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

[John's Mom]

Getting back to the subject of AKL drinks, I pretty sure there was a drink called Pretoria Punch. I recall having it at Boma.

 

[shyjade]

I've read lots of posts about how to override the A/C in the resorts, because they are motion sensored so when you're sleeping/out of the room the A/C kicks out to save energy.

I thought I read somewhere that the rooms in AKL are central air...does this happen at AKL too? Is it true that leaving a balloon to float around the room helps keep the air running?

 

[Disney8704]

I dunno if it would help it keep running, but good luck putting any balloons in the room. As soon as u enter AKL and u have a balloon, it gets taken from you cuz no balloons are aloud at AKL because of the animals.

I've read lots of posts about how to override the A/C in the resorts, because they are motion sensored so when you're sleeping/out of the room the A/C kicks out to save energy.

I thought I read somewhere that the rooms in AKL are central air...does this happen at AKL too? Is it true that leaving a balloon to float around the room helps keep the air running?

 

[shyjade]

I dunno if it would help it keep running, but good luck putting any balloons in the room. As soon as u enter AKL and u have a balloon, it gets taken from you cuz no balloons are aloud at AKL because of the animals.

Oh yeah, I forgot about balloons & AKL

 

[Fast Pass]

Weird questions:

I know they have the people pen in case of emergencies.If it is just a normal day can you go into the people pen and view animals or is it strictly for emergencies?

I read the topic about ballons.Can I buy a non inflated ballon at MK and just stick the ballon in my luggage or must I even surrender the deflated one?

Never having stayed at AK could someone compare say the food court at the moderates or values to the one at AKL? The values have food courts that more resemble zoos than actual zoos!


What side of the lodge does the sunset on? I mean does the lodge face N,S or does it face E,W? I want at least one sunset so if I need to hike somewhere where I can see one I want to be prepared.

Thanks for any help you can give me/us.

 

[wendypooh]

I totally forgot about Gems!! I keep telling myself I have to work the next 5 days have a day off then work and then I get to have a day off and go to Disney. I hope I can make it!!!

Hey Girl~~~ We leave our house in 5 days!!!! Whoo Hoo!!! I'm sooooo ready!!! Yeah, I haven't seen Gems around lately?? Maybe she'll come by before we go. Have a great weekend......... I'm getting to watch it rain......

 

[wendypooh]

CONGRATS!!!!

Thanks!!! I can harldy wait!!!

Congrats on the weight loss ~ you look great!

 

[slkant]

So that everyone has plenty of time to set VCRs, TIVOs, make plans, etc., I thought I'd let everyone know that the AKL episode of the Travel Channel's Great Hotels series airs again on Sept. 5 at 12:30 ET.

 

[kimmar067]

Oh yeah, I forgot about balloons & AKL

...or straws.....

 

[kimmar067]

I'm so excited!!! After nearly a month of calling EVERY SINGLE DAY to try and get ADR's at Boma the night we arrive, it finally happened today!! Thank you pixie dust!!

I know, I should have made the ressie ages ago, but I never thought my DD8 (picky eater) would want to eat there, and we had already decided on Sci-Fi, CRT and Coral Reef (all places she wanted to try). And we're only there 3 nights, with MNSSHP too! But when I told her we are staying at AKL she almost immediately said "I want to try some African food" which nearly made me fall out of my chair! And I've been trying ever since to get in there with no luck until today.

They must've extended Boma's hours for that week (as the CM's have been telling me they would do) because the "latest" time available was 4:50pm. Not a problem for us since we plan to spend a couple hours at MGM when we arrive around noon and then wanted to spend the evening enjoying the resort. This is perfect...early good dinner and still have time for the storytelling and night vision viewing of the animals. WOO HOO!!!!!!

...we did the night-vision goggles thing - it was way-y-y-y-y cool! You can see the animals VERY CLEARLY!! BTW ~ it's located by the public viewing area past the 'secluded' jacuzzi....

 

[kimmar067]

Thanks! We are both most excited about eating at Boma (so WHY are we wasting our time with CRT?!?)

....BOTH are really awesome places at which to eat.... !

 

[kimmar067]

...Never having stayed at AK could someone compare say the food court at the moderates or values to the one at AKL? The values have food courts that more resemble zoos than actual zoos!

...the Mara would be considered the 'food court', although it isn't truly a foold court, but rather a counter-service restaurant....we have eaten at the food courts at the Pop, DxL, CBR, and CSR, and the Mara is much smaller than those....I'd equate it to Roaring Forks at WL.....

...What side of the lodge does the sunset on? I mean does the lodge face N,S or does it face E,W? I want at least one sunset so if I need to hike somewhere where I can see one I want to be prepared....

...my guess would be the Sunset Savannah, viewable from both the Ostrich and Kudu Trails....

 

[Fast Pass]

Thanks for the respons Kimmar067! Now if only Disney can get those animals to pose pretty for me I'll be in heaven!

 

[beeayekay]

So that everyone has plenty of time to set VCRs, TIVOs, make plans, etc., I thought I'd let everyone know that the AKL episode of the Travel Channel's Great Hotels series airs again on Sept. 5 at 12:30 ET.

Just at this precise time, I will be boarding a plane enroute to the AKL!!!!

YIPPPEEEE!!!!!!!!!



Babs

 

[wendypooh]

.... ...actually, it will be airing Sept 4.....

Cool ~~ I will miss it though!!! Have Fun !!

 

[John's Mom]

Fast Pass,

The people pens are only for emergencies. They are enclosed by a high wooden fence--no way to see out.

 

[wendypooh]

1 week for you folks, the excitement, the joy, the suspense, im right behind you guys at 2 weeks, and i did get a good laugh at the food on the sticks, gotta love the fairs, have a great day to all

Well, I'll tell ya now.......... don't expect too many domes to be left waiting for ya!!!!! LOL

Hope you have a great weekend!!!

 

[mmmears]

Thanks! We are both most excited about eating at Boma (so WHY are we wasting our time with CRT?!?)

We ate at both Boma and CRT last April -- Boma is the one my DD9 keeps talking about and the one she has asked to go back to on our next trip!

Glad you finally got your ADRs!!!

 

[LAWalz23]

Hello all! Back from 5 nights at AKL (3 cl and 2 savannah). We enjoyed ourselves, especially the kids! They got to go to Adventure Camp on Sat (10am-2pm) and really enjoyed it. Painted an ostrich egg, got a straw safari hat and a little goodie bag. They enjoyed having lunch on one of the verandahs, in a rocking chair (it was blocked off just for them) and a special tour of the lodge.
Sunrise safari was very nice as was the breakfast, we just wish it wasn't so early as we generally like to sleep late when we have the opportunity.
Concierge was ok but not any better than the Poly.
The rooms are definately smaller than the Poly or Contemporary. I wasn't sure we had gotten a deluxe for our first 3 nights until we moved to the 3rd floor and you could barely fit the two beds in the room. Guess that is why there are fullsize beds at mods and values.
I am still not sold on the buses as we waited 45 min for a DTD bus on Sat (while the kids were at A C) and then there were the folks who decided to walk in front of everybody waiting patiently so they got on the bus and those that had been waiting had to wait for a 2nd bus.
Magical Express was very nice, I would definately do it again.
DDP was also great and we would definately purchase it for future trips.

Kimmar, great pics and I love the first installment of your trip report!

Shyjade, congrats on your Boma ADRs, my niece and nephew enjoyed Boma and CRT (for lunch), Coral Reef not so much.

Wendypooh and Tinknme, just a few more days!

 

[JennyMominRI]

I am still not sold on the buses as we waited 45 min for a DTD bus on Sat (while the kids were at A C) and then there were the folks who decided to walk in front of everybody waiting patiently so they got on the bus and those that had been waiting had to wait for a 2nd bus.
.

!

I think I was there then too waiting for the MK bus which took close to 40 minutes...The DTD had been waiting the whole time with us and our MK bus came first..We saw the DTD bus come as our MK bus left...I almost gave up and went back to my room that day