Another pool hopping question

[bearville]

What is the best way to get from VWL to Stormalong Bay ? Is it worth going over there with a 5 year old? And will we be able to pool hop on 4/22 - 4/26?? Also does anyone know if the AKL pool will be available? What would be the best way to get into there to see the lodge??? Should we plan to eat there one day with reservations?? What restaurants are available and what kind of food? I guess its not open yet though. Right? Will reservations be hard to get?

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[jennybobenny]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is open but since it's a 'secure' resort you won't be able to go look around unless you're having breakfast or dinner there *and* have a PS. When you call Disney to make your PS they'll require a credit card and will explain about the 24 hr cancellation policy and/or the $10 per person penalty. The 2 restaurants are called Boma and Jiko. Can't help with the type of food though, since I haven't seen a menu or read anything on the Restaurant Board.
DVCers won't be allowed to pool hop, although I think the possibility remains that once the 'newness' of the resort wears off that will change.
As for prices, there are quite a few deals (AP, upsells etc) for around $200/night for a savannah view room (check the resort board for more info). It's possible to use points to stay, but just as with the GF, Poly and Contemp, you get less bang for your point than if you were to stay at a DVC resort.
About Stormalong Bay - if your 5 year old likes pool slides then he'll love SB. If not, then it's probably not worth the hike over to the Y/B Club from WLV. Maybe you could walk by (it's a short walk/boat ride from the International Gateway entrance in Epcot) and let him see for himself.

Good luck

<font face="Class Garmnd BT"><font color="ff69b4"><big>Jennybºoº benny</big></font>
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[Dean]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> The dates that have been identified so far are April 1-15, 2001, but additional dates may be included. [/quote] AKL will not be open for pool hoping, at least not right now. I suspect it never wll but time will tell. You will ned PS reservations in order to gain access to AKL in you're not staying there.

We're not much on pool hoping but in order to get there, you'll need to use 2 segments for transportation if you're looking to use the Disney transportation system. I'd say taking the boat to MK then the bus to YC/BC is likely the best but many variations abound. You could take the monorail or bus to Epcot then walk, bus to MGM then the boat or walk seem the two other most likely possiblities. A cab or personal car would seem the best options, otherwise it wouldn't be worth in to us.

I don't know much about the food options.

Dean

 

[PamOKW]

Another "hitch" to dining at AKL is that the restaurants that take PS are only open for breakfast and dinner. (There are places for AKL guests to get lunch but they don't take PS.)

 

[bearville]

Thanks for the greaat input. I save so much time just by asking! We prob will have a car but is there parking and how long can we park?? I have heard so much about the YC and SB but aren't even sure where they are at. How far is the walk from EPCOT to SB? Never been to Epcot. Can you imagine that!!! Thanks again!

HOME SWEET HOME

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

How come AKL is so secure? Anticipating lots of people coming to take a look??

I really wasn't at all interested in AKL before I saw the pictures, and I don't necessarily want to stay there, but it does look neat and I'd love to see it. Just might have to have breakfast or dinner there.

 

[kem330]

Bearville- Y&BC are near Epcot- you can reach them walking from Epcot through the Int'l gateway between England and France. However it is a long walk for a 5 year old from the main entrance of Epcot to get to Stormalong Bay. You can park at Y or BC lots and Stormalong Bay is located between the resorts. It's a nice location to visit as you can walk around the lagoon to the BW and rent surrey bikes to ride, etc. Have lunch or a snack at Beaches and Cream - it's good for a burger and great ice cream sundaes!

 

[jfulcer]

I think it's being secured because it supposedly has an awesome view of the AK savannah. I would imagine they don't want tons of people going to AKL to see something for free when they can charge people for at AK.

Jeff <img height="80" width="55" src="http://www.angelfire.com/art/jfulcer/goofhead07.gif"> <img height="80" width="125" src="http://www.angelfire.com/art/jfulcer/vacclub01.gif">
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[MinnieMe2]

I thought the security issues evolved around the safety/comfort of the animals who will be in residence at AKL. I'm hoping we can get a PS this summer and get a look at the Lodge -- the pix I've seen so far are wonderful.

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[dianeschlicht]

Actually, the savannah at AKL is different from the one at AK. It has its own savannah with it's own animals.

Disneydiane