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

[seetheworld]

Hi! I am new to this thread so I apologize if this has been asked before. Can someone tell me about the AKL standard rooms? Where are they located and are they loud [like facing the lobby]? Can someone recommend a nice location to request a room? Are the standard rooms nice? Any help or input would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

[BensMom]

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.

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated. Shellie, hmmm. No, I haven't. Karim, I adore. We usually count on Jody behind the bar to guide us about the wines. As we all know, South African wines can be tricky! Although, I had a wonderful bottle of Conde cabernet. It was outstanding. But I shall look for Shellie. We have some hits and misses with waitstaff there. I liked Drew, whose wife is still working at Jiko. We loved Steve, the manager, but he has moved on and up. We are truly looking forward to kicking back and not having to get into the car after having a great dinner at Jiko and a few "desserts" with Lorna and Rose at Victoria Falls. Oh, we'll be there on weeknights...hmmm, could be Kevin or Anthony. In any event, thanks so much for the input about the rooms. It will be very helpful.

 

[BensMom]

Hi! I am new to this thread so I apologize if this has been asked before. Can someone tell me about the AKL standard rooms? Where are they located and are they loud [like facing the lobby]? Can someone recommend a nice location to request a room? Are the standard rooms nice? Any help or input would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

Well, as I see it, even the standard rooms that overlook the parking lot don't stink! The decor is the same. The rooms, in my opinion, are beautiful.

 

[Donald is #1]

I finally booked AKL for my May trip. I was able to get the AP discount but I had to book pool view instead of Svannah. Since I have never been there before, will I have plenty opportunities to see the animals on the Savannah? Also, where do you suggest for a room request? I would like a convient location that is close to areas to view the animals.

Thanks everyone!

 

[CJsMom]

I finally booked AKL for my May trip. I was able to get the AP discount but I had to book pool view instead of Svannah. Since I have never been there before, will I have plenty opportunities to see the animals on the Savannah? Also, where do you suggest for a room request? I would like a convient location that is close to areas to view the animals.

Thanks everyone!

We are booked for pool view as well in December and many people on this thread have said there are lots of animal viewing areas. I wasn't too sure about the pool view but the actual view is really nice (scroll back a few pages for more of Gdad's pics) and you don't have to walk far to see animals. I requested close to lobby, Zebra trail, as it's close to the Mara and bus stops.

 

[CJsMom]

Thanks again Gdad - your pictures make me want to be there RIGHT NOW!

 

[ms_mckenna]

My DH has said he will be trying to join us for our AKL trip this summer, from July 30th to Aug 5th. Which I would be thrilled with ... if it happens lol. The company he works for is usually very busy during the summer and we both have concerns about how busy they will be during that time period. So he has told me he will make a decision if he thinks he can go or not definately at least 45 days out. I honestly do not think he will be going. He has told me that I could use the extra money I prepay for him to just upgrade us. Well I went back to look and see what I could do. I as of now have a standard room (which we are perfectly fine with), for 5 nights. I should repeat if we have a standard view of the parking lot it is not a big deal to me. I could do one of 4 things ... I could upgrade our 5 nights standard to a standard Kilomanjaro Club, or a savannah view. (Should I be concerned about not getting one of these rooms this close to check in). I could upgrade to a pool view and add one night. Or I could add 2 days to our ressie and stay in the room we have now. Another positive thing about doing the later I could go ahead and book the extra 2 nights and just delete a few if he decides to stay with us. Do you think a savanah view is worth 2 nights in a trade off? I am not so worried about airfare because it will still be 45 days out and should be fairly easy to change that and still get a decent rate. Anyway opinions please.

 

[BensMom]

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



Thats in the hotel gift shop- Thanks.

I don't know, I've taken some bad shots! LOL I agree, though, everything is gorgeous there. My fiance and I just go out to sit in the lobby oftentimes and just marvel!

 

[neshanicguy]

We just returned from our week at the AKL. We had a pool view bunkbed room. For those of you who are unable to pay the $ of the savanah view, let me tell you that we LOVED our room. We were in 5024. Our balcony looked directly out on the pool (the "beach" entry side). There was alot of leaves to look through but we could see some flamingos too. The fifth floor was VERY quiet. A great GREAT surprise was being able to use the side door by the bus stop! Through the doors, down the hall and we were at our elevator. It saved sooo much time! My kids were always so exhausted that if they were in the room - they were sleeping. If they were up, it was either in the park or the pool. There were plenty of places to go an view the animals during the day and night (NV goggles were cool). In fact, on our next trip, we will book the same room.

 

[luvfigment]

We just returned from our week at the AKL. We had a pool view bunkbed room. For those of you who are unable to pay the $ of the savanah view, let me tell you that we LOVED our room. We were in 5024. Our balcony looked directly out on the pool (the "beach" entry side). There was alot of leaves to look through but we could see some flamingos too. The fifth floor was VERY quiet. A great GREAT surprise was being able to use the side door by the bus stop! Through the doors, down the hall and we were at our elevator. It saved sooo much time! My kids were always so exhausted that if they were in the room - they were sleeping. If they were up, it was either in the park or the pool. There were plenty of places to go an view the animals during the day and night (NV goggles were cool). In fact, on our next trip, we will book the same room.

Glad you enjoyed your time!!!!! It is good to hear that the fifth floor right now was quiet. Do you have any pictures to share???

 

[luvfigment]

My DH has said he will be trying to join us for our AKL trip this summer, from July 30th to Aug 5th. Which I would be thrilled with ... if it happens lol. The company he works for is usually very busy during the summer and we both have concerns about how busy they will be during that time period. So he has told me he will make a decision if he thinks he can go or not definately at least 45 days out. I honestly do not think he will be going. He has told me that I could use the extra money I prepay for him to just upgrade us. Well I went back to look and see what I could do. I as of now have a standard room (which we are perfectly fine with), for 5 nights. I should repeat if we have a standard view of the parking lot it is not a big deal to me. I could do one of 4 things ... I could upgrade our 5 nights standard to a standard Kilomanjaro Club, or a savannah view. (Should I be concerned about not getting one of these rooms this close to check in). I could upgrade to a pool view and add one night. Or I could add 2 days to our ressie and stay in the room we have now. Another positive thing about doing the later I could go ahead and book the extra 2 nights and just delete a few if he decides to stay with us. Do you think a savanah view is worth 2 nights in a trade off? I am not so worried about airfare because it will still be 45 days out and should be fairly easy to change that and still get a decent rate. Anyway opinions please.

Well to start I hope your husband is able to go with you on the trip. But if he couldn't personally I would take the extra two days and stay standard. Everyone will have their opinions and you will have to decide what means more to you. I just think two more days in Disney would be better but that is my opinion. Or I would add one night and the pool view. I just like maximizing my time in Disney. Good luck in your choice and keep us up to date!

 

[plutospup]

ms_mckenna...take the two days!!!! That's two more days to enjoy all that the Lodge has to offer. Enjoy it all!

 

[RachelTori]

ms_mckenna...take the two days!!!! That's two more days to enjoy all that the Lodge has to offer. Enjoy it all!

Heck yeah!!

 

[ms_mckenna]

ms_mckenna...take the two days!!!! That's two more days to enjoy all that the Lodge has to offer. Enjoy it all!

LMAO thanks guys. That is what I was leaning too but everyone raves about the savanahs. So I thought well maybe I am depriving my children by not at least considering it. Two more days will definately make him not being there a little easier to take lol.

 

[CJsMom]

I agree - take 2 more days!! You'll see plenty of animals at the resort!

 

[scorp111]

We just returned from our week at the AKL. We had a pool view bunkbed room. For those of you who are unable to pay the $ of the savanah view, let me tell you that we LOVED our room. We were in 5024. Our balcony looked directly out on the pool (the "beach" entry side). There was alot of leaves to look through but we could see some flamingos too. The fifth floor was VERY quiet. A great GREAT surprise was being able to use the side door by the bus stop! Through the doors, down the hall and we were at our elevator. It saved sooo much time! My kids were always so exhausted that if they were in the room - they were sleeping. If they were up, it was either in the park or the pool. There were plenty of places to go an view the animals during the day and night (NV goggles were cool). In fact, on our next trip, we will book the same room.

Glad to hear. We have a pool view room for our upcoming trip. We have never stayed at the AKL and are very excited :

 

[schdp]

Since the search doesn't seem to be working, does anyone know if the bathrooms have pocket/sliding doors on them? I thought I saw it in a picture but just can't find them...

Thanks!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Since the search doesn't seem to be working, does anyone know if the bathrooms have pocket/sliding doors on them? I thought I saw it in a picture but just can't find them...

Thanks!

No room I have ever stayed in has such doors. The bathroom is separated into a vanity area with two sinks (which is in an alcove, but not enclosed by a door), and then the actual toilet and bathtub/shower are behind a regular door off of the vanity area.

The closet does have sliding doors, and is typically across from the vanity area. Maybe that's what you're remembering from pictures.

 

[schdp]

No room I have ever stayed in has such doors. The bathroom is separated into a vanity area with two sinks (which is in an alcove, but not enclosed by a door), and then the actual toilet and bathtub/shower are behind a regular door off of the vanity area.

The closet does have sliding doors, and is typically across from the vanity area. Maybe that's what you're remembering from pictures.

You are probably right... Guess I was just hoping for a little more privacy. At least in the CBR there was a screen that you could pull closed

 

[BensMom]

Hey, a bit off topic, but not really. Ben and I just finished watching "Duma," the movie. Has anyone seen it? Wow, what a great movie! I highly recommend it. There's even a few "upside-down" trees in it! If you ever want to get back to the Lodge through a movie, this is it! Get out the Kleenex!