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

[glewis1123]

I'm now staying at the AKL!
glewis1123: although I loved your suggestion I didn't even have to use it! I called WDW yesterday and asked the CM to check for a pin code and I had one. Got a great quote on a pool view w/bunk beds, and DH said go for it! Actually I got a great quote for a savannah view as well but we had to draw the money line somewhere. So then I emailed my TA and she got it for $120 less than I had been quoted! I am SO excited, and keeping the secret from my DS's is really hard now. Oh yeah, had to change my dates by one day 12/9 - 12/16 (Sun-Sun instead of Sat-Sat) but that was no big deal. I am doing the happy dance all around the house!

So, what's a good room to request for pool view?

I am so excited for you - you are going to really love this hotel!!!!!! There are plenty of savanahs viewing areas around the grounds of the hotel and also between some of the sections on the wings of the hotel as well. They'll be windows that look out onto the savannahs.

I can't help you with a room location for a pool view but I am sure someone else here can help you out on that.

We head down in June and can't wait.

Maybe hubby deserves a little desert since he was so easy to convince

 

[CJsMom]

Maybe hubby deserves a little desert since he was so easy to convince

Yeah, I already took care of that...

 

[glewis1123]

Yeah, I already took care of that...

You are going to have such a great time and will totally love this resort.

I would love to be able to go during the holiday time but family commitments dictate otherwise - at least for the next few years. So we usually drivedown to DL for a long weekend.

 

[Dis Ohana]

We're planning on being at AKL Dec. '07. I had no idea that such major construction was planned, I thought it was just renovations of rooms. Anyone have any idea when they'll be starting that, and more importantly..when it's slated to be completed.

 

[MouseTrip07]

Hi guys, I have the January blues and months and months to go before another Disney fix. Who is off to the world next? I want to hear about it

We leave Sunday and are staying at AKL. It is our first time at Disney and our 10th anniversary. DD4 tells anyone who will listen, "We're staying at ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE." I think she is more excited about this than going to the parks themselves!

Seriously, we are all so excited. We have a standard view booked, but we are planning to ask if there are any savannah rooms available so that we can pay for the upgrade. After reading this thread and seeing the pictures, I am more and more convinced we have to do this!!

Jennifer

 

[glewis1123]

We're planning on being at AKL Dec. '07. I had no idea that such major construction was planned, I thought it was just renovations of rooms. Anyone have any idea when they'll be starting that, and more importantly..when it's slated to be completed.

I'm not 100% sure of this but from what I've read elsewhere on these boards I believe the renovation of the rooms at AKL are due to be completed sometime this fall - so I don't think it is something you'll have to worry about.

As far as the construction of the villas - I don't think that should hamper your visit at all since it is not on the immediate premisis of the AKL. I believe the first phase of the villas is scheduled to open summer 2008.

Of course this is all speculation til Disney makes an official announcement.

But being in the construction industry - figure on murphy's law, the weather, and people not agreeing on one issue or another to delay a project.

Hope this helps - somewhat anyways

If I could I'd just wave my magic wand it would be done tomorow

 

[Cass]

DD4 tells anyone who will listen, "We're staying at ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE."

That is so sweet she will just love the giraffe & zebra

 

[ZeonStar]

Could someone tell me the difference in the Deluxe Savannah View vs the normal Savannah View? Maybe some pictures?

Is the price difference worth it?

Thank you!

 

[glewis1123]

Could someone tell me the difference in the Deluxe Savannah View vs the normal Savannah View? Maybe some pictures?

Is the price difference worth it?

Thank you!

Don't think there is much difference in the view other than being on the higher floors - 5th/6th floors. 6th floor being concierge - at least up til now.

The difference is in the size of the room. Some of the delux rooms will sleep 5 - since we bring nieces/nephews with us usually - we ask for a room with bunkbeds - so we have the bunkbeds, queen bed and sofa bed. works good when you have both younger boys/girls in your group.

 

[Cass]

Yes, the deluxe refers to the room - not the view. Deluxe rooms are slightly larger and on the higher floors.

 

[kimmar067]

According to Mouseplanet the new DVC building is going to be five stories , see here: http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd070122mg

...actually, the AKL has 6 floors now....

 

[kimmar067]

I'm now staying at the AKL!
glewis1123: although I loved your suggestion I didn't even have to use it! I called WDW yesterday and asked the CM to check for a pin code and I had one. Got a great quote on a pool view w/bunk beds, and DH said go for it! Actually I got a great quote for a savannah view as well but we had to draw the money line somewhere. So then I emailed my TA and she got it for $120 less than I had been quoted! I am SO excited, and keeping the secret from my DS's is really hard now. Oh yeah, had to change my dates by one day 12/9 - 12/16 (Sun-Sun instead of Sat-Sat) but that was no big deal. I am doing the happy dance all around the house!

So, what's a good room to request for pool view?

...dancing right along with ya....

 

[Blueyed Girl]

 

[jaycns]

Another question for the AKL experts!!!

What time does the Sunset Safari begin (on a Thursday if that would make any difference) and what time could we expect to finish up at Jiko afterwards? I am trying to figure out if we would have time to make it over to DTD to see Cirque that night at 9:00 PM. Also, how early would we need to be back to AKL that afternoon. THANKS!

 

[kimmar067]

Another question for the AKL experts!!!

What time does the Sunset Safari begin (on a Thursday if that would make any difference) and what time could we expect to finish up at Jiko afterwards? I am trying to figure out if we would have time to make it over to DTD to see Cirque that night at 9:00 PM. Also, how early would we need to be back to AKL that afternoon. THANKS!

...........


[BTW ~ love yer 'wiggler'..... ]

 

[schdp]

Just booked AKL!!! Thanks for all the info on this thread.

Still reading it all but I know I won't regret it...

 

[Dis Ohana]

I'm not 100% sure of this but from what I've read elsewhere on these boards I believe the renovation of the rooms at AKL are due to be completed sometime this fall - so I don't think it is something you'll have to worry about.

As far as the construction of the villas - I don't think that should hamper your visit at all since it is not on the immediate premisis of the AKL. I believe the first phase of the villas is scheduled to open summer 2008.

Of course this is all speculation til Disney makes an official announcement.

But being in the construction industry - figure on murphy's law, the weather, and people not agreeing on one issue or another to delay a project.

Hope this helps - somewhat anyways

If I could I'd just wave my magic wand it would be done tomorow

Thanks for the info. We're in construction too - so I know all about scheduling! The last thing we want to be anywhere near is more construction!

Thanks again for your reply. I'm so enjoying this thread...been on it for a week and I still haven't read the whole thing.

 

[jaycns]

kimmar...have you had a chance to add anything more to your trip report? If so...could you please link it. I am having trouble finding it. The search tool is NOT working for me right now. Ugh. Thanks!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

...actually, the AKL has 6 floors now....

I was just commenting how big the DVC buliding seems to be: quite long as can bee seen on the map posted by someone before and then 5 floors.

 

[saffy]

Ok, chalk this up to rentetive planning, I know it's way early, but.....

I've booked my trip. 9 nights AKL standard concierge. For November but I already admitted this is early to be worrying about it! Paid my $200 deposit @ AAA and have my confirmation #.

Anyway, at what point do I contact the IPO people? I know my ADR's can't be made for another, um, 120-some-odd days still (gosh - that sounds so far away still! ) but I do want to make sure we get into the CL safaris (we're going to go ahead and do both the evening and the morning ones!) and also wanted to put another mention re: room request in at some point (parents are both somewhat crippled. We'll be getting 1 ECV for them to share (mainly because they are BOTH too stubborn to suck it up and get 2 of them! And, yes, we know it will be taking turns on it, not lap-sitting, but that's getting off the point), so I wanted to reuqest a more central room. Looking at a great view isn't as important as them being able to walk and feel good throughout the trip, and the less walking @ the resort that isn't necessary, the better!

SO, all that long and rambling said, at what point do I contact the IPO, just to let them know that we exist and will be there in 302 days?