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

[Bronte]

I was reading you post Disney8704 and I have to say we are even more alike than I thought (copying each other vacations and all.) My DH and I were down in the world last Nov. celebrating our ann. too ... our ann. is actually Aug. 14 but I wanted to go to Disney for the food and wine fest. at epcot. We were there Nov. 9-15, so we celebrated our ann. at the coral reef on the 14th.
(I do think Christmas is very, very nice but I have to admit that late Oct. through mid Nov. is my favorite time of the year because of the weather and crowd sizes.)

Just an added note I do not want to put a ticker on because the trip is a total surpize to my DD's .. the morning of the 19th they will wake up and find their tickets on a plate I made them that says "Choose To Be A Child Forever ... I do believe in magic" around the edges and I drew a "castle" in the middle with fireworks all around ... can you guess I am a part time pre-school teacher ... haha.) I have a secret ticker that I can access on my computer so that I know when to make my ARD's. My girls are 14 & 11 and they still love Disney ...

 

[DJEd]

As a gift to myself (40th birthday in June) I switched our Nov booking from POFQ to AKL.

This will be our second onsite stay (stayed at CBR in Nov 2005). Previously stayed offsite, but once we stayed onsite, I don't think I could go offsite again.

We really liked CBR (even with a room that I believe was the furthest you could be from Port Royale - which I actually viewed as a plus). I am sure we are going to like AKL even better - especially the kids (who will be 9 and almost 6 at trip time).

We were first going to stay at WL , but I couldn't get a AAA rate on a standard room - so AKL was our next choice. I have read some mixed reviews on transportation - but we will also have a rental car, so we have back up Plus, as someone who drives 90 minutes to work each day (each way), a 15-20 minute bus ride is a vacation in itself

We booked a standard view room as we are not in the room all that much, so it wasn't worth the extra $$ - but maybe we'll get lucky and get upgraded

Anyway, just wanted to say hi. Eight more months to our trip Hershey Park in July will help tide me over until then

Ed

 

[dee slack]

1967 must have been a good year - I'm 40 this year too! My Birthday gift is a Disney vow renewal at the wedding pavilion (I've alway's wanted to be a 'real' princess!!) and a stay at AKL

 

[plutospup]

DJEd...have a great time at AKL! Be sure to check out the AKL activities. Your kids are a great age, and will enjoy the "bead activities" (animal tracking, pelican feeding, music, etc). Every activity they participate in they will receive a bead. By the end of the week our DD collected them all!
We were quite pleased with AKL transportation. AKL does not share with other resorts, so all trips are "non-stop". Time wise...it takes about the same time to go by bus from AKL to MK, as it takes to go by monorail from CR to MK.
There are MANY places to check out the animals. Be sure to go to the public viewing area on each savannah. Also, be sure to check out the Night Vision Goggles.

 

[Disney8704]

Just wondering is there a maxium age for the bead activities and earn the beads? Or is it open to adults as well?

 

[warriorboy648]

Does anyone have pics of the pool at AKL? If not can you describe it? Does it have a big slide? I have read that the pool is small at WL, is AKL bigger?

 

[plutospup]

Just wondering is there a maxium age for the bead activities and earn the beads? Or is it open to adults as well?

Good question! I imagine all ages can participate. I know DW & I were involved in cookie decorating along with the kids! Although we accompanied DD to the activities, DW & I didn't ask for beads.

Does anyone have pics of the pool at AKL? If not can you describe it? Does it have a big slide? I have read that the pool is small at WL, is AKL bigger?

Yes, the AKL pool is larger than WL's pool. I believe it's one of the largest on property. The slide is ok (slide at CSR is MUCH better). There are two hot tubs in the pool area.

For pics of the AKL pool: (pics 11-14)http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/AnimalKingdomLodge1/pages/AnimalKingdomLodge 011.htm
and... http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/akl_pool14.jpg

 

[Tig-girl]

Does anyone have pics of the pool at AKL? If not can you describe it? Does it have a big slide? I have read that the pool is small at WL, is AKL bigger?

The pool at AKL is one of the best in the world, imho! We liked it because...and I'm embarassed to admit this, but my teenage son and I don't swim! No fear of "walking off the edge" at the AKL pool because it is all one depth, so we felt safe. The slide is awesome too, we really loved spending time in the pool. I'm going to look for some pictures from our last trip.....

 

[Tig-girl]

Hello everyone! I've been MIA for a long time again, but now that we have actually confirmed that we will be heading to the world for my DS graduation trip, and picked dates, I figured I'd better get back on the boards and see what's new, what's been happening, and what kind of info I've missed! Although we are big WL fans, AKL won out for this trip. So.....anyone have anything new they want to share about the lodge? I don't think there is enough time to read all the hundreds of back posts! Thanks for any info you can give me.....

 

[raenyny]

Does anyone know how bad the construction is....I saw someone from another thread say you can see and hear it...I will be there the end of August has anyone found it disruptive....or know how bad it will be then?

 

[Tig-girl]

Construction? Where about is this construction? I'm assuming you are talking about the vacation club going up. I certainly don't want to look at or listen to construction on my vacation that I'm waiting 3 years to go on!! YIKES Should I be concerned??? Any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[TONNIE]

I am so excited. We booked AKL for labor day weekend. We are leaving the husbands at home and doing it up. I went last year for my honeymoon and had a great time. Thought we would try a different resort but the Kids decided that they wanted to go this year. So what kind of mother would I be to deny my poor children of the magic of disney and the animal kingdom lodge. Poor me to have to suffer 7 days and 6 nights of wonderful food, fun, and animals. CANT wait To top it off we got a 40% discount on the room $2100 pool view w/park hoppers and dining for 2 adults and 1 child.



My best friend called and will be joining us for our trip. She is all excited too this is her first trip to disney and she is planning on surprising her 2 small boys.




***Plus rumor has it that the Princess and Pirate party will return in August***

 

[hastrobb]

What is the princess and the pirate party?

 

[TONNIE]

It is a afterhours party at magic kingdom there is some information about it at www.allearsnet.com

 

[BigDopeyMom]

Tonnie - Did you find out about the 40% off when you called to book the reservation? Or did you already know that you had the pin/code before you called? I am getting ready to book a trip in late August and really want to stay at AKL and would die for that 40% off

 

[d4est]

call now! The 40% code ends tomorrow!

 

[TONNIE]

I received a email and they verified everyone in the household before they gave it to me. they wouldnt let me put it in my husbands name because they said he wasnt part of my household...I told them that we had our honeymoon at AKL last aug and she said she had to investigate. She called back 15 min later and advised me that the email was sent to me in my childrens name....what??? after much going back and forth they gave it to me..goodluck code expires tomarrow

 

[ms_mckenna]

I called and got a really good rate for Christmas at Beach Club ... trying to talk DH into another trip. I have 2 weeks to talk him into it wish me luck ... am DEFINATELY gonna need it lol.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Thanks brookelizabeth for all the wonderful pics ...
We will be at the AKL for the first time this Christmas (my parents stayed there a few years back when we were at POR ... my DH and DD's loved "visiting" grandma and grandpa at their resort.)
We are booked for a non-smoking pool view w/bunks ... 11 days/10 nights !!!!!!!!
I just can't WAIT

You're welcome! 11 days at the lodge....! That will be incredible!

 

[Cinderella1122]

Hey everyone. I'm staying at AKL for the first time in November/December. Reading all these stories and looking at the pictures is making even more excited. I wish it was November sooner!