AKL - Concierge staying on points

[disrailfan]

Anyone on here stayed on points in Concierge at AKL? DW and I are looking into it for our Trip in October. Are the benefits the same on points as they are if you are paying cash?

Just curious of any good or bad experiences out there.

Thanks,

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

disrailfan ~ I can't say about AKL concierge, but we stayed at YC Concierge last July & had an absolutely wonderful experience. We began our trip in connecting rooms at AKL (deluxe savannah view) & then switched over to YC Concierge. I was really nervous b/c this was a lot of points, but we had originally transferred them out for a cruise & were unable to go, so decided to splurge & use them in this manner. Though technically not a great use of points, we had an absolutely awesome vacation!! At the YC, they gave us rooms w/ a spectacular view of the BW & the service was outstanding. One evening we missed the mac & cheese, so I told our kids we'd try to get some the next night. The CM must have overheard, b/c 20 min later there was a knock at the door & there he was w/ piping hot mac & cheese from Cape May Cafe! He went all the way over there to get us some! So, in reference to your ? about being treated any different, I sure didn't think so! Have a fabulous trip!!

 

[JimC]

We are doing it in August. Points or cash its all the same to the AKL staff. You get all of the benefits and the AKL concierge staff are first rate. Be sure to reserve a Sunrise Safari with them at 90 days out.

 

[WDWLVR]

We had AKL concierge booked for early May, cancelled and switched to OKW for late May when news about Member Homecoming came out. Definately want to do it some day.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We have AKL conciege booked for March 27 - April 2. We had to cancel a BCV trip in Jan. and had to use the points in the holding account quickly.

The planning staff at AKL is great. I have emailed with them several times. They are quick about making your PSs and sending you verification.

We are going on the Sunset Safari and can't wait!

 

[akghutton]

We have reservations at the AKL for concierge room this October 17 - 20. After that we will move over to our "home," BWV. We can't wait. I have read some wonderful trip reports about AKL and their concierge service on the trip reports board. We made reservations for the 10/19/04 Sunrise Safari the day after we booked the rooms this past November.

Try running a search on these boards for AKL concierge. You will have a plethora of informative posts on the resort to read. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Richyams]

I guess I am the only one who has done it already. We spent a stupid number of points for the AKL Concierge long weekend stay. It was well worth, I know I could have rented out the points, paid for the stay and put a bunch of money in my pocket, but they are only points and the ease and simplicity can't be beat. We bought the points for great vacations and that was one of the greatest.

Sunrise Safari was great and should definitely not be missed.

We stayed in the Poly concierge two months later, it paled in comparrison. The poly location, monorail access, and the hotel were great, I guess the service was similar, but the AKL setup, all in one huge room was better, The food and drink was better and I think it was out longer also.

We got lucky, we got a room on the balcony overlooking the lobby just a few steps from the lounge. I wish I could be guaranteed that room everytime, it would make AKL concierge stays happen more often.

 

[Mary Ellen]

We've also stayed AKL concierge on points. It included Fri & Sat nights for MANY, MANY points, but we loved it. One advantage on points (at least when we used them), no additional charge for an extra adult. We had a change in plans - a friend for the BWV part of our stay would be arriving a day early. We just notified MS that there would be 3 adults and no problem.

 

[Scott H]

We will be finishing up our September trip at the AKL Concierge for three nights. It is our second time at AKL Concierge and we feel it is well worth the points. Transfers from another resort is very easy, as bell service takes care of the luggage. The Concierge planning staff is very helpful, we are very low maint, but they are very eager to help. The food and snack offerings are very good. Hope this helps. Oh yes the Sunrise Safari is well worth the experience. Not sure if we will do it again. Also do take advantage of the events/programs which are offered at the lodge. Very informative and fun.

 

[akghutton]

Richams and Mary Ellen,
Did you stay on the 5th or 6th floors during your stays? I am curious if there is a difference in the views from these room locations.

 

[Richyams]

As I said, I was just a couple steps from the lounge, right on the balcony to the lobby, the lounge is on the sixth floor.

I guess our savanah is not the most desirable, if you stand at the balcony overlooking the lobby with you back to the lounge, our room was on the left. Ashura savanah?????? We found it great, there were all kinds of animals all the time, if ours was the less desirable savanah, I can only imagine what a more desirable one would be like.

I do know that some rooms and all the suites can be very far from the lounge, while there may be more desirable savanahs, our view was great and being a few steps from the lounge was really fantastic.

 

[akghutton]

Richyams,
Thanks for your response. Our oldest son(3 1/2 years old) loves zebras and giraffes, so I'd love to have a view of them. However, with 2 little ones, proximity to the lounge may be a huge plus. It doesn't sound like there are any bad savannah views for the concierge rooms. Thanks again.

 

[edith76]

We did this last May and it was well worth the points. I thought it might be a little hokey but it wasn't. Just cool. Loved waking up before dawn and seeing the animals from our veranda. We were a hike from the lounge but it was still very convenient to go for breakfast/snacks. My 20 yr old son was impressed - and believe me, that doesn't happen often. As an added bonus, a well known basketball player was there at the same time we were.

 

[Richyams]

Actually, we had zebras and giraffs on our savanah....I'm pretty sure at least.

 

[Scott H]

Rich,

We also stayed in a room in the same area you described. A very nice location. When we were there the main Savannah was closed for rehab. I think one thing not to be missed at AKL is getting up very early and listening to the sounds in the main lobby. This is a true sound of the savannah. I can not wait to hear this again in September at AKL and then hopfully again in Jan/Feb in Tanzania.

In a conversation I had with Joe Rohde about the critters. He mentioned that there are not many zebras as they tend not to play well with others.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Chiming in here...

We stayed AKL concierge over New Year's of 02 - 03. Talk about burning up some points! But, it was o-so-worth it!

We were on the 5th floor, and had a bit of a walk to get to the concierge lounge (Kilamanjaro Club, methinks.) But, we overlooked the main savannah, and there was plenty of wildlife to watch - giraffes, zebras, all sorts of antelope and what my daughter called "cow-y things." One of the antelope breeds (don't have the name handy, sorry) was so close to our balcony that you could hear their knees "clacking" when they walked. And, with the artifical moonlight illuminating the savanna at night - well, it was all pretty special.

I felt the service in the lounge was just fine. Only one odd thing - while there were plenty of beverages available, you had to ask an attendant for soft drinks. No big deal.

There was a congenial, family feel about the whole area, and the concierge staff was tops, calling us by name and taking care of any details.

Heck, yeah, I'd do it again.

 

[Mary Ellen]

To clarify some misstatements in other posts. The only savannah with zebras is the main savannah (Arusha). This is NOT the one seen from the 6th floor rooms. Zebras are 'bullies' and pick on the smaller antelope so they are only on the 'main' savannah with larger animals. I 'think' the savannah seen from the 6th floor savannah view rooms is the Sunset savannah.

We stayed on the 5th floor both times and LOVED our views. From the Sunset (?? - sorry don't have a map handy) viewing area off the lobby, we saw a view similar (but lower) to the 6th floor Concierge rooms. Frankly, I'd be very disappointed with that view. However, others (such as Rich and Scott H) have liked the rooms for the proximity to the lounge.

We didn't have a problem with the distance to the Concierge lounge, but then we don't have children. We were mainly viewing the animals from our room(s) rather than spending a lot of time in the lounge. We went to the lounge maybe 3x a day.

edited because I didn't spell right the first time.

 

[jaysue]

Here is a map:

 

[akghutton]

Thank you everyone for your replies; they were most helpful. We can't wait to go to AKL. I think that we will request a 5th floor savannah view. As a BWV owner, we are use to long walks and prefer them, as they help us work off the donuts, cookies, and other sweets we partake in on a daily basis from the Boardwalk Bakery. I am certain the concierge lounge will offer many treats, which we will need to burn off as well.

Thank you again!

PS
Jaysue, Thank you for the map!!!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

WE too had points to use or lose last December, After 5 days at the Boardwalk we spent 4 days at AKL Club level, the first 2 on points the last 2 on cash. We simply requested they link the reservations(no problem) We had to check in and out on paper but did not have to be moved.
I agree with Richyams it would have been cheaper to have rented out the points and paid cash for the room but that would have been a bit of a hassle. And I just wanted to book it and be done with it.
I did not see any differance between staying on points VS cash. If you want to get technical you are paying more using points than with cash and an AP rate.
That said this is my fave property and now my must have to end my trip. There is nothing prettier in my view than sitting in the lounge looking at the reflections of the lobby lights against the glass back wall. And the smell of the firepit it is like magic....

Richyams can you rack your brain and remember the room number? I would love to be near the lounge and still see the animals. Do you remember what the bed configuration is? Thanks in advance!