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

[kimmar067]

OK. Seeing a lot of negative posts about the AKL busses and I want reassurance....

...can't help ya out - for the last day of our vaca, we started off at Epcot and drove over to AKL to Boma for an early dinner (4:30PM) - we left the car at AKL and took the bus to MK for Summer Nightastic/Electrical Light parade....oh man, was that bus CROWDED!!! It was no better coming back either... man, my bad knees were KILLING me, and, not one person asked if I wanted their seat.... I was told that the buses always go to Kidani Village first, and THEN to Jambo House....

 

[TruBlu]

...can't help ya out - for the last day of our vaca, we started off at Epcot and drove over to AKL to Boma for an early dinner (4:30PM) - we left the car at AKL and took the bus to MK for Summer Nightastic/Electrical Light parade....oh man, was that bus CROWDED!!! It was no better coming back either... man, my bad knees were KILLING me, and, not one person asked if I wanted their seat.... I was told that the buses always go to Kidani Village first, and THEN to Jambo House....

That is enough to make me want to change resorts. After having 8 abdonimal surgeries, there is NO WAY I can stand up on a bus.

 

[wendypooh]

...just back - dr said that he COULD operate (because of the break) but it wouldn't heal any better or faster than if he left it alone....so, keep the arm immobile for at least a week or two....no phys ed till Nov 1 and he goes back in 3 weeks for another x-ray to make sure the bone is healing properly...

Thats good news.... no surgery - YAY!!!

OK. Seeing a lot of negative posts about the AKL busses and I want reassurance. We are going in October (14 - 18) staying AKL Pool View, so it's a "slower" time of the year. Are we going to have insane wait times for busses? If a park opens at 9, my plan is to be at the bus depot at 8. Am I allowing enough time? Not thinking I'll convince the rest of my group that we need to get on the bus any earlier??

Been to the lodge 6 times, never - ever had a problem with the busses. AND YES, they do go to Kidani first - our trip in May was NOT bad at all - I'd say not to worry about the busses.

** I will say that out last trip was the same time Kim was there - we didn't stay at the lodge, but the busses were crowded everywhere for the most part - then again, that is the busiest time, beside christmas, so, I"d expect it.

** edited to add that I just realized you were going the almost two weeks after us in Dec. - I'd say it WILL be VERY crowded at that time, but, again, we've never had a prob. with the busses............. I will also say that at that time, ANY and ALL of the busses are going to be crowded.

 

[kimmar067]

Thats good news.... no surgery - YAY!!!

....he definitely is feeling a little less discomfort - he, my middle DS, and my middle DS's friend were just playing Bean Boozled, a Jelly Belly bean game that my middle DS bought at Hogsmeade in IoA....there are some PRETTY GROSS jelly beans in there....!!

Been to the lodge 6 times, never - ever had a problem with the busses. AND YES, they do go to Kidani first - our trip in May was NOT bad at all - I'd say not to worry about the busses.....

....not only was it so ridiculous to be standing, but we were packed in like sardines....NEVER had we ever had any problems with buses at AKL....

 

[LBollengier]

Can we join in the fun here?? We're headed to the AKL in December! This will be our second trip to stay there, DD10 was 2 then and doesn't remember it!

We couldn't get in the CL but we did get a Savannah view with bunk beds... Hope it is nice... Seems hard to find info on that particular room type.

We are considering buying in a DVC, first we have to get rid of the timeshares we have now that we never go to!! We should have a DVC since we usually make one DIsney trip every year and sometimes 2!! CAn we just wander over and look at the AKV?

We already have MVMCP, Waynama Safari, Hoop Dee DOo and a bunch of excellent ADRs booked. All fingers are crossed hoping to get Le Cellier for a CP on the 12th when we are hoping to see Steven Curtis Chapman at Candlelight Processional!

I am drooling looking at the pictures of those Zebra DOmes!! I am making a list of food and drinks I want to try this trip!! ZEBRA DOMES are no. 1!!

 

[bas71873]

OK, welll I feel a little better about the busses. We aren't even going to Epcot this trip because of Food & Wine (short trip, we'll hit Epcot another time), so is giving myself an hour to get to RD at DHS & AK enough time in October?

 

[PNO4TE]

Can we join in the fun here?? We're headed to the AKL in December!

 

[PNO4TE]

OK, welll I feel a little better about the busses. We aren't even going to Epcot this trip because of Food & Wine (short trip, we'll hit Epcot another time), so is giving myself an hour to get to RD at DHS & AK enough time in October?

I would think that an hour ought to give you plenty of time to get to AK. WE don't often go to DHS so I am not the best one to ask about that one, but I can't imagine it would take more than an hour.

 

[zoie101]

At the 24 day mark, headed to Richmond to the nascar race then to Daytona to the beach for 2 days the to AKL Cl for 10 blissful days then to pop for 4 days. Trying to deceide whether to do Discovery cove as well, any one have any thoughts?

 

[lissiesmum]

OK, welll I feel a little better about the busses. We aren't even going to Epcot this trip because of Food & Wine (short trip, we'll hit Epcot another time), so is giving myself an hour to get to RD at DHS & AK enough time in October?

Hi bas71873! Nice to see you on my favorite thread! Did you end up booking a dinner at Boma during your trip? I'm so excited for you...your trip is right around the corner! I think an hour will be enough time for AK and DHS. Every time I've gone to have dinner at Boma from the MK resorts, I gave myself about an hour and 1/4, and was always there in plenty of time. Did you end up requesting a certain floor for your pool view?

 

[wendypooh]

....he definitely is feeling a little less discomfort - he, my middle DS, and my middle DS's friend were just playing Bean Boozled, a Jelly Belly bean game that my middle DS bought at Hogsmeade in IoA....there are some PRETTY GROSS jelly beans in there....!!

....not only was it so ridiculous to be standing, but we were packed in like sardines....NEVER had we ever had any problems with buses at AKL....

LOL - DS had those Bertie Bots from Harry Potter and OMG they ARE disgusting!!! I'm glad he's feeling better - it stinks - I know!!! DS broke his leg last year a day or two before school started - crashed his bike, and the year before that - broke his arm the second week of school in P.E. ---- boys............

I know - the busses were packed going to Saratoga - I thank God we were on the first stop - I said in my mini trippie - that DH HATED SSR and if we hadn't been on the first bus stop - he'd have gone completely crazy. That said though, at AKL we've NEVER had a bus issue.

Can we join in the fun here?? We're headed to the AKL in December! This will be our second trip to stay there, DD10 was 2 then and doesn't remember it!

We couldn't get in the CL but we did get a Savannah view with bunk beds... Hope it is nice... Seems hard to find info on that particular room type.

We are considering buying in a DVC, first we have to get rid of the timeshares we have now that we never go to!! We should have a DVC since we usually make one DIsney trip every year and sometimes 2!! CAn we just wander over and look at the AKV?

We already have MVMCP, Waynama Safari, Hoop Dee DOo and a bunch of excellent ADRs booked. All fingers are crossed hoping to get Le Cellier for a CP on the 12th when we are hoping to see Steven Curtis Chapman at Candlelight Processional!

I am drooling looking at the pictures of those Zebra DOmes!! I am making a list of food and drinks I want to try this trip!! ZEBRA DOMES are no. 1!!

Hello, Hello!!! Welcome - when we first started staying at the lodge, we always got a BB-Sav view room - they are GREAT - you'll like it!!!

Also, if you buy DVC there, then we'll be neighbors!!! We LOVE it so much - we had too buy in.............

AND Yes, absolutely you can go over to Kidani and look around - there is usually a golf cart that will drive you over and bring you back - but, if not, it's a very short walk. Make sure to visit Community Hall and the Library - walk down to Sanaa and make sure you go over to the DVC attendant in the lobby - ask if you can see the 1BR - OMG you will FLIP - it is breath taking - that's why we'll be there in Dec!!!!! YAY

If you have any other questions - ask away - we are a friendly bunch and don't usually bite!!! LOL

 

[eelkmj01]

I hope you don't mind if i join in this fun!!! As you can tell from my signature, we are AKL/V nuts, and every trip is spent there. We have contemplated other resorts, but Jambo and Kidani always seem to triumph...for every reason expressed in this thread. I'm so glad that there is a group that loves this resort as much as my family does!!!

 

[TruBlu]

How often to the golf carts run over to Kandi? I'm wondering if it would be worth it for us to take a golf cart over there to get on the bus. It is really important for me to have a seat because of my recent surgery. Since they stop there first, I'm afraid we'll be standing every time.

 

[wendypooh]

I hope you don't mind if i join in this fun!!! As you can tell from my signature, we are AKL/V nuts, and every trip is spent there. We have contemplated other resorts, but Jambo and Kidani always seem to triumph...for every reason expressed in this thread. I'm so glad that there is a group that loves this resort as much as my family does!!!

Of course you can join in.......... glad to have a fellow AKL/KV lover amongst us!!!

 

[wendypooh]

How often to the golf carts run over to Kandi? I'm wondering if it would be worth it for us to take a golf cart over there to get on the bus. It is really important for me to have a seat because of my recent surgery. Since they stop there first, I'm afraid we'll be standing every time.

I believe they run up till 4/4:30 - not sure about how frequently though, however, when we were ready to leave Kidani, we walked out and the cart wasn't there, so the attendant out there told me to ask the check - in desk to call for one.......... so,that's always a possibility for you. BUT, I'd plan on going over there early, since I am pretty sure they told me they stop at 4 - 4:30 ish...........

 

[lissiesmum]

So I've been looking for posts/pics of the Uzima and Sunset Savannahs and have found some posts from 2009 that there were zebras on the Sunset Savannah...but there are no zebras on Sunset anymore, correct? Zebras are only on Arusha, right?

 

[jerlove]

I figured I would join in on the fun here now as well. My family and I have become Disney adicts and for the last 2 years we have stayed at a value but made sure we made a trip over both times to visit the AKL. We fell in love with it and this year we decided to splurge and stay there.

We are all looking forward to being there and experiencing it as a guest of the resort as oposed to a gawker from the value resorts..

 

[bas71873]

Hi bas71873! Nice to see you on my favorite thread! Did you end up booking a dinner at Boma during your trip? I'm so excited for you...your trip is right around the corner! I think an hour will be enough time for AK and DHS. Every time I've gone to have dinner at Boma from the MK resorts, I gave myself about an hour and 1/4, and was always there in plenty of time. Did you end up requesting a certain floor for your pool view?

No ressie at Boma. I don't think my dad would enjoy it. The only TS meals I booked (since we are doing the QSDP) is Chef Mickey for Saturday night since AK closes at 5:00 and The Plaza at MK on Sunday at 4:20 (that's ONLY because of the rumors flying that this year we won't be able to get in MK at 4:00 with MNSSHP party tickets UNLESS you have a dinner ressie, so I made that one. If rumor proves false, I'll cancel. Can't waste precious MK time eating).

Haven't done a floor request yet, but I was told that the 3rd & 4th floors in the 2nd pod away from the lobby have good pool views, so I need to call and do that, but waiting for the hype of the recent discounts that just released to die down

 

[left_arm]

What better way to stop "earning my ears" than with a post here?

I'm not going to lie, everytime someone posts zebra dome pictures, I get a little ticked off. I sit less than six weeks from my first opportunity to consume one of those marvelous looking morsels. I have no clue what they taste like, but I am struck with hunger pangs at the sight of them. I long for them and suffer because I cannot have one. All of you show offs increasingly frustrate my tastebuds with confusion. Alas, I am left to sit and wonder!

Seriously though, I was not able to have a CL room and use a discount for our trip. I know it is not due to a lack of rooms, because I have checked and seen availability for our dates. My only hope is to ask for an upgrade when we get there. Will they charge just the cost of the normal difference? Or will I lose the discount and be charged rack rate?

The morning safari (when I was in third grade, I was amongst the last five standing at the school spelling bee. I was given the word 'safari,' but unfortunately spelled it with an extra 'f.' I don't think I could ever spell it wrong again!) sounds really neat. If we can get upgraded to CL, what is the likelihood there will be space available during our trip?

 

[Harlemgirl720]

At the 24 day mark, headed to Richmond to the nascar race then to Daytona to the beach for 2 days the to AKL Cl for 10 blissful days then to pop for 4 days. Trying to deceide whether to do Discovery cove as well, any one have any thoughts?

We did Discovery Cove 2 years ago and it was well worth it. They only allow up to 1000 people a day. I doubt it even gets that crowded. Continental Breakfast and a hot lunch. Unlimited drinks. Beer, Juice, coffee. Everything is included. Did the dolphin swim. My son loved it. They provide sunscreen, lotion and any toiletries you may need. Took a nice shower before heading out. Stood amongst the stingrays. Swam in the reef. It was so beautiful. Went to the bird aviary and fed the birds. they fly on your arm when you have a cup full of food in your hand. Took almost 250 pics. I purchased photos and video of the dolphin experience. Its like photo pass. Take as many pictures as you want and they add it to your photo package.