AKL LITE unofficial FAQ thread#10 - I believe that's known as a 'Jambo Dozen'

[nadira36]

I know what you mean! I keep telling my DH that a giraffe would be perfectly happy in our backyard, but he says the dogs would annoy it... excuses, excuses...

Off-set costs of owning a giraffe; trade the dogs in for the giraffe - problem solved.

 

[psac]

Two questions - though only one is related to AKL...

First if staying in a suite are there washing/drying machines? Or is that a strictly DVC perk? I need to know if I can plan to easily wash clothes, or if I should just pack more.

And second hypothetical question - if you were sitting there minding your own business and discovered a bag FULL of money in your yard - not hidden, but not just tossed there either. What would you do? Would you keep it, or would you call the police, do something else? Please, I need reassurance here!

All one or two bedroom Villas have the washer/driers, regardless of whether you book DVC or cash. But the suites (DVC or cash 1Br, etc) don't. They have coin operating machines in the building.

For the second question, I would keep the cash, but wait a year or two to spend it in case the mobsters come by and ask for it back. .

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Hi Dis Friends,
Please notice my ticker....first stay at AKL in less than two weeks, CL too! I take each of our kids the summer before they start 7th grade and my son really loves animals and wanted to stay at AKL. Because we are a family of 5 we don't usually stay there. I am SUPER excited! Looking forward to being able to focus all of my attention on my middle son for a week!

Any tips are welcome! We are hoping to use the CL lounge for breakfast and fillers in between are ADR's at 50's, Sanaa, Coral Reef, and Crystal Palace. We have to save room for some of our favorite treats and counter service too so that's why only 4 ADR's.

I hope we have a nice view, I believe all CL rooms have savanah view, I hope I have that right. I will have my son take the bed closest the window for sure!

Thanks for letting me share! Happy evening! Erin

 

[kimmar067]

I know what you mean! I keep telling my DH that a giraffe would be perfectly happy in our backyard, but he says the dogs would annoy it... excuses, excuses...

 

[nadira36]

All one or two bedroom Villas have the washer/driers, regardless of whether you book DVC or cash. But the suites (DVC or cash 1Br, etc) don't. They have coin operating machines in the building.

For the second question, I would keep the cash, but wait a year or two to spend it in case the mobsters come by and ask for it back. .

Thanks! I did book the villas after all - so we do have a washing machine! Yay!

hmmm. Seems people are split. Half the people would turn it in, half wouldn't. I was the half that turned it in, expecting I'd get it back if unclaimed.

 

[thumper*]

We are planning to stay at AKL for the first time next summer. I need your advice about an Arusha view room.

Would halfway down afford us unobstructed views of the savannah or is it better to go more towards the end of that long hallway?

Is a third or fourth floor room better than a second floor room for animal viewing?

We'd like to see giraffes and zebras. Is Arusha the best savannah location for that?

Are there other designated viewing areas to see the animals (besides the sunset viewing area) for those of us who will not be concierge guests?

We are only planning on walking to the restaurant in morning and evening as the main reason we are staying here is to see the animals.

I think you'll love an Arusha view room and in my opinion worth the cost.

Your view would be unobstructed irregardless of how far down the hallway you are.

We stayed on 4'th floor and had a great view, I would only question the 6'th floor as maybe having the trees obscure animals under it but am not certain since I haven't stayed that high.

You will see both giraffes and zebras in the Arusha savanna.

Yes there are viewing areas all over the resort, I beleive you can see any savana.

 

[thumper*]

Ah missing this view

 

[disney meema]

Ah missing this view http://s487.photobucket.com/user/gstauske/media/Vacation Sept 2010/19thAnniversary099-1.jpg.html http://s487.photobucket.com/user/gstauske/media/Vacation Sept 2010/19thAnniversary085.jpg.html

Oh what a nice view to wake up too ... Is this from your room? It's our first stay at AKL November 9-19 and I would be so excited if our view was similar to your pictures : )

 

[AThrillingChase]

I find it funny that at first I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back to AKL just yet because I'd been already this year, but as soon as I booked I got all excited again

I have a Jambo studio savannah view for 3 nights, then another 3 nights in a kidani studio savannah view (they did not have the last 2 nights at Jambo so I decided to just split evenly). I am looking for your advice on what room requests to make, if any, as I am not sure where the studios are located exactly and have also never stayed at Kidani.

Background - I am 29 and my cousin is 18 so we are more interested in what Jambo has to offer as far as pools and atmosphere. The Kidani pool looks like a kids dream, but sadly we are a little big for it! We don't mind walking, but closer to Jambo may be good. Also, I have stayed AKL CL and loved the Arusha view. We were only a few doors down off the lobby, near a giraffe feeder. I am curious how the different savannahs fare comparatively.

Whew I know that's a lot! Thanks for any responses!

 

[thumper*]

Oh what a nice view to wake up too ... Is this from your room? It's our first stay at AKL November 9-19 and I would be so excited if our view was similar to your pictures : )

Yes room #4573 Arusha view

 

[disney meema]

Yes room #4573 Arusha view

We are staying CL so not sure where the room will be floor wise ect.? I know it's a Arusha view so hoping it's as fabulous as your view ... That giraffe is amazing!

 

[Sherrkel]

Sherri ~
First of all, to our thread. You will gain so much valuable info here - feel free to ask questions, and we will do our best to answer them. Since you probably will be booking standard rooms, personally, I'd request Giraffe Trail, lobby floor. It is conveniently located near everything. Let's face it - all the std rooms face the parking area, so you might as well be located in a part of the resort that has easy access to lobby, pool, restaurants, and buses, and Giraffe Tail can offer all that....

Hi - back again to see if I can get some additional tips

I've been doing a little more research and getting more feedback, looks like the Giraffe trail standard view rooms start on the 3rd floor? Is that the street level . . .or in AKL's case , the walkway level where all the people walk by your room on the way to the buses?
If that is the case, I think I would request 4th or 5th level.
On the opposite side, Ostrich Trail, it seems like that might be quieter with less walkway noise . . .anyone have any experience/feedback with this wing?
I know a request is only a request, but I've been lucky in the past to have them granted, and want to try to get the best possible location that is convenient and quiet.
Thanks so much.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I am going back!

After several trips to GF and YC (including a stellar upgrade to the Commodore Suite), we are scheduled for AKL Pool View for Oct 24-26 for F&W!!

I am on the fence if I should request my favorite 3rd Floor, Lobby Level or wing it and hope for a savannah view...

 

[disney meema]

I am going back! After several trips to GF and YC (including a stellar upgrade to the Commodore Suite), we are scheduled for AKL Pool View for Oct 24-26 for F&W!! I am on the fence if I should request my favorite 3rd Floor, Lobby Level or wing it and hope for a savannah view...

Yeah!!! So great to have another stay so close to your last stay as I read when you got upgraded to the commodore suite which was so amazing!! You must live fairly close to WDW or your incredibly lucky or both since your able to take such frequent trips ... Either way I'm so jealous ( but in a good way for you : )
Our upcoming trip is our first time at AKL so I'm certainly no expert but I have read several reports of peeps getting savannah rooms and were happily surprised since they excepted pool or other views. I think I would wing it and hope for the best at check in since a pool view would be wonderful as well and if the location is not fabulous once you get there you can always see if they have rooms on the 3rd floor. Your going right in the middle of the fun of the F&W soooo Fun!!

 

[kimmar067]

....I'm ready to book my airfare online right now - $224 non-stop R/T from Newark to MCO with United Airlines. Catch is, the outbound flight is leaving TUESDAY at 5:50 pm instead of an early Wednesday morning flight. That means I will have to pay for an extra night at AKL...


...also, about a week ago, there was a news article about United Airlines having a bedbug problem on their planes! Not sure what I should do.....

 

[kimmar067]

I am going back!

After several trips to GF and YC (including a stellar upgrade to the Commodore Suite), we are scheduled for AKL Pool View for Oct 24-26 for F&W!!

I am on the fence if I should request my favorite 3rd Floor, Lobby Level or wing it and hope for a savannah view...

....I say 'wing it'; last year, I didn't put in any requests and wound up with a king room on Zebra Trail, Lobby floor!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Yeah.. I think I will try to wing it. It is only 2 nights so I can put up with anything I guess.

I was so worried about a roof view at YC, when they told me what room they had me in, I completely flipped! It was amazing!

 

[kimmar067]

I was so worried about a roof view at YC, when they told me what room they had me in, I completely flipped! It was amazing!

....you already knew your room and the view you were gonna get as soon as you knew the room #?

 

[kimmar067]

....I just realized that I have to get in touch with WDW first, to see if a room is even available first!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

....you already knew your room and the view you were gonna get as soon as you knew the room #?

I had booked a Garden View CL. When we got upstairs to check in, the CM said "ok, we have you in the Commodore Suite, but it isn't ready yet"

I could have gotten a GV that was overlooking a top roof..the suite was AMAZING!!! Like 1200sft for just DD and I..it was the first totally full blast-pixie dust blast I have ever gotten. I have been upgraded from Standard to Pool or Water view..even a savannah view before..but never a Suite.

I remember that happened to the one guy at WL on our old thread..he got the Presidential Suite..but never happened to me

Suite
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126378019@N02/sets/72157645479703907/