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

[RachelTori]

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

I fly home the morning of Sunday, Oct 4th. Elin, her DH & I are hoping to meet up on Saturday the 3rd. Not sure who else from this thread will be at WDW then. Bensmom lives nearby and is usually up for a Meet (aren't you, Susan?!)

That's a start!

 

[RachelTori]

You beat me, Elin!!

 

[torsie24]

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

Sorry guys - newbie in on the meet! Hope i'm not interfering in on old friends!

 

[RachelTori]

Sorry guys - newbie in on the meet! Hope i'm not interfering in on old friends!

Oh my goodness, no!! The more, the merrier!

Besides, you can be our "new" friend!

 

[torsie24]

Oh my goodness, no!! The more, the merrier!

Besides, you can be our "new" friend!

Yaay! Thanks guys!

My name's Victoria - so at least I won't forget where the meet is!

 

[kimmar067]

We were at AKL from the 6-13th. The animals were already on the Sunset Savannah our very first night. At least some of them were. We saw giraffes, ostriches and Ankole Cattle. I can't remember if there were any zebra on that savannah then.

...the zebras are never on the Sunset Savannah...

 

[kimmar067]

I think the magical express will ruin the surprise for me!

...not necessarily - unless, of course, you weren't originally staying at ANY WDW resort...

 

[kimmar067]

Hello!!!!

You're going to regret telling me I can ask questions! I have soooo many!!

Is there like an AKL FAQ/Photo site? I would love to see info on the store there and the CS options, as I know all about Boma and Jiko, but nothing about any other eateries that may be around.

Is check in normally pretty fast? I'm hoping there will be a Savannah room we can upgrade to also, so I'll enquire/pay the extra at check in. I need to do a lot of research as to which trail I'd like to be on if I get given the option.

...wellllllll, you COULD click on my trip report link below....

 

[kimmar067]

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....

...OMG, THAT one made me laugh out loud....

 

[torsie24]

I just realised I didn't officially introduce myself now this thread looks like it'll be a new daily chatting spot for me!

Hi!

I'm Victoria, 23 from Surrey in England (about 30 minutes south of Central London).

I live with my fiance Jack (he proposed in January in Sleeping Beauty's castle DLRP) and our crazy cat Bella.

I went to WDW once when I was 7, but haven't been since (been to DLRP 4 times and DL once) but am very excited to go back!

The reason for this trip is to look at all of the wedding locations are we are having our wedding at WDW.

I originally booked POFQ, but got ants in my pants yesterday and upgraded to AKL, as I really am a deluxe girl when it comes to hotels.

I am currently trying to think of good ways to keep the AKL upgrade a secret from Jack....

My two favourites include:

- telling him there's a DIS meet at AKL on the day we arrive and that we'll miss it if we check in first then go over.

- just pretend the bus to AKL also goes to POFQ and the guy at the ME desk told me to get the AKL bus.

Sorry to have rambled! I'm a little too chatty when it comes to planning holidays. (I'm an obsesive planner and for this trip I have the UG, brits guide to orlando, passporter and TGM).

 

[RachelTori]

Yaay! Thanks guys!

My name's Victoria - so at least I won't forget where the meet is!

That's my youngest daughter's name too -- except we call her Tori! (she's 15)

Victoria Falls is an awesome place for a Meet. Not sure if on Oct 3rd that's where we'd be meeting up or not. But we'll make sure to let you know where & what time.

You all may end up having a Meet at VF after I leave.


Elin, you can start working on Diana! She won't listen to me!! (actually, it's probably her Bob we need to work on!!)

Gotta go now - see y'all later!

 

[torsie24]

...wellllllll, you COULD click on my trip report link below....

One step ahead of you there!!! Trip reports are like crack to me!!

 

[torsie24]

That's my youngest daughter's name too -- except we call her Tori! (she's 15)

Cool, thats why I'm Torsie

 

[kimmar067]

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

...another option you might want to consider is doing a split stay, but for the different room categories. For instance, if you are staying at AKL for 7 days, keep 3 or 4 days at the std room and pay for and switch to, for instance, a pool view for the last part of your vaca....

 

[kimmar067]

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

 

[RachelTori]

Kimmar, are you planning a trip to WDW this year? You're due!

 

[kimmar067]

Oh my goodness, no!! The more, the merrier!

Besides, you can be our "new" friend!

...I like when my 'kids' share and 'play nice'.....

 

[kimmar067]

Kimmar, are you planning a trip to WDW this year? You're due!

...story-of-my-life...

 

[RachelTori]

Cool, thats why I'm Torsie

I knew I felt a connection!

We really need to get DisneyBride'03 on here. (Diana, where are you?!) She and Bob got married at WDW -- I'll bet she's got some good information for you!

 

[kimmar067]

...my, you guys were chatty yesterday and this morning...