Have you been "Bitten" by the Concierge "Bug"? aka The LIZARD LOUNGE!

[GoofySuse]

Hmmmmm.....great coffee and cheesecake....sounds like a wonderful start to a gloomy day!!

Good morning y'all.....

*adding some home made Hungarian Poppy Seed roll to the buffet*....enjoy.....:wave

Gotta jet....all those delinquent tax returns are calling my name....those stupid, stupid people!!

 

[minniesota]

They did have the cap machine at the GF last week and it had about 8 or nine choices, including 2 or 3 decaf choices. I had a mocha and it was good - not Caribou quality - but good! It had a few mis-fires when DH used it - it would only fill half his cup, so he pressed it again (the goof) and naturally, his cup overflowed. We had a few good laughs at his expense!

 

[DisneyNotes]

Does anyone remember where on the 4th floor the lounge is located? In pictures it looks like it's on the end of the hotel and I'm wondering if that's above the orchestra. Can you actually see the orchestra from the lounge or just hear it. I'm also hoping that our room location isn't miles away from the lounge.

 

[disrailfan]

Well we are here. This is actually our second day at the AKL Concierge and we love it!

We did do the sunset Safari last evening Monday the 25th and guess what? It was just DW and I all alone with the guide (Greg) a trainee (Heather) and our driver (Clayton) it was the most wonderful experience that we have had on any of our Disney trips.

We were then taken to Jiko for dinner afterwards and had a very wonderful dinner presented by Chef Dennis.

I need to tell you that I don'y know how much food they serve you when there are 8 people but the portions that they gave us as just two people were more than we could handle. The taste of Africa Appetizer and Dessert tray was unique and wonderful. See I am not a wine person and I impressed my wife by actually drinking every wine that they brought us (Don't ask me to name them because I don't know wine at all).

The wierdest part was the sorbet before the main course, it actually had pepper in it with a shot of vodka. WOW!

This morning we did the Sunrise Safari and we had Racheal for our guide. She was very good and told us alot about the animals and the way that they care and feed for them. The Buffet efterwards was wonderful as well. It had my favorite the infamous Bannana French Toast (mmmmm).

Well right now DW is taking a break (30 minute power nap) so that we can head over to Epcot and do World Showcase and sample some more great foods, wines and beers.


Well that is all for now I will post a complete trip report as soon as we return. I am so excited about this trip that I may even have to write the report on the plane going home Friday night.

 

[Cris]

Bambi Tamby it is a Nescafe machine, the one at AKL I heard is over 20,000 dollars.

 

[ead79]

originally posted by DisneyNotes
Does anyone remember where on the 4th floor the lounge is located? In pictures it looks like it's on the end of the hotel and I'm wondering if that's above the orchestra. Can you actually see the orchestra from the lounge or just hear it. I'm also hoping that our room location isn't miles away from the lounge.

The lounge is actually on one side of the lobby, not the end. It's on the side opposite the cage elevator (if you are entering the lobby through the main entrance, it would be on the left hand side). You can see the orchestra from the lounge, depending on where you sit. It's a lovely place to relax while listening.

 

[VAgal76]

Disrailfan - I'm so happy you are having an superb time. That's awesome that you had sunset safari all to yourself. See you soon!

Look at all the goodies around here....my tongue is drooping down to the floor....mmmmmm.

Johnsonet - Yeah, I agree with you. I'm going to stick with the celebration at our room for my MIL. I'm sure she'd love an intimate celebration.

Has anyone been able to take a peek at the 2 bdrm suites at the CR on the 14th floor? If so, were the balconies large enough to accommodate 5 on it?


Did I read somewhere (or was I dreaming) that we can put the TV on channel 20 at CR and it plays the music to Wishes?

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Originally posted by BambiTamby

With that.....we've got the Cappucino machine and the Mr. Coffee Cocmotion going and mmausse's Better than Sex cheesecake out on the sideboards this am.

Oh man this sounds too good to be true! Can't top this!

Originally posted by GoofySuse
*adding some home made Hungarian Poppy Seed roll to the buffet*....

Guess I lied! Have not had Hungarian Poppy Seed roll in decades!
A really great treat! Just roll me away now!

Originally posted by BambiTamby

And yes! Goofy's Muse.. I've heard that they are supposed to getting the Expresso/cap machines for all the CLs!

I may never want to leave the lounge!

VAgal76 - I think the private celebration on the balcony sounds wonderful
And yes, I remember reading somewhere about channel 20 and the wishes sound track. Cannot remember if it was for the Poly or CR.

storybookmum - We really loved Le Cellier. And since it is not a huge place, it has an intimate feel.

Debbie (hockeymom) - I cannot express how sorry I was to read the accident. It brought back memories of my senior year in high school. From the spring of that year, through the end of summer, we lost 3 boys from my class in auto accidents. Very sad time. Prayers and PD for all the families involved and all the friends now dealing with this.

 

[hightown]

Just wanted to pop in to the lounge on my way back to work!

disrailfan, excited to see your report. We'll be back at AKL C on 11/7--in 10 days! So excited to do Sunrise Safari again. We did it last year but camera BROKE just before it started. The breakfast at Tusker house is the best.

Had good bit of luck yesterday and caught an AP discount for the night of the 9th. Love that $100 savings. Now wishing for PD for the final night.

Thinking good thoughts for everyone!

Sharon

 

[storybookmum]

Cyber-cheesecake! I'm IN! Pass a slice, please!

Thank you, reviewers. I wrote to AKL IPO and got the nicest letter back from Andrea...so helpful. She got us all in at Le Cellier, so there we go. Now tell me about the moose dessert, because it isn't on the menu, but I know it exists, and while Meredith and I can't have it, some of the others could.

My heart is crying out for Les Chefs, I confess it....enormous appeal there. I'm struggling to get over, "Oh, yeah, Canada. Okay." After all, it's home...who wants to eat at home when you're on vacation. I have, however, been instructed to think of it in terms of PACIFIC NORTH-WEST and hence still fun and exotic and delicious. I'm sorry to give up the Teppanyaki, but Dad's been a good sport, and I want to give in on this for him.

Hightown! Way to go on your discount!

Vagal, I'm positive, too, that I read about channel 20 for Wishes.

Disrailfan, your trip so far sounds TERRIFIC! I can't wait to follow in your footsteps.

Hey, I forgot to tell you! DH is going out tonight to my stepson's High School golf banquet. DSS is in his senior year, and it's a real celebration tonight, because our boys are the MICHIGAN STATE CHAMPIONS!!!! WOOOHOOO!! (My stepkids live on the other side of the border with their mother.) DH is bursting at the seams, DSS (team captain) finished in the top five at States. :thewave:

Anyway, I'm zonked, stupid crazy day at work (paranoid schizophrenic that needed about 6 of us to get him in cuffs to the hospital, some wacko set his truck/himself on fire and drove into a building, and I had a huge messy threats with a gun call....good grief!!!). I'm DONE. 3 more dayshifts to get through, but I don't know how much kookier they could be than today....(if I haven't given my career away before now, the cat's out of the bag, right?)



AKL take me AWAY!!!!

Kris

 

[Angel16]

WE HAVE RETURNED !

What a Fantastic Time We Had! ALK is beyond our greatest expectations. All our senses were filled upon entering the building. We had a wonderful CL room on the 5th floor. And yes….we did get a king bed with day bed. The view was of the Arusha Savannah, Uzima trail. Great view saw animals all day every day. Even had a flock (no they didn’t have wings, herd of – no there weren’t that many) ok….it was a bunch of zebra frolicking right in front of our balcony the first night.

Concierge offered us a special sunrise safari while we were checking in. They had added it on due to the hotel being so full over Columbus Day holiday. The great part was we were not even going on the sunrise safari originally because we were doing the Sunset and didn’t want to do a safari with 53 other people. This sunrise safari they were only taking 25 on and we were the last two to sign up. Great breakfast at Tusker house and spent the day at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I will do a trip report; I just wanted to give you a few highlights or our trip. The sunset safari, oh…my. We had such a great time. The dinner at Jiko’s was superb and the wine pairings was perfect. The eight of us had never met before, but it was a super mix of people. We ended up having dinner for over three hours visiting, exchanging addresses and taking pictures.

Debbie: There is a new baby Ankole, it is a male and born just two days before our sunset safari. Your baby was there, they pointed him out as the “yearling” of the same mother. My husband and I have claimed the new baby as ours, were waiting to find out what they name him, as he was so tiny they had not given him a name yet.

I will write more when I have some work done around here. I have lot’s to tell you all - Food and Wine Festival, towel animals, gifts in room, celebrations for our 25th anniversary. Plus we took tons of pictures. Including the new baby Ankole and a picture of Debbie's baby.

Best of all – DH loved concierge and wants me to start planning a return trip since we have AP’s. Remember, he was looking at this trip as a once in a lifetime. He fell in love with WDW, hidden Mickey’s and being pampered by concierge.



There certainly has been a lot going on in the lounge while I was gone. I will try to read it all and catch up.

First Debbie - – I am so sorry about your friend, family and community. This is just too terrible. You and yours are in my prayers.

To everyone leaving on their trips: I’m sending Pd, and best wishes for a wonderful time with great weather and special magical surprises.

To Mommy's to be: - I hope you all are doing great and the little ones are not keeping up late at night. I have big news myself. My daughter just told us she is expecting. We are going to be grandparents for the second time. WOW

Everyone have a good afternoon/evening. If anyone has any questions regarding our stay at ALK or Shades of Green I'll be happy to help anyway I can.

Angel

 

[John's Mom]

Angel,

My DH and I will be checking into the AKL CL on Nov. 1. We will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Did the staff do anything special for your anniversary?

After the Sunset Safari, did you eat in a private room at Jiko?

Thanks,
Kathy

 

[johnsonet]

disrailfan WOW!! You really are experiencing the wonder of AKL Concierge. I can't wait to get there in December Enjoy!!

Angel Double WOW!! Welcome home! Your trip sounds amazing. Funny...we were there last Columbus Day weekend and I had not been able to secure spots on the Sunrise Safari - trip planned only 30dd in advance. But just a couple of days before we left, AKL IPO called to say they were adding a Sunday Sunrise Safari! It was one of the highlights of our trip They had two busloads FULL of people, too Hope you'll share all your photos!

I really am going to have to make my March/April trip Concierge...

storybookmum So glad you got your Le Cellier PS. Andrea and Don are simply the BEST (and Alana at BC/YC/BWI )

Cheers everyone

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Originally posted by storybookmum
Now tell me about the moose dessert, because it isn't on the menu, but I know it exists, and while Meredith and I can't have it, some of the others could.

Kris

Kris - Check out this link of pics from our Aug trip. There is a pic of the "moose" dessert. My 2 DDs ordered it (OK, I took a taste) and they loved it.

Goofy's Pics

Chocolate mousse covered with chocolate crunchies, mmmmmmm

 

[storybookmum]

Ah-hah, it's on the children's menu! Thank you for the picture! Caroline saw it and got all excited about the "reindeer!"

Angel, welcome home! What a wonderful trip!

John's Mom, is November 1 itself your anniversary? That's ours, too! But we're only celebrating 8 years....God bless you on your 25th!!

 

[sfbank]

You will nevere guess what I am listening to right now. A record called Walt Disney Presents "Its A Small World" Dated 1963. Listening to it on our turntable. After the funeral today we went to Orville's house to get some pics and I had asked if they still had the record because I listened to it ALL of the time growing up when Dorie babysit me. It is double sided with a narrator and it is so neat to listen to it again. They bought it down in Disney in the late 70's. It even has pics of the ride so you can follow along.

I found out today that my eeg was normal so next week I have to go see a Neurologist. I asked if I could go ahead and drive and the doctor didn't really want to tell me but apparently I am going to have to go without a seizure for 6 months before I can drive again--law in Iowa. I guess working for an insurance company that would probably be wise. Plus I would never forgive myself if I ever caused an accident or harm to anyone. So I am pretty bummed right now. I will be hitching rides with my SIL to work for awhile. Guess I can spring for gas money!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Glad your eeg was normal! Just think of not driving as being in a limo and it will go faster! The recording sounds like something I think we used to listen to from the library. I am so sorry for your loss. Even when you know it will happen it makes it no less permanant or sad.

Oh! ANGEL! Thank you so much for the news! I didn't realize that she was pregnant again! That would be her THIRD then! *Jr, is unfortunately, deceased* hmmmm going to have to have a talk with Mr. Ankole to give Mrs a rest! I can't wait to see "your" new baby!

Storybookmum>> What HS for golf? I think I missed the news, but I've been stuck in a rink(s) all week, too! Congrats to your Step sons! but.. your second story.... read it! Its all over the news! (now I can say "hey, I know someone who helped hold down the crazy guy in Windsor!") You'll love LC! Ask for... AHH I cn't think of his name! Jason? He's from Windsor, and he is wonderful! *a redwings fan!* *ok, he's a great waiter, too!* We stopped to tell his manager how wonderful he was We were seated in the PEI room, I believe.

I have no plane tickets, but I have two different reservations for Pop over MLK weekend and the weekend before presidents day in Feb. *grabbed them knowing it was cheap!* I need to go... but I really NEED to be at AKL I can tell my baby misses me! and now... he's an uncle!

Have a great night! Don't drink any "gas station cappucino* w/o taking small sips first! *I snuck in and read about the machine earlier in the day. I've been cracking up over johsonset's post ever since since we always call that stuff "gas station cappucino!"
Debbie

 

[sfbank]

Debbie Thanks for the thought--you are right- I could pretend it is the airport pickup taking me to Disney every day. I always have my Disney books and maps with me. I could just pull those out and pretend!! Boy, my SIL and the rest of my family would probably have me committed!

 

[storybookmum]

sfbank: I was afraid of that, the driving restriction...I'm pretty sure in Ontario it's 2 years after a seizure, so it could be worse! I'm so glad for you that you have your SIL to ride with, and terribly glad to hear that your EEG was normal. God bless you, hon, you're in our prayers.

Debbie, it was Trenton High School for DSS, thank you! And also, I need to explain!! My "second story" was 3 separate stories. Crazy driving-the-burning-truck-into-the-building-guy was the big news, and he didn't need a lot of holding down...he went straight into ICU, and I don't know if he'll make it. Crazy-psycho-want-to-kill-everyone-on-the-planet-with-plenty-of-gory-details-through-the-entire-trip-to-the-hospital-guy was another story altogether, and he didn't make the news, but he had my attention quite riveted on him, especially considering he's already managed to kill and do serious bodily harm to friends and family in the past, and he said he didn't like me (and wanted to slit my throat while my children watched, and so on and so on and so on....). Crazy-threatening-people-with-pistols-guy was a third story, and that was just the icing on my little cake of dayshift....Have I mentioned that I don't like dayshift?

For anyone with a burning curiosity about crazy-drive-into-a-building man, go ahead and read about it

Here

I didn't realize LC had different province rooms! That sounds like fun, and I'll keep an eye out for Jason the Redwing fan (though DH would be disdainful, I'm...forgive me!...indifferent to hockey).

Off to curl up in bed with my babies, whom I'm bribing to stay there with chippies and a movie....

More later! Pray for me! Three more dayshifts!

Kris

 

[sfbank]

storybookmum--You are right, it could be worse! You are in my prayers too with all of that!! I went to school to be a homicide detective so my parents were happy when I went to work for an insurance company instead. Here is some pixie dust to get you through three more dayshifts!!