Arriving Fri AM at AKL...a few questions?

[KyMattDisney]

Hi there..due to a schedule change at Delta we will be landing in Orlando on Friday 7/11 at 9:30am...by the time we gather the luggage and the rental car I figure we will be getting over to AKL around 11am or so...

I have requested an early check in but don't know if that will be ready....we are not doing any parks on Friday (we are staying 8 days) and figured we will all be wiped from an early flight!!!

Planning on checking out the resort, pool and possibly head over later in the day to Disney Marketplace and Disney Quest.....does this sound like a good plan?

We have dinner PS at Boma and that is the only scheduled event.

Does AKL have rooms to change into your swimsuits if the room is not ready? What do you think my chances are of getting an early check in...I requested a Savannah view room with the Queen and Bunk beds.

Also...any other 1st day (non park) suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[jennymouse]

If I were you I'd plan on not having that room ready when you arrive...this way you're not disappointed as I really doubt it will be ready....especially when you've got specific room requests. Just put your swim suits, sunscreen etc. in a seperate bag so that you don't have to riffle through your stuff finding it, maybe a backpack you carry on the plane? Leave the rest of your luggage with valet before you come in the door, check in, go eat lunch at Mara, check out the resort then swim. There is a locker room w/restrooms you can use to change in. You can use a house phone to check on your room and as soon as it's ready you can "move in." Have fun!

 

[jdads2]

Put your swimwear in a carry-on and change in the resort bathrooms or wear them and use the pool when you arrive. There are quite a few things that can be done at AKL before your room is ready. They have a great hidden Mickeys hunt...ask at check in. Try Boma, I would think that the lunch is less expensive than the dinner buffet. Maybe after a dip in the pool and a nice lunch you might feel recharged enough to try one of the parks or DTD.

We leave our house at 5:30 am get to the airport by 6:15am, our resort by 11:00, check in and head for a park. We usually hit 2 or 3 parks the first day, take a break back at the pool in between parks, and don't get back to the resort until 11:00pm or later. The kids have never been a problem, running on pure adrenaline.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi -

Your first day sounds perfect! Just unwind and relax by the pool... you can have lunch at Mara (the food court) and your room will be ready before you know it.

Disney Quest or DTD sounds great for a few hours and dinner at Boma will be great ~ you will be all rested up and ready for the parks the next day.

>>^..^<<

 

[harperwi]

I tried to get a lunch PS for Boma and was told they only do breakfast and dinner. So if you're eating at AKL midday I'd suggest Mara.

Jon

 

[disneyatl]

Both of our previous visits to Disney, we arrived earlier than check in and was quite surprised that our room was ready for check in. Our first visit we arrived around 11:30am and the last visit arrived closer to 1pm. Of course, both of those visits were in October and might not have been as crowded.

I agree with the others.........take your swimsuits in your carry on and if your room isn't available, change in the bathrooms.

Have a great time! I'm jealous - wish is was my time to go!

 

[kda]

Your request for bunk beds could affect the situation, unless the resort isn't too full. Be prepared to decide how important it is to have the bunk beds vs. getting into a room sooner (not that bunk beds aren't guaranteed anyway).

Your day sounds wonderful! AKL is one of our favorites, and it's so fun to eat at Boma's.

 

[glewis1123]

hI

We're taking a Redeye out from California and arrive on the 19th at 6AM.

This is our plan for that day

Figure on arriving at AKL-Concierge at 730 + or -;

We have an 845 PS at Donald's Breakfasaurus. We will hang out at AK til lunch time and head back to AKL. We then plan on having lunch at Mara and hanging out at the pool til our room is ready.

We also have a PS for dinner at Boma's and plan on an early bedtime.

We'll see how that works as we've never done a Redeye flight before.

 

[epcotitis]

Cookies--Make sure you stop swimming at 4:00 and go to Boma for the cookie decorating activity. This will be a good break and a yummy snack. Your room should certainly be ready by then. You may be too busy other days to hit this event.

 

[Harambe]

Your day is just perfect - although I'm a big one for not rushing into a park on arrival day!

Another option for your afternoon is to jump on the Blizzard Beach bus for a very quick ride to Winterland/Summerland mini-golf. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon and will give you that Disney park feeling - without the park!

 

[megrod74]

I think your plans sound fine, and like jennymouse said, expect the room to not be ready so you're not disappointed.
We stayed at AKL the last 2 Decembers and our rooms were ready on arrival both times (though it's a slower time of year).
I actually think you'll have a tough time tearing everyone away from the resort to go to DTD There is so much to do - look at the animals, take the tour, talk to the CM's; the pool and lobby are beautiful. Have something light from Mara and save your appetite for Boma!

Have fun!

 

[susy]

I hope you read this before you go!!! Use your rental car to go to DTD!!!! The bus is FOREVER!!!!!! buses to all the parks are great, though!!!!! IF your room isn't ready have them store your luggage and head to the pool!!!! Bring a bag with :
swimsuits
cover-ups
sandals
sunscreen
hats/sunglasse
cash for the pool bar-the Swahili colada is out of this world and I'm not even into coladas!!! Oh yeah-the sugarcane chicken at Mara is just so-so. Their pizza is DELICIOUS!

they provide towels at the pool. You can change right by the pool (restrooms) and there are lockers right there. Mara is right here, too. Grab lunch and your mugs! You can eat inside or outside! I wouldn't push it the first day. If that's all you do and go to Boma, that is enough!!! Have fun!!! Can I come? Have a Zebra Dome for me! Jiko is awesome!!! Our son also loved Simba's Cubhouse!