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

[ms_mckenna]

DH and I didn't get an upgrade from pool view on our honeymoon, but I know they knew it was our honeymoon because the CM at the counter instantly congratulated us and handed us both a Just Married! pin. I know they have birthday buttons too-this might be a neat thing for your kids. If you ask for these, then they would SURELY know you are celebrating, and maybe drop a hint about how excited your kids are to see the animals...might help???

DH and I did not expect an upgrade, and didn't really do anything to try to get one. We LOVED our pool view, as we are not huge animal people, and saw enough for our taste just by the viewing areas throughout the lodge.

Thanks for the info guys. It is noted on my account that it is a birthday trip and they have both the kids bdays which are during our trip time frame(booked directly with Disney). I will casually mention the bdays ... they would be happy even with a bday pin. : We have lots of paid for planned "suprises" during the trip as well. Like I said I would be thrilled for an upgrade but I am not expecting it. Especially since we have requested a w/c accesible room. Course from what I have heard about the size of the doors I may call back and nix this part of our ressie. DS does not have to have any access once we are inside the room because he will most likely not use the chair and instead crawl around like he does at home. One of those things that I have asked him repeatedly not to do but gave up on it actually happening years ago . I just need to be able to get the w/c in the door, and at most other hotels you have to get an accessible room to make this happen.

 

[latexscooter]

Hi, all, we just booked and paid for a savanna view for 5/18-5/26. On the request I asked for non-smoking (asthma in the family) and Arusha savanna preference. Does that sound okay? Should I remove the reference to Arusha? I had heard it was the best of the three but I don't want to limit myself because of bad advice. I know it's just a request but I want to get whatever advantage I can.

 

[Disney8704]

Since you booked savannah you didnt even really have to put non-smoking cuz all the room on the savannah are non-smoking cuz of the animals. Ive heard that arusha is one of the best. So its sounds ok to me.

Hi, all, we just booked and paid for a savanna view for 5/18-5/26. On the request I asked for non-smoking (asthma in the family) and Arusha savanna preference. Does that sound okay? Should I remove the reference to Arusha? I had heard it was the best of the three but I don't want to limit myself because of bad advice. I know it's just a request but I want to get whatever advantage I can.

 

[BensMom]

Since you booked savannah you didnt even really have to put non-smoking cuz all the room on the savannah are non-smoking cuz of the animals. Ive heard that arusha is one of the best. So its sounds ok to me.

Gawrsh! Now, you learn something every day. I never heard this! Well, hakuna matata to us all! Thanks, Disney8704!

 

[kimmar067]

Anyone?

...my understanding is that they are regular rooms....however, the CL rooms (which are lobby-facing rooms) on the 6th floor possibly are deluxe rooms....

 

[kimmar067]

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??

.....that's a bit backwards....most smoking rooms are pool rooms, not the other way around....may I ask what you paid for?? If you only paid for a pool-view room, then that is what you will get, unless, of course, you happen to get a complimentary upgrade!

 

[d4est]

Since you booked savannah you didnt even really have to put non-smoking cuz all the room on the savannah are non-smoking cuz of the animals. Ive heard that arusha is one of the best. So its sounds ok to me.

Are you sure about that? I have a savannah bunk bed room & we requested smoking (DH, though I wish he wouldn't). The CM (none of them actually) never said that this wasn't possible...

 

[DisneyCrazy2]

I wish I had time to read all 496 pages of this thread because it is all so interesting. Can Disney guests who are not staying at AKL come to the resort to see the animals? Is there a better time of day for viewing and where do you suggest to go for the best view? What kind of animals are at AKL?

Thanks for the help!

 

[jwfla422]

I wish I had time to read all 496 pages of this thread because it is all so interesting. Can Disney guests who are not staying at AKL come to the resort to see the animals? Is there a better time of day for viewing and where do you suggest to go for the best view? What kind of animals are at AKL?

Thanks for the help!

Yes we do this every time we come to WDW. We always have dinner at JIKO and make sure to fit some time in before it gets dark to see the animals. We usually look out just past the pool area to the left. There is another lookout site in the middle of resort. Just go straight back, you can't miss the huge several story windows and out there is a large area where you can see the animals.

OH, and for the AKL experts....I may have missed this some 400 pages ago so I have to ask again if it has already been answered, where are the mini fridges in the rooms? And does Mara still have a microwave??? Thanks.

 

[hastrobb]

I just booked my AKL stay for the standard room. I just couldn't afford the Savannah room. I did request non-smoking as my daughter has asthma. I did hear that there are places you can watch the animals so we are happy about that. Are they pretty readily available?

 

[ms_mckenna]

I just booked my AKL stay for the standard room. I just couldn't afford the Savannah room. I did request non-smoking as my daughter has asthma. I did hear that there are places you can watch the animals so we are happy about that. Are they pretty readily available?

From what I have been told they are. We will be in the standard as well. We check out on 8/6 lol. Maybe we will bump into you guys.

 

[plutospup]

There are many places to view the animals! I suggest take some time and check out the viewing areas on each savannah. There are different animals on each savannah. Most importantly, take some time to enjoy all the Lodge has to offer. It doesn't matter if you're in a savannah room or standard, AKL is a great place to stay, and has a lot to offer its guests. Be sure to check the activities board located near the registration desk.

 

[tiggrbaby]

I just booked my AKL stay for the standard room. I just couldn't afford the Savannah room. I did request non-smoking as my daughter has asthma. I did hear that there are places you can watch the animals so we are happy about that. Are they pretty readily available?

We stayed in a savannah room in November and still went to view the other ones. You can go to the many viewing areas, and you can go to the stairs at the end of the halls, too.

 

[hastrobb]

Sounds awesome. Thanks for the advice about the activity board.

 

[SharonLowe]

Are you sure about that? I have a savannah bunk bed room & we requested smoking (DH, though I wish he wouldn't). The CM (none of them actually) never said that this wasn't possible...

There are some smoking rooms on the savannahs - the only requirement is that you are absolutely forbidden from smoking on the balcony due to the animals. Of course people do it, and if I see it or smell it, I immediately report it to a CM.

 

[Disney8704]

Does it really matter how I word the question? I just simply said that most pool view rooms are smoking rooms. Meaning most smoking rooms are pool rooms. Its all the same thing.

By the way, Im sick. I cant think straight when Im sick.

.....that's a bit backwards....most smoking rooms are pool rooms, not the other way around....may I ask what you paid for?? If you only paid for a pool-view room, then that is what you will get, unless, of course, you happen to get a complimentary upgrade!

 

[Disney8704]

I cant recall how many times Ive read on the boards and online that savannah only have non-smoking rooms. Maybe that CM isnt to informed. Best way to find out is to call the AKL directly and ask.

Are you sure about that? I have a savannah bunk bed room & we requested smoking (DH, though I wish he wouldn't). The CM (none of them actually) never said that this wasn't possible...

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I was just popping on to ask if anyone has herd where the CL lounge is moving to with the construction. I check in periodically and still have not caught wind of where or when the move will be. TIA for the info.

 

[BensMom]

Yes we do this every time we come to WDW. We always have dinner at JIKO and make sure to fit some time in before it gets dark to see the animals. We usually look out just past the pool area to the left. There is another lookout site in the middle of resort. Just go straight back, you can't miss the huge several story windows and out there is a large area where you can see the animals.

OH, and for the AKL experts....I may have missed this some 400 pages ago so I have to ask again if it has already been answered, where are the mini fridges in the rooms? And does Mara still have a microwave??? Thanks.

Absolutely yes to the mini fridges in all rooms, in all Disney properties. Since I am not in Mara very often, and it's been a while (I only run in for Zebra Domes!), someone else will have to answer your question regarding a micro.

 

[kimmar067]

....I may have missed this some 400 pages ago so I have to ask again if it has already been answered, where are the mini fridges in the rooms? And does Mara still have a microwave???....

......"yes" and "yes" to both questions......