I hear people complaining about it all the time...Must be something in the air!

Glad you had fun! It sounds like a wonderful trip!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

whew!!! I found y'all

ok peeps...we need some good Fl Res Rates for November! DH wants to go back!

 

[CupcakeKelly]

103 days until my trip Started my countdown at over 400 days, so to almost be in the double digits is pretty awesome

I do have a funny Disney error my DH made the other day. DD asks every day who she is going to meet when we go to Disney, so I go through the list. "Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Mickey... etc etc"

DH decided to answer her one day and says "Mickey, Minnie, Chippendales."

I would imagine that might be a popular meet and greet

 

[njsmama]

Lunch with an Animal Specialsit at Sanaa far exceeded my expectations, as did dinner at Raglan Road!

Ohhhh, tell me about this Lunch with and Animal Specialist!!!! I haven't heard of it. We love Sanaa and we love animals....this could be very cool! How much was it, how long was it etc?

 

[letthewookiewin]

We are BEYOND excited! We were originally booked for another resort, but I got a free dining pin (woo hoo!) and we "had" to switch to take advantage of it. Which worked out really well because it's my parent's 45th anniversary trip and I had really really really wanted to book AKL to begin with (they're HUGE animal lovers) and just couldn't figure out the finances. My dad still doesn't believe he'll be able to have morning coffee on a balcony, (hopefully) watching animals! (yes, I've shown him pictures )

We're booked for a savanna room....are there any requests I should make when I check in to help make our stay even more magical? (Although, seriously, just BEING there is going to be magical enough!)

That's kind of what happened to us. We were originally booked for June at the AKL in an Arusha view room. When we changed to September, the DH has me change it to the BC. He didn't have any interest in staying at the AKL, despite me trying to get him to stay there for years. When FD came out, we either had to upgrade our room category in order to get FD at the BC, which the DH refused to do. He said if the AKL had availability with FD, he would take that as a sign from God that we should stay there. We ended up with an AKL pool view and I'm so excited!! We check into the AKL in 20 days. It will not only be our first stay, but our first time to step on AKL property. I fell in love with the resort thanks to picture on the DIS.

 

[Sydney2977]

OK, I posted this ? on the other thread, but I'll move it over here now:

Not that I expect it, but I've heard sometimes people get upgraded. We have just booked a standard room, and honestly I'd be happy with a view of a wall just to get to stay at AKL! I called Disney to see if I could request a bunk bed room, and the CM said they are not available in standard rooms. Still not a problem. But if we do online check-in, won't they automatically assign us a room? I was hoping for some pixie dust that maybe when we check in at the resort, they would have an upgrade available. Is that true, or may they still do that with online check in? Any opinions would be appreciated!

 

[psac]

This guy welcomes everyone to the new thread!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I know that the CL rooms are on a separate floor from the lounge, but are the actual rooms situated well in the resort. i.e- near the lobby

Or, would you still be subject to the "long walks" that some people speak of?

Thanks!

 

[RachelTori]

I know that the CL rooms are on a separate floor from the lounge, but are the actual rooms situated well in the resort. i.e- near the lobby

Or, would you still be subject to the "long walks" that some people speak of?

Thanks!

CL rooms are on the 4th floor in the first pod off the lobby (on Kudu and Zebra Trails). Occasionally a CL room might be in the 2nd pod, but they try to keep all CL by the lobby.

 

[Mousemommy1]

CL rooms are on the 4th floor in the first pod off the lobby (on Kudu and Zebra Trails). Occasionally a CL room might be in the 2nd pod, but they try to keep all CL by the lobby.

Thank you!

Is there a list anywhere of the food offerings in the lounge (for hot appetizers)?

 

[RachelTori]

Thank you!

Is there a list anywhere of the food offerings in the lounge (for hot appetizers)?

The hot appetizers change daily. Usually 2 hot choices available from 5-7pm. They are from Boma & Jiko. They also put out bread/hummus/cheese and cold veggie assortment (carrots, olives.......) OK, my mind is blank - time for me to refresh my memory with a trip to AKL Club Level! (next week! )

These are almost a year old....... I'll get some new ones soon!

 

[ddixon1]

OK, I posted this ? on the other thread, but I'll move it over here now:

Not that I expect it, but I've heard sometimes people get upgraded. We have just booked a standard room, and honestly I'd be happy with a view of a wall just to get to stay at AKL! I called Disney to see if I could request a bunk bed room, and the CM said they are not available in standard rooms. Still not a problem. But if we do online check-in, won't they automatically assign us a room? I was hoping for some pixie dust that maybe when we check in at the resort, they would have an upgrade available. Is that true, or may they still do that with online check in? Any opinions would be appreciated!

Well it wasn't an upgrade, but we found ourselves blessed with a "people pen view" for our standard view room in January. (Apparently these rooms were originally classified as savanna views, but folks complained). It was terrific. Not sure if they can make a notation for such for your reservation? It was a long walk from the lobby, but we thought it was worth it. HTH.

 

[ddixon1]

Ohhhh, tell me about this Lunch with and Animal Specialist!!!! I haven't heard of it. We love Sanaa and we love animals....this could be very cool! How much was it, how long was it etc?

Not sure, but I believe that the price was $49 per adult, $29 per child? I think that included tax. It is offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:30/12 noon. The animal specialist (zookeeper) Kim was very lively and knowledgeable. We enjoyed her anecdotes of caring for the various animals on the savannas of both resorts. Lunch was delicious, but I was focused on listening to her, so the meal receded in my memory. My 8 y/o son really enjoyed both the dialogue and the food as well. Oh and I really appreciated that the chef came to the table to describe the food and custom of sharing a meal and experiences together. It was wonderful.
Feel free to ask any questions, and I'll do my best to answer you.
Otherwise there is good information available online.
Cheers!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Howdy Folks!!

I am happy today!! Not only will I be in Disney in 3 days...I just booked F&W at AKL for November!!!! YAY!!!!! Pool View again!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Thank you RachelTori!!!

Would love to hear an update after your upcoming trip!

 

[RachelTori]

Thank you RachelTori!!!

Would love to hear an update after your upcoming trip!

You're welcome! I will be happy to update after our vacation!