Feedback on Concierge Level at AKL

[schwenksvillemouse]

We are thinking of spend several nights at the AKL on the Concierge level. Can anyone provide some feedback on their stays at AKL or any Deluxe Conierge stay.

Thanks.

 

[mirlow]

We're going for our fourth visit next month. I just love the AKL and the concierge is an extra bonus for our family. I love going to the lounge to relax and have some tea in the afternoon. I enjoy the fact that the lounge is never packed. We were there during Charley and there was still room for us to sit and drink some terrific African wine
The CM's have always been helpful. They give my kids toys and animal cups when we're in the lounge. The food throughout the day is great. I enjoy the view of the lobby from the concierge lounge.
I love hanging out at the pool listening to the African music and enjoying one of their delicious cocktails. You can't beat sitting on your balcony at sunset. I even like to peek outside during the night
We enjoy ending our WDW trips at the AKL.

Welcome to the DIS

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

I think my 4 year old son would really love AKL. I'm also excited about the Sunrise Safari option. Is that still only offered on Tuesday's and Saturday's? My one concern is that you are less likely to go out to other places for dinner at night versus staying at the boardwalk or yacht club. I'm thinking of spliting three nights in a 1brm at SSR and three nights at AKL.

 

[webray]

AKL concierge is the best on disney property, and yes, even better than Grand Floridian main building concierge.

We have stayed concierge at AKL, GF and Boardwalk. Boardwalk was also very nice, but we enjoyed the offerings and people more at AKL.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Ohhhhhhhh...I can taste the African Smoothies now!! AKL concierge was just fabulous. The staff went above and beyond to help us celebrate my son's birthday -- when we walked into our room we were all speechless! Balloons, streamers, party hats and noisemakers, a beautiful cake, a little plush Mickey and a big autographed birthday card. It was awesome. I have a picture of my son standing there with his mouth open!

It was wonderful having breakfast at the lounge every morning (just remember to wear shoes and no pj's allowed. ) The after dinner snacks were amazing also!

We spent two and a half days just hanging out at the resort, there is so much to do there for the kids. They loved the pool! Where else can you swim and look at giraffes at the same time??!

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

AKL concierge is the best on disney property, and yes, even better than Grand Floridian main building concierge.

We have stayed concierge at AKL, GF and Boardwalk. Boardwalk was also very nice, but we enjoyed the offerings and people more at AKL.

Um wow...to say its nicer than the Grand Floridian main building concierge is wrong. We did not enjoy it, nor did we enjoy the gross "african" smothies...

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

about the AKL concierge level besides the smoothies. I think I can get over that.

 

[cyansmom]

We stayed at AKL concierge on the last leg of our 2 week vacation. I really enjoyed the resort. The lounge was great! The food offerings were fantastic! The staff was a little snobbish but it didn't bother me. My kids loved the food! We stayed in concierge because of the Sunrise safari and that was an experience. I would definitely stay in concierge again (if I can afford it). I think AKL concierge is the most unique of all the other properties.

cyansmom

 

[ducklite]

Simply the best!

I've stayed CL at GF (lodge), PR, CR (14th FL), WL, BWI, BC, YC, and AKL, and AKL is the hands down winner.

Anne

 

[LisaC]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=742397&highlight=aKL

We loved it!

 

[impsmom]

I think my 4 year old son would really love AKL. I'm also excited about the Sunrise Safari option. Is that still only offered on Tuesday's and Saturday's? My one concern is that you are less likely to go out to other places for dinner at night versus staying at the boardwalk or yacht club. I'm thinking of spliting three nights in a 1brm at SSR and three nights at AKL.

The Sunrise Safari is on Thursday and Sunday or at least it will be for our visit in June

We've never done concierge before but when DH suggested it, well, who was I to say no? I just mailed back our itinerary planner so I'm hoping they can get the PS we want.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I have stayed three different times on the club level at AKL and loved it more each time! It is absolutely one of my favorite vacation spots for total relaxation and calmness! The lounge is very nice and the CMs are fantastic. I believe the sunrise safari days have changed since we've been there, so Thursday/ Sunday is probably very accurate. Enjoy making your plans!

Debbie

 

[ead79]

We loved our stay at AKL CL! Having stayed concierge at the GF RPC, AKL, YC, Poly, and BWI, the AKL CL is easily one of our very favorites. The Sunrise Safari is spectacular! Enjoy!

Um wow...to say its nicer than the Grand Floridian main building concierge is wrong. We did not enjoy it, nor did we enjoy the gross "african" smothies...

No need to be so nasty. So you didn't like it, that doesn't make someone else's opinion invalid. There's no right or wrong, just personal experiences and opinions. And for what it's worth, I liked the AKL and GF RPC concierge levels about the same.

 

[MNSusan]

Staying concierge level at AKL is wonderful for all the reasons mentioned above. But the absolute best part, IMHO, is the pre planning staff. They went above and beyond to help make our vacation very, very magical. There wasn't a request they couldn't grant.

I can say the same for the pre planning staff at the Boardwalk concierge, too.

Have fun planning!

 

[jenjersnap]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I was wondering how the savannah views are from waaaaay up in the CL floors? That is one thing that has put me off CL since we very much enjoyed our second floor room that seemed right in the thick of things (DS and DH would literally talk to the birds - they'd cluck and the bird would cluck right back. )

What goes into an African smoothie? Frunch? Yum.

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

I was afraid being on the 6th floor would detract from being close to the animals. I'm getting excited about staying on the CL at AKL.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

I was afraid being on the 6th floor would detract from being close to the animals. I'm getting excited about staying on the CL at AKL.

I think we were on the fifth floor and had a concierge level room. I think I'd prefer a room on the third floor, but we still had a great view of the animals from our balcony.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I worry about all the positive posts just because this is what I had seen, booked concierge at AKL for my birthday, and was kind of disappointed (not to say that it couldn't be wonderful if we tried it again, we just had a run of problems that have never happened at any other WDW resort). We didn't find the concierge CMs friendly and found the lounge experience kind of impersonal (no one saying hi at the desk or smiling). I guess we were expecting too much. I love the regular AKL savannah view category, in fact, AKL is one of our favorite resorts. I preferred the offerings at Wilderness Lodge concierge (our favorite concierge experience so far...) and just thought the appetizers at AKL were okay. The personnel at the Beach club concierge and WL were both much friendlier. You never know the background, though..maybe there'd just been a problem w/ the AKL staff...maybe they were overbooked and overwhelmed. By all means I do not mean to discourage anyone from staying concierge there...in fact, I will probably end up giving it another chance. I just want to put in my experience because we didn't find it as great as other DISers had, and actually thought the service and food was better at other deluxe resorts. But maybe it was an off-time for AKL CL during our visit, who knows.

The view, on the other hand, was spectacular. I loved the room but not any more than the other savannah rooms we've had. The view was the best of any previous visit, however. You can see the animals beautifully from the fifth floor deluxe rooms, and it's great being on the fifth floor because you have that fun bridge to walk over the lobby (my son loved that!).
Have a great trip!

 

[dmillerdmd]

Stayed at the AKL in Nov 04 and absolutely loved the resort. My twins are 8 yo and they loved everything about it- the pool, the guides, the fireside storytelling, the African dancing by the CM's, and of course, the ANIMALS!!! We stayed CL mainly for the the sunrise safari which was well worth it. I must say, however, after spending 8 days last June at the RPR(Universal) I was completely UNDERWHELMED. The staff was nice and helpful and the lounge was pleasant, I was not at all impressed with the food offerings or service compared to RPR. Before the the flames start, I love WDW and we are returning in 3 weeks(YIKES!!!) I just can't imagine doing CL there again unless there was a perk like SS. Hope this helps. PS- Jiko is awesome!!!
Donna

 

[dmillerdmd]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I REALLY did not like being on another floor from the lounge. Certainly takes away from the convenience in the AM.