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

[kimmar067]

Hello everyone!

We will be heading back to Disney in February of next year for a surprise trip. Our neighbors will be coming with us this time. We have never stayed at the AKL before, but we have always said we would love to come here.

My questions is this. My neighbors have 3 boys between the ages of 2 and 5. Will they have to be upgraded to a suite, or will they be allowed to have a cot brought into the room for one of the boys?

Thanks in advance!

...first of all, isn't your username redundant???!?!? Actually, you can probably 'get away' with a deluxe bunk room w/the couch that opens into a single bed.....or, if the 2-y-o is small, a bunk room - ask for a crib - this is what my DSis did with her family, including 3 girls, when they stayed at the WL....

 

[BensMom]

I have a question about transporation times. How long does it take to get to Epcot and MK from AKL? Also, if I have an ADR at CP for 8:05am what time should I get to the bus to catch the character breakfast bus and does it show on the bus where its going to or do I need to ask the driver or would it be easier to have a 8:40am ADR and just take the 1st MK bus since they start running 1 hr prior to opening?

Just a guestimate, but travel time (not including waiting for the buses) is about 20 minutes each. The buses will clearly say what park they are going to. "CP, CP," why am I braindead? I'm thinking Candlelight Processional, but I know that's not what you are talking about. Duh! If you have an 8:05 priority seating for a character breakfast, depending on what park it is, you have to check in at guest relations if the park is not open yet, so I would leave myself an hour commute, check in and actually get into the park to get to the podium. If you are a little late, don't sweat it...it's a 10 minute window. Gad, this is killing me... "CP..." If this ADR character breakfast is at another resort, please remember that buses do NOT run "intra-resort."

 

[BensMom]

OMG, CRYSTAL PALACE! Sorry, I could not believe it just didn't come to me. Okay, leave yourself a good hour between waiting for the bus and actually checking in at the podium at CP. The park is not open at 8 AM, so you will have to check in at guest relations first, unless it falls on a day where MK has EMH with an early park opening. As I said, they will allow you a 10 minute window it you are a bit late. Hope this helps.

 

[schdp]

I have a question about transporation times. How long does it take to get to Epcot and MK from AKL? Also, if I have an ADR at CP for 8:05am what time should I get to the bus to catch the character breakfast bus and does it show on the bus where its going to or do I need to ask the driver or would it be easier to have a 8:40am ADR and just take the 1st MK bus since they start running 1 hr prior to opening?

Not sure if you have seen this but there is a website out there that allows you to select a to and from and will give you the travel time and mode (boat/monorail/bus)

Not sure if I'm allowed to post it since it is a different website, PM me if you would like it...

 

[d4est]

Dis has a similar "calculator" here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/transportation/transportation1.cfm

 

[Disney8704]

LOL, are we feeling a lil disney deprived, lol. Do we need a disney vacation to remember abrevations? Give you the perfect reason to need to go back to disney so you remember the restraunts, LOL. Yes it crystal palace. LOL. Thanks for the info.

OMG, CRYSTAL PALACE! Sorry, I could not believe it just didn't come to me. Okay, leave yourself a good hour between waiting for the bus and actually checking in at the podium at CP. The park is not open at 8 AM, so you will have to check in at guest relations first, unless it falls on a day where MK has EMH with an early park opening. As I said, they will allow you a 10 minute window it you are a bit late. Hope this helps.

 

[schdp]

Dis has a similar "calculator" here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/transportation/transportation1.cfm

Thanks, didn't know about that one!

 

[OHJulie]

Just wanted to say Hi and thank everyone for your contributions to this great thread!!

I am soo excited to be going to AKL in July.

We were booked for last summer but had to cancel because my daughter had to have surgery. Didn't think we were going to be able to go this year due to our hectic schedule, but we have found a way!

We love WL but are ready for something different and all of your info. and pictures have convinced us that we will love AKL just as much. We have booked Savannah view - I asked for the Zebra Trail, but forgot to say Arusha Savannah - do you think that I should modify this request?

Thanks

 

[tiggrbaby]

No school today, so my first attempt at posting a picture:

Fighting over straw for a nest

 

[BensMom]

LOL, are we feeling a lil disney deprived, lol. Do we need a disney vacation to remember abrevations? Give you the perfect reason to need to go back to disney so you remember the restraunts, LOL. Yes it crystal palace. LOL. Thanks for the info.

Well, I live 6 minutes from the Mouse, and I just spent two days there, and like, uh, I think perhaps I spend too much time there (neva), and this is why I laugh at myself at NOT knowing CP!!! In fact, you should have seen the line there today! You know MK is busy when there is a wait to get on the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse! No one has to worry about yours truly being Disney deprived! I think our Disney Dining Experience card pays for itself the first weekend of every year of its renewal! If you only knew!

 

[Lostgirlz]

I have a question about transporation times. How long does it take to get to Epcot and MK from AKL? Also, if I have an ADR at CP for 8:05am what time should I get to the bus to catch the character breakfast bus and does it show on the bus where its going to or do I need to ask the driver or would it be easier to have a 8:40am ADR and just take the 1st MK bus since they start running 1 hr prior to opening?

We were usually out there by 7:20-7:30 took about 15 mins to on bus at least that's how it felt. It did feel a bit of a longer drive from akl to the parks (except for AK) but this was our first time to WDW, so not sure if it's just me heh. We had 8:05 at CP. They have a section for people with early morn before park opening breakfasts adrs to line up, and about 10 mins prior to 8 they let us enter the park. Also they do not list on the busses (bus to such and such breakfast) You will just need to board the bus Magic Kingdom. The bus stops at the lodge have signs for each place you need to be to board the corredt bus. Downtown disney is at the very end of the bus stop, magic Kingdom is the next up from it, then I believe it's epcot, then MGM-Studios, and AK. If I recall right I blieve that's the order of the bus docks. I do know positive that downtown disney is at the end, and the magic kingdom is the one before it.

 

[usewickhouse]

Question...is there any specific request we should make for a standard view room. We can not afford the upgrade to SV for our quick weekend trip to celebrate DD3 4th Bday. Is there a better "standard" view that we should request? Would prefer to not be looking at the parking lot but realize that may be our only option. Would appreciate any advice from all you AKL regulars.

 

[BensMom]

Ok, now that we're on room requests...I get to stay at AKL April 2 and 3!!! My son, Ben, has requested AKL...on two conditions: bunkbeds and savannah view.

I have to laugh, I claim to know everything Disney except I don't know the best trail...any suggestions? We just go there to eat and Ben likes Simba's. We are rookies when it comes to honing in on room locations. Thanks guys! I can't wait!

 

[CJsMom]

Ok, now that we're on room requests...I get to stay at AKL April 2 and 3!!! My son, Ben, has requested AKL...on two conditions: bunkbeds and savannah view.

I have to laugh, I claim to know everything Disney except I don't know the best trail...any suggestions? We just go there to eat and Ben likes Simba's. We are rookies when it comes to honing in on room locations. Thanks guys! I can't wait!

Well, keep in mind I haven't actually been there yet, but here's the info. I found somewhere in this 400-pg thread :

TIP: For an amazing view of the animals near their feeding area, choose rooms (on any floor, even number rooms only) from X572 through X584 (where X is the floor number). Also, odd numbered rooms X541 through X555 have a similar view. These rooms wrap around the feeding area, and provided us an AWESOME view of the giraffe and Tommies

That would be out towards the end of Zebra trail. From what I have read many people prefer Zebra Trail with a view of Arusha Rock.

 

[BensMom]

Well, keep in mind I haven't actually been there yet, but here's the info. I found somewhere in this 400-pg thread :

TIP: For an amazing view of the animals near their feeding area, choose rooms (on any floor, even number rooms only) from X572 through X584 (where X is the floor number). Also, odd numbered rooms X541 through X555 have a similar view. These rooms wrap around the feeding area, and provided us an AWESOME view of the giraffe and Tommies

That would be out towards the end of Zebra trail. From what I have read many people prefer Zebra Trail with a view of Arusha Rock.

Oh, awesome! Thank you! As I said, we are always rushing in and rushing out living locally to eat at Jiko, etc., and we never get to stay here! This is such a treat for us, even though it's literally right down the street. When I wasn't living here, I didn't even know about that little factoid about the rooms.

Again, thanks, but I knew I could count on a Sox/Pats fan to come through! Yay!

 

[Gdad]

A few more from our recent trip...Sitting here at work missing AKL

 

[BensMom]

Gawrsh, GDad...I wanna take pics just like you! Seriously, did you take a photog class or are you just good?

 

[jaycns]

Gdad...where is the yellow background with the lion hanging? I need a shot of that!!

Amazing shots once again! I second the question of are you a pro?! Thanks again for sharing!!

 

[John's Mom]

Ok, now that we're on room requests...I get to stay at AKL April 2 and 3!!! My son, Ben, has requested AKL...on two conditions: bunkbeds and savannah view.

I have to laugh, I claim to know everything Disney except I don't know the best trail...any suggestions? We just go there to eat and Ben likes Simba's. We are rookies when it comes to honing in on room locations. Thanks guys! I can't wait!

Our favorite location at the AKL is the Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail. The pool and restaurants are located on this side of the Lodge.

Have you ever had Shellie as your waitress at Jiko? She has been there for a few years and is fabulous; she really knows her South African wines.

 

[Gdad]

Gawrsh, GDad...I wanna take pics just like you! Seriously, did you take a photog class or are you just good?

Uh- not really. How can you really take a 'bad' picture at AKL? Everything you look at is beautiful. But thanks.

Gdad...where is the yellow background with the lion hanging? I need a shot of that!!

Amazing shots once again! I second the question of are you a pro?! Thanks again for sharing!!

Thats in the hotel gift shop- Thanks.