AKL Room Requests & DME Question

[DISNUT21]

My family and I are going to WDW in July for a Grand Gatherings, and the woman who I made the reservation with asked if I could contact her with any special room requests during my stay. The problem is... I am traveling with my niece and nephew (7 & 9) and they want to be as close as possible to the animals, especially giraffe and zebra. The problem at hand is, during my last visit to AKL we did not have a stellar view of the animals, and we were in a concierge level savannah view. So I am wondering what floor and room #'s to ask for? we have 3 rooms if I am not mistaken, and apprently they should all be connecting.

And one other question is that we are going to fly in, and are taking DME from MCO to WDW. However, my mother is going to be flying in with the group, but my aunt will be picking her up at the hotel since she lives in Tampa. But, the problem at hand is that Disney wants me to pay for her to be in the room for the entire 8 day stay, when she will only be in the room for a few hours, and the rooms are full to max occupancy because we are a large group meaning I can't add her in. So, should I just get a room for 1 night and add her in? What should I do?

And with that being said let me say thanks again all of you guys for all of your help, you all here at the DIS really help to make my trips to Disney a success by giving me information that help my trips become all the more magical.
Anthony

 

[kaytieeldr]

I can't advise you regarding floor (although the higher flours are supposed to be better, someone posted recently that they were very happy with the view from their second floor room), but I can advise you to never request a specific room number, or numbers in your case. If that room/those rooms are occupied, the room assigner has no way of knowing why you requested particular rooms and may locate you anywhere.

You do NOT have three connecting rooms. That would be impossible - there is nothing more than pairs of connecting rooms. You can request those, and that the third room be adjoining, and since you're going through Grand Gatherings you will probably get your request, but that's it - just requests. You also need to consider what's more important - the view/location, or that the rooms connect... in case only one condition can be met.


You can take your mother OFF your reservation, and have her go to the Mears counter when you get to the airport. If she's not on your reservation, she can't use Magical Express - but it's extremely possible Mears will put her on a DME bus, although not necessarily the same one as you.

 

[KellyErinWDW]

You do NOT have three connecting rooms. That would be impossible - there is nothing more than pairs of connecting rooms. QUOTE]

Kaytieeldr is correct, rooms at DAK Lodge only connect in pairs and are NOT GUARANTEED even if you do have a Grand Gathering.

99% off all connecting rooms at DAK Lodge connect one room with two queen beds to a room with a queen bed and a set of bunks. What does this mean?

Well, in the concierge category and the standard (no view) category, if its available you may be assigned connecting rooms. If, however, you have booked savanna view or pool view, in order to give yourself the best chance of connecting you'd have to BOOK and PAY for one room to be a regular room (two queens) and BOOK and PAY for the second room to have bunk beds. Even in this instance it is not guaranteed.

As for the view, if you've booked a Savanna or Concierge room you should not be affected by construction views. Pool views of course are pool views, and standard rooms will either face construction (and the animals on sunset savanna) or the parking lot.

View preference is really a personal thing and no requests are guaranteed. Additionally, keep in mind that the animals have 11 acres in which to roam on all three savannas, just because you're in a room that was great for a previous guest, does not mean the animals are going to favor that spot again, especially since the animals are moved to different savannas from time to time.

In my experience, anywhere on Arusha and most views on Uzima are breathtaking, request to stay away from corners and the ends of the hallways. Zebra trail is also usually a guest favorite because it is closer to the pool/dining area, but Kudu savanna views are just as beautiful.

Finally, my best suggestion for making requests is to fax the resort 3-5 days prior to arrival. The resort does not actually see your reservation until 10-7 days before arrival and they do not assign rooms, in most cases, until the day before (or the day of arrival). Speaking directly to the resort (not the call center or DRC) prior to the 10 day window and the Resort will not be able to assist you and having your TA or DRC make note of your requests may not reach the room assigors, either. You can get the fax number from DAK Lodge by calling Disney directly.

Hope that helps!

 

[DISNUT21]

Thank you guys so much... I am so confused because the woman I spoke to there said we would have connecting rooms, but you can never take anyones word as exact now a days. At any rate, I called Disney about my mom and they said when we arrive go to DME and ask if they can squeeze her in as a favor. I dont know how reliable this is. Anyway, thanks again for all your help!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

What they probably meant is that you will have 3 adjoining rooms...not connecting rooms...meaning that you'll be right next door to one another. Anyone, just wanted to add that we were on the Zebra Trail, 3rd floor, Uzima savannah and we have gorgeous views of the animals.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The person you spoke with is NOT informed about Disney's Magical Express!!!!!

Get ready for more information than you wanted to know

Disney's contract with the airport prohibits/prevents/bans/disallows/(fill in any other 'can't do it' word or term here) them from transporting any Guest who does not already have an advance reservation for Magical Express; and only REGISTERED onsite Guests may reserve/use/take Magical Express.

You CANNOT ask Magical Express to "squeeze in" anyone not meeting these conditions as a favor. Well, you can ask but they can't do it. They will send that person to the Mears counter to arrange transportation to Disney (which can't be reserved in advance). That person will likely be transported on a Magical Express bus, but not necessarily the same bus on which the rest of their party is traveling.

 

[tiger4me2]

Just a note if you are staying club level you have a savanah view since they are redoing the upper floors for DVC. Club level start on 4th floor so I am told mt the IPO planners >>>>Leaving soon for AKL club level