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

[jeffbear]

your first mistake was in assuming nescafe is actually coffee at all.

reminds me of the old Peanuts strip when Lucy brings Linus a cup of hot chocolate:

Linus: "this tastes like water with a brown crayon stirred in it!"

Lucy: "I'll add another crayon"

Nice ... that's what my Mom used to call Lucy logic

 

[Best Aunt]

DVC question....is there zero chance of waitlisting either a value studio or a CL studio at 4 months out for 1 or 2 nights? I'm still waiting on ROFR so I'm jumping the gun here, but DS13 wants to go 1 or 2 days ahead of the rest of the family for his August birthday trip and he wants to stay at AKL. I was planning on just looking for a standard studio, but if I had any chance of either of the other 2 I'd waitlist that. Just curious if anyone's ever had any luck getting either that didn't own here.

Well, there are only 5 CL studios... and all of them are booked for the entire month of August... but it's always possible that someone will cancel.

Also, re ROFR: It took 32 days for me to pass ROFR on the contract I'm currently buying. I passed on 03/17. As of 03/26, the title company told me that they couldn't do my paperwork yet because they were still waiting for figures from Disney... and they hadn't received figures yet for people who passed ROFR the week before me... so don't count on getting those points into your account super fast.

Sorry for being the voice of doom and gloom.

 

[Best Aunt]

You sound like my Auntie I have many Aunts, but only one Auntie. We are extremely close, and she is like a Mom to me. I am like a daughter to her, and my kids are essentially her grandkids

I always say Auntie never birthed any children, but she still has kids!

Great-nieces and nephews to spoil -- I like that idea!

 

[TaraPA]

Well, there are only 5 CL studios... and all of them are booked for the entire month of August... but it's always possible that someone will cancel.

Also, re ROFR: It took 32 days for me to pass ROFR on the contract I'm currently buying. I passed on 03/17. As of 03/26, the title company told me that they couldn't do my paperwork yet because they were still waiting for figures from Disney... and they hadn't received figures yet for people who passed ROFR the week before me... so don't count on getting those points into your account super fast.

Sorry for being the voice of doom and gloom.

That's what I figured!

I've been watching the ROFR thread & have been seeing posts about the extended wait times & delayed closings. Ugh. Good thing I don't need the points for anything, I can always rent some for 1 or 2 nights in August if I need to.

 

[jvattes]

What is ROFR?

It doesn't sound fun....

 

[psac]

What is ROFR?

It doesn't sound fun....

It's the exact opposite of ROFL.

It's Right of First Refusal -- when buying a DVC contract resale from a prior owner, Disney has a 30-day period (which can be extended) to exercise their ROFR and buy the contract off the seller at the price you arranged with that seller. So you think you have your contract, and you end up with nothing!

Historically they've gone through cycles of low or zero numbers of ROFR and then fits where they will take practically EVERYTHING, and the whole resale market freaks out. Or they will go through periods where they will take all contracts for a particular location. For years, Beach Club Villas was nearly impossible to get through.

It's not fun.

We passed on both of our contracts, but it's a very nerve wracking 30 days. On our last purchase, Disney wasn't taking anything before we hit ROFR, suddenly took EVERYTHING for two weeks, and then stopped again and luckily we were fine. Lots of agita, though!

 

[jvattes]

Yikes! Sounds awful!

 

[jvattes]

If I get a cocktail or glass of wine or beer at one of the restaurants or bars/lounges at AKL, can I take it back to my room??

 

[TipsyTraveler]

If I get a cocktail or glass of wine or beer at one of the restaurants or bars/lounges at AKL, can I take it back to my room??

Yes. If you're going to be taking the drink anywhere near the pool area let them know and they'll put it in a plastic cup for you.

 

[psac]

Lazy day on the Savanna

 

[gwynne]

Lazy day on the Savanna

What a lovely photo! Thanks!

 

[kimmar067]

Lazy day on the Savanna

....nice....this reminds me of the time when [long ago] we had a live webcam at AKL.....

 

[psac]

....nice....this reminds me of the time when [long ago] we had a live webcam at AKL.....

Wow, I didn't know they had a webcam like that. That would be neat.

We're in Kidani, alllllll the way at the end past the Zazu elevator. We didn't rent a car, so walking to the lobby every day is going to be a pain. We had an ADR to Boma last night, and walked to Jambo, and I really think the walk to the Jambo lobby is closer than the Kidani lobby! .

The good thing though is we are on the second floor, and this area seems to be a heavy animal area in the late afternoon/early evening, like 3-7pm. I think someone just posted the same a few days ago.

 

[psac]

Wanna play count the giraffes?



(Click for better resolution.)

 

[tiggrbaby]

Wanna play count the giraffes?



(Click for better resolution.)

Many!

What a fab view! I requested near the lobby because my parents are mobility challenged for our trip. Hope we can see as much as you do! Enjoy!

 

[suemom2kay]

So I've decided that the view really is very important to us. So, we booked Arusha View... Now to decide where. I was thinking Zebra Trail Lower Floor as my requests. Thoughts?

So EXCITED!!!!

 

[suemom2kay]

Wanna play count the giraffes?



(Click for better resolution.)

LOVE THIS... I clicked and looked at your other pix as well... Beautiful... Where was your room?

 

[la la limon]

Morning! I'm new here and need some feedback about our upcoming trip. My family and I (DS 8 and DD 6) have booked a trip to AKL in August (bunk bed pool view, dining package). Unfortunately I was messing around on Orbitz last night and discovered with their 20% off pin, it puts the Club Level at only $40 more per night (!). This would mean canceling our Disney package and, thus, giving up the Dining Plan (which I'm ok with but husband isn't). What do you think? We'll likely spend a bit more overall on food in the end (we'd have $750 to spend on food before we hit the same price as our original package) as we still want to enjoy some table serve meals, though I really don't think our family needs 8 desserts a day, etc. The thought of having a room with a view and breakfast is very enticing! I am also a little cautious about giving up our designated bunk bed room, though I know they are available at the Club Level. This is also probably our only trip to Disney...

Any insight for me out there? Thanks much!

Amy

 

[Mrsjvb]

Morning! I'm new here and need some feedback about our upcoming trip. My family and I (DS 8 and DD 6) have booked a trip to AKL in August (bunk bed pool view, dining package). Unfortunately I was messing around on Orbitz last night and discovered with their 20% off pin, it puts the Club Level at only $40 more per night (!). This would mean canceling our Disney package and, thus, giving up the Dining Plan (which I'm ok with but husband isn't). What do you think? We'll likely spend a bit more overall on food in the end (we'd have $750 to spend on food before we hit the same price as our original package) as we still want to enjoy some table serve meals, though I really don't think our family needs 8 desserts a day, etc. The thought of having a room with a view and breakfast is very enticing! I am also a little cautious about giving up our designated bunk bed room, though I know they are available at the Club Level. This is also probably our only trip to Disney...

Any insight for me out there? Thanks much!

Amy

toughie

we are staying in September, CL with the DxDP. I just made all my reservations over the past 2 days and I didn't even plan on using the CL for breakfast, although if you are fine with basically a fancy continental, it's more than enough.

normally we do NOT do any sort of DP but this is a once in a lifetime special occasion trip so we are splurging. we picked mostly TS ( and several signatures) and chose places we have never eaten at before.

if the kids are into characters, then the DP is worth it for all the character buffet options. then again we chose CL because we deliberately wanted the sunrise safari.

 

[RachelTori]

Morning! I'm new here and need some feedback about our upcoming trip. My family and I (DS 8 and DD 6) have booked a trip to AKL in August (bunk bed pool view, dining package). Unfortunately I was messing around on Orbitz last night and discovered with their 20% off pin, it puts the Club Level at only $40 more per night (!). This would mean canceling our Disney package and, thus, giving up the Dining Plan (which I'm ok with but husband isn't). What do you think? We'll likely spend a bit more overall on food in the end (we'd have $750 to spend on food before we hit the same price as our original package) as we still want to enjoy some table serve meals, though I really don't think our family needs 8 desserts a day, etc. The thought of having a room with a view and breakfast is very enticing! I am also a little cautious about giving up our designated bunk bed room, though I know they are available at the Club Level. This is also probably our only trip to Disney...

Any insight for me out there? Thanks much!

Amy

Welcome, Amy!

I will cast my vote for chucking the Package and booking Club Level!! Especially if this is likely your only trip to WDW -- what a way to do it!

I stopped doing the Dining Plan ages ago..... it used to be a great deal, but not anymore. Do some research on restaurant menus and costs. There are some wonderful quick service and table service restaurants. With a little planning your family can eat well without blowing your whole budget!

The Club Level breakfast is wonderful. There is no lunch, but they have snacks out through most of the day -- and a special kids table! Appetizers 5-7pm; desserts 8-10pm.