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

[torsie24]

Hi! AKL is a great resort, I am sure you will have a fantastic stay there! This here is a great thread for learning about AKL, it's the unofficial AKL thread, but there is an official FAQ ongoing as well (which for some strange reason is named unofficial). There are many AKL fans hanging out here!

Where were you staying originally? The ME bus normally has Pop, CSR and AKL on one route.

It was going to be POFQ.......But if CSR is the same bus then maybe I can say I changed to CSR as I was very indecisve between CSr and POFQ when we originally booked....

 

[johnsonet]

Zebra Trail is a favorite for many here, but we've never had a savanna view we didn't like!

Same here!!


Torsie24 - when you walk through those doors into the Lodge you will just be in heaven! The Lodge is lively but so peaceful - I really feel that way, whether the lobby is packed or empty. The colors and the music and the different smells (no, not animal poop!) all create the most wonderful atmosphere.
Re. check-in, you just never know how long it will take. Perhaps you can do online check-in. We did it last week at the Polynesian and checking in was just maybe 2 minutes. Of course, you will have more questions and need to be shown on the resort map where your room is, since this will be your first stay, but I HIGHLY recommend online checkin It has its own line and in our case, there was no one else in it!

I love just taking my time to settle in while at AKL. Not sure whether you're a park commando or not but I hope you'll take your time and explore the resort. It is INCREDIBLE! I love the Sunset Lounge, just down from the check-in desk, there is comfy seating, neat photos and, outside, views of the Sunset savannah which I've seen both empty of and full of animals at different times
The pool area is another favorite. The pool is gorgeous and the music they play out there makes my day. The landscaping is so lush and really beautiful. and the pool bar is pretty great too. The two hot tubs are secluded and VERY hot. They're a nice addition.
I could go on all day. I AKL...
(now I'm sad...I need to get back there )

 

[torsie24]

Oooh, online check in sounds great!!

But.....what happens if I want to change my allocated room? Can I do that by getting in the online check in line?

It was over $700 extra for to book book pool view (even more for savannah view) so i jsut booked standard, but want to upgrade when I arrive at the resort as I know it'll be a lot cheaper. (Or we might get lucky )

 

[johnsonet]

Oooh, online check in sounds great!!

But.....what happens if I want to change my allocated room? Can I do that by getting in the online check in line?

It was over $700 extra for to book book pool view (even more for savannah view) so i jsut booked standard, but want to upgrade when I arrive at the resort as I know it'll be a lot cheaper. (Or we might get lucky )

Torsie24, it doesn't really work like that, as far as upgrading for less at check-in. I can understand booking standard and then hoping to upgrade but the cost will be the same as it is now. OR you might get lucky and have the room assigner upgrade you automatically. This does happen but, obviously, cannot be counted upon.
With on-line checkin, you log into your res. 10 days or less before your check-in date and make sure everything is in order. If you wanted to try and upgrade, for the $700+ difference, at the time of check-in then you'd probably have to get in the regular line and have all of that handled, assuming there was availability in the category you want. You just never know what will be available...

If your travel budget doesn't allow for the extra this time, I would try and look fwd to it for the overall resort experience and not worry about your view. If you're very concerned about the view, consider upgrading as soon as you can so that you can just look forward to your stay Standard views won't include animals but your room will be exactly the same and the resort is full of great areas to observe all the different animals. As you research more, you'll see

 

[johnsonet]

Look here for photos of various views at AKL (from allearsnet)
http://allears.net/acc/g_akl.htm#sv

 

[torsie24]

Torsie24, it doesn't really work like that, as far as upgrading for less at check-in. I can understand booking standard and then hoping to upgrade but the cost will be the same as it is now. OR you might get lucky and have the room assigner upgrade you automatically. This does happen but, obviously, cannot be counted upon.
With on-line checkin, you log into your res. 10 days or less before your check-in date and make sure everything is in order. If you wanted to try and upgrade, for the $700+ difference, at the time of check-in then you'd probably have to get in the regular line and have all of that handled, assuming there was availability in the category you want. You just never know what will be available...

If your travel budget doesn't allow for the extra this time, I would try and look fwd to it for the overall resort experience and not worry about your view. If you're very concerned about the view, consider upgrading as soon as you can so that you can just look forward to your stay Standard views won't include animals but your room will be exactly the same and the resort is full of great areas to observe all the different animals. As you research more, you'll see

Oh, I know it wont be a case of jsut paying a little, but on the US site the difference ebtween Standard and Pool view for my stay is only $110 whereas on the UK site it is over $700, so I wasn't going to pay more for an AKL room as I would for WL.

I'm certainly not expecting a view, as I haven't paid for one, and to me it isn't worth $700! But if I can get it for $200 then I'll consider it....

It's AKL im excited for, not the view, but obviously anything's a bonus.

Sorry if I came off sounding like I'm expecting something I've not paid for! I know that if I had to have a Savannah view then I have to pay for it. But if there are plenty empty I'm happy to pay for an upgrade, depending on price.

 

[mmmears]

It was over $700 extra for to book book pool view (even more for savannah view) so i jsut booked standard, but want to upgrade when I arrive at the resort as I know it'll be a lot cheaper. (Or we might get lucky )

Like Johnsonet wrote, it doesn't work this way at the Disney resorts. I know it does sometimes in the "real world" of hotels, but Disney resorts look up the full price and will expect you to pay it (unless you get really lucky). So, unless you really dont care about the view, I would book the one that you really want ahead of time.

 

[johnsonet]

Oh, I know it wont be a case of jsut paying a little, but on the US site the difference ebtween Standard and Pool view for my stay is only $110 whereas on the UK site it is over $700, so I wasn't going to pay more for an AKL room as I would for WL.

I'm certainly not expecting a view, as I haven't paid for one, and to me it isn't worth $700! But if I can get it for $200 then I'll consider it....

It's AKL im excited for, not the view, but obviously anything's a bonus.

Sorry if I came off sounding like I'm expecting something I've not paid for! I know that if I had to have a Savannah view then I have to pay for it. But if there are plenty empty I'm happy to pay for an upgrade, depending on price.

OH! I see. Sorry. I didn't understand. Just wanted to be sure you weren't going to be disappointed. I think some places might offer you a deal since the room would otherwise go unsold, but Disney doesn't do that.
Anyway, I can certainly understand wanting the bonus view PLUS you might very well end up getting some "pixie dust" and a magical (FREE) upgrade. It's happened to me there - TWICE! So... No Worries

 

[torsie24]

Like Johnsonet wrote, it doesn't work this way at the Disney resorts. I know it does sometimes in the "real world" of hotels, but Disney resorts look up the full price and will expect you to pay it (unless you get really lucky). So, unless you really dont care about the view, I would book the one that you really want ahead of time.

Oh, I know, and in other disney hotels (DLRP) I always pay for the room loction/view I want, as I don;t want a dissappointing room.

But with AKL I know a standard room will be the smae size and style, and also be close to reception, busses etc. So I know we'll be happy in one, and the view just isn't worth $700 to me, when we'll but up early til late and can enjoy the animals from public areas anyway.

 

[torsie24]

OH! I see. Sorry. I didn't understand. Just wanted to be sure you weren't going to be disappointed. I think some places might offer you a deal since the room would otherwise go unsold, but Disney doesn't do that.
Anyway, I can certainly understand wanting the bonus view PLUS you might very well end up getting some "pixie dust" and a magical (FREE) upgrade. It's happened to me there - TWICE! So... No Worries

Cool, glad you know where I'm coming from - I re-read my post and realise it sounded very expect-y (if that's a word).

But I'll be keeping my fingers crossed just in case!

 

[mmmears]

Oh, I know, and in other disney hotels (DLRP) I always pay for the room loction/view I want, as I don;t want a dissappointing room.

But with AKL I know a standard room will be the smae size and style, and also be close to reception, busses etc. So I know we'll be happy in one, and the view just isn't worth $700 to me, when we'll but up early til late and can enjoy the animals from public areas anyway.

Great! Just wanted you to not be disappointed in what you get. So many other places will make offers in check-in -- Hyatt last year told us for $25/day we could upgrade from a standard to a concierge room. I said "OK!". Saved us more than that in food alone! But, yes, the rooms are all the same. I usually dont want to pay extra for a view unless I'm looking out at the ocean.

 

[wickey's friend]

Hi, torsie! You will just LOVE AKL. We've stayed in a Standard, Pool and Savannah view. While being able to see the animals outside your room is great -- you can see them from all over the resort, so if you don't get the upgrade, you'll still have all the atmosphere you can soak up!

Boma and Jiko are great -- but don't forget about The Mara, the counter service. We really like it, and they serve some yummy things in addition to chicken nuggets and fries (I have a 9 year old, lol!). My DH loves the African stew served in a bread bowl. They also have . . . (drum roll) Zebra domes!

So sad about the elephant. I love them -- especially the little ones.

I'm 73 days out from my next trip -- we couldn't pass up the 4/3 discount, but we'll be at Pop Century this time. Although, I imagine we'll at least visit AKL.

 

[torsie24]

Hi, torsie! You will just LOVE AKL. We've stayed in a Standard, Pool and Savannah view. While being able to see the animals outside your room is great -- you can see them from all over the resort, so if you don't get the upgrade, you'll still have all the atmosphere you can soak up!

Boma and Jiko are great -- but don't forget about The Mara, the counter service. We really like it, and they serve some yummy things in addition to chicken nuggets and fries (I have a 9 year old, lol!). My DH loves the African stew served in a bread bowl. They also have . . . (drum roll) Zebra domes!

So sad about the elephant. I love them -- especially the little ones.

I'm 73 days out from my next trip -- we couldn't pass up the 4/3 discount, but we'll be at Pop Century this time. Although, I imagine we'll at least visit AKL.

Mmmmm, I can't wait for Zebra domes!!!

Before I switched I had already planned an AKL drop in to get some!! Now we can have them daily!

 

[PNO4TE]

Hey, Jambo Bunch... Disney Visa holders can now book free dining.... Good August 16 through October 3.

 

[RachelTori]

Hey, Jambo Bunch... Disney Visa holders can now book free dining.... Good August 16 through October 3.

Not sure that's "good news"! Hey, DB'03: That means ADRs for our Food & Wine dates are going to be..........





*challenging*!!

 

[PNO4TE]

Not sure that's "good news"! Hey, DB'03: That means ADRs for our Food & Wine dates are going to be..........





*challenging*!!

And I am ever thankful that we arrive about the time this thing ends!

 

[torsie24]

And I am ever thankful that we arrive about the time this thing ends!

I just noticed that our tickers are both 6 months 6 days! Hopefully the free dining crowds will have mostly dispersed by then.

 

[RachelTori]

And I am ever thankful that we arrive about the time this thing ends!

I just noticed that our tickers are both 6 months 6 days! Hopefully the free dining crowds will have mostly dispersed by then.

I see another DisMeet at Victoria Falls in the making!!

 

[torsie24]

I see another DisMeet at Victoria Falls in the making!!

I've made my LGMHs!!! All I need is a meet and I'm a hardcore DISer!!

 

[PNO4TE]

I just noticed that our tickers are both 6 months 6 days! Hopefully the free dining crowds will have mostly dispersed by then.

I see another DisMeet at Victoria Falls in the making!!

I've made my LGMHs!!! All I need is a meet and I'm a hardcore DISer!!

This can certainly be arranged!! RachelTori will still be there too. We can get BensMom in on the action that weekend... Anyone else? (Diana??)