bobcat
<font color=magenta>I had a horrible case two year
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 4,158
Our 12 night trip ended last Thursday and I am just now recovered enough to give a review. It was a fabulous trip!
ASMo- we spent an enjoyable 9 nights here before moving to AKL. ASMo was our very first WDW hotel in '99 so it was fun going back again. I love the All Stars and think they don't get enough credit so we usually stay at least part of our trip in them. After staying at both Sports and Music since our first trip we hadn't been back to Movies. I was very impressed with both the theming and service. Movies takes all that is good about the other two resorts and kicks it up a notch. I think it is the best looking of the three resorts. Service was A+ from check in to check out. We asked for Toy Story upon check in and the CM looked and made a phone call until she could locate a room for us, and bonus it was ready! Since it was on the ground floor way at the end of the building by the parking lot we didn't use bell services. The location was great and quiet.
The maids were very creative during our stay and the kids raced back to the room each day to see what their stuffed animals were doing. One day they must have had a shortage because we didn't have them show up to clean until 3pm and we were getting ready to head out for dinner so we didn't get a full cleaning just towels.
The buses were great and the Movies had a seperate bus after park closing while Music and Sports often had to share. It was nice not to have to share at the end of the day.
AKL - We were blown away by this resort! I had visited last year after they opened to check it out and knew I wanted to stay here but I couldn't even imagine how wonderful it would be!
We decided to head over to AKL early after checking out of ASMo since we only had three days to spend, and we wanted to maximize that time. There was no line to check in and our CM was great, talking to the kids and telling us about the resort. Before I could even ask about our requests and the possibility of an upgrade she had it. We had booked a standard room with an AP rate and that was even stretching our budget this trip so I had planned to nicely ask about an upgrade, knowing that there was no garantee, but still very happy to be staying here. The CM starts saying that we have a standard room and that these have a view of the parking lot but we don't want you to have that so we are upgrading you to a Savannah view on Kudu trail! Well let me tell you the tears started to flow. I couldn't talk for a moment (and that doesn't happen often) but when I did all I could say was thank you!
The room was amazing and of course I had to check out the view right away. We were close to the end of Kudu trail, room 3320, overlooking the Sunset Savanna. As soon as we walked out to the balcony 4 giraffs arrived to welcome us, and they were there every afternoon. We overlooked one of the people pens but I didn't find it to be that much of an eye sore.
The hotel is amazing in itself and we spent a lot of time at the pool. Lots of shade so I could sit and read while the kids swam. Of course I swam as well and even tried out the slide. I like the pool a lot, especially the coloring. Not only does it fit the coloring and the idea that this could be a watering hole but it is very easy on the eyes in the afternoon sun. There are lots of little areas to sit and the farther away from the pool you are the easier you can hear the music. This was the most relaxing pool I have ever been to.
The kids loved the activities this hotel provides and our only regret is that we didn't stay longer. They only were able to do the cookie decorating, the evening games, and storytelling. I enjoyed the fact that there were so many CM around to answer questions and that the kids could have some freedom here.
I did the culinary tour with about 10 other people and it was very good. We visited the Victoria Falls lounge, Jiko and Boma. At both Jiko and Boma we were told about the menus by one of the chefs and we even had a tasting. At Jiko it was the Taste of Africa appetizer and at Boma we tried a soup, ours was mulligatawny, and the famous Zebra domes. I could have talked to the chef at Jikos for ages and learned quite a bit about African inspired food. This tour really gives you a better understanding of the food and I think made our dinner at Bomas much more enjoyable.
The kids also did the hidden Mickey hunt and my Katie has a great eye for these! She found an very tiny one in the lobby, those who have done this before know which one I mean, without help. It was fun and we really searched for a few of them.
AKL is amazing and words can't describe it. We will definately stay here again, but for a longer stay!
ASMo- we spent an enjoyable 9 nights here before moving to AKL. ASMo was our very first WDW hotel in '99 so it was fun going back again. I love the All Stars and think they don't get enough credit so we usually stay at least part of our trip in them. After staying at both Sports and Music since our first trip we hadn't been back to Movies. I was very impressed with both the theming and service. Movies takes all that is good about the other two resorts and kicks it up a notch. I think it is the best looking of the three resorts. Service was A+ from check in to check out. We asked for Toy Story upon check in and the CM looked and made a phone call until she could locate a room for us, and bonus it was ready! Since it was on the ground floor way at the end of the building by the parking lot we didn't use bell services. The location was great and quiet.
The maids were very creative during our stay and the kids raced back to the room each day to see what their stuffed animals were doing. One day they must have had a shortage because we didn't have them show up to clean until 3pm and we were getting ready to head out for dinner so we didn't get a full cleaning just towels.
The buses were great and the Movies had a seperate bus after park closing while Music and Sports often had to share. It was nice not to have to share at the end of the day.
AKL - We were blown away by this resort! I had visited last year after they opened to check it out and knew I wanted to stay here but I couldn't even imagine how wonderful it would be!
We decided to head over to AKL early after checking out of ASMo since we only had three days to spend, and we wanted to maximize that time. There was no line to check in and our CM was great, talking to the kids and telling us about the resort. Before I could even ask about our requests and the possibility of an upgrade she had it. We had booked a standard room with an AP rate and that was even stretching our budget this trip so I had planned to nicely ask about an upgrade, knowing that there was no garantee, but still very happy to be staying here. The CM starts saying that we have a standard room and that these have a view of the parking lot but we don't want you to have that so we are upgrading you to a Savannah view on Kudu trail! Well let me tell you the tears started to flow. I couldn't talk for a moment (and that doesn't happen often) but when I did all I could say was thank you!
The room was amazing and of course I had to check out the view right away. We were close to the end of Kudu trail, room 3320, overlooking the Sunset Savanna. As soon as we walked out to the balcony 4 giraffs arrived to welcome us, and they were there every afternoon. We overlooked one of the people pens but I didn't find it to be that much of an eye sore.
The hotel is amazing in itself and we spent a lot of time at the pool. Lots of shade so I could sit and read while the kids swam. Of course I swam as well and even tried out the slide. I like the pool a lot, especially the coloring. Not only does it fit the coloring and the idea that this could be a watering hole but it is very easy on the eyes in the afternoon sun. There are lots of little areas to sit and the farther away from the pool you are the easier you can hear the music. This was the most relaxing pool I have ever been to.
The kids loved the activities this hotel provides and our only regret is that we didn't stay longer. They only were able to do the cookie decorating, the evening games, and storytelling. I enjoyed the fact that there were so many CM around to answer questions and that the kids could have some freedom here.
I did the culinary tour with about 10 other people and it was very good. We visited the Victoria Falls lounge, Jiko and Boma. At both Jiko and Boma we were told about the menus by one of the chefs and we even had a tasting. At Jiko it was the Taste of Africa appetizer and at Boma we tried a soup, ours was mulligatawny, and the famous Zebra domes. I could have talked to the chef at Jikos for ages and learned quite a bit about African inspired food. This tour really gives you a better understanding of the food and I think made our dinner at Bomas much more enjoyable.
The kids also did the hidden Mickey hunt and my Katie has a great eye for these! She found an very tiny one in the lobby, those who have done this before know which one I mean, without help. It was fun and we really searched for a few of them.
AKL is amazing and words can't describe it. We will definately stay here again, but for a longer stay!
