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

[stitch34]

Some questions! First time stay at AKL planned and am rather clueless, so forgive me if some of my questions are kinda lame!

Booked pool view with bunk beds. Anyone have a good section/building/floor to request? Me and three little ones - wanting something that would be convenient - was thinking near an elevator? Want to easily get to main building and pool. And also, hate to admit it, but easy access to a smoking section.
Any suggestions?

First floor more convenient and a decent view - or better higher up? I do have some hesitation with my kids and the balcony.

Flamingos - where is the flamingo pond located? And when are the feedings?

We usually return from MK around 11:00 - We like to hang out around the pool and relax at the end of the day. Will the quick service be open that late to get some snacks for the kids.... and anywhere to get myself a drink or two at that hour?

 

[RachelTori]

Some questions! First time stay at AKL planned and am rather clueless, so forgive me if some of my questions are kinda lame!

Booked pool view with bunk beds. Anyone have a good section/building/floor to request? Me and three little ones - wanting something that would be convenient - was thinking near an elevator? Want to easily get to main building and pool. And also, hate to admit it, but easy access to a smoking section.
Any suggestions?

First floor more convenient and a decent view - or better higher up? I do have some hesitation with my kids and the balcony.

Flamingos - where is the flamingo pond located? And when are the feedings?

We usually return from MK around 11:00 - We like to hang out around the pool and relax at the end of the day. Will the quick service be open that late to get some snacks for the kids.... and anywhere to get myself a drink or two at that hour?

Your best bet, for a convenient Pool View location would be to request "Giraffe Trail". (the only smoking section I'm aware of is in the front of the building - between the lobby and the bus stop - so you would be near that on Giraffe). Here's a link to the resort so you can see for yourself!
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm

Although you could get a lovely view from a higher floor, many of those rooms have trees blocking the view! So if you're leery of a balcony in the first place, the block of rooms 1018-1030 should be perfect for you!

The flamingo pond is located behind the pool. In May & June, the feeding time was 9:30am.

The Mara closes at 11:30pm during peak times -- I believe it closes earlier during non-peak times. (sorry I'm not sure about the drink question; surely someone here will know!! )

HTHs!

 

[TexasErin]

I have to agree with RachelTori about the timing. We actually changed our plans so that we'd have another morning at AK so that we wouldn't be nervous and upset during the SS. Even if we had skipped the breakfast, it was too late to have been the first people on ANY ride, and we were on the first bus to finish the safari.

Like you, we're "rope-drop commandos", but not the all-day kind. The SS is worth messing up one morning's plans, IMO. If you prefer, you could always book the WDE for concierge guests at any resorts, but you'd miss out on the lovely breakfast. The WDE runs at 10am and 1pm, I believe.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the WDE?
TIA,
Erin

 

[TyRy]

We do the chef mickey's package (the cheapest one they offer when we're there) every trip. Because we pre-order the Disney PhotoCD, and the Chef Mickey's photopackage comes WITH a photopass code, so we can add it to our CD.

Thanks for this - didn't know you could do it.

 

[Donald is #1]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the WDE?
TIA,
Erin

I beleive that it is Wildlife Discovery Excursion.

 

[stitch34]

RachelTori - thanks for the info!!

 

[torsie24]

What time does Mara open at?

I know I'll be awake at 4am on our first morning due to the time difference. I can busy my self for the first 90 minutes having a bath and unpacking, but I'd love to go out to the savannah for sunrise. We'll make sure to get some drink teh night befre (will probably have a GG delivery) but would be nice to get a drink if it opens early.

Will I be able to get outside at like 5.30/6? Or will everything be locked up for the night?

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Both of my boys still think pre-Darth Vader Anakin is cool, even after seeing him transform in the third movie. Then it was a good time to discuss the choices we make in life and how bad choices can result in consequences ..etc (...as mom rambles on and on and they start yawning and rolling their eyes...). But I think they got the idea, that Anakin was basically a good person who let fear and anger get the best of him.

Anyway, here's the picture for anyone who is curious about what we are talking about. The kids think it is very cool! They take the picture in the gift shop at the end of the Star Tours ride. The price is not posted anywhere - you find out after you see it on the screen and the kids are all excited about it.

Yeah interestingly enough we're into Movie 5 with DS and he doesn't seem to be as upset as I thought-In fact he really isn't upset at all-he still really likes pre Darth Anakin & now Luke and I think he kinda thinks that Darth is sorta cool...-I don't he's even pondering it at the same level I thought he would....(I bawled like a baby(quietly) when I Saw the 3rd episode and realized how Anakin turned into Darth...) So we are definately going to do the photo-thanks for sharing yours-and your son does look like a young Obi...

Really, once you add up what you spend on a WDW vacation, what's another $40?

So True...

But you know as well as anyone, that memento of your sons is PRICELESS!

What an adorable picture!!

Again so true...

I agree with you too. I booked our Christmas trip this morning at POFQ, not AKL because the AP rate of $124 was just too good to pass up. The money we save on the two rooms for 8 nights will pay for Christmas Eve dinner at Victoria & Albert's! I am all for mixing it up for a very good reason.

Hey Elin-POFQ was really nice when we stayed there-& I've read really good things about it more recently...V&A for Christmas Eve Dinner...very very nice! (I'm anxious to see you you like POFQ because I'd like to do DD 16th b-day at WDW next October and she'd like the WL-but if we can't swing that I'd definately consider the POFQ...

Saw this elsewhere and I didn't get an email about it:

New Disney Visa Free Dining Offer! - Disney Visa cardholders booking a special Magic Your Package at a WDW Value Resort can receive the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan FREE! Moderate resort guests and above can get the Regular Dining Plan Free. This offer is limited and valid for travel from 09/27/2009 to 12/17/2009.

Is this the first time they did this? If they did it annually it might be worth considering getting one...

Tonight we went to our weekly free Friday Night Wine Tastings at a local wine bar. The featured winery was Warwick from South Africa. We have had their wines often at AKL. The rep was fascinating to talk to and we discovered that the AKL account is the largest one the winery has in the US. I thought that was an interesting note. The wines were delicious, as usual too!

Can't wait for Jiko dinner-just a little over three weeks now...

BTW-Does anyone know if AKL offers a photo shoot-I saw a TR from the Beach Club and they offer a Photo Shoot (for $70)with a photographer around the property and then out of all the photos they shoot-you can select 6 5x7s and I believe the disk-I've never seen mention of anything like that at AKL and was curious if anyone else had...

 

[floridascgirl]

Thanks for posting the link to the Hitler/Le Cellier youtube...it was so funny. I forwarded it to my friend who is an ADR Queen.

 

[RachelTori]

What time does Mara open at?

I know I'll be awake at 4am on our first morning due to the time difference. I can busy my self for the first 90 minutes having a bath and unpacking, but I'd love to go out to the savannah for sunrise. We'll make sure to get some drink teh night befre (will probably have a GG delivery) but would be nice to get a drink if it opens early.

Will I be able to get outside at like 5.30/6? Or will everything be locked up for the night?

Hi Torsie!

The Mara opened at 6am in May & June. I would think they open at that time year-round! You will be able to get outside in the early morning hours. Enjoy!!

 

[torsie24]

Hi Torsie!

The Mara opened at 6am in May & June. I would think they open at that time year-round! You will be able to get outside in the early morning hours. Enjoy!!

Thank you!

Jack sleeps like a log, so I didn't want like one lone security guard wondering why a single woman is wandering about in the middle of the night.

I wouldn't be surprised if many Europeans do the same though.

 

[Flossbolna]

Thank you!

Jack sleeps like a log, so I didn't want like one lone security guard wondering why a single woman is wandering about in the middle of the night.

I wouldn't be surprised if many Europeans do the same though.

Torsie, my recommendation would be not to go to bed too early on your first night. Try to stay awake until at least 9 pm or even 10 pm! And force yourself to eat something in the evening and/or get some food to keep in the room in the evening! This way if you are really hungry at 3 am (happened to me once), you have something to eat. Remember that you can't bring any food with you (with the exception of candy which must be in an unbroken package or so...).

I usually get up at 6:30 am at WDW and I went swimming in the very early morning. There was nobody around and I had the pool to myself!

 

[torsie24]

Torsie, my recommendation would be not to go to bed too early on your first night. Try to stay awake until at least 9 pm or even 10 pm! And force yourself to eat something in the evening and/or get some food to keep in the room in the evening! This way if you are really hungry at 3 am (happened to me once), you have something to eat. Remember that you can't bring any food with you (with the exception of candy which must be in an unbroken package or so...).

I usually get up at 6:30 am at WDW and I went swimming in the very early morning. There was nobody around and I had the pool to myself!

Thank you.

Yeah that was exactly my plan. We'll be arrving about 7/8 pm, so my plan is to eat at the Mara, explore a little then bath and unapck and go to bed about 10ish.

I've been to the states loads though, and I know for sure I'll be wide awake by 5am. It's infuriating but always the same!

Swimming is a great idea though.

 

[PNO4TE]

Hey Elin-POFQ was really nice when we stayed there-& I've read really good things about it more recently...V&A for Christmas Eve Dinner...very very nice! (I'm anxious to see you you like POFQ because I'd like to do DD 16th b-day at WDW next October and she'd like the WL-but if we can't swing that I'd definately consider the POFQ...

Patricia, we have stayed there three other times, the most recent was last Christmas. We love it. Even in the height of the holiday season it didn't seem crowded, didn't lose its intimacy. I think it would be a great location for a 16th birthday celebration, especially if staying there allowed for a major celebration somewhere other than the hotel room!

Is this the first time they did this? If they did it annually it might be worth considering getting one...

We always get a discount at Christmas, no matter where we stay. Sometimes it is an AP rate (like this year), sometimes a VISA rate (less often) and last year the general public rate was the best they offered. It beat out the AP rate! I would look very carefully at the terms before getting one. Chase has been changing things a lot and without warning lately; there are many instances of increases in the APR. I just got a note that mine was going to go up in October. If you pay it off that is not a problem, but some people who perpetually pay them off every month are having their cards canceled or their limits drastically reduced.

Can't wait for Jiko dinner-just a little over three weeks now...

Have a glass of the Warwick Wines when you are there!

 

[RachelTori]

Chase has been changing things a lot and without warning lately; there are many instances of increases in the APR. I just got a note that mine was going to go up in October. If you pay it off that is not a problem, but some people who perpetually pay them off every month are having their cards canceled or their limits drastically reduced.

This makes me nervous. I have one and Dwight has one. We have NEVER carried a balance over and we have healthy (ridiculous, actually) credit limits. Neither of us has received any notification from Chase. But I've seen posts where people like us have had their accounts closed yet NOT been notified, and even when they've logged into their accounts online, the accounts appear to be open and active. (and I just checked our accounts online and they appear to be open and active!!)

 

[PNO4TE]

This makes me nervous. I have one and Dwight has one. We have NEVER carried a balance over and we have healthy (ridiculous, actually) credit limits. Neither of us has received any notification from Chase. But I've seen posts where people like us have had their accounts closed yet NOT been notified, and even when they've logged into their accounts online, the accounts appear to be open and active. (and I just checked our accounts online and they appear to be open and active!!)

I agree, Laura. It is crazy. And closing it yourself is nasty on one's credit rating! Our whole credit-worthiness system is goofy right now, don't you think??

 

[RachelTori]

I agree, Laura. It is crazy. And closing it yourself is nasty on one's credit rating! Our whole credit-worthiness system is goofy right now, don't you think??

The thing that makes me less concerned is the fact that we are ALL in the same boat, if you know what I mean!! We'll all have crappy credit ratings, then what?!!!

 

[mmmears]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the WDE?
TIA,
Erin

Wildlife Discovery Excursion -- it's a one-hour tour of the safari ride at AK that is offered to all guests staying club level at any deluxe resort. It's less $$$ that the SS, but it doesn't include breakfast and it isn't offered before the park opens up.

 

[Flossbolna]

I agree, Laura. It is crazy. And closing it yourself is nasty on one's credit rating! Our whole credit-worthiness system is goofy right now, don't you think??

Closing a credit card account yourself is bad for your credit rating? How weired is that??? You just might not need it anymore or would want to change to a different company.

Elin, since you were already writing about POFQ, may I bother you with two questions, we are still considering POFQ for December: What was your experiences with Disney transportation there? And are those AC units noisy? When I stayed at POR I found the unit to be very loud and I really preferred the internal system at AKL!

 

[PNO4TE]

The thing that makes me less concerned is the fact that we are ALL in the same boat, if you know what I mean!! We'll all have crappy credit ratings, then what?!!!

I am assuming that the banks and cc companies will then have found another way to keep our money!