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

[tiggrbaby]

Congrats Donald! I'm sure you're going to love it!

I have to admit, I am going to ADORE working with the IPO! They e-mailed me today and I e-mailed back, with contact information, which restaurants which days we were looking at (and times), that we wanted the Sunrise Safari, everything!

Don e-mailed me back, he's already got everything booked!! I'm SO excited to not have to deal with Dining reservations myself. That's like a dream come true for me especially since they even spelled my name wrong our last trip and finding our reservations at check in was a nightmare the first night! (I'm Abbott, they spelled it Ebote )

I'm just doing a dance here... I can't help it!

So glad it's going well for you! Don is very kind and helpful; so was Juanita.

 

[luvfigment]

After many changes and second guessing I finally booked our Disneymoon today for AKL!!!!! We will be staying Savanna view and requested Zebra trail! I can't wait now I can finish up our ADR's!!!!

 

[luvfigment]

Forgot to ask a question. Are all of the King Size bed rooms handicap accessable? And if so do these rooms have a vanity are or is the sink in the bathroom itself? TIA

 

[denisekayt]

I read the first 220+ pages, but then skipped ahead to the last few or I figured I'd never make it to "modern times" This thread is WONDERFUL! I love that all of you are such a close bunch

Anyway, my true reason for de-lurking is that my DS, Mom (her very 1st trip to the World!), and myself will be staying at the AKL for the first time the first week in May and I had a recent discussion with Don in CL about construction that I haven't seen posted here (but, I may have missed it).

Our dates are 4/29-5/5 and I had requested an Arusha Savannah view on the Zebra Trail for my main room preference. Don called me to get my credit card info for DS's reservation at Simba's Club, and at that time also wanted to let me know that the Zebra Trail will be closed to concierge level guests during the time I will be there. He said that the Kudu Trail facing the Arusha Savannah will be available but Zebra Trail on concierge level will be under construction during that time for the DVC remodel.

I also asked him about the CL Lounge, and he said that will still be on the 6th floor location. He kind of implied that it will continue to remain on the 6th floor indefinitely (even after DVC is completed), but I can't say that for sure.

Anyway, sorry if this is repeat information, but I thought it interesting...especially since many of the AKL folks prefer Zebra Trail over Kudu because of the convenience to Mara and the pool!

Before I go back to lurking Thanks so much for all the information on this thread...I never really explored staying at the AKL until this trip (DH isn't interested, but he won't be along this time, HA!) and I am amazed at all the little extra things there are to do here that you just don't see at many of the other resorts. We are SO looking forward to our stay!

 

[disneytraveler]

After many changes and second guessing I finally booked our Disneymoon today for AKL!!!!! We will be staying Savanna view and requested Zebra trail! I can't wait now I can finish up our ADR's!!!!

Thats great news indeed!

 

[RachelTori]

I read the first 220+ pages, but then skipped ahead to the last few or I figured I'd never make it to "modern times" This thread is WONDERFUL! I love that all of you are such a close bunch

Anyway, my true reason for de-lurking is that my DS, Mom (her very 1st trip to the World!), and myself will be staying at the AKL for the first time the first week in May and I had a recent discussion with Don in CL about construction that I haven't seen posted here (but, I may have missed it).

Our dates are 4/29-5/5 and I had requested an Arusha Savannah view on the Zebra Trail for my main room preference. Don called me to get my credit card info for DS's reservation at Simba's Club, and at that time also wanted to let me know that the Zebra Trail will be closed to concierge level guests during the time I will be there. He said that the Kudu Trail facing the Arusha Savannah will be available but Zebra Trail on concierge level will be under construction during that time for the DVC remodel.

I also asked him about the CL Lounge, and he said that will still be on the 6th floor location. He kind of implied that it will continue to remain on the 6th floor indefinitely (even after DVC is completed), but I can't say that for sure.

Anyway, sorry if this is repeat information, but I thought it interesting...especially since many of the AKL folks prefer Zebra Trail over Kudu because of the convenience to Mara and the pool!

Before I go back to lurking Thanks so much for all the information on this thread...I never really explored staying at the AKL until this trip (DH isn't interested, but he won't be along this time, HA!) and I am amazed at all the little extra things there are to do here that you just don't see at many of the other resorts. We are SO looking forward to our stay!

You and your Mom are going to L-O-V-E AKL!! Thanks for the heads up on Zebra Trail. We'll be there the end of May - I'll wait a bit longer to contact Don and Juanita to see what's going on with construction, but Kudu will be fine!!

Have a GREAT trip and please post here when you return and let us know how much you loved it and what you observed regarding the DVC construction!

 

[BensMom]

Hey,

Thinking of upgrading our two-day stint over at AKL on 4/3 and 4/4 to Concierge. I asked several, several posts back where Kil Club got moved to. Not sure why, but days went by, and I didn't check Disboards to see if anyone answered my question. We were at Jiko last Sat night for dinner, and I gazed up to where it was, and it looked strangely empty. Anyone been concierge within the last month or two who can help me out? Thanks.

 

[denisekayt]

Hey,

Thinking of upgrading our two-day stint over at AKL on 4/3 and 4/4 to Concierge. I asked several, several posts back where Kil Club got moved to. Not sure why, but days went by, and I didn't check Disboards to see if anyone answered my question. We were at Jiko last Sat night for dinner, and I gazed up to where it was, and it looked strangely empty. Anyone been concierge within the last month or two who can help me out? Thanks.

Hi BensMom,

See my post a few above yours...I talked with Don just a few days ago and the lounge is still in it's original location, with no plans to move any time soon (if ever, if I read his implication correctly).

Hope that helps!

 

[BensMom]

Thanks, Denisekayt, I am embarrassed. I must be blind! Or not tall enough!

 

[I Run Long]

We'll be staying at AKL from Sept 4-12 this year for the first time ever - first time to WDW and of course first time to AKL. Can't wait I always like to have a nice glass of wine in the evening, DH doesn't drink. Is there a good place in AKL to get a nice bottle of wine to take back to the room? I prefer Pinot Noir or for white, a nice Chardonnay. Nothing sweet. Any suggestions?

 

[BensMom]

We'll be staying at AKL from Sept 4-12 this year for the first time ever - first time to WDW and of course first time to AKL. Can't wait I always like to have a nice glass of wine in the evening, DH doesn't drink. Is there a good place in AKL to get a nice bottle of wine to take back to the room? I prefer Pinot Noir or for white, a nice Chardonnay. Nothing sweet. Any suggestions?

You won't find much sweet South African wine. So, that being said, you can pick up bottles of wine in Mara and Zawadi marketplace. However, if you want some help with some wine selections, go see Jody behind the bar at Jiko or Lorna or Rose behind the bar at Victoria Falls Lounge. All are a good source for recommending South African wines. You can buy a bottle at the bar at either venue and take it up to your room. I like red and the DF likes chardonnay. If you want a recommendation for chardonnay, I can ask him. A great bottle of red is the Stellenbosch Conde cabernet. Not sure on the price, sorry.

 

[I Run Long]

Thanks BensMom - that was exactly the info. I was looking for Yes, any recommendations for a chardonnay would be very much appreciated. I am soooooooooo looking forward to this vacation!

 

[John's Mom]

I Run Long,

If you buy a bottle of wine from Jiko or Victoria Falls, just ask them for an opener and a glass. They will provide them.

I bought a bottle of wine at the German Pavilion to drink in our room. I stopped by the bar in Jiko, and asked if we could borrow glasses. The bartender gave me the glasses and told me to just leave them in the room.

Kathy

 

[BensMom]

No worries! I bet you are looking forward to your vacation. AKL has lots of "sommeliers" who can help you with your wine selections. It's fun to sample, and then you can pick your favs.

 

[catnik]

Hi, all:
I know somewhere in this thread is the answer to my question but I figure it is easier to ask than search!

We are coming up on our window to make ADRs and want to contact Don or Juanita at AKL IPO to insure our preferences. Can anyone give me feedback on the Sunset Safari? My husband and older kids will do the Sunrise Safari while I stay back with our toddlers, but we are looking into doing the Sunset Safari as an "adults night out". I appreciate any and all feedback!

Cathy

 

[luvfigment]

All that wine talk sounds great! We will have to have a glass one night while we sit on the balcony looking at the animals...how romantic!!! We had a really good South African Reisling at Boma last year i will have to find it again...I am not a fan of red wine so it will have to be white. Thanks for the names of the "go to" bartenders!!!

 

[John's Mom]

Bumping to Page 1!

 

[kimmar067]

Bumping to Page 1!

... THANKS!

 

[kimmar067]

After many changes and second guessing I finally booked our Disneymoon today for AKL!!!!! We will be staying Savanna view and requested Zebra trail! I can't wait now I can finish up our ADR's!!!!

.....AWESOME!!!!

 

[Angel16]

Forgot to ask a question. Are all of the King Size bed rooms handicap accessable? And if so do these rooms have a vanity are or is the sink in the bathroom itself? TIA

Hi there I haven't stayed in a handicap accessable room, however I was told they were all King size bed rooms. The rooms are the same lay-out, only with larger door opening and safety bars and a larger bathroom.

I hoped by bumping this up more people would see it and join in on their experience.