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

[mallorystuff]

I have a trip planned with my boyfriend to take his mom and 7-year old brother to WDWin October 2007. They havent been before. Were going to stay in AKL because 1) we LOVE Animal Kingdom, and 2) my b/f's mom has wanted to go to africa all her life. I would like to know if which wing of the resort we stay in is important. We are definitely going to want something with a savannah view. Is there a way i can be sure we get a great view? Any tips with booking this trip would be great! Thanks!

 

[Disney8704]

Its possible. All I know is that when I went to change my dates from august to december, we originally had standard view, but they didnt have any left for my new dates. So we had to change to pool view bunk beds room, cuz all they had left was pool view with bunk beds and savannah view. Ill trade ya. Ill pay for your pool view with bunk beds and u can pay for my savannah view.

I have tried to get a room at AKL Dec. 10-18 and no rooms for 5 are available. Anyone have a clue? Is it tied to the construction? Melissa

 

[denise5374]

I have another question----

Do non-concierge guest get Turn-Down service? This is my first stay at a Delixe, so I am not sure.

Thanks!

 

[Disney8704]

Question: Is the pool view with bunk beds a regular room or a deluxe room?

 

[Disney8704]

At AKL you can request it if your non-concierge. CL automatically gets it. However at GF, it doesnt matter where you are. You automatically get turn down service.

I have another question----

Do non-concierge guest get Turn-Down service? This is my first stay at a Delixe, so I am not sure.

Thanks!

 

[PolyAddict]

Ok, AKL folks this Poly girl just booked 7 nights standard view 2 connecting rooms for July 14-21 with AAA discount. First time there and I probably should have checked this prior to making a ressie but what should I request? Is there a map that shows connecting standard view rooms and where they are?

Thanks,

 

[denise5374]

At AKL you can request it if your non-concierge. CL automatically gets it. However at GF, it doesnt matter where you are. You automatically get turn down service.

Thanks! When do I request it? I htink that is really cool!! Yes I am easily amused.....

 

[Dis Ohana]

I have a reservation for 2 standard Kilimanjaro rooms. I requested connecting and Arusha/Zebra Trail and non-smoking. I know the requests may or may not be honored, but I assumed that we'd get some type of savannah view regardless of where since it is CL. Is that wrong? I just read a post somewhere that said you only get a guaranteed savannah room if you book one - and that's without concierge service. I'd be willing to pay for a savannah view AND concierge service, but is this not an option?

 

[Disney8704]

Just let them know when you go to checkin.

Thanks! When do I request it? I htink that is really cool!! Yes I am easily amused.....

 

[Disney8704]

CL level rooms have either a savannah or pool view room. You would have to put a request in and then they may or may not honor ur request.

I have a reservation for 2 standard Kilimanjaro rooms. I requested connecting and Arusha/Zebra Trail and non-smoking. I know the requests may or may not be honored, but I assumed that we'd get some type of savannah view regardless of where since it is CL. Is that wrong? I just read a post somewhere that said you only get a guaranteed savannah room if you book one - and that's without concierge service. I'd be willing to pay for a savannah view AND concierge service, but is this not an option?

 

[denise5374]

disney8704-

Thanks for your help!

Denise

 

[Disney8704]

No problem! This will be my 1st stay and I feel like an old pro when it comes to AKL. I spend WAY to much time on these boards

disney8704-

Thanks for your help!

Denise

 

[SharonLowe]

I have a reservation for 2 standard Kilimanjaro rooms. I requested connecting and Arusha/Zebra Trail and non-smoking. I know the requests may or may not be honored, but I assumed that we'd get some type of savannah view regardless of where since it is CL. Is that wrong? I just read a post somewhere that said you only get a guaranteed savannah room if you book one - and that's without concierge service. I'd be willing to pay for a savannah view AND concierge service, but is this not an option?

I have been told that the standard CL rooms all face the savannah. They are only offering this category because many of the former CL rooms are being converted to DVC suites. The only pool view CL rooms were on the 6th floor (and they were all smoking rooms) - those are all being converted to DVC.

 

[saffy]

CL level rooms have either a savannah or pool view room. You would have to put a request in and then they may or may not honor ur request.

Is everyone sure that this is the case with the new class of STANDARD Concierge Level rooms?

My TA told me that there was not a guaranteed view with those. And, I know we were quoted about $10 MORE for a Std Savannah room for that time than we were for the Std. CL room, so it makes sense to me that the CL room we're paying for is going to offer less than a Sav view for the same money.

Until we hear reports of people coming back staying Std CL and all getting a Sav view, I'm not going to expect to get one! I'll consider it some happy pixie dust if we do!

 

[Dis Ohana]

I have been told that the standard CL rooms all face the savannah. They are only offering this category because many of the former CL rooms are being converted to DVC suites. The only pool view CL rooms were on the 6th floor (and they were all smoking rooms) - those are all being converted to DVC.

I was hoping this was the case. When I called to change my reservation from the suite to 2 connecting (thx for that advice, Sharon ) I asked to book Deluxe catergory rooms, but was told that wasn't available for Dec. I am assuming it's because of the AKV moving in. I assumed that I was booking a Savannah view because it was CL, but it said on my confirmation, Standard View.
I was a little worried about the amount of planned construction that would be going on during our time there, but Don in IPO assured me that we'd have a wonderful visit and it shouldn't be a concern.

 

[CJsMom]

I wish I could get paid to take trips and write reports about them! Wouldn't that be the best job ever?!

Yup!!

 

[CJsMom]

When we were there, the prime rib tasted very basic to me, the "exotic" thing about it were the different sauces you could add. So, this might be an option. Also I think there are some soups that are not too strange, I tried the potato and bacon soup and it was delicious but not at all exotic.

Actually that sounds ok - if there is an option for "plain" food he might be happy! Maybe I will add Boma to my list - my list that keeps growing!

 

[Disney8704]

Anyone?

Question: Is the pool view with bunk beds a regular room or a deluxe room?

 

[Disney8704]

One more question from me: I had my AAA TA put a note on my reservation non-smoking, do you think that would increase my chances of getting a savannah view since most pool view rooms are smoking rooms? DH cant stand the smell of smoke and me, not only can I not stand the smell but I also have asthma and anytime Im around smoke it acts it up. Should I bring this up to them when I go to checkin to make sure we are not in a smoking room or near one?

 

[BensMom]

One more question from me: I had my AAA TA put a note on my reservation non-smoking, do you think that would increase my chances of getting a savannah view since most pool view rooms are smoking rooms? DH cant stand the smell of smoke and me, not only can I not stand the smell but I also have asthma and anytime Im around smoke it acts it up. Should I bring this up to them when I go to checkin to make sure we are not in a smoking room or near one?

Absolutely mention it when checking in. We checked in one time, and my fiance FORGOT to request a non-smoking room. Well, of course, when we got down to the room, it just stunk. We marched right down to checkin, and she said, "I'm sorry, but all rooms in your rate level have been sold out, so I am going to have to upgrade you to CONCIERGE." I said, "What? Did I hear that right?" It was my birthday, so it was too cool! Anyway, my point being, they will do their very best to accommodate requests like this. We have had a few incidents such as this, and it's always worked out. Disney does have two levels of requesting non-smoking rooms (it's not the rooms that are on fire, it's the guests!)...one for medical, one for "just because we hate it." If you request medical, which is your case, your chances are better to get a non-smoking room from the outset. My hunch is you should call back your AAA TA and have your request (medical) added in the notes. Good luck.