AKL LITE II - We're #2, but we try harder....

[purpliequeen]

OK you guys are going to laugh. We're planning on booking AKL through DVC (either Jambo or Kidani depending on what we can get at the 7-mo window) for Dec 20 to Dec 28. Our first choice is concierge-level, but we know that the chances of getting that are very slim.

Soo my question for those of you have participated in the cookie decorating, how kid-oriented is it? I'm 20 years old and love baking cookies (heck, I go to a Hotel School). Since we'll be there during the holidays, I'll be missing out on my cookie baking activities (and no, don't suggest we bake them in our one-bedroom kitchen, I've already asked the parents and they don't want to go through the hassle of getting all the ingredients just to make Christmas cookies). I would love to decorate cookies with the Boma staff. However, if it's too kid-oriented, please let me know so I can bypass this? hahaha Thanks!

 

[Caitymackie]

Patricia, thanks so much for the pictures of the activities! It's getting me excited for upcoming January trip to the lodge!

Caity

 

[TinkOhio]

First off, I just want to thank the wonderful AKL experts who have shared all of this information about the AKL!

Next, I'm hoping that you will help us get excited about a trip that we recently booked for a 4-day stay at the AKL. DH & I are celebrating our 20th anniversary on July 29, so he gave the go-ahead to book a long weekend. (We honeymooned at WDW.) AAA had a great deal on an AKL package, so we jumped on it. We have always wanted to stay there! The only rooms available with this discount for our days were standard, standard with bunks, or concierge. Bunk beds are out as it will be just DH and I -for the fist time in over a decade. Concierge is out, too, as we will have two in college come August. If we wind up in a parking lot view, will it really be awful? We're more into the atmosphere and design of the AKL than the animal viewing. Our TA said that she requested a non-parking lot view and noted that it will be our 20th anniversary.

I realize that no one knows what the future holds, but do you think that we will wind up with a dumpster view? I've seen the "worst view" thread and hope that we don't wind up with our own horror story! Also, what shouldn't we miss during our visit?

TIA for any encouragement!

 

[wickey's friend]

Hi, TinkOhio -- Two Decembers ago, we had a view over the portico -- in other words no view at all. But, we still had a fantastic time! We just went to the animal viewing areas. You'll love it!

 

[athenna]

Just wanted to say hi to all my Jambo Power friends
I have been so busy, I havent meant to ignore any one

I am leaving for Kidani in 15 hours!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

everyone who thanked for photos-you are more than welcome-I'm glad if they can help someone...it's only taken me 2+ years to figure out how to post photos... but now that I know how I have no excuse not to do a full trip report with photos when we go in August...

OK you guys are going to laugh. We're planning on booking AKL through DVC (either Jambo or Kidani depending on what we can get at the 7-mo window) for Dec 20 to Dec 28. Our first choice is concierge-level, but we know that the chances of getting that are very slim.

Soo my question for those of you have participated in the cookie decorating, how kid-oriented is it? I'm 20 years old and love baking cookies (heck, I go to a Hotel School). Since we'll be there during the holidays, I'll be missing out on my cookie baking activities (and no, don't suggest we bake them in our one-bedroom kitchen, I've already asked the parents and they don't want to go through the hassle of getting all the ingredients just to make Christmas cookies). I would love to decorate cookies with the Boma staff. However, if it's too kid-oriented, please let me know so I can bypass this? hahaha Thanks!

purpliequeen-I wanted to do a cookie myself but ds who was only 4 at the time needed my help...-my sense is that you could absolutely do at least one cookie-I think there was a party of 2 adults each doing one-quite elaborately too-unless for some reason there was just a rush of kids-they might give them to the kids first...I don't think you get to do more than one so I'm not sure it would replace your holiday baking but it might take the edge off a little bit...I'm planning on trying to do one this year when we go in August so I'll see what happens...

First off, I just want to thank the wonderful AKL experts who have shared all of this information about the AKL!

Next, I'm hoping that you will help us get excited about a trip that we recently booked for a 4-day stay at the AKL. DH & I are celebrating our 20th anniversary on July 29, so he gave the go-ahead to book a long weekend. (We honeymooned at WDW.) AAA had a great deal on an AKL package, so we jumped on it. We have always wanted to stay there! The only rooms available with this discount for our days were standard, standard with bunks, or concierge. Bunk beds are out as it will be just DH and I -for the fist time in over a decade. Concierge is out, too, as we will have two in college come August. If we wind up in a parking lot view, will it really be awful? We're more into the atmosphere and design of the AKL than the animal viewing. Our TA said that she requested a non-parking lot view and noted that it will be our 20th anniversary.

I realize that no one knows what the future holds, but do you think that we will wind up with a dumpster view? I've seen the "worst view" thread and hope that we don't wind up with our own horror story! Also, what shouldn't we miss during our visit?

TIA for any encouragement!

Tink-I'd go for it...Last time I booked I was originally bummed that we weren't doing Savannah View-so we wouldn't have a view of the animals in the mornings...we wound up in a really great room w/ bunks-cause we did have our kids w/us and a view of the pool from the fourth floor-which turned out to be pretty attractive...we spent a lot of time checking out the lodge-there are lots of great seating areas and nooks-not to mention plenty of spots to look out to see the animals-there is even night view of animals w/google at 9-11 every night outback.

So if for some reason your view wasn't exactly to your liking-I wouldn't prevent it from enjoying your stay at the lodge. There is also the fact that it is your anniversary which you said your TA definately mentioned and also the added fact that I believe its been mentioned on this thread that some of the Standard Rooms are simply obstructed views of the Savannah or the pool-so that could always happen...regardless I'd go for it...

 

[PNO4TE]

Just wanted to say hi to all my Jambo Power friends
I have been so busy, I havent meant to ignore any one

I am leaving for Kidani in 15 hours!

Have a ball!!!!

 

[mmmears]

If we wind up in a parking lot view, will it really be awful? We're more into the atmosphere and design of the AKL than the animal viewing. Our TA said that she requested a non-parking lot view and noted that it will be our 20th anniversary.

I realize that no one knows what the future holds, but do you think that we will wind up with a dumpster view? I've seen the "worst view" thread and hope that we don't wind up with our own horror story! Also, what shouldn't we miss during our visit?

TIA for any encouragement!

I hope you get a great view! At least none of those green, all-roof photos or the dumpster ones were taken at AKL -- that should give you some hope. Although, you can keep trying to see if you can upgrade to a pool view if one becomes available -- it looks like the cost is not much more than a standard view.

Even if you don't get a great view, the nice thing about AKL is that there are many viewing areas throughout the resort. And quite a few of them have nice rocking chairs in them, so you can really sit, relax, and enjoy gazing out on the savannas.

 

[TyRy]

Just wanted to say hi to all my Jambo Power friends
I have been so busy, I havent meant to ignore any one

I am leaving for Kidani in 15 hours!

Have the BEST time, and bring us lots of pictures!!!

 

[mmmears]

Just wanted to say hi to all my Jambo Power friends
I have been so busy, I havent meant to ignore any one

I am leaving for Kidani in 15 hours!

Lucky, lucky you! Have a wonderful time & say "Jambo" to all the animals there from those of us who still have to wait to see them! I hope you have a magical stay at Kidani!

 

[Flossbolna]

athenna, have a great trip!!

just wanted to say hi, I did my second ever 5k run yesterday and was able to improve last year's time of 34:58 to 31:31 and am so proud of myself that I needed to share! Tonight I am going to sign up for a 10k run in August!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

athenna, have a great trip!!

just wanted to say hi, I did my second ever 5k run yesterday and was able to improve last year's time of 34:58 to 31:31 and am so proud of myself that I needed to share! Tonight I am going to sign up for a 10k run in August!

Hey Flossbolna-

i think this is awesome-you should be proud of yourself...

(I um have gotten out of shape and am going to start a program tommorrow w/ a friend who is a personal trainer...she scares me a little...-she is going to kick my tush...) I have 3 months till our trip and I plan on being a leaner meaner me....

There are lots of 5ks runs that I'd love to do for charities...You are going to be my inspiration....-it looks like you took over 3 minutes off your time-that seems pretty impressive to me...

 

[tiggrbaby]

athenna, have a great trip!!

just wanted to say hi, I did my second ever 5k run yesterday and was able to improve last year's time of 34:58 to 31:31 and am so proud of myself that I needed to share! Tonight I am going to sign up for a 10k run in August!

Whoo hoo! Great job!

 

[Constant]

Hi All

I used this thread before my recent trip but couldn't find any info to add not already added. So I thought I might add a little video of my favourite places around our new 'home' . Given some of the Kidani vs. Jambo debates I love both equally. I have two children and I would never dream of choosing between them!

Jambo House video

Kidani Village video

Thanks for the planning help
Steve

 

[PNO4TE]

WTG. Floss!!

 

[WeRblam]

Hi All

I used this thread before my recent trip but couldn't find any info to add not already added. So I thought I might add a little video of my favourite places around our new 'home' . Given some of the Kidani vs. Jambo debates I love both equally. I have two children and I would never dream of choosing between them!

Jambo House video

Kidani Village video

Thanks for the planning help
Steve

STEVE! OMG, what fantastic videos, I got goosebumps and excited watching them. Thanks so much for sharing! Lisa

 

[PNO4TE]

Hi All

I used this thread before my recent trip but couldn't find any info to add not already added. So I thought I might add a little video of my favourite places around our new 'home' . Given some of the Kidani vs. Jambo debates I love both equally. I have two children and I would never dream of choosing between them!

Jambo House video

Kidani Village video

Thanks for the planning help
Steve

Very nice! Thanks so much.

 

[Donald is #1]

OK you guys are going to laugh. We're planning on booking AKL through DVC (either Jambo or Kidani depending on what we can get at the 7-mo window) for Dec 20 to Dec 28. Our first choice is concierge-level, but we know that the chances of getting that are very slim.

Soo my question for those of you have participated in the cookie decorating, how kid-oriented is it? I'm 20 years old and love baking cookies (heck, I go to a Hotel School). Since we'll be there during the holidays, I'll be missing out on my cookie baking activities (and no, don't suggest we bake them in our one-bedroom kitchen, I've already asked the parents and they don't want to go through the hassle of getting all the ingredients just to make Christmas cookies). I would love to decorate cookies with the Boma staff. However, if it's too kid-oriented, please let me know so I can bypass this? hahaha Thanks!

Do you have a backup reservation booked already? i.e. Do you have a reservation booked at your home resort?

First off, I just want to thank the wonderful AKL experts who have shared all of this information about the AKL!

Next, I'm hoping that you will help us get excited about a trip that we recently booked for a 4-day stay at the AKL. DH & I are celebrating our 20th anniversary on July 29, so he gave the go-ahead to book a long weekend. (We honeymooned at WDW.) AAA had a great deal on an AKL package, so we jumped on it. We have always wanted to stay there! The only rooms available with this discount for our days were standard, standard with bunks, or concierge. Bunk beds are out as it will be just DH and I -for the fist time in over a decade. Concierge is out, too, as we will have two in college come August. If we wind up in a parking lot view, will it really be awful? We're more into the atmosphere and design of the AKL than the animal viewing. Our TA said that she requested a non-parking lot view and noted that it will be our 20th anniversary.

I realize that no one knows what the future holds, but do you think that we will wind up with a dumpster view? I've seen the "worst view" thread and hope that we don't wind up with our own horror story! Also, what shouldn't we miss during our visit?

TIA for any encouragement!

I would go for it! There are plenty of public viewing areas to see the animals.

Just wanted to say hi to all my Jambo Power friends
I have been so busy, I havent meant to ignore any one

I am leaving for Kidani in 15 hours!

Have an awesome time!

athenna, have a great trip!!

just wanted to say hi, I did my second ever 5k run yesterday and was able to improve last year's time of 34:58 to 31:31 and am so proud of myself that I needed to share! Tonight I am going to sign up for a 10k run in August!

Congratulations!

 

[kimmar067]

...great videos, Constant!

 

[RachelTori]

Thought y'all might be interested in who (what?) I saw at the Georgia Aquarium today!!

and here he is!!!

he didn't talk though!!!