Concierge/Club Level Information - Part II (Sept 2009)

[danielle782001]

I have a silly question: Can DH "two fist" the beers from the club?

If he does decide to have a beer, he will usually go for two. Does he need take one and then go back if he wants another OR can he just take two in one shot?

 

[chimo2u]

Hmmm. Now I'm curious. Could you describe the Sunrise Safari? Because from what I'd read, I thought Sunrise Safari gave you less time out on the safari.

I thought the safari portion itself of the Sunrise Safari was only 30 minutes, with the rest of the time spent at the breakfast - "2 hrs including 30 minute Safari & breakfast" (emphasis mine) from http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm.

Our Wildlife Discovery Excursion was definitely the full hour (actually we went almost 30 minutes over, but that's because all participants arrived early, so we started 15 minutes early and we ended 15 minutes late - YMMV).

We stopped for quite a long time at 4 different places and made several interior loops to go past the Cheetahs a few times. Our guide, Laura, was fantastic.

Granted, I'm guessing that in the heat of the summer, the animals are more active for the Sunrise Safari than they would be for the 10am or 1pm Wildlife Discovery Excursion. But in December at 1pm, they were all pretty active (except, of course, for the lions ).

Just wondering if a future stay at AKL would be worth it JUST for the Sunrise Safari (fyi... no real interest in the breakfast - for us it's all about the animals).

Good Afternoon

We have done the Sunrise Safari on both of our trips, once in January and once in August. We will probably forgo it this trip, as I feel we have experienced it fully by doing it twice. I thoroughly enjoyed the Safari! It is DEFINITELY very leisurely and more than a 30 minute experience. They pick you up early from your resort (you meet in Club Level, get your name tag, have some coffee, or a snack and then proceed to the lobby) Around 7am they handed out blankets (in Jan and it was hot enough in August to do without) divided us into 2 groups and we went to our seperate bus that takes you to the AK park. Once there you walk to the Safari vehicles and then the trip begins. It is at LEAST an hour out on the Safari, I would say, with the guide stopping for many picture opportunities and to talk/awnser questions. The breakfast is very lovely and is at Pizzafari in the park...you're placed at tables around the room with about 8 per table...a nice way to meet other families....it can last as quickly/or as leisurely as you like. It is buffet style, so you enjoy at your own pace. The park is open/and rope drop done by the time breakfast is over. It is nice to exit by Pizzafari as , if I remember corrcetly, it was close to EE fast pass machine and we where able to start touring the park right away. I definitely enjoyed the Sunrise Safari and think it is one of the nicest benefits to staying Club Level (being able to book it). I think it is something you should experience once if you have the opportunity. If you are not breakfast ppl. Just go on your own way after the Safari experience... it is pretty yummy food though and they even have the African Chef come out to explain the dishes. A truly wonderful and one of the most memorable experiences of our trip!! VERY MUCH WORTH the price!
Hope that helps! and hope you have a chance to try it in the future

 

[Tess]

I have a silly question: Can DH "two fist" the beers from the club?

If he does decide to have a beer, he will usually go for two. Does he need take one and then go back if he wants another OR can he just take two in one shot?

The rule has typically been two drinks per person at one time. That does not mean, as has been misinterpreted in the past, there is a two drink limit--merely two drinks at one time. We have been known to take two at once if we were leaving the lounge.

Hope that helps.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I have a silly question: Can DH "two fist" the beers from the club?

If he does decide to have a beer, he will usually go for two. Does he need take one and then go back if he wants another OR can he just take two in one shot?

You can totally take two.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Hmmm. Now I'm curious. Could you describe the Sunrise Safari? Because from what I'd read, I thought Sunrise Safari gave you less time out on the safari.

I thought the safari portion itself of the Sunrise Safari was only 30 minutes, with the rest of the time spent at the breakfast - "2 hrs including 30 minute Safari & breakfast" (emphasis mine) from http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm.

Our Wildlife Discovery Excursion was definitely the full hour (actually we went almost 30 minutes over, but that's because all participants arrived early, so we started 15 minutes early and we ended 15 minutes late - YMMV).

We stopped for quite a long time at 4 different places and made several interior loops to go past the Cheetahs a few times. Our guide, Laura, was fantastic.

Granted, I'm guessing that in the heat of the summer, the animals are more active for the Sunrise Safari than they would be for the 10am or 1pm Wildlife Discovery Excursion. But in December at 1pm, they were all pretty active (except, of course, for the lions ).

Just wondering if a future stay at AKL would be worth it JUST for the Sunrise Safari (fyi... no real interest in the breakfast - for us it's all about the animals).

I did sunrise safari twice-Jan 09 & Jan 10. Both times we were on the safari for about an hour-we met in AKL lounge around 7:15am, got on bus, went in back entrance, and didn't off safari vehicles until 9am-both times the park was already open when we got off the ride.

I have a silly question: Can DH "two fist" the beers from the club?

If he does decide to have a beer, he will usually go for two. Does he need take one and then go back if he wants another OR can he just take two in one shot?

I too always thought you could only take two at one time.

 

[quinnc19]

Probably a stupid question, but where did you find that email? I can't figure out how to contact them.

Well my contemplation on the Wildlife Excursion has ended. I had sent an email to the IPO and received a response that since one of my girls isn't 3 she wouldn't be able to go on the Excursion, so that takes care of that.
Thanks everyone for your responses!

 

[RachelTori]

Probably a stupid question, but where did you find that email? I can't figure out how to contact them.

Do you want the IPO's email address? Check page 1, post 1 of this thread.

 

[brunette8706]

Hello All!

Which hotel has the better Concierge food, the AKL or WL? We have stayed at the AKL and have loved it! We just never stayed CL. We have never stayed at the WL. We have toured the WL and it looks very nice we have just never stayed there.

Any thoughts??

Thanks all!
Brunette

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Hello All!

Which hotel has the better Concierge food, the AKL or WL? We have stayed at the AKL and have loved it! We just never stayed CL. We have never stayed at the WL. We have toured the WL and it looks very nice we have just never stayed there.

Any thoughts??

Thanks all!
Brunette

I would say AKL. Here's why:

-The breakfast offerings are great. AKL offers warm oatmeal and quinoa (the quinoa was great), as well as some nice pastries. Also, I loved the fruit that AKL had. The juicy grapes were especially delicious.

-Afternoon snacks were also wonderful. The kettle chips were thick and very tasty, and the cookies were nice (chocolate chip, white chocolate macadamia, etc).

-AKL is the only CL (besides GF) to offer scones in the afternoon - they're a nice treat.

-Evening offerings are unique but delicious. The cheeses are great, there were dips from Boma with various breads, and the warm offerings were very flavorful. Also, there's usually some South African wines to try, which are amazing.

-Desserts sometimes include zebra domes (although we didn't try the CL desserts while at AKL).

-The African smoothie is a unique drink that isn't available anywhere else.

-By staying CL at AKL, you can do a special safari that you couldn't do while staying at other resorts.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have a silly question: Can DH "two fist" the beers from the club?

If he does decide to have a beer, he will usually go for two. Does he need take one and then go back if he wants another OR can he just take two in one shot?

At the Contemporary on the Atrium Club Level you can take the Beers yourself and we once were talking to this guy who was drinking two Heineken bottles at the same time and there were no signs saying how much Beer your allowed to take. The only one they have mentions that anyone under 21 is not allowed to drink any.

 

[danielle782001]

The rule has typically been two drinks per person at one time. That does not mean, as has been misinterpreted in the past, there is a two drink limit--merely two drinks at one time. We have been known to take two at once if we were leaving the lounge.

Hope that helps.

You can totally take two.

I too always thought you could only take two at one time.

At the Contemporary on the Atrium Club Level you can take the Beers yourself and we once were talking to this guy who was drinking two Heineken bottles at the same time and there were no signs saying how much Beer your allowed to take. The only one they have mentions that anyone under 21 is not allowed to drink any.

Thanks...This does help...We have never stayed club level and we are not up on the "rules" of right and wrong

 

[danielle782001]

What time do they come around to do the turn down service at night?

 

[Tess]

What time do they come around to do the turn down service at night?

At the Polynesian, the turndown CMs have been in between 5:30 and 6:30, but as early as 5:00 on occasions. Last fall at BC, it was 6:30-7:00 or so.

It really depends on your resort and room location within the resort.

 

[heatherlynn444]

What time do they come around to do the turn down service at night?

they don't start till 5, at the BWI 3 weeks ago they came a few minutes after 5 to our room.

 

[UncleOrville]

Can I call the IPO for my resort to make a change in my reservation (I'd like to shorten my trip by one day and change from standard view to water view), or will I need to call the main reservation number for that?

For my last trip, I didn't make any reservation changes - just used the IPO for ADRs and information.

Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks...This does help...We have never stayed club level and we are not up on the "rules" of right and wrong

You're welcome.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

What time do they come around to do the turn down service at night?

At the Contemporary they start coming around 8:00 PM, however at the Polynesian they came around 5:00 PM. So each resort will have different times.

 

[lovesdumbo]

What time do they come around to do the turn down service at night?

At AKL it was late. After 9pm on more than one night on both trips.

Can I call the IPO for my resort to make a change in my reservation (I'd like to shorten my trip by one day and change from standard view to water view), or will I need to call the main reservation number for that?

For my last trip, I didn't make any reservation changes - just used the IPO for ADRs and information.

Thanks!

I think you need to call CRO to make resort reservation changes.

 

[lissiesmum]

At AKL it was late. After 9pm on more than one night on both trips.

Yikes! We're usually in bed by then...can you call to get an earlier turndown at AKL?

I was also wondering if someone could be more specific about the "african inspired snacks" in the afternoon, and the evening offerings. I'm considering AKL CL for our next trip, and just wondering if there'll be a few things that my DD would eat Do they serve cheese and crackers? veggies and dip? pita and hummus? any rice? Also, I was wondering about the wine at night...do they serve any African wines?

Can you bring food and beverages back to your room if you'd rather eat from there? Thanks in advance for your help

 

[RachelTori]

Yikes! We're usually in bed by then...can you call to get an earlier turndown at AKL?

I was also wondering if someone could be more specific about the "african inspired snacks" in the afternoon, and the evening offerings. I'm considering AKL CL for our next trip, and just wondering if there'll be a few things that my DD would eat Do they serve cheese and crackers? veggies and dip? pita and hummus? any rice? Also, I was wondering about the wine at night...do they serve any African wines?

Can you bring food and beverages back to your room if you'd rather eat from there? Thanks in advance for your help

We stay AKL-CL at least twice a year. Our turndown has always been by 7pm. You can, however, tell the IPO or lounge CM's that you'd like an early turndown and they will take care of that!

African-inspired snacks....... the only thing I can think of is the spiced nuts and the African smoothie. Yum!! They have trail mix, goldfish, delicious potato chips (and I don't like potato chips!!), cookies........ I'm sure I'm forgetting something!!

The cheese & crackers, hummus & pita are part of the 5-7pm "Wine & Cheese Offerings". During that time they also have a couple of what they refer to as "finger foods" from Boma.

The wines are nothing to write home about...... same as all the other CL's. I'd go to the bar at Jiko or Victoria Falls for the African wine! The Lounge does have Tusker beer. I'm not a beer drinker, but I become one for a Tusker!!! LOL

You can absolutely bring whatever food & beverage you'd like back to your room.