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

[pilferk]

We watched the Travel Channel all day yesterday and we're so excited! I'm so glad I saw this show, I've been so concerned about the construction and if our family would even like this resort. Now I'm convinced that this is the place for us! Now if I can only figure out a way to stay in that beautiful presidential suite...

Alas, I THINK (from the public filings) that the presidential MIGHT be going to the Villas side. Anyone know for sure?

 

[Angel16]

I know it's talked about all of the time, but we're a little worried about going to AKL for our honeymoon because of the construction. I talked to our travel agent who called Disney. She basically said there's no guarantees. We're going right around thanksgiving too so she said they would be busier and might have more of a chance getting stuck near construction. There's nothing hot about construction workers on a honeymoon!! If it were a normal vacation I might want to chance it, but there might be a day or two we'd like to sleep in late.... We would probably switch to the Poly. I really LOVED the idea of going to AKL but am just afraid it won't live up to honeymoon expectations!

Hi Dizze, First Congratulations! AKL is my all time favorite resort. I love, love, love it there. However, your honeymoon is a very special trip and you don't want anything putting a damper upon your time. In addition, Thanksgiving is EXTREAMLY busy. I also would imagine you would like a room with a King bed. Taking into account the construction, Thanksgiving and a King bedroom it may be very difficult if not impossible to move rooms or even resorts if you find AKL to be too noisy or having a view of bulldozers and mounds of dirt.

We were at WDW for Thanksgiving through December 11th last year. We stayed the first part at The Polynesian. We had a fantastic room (not a king bed however, as they only have Kings in their suites) Our view was surperb and everyone treated us like family. However, I did hear other guests who were looking to change rooms and were told everything was SOLD OUT.

The second part of our vacation we switched over to AKL for a week. This was our fourth visit to AKL and we were staying concierge level, we had request a King bedroom, Zebra trail, non-smoking. We were giving a King room on the 6th floor (Sunset Savannah) looking out over the beginning of their construction which made a big difference in our view and the number and types of animals we saw. During our week (which we spent quite a bit of time in our room we saw very few animals due to breeding programs and the prep they were doing for construction. We ask to be moved and they DID NOT HAVE a room available anywhere else in the resort.

I would suggest you look into other resorts for your dream honeymoon. Disney is always going to be there and AKL for an anniversary trip would be a wonderful celebration.

I am not planning any return trips this year, however if I were. I would look into staying at Wilderness Lodge or a Epcot resort perhaps even returning to the Poly. I do not want to let anything spoil my love for The AKL and I am afraid until they complete their addition I may be disappointed in my stay. What ever you do, have a wonderful time and let us know where you end up staying.

Angel16

 

[DisneyDreaming2007]

OK, I am considering the AKL for my trip in September. Watching the show on travel channel just made it more exciting! Now, what do you all think of a standard room? Is it worth it to even consider staying here if we are able to only afford a standard? I hope so!!

Thanks!

 

[stepdisney]

Help me please.

We originally booked our vacation for September 27 - October 7th at the WL. We received a 40% discount code and wanted to apply it to our reservations but were told that there were no rooms available at WL for this time with the code nor were there rooms at AKL, our next choice. The very nice agent continued to look and found a room at AKL from Aug 31 - Sept. 8 or 9 which we could do---especially with the 40% disocount. Here is the thing--if DDP becomes available, we would save more money switching to free DDP (we have paid for it now) and dropping the 40% discount. This would give us the option to change our resort back to WL which was what we originally wanted. I've gotten so use to the idea of AKL I don't know if I should switch if the opportunity arises. If the free DDP becomes available and the WL is available, what would be the pros and cons of switching from AKL to WL. We have never stayed at either.

Thanks for your help

 

[madcoco]

OK, I am considering the AKL for my trip in September. Watching the show on travel channel just made it more exciting! Now, what do you all think of a standard room? Is it worth it to even consider staying here if we are able to only afford a standard? I hope so!!

Some may beg to differ however, imho yes it would be worth it even if you don't have a Savannah View. It's a unique resort in it's own right. Enjoy the theming and all the resort has to offer. There are still a number of spots from which to view the animals.

You know you have it bad when looking through your photos, the Cappuccino straight from the Concierge Lounge appears to have a Mickey Shape staring back at you.

 

[kimmar067]

Yup, from 2 PM til about 3 AM (Eastern), Travel was doing all Disney shows...mostly WDW, but one DL and one DCL show in the rotation, too.

For hotels they covered, the GF, AKL, Yacht and Beach, and WL. I've got them all DVR'd now (and will transfer them to DVD shortly... ). AKL was, of course, the favorite.

...yeah, it was like a 'Disney Day'...I was in heaven....

 

[kimmar067]

Some may beg to differ however, imho yes it would be worth it even if you don't have a Savannah View. It's a unique resort in it's own right. Enjoy the theming and all the resort has to offer. There are still a number of spots from which to view the animals. ....

.....I agree. Plus, since you plan on going in September, when the crowds are MUCH LIGHTER, you have a better chance of getting an upgrade....

 

[dizze98765]

Hi Dizze, First Congratulations! AKL is my all time favorite resort. I love, love, love it there. However, your honeymoon is a very special trip and you don't want anything putting a damper upon your time. In addition, Thanksgiving is EXTREAMLY busy. I also would imagine you would like a room with a King bed. Taking into account the construction, Thanksgiving and a King bedroom it may be very difficult if not impossible to move rooms or even resorts if you find AKL to be too noisy or having a view of bulldozers and mounds of dirt.

We were at WDW for Thanksgiving through December 11th last year. We stayed the first part at The Polynesian. We had a fantastic room (not a king bed however, as they only have Kings in their suites) Our view was surperb and everyone treated us like family. However, I did hear other guests who were looking to change rooms and were told everything was SOLD OUT.

The second part of our vacation we switched over to AKL for a week. This was our fourth visit to AKL and we were staying concierge level, we had request a King bedroom, Zebra trail, non-smoking. We were giving a King room on the 6th floor (Sunset Savannah) looking out over the beginning of their construction which made a big difference in our view and the number and types of animals we saw. During our week (which we spent quite a bit of time in our room we saw very few animals due to breeding programs and the prep they were doing for construction. We ask to be moved and they DID NOT HAVE a room available anywhere else in the resort.

I would suggest you look into other resorts for your dream honeymoon. Disney is always going to be there and AKL for an anniversary trip would be a wonderful celebration.

I am not planning any return trips this year, however if I were. I would look into staying at Wilderness Lodge or a Epcot resort perhaps even returning to the Poly. I do not want to let anything spoil my love for The AKL and I am afraid until they complete their addition I may be disappointed in my stay. What ever you do, have a wonderful time and let us know where you end up staying.

Angel16

Thanks. I REALLY want to stay at AKL, but you made me realize how scared I am of that exact same thing happening. Weddings are stressful enough not having to wonder the whole time if we're going to have room issues. I know Disney does their best to make everyone happe, but if they're sold out then it's out of their hands and we're stuck! It just gives us an excuse for a second trip!!!

 

[BensMom]

Live report from Room 3550. Beautiful day here, sunny and expected to be 85 degrees. Unfortunately, we got the view but the drilling above our heads is a bit rough on the ears! Water interruption from 12-2. But we look at it as they are building our new house for us on the 6th floor...the DVC suites!

We are still enjoying our stay, just the same. Okay, it's off to animal tracking with the DS!

Jambo.

 

[disneytraveler]

85 % Well BensMom,
You missed a pre-Easter new england winter
Boy maybe i should plan a trip to Disney but already have a Abd trip planned.
December was a nice to go so maybe i can plan a vacation for Disney

 

[CJsMom]

Live report from Room 3550. Beautiful day here, sunny and expected to be 85 degrees. Unfortunately, we got the view but the drilling above our heads is a bit rough on the ears! Water interruption from 12-2. But we look at it as they are building our new house for us on the 6th floor...the DVC suites!

We are still enjoying our stay, just the same. Okay, it's off to animal tracking with the DS!

Jambo.

Ugh BensMom - now you're making me jealous!! You don't even want to know what the weather was like in MA today. Enjoy your stay!

 

[RachelTori]

Live report from Room 3550. Beautiful day here, sunny and expected to be 85 degrees. Unfortunately, we got the view but the drilling above our heads is a bit rough on the ears! Water interruption from 12-2. But we look at it as they are building our new house for us on the 6th floor...the DVC suites!

We are still enjoying our stay, just the same. Okay, it's off to animal tracking with the DS!

Jambo.

Thanks for checking in with us. We want a full report - after your long drive home of course!!

 

[kimmar067]

...But we look at it as they are building our new house for us on the 6th floor...the DVC suites!.....

....

 

[BensMom]

Yeah, I knew that report would get y'all going! Well, it's a sad day today. We got our Express Checkout envelope hung on the door, so we're outa here today. Yes, a long drive home...six mins. I do not miss the winters in Boston, although I am missing Fenway Park.

Lots of activity around here with the construction. It's kind of a hassle with the noise if you want to snooze mid-day. All the sixth floor rooms have plastic over the sliding glass doors. Lots of hammering, drilling, etc. One can actually view the construction site if you walk out in that little sitting area near the DVC and DCL podiums. It is 9:09, and they are already banging away!

Hey, kinda neat...we at at Jiko last night and Robert Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, and their entire family were there eating in one of the wine rooms. He's a lot better looking than Michael Eisner!

 

[ms_mckenna]

Is there a place where I can find out when construction is actually happening in certain areas. I have the page where it shows when it "should" be open. I am thinking the only thing that should be underconstruction that is blue? We will be there 7/30 to 8/6. Is that correct or does anyone know?

 

[kimmar067]

Yeah, I knew that report would get y'all going! Well, it's a sad day today. We got our Express Checkout envelope hung on the door, so we're outa here today. Yes, a long drive home...six mins. I do not miss the winters in Boston, although I am missing Fenway Park....

...and their 'stinkeroo' Opening Day game...??!?!?

...Hey, kinda neat...we at at Jiko last night and Robert Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, and their entire family were there eating in one of the wine rooms. He's a lot better looking than Michael Eisner!

....

...and, in case I don't get the chance later:

HAPPY EASTER!!

 

[Disney8704]

Sorry this has been mentioned recently, I've been away from the boards for the past week because of moving, but does anyone know the status yet what the consruction will be doing in December? Also, I posted a new thread here on the resort boards the other day, and some one mentioned that even if you have a savannah view you get no view becuase of the construction? Not that it really matters since we booked pool viewbut just wondering just incase we get fortunate enough to get a free upgrade.

 

[pilferk]

Sorry this has been mentioned recently, I've been away from the boards for the past week because of moving, but does anyone know the status yet what the consruction will be doing in December? Also, I posted a new thread here on the resort boards the other day, and some one mentioned that even if you have a savannah view you get no view becuase of the construction? Not that it really matters since we booked pool viewbut just wondering just incase we get fortunate enough to get a free upgrade.

Here's a list of the construction that will/is occuring at AKL:

1) Buidling a new Animal Enclosure (aka barn) at the end of Kudo trail. That can be seen by guests, and, apparently, is both noisy (from recent reports) and obvious. That being said, I can't imagine it won't be finished LONG before December...and the only rooms really being affected would be a small subset at the very end of Kudo trail.

2) Interior conversion of 5th and 6th floor rooms into DVC villas. This will not effect anyone's "views" since all the construction is interior. You might HEAR them (depending on where they're currently working) between 9 AM and 5 PM, but I can't see how your view would be impacted. MOST of the conversion is slated to be done, or just finishing, around December of this year. The only thing left SHOULD be the conversion of the rooms around the lobby area and the concierge rooms.

3) The construction of the new Kidani village building. It's being built on the Sunset Savannah side of the resort, but MOST of the construction is a fair bit from the main lodge, across the savannah. You may see, in addition to the savannah view you have, the vertical construction, but I doubt it will eliminate your view all together. I also doubt MOST of the lodge will hear the construction going on...The current "guess" is the building will start construction sometime either late this year or early next, since the phases are not slated to open until sometime in '09.

 

[kimmar067]

pilferk ~
thanks for the 'heads up' on the construction.....* sigh * I wish I were with my DBro' and his family...they left this morning for WDW.... you'd THINK he take his FAVORITE sister along for the ride....

 

[John's Mom]

kimmar,

Did you take your DBro on your last trip to WDW? Maybe you did, but forgot to mention that he was sitting on top of your luggage that was on top of your car when you were changing resorts.