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

[DevonsDisneyMom]

We will be there for the our 1st WDW Trip ever on the 22nd. I requested low floor near lobby. Any tips? How was transportation. We will not have a car. Thanks!

We stayed at Kidani in June and had a great time! Beautiful resort! We requested close to lobby near elevator. We received a room right off the lobby on the 4th floor near the south elevators. Could not have been more pleased with the location. So convenient to everything. Transportation was great! Kidani is the first pick up and drop off.

 

[BlueGiraffe]

We are going to do a birthday dinner at Jiko - I'm so excited! We got AP this year so we are going in each of our birth-months to celebrate!

Have fun!

 

[SRUAlmn]

That is what we are wondering. My hubby just registered for the Wine & Dine Half yesterday and we both plan on doing the 5K. Wondering if we should switch resorts just to have the bus since we will not have a car?

If it isn't a host resort are we out of luck when it comes to transportation?

It definitely isn't a host resort, so if you won't have a car you are probably out of luck We were also considering a grand suite at the Dolphin. It's not a host resort either, but the Boardwalk and Beach Clubs are so we could walk over and get their buses. Hopefully someone can answer my question about parking for the 5k! I'd offer for you and your husband to ride over with us, but we'll already have a full car

 

[XMom]

It definitely isn't a host resort, so if you won't have a car you are probably out of luck We were also considering a grand suite at the Dolphin. It's not a host resort either, but the Boardwalk and Beach Clubs are so we could walk over and get their buses. Hopefully someone can answer my question about parking for the 5k! I'd offer for you and your husband to ride over with us, but we'll already have a full car

That's very nice of you to even consider. Thank you! We are going to see if we can switch to one of the host resorts at 7 months. What do you think the chances are of scoring a studio villa at 7 months? Is one more likely than the other?

 

[smellyia]

I just wanted to share this for anyone thinking about AKL from my TR - which we highly recommend and will work into our WDW trips annually! Also, THANKS TO ALL THE INFO SHARED HERE!

This is just a mini trip report/review from our DD’s surprise 4th bday trip 2/24-2/27. It was Me DH, DD4 and DS4months. We stayed at AKL Club Level – Arusha View Standard Room. We chose this because it was only $70 more than an Arusha View Room with our AP discount.

This was a surprisingly excellent experience. Our rooms were nicer than the BC deluxes we have stayed out in the past. The upgraded toiletries (toothbrushes & paste, shampoo, conditioner, soaps, mouthwash) saved me about $20 in travel products for the week, mousekeeping was great, and turn down service lovely. They left a special bag with some small toys and button for my daughter’s bday and some buttons and chocolates for our anniversary – each occasion was also addressed with a Congrats note. This truly made our DD feel special. I would estimate the chocolates throughout the trip we were given would be around $10. We loved the dedicated club level check in. I was able to tend to the business while my DH and kids grabbed drinks and snacks and rested for a few. Our room on the Arusha Savannah was fabulous. Watching zebras and giraffes from our balcony….come on. There is no way to complain about that. They were abundant and made our trip so special.

The Lounge itself at AKL is overall fantastic. A nice sitting area for kids and separate for adults. About 6 or 7 tables with chairs. Not huge, but the only time we ever had a seating issue was our last night at about 6pm – peak appetizer service. The breakfast was more than adequate. We ate full breakfast of cereal, pastries, and fruit each morning with juice, milk, coffee, and tea. They had other items like oatmeal as well. This would at least run us $20/day in parks (overall $60). We drank water, sodas, milk, and alcohol from there daily. We probably went through at least 6 beers a day in addition to all our other drinks. I purchased a case of bottled water from our stroller rental and we probably only went through about half of it at the parks. I even got counter service twice for lunch at the resort and went up to the Lounge first to get our drinks so we didn’t spend money on them at the Mara. Easily we drank through $100 worth of beverages – at least. I frequented their delicious chips for a snack. We hit appetizers each night and ate our fill. They were refilled quickly. We did this one night and hung out at the resort during a rain storm that settled in after deciding to abort our park plans and then went to dessert service after and this was more than enough for us for dinner which we normally would spend at least $100 on. We would leave and enjoy fun stuff going on at the resort like night goggles or the kids parade and story time then go back for refills on drinks. The staff was excellent, helpful, and polite.

I would do AKL Club again in a heartbeat. We probably utilized at least $300-350 worth of services and made our vacation so much easier not doing something like Garden Grocer.

Negatives to club: Mainly it’s the actual concierge part. I found the pre-planning pretty much useless as I care to take care of my own ADRs. Last minute booking was nice to have however as that kept me from staring at MDE app while in the parks. I think when you check in there should be a bell hop to tend to your bags or they should call one as ours were heavy and with two young ones I definitely would’ve utilized them downstairs. We rented a stroller and it was at bell services. I called down to get it delivered and they said I had to come down to get it – which was okay, but again this is a minimal service thing that club level should have included to make the money seem better spent. So DH goes down and then they bring it up with the signing binder while he’s gone. That was odd. Also, I don't know if they do package delivery to room rather than resort shop, but I think they should. Really I think if they just went that tiny extra effort with bell services this would have made this a 5 star experience for me rather than 4.5.

Final Thoughts
AKL was like this unexpected embarrassment of riches. We didn’t initially plan to stay there but with such a short notice trip, future plans to be back at BC/Yacht, WL, and a monorail resort, and the killer deal we got (compared to other availability), AKL became this trip within a trip for us. We wanted the animal experience and got it. I would make it an annual – or at least every few trips – to stay there. The savannah view is key to making this such a great experience and I highly recommend it. Club level there had a nice selection of food and we well got our money worth for only a $70 upcharge for our whole stay. AKL is beautiful, unique, and comfortable. I would MAYBE rent a car the next time as a trial as we do like to visit other resorts for meals and transportation time is longer due to location.

 

[Redmic]

Where do you go for club level check in? We have stayed club level before, but checked in in the regular check in line as there was no obvious alternative. Don't you need to pick up the elevator key at the desk? We are doing club again in June and would love to speed up the check in if possible.

 

[smellyia]

Where do you go for club level check in? We have stayed club level before, but checked in in the regular check in line as there was no obvious alternative. Don't you need to pick up the elevator key at the desk? We are doing club again in June and would love to speed up the check in if possible.

we told the greeter when we walked in that we were staying Club level and they escort you to the 6th floor concierge desk for check in.

 

[think-like-tink]

Did you have bunk beds in your room?

 

[smellyia]

Did you have bunk beds in your room?

We had two queens per request.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Where do you go for club level check in? We have stayed club level before, but checked in in the regular check in line as there was no obvious alternative. Don't you need to pick up the elevator key at the desk? We are doing club again in June and would love to speed up the check in if possible.

I was actually greeted at the check in by the CM..They escorted us upstairs

 

[hill6]

Our FastPass + window opened today. Made all our reservations except for our last day. We need to discuss our plans a bit more since we have a late departure time.

Now I just need the Be Our Guest lunch reservations to open up so I can get that taken care of.

 

[DizDaD7]

I will be out of town until the 3rd of March, so I will not be able to updated any dates until my return.

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2014


If you have any updates please let me know...

2014

February
MSUmom, 15th – 22nd , Kidani
DizDaD7, 15th -22nd , GCV
DisMomAmy, 19th – 23rd , Jambo
GSUJillybean, 19th – 27th AKL CL
MomofDisneyLoversx3, 28th – Mar 4th, AKL CL
SAKPEG99OKW, 23rd – Mar 1st, AKL
Smellyia, 24th – 27th, AKL
Pookie10, 24th – 28th, AKL

March
MomofDisneyLoversx3, Feb 28th –4th, AKL CL
Tonyslady, 7th – 10th, AoA
Tonyslady, 10th – 16th, AKV
Delanemc1, 15th – 21st, AKL
Disneyjunebug, 16th – 21st, AKV
Cheesemouse, 20th – 22nd , AKV
XMom, 22nd – 29th , AKL Kidani
Eacosper, 22nd – 29th , AKL
AlohaAnnie, 28th – Apr 5th , Jambo

April
AlohaAnnie, Mar 28th – 5th, Jambo
Psac, Kidani

May
Caseytigger, 1st – 5th, AKL
The Yeti Guy, 2nd – 5th, AKL
Shaden, 2nd – 6th, AKL Jambo House
dolphigirl47, 2nd – 17th, Disney Wonder Panama Canal Cruise
Hill6, 5th – 8th, AKL Kidani
CupcakeKelly, 5th – 8th, AKL
RebelSoul, 5th – 11th, AKV Jambo
Jenbrewer, 6th – 8th, AKL CL
Hill6, 8th – 10th, AKL Kidani
DevonsDisneyMom, 9th – 17th, AKV Jambo
Zeldot, 10th – 14th, AKL CL
jmetz1028, 13th – 18th, AKL
amazingact21, 14th – 15th, AKL
AddictedtoDoleWhip, 17th – 24th, AKL
hemmie, 20th -26th, AKL
RachelTori, 20th-27th, AKV-CL; Dolphin
chocovrdmicears, 20th – 28th, AKL
Momto8, 23rd – 30th, Jambo House
Vital, 23rd – 31st, Jambo House
Paula Sedley-Burke, 26th – 28th, ASMu
Paula Sedley-Burke, 28th – Jun 4th, SSR
franandaj, 28th - Jun 4th, VGF

June
Paula Sedley-Burke, May 28th – 4th, SSR
franandaj, May 28th - 4th, VGF
goofy4prez, 2nd – 9th, AKL-CL
NMDisneyMom, 3rd – 10th, AKV Jambo
Grandma Rainbow, 18th – 21st, AKL
1971DBday, 19th – 28th, AKV
Manicstreet, 24th – Jul 2nd, AKL

July
Manicstreet, Jun 24th – 2nd, AKL
Ah10is, 1st – 8th, AKL
Kanga1, 13th – 25th, AKL
YCFAN, 26th – 28th, Royal Assante Suite & Royal Kuba Suite
anjalee6, 28th – Aug 6th, AKL

August
anjalee6, Jul 28th – 6th, AKL
MomofDisneyLoversx3, 11th -18th, WL
katema52, 16th – 22nd, Kidani
eangel12, 20th – 21st, AKL CL
15isto2, 30th-Sept 27th, Kidani

September
15isto2, Aug 30th-27th, Kidani
ShelliRenee, 14th – 19th, AKL
Sturowski, 16th – 22nd, AKL
Paula Sedley-Burke, 18th - 25th, SSR
LJD2143, 20th – 27th, AKL
Jackiemarie21, 19th – 24th, AKL
PNO4TE, 25th-29th, BWV
RachelTori, 25th-29th, BWV
Paula Sedley-Burke, 25th - Oct 2nd, AKV - Kidani
aaarcher86, 26th – Oct 6th, Kidani

October
aaarcher86, Sep 26th – 6th, Kidani
Paula Sedley-Burke, Sep 28th - 1st, SSR
Paula Sedley-Burke, 1st – 2nd, VGF
Rarity, 25th – Nov 1st, Jambo House
Tarcc, 25th - Nov 8th, AKL
Weswife, 26th – 31st, AKL
PNO4TE, 31st – Nov 2nd, Kidani

November
Tarcc, Oct 25th - 8th, AKL
PNO4TE, Oct 31st – 2nd, Kidani
PNO4TE, 2nd – 8th, BWV
YoYoAurora, 1st – 8th, AKL CL
Grandma Rainbow, 5th – 9th, AKL
saysib, 28th-Dec 12th, AKL

December
saysib, Nov 28th-12th, AKL
nadira36, Nov 30th – 12th, AKL, DD will turn 8….
Cincystamper, 3rd – 14th, AKL
Emilyclaire, 4th – 10th, AKL
jcjen519, 14th – 23rd, AKV CL

Hello Brandi Just wondering if you can add our next trip to the calendar.
As of now its @SSR Oct31-Nov 9.... Now if only Kimmar can get her act in gear..lol

 

[kimmar067]

Hello Brandi Just wondering if you can add our next trip to the calendar.
As of now its @SSR Oct31-Nov 9.... Now if only Kimmar can get her act in gear..lol

....was waiting for YOUR dates, m'dear....

 

[kimmar067]

I was actually greeted at the check in by the CM..They escorted us upstairs

you. must. KNOW. people.

 

[kimmar067]

....but srsly, Kirk, the first thing that DH said when we submitted our tax return electronically was for me to book the trip so that it's paid for in advance! WHA-A-A-A-A-AT???!??!?!

....okay, where is my DH and what have you done with him??

 

[kimmar067]

We had two queens per request.

....odd request.

 

[jeffbear]

....was waiting for YOUR dates, m'dear....

Speaking of dates ... mind adding me to the list for May?

We're at AKL from May 17 to May 24 this year. First time there after three Poly stays in a row.

 

[pArKsFaN]

Could you add us as well for March 23-27? DH and I are heading down to Ft Benning for our oldest's graduation ceremony...since we will be traveling so far already we decided 6 more hours is nothing to be at AKL!

 

[kimmar067]

Speaking of dates ... mind adding me to the list for May?

We're at AKL from May 17 to May 24 this year. First time there after three Poly stays in a row.

.....fine, but I'm not the lister-adder-on-er.....

 

[hill6]

....but srsly, Kirk, the first thing that DH said when we submitted our tax return electronically was for me to book the trip so that it's paid for in advance! WHA-A-A-A-A-AT???!??!?!

....okay, where is my DH and what have you done with him??

I am an accountant and when I filed our return, I told DH that our refund will pay almost entirely for our trip. He laughed and said great.