Akl

[bbogz]

We leave in two weeks for AKL. First time for us to stay there. I will be traveling with DD and DGD age 2. Is there anything we need to know before go? We have previously stayed at PO and BW, but this is a first 3 generation trip and DGD's first trip there. Aside from taking the kitchen sink, anything else you can suggest to take to make the stay more enjoyable for all us? Her first plane ride also. We're excited!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by bbogz
We leave in two weeks for AKL. First time for us to stay there. I will be traveling with DD and DGD age 2. Is there anything we need to know before go? We have previously stayed at PO and BW, but this is a first 3 generation trip and DGD's first trip there. Aside from taking the kitchen sink, anything else you can suggest to take to make the stay more enjoyable for all us? Her first plane ride also. We're excited!

What view to you have booked? If you have a savanna view booked bring binoculars. Don't get we wrong the view is great but the binoculars allow you to go on a visual safari from your balcony.

Also, bring a mix of clothes as it will be in the high 40s to low 50s in the morning and then get up into the 70s in the afternoon and then back down into the 50s and 40s when the sun goes down.

We love going this time of year and we also love the AKL. I am sure you will have a great trip.

 

[TJA]

How wonderful for you and your family to make this trip together! You have chosen a fine resort. We just stayed there last month. You will find great eating at AKL. Jiko is a sit-down restaurant, Boma is a breakfast and dinner buffet (great food), and Mara is the fast-food restaurant with plenty of seating. The pool is very large with zero-depth entry and a cool slide. The bus transportation is exceptional. It only serves the AKL, which is a nice plus to staying there. You will enjoy this resort immensely and make fond memories.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Take your DGD to the cookie decorating at Boma one afternoon. It was a 1pm when we were there in May but check with a cast member to see if that has changed. She might enjoy decorating the giraffe cookies and then eating them. Definetly take binoculars!!

 

[heffalump9]

This is our favorite resort, you will love it. Check with the front desk about times for storytelling at Arusha Rock, and feeding times for the Pelicans, evening viewing with night vision gear. If you don't have a savanna view (worth the extra cost, loved breakfast on the balcony) there are plenty of overlooks to view the animals. Don't miss the Boma, your will probably need a PS, it is very popular.

 

[Bstanley]

Great choice. The AKL is very impressive - and the CMs there are among the best at WDW.

If you haven't reserved a Savannah view room don't be afraid to try for a complimentary upgrade. We've stayed there twice and been upgraded both times (once from standard to Savannah, and once from standard to Pool - it was during a busy time). I have heard of so many folks being upgraded at AKL that I suspect it is a policy. The resort is spread out enough that some rooms are at a distance from the main hall area - if this is important make sure to mention it to the CM at check-in.

There are several different savannahs and there are different animals in each of them so take some time and using the resort map be sure to wander around to the different viewing areas so you can get a look at all of them.

The CMs are excellent - they do storytelling each evening around the fire, there are several on 'duty' most of the day at the Arusha Rock to tell about the animals and in general they really play their parts well - be sure to talk with them whenever the opportunity presents itself, before you know it you will think you reallly are in Africa.

The restaurants are excellent (as already mentioned The Boma is not to be missed) and don't forget your swimsuit - the pools are heated so unless the air temp is really low you'll be able to enjoy the very nice pool area.

Have fun!
-bruce

 

[jcemom]

Bstanley -- did you have to ask for an upgrade? Or did they just upgrade you on their own? We have only booked standard view (that's what the budget allowed) but would love to have savannah view obviously, though I don't think I could ever bring myself to ask.

Does anyone know if the night-viewing where the CM's let you look through the night-vision goggles is done every night? I think my boys would really like that.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi!

We love AKL, we were there last Mar. and going again in April. Our favorite resort now - and we love the food there! Boma is wonderful both at breakfast and dinner - we were stuffed and had to waddle out

We had a savannah view room on Zebra Trail, overlooking Arusha Savannah our room was #2437 and this was a great location. Next to elevator and ice machine, one floor up from Mara counter-service restaurant, and a good view of the animals. We booked pool view this time to save a few bucks, but if we get lucky we might get an upgrade!

jcemom - I still have the resort map which has the activities listed on the back. According to this, Night Vision Tracking takes place every night at 10:00 p.m. at Arusha Rock. We did this last year and it was really fun.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you! I can't wait!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

We also received a complimentary upgrade. When we checked in for our Savannah view room we were given a Deluxe Savannah view room.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I want to know too - how do y'all get these upgrades? I have never been offered one, do you have to ask at check in? I am so timid, I just take what I get, the only time I have ever complained about a room was during our trip down one year. I have severe asthma, and we were given a room with mold all around the air conditioner. I had to steel myself to call the front desk and ask for another room, even apologizing for the bother!!

 

[TJA]

As far as upgrades, I think it's just luck. When we went last month, we checked in with our 2 babies and requested a room close to the elevators because of the babies. We received a room as far away from the elevators as possible, WAY at the end of the hall -- and it wasn't even busy (value season).

 

[Bstanley]

I guess you would say I asked for the upgrade each time.

The first time we stayed at AKL was in Dec 2001. As you may remember Orlando was a ghost town then so I figured it was worth a try. As I was checking in I started a conversation with the CM about how we normally stay at the Polynesian (a slight exaggeration, we had stayed there about every other year on our yearly visits up to that time) and how we were going to give the AKL a 'try'. I also mentioned that we had just stayed up the road at the Hard Rock Hotel and had really liked it and the AKL would have to be 'really nice' to be as good as the HRH. And I finished up with something like 'we really would have liked to be in a Savannah room but this year the budget just wouldn't allow it'. Well as the nice CM handed me the various paperwork she pointed to our Savannah room on the map and told me that she had upgraded our room at no cost and that she hoped we would be back! And we did go back of course.

The second time was in March of 2003. My older boy was now in college and we couldn't go the first week of December like 'normal' so we had to go during an expensive time instead. So once again as I was checking in I went through the same story (except this time we were coming from the Royal Pacific). Well I'm guessing that since it was a busy time we were 'only' upgraded to a Pool view room.

Both times my reservation had been for a standard room.

I have heard of so many people being upgraded at AKL that I think the management there has chosen to upgrade people as long as the rooms are available - it really doesn't cost the resort any money to put someone in a Savannah view room if it's available, and it definitely builds customer satisfaction.

The trick obviously is to be staying there when it isn't busy so that your odds are higher of there being rooms available.

Don't be demanding - they aren't going to be able to upgrade you to a suite for heaven's sake! But goodness don't be afraid to express to the CMs what your dreams are - good CMs absolutely LOVE to help make visitor's stays special - I mean if I were a CM I would love to do whatever I could to see someones eyes light up!

My wife claims that just the sparkle in my eyes as I walk in the door of a Disney resort would convince a CM to upgrade us! One year I had all four of us dressed in identical Hawaiian shirts when we checked in at the Polynesian and we went from Garden to Water View!

Have fun!
-bruce

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hey, Bruce!

Thanks for your info - I think I can muster the courage to ask at check-in, however we will be there in April this year, so I won't expect much.

Those folks at the Poly are great, aren't they!? We love that resort as well.

I wish my DH had as much enthusiasm for WDW - but his motion sickness keeps him grounded, so he no longer goes. Just me and DD, now.

bbogz - Hope you and your family have a wonderful trip to WDW!!!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

We did not ask for an upgrade, it was just given to us. It was nice too.

 

[bbogz]

We are so looking forward to our trip--especially since the weather hear is bitter cold.

My next question is, since so many are talking about upgrades, I booked a savannah view (especially for my DGD). What kind of upgrades would we get, if any. I heard that the concierge and deluxe rooms don't necessarily have a savannah view. Should we take one if offered?

 

[Selket]

I'll just note the only downside with the savannah view rooms with a toddler (my son was about 20 months old) is that he knew he wasn't supposed to throw things off of the balcony but that made him want to do it even more. We had to keep an eagle eye on him as he'd attempt to throw things while he was standing inside the room when we opened the door to go out! He's a little stinker!

The savannah view is wonderful (we got a free unasked for upgrade from standard view during the busy summer season!) but I think I'd enjoy standard view there as well because the lodge is so great. Boma's is awesome and the zero entry pool is excellent for young children. Have a great trip and don't worry one second about the hotel or upgrades or anything cause you'll love it!

 

[bbogz]

What should we expect from the weather. I see the 15 day forecast and am not sure that it will be shorts weather, let alone swimming weather.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

bbogz,

We received a complimentary and unasked for upgrade from a savannah view to a deluxe savannah view. It was nice because the we had a little more room.