AKL 5 to room/Concierge?

[pfurs]

We are deciding to add the beginning weekend nights to spring break trip at the AKL. We have 5 to our family. Which type room to reserve to accommodate our family?

We do want a savannah room and we are even considering concierge. Will the concierge staff help with ADR for days that are extend beyond our AKL stay?

Thanks

 

[Boogeyhead]

I can't address your concierge questions, but we just returned from the AKL with 5 of us in the room.

With 5 in the room, you must either book a concierge room or a Deluxe Savanna View room. All of the deluxe rooms are on the 5th floor. We had a queen bed, a set of bunks and a day bed. The rooms are a little bit bigger than the standard rooms. Concierge rooms are the same size and are on the 6th floor and some on the 5th floor.

We had stayed in a standard savanna view room last time and were on the second or third floor. We found the view from the lower floors to be better, since we were at or below the tree canopy, while on the 5th floor, we could not see anything that was behind the trees. But the view was still great and I doubt if we'll ever stay at another resort - we love the AKL.

The concierge service does allow you to book the Sunrise or Sunset Savanna tours. Although we didn't do either of these, other guests we spoke with raved about them. Maybe next time we'll try one of these tours.

Hope this helps.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Will the concierge staff help with ADR for days that are extend beyond our AKL stay?

There is no set rule about this and it seems to be handled on an individual basis. If you're looking for assistance for an additional day or two, it shouldn't be a problem, but if it's for more than that, they may not be able to help you. Unfortunately, it's not a yes or no answer. You'd have to book concierge and then ask the CM's in the IPO department if their current workload would allow them to help you beyond your concierge stay.

 

[pfurs]

Will I need to request the bunk bed option?

Nothing is available by calling direct, however, the on-line site has Fla resident rate @ $455/nite for concierge. This is about $100/nite than Deluxe savannah. Is it worth it and is this a good rate?

 

[Boogeyhead]

I think the only way they can accomodate five people in the room is with the bunk bed (maybe 2 queens and the day bed). We booked thru AAA and they made a note in our reservation for the bunk beds. I also sent a request via fax before our visit and reiterated our need for the bunk beds.

As for the extra money for the concierge, I couldn't say. When we booked thru AAA, we booked a Magic Your Way package with the dining option. AAA got us a break on the room ($297.50 per night vs $350), so the upgrade to concierge was a little more than we were looking to pay. I did speak to one family doing both the dining plan and concierge. The meal plan provides so much food that they couldn't take advantage of all the snacks and treats provided by the concierge. I can agree that the amount of food with the meal plan was outrageous. But concierge offers more than snacks and treats.

I've also read that you can't specify savanna or pool view with concierge rooms. Frankly, as nice as the AKL is, I wouldn't want to stay there (and pay that much for a room) unless I had a savanna view room. Allearsnet gives a pretty good description of the AKL and its ammenities.


I hope this helps. For the record, we were in Room 5321 overlooking the Arusha Savanna along the Kudu Trail.

 

[isyt]

I have stayed in a std savanah room and a concierge savanah room. Both rooms the same size and fit my family of 5 just fine. The AKL concierge lounge is beautiful and the food is brought up from Jiko and Boma. If you did concierge I would definetly request to be near the lounge because it seemed we were miles away and downstairs. It was weird. I do have to admit I did have a better view from the std sav room than concierge room. I would do it again, the staff will help make any dining reservations you need!! They are very helpful, if you don't hear from them at least 90 days before your arrival you can call them and they will do what they can to help!!

 

[kelly01]

Hi ISTY:

Regarding staying in a standard room at AKL...is one of your 5 under the age of 3? I was told by Disney that we could not book a standard room at the AKL (we have three 9 year old boys) with 5 (unless 1 was a child under 3). Thanks!

 

[pfurs]

yes I was wondering the same thing. Every time I add the four kids (its just me and my kids going to WDW) on-line it automatically bumps me to cocierge or deluxe savannah. If I only have three kids and myself then I have all options available.

So do you just make the reservation with four guest even though five will be staying in the room?

 

[kimmar067]

....book a deluxe room for a party of five. The couch will open up to another bed. As with the case of the previous posters, I would recommend a queen/bunk set-up...

(Pssst - you MAY wanna check out this link:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=752192
Happy reading!)