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

[CJsMom]

...BTW ~ how cool my MY b-day THIS year?? ( 09/09/09 !! )

Very cool!!

floridascgirl - I had three sets of matchy-matchy shirts for my trip, and will have even more for the next one! I love your tie-dyed shirts in your siggie!

Thanks for the domes ladies - and everyone getting ready to go on trips have a great time!

nittanyliongirl02 - you will not regret the standard view - the resort is so beautiful and you can see animals from so many other places!

 

[Flossbolna]

I just wanted to say how pleasant it is to be apart of this thread. Everyone is so upbeat and nice.

Yes, this a friendly place!! I can't understand why people sometimes get so aggressive when posting on discussion boards. Especially about something like matching T-shirts! I think they are cute and I guess also very practical in order to keep your family together.

My ressie is for a standard view....should I be regretting it? We really can't afford the Savannah view right now, and we are not ones to have a room by the pool.

Also, should I be asking for a certain part of the hotel, or a range of room numbers?

Thanks all you AKL know-a-lots!

Standard view is absolutely fine, there are many public viewing areas. But I personally think pool view is nicer if it is available. The pool looks fantastic and your room is not directly by the pool. We stayed on the fourth floor and had a fantastic view, but a lot of rooms are actually behind much greenery. The windows and balcony doors are pretty soundproof, we never noticed any noise from the pool in our room when the door was closed.

Here are a few pictures of our views, if you want to see standard views, allears.net has some: http://allears.net/acc/g_akl.htm#sv

 

[nittanyliongirl02]

Thanks for your words of advice, after seeing the views, I may at least upgrade to a pool view. I would rather be near the pool then have to listen to busses or cars in the parking lots!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

RachelTori-Thanks for the Zebra Domes-

Floridascgirl-Um.. count me in with the families wearing matching tshirts...
If you can't do that in DW-were can you? My kids loved it when we did it...that's a shame-some people just enjoy being nasty...

Totally agree w/ Flossbolna-the standard rooms are fine (Hey-You're still staying at AKL) but if you can go with a pool view-totally go for it...the pool view rooms really have a lovely lush foliage effect-you can pretend you are observing the watering hole...

(the last time we stayed at AKL I remember being the teeniest jealous (ok-more than teeny) that we weren't going to have a Savannah view-when one of my daughter's friends happened to mention that she preferred the pool view because in her words..."oh I much prefer the pool view because you don't have to see the animal pooh."... -Well I have to say that is an interesting take on the whole situation...-I still want to stay Savannah View Someday but Pool View does have its benefits also...

 

[gardengirl628]

RachelTori-Thanks for the Zebra Domes-


(the last time we stayed at AKL I remember being the teeniest jealous (ok-more than teeny) that we weren't going to have a Savannah view-when one of my daughter's friends happened to mention that she preferred the pool view because in her words..."oh I much prefer the pool view because you don't have to see the animal pooh."... -Well I have to say that is an interesting take on the whole situation...-I still want to stay Savannah View Someday but Pool View does have its benefits also...

it's a 'pooh' view

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for your words of advice, after seeing the views, I may at least upgrade to a pool view. I would rather be near the pool then have to listen to busses or cars in the parking lots!

I totally agree with that! The pool area looks so lovely, and there really are plenty of nice, relaxing savanna overlooks (complete with shade and neat rocking chairs) where you can relax and watch the animals whenever you feel like it. I think that the pool view is a really good compromise since the price diff between standard and pool is so small. But I'd stay at any room at AKL -- it's the resort as a whole that is so amazing!

it's a 'pooh' view

We kept looking, but couldn't find Pooh or his friends (Piglet, Eeyore, or Tigger) out on the savannas!

 

[mmmears]

Here's a question for you AKL experts out there... Are there plans to change out the old TVs & stands for flat-screen tvs?

It's not that I care about the TV so much as that it just takes up so much space in the room. The way that the BC mounted their TVs on the walls really makes their rooms seem more spacious. That was the one "critique" I had when in our AKL rooms, since they weren't so large to begin with.

 

[johnsonet]

Here's a question for you AKL experts out there... Are there plans to change out the old TVs & stands for flat-screen tvs?

It's not that I care about the TV so much as that it just takes up so much space in the room. The way that the BC mounted their TVs on the walls really makes their rooms seem more spacious. That was the one "critique" I had when in our AKL rooms, since they weren't so large to begin with.

Mmmears, our last few trips have been in rooms with flat screens. I thought thought all the rooms at this point would have them??

 

[mmmears]

Mmmears, our last few trips have been in rooms with flat screens. I thought thought all the rooms at this point would have them??

We had 2 rooms, one on 4th floor Kudu and one on 4th floor Zebra. I'm not sure if the TVs were flat, but they were in one of those entertainment centers that stuck out about 2 feet into the room. I had thought they switched over, too, which is why I'm wondering what happened.

Were we just unlucky and got 2 CL rooms like that?

It's not a big deal, just thought the room would look and feel much larger the other way. Our TV at the Poly only stuck out about 4 inches from the wall, and that makes a big difference.

 

[johnsonet]

Oh I see what you mean. Yes, the piece of furniture is much deeper than at the Poly. I guess they kept the original armoires that fit the original TVs. It would create more space if it were less deep. The rooms are definitely TIGHT at AKL for more than 2 people.

 

[mmmears]

Oh I see what you mean. Yes, the piece of furniture is much deeper than at the Poly. I guess they kept the original armoires that fit the original TVs. It would create more space if it were less deep. The rooms are definitely TIGHT at AKL for more than 2 people.

We did ok with 3 in our room, but I can see why 4 is the max instead of 5. I didn't check the actual TV, but yes, I was thinking that it would seem more spacious the other way. I had though that I read about a TV change before our trip, and I guess I just assumed that they would change out the furniture, too. Then I started wondering if somehow we got 2 rooms that didn't get changed.

Thanks for clearing it up for me. New TV or not, I love AKL and definitely want to stay there again!

 

[RachelTori]

Just got an email from Disney titled "About your Disney Resort arrival!" (I thought it might say something like "it's been raining....................... a lot"!! )


"Things to know before you go

Hello, (RachelTori) Party!

How exciting...your Walt Disney World® vacation is right around the corner! And since you've probably got some last-minute questions about your Disney Resort stay, here's some helpful information that might get them answered, along with a few suggestions on how to make your stay even more magical.


Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Add a magical surprise in your Resort Room!

The birthday you're celebrating may not be a surprise, but how you start the party could be. That's because you can be among the first to take advantage of our new, customizable room décor service, and plan a fun-filled birthday experience for any time during your stay.

Call 407-827-3437 to speak with a Disney Dream Maker and customize your in-room celebration package today!"


It's from the Disney Florist - lots of beautiful stuff, but a bit on the pricey side! (don't they know we spent all our money paying off the vacation package?!! )

 

[mmmears]

It's from the Disney Florist - lots of beautiful stuff, but a bit on the pricey side! (don't they know we spent all our money paying off the vacation package?!! )

I agree -- their prices are really quite high. I managed to plan lots of little surprises without having to pay those prices, but I guess it's good if you just want something and you don't want to do some extra work. At least they didn't send you an email saying that AKL has turned into an ark!

 

[athenna]

I'm back! I looovvveeddd Kidani I didnt want to leave! I've only been home since 11pm last night, I'm trying to do laundry and catch up on sleep...But I just wanted to drop by and say hello Let me know if you've got any questions I can answer! I'll be back!

 

[johnsonet]

I'm back! I looovvveeddd Kidani I didnt want to leave! I've only been home since 11pm last night, I'm trying to do laundry and catch up on sleep...But I just wanted to drop by and say hello Let me know if you've got any questions I can answer! I'll be back!

Welcome back! Seems as though you just left!
I hope you took pics and will share
So nice to hear that you liked Kidani so much. It looks beautiful to me. Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[mmmears]

I'm back! I looovvveeddd Kidani I didnt want to leave! I've only been home since 11pm last night, I'm trying to do laundry and catch up on sleep...But I just wanted to drop by and say hello Let me know if you've got any questions I can answer! I'll be back!

Welcome back! I'm glad you loved Kidani! I hope that the rain didn't bother you too much while you were there -- it sounds torrential! Thanks for offering to answer some questions -- I'll start with some!

Did you try Sanaa?

Did you like the pool area? What was it like?

Were the busses more of a hassle because they have 2 stops now?

Does Kidiani "feel" like AKL Jambo? (love the feel of the place).

Was it easy to get from Kidani to Jambo & back? By bus or by walking?

 

[floridascgirl]

Athenna, I have the same questions as mmmears.

Did you try Sanaa?

How were the buses?

Some have said the Jambo riders haven't been able to board the 1st early AM bus b/c it was already full from stopping at Kidani. Did you experience this? I'm hoping it was either a fluke or a bad rumor.

Any feedback on travelling b/w the 2 resorts. Would it be feasible to walk from Jambo to Kidani? Is there a path?

Thanks!

 

[mmmears]

Some have said the Jambo riders haven't been able to board the 1st early AM bus b/c it was already full from stopping at Kidani. Did you experience this? I'm hoping it was either a fluke or a bad rumor.

Really? That is my nightmare scenario -- I really hope it's not true. We are rope-drop people, every day, every park. This would just ruin AKL for me.

 

[RachelTori]

Really? That is my nightmare scenario -- I really hope it's not true. We are rope-drop people, every day, every park. This would just ruin AKL for me.

Uh, oh -- I see a rental car in my future............ like in 4 days!!

 

[mmmears]

Uh, oh -- I see a rental car in my future............ like in 4 days!!

I hope it's just a rumor... Will you let me know how it is during your trip? Lucky you, with only 4 more days to go. I hope AKL is wonderful and that the busses still work well there. Hey -- aren't you staying at Kidani? Then it shouldn't affect you if the busses are too full for Jambo!