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

[Pinkocto]

December will be our first time staying at AKL. Has anyone heard, does AKL have problems with bedbugs or cockroaches? I've heard a rumor or two about that (along with POR/POFQ, All-Stars, etc.). I'm not going to lie, it kind of freaks me out. Excited despite being slightly nervous about potential bug issues.
Also, is there any special Christmas stuff that we should see at the resort?

Thank you for your help

I've never heard of bed bugs but I will say that both my SiL and I had a cockroach in our rooms, seperate rooms far away from each other. There's lots of foliage around the resort, I'm not sure it's stoppable. That was in September, no other trip I've been have I seen bugs and I've been there in January, March, June, and September.

 

[stainbas]

We'll be arriving in one week for our first trip (or first trip with us as the adults!) to Disney! So ridiculously excited, as are my 2 and 4 year olds. I have a couple of questions:

1. Laundry - are these coin operated? Do I need to bring my own detergent, or do they have singles to purchase?

2. Can we make requests for rooms (understanding they might not be able to accommodate)? If so, should I do that through my travel agent or through the online process? Any suggestions on what to request? We are staying on the arusha savanna. I've heard that floors 3 and 4 are really good for viewing the animals - do people agree? Are there wings with that view that have better views of some animals than others? Thanks!

 

[maryandtyson]

December will be our first time staying at AKL. Has anyone heard, does AKL have problems with bedbugs or cockroaches? I've heard a rumor or two about that (along with POR/POFQ, All-Stars, etc.). I'm not going to lie, it kind of freaks me out. Excited despite being slightly nervous about potential bug issues. Also, is there any special Christmas stuff that we should see at the resort? Thank you for your help

We have stayed at AKL twice for 10 day trips. Never saw a bug of any kind indoors. I hope that helps!!

 

[Hulagirlie2003]

Thank you to everyone who has answered my questions.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

We'll be arriving in one week for our first trip (or first trip with us as the adults!) to Disney! So ridiculously excited, as are my 2 and 4 year olds. I have a couple of questions:

1. Laundry - are these coin operated? Do I need to bring my own detergent, or do they have singles to purchase?

2. Can we make requests for rooms (understanding they might not be able to accommodate)? If so, should I do that through my travel agent or through the online process? Any suggestions on what to request? We are staying on the arusha savanna. I've heard that floors 3 and 4 are really good for viewing the animals - do people agree? Are there wings with that view that have better views of some animals than others? Thanks!

1) They are coin operated. The change machines only take ones & fives. There is a machine that sells powdered detergent. I found tide pods worked well... Cycles were about 30 minutes each for wash/dry and only my heaviest stuff was still damp at the edges.

 

[psac]

I've never heard of bed bugs but I will say that both my SiL and I had a cockroach in our rooms, seperate rooms far away from each other. There's lots of foliage around the resort, I'm not sure it's stoppable. That was in September, no other trip I've been have I seen bugs and I've been there in January, March, June, and September.

Of course none of us are entomologists, but are you sure they were roaches, or could they have been love bugs? In September, they are everywhere in Orlando.

 

[Pinkocto]

Of course none of us are entomologists, but are you sure they were roaches, or could they have been love bugs? In September, they are everywhere in Orlando.

Sadly no, it was a huge cockroach. So big I caught it under a cup because I couldn't bear to crush it.

 

[kimmar067]

December will be our first time staying at AKL. Has anyone heard, does AKL have problems with bedbugs or cockroaches? I've heard a rumor or two about that (along with POR/POFQ, All-Stars, etc.). I'm not going to lie, it kind of freaks me out. Excited despite being slightly nervous about potential bug issues....

....I'm with you there, but in all my stays [at AKL] I've never experienced any kind of bugs....can't say the same for the Mods/Values though....

 

[cheermouse]

Just returned from a trip AKL. All my requests were honored and we had a perfect room. Zebra trail, 2nd floor, 3rd pod, which puts you right in the middle. We had amazing views of the animals. We were also very close to the elevators down to the pool and the quick service restaurant. The room was very clean and no bug sightings at all. The pool area was beautiful, there are a lot of chairs in the shade, so it was hard to find ones in the sun, but there are a lot of little areas outside of pool, that you could find chairs. I would return here in a minute. My 17year old really wanted to stay here and now says he doesn't want to stay anywhere else. He was like a 5 year old. Great resort! Don't hesitate booking here!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Just returned from a trip AKL. All my requests were honored and we had a perfect room. Zebra trail, 2nd floor, 3rd pod, which puts you right in the middle. We had amazing views of the animals. We were also very close to the elevators down to the pool and the quick service restaurant. The room was very clean and no bug sightings at all. The pool area was beautiful, there are a lot of chairs in the shade, so it was hard to find ones in the sun, but there are a lot of little areas outside of pool, that you could find chairs. I would return here in a minute. My 17year old really wanted to stay here and now says he doesn't want to stay anywhere else. He was like a 5 year old. Great resort! Don't hesitate booking here!

I have an 11 year old DS who is the same way!!! He doesn't ever want to stay anywhere but AKL! Which I'm ok with but would like to stay at every Disney resort, well at least that's my goal! Lol we love it there! Heading back in May! Mu brother and his girlfriend are coming with us and it will be there first time staying there! I can't wait to see their reaction! It's such an amazing resort!

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Just wanted to say--single digits!!! 9 days!!! Packing as we speak. Can't wait to hear 'Jambo'!

 

[kimmar067]

....way kewl!

 

[ddixon1]

Loved hearing about your 17 y/o ("cheermouse") loving the resort. My DS8 does not want to stay anywhere else, either! In fact, I just bought into DVC with AKV as my home resort. We have visited 2x this year (January and August) and will return in December to see the Christmas decorations, etc. I just love AKL/AKV. Everything -- the sights, the wonderful aromas in the lobby, the music, the CMs, and of course the animals.
When I showed my son the photos/videos of the VGF, he commented, "So what? It's really fancy, that's all! Where are the animals? Where is the African theme? AKL is so much better!"
Gotta love him. Still, I'd like to stay at VGF at least once. For me. But our home will always be AKV.

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

....way kewl!

And you guys are the only one who get my insanity

 

[kimmar067]

And you guys are the only one who get my insanity

IMPORTANT:

Make sure to take a pic of yourself eating a 'dome' and post it HERE!

 

[ddixon1]

Just wanted to say--single digits!!! 9 days!!! Packing as we speak. Can't wait to hear 'Jambo'!

And I cannot wait to hear "Welcome home!" for the first time as DVC owners at AKV (instead of renting points)!

I think that I'm at 50 days....

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

IMPORTANT:

Make sure to take a pic of yourself eating a 'dome' and post it HERE!

Don't tell (I don't want to get kicked out) I don't like domes!

ETA--- Any one have the activities guide for this month? Spending all day Sat at the resort.

 

[kimmar067]

Don't tell (I don't want to get kicked out) I don't like domes!

ETA--- Any one have the activities guide for this month? Spending all day Sat at the resort.

...well, ya don't have to actually SWALLOW it....

 

[John's Mom]

Don't tell (I don't want to get kicked out) I don't like domes!

ETA--- Any one have the activities guide for this month? Spending all day Sat at the resort.

Don't feel bad. I don't like ZDs either. I was just holding a package of domes in my ZD picture.

 

[Pinkocto]

Loved hearing about your 17 y/o ("cheermouse") loving the resort. My DS8 does not want to stay anywhere else, either! In fact, I just bought into DVC with AKV as my home resort. We have visited 2x this year (January and August) and will return in December to see the Christmas decorations, etc. I just love AKL/AKV. Everything -- the sights, the wonderful aromas in the lobby, the music, the CMs, and of course the animals.
When I showed my son the photos/videos of the VGF, he commented, "So what? It's really fancy, that's all! Where are the animals? Where is the African theme? AKL is so much better!"
Gotta love him. Still, I'd like to stay at VGF at least once. For me. But our home will always be AKV.

Congratulations on DVC!