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

[luvfigment]

no problem - it's as simple as copy and paste
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Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is exclusive to concierge guests staying at our resort. It is offered on Thursdays and Sundays. The safari starts at 6:30 A.M. if the park opens at 8 A.M. & it starts at 7:30 A.M. if the park opens at 9 A.M.. You would meet in the concierge lounge at 6:15 A.M. or 6:45 A.M., depending on park hours & will check-in at the concierge desk. The concierge will scan your park admission into the park which is required to participate in this experience. An animal programs cast member will be meeting our guests in the Sunset Overlook to give a run down of the morning's activities. You will then take a private bus, which will go through some of the backstage areas at Disney's Animal Kingdom. You will then walk over to the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction and board the first jeep onto the savanna. You will be able to ask the animal programs cast member questions and there will be frequent stops for you to take pictures. The safari will last from 45 minutes to 1 hour long. Afterwards, you will head over to the Tusker House Schoolroom where there will be a delicious breakfast buffet that awaits you. While you are enjoying your breakfast, there will be cultural representatives from Africa to answer any questions you have about their country or about Disney's Animal Kingdom. Afterwards, you will be issued a FASTPASS to go back on the Kilimanjaro Safari & compare it to your previous safari. You are free to go about your day, at this point. If you would like to go back to the resort, you will take the regular bus back. The cost is $55.00 for adults and $27.50 for children 3 to 9. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. The unpaved roads of Harambe Wildlife Reserve pass through rough and rugged terrain. For your safety you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride. If you have special needs (wheelchair or ECV) or dietary needs, please let us know so that we may accommodate you.

As of 10/01/06 Wanyama is open to all Animal Kingdom Guest**Mom,Wed,Fri and Sat…Concierge guest $160.00 *** Non Club level guest $210.00 Child 8-9 yr $80.00.

Wanyama Safari is an approximately 1 and a half hour safari experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge where a guest will experience a re-creation of a true African afternoon game drive. An opportunity to spend time with members from the Lodge animal programs team in a very personal environment. Learning about the natural history and management of the animal collection at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Incredible photo opportunities of the animals and architecture of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge that can only be experienced from our savannas . Your safari will conclude with a true African dining experience at JIKO, just like the lodges in Africa where a multi-course meal will await you which may include a wine pairing. You will be greeted in the Kilimanjaro lounge around 4:00 p.m.. Safaris will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Guests must be 8 years of age or older. The price for the experience is $160 per person for guests 10 and up and $80 per person 8 or 9 years old. Tax and gratuity included as well as a small contribution to the Disney Conservation Fund. 48 hour cancellation policy does apply so a credit card is required at time of booking. Wanyama Safari is not guaranteed with a Concierge Room but is an exclusive offering to concierge guests. Admission is limited to 14 Guests and can be reserved 180 days in advance of arrival.

The Wildlife Discover Excursion takes the Kilimanjaro safari experience to the next level. Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the beaten path of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve for a unique animal observation and photo excursion. Led by a seasoned Safari Guide and an Animal expert, this adventure takes you off the Safari trail, stopping at special observation and photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve. The tour takes place every day at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. Guest meet at Mombassa Marketplace 15 minutes prior to the tour. It can accommodate up to 14 guests who must be age 3 and older. Payment is taken at time of booking. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Cost is $45.00 per person. You spend about an hour our on the trail slipping between ride vehicles of the Kilimanjaro Safari and stopping to view and photograph the animals. The vehicle is climate controlled. Guest may stand up in the vehicle (there are hand holds all over the vehicle). It is a great chance to get a different perspective on the Kilimanjaro Safari. You may take non concierge guests with you on this experience.

***All prices are subject to change without notice***

The Sunrise Safari, Wanyama Safari, Wildlife Discovery Excursion are not included in any dining package

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There you go - Hope it helps

Thank you so much...now to make the decision.

 

[JennyMominRI]

What dates are you going? We got a great discount too. We will be there Dec 10-14. Right now we have a pool view w/bunk beds, but after I told DH what I did (switched from POP to AKL) he wants Savannah view! I have to call & see if there are any available & what the price difference would be.

BTW, DH is a smoker--can you even get a smoking room with a Savannah view? I told him I didn't think you could because of the animals.

I get there the day you leave. I will be their the 15th-23rd..
There will probably still be Savannah Views available for you.I would think they would have smoking savannah views.

 

[glewis1123]

BTW, DH is a smoker--can you even get a smoking room with a Savannah view? I told him I didn't think you could because of the animals.

There are smoking optional savannah rooms or at least there were on our last trip to AKL 2 years ago - the thing is is that you are NOT ALLOWED to smoke on the balcony because of the animals. Should a cigarette butt accidentally fall into the savannah and be ingested by one of the animals or possibly starting a fire.

 

[d4est]

Thanks for the info. I guess I will call today & see what's available & what the cost will be.

 

[brookelizabeth]

...yes, I quite agree that Kona Cafe DOES have excellent coffee....however, you should try a pressed pot o'coffee while at Boma - it is really good!

I've had a very busy week and just now finally catching up on the thread!

Thanks Kimmar, I have made a mental note of this! Maybe our next trip will be our coffee-tasting trip... DH is a coffee lover too!

 

[ugadog99]

Can you tell me your dates, how many people (child or adult), and what kind of ticket you booked? I might just be interested in swapping to concierge if the difference is around the $200 mark. Thanks!

I got the wonderful code and booked the AKL for 8 nights in December with the dining plan..It would be 200$ more total if I switched my room to concierge... Is it worth my while to switch to concierge with all of the food I would get on the DP?

Just so you know,I probably would not book the sunrise savannah..I am so not a morning person and out of consideration to the other guests,I won't ruin their tour.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Just curious...

Where do people get these 'pin codes' and also, do they offer free dining every September? So if you book now in Sept. you are automatically offered the free dining?

 

[Tinkaroo]

Just curious...

Where do people get these 'pin codes' and also, do they offer free dining every September? So if you book now in Sept. you are automatically offered the free dining?

Pin codes are randomly awarded to people. Some have received e-mails or postcards offering them the current 40% off promotion, but some people would have never known they had one if they didn't just call CRO and ask. That would be my suggestion - call and ask an agent if you have a pin code or 40% off promotion attached to your name, your DH's name, address, etc. No one knows how these are awarded, but it's like winning the lottery if you get one!

Disney has offered the free dining promotion for the last two Septembers (hurricane season). They were just doing an offer (I believe it has already ended) called a "bounce back" promotion, that if you booked a return stay to Disney for this September while on property during a current WDW stay, they would give you free dining. To my knowledge, that has been the only instance of free dining for this year.

 

[SharonLowe]

This is the same information we received.....And thank you SharonLowe, we read some of your post about the one bedroom suites with interest, after reading your post we decided to change our reservations to two standard concierge rooms, saving us almost $300.00 and we will have two full bathrooms
JC

I hope you get a good view. I must say the one bedroom suite was the only time I was disappointed in my choice of AKL. We were celebrating 3 birthdays while there that time, mine included, and I was so upset, I cried - silly I know, but I am so used to Disney magic that I couldn't believe we had such a horrible room (and their first "fix" was to take my DS (age 20 at the time) out of a gorgeous deluxe wonderful savannah view room on the 5th floor and move him next to us to a yucky view, standard room on the 2nd floor, while telling us they were moving him to a better room!!).

Make sure you ask for connecting rooms and a savannah view room.

 

[Dis Ohana]

I'd cry too if I paid that much money and got such a bad room. I'm concerned now..I thought I was so lucky when I was able to book a 1-bedroom suite, the CM told me it was the last one and there aren't many available. The savannah view is the main reason we chose this resort. Are all 1-bedroom locations bad, or are there better ones we could request? I might just cancel this and go for the 2 connecting...

 

[SharonLowe]

I'd cry too if I paid that much money and got such a bad room. I'm concerned now..I thought I was so lucky when I was able to book a 1-bedroom suite, the CM told me it was the last one and there aren't many available. The savannah view is the main reason we chose this resort. Are all 1-bedroom locations bad, or are there better ones we could request? I might just cancel this and go for the 2 connecting...

I answered you on the other thread - yes, they are all that bad. If you have never stayed at AKL, you might think they are okay but they aren't. Go for the connecting rooms if you can and ask for Arusha Savannah.

 

[pooksma]

We have booked a Savannah view room, is there anywhere we DONT want to be???

 

[kimmar067]

....Disney has offered the free dining promotion for the last two Septembers (hurricane season). They were just doing an offer (I believe it has already ended) called a "bounce back" promotion, that if you booked a return stay to Disney for this September while on property during a current WDW stay, they would give you free dining. To my knowledge, that has been the only instance of free dining for this year.

...last year's free dining offer, which actually began in AUGUST was to promote 'sagging' sales, due to 2005's losses and last-minute cancellations from the extrememly bad hurricane season and the anticipated 2006 hurricane season...those of you who went during the summer of 2006 (myself included!) really lucked out from this deal....

 

[Poohbear123]

I will be there Next Sunday, any chance on being up-graded for my Birthday, or should I not bother?

 

[d4est]

I just called & upgraded to a Savannah veiw with bunk beds. Is there any request I should put in to have a nice view?

 

[glewis1123]

I just called & upgraded to a Savannah veiw with bunk beds. Is there any request I should put in to have a nice view?

My favorite is Zebra Trail - animals are Zebra, Giraffe, Ankole Cattle, and I think Elands but not sure of the correct name I may be wrong on that one, and some birds.

 

[d4est]

Thanks! That sounds great! The only request I have made is to be near an elevator as I have a bad knee.

 

[pkdof]

Just dug out the souvenir menu:

three African dips and bread
Jiko Appetizer platter: Lentil Pastillas w/ sweet & sour sauce, open maise & sweet potato tamales w/ white truffle oil, lamb patis w/ mint-cilantro chutney, shrimp balchao

Jiko sorbet w/ Hanger ONE vodka

Family style dinner served to share (enough for a portion of each for everyone at the table): oak roasted filet of beef w/ mac & cheese and red wine sauce; chermoula basted and roasted tanglewood chicken w/mashpotaotes, olives, roasted garlic, preserved lemons, and harissa; pan-roasted pacific halibut w/ vegetables of the moment and tomato beurre blanc

Jiko Dessert Platter (I remember an awesome creme brulee)

There was also a white wine, a red wine, and a dessert wine. When it was all over, I went up to take a nap before going to see Wishes and never made it!

Tiggrbaby, thank you so much - the menu sounds amazing. Less than 2 months to go!

 

[d4est]

Thanks! That sounds great! The only request I have made is to be near an elevator as I have a bad knee.

 

[FutureSailor]

I have read quite a few trip reports by people staying in bunkbed rooms that connect to another room. I have a savannah view bunkbed room booked for our upcoming trip, and I'm just wondering what the chances are that our room will have a door that connects to another room. Not a huge big deal, but I travel a lot and try to stay away from connecting rooms if possible, just because of the possibility that the people staying in the other room might be loud, especially at night.

Should I expect to get a room with a connecting door?

Thanks!