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

[PlutosFriend]

Don't worry - they have magic pooper scoopers that clean it up before the animals even do it plus they are only allowed to do that at night

Ahhh! Gotta love that Disney magic

 

[kimmar067]

Thanks so much! If I can stand it, I am NOT going to tell my family where we are staying. I will let that be a surpise for when we get there I certainly don't want my dh to see the price Even tho I got a code rate, this is more than we have ever spent, and well what he doesn't know won't hurt him, right? ...

....

 

[Disney8704]

Hey everyone! On Saturday I went to change my ressie at AAA for my August dates to December and originally had standard booked but when the AAA travel agent called Disney to get a new price quote (cuz I was adding on 1 day), Disney said that all standard is booked. So now I have a pool view with bunk beds, which we dont need because its just me and DH. Savannah was given as an opition but I am afriad of getting one of those awful views and find out spending another $300 on top of what Im spending now wasnt worth it. Another thing is we are going from December 6-16th now instead of December 3-13th. Something came up so we changed dates. My question is, since we booked a room with bunk beds and since we dont need them, at checkin time, if AKL sees it just the 2 of us and no we are celebrating our anniversary while down there, do you think they just might upgrade us to savannah if theres any available. That way they can give our room to a family who NEEDS bunk beds that is either in a standard view or pool view room? I feel bad taking a room that has bunk beds and knowing that a family with kids could use it. I would upgrade to savannah but like I said Im afraid of getting a bad view and I dont want us to have to drain our bank account for 1 trip. I was considering switiching to WL and do standard view if they have any available, but both me and DH have been stuck on AKL for so long now, we decided to stay with AKL.

 

[ms_mckenna]

Ok I need ideas from those of you that have been to AKL before. We are celebrating 2 bdays and I want to decorate up a bit. I know I cannot do balloons. Can I bring christmas type lights and decorate our balcony? Is there anywhere I can find what is and what is not allowed.

 

[MyTigger&Eeyore9698]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this thread! Now, that I'm actually booked and 100% happy with my reservations and the resorts we chose, it is going to be great to keep coming back here to look at all the great pics and hear others who LOVE the AKL. We are very excited to be staying there. Our kids are just thrilled as well. My daughter has one bag packed already and our trip is about 4 months away, LOL She is ready to go and son is also excited! We've always wanted to stay at AKL and now we will be this summer-woo hoo Nice to meet fellow AKL fans. Look forward to seeing what you have to post and I'm sure I'll have some more questions leading up to our trip. Have a blessed rest of the week all

 

[MyTigger&Eeyore9698]

Is it Bomas and Jiko? What are each of them like? What number do I call to make reservations at either of them? Is there a listing for the menu for both of them so I can see in advance what they offer? Anyone have any pictures of food to share at the AKL? Also, do they have the refillable mugs at AKL? Anyone have a pic? Please, anything at all you have to share from your stay at AKL, feel free to post. TIA


PS I guess I forgot to add Mara. What are the differences between them all. Which ones are your FAVS? THANKS!

 

[MyTigger&Eeyore9698]

Where can you get Disney crocs? I saw childrens sizes but none for adults. I WANT A PAIR I LOVE LOVE LOVE crocs!! They are soooooooooooo comfortable. I don't think they are ugly. They are unique and different and I use to wear birkenstocks and I was a huge birkie fan too but they are much more expensive and I find the crocs just as comfortable and and you can buy 2 pr for the price of one pair of birkies.

 

[SharonLowe]

Where can you get Disney crocs? I saw childrens sizes but none for adults. I WANT A PAIR I LOVE LOVE LOVE crocs!! They are soooooooooooo comfortable. I don't think they are ugly. They are unique and different and I use to wear birkenstocks and I was a huge birkie fan too but they are much more expensive and I find the crocs just as comfortable and and you can buy 2 pr for the price of one pair of birkies.

I know you can find them on the offical Croc web site.

 

[SharonLowe]

Ok I need ideas from those of you that have been to AKL before. We are celebrating 2 bdays and I want to decorate up a bit. I know I cannot do balloons. Can I bring christmas type lights and decorate our balcony? Is there anywhere I can find what is and what is not allowed.

I'm not sure they would allow you to decorate the balcony especially if you are Savannah view but anything else in the room would be okay. I would get safari themed birthday decorations - plenty of birthday places on the web - and make sure they know it too because they will send up cards. You can order cakes too from Disney - I forget then number but call the normal number and they should be able to connect you to the bakery line.

 

[SharonLowe]

Is it Bomas and Jiko? What are each of them like? What number do I call to make reservations at either of them? Is there a listing for the menu for both of them so I can see in advance what they offer? Anyone have any pictures of food to share at the AKL? Also, do they have the refillable mugs at AKL? Anyone have a pic? Please, anything at all you have to share from your stay at AKL, feel free to post. TIA


PS I guess I forgot to add Mara. What are the differences between them all. Which ones are your FAVS? THANKS!

Boma - buffet - great food and lots of choices. Can be very bustling and noisy at night. Godd b'fast buffet too - we like to eat there our last day if we have the time.

Jiko - Our favorite WDW restaurant. Lovely sit down restaurant. Great food - don't be put off if you think the food sounds exotic - it is great and definitely worth a try.

Mara - Food court. Has standard fare as well as more interesting food. I love the dressing on the Mara Salad. And, yes, they do have refillable mugs. It is one of the better food courts in WDW in my opinion.

Menus - all are here:

http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm#res

Try to leave time to do the activities they offer at AKL. We never seem to allow enough time but plan to our next trip. Here are some examples:

--flamingo feedings at the Flamingo Pond
--animal tracking at Arusha Rock
--Music of the Savannah in the Sunset Lounge
--wildlife games in the Sunset Lounge
--African games and crafts on the Uzima Pool Deck
--cultural safari in the Sunset Lounge
--animal viewing with Night Vision
--Adventure Camp for children 6-14 that includes ostrich egg painting, private lodge tour and lunch overlooking the savannah.
--Cookie decorating at Boma

Oh, the gift shop is really nice too - lots of African themed stuff and a decent selection of snacks and drinks to take to the room. (It has as much as they offer at the campground at FW, which I thought would have more.)

 

[renessa]

Dh and I will be at AKL for our first Deluxe stay in late September. We're very excited!!! I am searching for the Great Hotels with Samantha Brown at the AKL. It's several years old, but I had it once on VHS. I looked at 20 tapes over the weekend. DH thought I was nuts. Anyone have a copy??? We booked Savanah view because we wouldn't take the chance of expecting an upgrade. I did request a King bed, but I understand it is only a request. We are Disney Vets, no kids yet. We booked the dinning plan, wouldn't go without it!!! I look forward to reading this thread daily and catching up with all the happenings.
I'm so excited..I just can't hide it...I'm about to loose control and I think I like it!!!

 

[PlutosFriend]

Dh and I will be at AKL for our first Deluxe stay in late September. We're very excited!!! I am searching for the Great Hotels with Samantha Brown at the AKL. It's several years old, but I had it once on VHS. I looked at 20 tapes over the weekend. DH thought I was nuts. Anyone have a copy??? We booked Savanah view because we wouldn't take the chance of expecting an upgrade. I did request a King bed, but I understand it is only a request. We are Disney Vets, no kids yet. We booked the dinning plan, wouldn't go without it!!! I look forward to reading this thread daily and catching up with all the happenings.
I'm so excited..I just can't hide it...I'm about to loose control and I think I like it!!!

Hey there Renessa! We can be excited together! This will be our first Deluxe stay too!

 

[ktink]

I read on the DVC board that construction would begin early fall of 2007. Our trip is scheduled for early September, we are loooking veryforward to this trip. Does anyone have any further details on how the construction will affect stays? The CM assured me that the pool and all will be open as usual. Just looking for some first hand knowledge. TIA

 

[Magical JenK]

Hey there Renessa! We can be excited together! This will be our first Deluxe stay too!

Plutos & Renessa--count me in as well! First Deluxe stay!! I haven't told my husband about AKL yet either! I want to surprise him but September is so far away!! Don't know if I can keep it in that long!!

 

[RachelTori]

I read on the DVC board that construction would begin early fall of 2007. Our trip is scheduled for early September, we are loooking veryforward to this trip. Does anyone have any further details on how the construction will affect stays? The CM assured me that the pool and all will be open as usual. Just looking for some first hand knowledge. TIA

Karen, according to the info I've seen, construction in the existing Lodge should be completed by the time of your stay. Possibly construction of the new building will be starting this Fall, but it's far enough away from the existing resort, that it won't impact your stay at all.

Plutos & Renessa--count me in as well! First Deluxe stay!! I haven't told my husband about AKL yet either! I want to surprise him but September is so far away!! Don't know if I can keep it in that long!!

All I want to say to the 3 of you is......... once you stay there, you will be hooked!!! Congrats!!

Magical JenK - September will be here before you know it, but why don't you share with your DH - let him share in your excitement!!

 

[Magical JenK]

All I want to say to the 3 of you is......... once you stay there, you will be hooked!!! Congrats!!

Magical JenK - September will be here before you know it, but why don't you share with your DH - let him share in your excitement!!

Sadly, DH doesn't share constant year-round magic like the rest of us do! Or really I should say he's not like us DISers, those of us who could talk about it ALL the time & never get bored?! It just reminds him that we're spending $$$ , but once we're there he's the biggest Disney fan around! Everything is more magical in Disney! He DOES have his moments where he's magical when we're not in WDW, but not nearly as much as me!

I'm also surprising him w/MNSSHP tickets! We've never been! I may end up telling him about AKL, but I for sure am keeping the MNSSHP a secret!!

 

[PlutosFriend]

I read on the DVC board that construction would begin early fall of 2007. Our trip is scheduled for early September, we are loooking veryforward to this trip. Does anyone have any further details on how the construction will affect stays? The CM assured me that the pool and all will be open as usual. Just looking for some first hand knowledge. TIA

My biggest concern is the noise keeping the animals away possibly? I know no details of when anything starts.

 

[andromedaslove]

When in September is everyone going?! I will be there with DH and the 2 boys from the 21st to the 26th.

Dana

 

[PlutosFriend]

Plutos & Renessa--count me in as well! First Deluxe stay!! I haven't told my husband about AKL yet either! I want to surprise him but September is so far away!! Don't know if I can keep it in that long!!

I so know what you mean! My dh knows we are going, and hasn't asked where we are staying. Weirdo My kids don't know anything yet at all. I MAY try to surprise them. But, I do like the idea of them helping pick out a favorite restaurant, so we will see.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Sadly, DH doesn't share constant year-round magic like the rest of us do! Or really I should say he's not like us DISers, those of us who could talk about it ALL the time & never get bored?! It just reminds him that we're spending $$$ , but once we're there he's the biggest Disney fan around! Everything is more magical in Disney! He DOES have his moments where he's magical when we're not in WDW, but not nearly as much as me!

I'm also surprising him w/MNSSHP tickets! We've never been! I may end up telling him about AKL, but I for sure am keeping the MNSSHP a secret!!

Your dh sounds similar to mine! I may just fib and say we are staying at All Stars or something. If I tell him Deluxe now, he may start questioning the price, and we can't have that now Once we are there, I know he will be hooked when he will be able to step out on the balcony and see the animals