Back, Highs and Lows from 2 weeks at AKV

[RDP]

Highs:

Weather
Jiko
Sanaa
Crowds not too bad
Senses Spa at GF
Flying Fish Resturaunt
Water park (first time in 13 visits)
Short wait through immigration at MCO
Very short wait through security on the way home at MCO
Our Children trying out more rides.
Mall at Millennia (Cheesecake Factory)
Discovering Whisky Sours!
Late nights in parks.

Lows:

Finding out the sofa bed in our AKV was broken and would not unfold at 1030 pm on our first night!
Having to call maintenance to fix said sofa bed at 1030 pm on our first night!
Room was as far as geographically possible from reception.
Not being to add park tickets to the KTTK card following a system upgrade related to Magic Bands.
Being told by bar staff member she was too busy to get food I wanted to order with cocktails. (Victoria Falls lounge at AKV)
VA Economy.
Huge lines for immigration at Gatwick on way home.

Overall we once again had a fantastic time, we can't wait to go back and already have a Disney Cruise booked as part of next years itinerary.

1999-Swan, 2001- Grand Floridian, 2002-Yacht & Beach Club, 2003- Animal Kingdom Lodge,2004- Grand Floridian&Disney Cruise,2006- Off site, 2008- Dolphin, 2009-AKV Kidani, 2010-Saratoga Springs ,2011-AKV Kidani ,2012 - Port Orleans, DCL-Dream & Beach Club, 2013 - AKV Kidani

 

[wayneg]

Welcome home, sounds like you had a great time

 

[wilma-bride]

Welcome home, sounds like a great trip overall, although I would not have been happy about the server at Victoria Falls. How can you be too busy to serve the food offered in the lounge (I presume that was what you were trying to order?)

I am not sure why not being able to add your tickets to your KTTW is such a big deal We always have our tickets separate and don't really consider it an issue at all. Has something changed that means it's more inconvenient to have your tickets separate?

 

[Laurafoster]

Sounds like you had a great trip!

I must say we had a horrendous queue at immigration at LGW last May. Hope it improves in the next few weeks.

 

[Elise79]

Welcome home

The spa at the GF is great isn't it?

LGW is its usual mess then The only time we have been through with a queue was on Xmas eve morning.

Like Joh I don't see the big deal about having separate tickets as we have had an AP for the last few years we don't get the option anyway and it's never caused us a problem.

 

[RDP]

Not being able to merge the room key and the park tickets was not a show stopper, but it's something we have always been able to do. The bigger issue I suppose was being told by reception that the concierge Could do it, then being told by the concierge that guest relations would have to do it, then being told by guest relations that it was not possible ( in a mono syllabic response!) it wasted our time.

 

[wilma-bride]

Not being able to merge the room key and the park tickets was not a show stopper, but it's something we have always been able to do. The bigger issue I suppose was being told by reception that the concierge Could do it, then being told by the concierge that guest relations would have to do it, then being told by guest relations that it was not possible ( in a mono syllabic response!) it wasted our time.

Now the waste of your precious vacation time I definitely CAN understand

 

[Mr Stoat]

I have had a similar issue before. It seems if you have bought your tickets through Disney then they can go on the KTTW but if you have them from a third party then they cannot.

 

[flortlebap]

I'm disappointed that you had issues at AKL. Concierge were great with us - very efficient service and no issue adding our tickets to our cards.

The service at Victoria Falls was definitely spotty though. The bar was filthy and the staff were too busy chatting about football to one of their friends at the bar to serve.

The resort overall is beautiful though and we LOVED Boma - didn't try Jiko or Sanaa though.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Can i ask what you didnt like about VA economy?Did you fly A330 or 747?

Glad to hear you loved Flying Fish so much,thats on our Must Do list for next year

 

[RDP]

I'm disappointed that you had issues at AKL. Concierge were great with us - very efficient service and no issue adding our tickets to our cards.

The service at Victoria Falls was definitely spotty though. The bar was filthy and the staff were too busy chatting about football to one of their friends at the bar to serve.

The resort overall is beautiful though and we LOVED Boma - didn't try Jiko or Sanaa though.

Guest relations were the real problem , very grumpy cast member , one word answers!

 

[RDP]

Can i ask what you didnt like about VA economy?Did you fly A330 or 747?

Glad to hear you loved Flying Fish so much,thats on our Must Do list for next year

Yes, Flying Fish was wonderful! We try and go each year, we have never been disappointed! Be sure to try Jiko also.

VA economy- the plane was full which didn't help, there was no interaction, smile or conversation from the cabin crew. No children's meals available on both segments of the journey ( apparently you have to call and confirm if you want them) ( never heard of this before this flight) not sure if this is accurate. We flew on the jumbo both out and back. The refurb hasn't added any more than the enhanced seat back entertainment and blue mood lighting as far as I can tell in economy, didn't order or eat anything on the flight so can't comment on that. Had a friend who had seats in the bubble and said it was a much better economy experience.

 

[zippy99]

Highs:

Huge lines for immigration at Gatwick on way home.

Overall we once again had a fantastic time, we can't wait to go back and already have a Disney Cruise booked as part of next years itinerary.

Glad you had a fab time - the weather really was good. We too are looking at a cruise next year! Shame about the server - we too had a bad experience with a runner at Be our Guest - just no need for the cheek!

Did you get to try the night vision goggles at AKV? We did last year when we ate at Saana - they were amazing!

Your comment about immigration at Gatwick made me laugh - we noticed that the queue at Heathrow was non-existant for visitors from the US - but for UK residents - because we are bundled together with all of Europe the queue was massive - I swear, we must be the only nation that never puts ourselves first or gives 'its own' priority!

 

[Elise79]

Not being able to merge the room key and the park tickets was not a show stopper, but it's something we have always been able to do. The bigger issue I suppose was being told by reception that the concierge Could do it, then being told by the concierge that guest relations would have to do it, then being told by guest relations that it was not possible ( in a mono syllabic response!) it wasted our time.

See after the initial no I wouldn't have bothered unless there was no queue or I was going there for something else!

Can understand the frustration though.

 

[RDP]

Glad you had a fab time - the weather really was good. We too are looking at a cruise next year! Shame about the server - we too had a bad experience with a runner at Be our Guest - just no need for the cheek!

Did you get to try the night vision goggles at AKV? We did last year when we ate at Saana - they were amazing!

Your comment about immigration at Gatwick made me laugh - we noticed that the queue at Heathrow was non-existant for visitors from the US - but for UK residents - because we are bundled together with all of Europe the queue was massive - I swear, we must be the only nation that never puts ourselves first or gives 'its own' priority!

Looking at your ticker, we are out there at the same time again next year! We have a 3 night cruise on the Dream booked for the 21st August. Waiting for flights to arrange all the other plans!.

To be honest we have never in the past experienced any real lines at immigration in Gatwick, we were very surprised by the massive line that trailed out of the immigration hall and back up the corridor for about 100 yards.

 

[RDP]

I have had a similar issue before. It seems if you have bought your tickets through Disney then they can go on the KTTW but if you have them from a third party then they cannot.

We have in the past been able to merge tickets bought via third parties onto the KTTK card, the only requirements was we presented the actual ticket to the concierge rather than a voucher. This is no longer possible. Having everything in one place was very convenient, i.e. room key, dining plan, park tickets all on one key. However this is now being replaced by the magic band concept. Those with AP,s or third party tickets (like us) may not be able to fully utilise the full functionality of the magic bands.

 

[RDP]

Some pics!

 

[zippy99]

Looking at your ticker, we are out there at the same time again next year! We have a 3 night cruise on the Dream booked for the 21st August. Waiting for flights to arrange all the other plans!.

My ticker is still from the trip we have just returned from - but we too are considering the 3night on 21st. DD is due to get her GCSE results whilst we would be onboard (she is predicted 11 A/A* - fingers crossed) Am also looking to take her on the Keys to the Kingdom tour too.

Just need to work out where to stay when and what to do with excess luggage whilst we cruise. Am thinking 3/4 days at Universal - Cruise - OKW. Also need DH to confirm his leave so I can get going!

 

[RDP]

My ticker is still from the trip we have just returned from - but we too are considering the 3night on 21st. DD is due to get her GCSE results whilst we would be onboard (she is predicted 11 A/A* - fingers crossed) Am also looking to take her on the Keys to the Kingdom tour too.

Just need to work out where to stay when and what to do with excess luggage whilst we cruise. Am thinking 3/4 days at Universal - Cruise - OKW. Also need DH to confirm his leave so I can get going!

If you plan to stay in Disney pre and post cruise like we did last year, you can get bell services to send any excess luggage onto your post cruise hotel, we stayed in POR pre cruise and the BC post cruise, the luggage we didn't want to take on the cruise was ready and waiting for us in BC when we checked in.

 

[RDP]

Welcome home, sounds like you had a great time

Thanks Wayne, we did have a great time. Looking forward to the next one