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

[Funniebunny]

Hi Angel,

Thank you for your response. We booked the wedding with the tour operator too as part of a package, I do have a contact for the wedding department and called her yesterday afternoon. She hadn't been informed of the work so she is looking into it for us. She has asked to be kept in the loop with regards to our reservation. I felt better after talking with her and as you said I'm sure they wont put us in the middle of a building site. We should be getting a letter soon so we'll just have to wait and see for the moment.

 

[kimmar067]

Ha! You caught me Kim! Yep, we had ressies at WL, but we were able to get the DDP with AKL.....so it was a no-brainer! So pool view is ok?

....

 

[kimmar067]

...bumping...

 

[DisneyDreaming2007]

OK, we couldn't get FREE DDP with WL so went with AKL. The CM told that the construction would be bad in both the interior and exterior of the resort and would be loud. Is it really going to be that horrible? We have never stayed on site before and am a little concerned after the info the CM gave me.

 

[kimmar067]

OK, we couldn't get FREE DDP with WL so went with AKL. The CM told that the construction would be bad in both the interior and exterior of the resort and would be loud. Is it really going to be that horrible? We have never stayed on site before and am a little concerned after the info the CM gave me.

...put in a request for Giraffe Trail (if you have Pool View ressies)....

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Is there any place I should request for Savannah view rooms to avoid the construction noise?

You know, I think it can't get THAT loud. They really can't do anything that'll bother the animals overmuch.

 

[pilferk]

Is there any place I should request for Savannah view rooms to avoid the construction noise?

You know, I think it can't get THAT loud. They really can't do anything that'll bother the animals overmuch.

Request Zebra trail, 2nd or 3rd floor rooms. From the reports coming in, it seems like those hearing construction are on the 4th floor, and construction is going on above them OR at the end of Kudo trail and can see/hear the construction on the new animal enclosure.

 

[ms_mckenna]

OK, we couldn't get FREE DDP with WL so went with AKL. The CM told that the construction would be bad in both the interior and exterior of the resort and would be loud. Is it really going to be that horrible? We have never stayed on site before and am a little concerned after the info the CM gave me.

Well that just frightens me more. When are you guys going? The CM's have yet to say anything to us about construction everything I have learned about it has been here or on another board.

 

[pilferk]

OK, we couldn't get FREE DDP with WL so went with AKL. The CM told that the construction would be bad in both the interior and exterior of the resort and would be loud. Is it really going to be that horrible? We have never stayed on site before and am a little concerned after the info the CM gave me.

Things can always change but....

from the reports of people who have actually BEEN there, it has NOT been horrible. Most don't hear or see anything. Those that do are usually on the 4th floor, under the rooms being converted (currently, I think, on Zebra trail) or at the end of Kudo trail (exterior construction of the new animal barn)...and the noise runs from about 9 AM to around 5 PM (though Bensmom said she noticed it was going longer. FYI, it's not supposed to, and if it did, and was interfering with my day, I'd likely let the front desk know about it!)

To be VERY clear, there is very little exterior work that is supposed to be going on....the animal barn and some balcony "conversion" (melding 2 balconies into one) is about it right now. The "new" AKV building is going to be across the sunset savannah, and I really doubt you'll be able to hear much noise coming from the construction. Maybe if you're out on your balcony, you might hear some equipment "murmurs", but it's a good 1/4 mile or more between the two buildings at most points. Only the very ends of Kidani are much closer than that.

 

[DisneyDreaming2007]

Well that just frightens me more. When are you guys going? The CM's have yet to say anything to us about construction everything I have learned about it has been here or on another board.

We will be there 9/8 - 9/15.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Subscribing, as we'll be spending the night before our 10th anniversary cruise at AKL this October. Looking forward to trying Boma and having a savannah view room.

Sean & Chris

 

[Disney Spaz]

First stay at AKl and I have a few questions if you don't mind.
1. My DS and I have severe allergies to smoke, i.e.-eyes swell shut can't breathe, we have a pool veiw room reserved and I thought I read somewhere this is where the smoking rooms are. Is this true?
2. Second this is my DS's 16th b-day present since AK is his favorite park and AKL is his dream resort. Would it be worth the money to upgarde to savannah veiw? It would be about $500 more because we would loose our AAA rate.
3. Is there anything special at the resort I should have DS do for his b-day? He loves animals and the whole concept of AK and AKL.

Thanks

 

[Marshay]

2. Second this is my DS's 16th b-day present since AK is his favorite park and AKL is his dream resort. Would it be worth the money to upgarde to savannah veiw? It would be about $500 more because we would loose our AAA rate.
Thanks

If you will be able to spend some time at the resort, then definitely upgrade to the savannah room. But just make sure you enjoy it. Eat breakfast out on your balcony. Spend time just sitting there watching the animals in the morning and early evening.

My DH and I came back to our savannah room right before dusk and just watched the animals for over an hour. We actually saw a "wildebeast stampede"!! Ok, so it was only 5 wildebeasts running around and chased one of the 'antelope-like creatures' over the electric wire fence. Then the antelope-like creature was trying to get back but couldn't b/c it was afraid of the fence...guess when 5 wildebeast are chasing you, you don't feel the electric fence as much!

So we watched the Disney animal maintenance help get him/her back into the main savannah. Sure glad it wasn't one of those long-horned watusi charging over the fence.

Anyway, back to your question -- if you are going to be out of your room from early morning to late at night, then it won't be worth it to spend the extra $$.

However, if you can enjoy the view and not feel like you have to rush around to get to the parks before they open each and every day, then the savannah room will be incredible for you.

 

[Tig-girl]

Subscribing, as we'll be spending the night before our 10th anniversary cruise at AKL this October. Looking forward to trying Boma and having a savannah view room.

Sean & Chris

Welcome to the thread! Lot's of good info here!

 

[Disney8704]

Some of the pool view rooms are smoking but most arent. Be sure to have it noted on your reservation non-smoking room and be sure to tell them at check-in that you need a non-smoking room due to medical reasons. I have the same request so I know how you feel. I have severe allergies as well plus asthma that acts up when Im around smoke.

First stay at AKl and I have a few questions if you don't mind.
1. My DS and I have severe allergies to smoke, i.e.-eyes swell shut can't breathe, we have a pool veiw room reserved and I thought I read somewhere this is where the smoking rooms are. Is this true?
2. Second this is my DS's 16th b-day present since AK is his favorite park and AKL is his dream resort. Would it be worth the money to upgarde to savannah veiw? It would be about $500 more because we would loose our AAA rate.
3. Is there anything special at the resort I should have DS do for his b-day? He loves animals and the whole concept of AK and AKL.

Thanks

 

[Disney8704]

Can you do one of the safari's if you are NOT staying CL? DH and I really would like to do the sunrise one. If its possible, could you please tell me how I go about booking this and when and how much it will cost? Thanks!

 

[RachelTori]

Can you do one of the safari's if you are NOT staying CL? DH and I really would like to do the sunrise one. If its possible, could you please tell me how I go about booking this and when and how much it will cost? Thanks!

Sunrise Safari is available only to AKL-CL guests. Some months ago the sunset safari was available to non-CL guests (for slightly over $200 per person) - not sure if that's still the case.

 

[Disney Spaz]

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Disney8704]

Just wondering but now construction is going on, I've heard that some of the savannah rooms dont have a view of the animals at all because that part of the savannah is blocked off. Does anyone know what rooms they are?

 

[pilferk]

Just wondering but now construction is going on, I've heard that some of the savannah rooms dont have a view of the animals at all because that part of the savannah is blocked off. Does anyone know what rooms they are?

According to people that have been there: None.

The only exterior construction that's been reported (indeed, that should be necessary for this phase) is the new animal enclosure/barn at the end of Kudo trail. While that construction is noisy, I don't think it obstructs the savannah view.

All other construction is interior, right now, consisting of converting the 5th and 6th floor rooms. The ONLY thing those rooms have to have done that relates to the exterior is having 2 balconies "merged" into 1 on the 1br "piece". Again, not something that is going to effect anyone's views.

Even when the new building construction starts, it's going to be aways across the sunset savannah...close to a 1/4 mile (and maybe a bit more) from the lodge, itself. While you'll see the vertical construction, you'll also still be able to see the sunset savannah.