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

[SharonLowe]

They had 4 CM for Concierge check-in. These people were walking right up and the "regular" folks were about 10 people deep with only 2 CMs helping us. The ladies in front of me, kept trying to get a a manager or someone else to help everytime someone came from the back. It surprised me as each of these CMs would "snap" at these ladies. These ladies were not being rude, they just wanted to get some assistance. It had been 15 minutes and our line wasn't moving and Concierge was staying empty. (it was a little frustrating). After about 20 min, 2 additional CM came out to clear our line. I had a woman in a Black coat (must have been a supervisor). I was friendly and tried chatting with her about the pretty day we were having. She was really rushed and did not seem to have time to answer my questions or to talk with me. She referred me to the brochures in my room and the WDW packet "to answer any questions I may have." She was very curt and unfriendly. They did have a room ready so we were able to get settled before heading to the park. The bellmen were very friendly and informative. If you like quiet, do not stay in pool view room. People were out at the pool and were very loud until after midnight. Mousekeeping did not leave us any towel animals and turn down service was nothing more than a couple of chocolates on each bed. The resort did not seem real busy so I am not sure where the service was that everyone raves about. We did eat at BOMA and it was wonderful. No problems with bus service. Usually walked right up and the bus was either there or loading. Mara was also good. Loved the gift shop!!! All this being said, DH and I are thinking of giving AKL one more try in March when we take his parents to the World.

I thought Concierge check-in was at the lounge - always has been for us in the past. Have they changed that because of the construction?

Also, towel animals are not guaranteed for anyone. In all the times we have been to WDW, we've only had one towel animal. Just depends on your housekeeper. However, they almost always arrange my DD's stuffed animals in a cute way.

 

[Donald is #1]

Has the construction started on the villas? If it has, does it impact your stay at all? i.e. are there some rooms overlooking the construction or are any of the savannas closed due to the construction? I am thinking about staying at the AKL for the first time in May.

Thanks everyone!

 

[DCDisney]

Has the construction started on the villas? If it has, does it impact your stay at all?

Thanks everyone!

We just returned a few days ago and saw no signs of construction at all. We stayed on zebra trail but faced the giraffes side not Arusha and we visited that side of the resort pretty extensively and saw nothing. We had a great trip and loved AKL. We did also have an awful time at check in though. It took nearly an hour and NONE of the room requests from our travel agent had been honored so she kept searching and searching trying to find rooms available. We were travelling with family and they couldn't even get us on the same floor and the other part of the family had to take a room downgrade in order to even be on the same side of the building (and they didn't refund the price difference). It was really beautiful and everyone who worked there was great. Saw tons of animals. Mara was excellent. Pool is great. Busses were excellent.

Yvonne

 

[kimmar067]

Just got back from 5 days at WDW last night. We stayed at AKL. I must admit I was a little disappointed in my stay.
To begin, the resort was beautiful and very awe-inspiring. Not that we had a bad trip but the level of service was not what I expected after reading this thread.
We arrived around 10am to check-in. We were prepared to wait for a room to be ready later in the afternoon. I waited in line behind a group of ladies that were checking out. It was a little bad on the service level at this point. They had 4 CM for Concierge check-in. These people were walking right up and the "regular" folks were about 10 people deep with only 2 CMs helping us. The ladies in front of me, kept trying to get a a manager or someone else to help everytime someone came from the back. It surprised me as each of these CMs would "snap" at these ladies. These ladies were not being rude, they just wanted to get some assistance. It had been 15 minutes and our line wasn't moving and Concierge was staying empty. (it was a little frustrating). After about 20 min, 2 additional CM came out to clear our line. I had a woman in a Black coat (must have been a supervisor). I was friendly and tried chatting with her about the pretty day we were having. She was really rushed and did not seem to have time to answer my questions or to talk with me. She referred me to the brochures in my room and the WDW packet "to answer any questions I may have." She was very curt and unfriendly. They did have a room ready so we were able to get settled before heading to the park. The bellmen were very friendly and informative. If you like quiet, do not stay in pool view room. People were out at the pool and were very loud until after midnight. Mousekeeping did not leave us any towel animals and turn down service was nothing more than a couple of chocolates on each bed. The resort did not seem real busy so I am not sure where the service was that everyone raves about. We did eat at BOMA and it was wonderful. No problems with bus service. Usually walked right up and the bus was either there or loading. Mara was also good. Loved the gift shop!!! All this being said, DH and I are thinking of giving AKL one more try in March when we take his parents to the World.

...are you SURE it was concierge check-in?? If so, this is absolutley new, becuase concierge has their OWN check-in.....

....sorry that the beginning of your stay wasn't up to par, but it sounds like the rest of your trip was good....I really appreciate the honest input, so that it helps make others' decisions about staying at AKL more 'informed'....

...hope tht your next visit at AKL is more enjoyable.....

 

[slkant]

We returned from our stay at AKL about a week ago. Our room was very near the Arusha Rock, so we saw no signs of construction from our room. The only signs of contruction that we saw was some clearing of land on the Sunset savannah side during the Wanyama safari. I think it's hard to say what will be happening in May. I suppose it depends on how fast construction moves. I wanted to add that all of our room requests were honored, even though we checked in on Jan. 1, one of the hotel's busiest check-in/check-out days. Part of the reason may have been because we were a special needs reservation. Check-in was also relatively painless, but we were staying on the concierge level and could bypass the standard check-in desk. We also saw tons of animals and thought bus service was great.

 

[kimmar067]

.....Check-in was also relatively painless, but we were staying on the concierge level and could bypass the standard check-in desk.....

....see??? That's what I thought.....

 

[ppony]

Question? Isn't the lobby concierge different from the concierge level and it's services? I bet this is where the confusion might lie if indeed there is confusion. I was actually never told to check in at the bell services by any AKL staff but I learned about it in this or another concierge thread so I did, and they had my packet waiting for me there and I had zero wait. The lobby concierge is something that helps everyone isn't it? Not just concierge level guests. Don't they have them at all the resorts? They did at PO-FQ and it was definitely busy with guests there but they don't have a concierge level of service. I wonder if this was part of the problem with jaysbabe checkin. I'm sorry your experience was less than enjoyable. We were there just before Christmas and adored everything but I'm also glad I knew about checking in at bell services, I might have had another opinion of check-in had I not known and people should be told if they aren't. As I said, I wasn't.
BTW, it's sweet they give you water for the road when you leave but gosh, you can't take in into the airport so unless you chug before you get there and then use he restrooms, I would have liked something else. Still, nice toucha and nicer than nothing at allf or sure. I just felt bad tossing the bottles of perfectly good water at the airport.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Good morning from AKL!

Here's a photo of my breakfast

And here's me this morning before coffee.

 

[RachelTori]

WOO HOO Crystal! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your breakfast!!

Have you seen any construction?

Have a great time!

 

[disneymomof1]

Anyone have pics of the refillable mugs from AKL? We are heading down in 20 days for first stay at AKL and just curious. Thanks !!

 

[Hank's R&R]

Anyone ever stayed 4401-4406? It's a 4th floor pool view room. Looking for any info, pics, or tips you might have about this... thanks.

Also looking for a pic of the refillable mugs like the poster above me.

 

[SharonLowe]

Question? Isn't the lobby concierge different from the concierge level and it's services? I bet this is where the confusion might lie if indeed there is confusion. I was actually never told to check in at the bell services by any AKL staff but I learned about it in this or another concierge thread so I did, and they had my packet waiting for me there and I had zero wait. The lobby concierge is something that helps everyone isn't it? Not just concierge level guests. Don't they have them at all the resorts? They did at PO-FQ and it was definitely busy with guests there but they don't have a concierge level of service. I wonder if this was part of the problem with jaysbabe checkin. I'm sorry your experience was less than enjoyable. We were there just before Christmas and adored everything but I'm also glad I knew about checking in at bell services, I might have had another opinion of check-in had I not known and people should be told if they aren't. As I said, I wasn't.
BTW, it's sweet they give you water for the road when you leave but gosh, you can't take in into the airport so unless you chug before you get there and then use he restrooms, I would have liked something else. Still, nice toucha and nicer than nothing at allf or sure. I just felt bad tossing the bottles of perfectly good water at the airport.

You are right - the lobby concierge is to help any guest with questions, etc. The CL staff are up on the 6th floor. I'm surprised they don't tell people to go to the bell stand when they have CL reservations.

Water - not everyone flies and it is something they do in Africa so that is why they do it at AKL. I wish they did it the first day you arrive - you used to be able to get water bottles to take to the parks with you but I guess people abused it so they stopped doing it.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

WOO HOO Crystal! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your breakfast!!

Have you seen any construction?

Have a great time!

I haven't explored everywhere yet, but I found that if you go down to the "fecal flats" area of Kudu trail, you do see a big wall, with constrution going on past that. It doesn't seem to interfere with most of the views, though. I'll try to get some pics for you!

 

[Flossbolna]

Anyone have pics of the refillable mugs from AKL? We are heading down in 20 days for first stay at AKL and just curious. Thanks !!

On a thread with refillable mugs someone posted one from the Mara. You can see it at http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=12084972&postcount=25

I am looking forward to purchase one in 24 days!

 

[TiggerAllie]

I haven't explored everywhere yet, but I found that if you go down to the "fecal flats" area of Kudu trail, you do see a big wall, with constrution going on past that. It doesn't seem to interfere with most of the views, though. I'll try to get some pics for you!

I heard this is actually to build a new animal barn, because they need to remove the one that is on the far west side of the sunset savannah for the DVC construction (and they can't remove it until they have the new one ready).

 

[bjakmom]

Crystal - If you get a chance will you check and post the times and activities for the kid's programs? DNeph wants to spend our last day just hanging out at the lodge until we leave for the airport - and he's hoping to be able to do some of the activities again! thanks- have a wonderful stay - can't believe we're going to get another night at AKL in just 2 weeks!!!

 

[BensMom]

Has the construction started on the villas? If it has, does it impact your stay at all? i.e. are there some rooms overlooking the construction or are any of the savannas closed due to the construction? I am thinking about staying at the AKL for the first time in May.

If you take a drive down the road instead of turning right into the Lodge, go all the way to the end of the road (near service entrance). They have installed those environmental fences and have some construction equipment hanging around. Definately something happening...Otherwise, was just at the Lodge last night at Victoria Falls to watch some of the playoff games. Busy, the Lodge seemed pretty full, but we could not tell much was going on as far as construction.

 

[BensMom]

Crystal - If you get a chance will you check and post the times and activities for the kid's programs? DNeph wants to spend our last day just hanging out at the lodge until we leave for the airport - and he's hoping to be able to do some of the activities again! thanks- have a wonderful stay - can't believe we're going to get another night at AKL in just 2 weeks!!!

I spent a few minutes literally staring at the kids' activities list in Simba's last night while dropping my son off. I said to myself, "someone on Disboards would probably find this information handy." Sure enough...do you think I can think of even one thing on that list? (Oh, a pottery class). Some memory on me!

 

[jaysbabe]

I thought Concierge check-in was at the lounge - always has been for us in the past. Have they changed that because of the construction?

Also, towel animals are not guaranteed for anyone. In all the times we have been to WDW, we've only had one towel animal. Just depends on your housekeeper. However, they almost always arrange my DD's stuffed animals in a cute way.

Thanks for the update on the towel animals. DS stuffed animals were in the room on the table but she never touched them or put them on the bed.

The sign at check-in said "concierge" and the CM were not attempting to help anyone else in the other line. This was the same counter as lobby check-in. The CMs appeared to be helping those walking up through the concierge line with locating rooms and appeared to be checking in. So, I could be mistaken as to what the line was for but it was misleading and a little frustrating.

As for construction, I did not see any going on and there didn't seem to be any impact on the resort. I am glad everyone else has had a good time at the resort.

Thanks for all your help. I will try to give the lodge another try in a couple of months. BOMA alone was worth it!!! Even my ds3 loved the food!!

 

[kimmar067]

Here's a photo of my breakfast

And here's me this morning before coffee.

....BWHahahahahahah.......