Is it POSSIBLE?? AKL LITE IV?? You betcha...

[mmmears]

I don't know any of the answers, but I just wanted to say hi! I haven't seen any posts in so long, it's nice to hear you're still out there! As you can see I decided on AKL CL...thanks a lot to all your help six months ago! Have fun in Disneyland! And did I see you're doing a Disney Alaskan cruise? Oh, I will definitely need to hear all about that!

Hi lissiesmum! I was wondering if you were still planning AKL (no resort-switching???) We love CL and I hope you do, too!!! Flight prices to WDW are just too high for us these days ($800pp last time I checked) so we're planning the Alaska cruise and a weekend in DL. But I miss my AKL!!!

Me again, asking about food! I'm still trying to figure out a cake for DD's birthday...I called both private dining and the cake hotline and got nowhere for what I wanted I wanted a fancy fondant cake that was savannah themed and AKL doesn't do this...I'd have to order from the Boardwalk and pick it up (yeah right), or order from the GF or CR and eat at one of their restaurants (but who wants a savannah themed cake at the CR or GF? ) Private dining at AKL offered me the Mickey mouse head cake for $54 or the zebra cake for $48. Has anyone on here had one of these cakes? Are they delish or just ok?

CL gave us a cake for my DD's bday one year, but I wasn't counting on it. I wasn't sure she would like the AKL choices and instead got an ADR for lunch at CRT and pre-ordered a chocolate slipper dessert for her Bday. I have heard that the zebra cakes are good, but I haven't tried one. And on her Bday, with the button on, she got extra desserts anyway (even at CRT!). Jiko gave her a Bday creme brulee that was so yummy. So in the end, I didn't order a cake and there was too much dessert that day anyway.

 

[TxMickeyLover]

One week, I can just imagine the excitement you are feeling! Will you be eating any dinners at AKL?

Yes! We are trying Jiko and Sanaa for the first time, and we have a breakfast at Boma.

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi lissiesmum! I was wondering if you were still planning AKL (no resort-switching???) We love CL and I hope you do, too!!! Flight prices to WDW are just too high for us these days ($800pp last time I checked) so we're planning the Alaska cruise and a weekend in DL. But I miss my AKL!!!



CL gave us a cake for my DD's bday one year, but I wasn't counting on it. I wasn't sure she would like the AKL choices and instead got an ADR for lunch at CRT and pre-ordered a chocolate slipper dessert for her Bday. I have heard that the zebra cakes are good, but I haven't tried one. And on her Bday, with the button on, she got extra desserts anyway (even at CRT!). Jiko gave her a Bday creme brulee that was so yummy. So in the end, I didn't order a cake and there was too much dessert that day anyway.

Resort switching? Me? Yes, I was a chronic resort switcher in the past, but this time, I have had AKL booked for five months now going strong! I may have to do a split stay with the Dolphin if there are no discounts for Easter, but we cannot wait to stay at AKL! I'm hoping to be able to stay the whole week, but we'll have to play the waiting game and see. I hope some pixie dust comes our way!
Thanks for the info on the cakes. We've done the chocolate slipper dessert before and she loved that, so we could always do that again. But you're right, when you have your birthday pin on, you get special bday treats everywhere you go! I am so excited for you and your Alaskan cruise...I'm thinking of doing that next summer if they're still offered and I can get us some decent airfare rates out there! What a dream!

Yes! We are trying Jiko and Sanaa for the first time, and we have a breakfast at Boma.

I will be trying Jiko and Sanaa for the first time too! I'm looking forward to hearing what you think and what food was good!

 

[miprender]

So will my father and my fiance

If you havent watched an NFL game @ ESPN on the Boardwalk, you've gotta try it once, it's a test of endurance You've got to get there mega early...First day of fiance's first trip in '06, Pats were playing so we went to ESPN, I figured that would be a good way to ease him in to a WDW vacation The heat index was 106, it broke records in Orlando that day, we saw most of the game standing in line watching the overhead tv..Finally when we got close, the hostess saw our Pats shirt, pulled us out of line and got us seats at the bar

I've taken us so off topic again my bad.

Boohoo they lost. And yes I have watched the playoffs there once in Jan 2001. We met up with some friends and I don't really remember much of this except DH remembers the Ravens were in the playoffs. It must have left a great impression because I don't even remember what the place looks like

RachelTori...great pics of the Sunrise Safari. Someday we plan on doing this but I think I read there is an age limit and my youngest is 2 so we have a long wait. Maybe on my 50th wedding anniversary in another 36 years

 

[athenna]

Awesome pics of the Sunrise Safari! On my list of things to do some day for sure, but after the Wanyama

 

[John's Mom]

RachelTori...great pics of the Sunrise Safari. Someday we plan on doing this but I think I read there is an age limit and my youngest is 2 so we have a long wait. Maybe on my 50th wedding anniversary in another 36 years

The age limit on the Sunrise Safari is three. Only one year to go!

 

[kimmar067]

Yes! We are trying Jiko and Sanaa for the first time, and we have a breakfast at Boma.

....I'm especially interested in hearing what you have to say about Sanaa...

 

[kimmar067]

Some Sunrise Safari pictures: (sorry they're so large and some are so blurry. Me & my new camera were just getting acquainted!! )

....at least it was light out when YOU went....we had done ours in February and it was still dark out...

 

[dgbg100106]

I've done it 6 times now (if I counted correctly!!) and it never gets old!!

You will find the Safari letter in your room the evening before. The morning of, you need to go to the lounge between 6:30-7am and have your park passes swiped (that's your admission into AK that day!). You are given your name tags at that time. You meet the group in the lobby (the letter & the Lounge CMs will tell you the exact time (usually 7:15-7:30). The 2 guides introduce themselves, stress that you take a bathroom break since you won't be near a restroom for over an hour and answer any questions you may have.

The guides will lead you out through the front doors to 2 waiting buses. Security does a quick check of your bags before boarding the bus since you will not pass through Security to enter the park.

On the bus ride over, your guide will give you lots of information as you pass through the backstage area (no pictures allowed until you actually get into the park). Once inside the park, they will lead you to the safari vehicles and your safari begins!

There will be many stops along the way for photos; lots of questions & answers. It's truly magical!

About the time your safari vehicle returns, the group heads to Pizzafari for breakfast. Usually the park is just opening so you may be walking against the crowd. (it's not that bad! )

At Pizzafari, you will find your family's table - they use placecards. The chef will explain the dishes and then it will be time to get the fabulous food!!!

The guides stay and eat with the group so it's a great opportunity to speak with them -- they love their jobs and are always more than happy to answer questions or just talk about Disney!!

Thank you so much for sharing!!!!

 

[dgbg100106]

The Sunrise Safari breakfast in a private room at Pizzafari:

Thank you so much for sharing these amazing pictures...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Awesome pictures of the Sunrise Safari! How long does the safari last? It looks just incredible with all those close-ups of the animals.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Awesome pictures of the Sunrise Safari! How long does the safari last? It looks just incredible with all those close-ups of the animals.

About an hour on the safari truck. You meet in the lobby around 7:15/7:30. By the time they gather everyone, do a bag search, get you all on the bus, drive over to the park, and get boarded on the safari trucks it is nearly 8am. You get off just about the time the park is opening at 9am. Then off to breakfast. The whole thing is a wonderful experience!!!!




Can anyone compare sunset to sunrise?

I am planning a trip for a big bday in May. I still haven't decided where to stay. Top choice would be AKL CL but those rooms can be hard to book so also considering just savanna view or Kidani 1BR savanna view or maybe BWI CL. I realize that I can only do sunrise if we stay CL but wondering if we stay CL if I should consider sunset instead as I've done sunrise twice. It will be an adult only trip with 2 or 3 of my friends.

 

[tiggrbaby]

About an hour on the safari truck. You meet in the lobby around 7:15/7:30. By the time they gather everyone, do a bag search, get you all on the bus, drive over to the park, and get boarded on the safari trucks it is nearly 8am. You get off just about the time the park is opening at 9am. Then off to breakfast. The whole thing is a wonderful experience!!!!




Can anyone compare sunset to sunrise?

I am planning a trip for a big bday in May. I still haven't decided where to stay. Top choice would be AKL CL but those rooms can be hard to book so also considering just savanna view or Kidani 1BR savanna view or maybe BWI CL. I realize that I can only do sunrise if we stay CL but wondering if we stay CL if I should consider sunset instead as I've done sunrise twice. It will be an adult only trip with 2 or 3 of my friends.

Hard to say which is better since they are both great! Sunset is a smaller group. You are closer to the animals since you are out on the resort safaris. The interaction with the guides is easier since you are all in one small vehicle. All of the seats are on the outer edge of the vehicle, so anything on your side is unobstructed. The guides don't eat with you, but you have a fab family style meal with wine pairings at Jiko. The chef comes out and explains the meal. Gratuity is not included.

I have pics of my Nov. 09 Sunset Safari on my unfinshed TR.

 

[RachelTori]

Can anyone compare sunset to sunrise?

I am planning a trip for a big bday in May. I still haven't decided where to stay. Top choice would be AKL CL but those rooms can be hard to book so also considering just savanna view or Kidani 1BR savanna view or maybe BWI CL. I realize that I can only do sunrise if we stay CL but wondering if we stay CL if I should consider sunset instead as I've done sunrise twice. It will be an adult only trip with 2 or 3 of my friends.

For an adult only trip, I definitely recommend Wanyama (Sunset) Safari (especially since you've experience Sunrise Safari twice). It's a small, intimate group; you're at the resort not the park - and believe me, after going out on the savannah, you will never gaze out from your balcony the same way again!! Dinner at Jiko. It's a wonderful evening!!

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

Hi! We will be in a 1BR at Kidani in November. I know there is no true counter service restaurant in Kidani, but I seem to remember seeing something about some limited quick options at the pool bar. Can't seem to find anything about it now, except a photo of the pool bar too far to read the menu. Is there any food offered by the pool at Kidani?

Thanks!

 

[athenna]

Hi! We will be in a 1BR at Kidani in November. I know there is no true counter service restaurant in Kidani, but I seem to remember seeing something about some limited quick options at the pool bar. Can't seem to find anything about it now, except a photo of the pool bar too far to read the menu. Is there any food offered by the pool at Kidani?

Thanks!

This might be the pic you already saw?
http://www.aklresort.com/content/maji-pool-bar-menu

They have

Club Sandwich
Cesar salad w/Tandoori chicken
Fresh fruit cup
Carrot & Celery sticks
Apple slices
Frozen novelties

So yeah pretty limited, but if you're hanging by the pool and looking for something quick, it will do the trick.

 

[athenna]

I am absolutely fiending for a trip to Kidani, I don't care if it's one day

I am listening to Magical Mouse Radio and they are playing one of the KIdani loops, so that in it's own makes me crave a trip, but when I woke up this morning, it was 49 degrees I really don't want to be here

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Hi! We will be in a 1BR at Kidani in November. I know there is no true counter service restaurant in Kidani, but I seem to remember seeing something about some limited quick options at the pool bar. Can't seem to find anything about it now, except a photo of the pool bar too far to read the menu. Is there any food offered by the pool at Kidani?

Thanks!

Yes they do offer food at the pool bar. Its limited though.

 

[sjs314]

I am absolutely fiending for a trip to Kidani, I don't care if it's one day

I am listening to Magical Mouse Radio and they are playing one of the KIdani loops, so that in it's own makes me crave a trip, but when I woke up this morning, it was 49 degrees I really don't want to be here

So glad You mentioned the radio station , I needed a Disney fix bad

 

[TxMickeyLover]

....at least it was light out when YOU went....we had done ours in February and it was still dark out...

I didn't even think about it still being dark out. I think we'll be okay, though. We have our Sunrise Safari this Sunday!