AKL Suites - Help!

[Janet2k]

Minbear, your post was TOO FUNNY! So right you are. ALL of us here on the DIS would fall over if Cali ever stayed anywhere else but his beloved GF!!!!

CaliforniaDreaming, I think that trip should be split amongst all three resorts. A few days at the YC. A few days at the Poly. And a few days at the AKL.

 

[Janet2k]

But Cali, you should do all PARKING LOT view rooms. I forgot to mention that. All parking lot view rooms for you if you are NOT staying at the GF.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

But, Janet, I did stay at the All-Star Music (quite interesting) and the Contemporary (which I loved!) last year!!!

Minybear! Yes, for January I was booked at the Grand Floridian then the BoardWalk then the Polynesian then Coronado Springs then the Yacht Club then the Grand Floridian! As you can see, I did change that reservation MANY times!

Parking lot view? Excuse me, Janet, but I have NEVER done parking lot view! (except MK view at the Contemporary Tower Club - does that count?!?!?! )

 

[Minybear]

Cali
You were also considering going on a cruise for January. Don't forget about that one.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Minybear, the cruise has been postponed to July, 2004! AND, NO, I WILL NOT BE STAYING AT THE GRAND FLORIDIAN FOR THE LAND PORTION!!!

 

[Minybear]

WOOOOOOOW that is amazing not the Gf for the LAND PORTION. I am falling over in my chair again. Just wait you will change that to. Especially when you can get discounts on the GF. You will then separate your land and sea portion and do them separately. We will wait and see.

 

[MJS]

Minybear - He still has LOTS of time to switch to the GF.

Cali - You must try the YC. No Tiki gods, no "royal" palm treatment, just a fun resort with a great pool.

Janet2K - Thanks for all of the help! I will keep you posted!

 

[Janet2k]

Minybear & CaliforniaDreaming, you folks are too funny! And I really needed a laugh today -- thanks!!

MJS, I never got a chance to mention this but when I stayed at the AKL last, there was a “floater” bus. You see, one evening after 6 PM, we had the Bell Services folks call us a taxicab since three of us wanted to head over to the BoardWalk area. After waiting 40 minutes, the taxicab never arrived. However, in that same amount of time, we saw WDW bus after bus arrive and depart from the AKL’s bus stop. It was insane. We had never seen so many buses before in our lifetimes. At least one every other minute (I think this was right around closing time for the MK and AK) . It was a zoo out there at the bus stop (but very organized, don’t get me wrong). Well, we eventually told the Bell Services folks that our taxicab never arrived and we were going to take one of the WDW buses since we were tired of waiting. Of course by the time we made it to the bus stop, there weren’t any buses there (it figures!). But suddenly one appeared and it didn’t have any “name” lit up in its marquee. My husband asked the bus driver where his bus was heading and he said, “Where are you going?” My husband said, “Where are you going?” And the bus driver said, “Where are you going?” My husband looked at him with a blank look on his face and then the bus driver said, “I’m going wherever you want to go.” My husband asked, “The BoardWalk?” and the driver told us to hop on. There were only three of us in my party and we had the entire bus to ourselves. Our very own WDW bus. It was a nonstop ride from the AKL to the BoardWalk just for us. We told the bus driver our frustrating taxicab story and he listened. He told us that he was basically a “floating” bus for the evening – wherever he was needed, he would be. He said that after he dropped us off at the BoardWalk, he would probably head over to the Magic Kingdom to work his magic there for any frustrated guests. Out of gratitude my husband attempted to give the bus driver the money that we would have had to pay the taxicab driver, but the bus driver refused. He said it was part of his job and that we should enjoy our evening. Disney magic at its finest.

 

[Minybear]

MJS
If you decide to book the AKL or even the AKL suites. You will definately love it there. I also have been to the resort and its a fantastic resort and I wish I was back there now. I have never stayed at the AKL suites but its worth booking. Janet2K is an expert on the AKL and she has lots of info for you.

MJS I agree with you Cali has LOTS of time to change and I will bet you he will change to the GF (if he doesn't cancel the cruise).

 

[Janet2k]

Minybear & MJS, I think you're on to something... Cali WILL cancel his DCL cruise and book the Walt Disney Suite at the GF. And then he will invite the three of us to join him. We'll get to experience the ROYAL treatment right along with him. Won't that be fun?!!!

 

[Minybear]

Janet2K
You are so funny. I would love to see that.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

You all think you are SO funny!!! With the cruise cost, I will not be spending the extra for the GF! I'm thinking more of the Caribbean Beach or the Beach Club! Next year I'll probably do Cornado Springs if I can get down there (or, maybe the Contemporary-Wing), Jan04 will be good for the Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Polynesian (or Yacht Club). Then again, if I can get a good discount, wouldn't it make sense to spend a few dollars a night more for the Grand Floridian?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

And, Janet, that Walt Disney Suite @ the GF is too expensive for what you get. How about a nice one bedroom lodge attic suite?

 

[Janet2k]

MJS, I'm afraid this thread has taken on a new life thanks to Cali! I'm so sorry!!

Cali, forget the attic suite. I have heard of folks who have bumped their heads on the funky ceiling arrangements, and that has turned me off to them. I would stick with the Walt or Roy suite if you want the main building. However, if you want my favorite building, then either the Wekiwa or Cypress suites are lovely (I'm going for the ?Everglades? one next time).

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Oh, no Janet! Don't blame the off topicness on me!!! YOU are the one that caused it!

And, yeah, you request that Everglades Suite. You know what? I hope they give you the Cape Coral!!!

 

[Janet2k]

Okay, CaliforniaDreaming, I'm crying UNCLE! (You have me laughing way too hard today!! )

MJS, to bring the topic back around again, I know you're looking for just a one-bedroom suite, but would you consider one of the two largest suites at the AKL instead? Check out these photos of the JUMBO suties at the AKL here on the OurLaughingPlace.com website (the links to the photos will be found on the right-hand side of that webpage). My mouth just waters when I see how beautiful those two suites are. Wow. They put the GF to shame, I am afraid (take that, CaliforniaDreaming!!).

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Janet, just remember that the Grand Floridian does offer a two thousand two hundred square foot two bedroom Presidential Suite with great Magic Kingdom Views!!! And, Princess Diana (& the boys) were once a registered guest of that suite (on a summer holiday). Bet AKL can't claim that one!

 

[Janet2k]

There was recently a USA Today article that mentioned the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The article was entitled "10 Great Places To Meet A Millionaire." Septuagenarian socialite Marylou Whitney shared with the article's author "choice spots for rubbing shoulders with the monetarily endowed of both sexes." Here's an excerpt:

- - - - - - -
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Suites here can run $600 to $2,000 nightly. "John and I stayed in a big one with balconies all around. Giraffes practically poked their heads in our noses. Marvelous food and service! I want to go back."
- - - - - - -

Funny, but the Grand Floridian wasn't mentioned. Hey, MJS, are you going to the AKL (I gotta bring this thread back around to the subject again so as to not upset the Moderators!!) because you read that article? (hee hee)

 

[Janet2k]

MJS, don't even think about staying in that GF Presidential Suite that CaliforniaDreaming was talking about. It is small in comparison to the Yacht Club's Captains Deck Suite that I stayed in -- that suite was approx. 2,400 square feet in size with a JUMBO private patio area that was 740 square feet. And the Terminator (a.k.a., Arnold Schwarzenegger) has stayed in that suite before. (Take that, Cali!)

I will do some searching and see if I can come up with the square footage of those glorious suites at the AKL. Just in case you decide that you want something a little larger than a one-bedroom.

 

[Janet2k]

Okay, I give up. I'm taking this slightly off-topic but since it is about the AKL, I hope you forgive me, MJS!!

According to the PassPorter's First AKL Trip Report from April 2001, I think you'll find the following information interesting, CaliforniaDreaming:

- - - - - - -
After our excursions, we met back in the Kilimanjaro Club (concierge lounge) on the sixth floor for some afternoon snacks. A quick check revealed that our room still wasn't ready. In fact, it wasn't until 3:30 that we got into our room -- a fifth floor deluxe with a king bed (great view!). But we enjoyed cookies and juice in the lounge while waiting. Later we would learn that the Walt Disney Co. board members were staying in the Lodge and occupying 60 rooms -- that explains why housekeeping was a bit slower to ready our room.
- - - - - - -

I remember reading about that upon my return from vacation and I thought to myself, "I wonder who slept in MY bed?" since I was in a two-bedroom suite a few days before the Disney Board of Directors checked in. I secretly hoped it was Roy Disney. Wouldn't that be a hoot -- Roy would say to his family, "Hey, I slept in the same suite that Janet2k did, imagine!" Yes, I have a very vivid imagination, hee hee.