Back from AKV Concierge, slow learner!

[Hope&Larry]

My DH & I checked in on Sun., 1-27 & out on 1-30. We had a car & valet parking wanted to see our DVC card, took the #, & we didn't see any charges on the final bill. Bell services took out luggage as it was about 2:30pm. We went to the front desk, where the young man took us to the inside bell services desk. A nice young lady took us up to the Concierge desk on the 6th floor. I guess it was about shift change for the CM's, as the lady behind the desk didn't want to check us in, so we waited about 15 mins. for the new CM to come on duty. As the room wasn't ready, we went to the AK to get out annual passes renewed. Our passes expired in Sept., & I had the exchange cards for the renewal. The CM at guest services at AK then proceeded to tell us that we could change the expiration date on the AP's to Jan. for about $35. each. We did this!

We go back to AKV & the room is ready. We had 6405, a one bedroom, overlooking the pool. I understand what people have said about the darkness of the rooms. It is all earthtones, plus black counter tops, & dark wood cabinets. But it was the best sleeping room I've ever had at WDW!!!

I especially loved the bed, that was the best mattress! I forgot to look to see what brand - if anyone is there & can look, please pm me! I loved the pillows also - those I did find the mfg. of !

The hall between the bedroom & bath was really nice, I would love to see that in more of the villas. The tub was a little hard to get into. I am short & it is very tall.

OK, now to the slow learner part! For energy reasons, most of the lights are florescent, including the one in the WC. Now when you turn on florescent bulbs there is a delay. OK, I'm slow, I turn on a bulb, I expect light, but now there is a delay, so I look at the fixture (open bulb type) & then it comes on! It was Monday night before I quit looking up every time!!!

We also went on the Sunset Safari - it was great getting so close to the animals, "One eyed Mary" followed the truck around. Jiko's was great, & I don't care for most wine!

If anyone has any questions, please let me know!

Hope & Larry

 

[LIFERBABE]

OK, now to the slow learner part! For energy reasons, most of the lights are florescent, including the one in the WC. Now when you turn on florescent bulbs there is a delay. OK, I'm slow, I turn on a bulb, I expect light, but now there is a delay, so I look at the fixture (open bulb type) & then it comes on! It was Monday night before I quit looking up every time!!!

I did the same thing!! Every time I turned on the light, I had to look to make sure it was on.

Glad you had a great trip and thank you for the report!

Do you know why you got such a great deal on your AP? Did you use the DVC discount for the renewal?

 

[Hope&Larry]

I don't know why we got the great discount! I certainly was surprised! I had to check the back of our AP's to make sure that they said January. Yes, we did use our DVC discount.

Hope & Larry

 

[Terrif]

We are staying in a 2br Concierge at AKV Dec. 27th 2008. How is the weather at that time? How was the evening food in the concierge lounge? Was it worth the extra points you used? How was the bus service to the Parks. This will be our first time at AKL/ any info would be appreciated.

 

[AKLFan3]

We also went on the Sunset Safari - it was great getting so close to the animals, "One eyed Mary" followed the truck around.

Aww, isn't one-eyed Mary cute? She came very close to our safari truck when we went in December. Our guides, Rick and Matt said, "be careful, she pecks!" I'm glad you enjoyed the Sunset Safari! Which guides did you have?

 

[LisaS]

Do you know why you got such a great deal on your AP? Did you use the DVC discount for the renewal?

The $35 is the price difference between the DVC discounted prices for a renewal and a new pass.

The DVC discounted price of an adult AP is $370.62 including tax. The discounted price for a renewal is $335.48.

 

[pinktales]

Glad to hear you had a fun trip. Did you think the Safari was worth the extra money? I was thinking of staying Concierge there on my points sometime next year when Kidani is open. Was thinking of spending 1-2 nights concierge to be able to do the special safari then move over to the new villas in Kidani to check them out for the rest of the stay.

I was also wondering what the mfg. of the pillows were as they are I am thinking the same ones that are in the 1 bedroom we had there in Sept. I loved the pillows and didn't think to check what they were. If you could let me know I'd appreciate it. They were so comfy!

 

[Hope&Larry]

We were only in the Concierge Lounge one night during our stay. Of the food that night, the only thing I remember is the butternut squash soup. It is wonderful. I ate mine & DH! That was the 4th food item that I have found him to dislike - all this in 37 years of marriage!

The pillows are from Taylor Mfg. Co., Taylor, TX. I thought that was interesting as I had gone to college in Georgetown, TX. Of course, you know that I went to college in the "stone age". At least that is what my DDs say!

Hope & Larry

 

[drag n' fly]

My DH & I checked in on Sun., 1-27 & out on 1-30. We had a car & valet parking wanted to see our DVC card, took the #, & we didn't see any charges on the final bill. Bell services took out luggage as it was about 2:30pm. We went to the front desk, where the young man took us to the inside bell services desk. A nice young lady took us up to the Concierge desk on the 6th floor. I guess it was about shift change for the CM's, as the lady behind the desk didn't want to check us in, so we waited about 15 mins. for the new CM to come on duty. As the room wasn't ready, we went to the AK to get out annual passes renewed. Our passes expired in Sept., & I had the exchange cards for the renewal. The CM at guest services at AK then proceeded to tell us that we could change the expiration date on the AP's to Jan. for about $35. each. We did this!

We go back to AKV & the room is ready. We had 6405, a one bedroom, overlooking the pool. I understand what people have said about the darkness of the rooms. It is all earthtones, plus black counter tops, & dark wood cabinets. But it was the best sleeping room I've ever had at WDW!!!

I especially loved the bed, that was the best mattress! I forgot to look to see what brand - if anyone is there & can look, please pm me! I loved the pillows also - those I did find the mfg. of !

The hall between the bedroom & bath was really nice, I would love to see that in more of the villas. The tub was a little hard to get into. I am short & it is very tall.

OK, now to the slow learner part! For energy reasons, most of the lights are florescent, including the one in the WC. Now when you turn on florescent bulbs there is a delay. OK, I'm slow, I turn on a bulb, I expect light, but now there is a delay, so I look at the fixture (open bulb type) & then it comes on! It was Monday night before I quit looking up every time!!!

We also went on the Sunset Safari - it was great getting so close to the animals, "One eyed Mary" followed the truck around. Jiko's was great, & I don't care for most wine!

If anyone has any questions, please let me know!

Hope & Larry

I would like to take dh on the sunset safari for his birthday. Approx how long does the whole evening take? We have three kids. They will be 6, 12 and 14 when we go. We will put the 6 year old in Simba's cubhouse. What would be good for the older 2? Take them along or let them choose their own activities. Since their is no community hall yet I am unsure of what to do with the older 2. TIA

 

[javamom]

We have installed several of the long-life fluorescent bulbs in our house. I finally got used to the delay too.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I did the same thing!! Every time I turned on the light, I had to look to make sure it was on.

Glad you had a great trip and thank you for the report!

Do you know why you got such a great deal on your AP? Did you use the DVC discount for the renewal?

I probably shouldn't tell this on myself, but I will go you one better.

They have the same light bulbs at SSR. I turned the light on and off several times and it was so dim in the bathroom, so I quickly called maintenance. The guy showed up and at that point it had gotten brighter in the bathroom. He laughed so hard and then got me one of those bulbs as a souvenir .

 

[robinb]

As the room wasn't ready, we went to the AK to get out annual passes renewed. Our passes expired in Sept., & I had the exchange cards for the renewal. The CM at guest services at AK then proceeded to tell us that we could change the expiration date on the AP's to Jan. for about $35. each. We did this!

The $35 is the price difference between the DVC discounted prices for a renewal and a new pass.

The DVC discounted price of an adult AP is $370.62 including tax. The discounted price for a renewal is $335.48.

I have a cold and it took me a little time to figure this out. Hope&Larry paid for a renewal in September, but didn't use their passes until January. The CM sold them a new AP for the price difference of $35 (with an expiration date of that day) instead of issuing the renewal which would have expired in September.

That's why I don't renew my APs unless I am at WDW when they expire.

 

[LisaS]

I have a cold and it took me a little time to figure this out.

I'm finally getting over one of the worst colds I've ever had so I know exactly what you mean! I hope you're better soon.

I think it's great that they allowed the OP the option of paying the difference and getting a new AP instead.

 

[Inkmahm]

I would like to take dh on the sunset safari for his birthday. Approx how long does the whole evening take? We have three kids. They will be 6, 12 and 14 when we go. We will put the 6 year old in Simba's cubhouse. What would be good for the older 2? Take them along or let them choose their own activities. Since their is no community hall yet I am unsure of what to do with the older 2. TIA

Take them on the safari, they will love it! We had sisters of about 12 and 14 on the one we did and they loved it AND the Jikos food.
It's not cheap, but worth doing it at least once.