help me with AKL

[SnowWhiteForever]

So I've read a lot about people getting complimentary upgrades, but I'd like to fax the "room assignor" at the AKL to request several things (which probably means we wont get upgraded, but anyway)... what is the fax number? Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

407-9384799

We just got back two weeks ago. We didn't get a complimentary room upgrade but we fell in love with this resort anyway. I cannot wait to go back. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[kdibattista]

Just a word of advice... I would not put too many requests down. They may look negatively at that. I would put your most important, maybe one additional one and that's it.

 

[Fokus17]

I think you should fax whatever you want. We just got back from AKL Sunday. WE sent the fax and did not really get anything. WE had the AP rate for a standard room $124 a night for 7 nights. We just asked for a comp. upgrade at check in. The resort was almost full so no Savannah rooms were available. The CM did however get us an awesome room. He gave us a Deluxe Pool view on the 5th floor. This was a $385 room for $124. what a deal! We loved the room and the view was amazing. WE looked at the animals some, but they really never came close to the Savannah rooms. Fax whatever you want and ask for something at check in. Even at busy times upgrades are given. Good luck!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Fokus17, pool view IS an upgrade! And I don't know what you call a deluxe room if it isn't an upgrade. Were you expecting concierge Savannah view?

 

[kbeverina]

I think Fokus means that they weren't given an upgrade from sending the fax, though they did receive one by requesting it at check-in.

 

[Fokus17]

no we did get an upgrade. It was a great upgrade. I was saying that the fax did not get us anything we had to ask at checkin. I wuld juds encourage everyone to just ask. You never know what you might get

 

[lawgs]

fokus 17

what procedure do you use when asking at check in?

we are going next week for 1 day in a savannah view as a gift to our niece who has graduated from a "Animal Care" university program this spring ( it would be nice if she had the "maximum" experience possible while we are there

thanks in advance for your reply

smilawgs

 

[Fokus17]

lawgs

just tell them at checkin about her graduation and ask if any comp. upgrades are available. If none are available, just tell that anything special for her would be appriciated. Good luck!

 

[lawgs]

fokus 17

thanks for your quick reply....

will do that .....since it is magic entry day to Animal Kingdom on monday, thought we would drive to the AKL lodge first....sign in but not check in and try to do it all without her getting suspicious, then after the day at the park instead of going back timeshare we are staying in ....just head to AKL ....

still have some logisitics to work out ....we might have to have overnight sundries ....

really looking forward to staying there...

 

[airhead]

for room reservations?

thanks,
CJ

 

[SnowWhiteForever]

Well... it's been nearly a year since I went, but I thought that I'd reply to my own (though ancient) post for all you DIS-ers that might be considering a stay at the AKL. Our trip was absolutely fabulous. We went the week surrounding Father's Day (which is also my dad's birthday) and it also included my anniversary with DBF... 2 years then... anyway, I'd faxed the AKL telling them about those special occasions and just said "if there are any complimentary upgrades that you could grant us to add a little extra magic it would be much appreciated!" We'd booked two standard view rooms, but upon check-in, they'd given us two... get this... savannah view rooms... we were told that it was that wing that most of the animals hung out at... a bit of a walk from the buses to the room (we were at the far end of one wing.) but the animals were absolutely amazing!!! Lesson learned: if you ask nicely, chances are your wish will come true!

 

[Momster]

Glad you had such a great experience with the upgrades, SnowWhiteForever! Thought I'd just piggyback my question on your thread.

I have already booked and paid for a Savannah view room for April 28-30. Are any upgrades likely for that? Would concierge be out of the question? Also, it will be my and DH's 14th wedding anniversary on the 28th. What do you think about any possibilities?

Should I fax or just wait till we get there?

TIA.

P.S. DS 9 and DD 7 will be with us and I had already requested Zebra Trail with bunk beds which is noted on our paper reservation.

 

[Momster]

bump! Hoping anyone will answer my questions above...

 

[Minnie's Mate]

More than likely, if you are offered an upgrade, you would be offered a deluxe room. These have a sleeper soffa in addition to the beds. The deluxes have more sq. ft. and are on the upper floors.

However, I don't think any of the the deluxes or the concierge rooms have bunk beds (I could be wrong) so you will probably not be offered an upgrade even with your aniversary. Also, there are few Savannah rooms with bunk beds. You might fax in your request and explain that your children are of different gender and if bunk beds are unavailable you would like to have a sleeper sofa without actually requesting the upgrade to a deluxe. I think requesting an upgrade usually turns the room assigner off.

 

[MamaTink]

There are at least some deluxe and concierge rooms with bunks and sofas-we are staying in one next week!!!

 

[graygables]

When I was there in Jan, I spoke directly to the room assignor (he was standing next to the CM checking me in and had a question about a request I had made on our original ressie) He had guessed what I wanted correctly and put us where I had requested (Zebra trail near the elevator, not necessarily to *see* the zebras). I asked him about faxing requests (I didn't do that this time, just put them on the original reservation) and he rolled his eyes and told me that faxing was redundant and oftentimes are simply "filed" in the "circular cabinet" b/c it is an annoyance to them.

We made another ressie for this Nov for my 40th for a standard view, but the CM put in the comments that we would love a celebratory upgrade if available. She assured me that the assignor reads the details and does his best.

Yes, the deluxe savannahs have bunk beds and a day bed.

 

[sandyneck]

Hi, we just got back from one night at AKL. I missed the codes so I booked a AAA rate standard view and had been upgraded to 5th floor pool view when we arrived!! I was so excited. I did not ask or fax in advance. It was a great room and we could catch a glimpse of the bongos and flamingos. We could have upgraded to Savannah view for $65.00 but they did not have bunkbeds available and DH wanted to try out pool view. We have had a SV in the past and we actually saw more animals this time because we spent so much more time walking around the different savannahs. When we had the savannah view we were like "we can see animals from our balcony why walking around looking for them" but we really had a great time. The kids loved it. I am totally in love with this resort so standard would have been fine but it was very nice to have the pool view.

 

[JLS]

In my experience, faxing is a waste of time. I don't think they really pay attention to requests until you are physically there checking in. Last year at AKL, we meticulously researched choices and faxed our request to be on the Arusha savannah, on the trail near the pool and Boma (can't remember the name). We were paying for a savannah view. Well, we got there and checked in in the early afternoon. I mentioned at check in that we had faxed requests. We were assigned a room on the Sunset Savannah, on the complete opposite side of the resort from the pool. Nothing that we had requested. The room was OK, but I called the front desk and asked if we could be switched to the Arusha savannah. No problem, we were told. We ended up getting a room that matched our original request.

Moral of the story - I won't fax anymore. I will just politely request what we want at check in. Either we get it, or we don't.

 

[Momster]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I'll just ask when we get there. I'll let you know how it goes!