Experience with AKL Concierge

[Paticake]

Thinking of possibly trying for AKL concierge for next fall. I know it could be tough to get. Have people enjoyed it and really used the lounge? Good offerings? Any info please. TIA

 

[Deb & Bill]

Most members book it at 11 months out. So you may be too late for Fall 2011.

 

[bjakmom]

My waitlist for AKV club level just came through today for our October trip! I have stayed CL 3 times now and have loved it. I have read that the offerings have been cut back a bit - disappointing if true, because they were always so great - but not a deal breaker for me. I love having access to the lounge on check in and check out days. I often travel alone with DGrD(7) and DNeph(13) - so having somewhere for them/me to hang out and snack and watch TV while waiting for our room or waiting to go to the airport is a big plus in my case. I love the breakfast and the wonderful juices in the morning. Love booking the Sunrise Safari - just for CL guests- have taken DNeph twice and can't wait to take DGrD this fall. Love having an evening cocktail or glass of wine from the lounge and enjoying it on the balcony - (did I mention I travel alone with the kids?). Great to have CL IPO make all my ADRs for me. The kids love the evening desserts. The only down side for me now that DVC CL is only on the top floor are the views - not the best IMHO. We have had both the pool view and the sunset sav view from that floor and not as good as the views for AKL CL guests from the lower floors - but again, certainly not a deal breaker. Enjoy if you are lucky enough to get it. I called at 11 mos at 9 AM and had to waitlist - I was not happy about that - but it worked out. PS: the kid's programs and the young CMs from Africa who run them are WONDERFUL!!!

 

[Paticake]

Thanks for the info, I know it's a long shot but just in case. We have never stayed DVC at AKV only several years ago at the lodge. We are thinking even if we can't get concierge we will still try for the Jambo house instead of Kidani.

 

[dgaston]

I concur. Getting that AKV Concierge reservation or waitlist is really something to celebrate. I've enjoyed both the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris immensely, along with the chocolates when staying concierge.

 

[manning]

I concur. Getting that AKV Concierge reservation or waitlist is really something to celebrate. I've enjoyed both the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris immensely, along with the chocolates when staying concierge.

A couple of years ago I tried for it at 7 months and got it on first try. Surprise,surprise.

 

[purpliequeen]

We've stayed concierge level at AKL twice, and my, what a treat. The first time we stayed was through the DVC Disney Hotels Collection. We transferred out- $95 fee- and stayed concierge at AKL because AKL was not part of DVC at that time. We had a great two queen bed room on the 5th floor overlooking the main Arusha Savannah. The staff was great- they got us wonderful seats for La Nouba, signed us up for the Sunrise Safari (which is so worth it, by the way), and had all of our ressies were made exactly as requested. The savannah view was incredible- we had an excellent vantage point. The food in the lounge was superb and very few people were in the lounge during prime "eating" hours.

A few years pass and we returned last January to stay again through points- without the $95 transfer out fee. We booked a one-bedroom on the sixth floor (all DVC concierge rooms are on the sixth floor now) and requested a savannah view (which was granted- keep in mind that only half of the concierge rooms for DVC are savannah views vs. non-DVC concierge rooms, which are all savannah views). Our request was fortunately granted and the view wasn't as bad as I expected. The view is of a smaller savannah. One thing that I definitely noticed was that the noise of the lobby (the music played on speakers), children screaming/yelling, adults talking, and general movement comes in faintly through the main door, so it wasn't as sound proof as other rooms in the resort. I liked how we were so close to the lounge (also on the sixth floor). The food has definitely declined in amount and decreased a bit in quality, but it's still good and a great deal. There are a lot of great offerings at this lounge that make it unique (especially the African wines) in comparison to other concierge lounges at Disney. The lounge also seemed a bit more packed in the past even though we were traveling in mid-Jan- an off-peak time. Would I say that it's worth it paying cash? Absolutely not. On the other hand, when staying on points (especially ones that will expire and can't be banked), this is an awesome choice and way to use points. We loved the daily housekeeping AND turn-down service. The concierge staff still do a great job in making all reservations. Staying concierge made us definitely want to reserve a day or two to just take in the resort and everything that it has to offer.

Good luck reserving! As previous posters have mentioned, it's really hard to book at 7 months, but it can be done- usually during off-peak times, but you'd be surprised. It's worth a shot, but also have other resorts in mind in case you have to waitlist and the waitlist doesn't come through. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[cinderella97]

I was able to book it for 3 nights Easter Weekend at 7 months. What a wonderful surprise that was, nice pixie dust! I was looking for savannah view and she said you know Club level is open those dates, so I grabbed it!! Whoo Hoo.

 

[DisneyPups]

This is good to hear, b/c I would definitely like to try to the concierge level on a relaxation (vs. must hit the parks every day) trip...

 

[wdw1972]

I've done it several times, and have seen the decline over the years. As others have pointed out, the views stink and you do hear noise from the lobby at times. That said, I can't imagine booking concierge & settling for crap views if you did not intend to enjoy the lounge. For that reason, I never book there when there are concerts at Epcot or holiday lights at the MK or Studios. I book concierge when nothing special is going on and I enjoy relaxing evenings in the lounge talking to people or reading - along with the wine & food.

I'm booked there for the long 4th of July and Labor Day weekends. In July my park pass is blacked out so I have no park access that trip. Labor Day it's still brutally hot, so in 5 days I might go into a park for 1 early morning visit - but the focus of the trip will be the resort & concierge amenities.