How is AKL concierge?

[Lalita]

Does anyone have pictures of the lounge at the AKL, I have never seen pictures. How is the concierge at AKL compared to the other resorts? If you have done it before would you do it again?

 

[psu1978]

Does anyone have pictures of the lounge at the AKL, I have never seen pictures. How is the concierge at AKL compared to the other resorts? If you have done it before would you do it again?

We booked CL for August 08 , mostly because we wanted access to the Sunrise Safari (and the availability of a AAA rate didn't hurt either). I am curious as to the food offerings in the lounge...especially for breakfast. Someone posted the menu for the Poly concierge on another thread. Anyone out there have the scoop on AKL?

I have also heard that you can get pre-trip planning assistance. By any chance does this include making ADR's. I have to work on my 180th day and it would be great to have that taken care of by someone else, rather than having to wait until evening.

This is our first trip to AKL and our first time staying CL, so I want to make sure that we take full advantage of all of the advantages.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Well I have pics of the lounge before it moved so it will do no good to post them. There are also some on Debs site to check out. The offerings were wonderful. In the morning we had 3 or 4 different kinds of muffins, danish, bagels and cream cheese with a toaster. Fresh fruit cut up and whole fruit in a bowl to take as snacks. Yogurt. 3 kinds of cold cereal and hot oatmeal with all the fixins. And that wonderful latte machine along with tea and hot chocolate, milk and juice. More than you will ever need for breakfast. Mid morning we had nuts, gummi bears, crackers of some sort, sodas, tea, lemonade and a few other trailmix type snacks. Tea time was scones, mini cupcakes, animal crackers, brownies, various cookies and the same beverages, dinner time were huge amounts of appys from either Jiko or Boma. Some I remember were shrimp skors, flat bread (bbq chicken from Jiko yummy) some soups, cheese and crackers. Wonderful wines and beer from Africa and regular beverages. Night time were desserts and cordials. I remember zebra domes, fruit tarts, mini cannoli. Everything was outstanding and by far the best trip we ever had to Disney.

Don and Juanita are who we delt with. It was our anniversary (15). We did the sunrise safari and it was the highlight of our trip. They arranged a cake and gift basket in our room. Also gave us anniversary buttons and a fast pass thing at the breakfast. We were very spoiled.

We made our own dinner ressies and sent the conf. numbers to Don. He did the arrangements (totally a suprise) for our anniversary and he also booked our sunrise safari. Well worth the money and if the room could hold 5 still we would be going back this year to do it again. Unfortunately we have to head over to the other lodge. I will miss AKL but also it is good to try something new. You will love it I am sure.

 

[Dis Ohana]

We're staying CL at GF, BWI and AKL for our upcoming trip. I have found the AKL IPO to be the most responsive and helpful of the three. I ended up having them make all my ADR's and plan other things for our entire stay -- they were more than happy to handle everything for us, even on days we'll be at the other resorts. They did my ADR's at 180 days and got me everything I asked for. I even made several changes since then and it wasn't a problem. AKL IPO is the best!

This is the email: WDW.AKLodge.Concierge@disney.com

 

[Alaska Catdog]

AKL Concierge is the best in my opinion. I too worked with Don and they were the most responsive of all the ones I've stayed at. In fact I also had AKL book all the ADRS for that trip because they were the most responsive. YC was good but not as good as AKL. The food was delicious and the lounge was special. That was several years ago, I hear the lounge is in a different place now. I'd love to go back. They were particularly helpful with gifts in the room.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We LOVE it!

Lori

 

[Lalita]

Thanks for the replies, I just a few questions as well you can help me with. I know that there is a seperate check in, and you do so by teling bell services? I don't know it seems kind of strange just to go up to them. Couldn't I just check in at the regular front desk? Didn't they use to send you a card so you could access the lounge before? Do they still contact you or do you have now contact them?

 

[cyndisun]

We have done concierge at GF, AKL and BWI as well as Grand Californian in Anaheim (4 times since we live in SF). Although it has been about 5 years since we have been to WDW, DH and I agree that AKL concierge was the best. They were the most helpful, more laid back than BWI and we won't even talk about the GF CL (we checked out early and moved to BWI!). We also felt that the food was the best at AKL as well with that great coffee/espresso machine!

So take my opinion for what it is...perhaps a little out of date. We love CL and are planning a big trip next August for our 40th bdays. We are splitting our stay between AKL CL and Poly. We've never been to Poly and can't wait!

Good luck!

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks for the replies, I just a few questions as well you can help me with. I know that there is a seperate check in, and you do so by teling bell services? I don't know it seems kind of strange just to go up to them. Couldn't I just check in at the regular front desk? Didn't they use to send you a card so you could access the lounge before? Do they still contact you or do you have now contact them?

The CL check-in doesn't feel like "check-in" at all! If you're driving, you won't even have to tell Bell Services, they'll know by the time you pull up to the front of the Lodge! If you're arriving by DME or town car, just tell Bell Svcs that you have a Club Level reservation. You'll receive your Welcome Packet and be personally escorted to the Lounge where you will complete your check-in.

AKL's IPO is really good about communicating. I'm sure they will contact you, but you don't have to wait for that - you can send them an email as soon as you have a reservation.

 

[flyball]

We've stayed AKL club level twice and BWI once. I'd pick AKL hands down over BWI. The "old" lounge was so cozy and relaxing. Some of the best memories of our trip were during our afternoon lounge break snacking and playing cards. While there was nothing wrong with BWI, I felt more hovered over there. I think the offerings at AKL are more interesting as well. As other posters have said, Don was super helpful prior to our trip. Enjoy!!!