AKL concierge?
- Thread starter cdrn1
- Start date
Being a former AKL Concierge Cast Member, I could give you thousands of reasons why you should, Number 1 is the best Concierge Cast on property. But, I won't go into all that.
You should really want to stay on the concierge level if it is most benefit for you and your party that is traveling. Some questions you need to ask yourself before going to WDW and AKL.
1. Are you making your reservation plans yourself?
2. Is a travel agent making plans for you?
3. Would you like to have an experienced cast member to make suggestions and booked your selected itinerary items for you?
If a TA is making the arrangements for you, ask the TA (travel agent) how many vacations at WDW have they planned. Have they ever been and if when, where, what did they do.
If you stay at the conierge level at AKL, a concierge itin planning cm should contact you starting approx 180 days out for first start date. If you are traveling within a short arrival period they may not be able to assist you as quickly. This itin plann office can make your priorioty seating for dining, along with any other reservation you may want prior to your arrival and have and itin already planned out for you before your arrival. If time permits they can even e-mail this itin to you before you even leave home. They are 2 special events offered only to guests staying on the concierge level at AKL and that is a Sunrise Safari and an Sunset Safari. The Sunrise is limited to 56 guests (all ages), and then the Sunrise Safari, limited to 8 guests (12+). Booking concierge is gtd Deluxe savannah room with a refrig, be sure to rqst smoking or non smoking rooms. During your visit you will have approx 10 cast members per day at your disposal for assiting you with any needs you may have. Also these cast members do try and get you to stay on property for your dining needs but if you ask the cast is very knowledgable about off property dining and things to do as well.
Hope this helps with you in making your mind up about the AKL concierge level. By the way, this concierge is the only one on property at the moment with a Cappicino coffee service. Other resorts are jealous and are tryint to get their own machine.
Have FUN
You should really want to stay on the concierge level if it is most benefit for you and your party that is traveling. Some questions you need to ask yourself before going to WDW and AKL.
1. Are you making your reservation plans yourself?
2. Is a travel agent making plans for you?
3. Would you like to have an experienced cast member to make suggestions and booked your selected itinerary items for you?
If a TA is making the arrangements for you, ask the TA (travel agent) how many vacations at WDW have they planned. Have they ever been and if when, where, what did they do.
If you stay at the conierge level at AKL, a concierge itin planning cm should contact you starting approx 180 days out for first start date. If you are traveling within a short arrival period they may not be able to assist you as quickly. This itin plann office can make your priorioty seating for dining, along with any other reservation you may want prior to your arrival and have and itin already planned out for you before your arrival. If time permits they can even e-mail this itin to you before you even leave home. They are 2 special events offered only to guests staying on the concierge level at AKL and that is a Sunrise Safari and an Sunset Safari. The Sunrise is limited to 56 guests (all ages), and then the Sunrise Safari, limited to 8 guests (12+). Booking concierge is gtd Deluxe savannah room with a refrig, be sure to rqst smoking or non smoking rooms. During your visit you will have approx 10 cast members per day at your disposal for assiting you with any needs you may have. Also these cast members do try and get you to stay on property for your dining needs but if you ask the cast is very knowledgable about off property dining and things to do as well.
Hope this helps with you in making your mind up about the AKL concierge level. By the way, this concierge is the only one on property at the moment with a Cappicino coffee service. Other resorts are jealous and are tryint to get their own machine.
Have FUN
pirateofthecarolinas
<font color=FF00CC>AIN'T ain't a word!<br><font co
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2003
- Messages
- 5,295
We felt that it was worth every penny. I am having a personal affair with the cappicino machine.
The CMs are the best of property.
Lori
The CMs are the best of property.
Lori
hi, thanks for the akl info. however, i thought that reserving a consierge room guaranteed you a deluxe room, but a savannah view was not guaranteed. it is possible to get a deluxe pool view with consierge booked. the last info i read was that you could only "request" a savannah view with consierge. is this wrong info? thanks for any enlightenment to my confusion!
The concierge rooms at AKL are Deluxe Savanah Rooms. Majority of these rooms are non smoking. However, yes, there are some Concierge Deluxe rooms with a pool view, these rooms are located on the sixth floor and are listed as smoking optional rooms.
Requesting a savannah view is based on other room reservations that are NON CONCIERGE rooms.
Please remember that most CMs booking your reservation may not be in Orlando and have never been or seen the resort layout. Be sure to get positive confirmation regarding your reservation and ALWAYS keep notes yourself. Name of person you spoke with, date, day and time (your local time). When speaking to the CM from the AKL Concierge Itinerary office be sure to ask them to confirm the reservation they are showing.
Have FUN and Good Luck. The concierge CM at AKL are the best and can assist you in any way they possibly can.
#1hockeymom
<font color=blue>Wants to DRIVE the zamboni
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2001
- Messages
- 7,103
Having stayed with AKL's concierge three times now I have to say that they are absolutely wonderful, the lounge is so calming, and the entire combination just can't be beat! I have not done the sunset safari, but have done the sunrise twice and we loved it both times. Let us know what you decide!
Debbie
Debbie
budwmn
If you believe in magic, you belong
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2003
- Messages
- 924
RetiredCM-
We have stayed AKL concierge level twice and loved it! We finally convinced our families to join us there on our next trip and are staying in two 1-bedroom suites and one regular concierge level room.
They couldn't guarantee us savannah views or non-smoking rooms, but noted both requests on our reservations (my sister & I both have severe asthma).
Will we have a problem getting non-smoking rooms? Also, what views do the suites have? Thanks for your help. It's great to have someone so knowledgeable on the boards!
PS- That Cappicino machine is the best! (My husband says it's the best thing about the lounge).
We have stayed AKL concierge level twice and loved it! We finally convinced our families to join us there on our next trip and are staying in two 1-bedroom suites and one regular concierge level room.
They couldn't guarantee us savannah views or non-smoking rooms, but noted both requests on our reservations (my sister & I both have severe asthma).
Will we have a problem getting non-smoking rooms? Also, what views do the suites have? Thanks for your help. It's great to have someone so knowledgeable on the boards!
PS- That Cappicino machine is the best! (My husband says it's the best thing about the lounge).
disneyholic family
disney on my mind....
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2002
- Messages
- 20,510
we stayed at the AKL on this trip for one reason only - the sunrise safari....which you are only entitled to sign up for only if you are staying in the AKL concierge...
it was WELL worth the effort...the sunrise safari was excellent....all four of us thought so (DH, me, DD-20, and DS-17)..
as an added extra, the concierge service was superb.....the food selection for breakfast is much better than at the WL or GF concierges...(we didn't eat there any other time, so i don't know what was available)....
and i really liked being taken straight from my car to my room, with check in later at my convenience....
we were bitten by the concierge bug about 4 years ago and haven't been able to go back since.....
it was WELL worth the effort...the sunrise safari was excellent....all four of us thought so (DH, me, DD-20, and DS-17)..
as an added extra, the concierge service was superb.....the food selection for breakfast is much better than at the WL or GF concierges...(we didn't eat there any other time, so i don't know what was available)....
and i really liked being taken straight from my car to my room, with check in later at my convenience....
we were bitten by the concierge bug about 4 years ago and haven't been able to go back since.....
Originally posted by budwmn
RetiredCM-
We have stayed AKL concierge level twice and loved it! We finally convinced our families to join us there on our next trip and are staying in two 1-bedroom suites and one regular concierge level room.
They couldn't guarantee us savannah views or non-smoking rooms, but noted both requests on our reservations (my sister & I both have severe asthma).
Will we have a problem getting non-smoking rooms? Also, what views do the suites have? Thanks for your help. It's great to have someone so knowledgeable on the boards!
PS- That Cappicino machine is the best! (My husband says it's the best thing about the lounge).
The suites at AKL are all considered Concierge Level. All of the suites are considered savannah views, except for suite rm 1481, this suite is more of a obstructed pool view near one of the hot tub areas. I would recommended this room only if you want a quite, romantic get away and only when the view is not important to you. Romantic, near hot tub, very quite, not often used. Otherwise the concierge cast does not like to book this room if we have other suites available. They are a few suites that have partial pool, savannah views down the Zebra trail. If you request a suite along the Kudu Trail and also rqst non smoking and also rqst the suites to be near each other and traveling with family, give name and res number if possible. More than likely you will not be right next to each other but they will try and get you close together. Remember when booking concierge at AKL, not only give requests to the reservation CM at CRO but also reconfirm the reservation with the AKL Itin CM when talking or e-mailing them.
As for who I am....If you have stayed at AKL Concierge in the past year and most recently then you know who I am, as the only recently retired CM from that location. My AKL concierge family are a great group of cast and I'm sure they already know about me posting here if not now then real soon.
HAVE FUN
We booked AKL concierge for the end of October. Although I did call them & get a reservation for the Sunset Safari, I was never asked about assistance with priority seating, room preferences, itinerary help, etc. Should I expect a call from them or should I call them back myself to proactively discuss those things?
I am thinking about adding a couple of days at AKL when we go in December 2005. I'm also trying to decide if concierge is worth the extra $. My primary concern is the view. I've heard that the savannah views are actually better from non-concierge rooms because you're actually looking AT the animals instead of DOWN on them. Is that true? Does it make a big difference?
If the view is comparable, then I'll probably do concierge, as I have 2 very young children and having food available in a convenient location is a big plus. I also want to do the sunrise and sunset safaris.
Eve
If the view is comparable, then I'll probably do concierge, as I have 2 very young children and having food available in a convenient location is a big plus. I also want to do the sunrise and sunset safaris.
Eve
I just booked AKL Concierge level for the first time for our visit in mid November. Both of our birthdays are in the same week so we decided to splurge (DH is having one of those "decade" BDs, too).
What do you think are the pros/cons of concierge rooms on 5th floor vs. 6th floor? I've heard that 5th floor rooms are farther away from the lounge, and 6th floor rooms may not have terrific views. Is that true?
Can't wait until tomorrow morning to hopefully book the sunset safari for DH's big day!
Susan
What do you think are the pros/cons of concierge rooms on 5th floor vs. 6th floor? I've heard that 5th floor rooms are farther away from the lounge, and 6th floor rooms may not have terrific views. Is that true?
Can't wait until tomorrow morning to hopefully book the sunset safari for DH's big day!
Susan
This is an interesting thread, and had to jump in here a bit.
we've stayed at the AKL 2 times in the past 1 year. Last year we had 2 connecting savannah view rooms- non concierge with a fabulous, breathtaking view.
This year we had 1 "deluxe" savanah view bunk bed room with a day bed, non smoking- on the 5th floor. We are now a family of 5.
It was noted that we were requesting a sav. view room but we were told that it is NOT guaranteed, at the time the reservation was made, just that they would make a note of it. The room was nice but the view, I have to say was not as great. We were on a different savanah and up higher. Still very good, just not as great as last year.
Later, I was told by a wonderful CM in the IPO that there are really many more sav. view rooms than pool view rooms and that he didn't see a need for me to die from fretting about it.
In the end, we loved the CL for the ease of getting our breakfast every morning,
the CL cm's helped us secure a few dinner ressies,
** I'm sorry i ever laid eyes on the cappachino machine because now my DH thinks he NEEDS one for his birthday- although I think I drank $1000 worth of coffee while we were there (LOL). I should be thankful I didn't pass a kidney stone from all that coffee!
On the flip side, I never dragged my feet or complained about being tired once the whole trip because I was so caffeinated.
The IPO CM must have made a note that we recently celebrated 20 years of marriage and one day we returned to our room to find a beautiful (and delicious) cake waiting for us with place settings for 5 and an anniversary card from the staff.
I cannot remember talking to any other CM about it so it had to be him. I was really touched. It was a nice gesture. I saw #1 hockey mom has a photo in her signature line that shows a cake that has zebra-like stripes on it. That was the same kind of cake we got.
We thoroughly enjoyed the sunrise safari we took and we all agreed that the breakfast afterward at the Tusker House Restaurant was the best we had on property that trip. It was well worth the $$$.
In all honesty though the offerings in the lounge were not quite up to par with my expectations. The evening selections in particular lacked imagination. Out of the 8 nights we were there, there was really little change from day to day in the selections chicken, shrimp, beef (?) and salmon skewers. always a little dry and overcooked. terrible chicken nuggets which really disappointed my little kid who eats nothing but! It is sad indeed when the deluxe resort concierge lounge can't afford to put out chicken nuggets of a higher quality than the worst of the fast food establishments.
In fact we saw that in many of the Disney restaurants, the children's meal chicken nuggets had been replaced with those flat tiny froth-filled nuggets that make my daughter sigh and her eyes fill with tears. She doesn't MEAN to be a picky eater! And we used to be able to count on the nuggets at every meal being the kind made from real chicken at least.
I know this sounds stupid, but every time she ordered nuggets I got a little sadder. She is not a kid that will eat a burger, or most things that kids will eat. There was absolutely no recognizable chicken meat in those nuggets. All I could think of was undesirable parts being whirled up in a blender. I spent the whole vacation trying to get her to eat other things and promising to make her some homemade chicken nuggets as soon as we got home.
In the future I would love to stay AKL CL for a few of the perks for a few days and "regular" for the rest of the trip to conserve the bank account.
It is still by far our favorite of the onproperty deluxe resorts. Enjoy!
we've stayed at the AKL 2 times in the past 1 year. Last year we had 2 connecting savannah view rooms- non concierge with a fabulous, breathtaking view.
This year we had 1 "deluxe" savanah view bunk bed room with a day bed, non smoking- on the 5th floor. We are now a family of 5.
It was noted that we were requesting a sav. view room but we were told that it is NOT guaranteed, at the time the reservation was made, just that they would make a note of it. The room was nice but the view, I have to say was not as great. We were on a different savanah and up higher. Still very good, just not as great as last year.
Later, I was told by a wonderful CM in the IPO that there are really many more sav. view rooms than pool view rooms and that he didn't see a need for me to die from fretting about it.
In the end, we loved the CL for the ease of getting our breakfast every morning,
the CL cm's helped us secure a few dinner ressies,
** I'm sorry i ever laid eyes on the cappachino machine because now my DH thinks he NEEDS one for his birthday- although I think I drank $1000 worth of coffee while we were there (LOL). I should be thankful I didn't pass a kidney stone from all that coffee!
On the flip side, I never dragged my feet or complained about being tired once the whole trip because I was so caffeinated.
The IPO CM must have made a note that we recently celebrated 20 years of marriage and one day we returned to our room to find a beautiful (and delicious) cake waiting for us with place settings for 5 and an anniversary card from the staff.
I cannot remember talking to any other CM about it so it had to be him. I was really touched. It was a nice gesture. I saw #1 hockey mom has a photo in her signature line that shows a cake that has zebra-like stripes on it. That was the same kind of cake we got.
We thoroughly enjoyed the sunrise safari we took and we all agreed that the breakfast afterward at the Tusker House Restaurant was the best we had on property that trip. It was well worth the $$$.
In all honesty though the offerings in the lounge were not quite up to par with my expectations. The evening selections in particular lacked imagination. Out of the 8 nights we were there, there was really little change from day to day in the selections chicken, shrimp, beef (?) and salmon skewers. always a little dry and overcooked. terrible chicken nuggets which really disappointed my little kid who eats nothing but! It is sad indeed when the deluxe resort concierge lounge can't afford to put out chicken nuggets of a higher quality than the worst of the fast food establishments.
In fact we saw that in many of the Disney restaurants, the children's meal chicken nuggets had been replaced with those flat tiny froth-filled nuggets that make my daughter sigh and her eyes fill with tears. She doesn't MEAN to be a picky eater! And we used to be able to count on the nuggets at every meal being the kind made from real chicken at least.
I know this sounds stupid, but every time she ordered nuggets I got a little sadder. She is not a kid that will eat a burger, or most things that kids will eat. There was absolutely no recognizable chicken meat in those nuggets. All I could think of was undesirable parts being whirled up in a blender. I spent the whole vacation trying to get her to eat other things and promising to make her some homemade chicken nuggets as soon as we got home.
In the future I would love to stay AKL CL for a few of the perks for a few days and "regular" for the rest of the trip to conserve the bank account.
It is still by far our favorite of the onproperty deluxe resorts. Enjoy!
BambiTamby
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2000
- Messages
- 2,663
AKL CL is awesome, no doubt about that!
Add in a suite, and you're in heaven!
here's some of my latest AKL pics of our June trip and concierge lounge and
Wanyama Safari Pictures!
Pictures say it all.....
hehehe...RetiredCM....I have a pretty good idea who you are!
good to see you posting on the DIS!!!!!
oh, yes! Another "cappucino machine lover" here!
I've been
reading all these " latte love" posts!
Add in a suite, and you're in heaven!
here's some of my latest AKL pics of our June trip and concierge lounge and
Wanyama Safari Pictures!
Pictures say it all.....
hehehe...RetiredCM....I have a pretty good idea who you are!
good to see you posting on the DIS!!!!!
oh, yes! Another "cappucino machine lover" here!
I've been
reading all these " latte love" posts!
BriarRosie
<font color=blue>Creator of Tag Fairy Haiku:<br>Cl
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2002
- Messages
- 11,164
Bwahahaha! Sounds like a personal problem, er....Lori.
I think that machine cost an obscene amount of money, so
the CMs claimed. But it's worth every penny!
I thought the CMs were terrific, and I loved the Sunrise Safari.
I want to book AKL concierge again sometime in the future to
do the Sunset Safari.
CoolDisneyCat
North Carolina
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2003
- Messages
- 4,676
We stayed at AKL concierge in March and had a wonderful time. We requested a NS room, savannah view on zebra trail, close to the elevator and that is exactly what we got.
We went on the Sunset Safari and feel it is the best thing we have ever done at WDW. The meal at Jiko was out of this world!
We went on the Sunset Safari and feel it is the best thing we have ever done at WDW. The meal at Jiko was out of this world!
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