1st AKL trip!! need help!?!?!?

[Dawnflower]

Please note that the "need help" is a question AND a statement!!
Every time I get close to leaving for WDW I start obsessing over every little detail!! Whoo HOooo I love it!!


Now to the question part of our program...

A) I have at this time paid for a "standard pool view" w/bunk beds. Since I have paid for an upgrade from a standard, is there any chance I will be upgraded to a Savannah?

B) Is there a "better" pool view location to request? I think (I have never been to this resort) I want to be near the lobby. I guess mainly due to, if I can't see animals from my room, I want to be able to see them from someplace relatively close.

C) From the lobby area, how close is "the rock" area, and the pool and the restaurans.

D) Are there "night vision" binoculars to use or telescopes or anything there at the resort? I am bringing my own binoculars, but they are I am assuming "daytime" binoculars

E) How late is the pool bar open and can you get snacks anytime there.

F) How far is Mara from the pool? I know at WK, RF is just a step inside the door.

G) Is there a bar to get say mixed drinks after the pool bar closes?

H) DH and I are coffee nuts!! Is there a large variety here and do they have descriptions??? (hate fruity coffee)

I) Can I bring floats and the like to the pool?

J) Can you see animals from the pool?

K) Is turndown service really that big of a deal? What kind of chocolate?

L) Do they have feather pillows availble at Mousekeeping or do I need to bring my own?

M) Are the comforters standard scratchy slick hotel comforters or are they more like the "heavenly beds" comforters from Swan/Dolphin?

N) Can we still be friends after all of these questions?





O) How can I get this last week to go by faster????

 

[Nickimouse]

Hope I can help a little!

A)You could get an upgrade, sometimes depends on how busy AKL is. You can always ask at check-in.

B)We stayed savannah view,but did notice some pool views were a little blocked by trees.

C)The firepit and viewing area is right off the back of the lobby. Boma,Jinko, Victoria Falls and the pool are one floor down.

D)The offer turns with night vision binoculars, and have those viewing things like at zoos and overlooks you put a quarter in. Except you don't need a quarter.

E)I don't remember snacks at the pool bar and it was open one night when we were there about 10:00pm.

F)I'd say mara is similar to RF in distance.

G)Victoria Falls.

H)Boma has good ones , sorry I don't have descriptions, mara just has regular.

I)Sorry don't know.

J)Yes there is a viewing area very close.

K)I believe they only offer turn-down service in concierge.

L)Don't think so.

M) Just regular.

N)Yes!
Hi friend!

O) Sorry can't help! But I have felt your pain!

Have a great trip!

 

[harlock_jds]

a) it's possible buy I think it's less likely than if you had requested a standard view (which really seem to be overbooked a lot of the time esp. with the discounts they have been offering) but I'm no means an expert.

E) technically it's suppose to close when the pool closes, which is dusk (9 when I was their) However some bar tenders keep it open later (which is apparently frowned on by management because of the danger of drunks by a pool without a lifeguard, according to the v falls bartender)

F) Very close.

M) starchy (look for the hidden Mickey's )

 

[currycook]

Do a quick search and look through the thread on the AKL and many of those questions are answered on it.

 

[oogieboogie]

I) Noodles and floaties are acceptable. Large lounge floats are not. Blow up rafts are not. Beach balls are acceptable. Little beach toys are acceptable.

 

[scotthart]

H. Boma has the greatest Kenyan AAA french press coffee! Be warned, I am a coffee nut also, but this stuff is strong!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi Dawnflower...it si me again...riding on the coat tails of your thread! We are planning our first AKL trip for Nov and I LOVE all the questions you ask! Just wanted to make a few remarks...

I was told you can get turndown service in ANY room, not just CL..

I thought I saw that the pool is open 24 hours (!) but the lifeguards leave at 9 or 10 pm and the pool slide closes when they leave. i do not know if this is true...I hope not cuz we have a pool view room also and I do not want to hear teenagers yelling and splashing in the pool at all hours. I know the WL closes it's pool at a certain time so I cannot imagine that the AKL lets it's pool stay open! I hope someone can clarify that!

I also would like to know about the fitness room. At WL you had to pay to use it but I thought I saw on Deb Wills' site that the AKL fitness room is free. Couldthis be true?

 

[BambiTamby]

Pool is open 24/7, slide closes when lifeguards leave.

The fitness center is now free to AKL guests!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thank you Bambitamby! I am so happy about the fitness room...not so happy about the pool staying open!

But that's ok, NOTHING will put a damper on this trip for me!

 

[leighe]

E) Pool bar is open until dusk. Try a Victoria Falls Mist - the best drink ever!

F) Mara is right beside the pool area and has tables outside. Try some of the wraps and salads - yum!

G) Victoria Falls is the lounge and it has a great atmosphere and a really nice wine list.

K) Turndown service is the best ever! So pampering and relaxing. The chocolate is a minty milk chocolate and is sooooo good.

N) Absolutely!

O) Come teach for me the rest of the week and do the family thing at my cousins wedding - your week will fly by!

You are going to have SUCH A GOOD TIME. I loved AKL so much!

 

[musicmom3]

I am particularly curious about the odds of an upgrade from pool view to savannah view. Anybody have any experiences to share?

 

[AdventurerKat]

Looks like your questions have pretty much been answered but enjoy AKL! It's beautiful!

 

[harlock_jds]

slide closes when lifeguards leave.

slide is curently not open at all

 

[ladyjayhawk]

I read on another thread that the slide is open now. I hope it is!!

 

[vasoccermom]

Thanks for your post! I had recently posted the question about the AKL slide being closed but no one seemed to know anything about it.
Do you happen to know how long it's supposed to be closed? We'll be there early Nov and are hoping it's back open by then...

Karen

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

good morning!

On another thread (I think it is the "NEW AKL FACTS" thread) someone said they were there from 9/23-9/27 and they went down the slide personally.

 

[vasoccermom]

I think Harlock-jds's thread indicates they're just back from AKL and the slide was closed! I wonder when he was there?

Karen