It's NEVER Too Late, for Number 8 - the most UNOFFICIAL, 'official' AKL thread yet!

[Flossbolna]

Thank you so much!
Now I'm wondering if we should book the AKV studio, or keep the pool view room? I'm thinking that it would be nice to have breakfast in the room each day (maybe going to SuperTarget or Publix? Or just enjoy the food on site? I LOVE African foods, and DS and DH eat just about anything. We have so much to do, and it's such a short stay (4 nights).
AKL looks so amazing, I may not want to go to MK or Epcot!

Have a look at this map: http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php

All the villas in the Ostrich and Giraffe trail are classified as "value" - these rooms are smaller. From what you posted I understand that you could not book a value villa as a cash reservation and this makes sense as these are very popular for DVCers as they cost less points.

All the pool view villas (including those along the lobby that RachelTori mentioned) are standard view. There are also some other villas that are classified as standard view - mainly those at the end of the savanna which have a limited savanna view. So in the end a standard view studio most likely will get you the same view as the pool view room.

However, maybe you might be able to book a savanna view villa by renting points from a DVC member which might be more economic than a cash reservation.

 

[czmom]

So excited!!! We just booked a studio at AKV in December.

I have a few quick questions:

We will be staying 6 nights, so I know we will have trash and towel service on day 4. I am assuming that it is exactly that....take out the trash and give us new towels, right? What about restocking toiletries or paper plates, bowls, etc. Do they do that on day 4 as well?

If we want to be at each park at rope drop, would leaving our room at 8 AM for 9:00 openings work? Obviously it could be a little later for AK.

I am looking forward to seeing this gorgeous resort in person! And decorated for Christmas!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

We always received new toiletries and new coffee, etc on Trash and Towel day. We have never used any of the plates, etc. so I cannot comment on this.

Corinna

 

[Itinkso]

DD has called AKL and has our 30th anniversary and 4th floor room request noted. Does everyone still suggest that we need to call again 10 days or so prior to check-in to again request the 4th floor?
Also, is it possible to be on a wait-list for a CL room?

 

[dgbg100106]

DD has called AKL and has our 30th anniversary and 4th floor room request noted. Does everyone still suggest that we need to call again 10 days or so prior to check-in to again request the 4th floor?
Also, is it possible to be on a wait-list for a CL room?

Yes you can waitlist for CL... Just call and ask to be placed on it..

 

[Itinkso]

Yes you can waitlist for CL... Just call and ask to be placed on it..

Thank you! The CM I spoke to didn't suggest that even when I mentioned we had hoped to book CL. We'll keep trying!

 

[John's Mom]

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Hey everyone!
We're scheduled to be at AKL Jambo this December in a studio! This is our DD's (almost 3) first trip and I'm wondering if anyone has had luck with using the pack'n'play in the room? And I can't remember if the bathroom area is a little privatized (is that a word?) where we could put her over there for nap time. I've heard there's some rooms around that even have a curtain in the area.
TIA!!

 

[HugeHabsFan]

We wanted to surprise the kids by staying at Animal Kingdom. The plan was that we wouldn't tell them until we were arriving AT Animal Kingdom. Silly me, I completely forgot that "AK" would be plastered all over our luggage tags and of course the Magical Express "tickets". Any ideas as to how I can put this one past my kids? My son (10) probably wouldn't notice...my daughter (13), however, you can't get much past her.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[HugeHabsFan]

I'm full of questions today!

What are the breakfast options at AKL? Since this is our first trip there, I'm wondering if there is a quick stop of a restaurant that we could pick up a bit of breakfast - muffins, cereal, oatmeal, that kind of thing?

 

[dolphingirl47]

I'm full of questions today!

What are the breakfast options at AKL? Since this is our first trip there, I'm wondering if there is a quick stop of a restaurant that we could pick up a bit of breakfast - muffins, cereal, oatmeal, that kind of thing?

Mara is the counter service restaurant at AKL. It is near the pool. They do all kinds of breakfast platters, but also have a grab and go section where you can get the type of things you mentioned. The other breakfast option is Boma, which is a full-blown buffet.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

We wanted to surprise the kids by staying at Animal Kingdom. The plan was that we wouldn't tell them until we were arriving AT Animal Kingdom. Silly me, I completely forgot that "AK" would be plastered all over our luggage tags and of course the Magical Express "tickets". Any ideas as to how I can put this one past my kids? My son (10) probably wouldn't notice...my daughter (13), however, you can't get much past her.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

Hmmm, maybe put the tags on at the last minute before checking your luggage. But, they'll probably catch on when you get on the DME bus because you have to get in a line that has the resort's picture/name.

 

[Itinkso]

We wanted to surprise the kids by staying at Animal Kingdom. The plan was that we wouldn't tell them until we were arriving AT Animal Kingdom. Silly me, I completely forgot that "AK" would be plastered all over our luggage tags and of course the Magical Express "tickets". Any ideas as to how I can put this one past my kids? My son (10) probably wouldn't notice...my daughter (13), however, you can't get much past her.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

Maybe a one-day, one-way car rental? You can drop off a National-Alamo car at the Dolphin...tell the kids you really need a rental this trip etc...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[kimmar067]

We wanted to surprise the kids by staying at Animal Kingdom. The plan was that we wouldn't tell them until we were arriving AT Animal Kingdom. Silly me, I completely forgot that "AK" would be plastered all over our luggage tags and of course the Magical Express "tickets". Any ideas as to how I can put this one past my kids? My son (10) probably wouldn't notice...my daughter (13), however, you can't get much past her.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

....I'm surprised that they are allowing you to stay IN a park.....

 

[HugeHabsFan]

....I'm surprised that they are allowing you to stay IN a park.....

Good one!!

 

[HugeHabsFan]

Maybe a one-day, one-way car rental? You can drop off a National-Alamo car at the Dolphin...tell the kids you really need a rental this trip etc...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Hmmm, maybe put the tags on at the last minute before checking your luggage. But, they'll probably catch on when you get on the DME bus because you have to get in a line that has the resort's picture/name.

Thanks very much for the ideas! I think, Pinkocto, you have the right idea. I was just talking to my girlfriend and she suggested the same. I'd even be happy if we got as far as the DME lines until they caught on...if I'm lucky, maybe we can swing that past them too.

 

[HugeHabsFan]

Mara is the counter service restaurant at AKL. It is near the pool. They do all kinds of breakfast platters, but also have a grab and go section where you can get the type of things you mentioned. The other breakfast option is Boma, which is a full-blown buffet.

Corinna

Thank you Corinna! That sounds perfect. I'd like to keep it fairly reasonable for breakfast. We'll probably bring a few things with us, and I may even consider having some groceries delivered, as I think it would end up cheaper in the long run. For some reason I have a real "thing" with paying for breakfast for four for seven days, lol.

 

[John's Mom]

Hey everyone!
We're scheduled to be at AKL Jambo this December in a studio! This is our DD's (almost 3) first trip and I'm wondering if anyone has had luck with using the pack'n'play in the room? And I can't remember if the bathroom area is a little privatized (is that a word?) where we could put her over there for nap time. I've heard there's some rooms around that even have a curtain in the area.
TIA!!

Amanda - I think the pack and play should fit in the area next to the sinks. There are no curtains in front of that area.

 

[Sue M]

The Sunrise Safari is wonderful -- the hard part is getting your family up and ready to go before 7am!! The breakfast after the Safari is wonderful and the guides stay and join the group for the meal so it's a great opportunity to speak with them and have any questions answered!

The breakfast service at AKL-CL is terrific! Hot oatmeal, quinoa, cold cereals, danish, pastries, fruits, yogurt, juices, milk. Coffees, teas - their coffee machine is fabulous!

At noon, they put out snacks -- pretzels, potato chips, gummies...... We usually plan an ADR for lunch since there isn't much offered in the club lounge.

3pm is Tea Time -- cookies, brownies, scones.

5-7pm is when the appetizers come out. Breads/hummus; cheese/crackers; cold veggie selection and 1 or 2 (usually 2) appetizers from Boma & Jiko. There is also wine and beer (along with soft drinks & juices).

8-10pm is desserts and cordials. They have a new, wonderful pastry chef who is making some desserts ONLY for the Club Lounge! Other desserts would be offerings from Boma -- although Zebra Domes are no longer offered in the Club Lounge.

These desserts were a pumpkin mousse and pumpkin cheesecake - heavenly!

That's all I have time for. I am leaving at 6am tomorrow (Sunday) morning on a business trip. Must pack and get some sleep!

Oh yum. I stopped by for some Friday Zebra Domes, but this was so much better, lol! Bought back all my memories of that wonderful lounge, love the coffee machine and the food was fantastic.

 

[prairiesarah]

Our DME tags arrived yesterday - only 31 days now! I cannot wait to arrive at the AKL. I have never been and am so excited. When DH and I were on our honeymoon 11 years ago at the WL, AKL had just opened but we didn't have a chance to go check it out. I had been postponing booking until we knew when our ds's Christmas concert was at school and I happened to luck out the day I was booking and was able to get a Value 1 Bedroom with a RO discount. I am sure DH is going to sick of my daily countdown update by the time we go!