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

[Itinkso]

Originally Posted by happysmyly

We were there on Jan 5, 2011 and all the decorations were still up in all the parks and we went to Boma for dinner on the 9th and the tree was still up at AKL--during that week, the 2nd full week, was when they took them down all over--so the first part of our trip was still holidays and then it was back to 'normal'.
So you should definitely be good to go with getting there on the 31st Enjoy!!

Thank you! We'll plan on touring resorts to check-out the decorations - have never seen the Gingerbread Houses or chocolate Carousel!

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[bonjourmickey]

Odd question for you all. We will be staying at Jambo in just over a month and we're working on our order for garden grocer. We are staying in a 2 bedroom with a full kitchen. Do we need to make sure we have dish soap and dishwasher soap, or will that be included with the kitchen? Thanks!

[kimmar067]

Originally Posted by Itinkso

Thank you! We'll plan on touring resorts to check-out the decorations - have never seen the Gingerbread Houses or chocolate Carousel!

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....the Christmas tree at AKL is pretty grand.....well, at least I think it is....

[AquaDame]

Originally Posted by kimmar067

....the Christmas tree at AKL is pretty grand.....well, at least I think it is....

I agree! We LOVED the tree!

[Itinkso]

Originally Posted by kimmar067

....the Christmas tree at AKL is pretty grand.....well, at least I think it is....

We will be staying in Clermont for a few days and our first stop will be AKL to see the tree and all the other decorations in case they are taken down before we arrive for our stay on the 6th. I can imagine how beautiful it is - the trees at Grand Californian are always magnificent - I just love Christmas decor! When we went two years ago, the Parks were decorated but we were too early in November to see any of the resort decorations! I am thrilled we will have great timing for this trip!

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[t_daniels]

Okay, guys.

DH just booked our trip.

3rd floor, savannah view..

He told the cm we were celebrating our anniversary.

The cm then told DH about some of the things they sometimes do for anniversaries. Special in room meals...private dining in jiko...and some other things.

My question is...how likely is this extra pixie dust to happen?
I really am trying to not expect it, or get excited. Just in case.


Has anyone experienced it?

[RachelTori]

Originally Posted by t_daniels

Okay, guys.

DH just booked our trip.

3rd floor, savannah view..

He told the cm we were celebrating our anniversary.

The cm then told DH about some of the things they sometimes do for anniversaries. Special in room meals...private dining in jiko...and some other things.

My question is...how likely is this extra pixie dust to happen?
I really am trying to not expect it, or get excited. Just in case.


Has anyone experienced it?

We've gotten some great surprises in our room in the past. This trip, however (less than 2 weeks ago), we stayed Club Level and they knew it was our 30th anniversary -- we got a sweet gift (painted ostrich egg), but no special edibles of any kind as in past years. Maybe they figured we had enough to eat/drink in the Club Lounge!

Dolphin made up for it though -- they had champagne and a dozen chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us at check-in!

[t_daniels]

Originally Posted by RachelTori

We've gotten some great surprises in our room in the past. This trip, however (less than 2 weeks ago), we stayed Club Level and they knew it was our 30th anniversary -- we got a sweet gift (painted ostrich egg), but no special edibles of any kind as in past years. Maybe they figured we had enough to eat/drink in the Club Lounge!

Dolphin made up for it though -- they had champagne and a dozen chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us at check-in!

Hmm. Interesting! A painted Ostrich egg? It sounds really neat. Love that it isn't a typical card or something you'd toss.....

Holy cow....Dolphin did excellent! I'd be speechless. Probably bawling.


Related...did you tell restaurants you were celebrating it? Or just one?

[RachelTori]

Originally Posted by t_daniels

Hmm. Interesting! A painted Ostrich egg? It sounds really neat. Love that it isn't a typical card or something you'd toss.....

Holy cow....Dolphin did excellent! I'd be speechless. Probably bawling.


Related...did you tell restaurants you were celebrating it? Or just one?

We didn't tell any of the restaurants, but did have it noted on our room reservations.

Here's the AKL Anniversary gift:



Here's what Dolphin did for us!








On our anniversary (Oct 16th), we did the Wanyama Safari and it was awesome! At some point, I will post some pictures of that adventure!

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by bonjourmickey

Odd question for you all. We will be staying at Jambo in just over a month and we're working on our order for garden grocer. We are staying in a 2 bedroom with a full kitchen. Do we need to make sure we have dish soap and dishwasher soap, or will that be included with the kitchen? Thanks!

From pictures I've seen those items are included as well as laundry soap.

[Pinkocto]

Wow Laura! How nice of them

[psac]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

From pictures I've seen those items are included as well as laundry soap.

You're right about dish and dishwasher soap, they give you a lot and will replace if needed. For laundry detergent, they provide one for the stay, but if you need more you have to buy it from them. We pack the Purel 3-in-1 laundry sheets, but I think they're hard to get now because people complained of spotting.

[vicki_c]

Originally Posted by bonjourmickey

Odd question for you all. We will be staying at Jambo in just over a month and we're working on our order for garden grocer. We are staying in a 2 bedroom with a full kitchen. Do we need to make sure we have dish soap and dishwasher soap, or will that be included with the kitchen? Thanks!

Are you staying on points? Because then you only get starter amounts of laundry and dishwasher soap and it is not replenished until your scheduled service day. If you are staying on cash, the maids should replenish whatever is needed every day.

[HugeHabsFan]

We're 45 days out now and I am getting more excited by the day. We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary while we are there.

I am so excited to see all the Christmas decorations - especially the tree at AKL. Thanks so very much to all of you for all the great information that you share here - this is a fabulous forum!

Denise

[ddixon1]

Originally Posted by Flossbolna

You still have a pool view room booked? I don't think any rooms around the pool will have the same level of noise from the pool as they all more or less surround the pool, so all are equally close to it. But then, I never had issues with the noise from the pool. I found that the glass door is very good at keeping the noise out when it is shut. I only recently heard from someone who was disturbed by the noise of the pool party in the afternoon.

Yes, we have a pool view room booked. I requested a king bed with a daybed, but was told by my TA that AKL no longer has this configuration? Can anyone verify?
Also, I spent the day yesterday looking into AKV options. I can book a Standard View Studio or 1 bedroom (Jambo) through CRO. No "value" rooms are offered, so I'm wondering what a standard view is (could I get the dreaded parking lot?)
This is my DH and DS first trip to Disney. Is a 1 bedroom even worth it, if we won't spend a lot of time in the room? I was considering the 1 bdrm due to early risers for races (3am-ish). Thanks for the help!