JAMBO! The UN-official AKL Thread ~ UPDATED(short film/pg 8 & slideshow/pg 12) Part 2

[Oh_the_anticipation!]

Hi!

I just saw an advertisement on the DISboard about the "unofficial" town car service that is available directly to your hotel (w/30 minute grocery stop if you want) for $65.00 and wondered if anyone has ever done this versus riding the ME BUS and does it save you any time? The grocery stop does sound appealing, since I could buy bottled water and a few other things, but wondered if the town car is worth it TIME WISE if we DON'T go to the grocery store? How long would the ME bus take to get to the AKL? Any info or suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

Tracy in Ohio
How about those OSU Buckeyes????

 

[Viki]

Hi!

I just saw an advertisement on the DISboard about the "unofficial" town car service that is available directly to your hotel (w/30 minute grocery stop if you want) for $65.00 and wondered if anyone has ever done this versus riding the ME BUS and does it save you any time? The grocery stop does sound appealing, since I could buy bottled water and a few other things, but wondered if the town car is worth it TIME WISE if we DON'T go to the grocery store? How long would the ME bus take to get to the AKL? Any info or suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

Tracy in Ohio
How about those OSU Buckeyes????

Taking any other form of transportation other than ME is going to get you to AKL faster. It's hard to say how much time. For us, this last time, whe we did NOT take ME, comparing it to when we took ME the time before, I would say it saved us an hour. Only you know if that's worth it.

We have been picked up by transportation which has then taken us to the supermarket and have greatly enjoyed it when we are staying DVC.

 

[Oh_the_anticipation!]

Thanks, Viki!

I am going to call both the ME and town car service for estimated transportation times from airport to AKL. I think the grocery stop may be good, but the bottom line is that I want to get to the AKL/Parks ASAP!!!

If I decide to do the town car, can ME still take our luggage? Would I still have to stop at the ME check-in to let them know we are not riding, but our luggage is?

 

[Viki]

Thanks, Viki!

I am going to call both the ME and town car service for estimated transportation times from airport to AKL. I think the grocery stop may be good, but the bottom line is that I want to get to the AKL/Parks ASAP!!!

If I decide to do the town car, can ME still take our luggage? Would I still have to stop at the ME check-in to let them know we are not riding, but our luggage is?

Oooh, I'm clueless. When we did ME we did it "straight," let ME handle our luggage and them make all the stops in between, finally making it to AKL (last stop) and then waiting 3+ hours for the luggage.

Can someone else help?

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I knew I was spending too much time reading this thread when I had a dream last night that I got a horrible savannah view at AKL. In my dream, we kept calling the Front Desk to say we had an awful view where we couldn't see any animals (And by "we", I mean myself and the cast of Grey's Anatomy, who were apparently on vacation with me.) and the front desk kept telling us that they didn't have anywhere else to move us, and the view was fine.

My favorite part was that people on the ground floor could just walk right out their room doors and onto the savannah! I want THAT room!

 

[John's Mom]

Thanks, Viki!

I am going to call both the ME and town car service for estimated transportation times from airport to AKL. I think the grocery stop may be good, but the bottom line is that I want to get to the AKL/Parks ASAP!!!

If I decide to do the town car, can ME still take our luggage? Would I still have to stop at the ME check-in to let them know we are not riding, but our luggage is?

Last December we used ME. From the time we arrived at the airport until we got to the AKL, it was 1 1/2 hours. If you decide to use a towncar, you still must check in with ME and let them know. Is it worth the extra money for the towncar in order to make a stop at a store?

 

[disneytraveler]

Oh i just learned the CP speaker for Dec6-8 is Brian Dennehy.

 

[Cass]

Oh I love him, you lucky duck!

We get Mike Seaver

 

[disneytraveler]

Oh I love him, you lucky duck!

We get Mike Seaver

Lol yea Brian is a great actor.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I knew I was spending too much time reading this thread when I had a dream last night that I got a horrible savannah view at AKL. In my dream, we kept calling the Front Desk to say we had an awful view where we couldn't see any animals (And by "we", I mean myself and the cast of Grey's Anatomy, who were apparently on vacation with me.) and the front desk kept telling us that they didn't have anywhere else to move us, and the view was fine.

My favorite part was that people on the ground floor could just walk right out their room doors and onto the savannah! I want THAT room!

I had a very similar dream! I dreamt that my fiance and I arrived, then got upgraded to a savannah room, but the view was bad with the people pens. We just moved back to our booked pool room. When I woke up and realized I had dreamt this I knew I was just a tad obsessed!

 

[Dusted]

Love the dreams! I usually just dream I am in MK, and trying to absorb it all...

Sounds like the stressed out bride syndrome.

Could that make a good thread? Disney dreams??

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I knew I was spending too much time reading this thread when I had a dream last night that I got a horrible savannah view at AKL. In my dream, we kept calling the Front Desk to say we had an awful view where we couldn't see any animals (And by "we", I mean myself and the cast of Grey's Anatomy, who were apparently on vacation with me.) and the front desk kept telling us that they didn't have anywhere else to move us, and the view was fine.

My favorite part was that people on the ground floor could just walk right out their room doors and onto the savannah! I want THAT room!

Walked right out on the savannah.. Your dream is cracking me up.

 

[shyjade]

Jen(shyjade) not sure if you have left yet, but hope you & dd have a wonderful time! Look forward to hearing about your trip

We're back!! It was a rushed 4 days but lots of fun and we're completely exhausted (in a good way). It will take me some time to catch up here at work before I can put together a trip report and post photos, but if anyone has questions...ask away!

We liked AKL, although we had a not-so-magical start (they put us in a DIRTY room!!) The room had been cleaned previously but the room hadn't been used in quite some time. It was so dusty/dirty that we were kicking up dirt just by moving around! There was gunk on the top of the fridge & nightstand (even dead bugs). The dust was so think on everything, even the the towels had dust on them! We headed right to Epcot and on the way out I very nicely asked the gentleman standing around in the lobby (sort of watching over the front desk) if this was normal; he said absolutely not and that he'd get someone to take care of it right away.

Fast forward 5 hours and it still wasn't clean. I didn't want to unpack my things because it was so dirty in there. We went to dinner at Boma and when we returned, still dirty. I went to the front desk to ask to speak to a manager. I had to explain the story again, the desk clerk went in back, came out and said the housekeeping supervisor would be out in a few minutes to talk to us. By this time I was very frustrated and sick of wasting time waiting on them so I asked that the supervisor meet us at the room so she could see the filth for herself. A few minutes later she appeared and agreed it was very dirty and apologized and decided to move us to a "clean" room.

We were then moved to a Savannah room on the Kudo Trail. One might think this "upgrade" would be wonderful but no, it wasn't. It was such a long walk to our room and the view was terrible. Yes, you guessed it...directly above the People Pen. And I didn't mind that, but the only time we ever saw animals on that savannah was around feeding time in the evening, then they marched off! So basically our view was of an empty savannah. I'd MUCH rather have stayed in the 1st floor pool view room; not much of a view but not such a long hike. We felt very deserted on that savannah and would never pay for a savannah view after staying where we did.

I kept reading about how incredibly friendly everyone was there but we never got that "warm fuzzy" feeling. In fact, we really had no interaction with any CM's after that (unless you could the CM's in the gift shop and Mara).

Overall, it was a really beautiful hotel but maybe the hype just had me expecting more from this deluxe hotel. Other than the beauty, it sure didn't offer much in the way of superior service.

I'll post more later...

 

[Cass]

awww shyjade, that's terrible about the dirty room and them taking so long to deal with it.

Did your DD8 like the lodge? how were the buses?

 

[kimmar067]

Sunrise Safari
This tour is exclusive to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kilimanjaro Club Level Concierge Guests only.

Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the beaten path. During this approximately two hour experience, guests will take a 30 minute safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. Guests will have the opportunity to learn more in-depth about how we manage and care for the animals, the grounds and operation.

After the ride, guests will be treated to a lavish breakfast buffet at the Tusker House Restaurant.

Additional Information:

Can only be booked by Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Itinerary Planning Office
Tour is offered Sundays and Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. The Safari starts around 7:30 a.m.
Subject to availability.
Park Admission is required and is not included in the cost of the tour.
Breakfast (including gratuity) are included in the cost of the tour.
Transportation is provided to the Safari, however guests will need to utilize existing Disney transportation to return to the Resort.
Sunrise Safari is not available to Club Level guests at other Resorts
Sunrise Safari is not included in the Platinum Plan package
Sunrise Safari is not guaranteed with a Club Level Concierge Roms or Suites
Tour is limited to 40 Guests and can be reserved 90 days in advance of arrival date.
To make a reservation, please call the Kilimanjaro Club Itinerary Planning Office at (407) 938-4755

 

[shyjade]

My DD8 did love the lodge, minus the problems we had (which kept her from being able to swim or explore the resort the first night).

The busses were great!! We never waited more than 10 minutes and we rode the busses A LOT! The only "crowded" bus we were on was one night coming back from MK as the fireworks were ending. But some really nice dads were giving up their seats to standing children which I thought was very appreciated. The bus service was awesome!!

 

[Oh_the_anticipation!]

I arrive at AKL on Saturday and I sure hope I don't have the same experience as shyjade. What an awful impression that would be for my friend and her kids from Brazil. Especially after traveling for almost 15 hours!

I'll be sure to have my "cannons" nicely loaded, but hope I don't have to use them!

 

[kimmar067]

I arrive at AKL on Saturday and I sure hope I don't have the same experience as shyjade. What an awful impression that would be for my friend and her kids from Brazil. Especially after traveling for almost 15 hours!

I'll be sure to have my "cannons" nicely loaded, but hope I don't have to use them!

.....

 

[disneytraveler]

Sorry to see that your room was not cleaned Skyjade. Certainly does not seem right. To bad your upgrade did not provide enough of a view also.

The buses are good thats for sure.
I am glad your dd8 like the lodge.


When i checked in at the checkin desk, the desk clerk gave me the wrong
meal plan brochure . She gave me the Magic your way dining brochure even though my card said, ''Platimum plan''. This also happened at the Pop
Century with the premium plan last year.

 

[John's Mom]

Jambo, Kim! How are you doing?

Kathy