Akl

[wendypooh]

Hi - We had planned a trip to the Poly, but had to change resorts due to Hurricane Katrina........... we could no longer afford the Poly, so we changed over to Pop. We didn't want to cancel......... we NEED this trip to take our minds off everything, and to give DS a much needed distraction!!! Anyway, last night when DH came home, we were going over our "situation".......... and found out that we will be able to do a split stay, at POP Century, and AKL. ( Cause DH was "convinced" by a fellow boardie, who shall remain nameless......... YOU know who you are!!!! LOL , to stay at AKL LOL!!!

SO - I'm in the process of reading the FAQ thread........... it's LOOONG...... but if anyone has any info, advice, room section, floor, etc........ etc.......... etc............ anything I need to know.......... personal experiences, etc.... please fill me in!!!! Tell me everything!!!! Thanks you guys......... you really don't know how much we are looking forward to this........ and I'm so willing to pass on the Poly, to make DH happy............ he's been working so hard in New Orleans.......... he really and truely deserves it!!!!

Thanks!!

 

[gigi1313]

our room on zebra trail (4559?) was imo in the PERFECT location! it had bunk beds, a balcony overlooking an amazing number of very active animals! my son tried naming them (as in assigning them names like geoffrey, spot, etc), but they kept moving around before he finished! LOL! it was also very close to the elevator which dropped us very close to the pool, bus stop, food court and arcade... honestly, i *loved* our location (even though i did not love the akl, but that's a personal preference thing)...

good luck and ENJOY!

 

[brandont]

We love the AKL. The smell of the lobby is worth the extra $. You'll think you are hungry you whole stay.

I don't recall what wings we have stayed on, but close to the elevators is very important. The halls are very long. Especially at 1 am after a long day in the parks.

 

[julie.uk]

we love the AKL, the decor, the atmosphere, sitting in the rocking chairs by the huge fire in reception, the fantastic views of the Savannah with all the animals wandering around. The rooms are lovely with special touches in the furniture helping you believe you could be in Africa.

The pool is wonderful and there are 2 spa's one hotter than the other, both great for sitting in after dark while gazing at the stars.

Boma is one of our favourite restaurants, the food is great, the service is wonderful.

In the evening you can watch the animals through night vision glasses, it's really strange! and there is a fire pit outside with rocking chairs around it where cm's tell stories about Africa.

We also love the music that welcomes you home as you approach the lodge from the car park.
In fact we just love AKL (can you tell) and I'm sure you will too.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Enjoy your holiday!!

 

[John's Mom]

We have always stayed on the Arusha Savannah, Zebra trail. This is the side of the resort where the pool and restaurants are located.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If your husband has been working hard in NOLA (I'm sure he has, too), he will welcome anything that is relaxing, clean, safe and will take him away from the horrors he has seen. It wouldn't hurt to tell them at the front desk that he has been working in NOLA to help with the recovery and see what they offer. (I'd send them a letter ahead of time. Maybe send it to the resort manager?)

You are married to a good man.

 

[wendypooh]

Thanks everyone!!!!! I do have a couple of questions........

Can we get a bunk bed room, even if we don't book a deluxe room?
Is the Zebra Trail the best location?
Can anyone give room numbers........ I know we can't pick, but a general area would be good to know.

Deb------ Thank You so much!!! My DH has been working almost non-stop, it's been really, really difficult! We had minor damage to our home, and we lost all of our food, but we are safe and we still have our home, so I'm not complaining!!! He was gone for almost 2 weeks, I didn't see him at all, now it's 6/1, working 6 days, home for 1. He really needs this trip!!! I want to do whatever I can to make it wonderful for him........ as for letting the front desk know our "situation", do you think I should mention it when I call to change resorts? We plan on calling on Friday........... and as for writing the manager......... could you send me a private message as to what I should say? I wouldn't want to sound.......... well, I don't know what to say!!!!


Anyway......... I appreciate the help, and if anyone could answer the other questions, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks so much!!

 

[carolina_yankee]

Thanks everyone!!!!! I do have a couple of questions........

Can we get a bunk bed room, even if we don't book a deluxe room?
Is the Zebra Trail the best location?
Can anyone give room numbers........ I know we can't pick, but a general area would be good to know.

Thanks so much!!

You can request bunkbeds anywhere - they're not just deluxe. However, I don't think they guarantee bunk beds.

If you're definitely paying for a savannah view, I'd recommend Zebra Trail. The elevator takes you down to an easy access to laundry, pool, and Mara - the counter-service restaurant. Any room off of Zebra facing the Uzima Savannah would give a good view of animals, I think. If you face the Arusha Savannah from Zebra, I'd try a little further out so you're looking at a more open area of the savannah.

Honestly, I think any are of AKL is going to be a wonderful experience. Some will just involve a little more walking than others!

Dirk

 

[wendypooh]

Thank You for the replies. I am hoping to get the bunk beds........... my DS would love that!! We are looking forward to staying there.

Oh, I know, does anyone know off hand if we can us our cs meals at mara?? Thanks

 

[totallydisney]

We just got back last week from a wonderful week at the AKL. Yes you can use your cs meals at Mara. We used them several times. One of the better food courts. You will love the AKL. Take time and enjoy the lodge, make sure you check out the night goggles. Have a great trip.

Larissa

 

[wendypooh]

Hi Larissa..........

Thank You for the info....... I looked at Mara's menu on allears, and it looks pretty good. I'm glad to know we can use our meals there. My DS is so excited about the night goggles........ he's so ready to go, it's all he talks about!!

Which part did you stay in, what type of room, views, etc..... I appreciate any info...... Thanks!!!

 

[wendypooh]

anyone else??

 

[wendypooh]

I had another question, do all the rooms have balconies? Should I ask for a certain floor? Thanks

 

[Laurajean1014]

Do you have a savannah view?

 

[iggbees]

we actually had a pool view room and it was great still. i would imagine that it would be great if you have children and can keep an eye on them from up above (that is, if they are older i suppose... don't want any little kids by the pool by themselves, that's a bad idea). we would have liked to see the animals from our balcony, but it was way cheaper to get the pool room, if that's a problem and anyway, how much time do you really spend in the room? just a suggestion.

we also found that sometimes, the animals were not out, especially things like giraffes (we only saw one of those during our week long stay). although, maybe that was because we didn't have a savannah room?

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

You will love AKL!

Have a great vacation...you deserve it!

 

[wendypooh]

Thanks!! I actually haven't called yet to book it, I'll be doing that tomorrow........ I hope. I just wanted to know what I should "request". I know my DS would love to see the animals, but, from what I'm hearing you can pretty much see them from anywhere........ DH wants a balcony, so I'm just wondering if the standard rooms have balconies? I would like the bunk beds......... I think DS would really enjoy that. I'm still trying to read through the threads on AKL........ If anyone knows the answers let me know. Thanks so much!!


WDW -- Thanks........ it will be wonderful to get away for awhile. DH def. deserves it!!!!

 

[carolina_yankee]

All AKL rooms have balconies. The differences are size of room (standard vs. deluxe) and view (standard (parking lot), pool, savannah).

Your son will think AKL is the coolest place on earth! (except for maybe the MK).

Dirk

 

[wendypooh]

Dirk............ Thanks!!!! He LOVES animals, just this morning on the way to school, he had to point out every animal he saw........ I'm thinking he'd like the Sunrise Safari............ can we do that even if we don't stay concierge? And, he's 5, can a 5 year old do it??
All the info gets jumbled up, and I can't keep it straight!!!! LOL

I appreciate all the info!!! Thanks Everyone!!

 

[carolina_yankee]

Sadly, no. The sunrise and sunset safaris are available only for concierge guests at AKL. I'm going to have win the lottery before I ever get to do that! Also, I think there's a minimum age of 16.

I'm not sure of the minimum ages, but you might try one of the Animal Kingdom tours for animal closeups. If I recall, one spends some in-depth time in the Pagani Forest Trail, and one takes you back to the animal care areas. Also, although I've never done it, Rafiki's Planet Watch, or whatever it's called, I believe gives you some close experience with animals, like a petting area. Check out the Animal Kingdom section of the Disney World website or one of the other Disney info sites on the web for more info on tours.

You and your sun will enjoy spending time at Arusha Rock at AKL looking out at the animals and talking with the cultural reps that are stationed there. There's also a spot by the pool that tends to attract giraffe and kudu, and there's another overloook and cultural reps there as well.

Dirk