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

[kimmar067]

Leaving today for a long weekend at AKL - I can't wait.

Looks like its going to be a nice weekend too-

...du-u-u-u-ude, don't forget - PLENTY 'O PIX!!

 

[jaycns]

Just so you all know ...I have already informed dh that I will be spending an entire afternoon poking around at AKL with my camera! I am so looking forward to having pictures to share! Ahh....I have to wait MONTHS before I can take them...but I am already excited none the less. Any new news on the construction or concierge lounge? TIA!!

 

[kimmar067]

Just so you all know...I have already informed dh that I will be spending an entire afternoon poking around at AKL with my camera! I am so looking forward to having pictures to share! Ahh.......I have to wait MONTHS before I can take them...

...don't tease us like that.....

 

[jaycns]

...don't tease us like that.....

Tease you!!?? Oh the agonies for me!! I just cannot wait. I mean I know I HAVE to...but I am so excited right now. I think it's the fact that my 180 day window is just a little over 20 days from now...so I am in planning mode big time...after that is done...I should be able to think of something else (anything else ) and find the patience to wait it out. I think I have vacation fever! If anyone has some pictures to post to help me over the worst of it... I would really appreciate it!

 

[Gdad]

Okay- am I crazy?

We got over here early this afternoon and got checked in. We had originally made reservations for a pool view room but when we checked in they said we were in a Savannah view room. They never called it an upgrade but I kind of figured it was. I always enjoy a view of the pool area at other resorts but I figured at AKL we are here to see the animals- right?

So we go to our room on the 4th floor. And it ends up being way WAY out on the end- actually kind of on the back outside corner of the building and all we can see is a big fence and some kind of maintenance building. The girls are asking where are the animals and I'm not even sure animals could get back there- it's not a very big space.

So anyway- I called down to the front desk and told them we really wanted to be by the pool and they took care of it right away. Our new room is on the first floor right by the pool and fitness center. We like it much better. We just felt very isolated way on down that long hallway looking at a shed.

We also had dinner at Jiko - It was excellent!

Anyway - here's a pict from earlier tonight...Many more to follw when I get home

 

[Tinkaroo]

Okay- am I crazy?

We got over here early this afternoon and got checked in. We had originally made reservations for a pool view room but when we checked in they said we were in a Savannah view room. They never called it an upgrade but I kind of figured it was. I always enjoy a view of the pool area at other resorts but I figured at AKL we are here to see the animals- right?

So we go to our room on the 4th floor. And it ends up being way WAY out on the end- actually kind of on the back outside corner of the building and all we can see is a big fence and some kind of maintenance building. The girls are asking where are the animals and I'm not even sure animals could get back there- it's not a very big space.

So anyway- I called down to the front desk and told them we really wanted to be by the pool and they took care of it right away. Our new room is on the first floor right by the pool and fitness center. We like it much better. We just felt very isolated way on down that long hallway looking at a shed.

We also had dinner at Jiko - It was excellent!

Anyway - here's a pict from earlier tonight...Many more to follw when I get home

Beautiful picture - would love to know what kind of camera you use!

Glad to hear all is situated as you want it now - enjoy your stay!

 

[ms_mckenna]

OMG thanks for sharing! That is a beautiful picture! I am excited to see the other pictures you have to share with us when you get back home! Enjoy your stay. You have definately made me more excited about AKL

 

[dee slack]

this is honestly one of the nicest photo's I've seen of AKL. Thanks for sharing.

 

[d4est]

I, too, would like to know what kind of camera you are using! I am asking for a camera for my B-day SPECIFICALLY for taking Disney pics! (B-day in October, trip in December)

 

[Gdad]

I, too, would like to know what kind of camera you are using! I am asking for a camera for my B-day SPECIFICALLY for taking Disney pics! (B-day in October, trip in December)

I have a Nikon D70s - these were taken with a Sigma 10-20mm lens. Here's one from inside the lobby.

Thanks all.

 

[d4est]

Beautiful!!

Is that digital?

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Does anyone know how long they are offering the standard concierge rooms at the lower rate. Has anyone noticed at time that these have stopped being offered. We are considering this room for our Jan 08 trip??

 

[CJsMom]

Okay- am I crazy?

We got over here early this afternoon and got checked in. We had originally made reservations for a pool view room but when we checked in they said we were in a Savannah view room. They never called it an upgrade but I kind of figured it was. I always enjoy a view of the pool area at other resorts but I figured at AKL we are here to see the animals- right?

So we go to our room on the 4th floor. And it ends up being way WAY out on the end- actually kind of on the back outside corner of the building and all we can see is a big fence and some kind of maintenance building. The girls are asking where are the animals and I'm not even sure animals could get back there- it's not a very big space.

So anyway- I called down to the front desk and told them we really wanted to be by the pool and they took care of it right away. Our new room is on the first floor right by the pool and fitness center. We like it much better. We just felt very isolated way on down that long hallway looking at a shed.

We also had dinner at Jiko - It was excellent!

Anyway - here's a pict from earlier tonight...Many more to follw when I get home

Great picture - thanks so much! I can't wait to get there...only 300 days to go...

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

AKL Experts: I had a friend ask me this and I wasn't sure of the answer. When leaving the parks, where does the AKL bus stop fall in line with the other resorts? I know it may very from park to park, but is it fairly close to the the front, kind of in the middle, or waaaay in the back like POP? Also, does AKL have their own buses, or do they share with another resort?

 

[SharonLowe]

AKL Experts: I had a friend ask me this and I wasn't sure of the answer. When leaving the parks, where does the AKL bus stop fall in line with the other resorts? I know it may very from park to park, but is it fairly close to the the front, kind of in the middle, or waaaay in the back like POP? Also, does AKL have their own buses, or do they share with another resort?

AKL bus stops are typically close to the parks. I think the one at AK is the furthest walk you will have and it is still a short one.

In the past, they never shared but looking at www.thelaughingplace.com, it looks like they sometimes share with Saratoga Springs for the water parks.

 

[SharonLowe]

Does anyone know how long they are offering the standard concierge rooms at the lower rate. Has anyone noticed at time that these have stopped being offered. We are considering this room for our Jan 08 trip??

The reason they are being offered is because DVC is taking over the rooms on 6 and (most of? it isn't really clear yet) the rooms on 5 - all the deluxe rooms were on those floors. They have never been offered before. I've been told that they are all Arusha Savannah view rooms on the 4th floor. No idea if this is a permanent change.

 

[jaycns]

STUNNING!! Absolutely stunning! What type of camera are you using? An are you a photographer in real life? That shot was crystal clear and I love the composition! I may need to get out and practice before I get to WDW in order to take some decent photos!

Anyway, GREAT picture! Thanks for posting it and I am glad to hear your room worked out for the better after the change (I think I would have asked for that change as well). Enjoy your time at WDW!!

 

[jaycns]

The reason they are being offered is because DVC is taking over the rooms on 6 and (most of? it isn't really clear yet) the rooms on 5 - all the deluxe rooms were on those floors. They have never been offered before. I've been told that they are all Arusha Savannah view rooms on the 4th floor. No idea if this is a permanent change.

I don't have any idea either....but we were able to reserve a deluxe concierge room Sept.1-Sept. 9. We have a party of five (and that is on our ressies). So I am sure that at least some deluxe sized concierge level rooms will still be in use by AKL (not through DVC I mean) in September 2007.

Hope that helped.

 

[d4est]

I don't know about other times this year, but you will be hard pressed to get a concierge room in December. I have been trying to switch for a few weeks now. No luck. I just got off the phone... nothing, nada, zilch.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Very excited - we decided to change our reservation from WL to the AKL in a couple of weeks, and I was able to nab a savannah view room at the AP rate! With all of the renovations going on at the WL currently, we decided it was best to come "home" to AKL, and finally stay in that savannah view room!

I was having a little bit of buyer's remorse/anxiety over WL, and it feel like a weight has been lifted now that we're booked at our beloved AKL!