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

[BensMom]

Great thank you so much you have been a gem.

Ok talked with DH and he said we should keep the AKL savannah view being it's our first time at the resorts. next time we can either down grade or up grade. But who knows if we would get another discount code so let's live it up.

ok being that I have the ressie. Am I able to request the Zebra trail, 2nd or 3rd floor room. Are these animal views? thanks

Just stayed on Zebra Trail last week, all the way to end on right (looking at map). Definately lots of animal views. Giraffes, sometimes three or four at one siting, Bongos, lots of big birds. Nesting hornbills.

 

[luvlumpy]

I got my reservation confirmation in the mail today and it stated this:REQ ROOM 3225 thru 3229/NG. I have no idea how this happened. I didn't make any room requests as of yet. I wanted to do some more research before I requested anything. Does anyone have any idea what this is facing? We have a savannah view room booked. We would prefer to be facing the Arusha Savannah, but I looked at a map and it looks like we may have an Ostrich Trail room--which my husband does not want! Do you think this is a set of rooms specifically assigned to free dining. Also on my confirmation was a room request for the Poly (which I switched from to AKL). I had not made a room request for there either. I am just a little confused. Can anyone help?

 

[BensMom]

Map of AKL, inclusive of room numbers...

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm

Looks like you're on Kudu Trail, which is quite awesome, if you ask me!

Hope this helps.

 

[ang38]

Kudo Trail will be great and facing the Arusha Savanah. And remember..nothing is set in stone until you get there and they hand you the room keys!

Angela

 

[FigNewton]

We hadn't planned on going back this year. We were going to wait a couple years after going two consecutive years the week after Thanksgiving (honeymoon and first anniversary). But a few days ago, we started getting the itch.

So I started speccing some things out. Run the website booking options... hey what, no regular savanna is listed for my dates? 7 Months out? Seriously? At first I thought something was up with the website. So I checked our long discussed second option in case there were things precluding us from going on our chosen post-Thanksgiving week, 12/9-12/14. Yeap, regular Savannah rooms listed as an option.

Is AKL really booked on regular Savanna rooms for the end of November already? Could this have anything to do with construction? From the descriptions given I couldn't see how that was the case, but what do I know? I've been trying to ignore all things WDW lest I be tempted, but you see how well that worked out eh?

So I'm left assuming that it's either a website glitch, or they really are booked out of that room type for those dates. The only options are standard, pool view, pool view w/bunk, and Savanna w/bunk.

Should I be as surprised as I am? I'm trying not to get too upset because we were considering going to CSR anyway because of the AKL construction (wife likes to sleep late and take mid afternoon naps sometimes - comes with being a 3rd shift ICU nurse). But at the same time we really prefer having actual hallways, and windows that don't open up to allow viewing from passers-by.

 

[LWcalif]

I cannot tell you how much better it makes me feel to have this information! I, too, was getting stressed about our upcoming trip to AKL. I even went so far as to book another resort--BC--at the same time (9/22-9/29) just in case. But to me the balcony is most important (and not sharing buses). I have a savannah room but am requesting Zebra trail and away from construction--hoping that takes care of everything!
BTW, DH thinks I am listening to his advice--don't tell him I trust the DISers more than him!

Denise

mdrob214: We will also be at AKL 9/22 - 9/30 in Savannah view and are requesting Zebra Trail. I don't think we'll be disappointed.

 

[Nezgrrl]

I've just called American Airlines Vacations and had them add a room preference for third floor Zebra trail for our stay at AKL 5/17-22. I wonder if I should call Disney later after I get the paperwork for our trip from AA.

Jen

 

[pilferk]

Great thank you so much you have been a gem.

Ok talked with DH and he said we should keep the AKL savannah view being it's our first time at the resorts. next time we can either down grade or up grade. But who knows if we would get another discount code so let's live it up.

ok being that I have the ressie. Am I able to request the Zebra trail, 2nd or 3rd floor room. Are these animal views? thanks

Yup, you sure are. A Zebra trail, savannah view, 2nd or 3rd floor room will likely get you a view of Arusha Savannah, but you could also end up with an Uzima savannah view, I think. Either option will offer excellent animal viewing.

 

[pilferk]

We hadn't planned on going back this year. We were going to wait a couple years after going two consecutive years the week after Thanksgiving (honeymoon and first anniversary). But a few days ago, we started getting the itch.

So I started speccing some things out. Run the website booking options... hey what, no regular savanna is listed for my dates? 7 Months out? Seriously? At first I thought something was up with the website. So I checked our long discussed second option in case there were things precluding us from going on our chosen post-Thanksgiving week, 12/9-12/14. Yeap, regular Savannah rooms listed as an option.

Is AKL really booked on regular Savanna rooms for the end of November already? Could this have anything to do with construction? From the descriptions given I couldn't see how that was the case, but what do I know? I've been trying to ignore all things WDW lest I be tempted, but you see how well that worked out eh?

So I'm left assuming that it's either a website glitch, or they really are booked out of that room type for those dates. The only options are standard, pool view, pool view w/bunk, and Savanna w/bunk.

Should I be as surprised as I am? I'm trying not to get too upset because we were considering going to CSR anyway because of the AKL construction (wife likes to sleep late and take mid afternoon naps sometimes - comes with being a 3rd shift ICU nurse). But at the same time we really prefer having actual hallways, and windows that don't open up to allow viewing from passers-by.

The week after thanksgiving is a mob scene, usually. By November, all the "deluxe" rooms should also be "out of service" for AKL...either having been converted or in the process of being converted for DVC, which reduces inventory somewhat.

In addition, nobody knows if they're planning on taking some of the 4th floor inventory "off-line" to make sure guests are not RIGHT below any construction going on on the 4th floor. They might, though we haven't seen any info that indicates they will.

So, combine all that, and I think you come up with AKL being a bit harder to book during the time frame you're looking at going.

 

[BensMom]

Y'all will be fine, although Beach Club is nice. That's probably my second fav...Ben loves the pool(s).

 

[mdrob214]

mdrob214: We will also be at AKL 9/22 - 9/30 in Savannah view and are requesting Zebra Trail. I don't think we'll be disappointed.

I just can't wait! We got free dining but had to get a regular savannah view room instead of a bunkbed room. That's ok for the $1200 savings! Only 158 more days!!!

 

[marlower]

This will be our first visit to AKL for my daughters 13th birthday! We will be traveling Aug 14-22. Can anyone tell me how the shuttle service is? We definitely want to be at the parks about 15/20 mins. before they open. Do you recommend that we take a taxi to insure that? I will have a car for 3 days but then we are on our own. Thanks so much for any advice

 

[marlower]

I forgot to ask about our room. Everyone on this board seems so knowledgeable about AKL, and having never stayed there, I am a bit concerned about our room. I did hear that construction is going on, but hopefully that will not affect us much. I booked a pool view room with a AAA discount that I thought was pretty decent, should I keep that room, I didn't realize that you can request a certain location, can anyone give me advice about our room, should I keep the pool view or switch to savannah view?
Thanks again!

 

[pilferk]

This will be our first visit to AKL for my daughters 13th birthday! We will be traveling Aug 14-22. Can anyone tell me how the shuttle service is? We definitely want to be at the parks about 15/20 mins. before they open. Do you recommend that we take a taxi to insure that? I will have a car for 3 days but then we are on our own. Thanks so much for any advice

Bus service is stellar, actually. Because AKL does not "share" transport with any other resort, AND the fact there is only one bus stop (so the bus can't fill on earlier stops) means that the shuttle service operates with excellent efficiency.

They start running about 1.5 to 2 hours before opening (or the start of "early magic hours", if it's an EM morning at a park). The trip takes maybe 15 to 20 min, tops to get to MK (the furthest park).

I wouldn't bother with a taxi. And even if you have a car, I wouldn't bother driving (unless you have special circumstances) to the MK. The bus is more efficient to get to MK, because you bypass the TTC altogether.

 

[pilferk]

I forgot to ask about our room. Everyone on this board seems so knowledgeable about AKL, and having never stayed there, I am a bit concerned about our room. I did hear that construction is going on, but hopefully that will not affect us much. I booked a pool view room with a AAA discount that I thought was pretty decent, should I keep that room, I didn't realize that you can request a certain location, can anyone give me advice about our room, should I keep the pool view or switch to savannah view?
Thanks again!

On the construction front, read back a few posts (last page, I think) for more info.

On the room, it's all about value and personal preference. There are PLENTY of "publilc" viewing spots for you to watch the animals scattered throughout the resort. So it's not like having a pool view room will prevent you from seeing the animals. You just might have to spend 3 or 4 minutes heading to a spot, rather than just walking out your sliding glass doors to your balcony.

But for me, I prefer the savannah view and see enough value in it to pay (before recently buying into DVC...now we'll just spend more points) the premium to get it. There's something about being able to have your morning coffee, or your evening glass of wine, out on the balcony, watching the animals roam and/or eat that just....I don't know.....it's almost life affirming (yes, I know...it sounds sappy). That being said, we are not theme park commandos (with little kids, now, we can't be!), and we spend a fair bit of time in the room and hanging out at the resort. If you spend little to no time in your room......well, then it might not be worth it to you.

So, ultimately, you have to make the decision. You won't, I don't think, be disappointed with either one.

 

[marlower]

Pilferk, Thank you for all the awesome advice! I think I will skip on renting the car now and just use the bus service, can you tell me one more thing about the shuttle service? On the first day we arrive at 11am we want to go to Typhoon Lagoon for awhile, once I get to AKL from the Magical Express, will there be a shuttle available throughout the day to go to Typhoon Lagoon, I guess I just feel kindof trapped without the car and without the luxury of just getting up and going whenever I want. We will also be going one day to DTD and one day to go Putt Putting, I'm assuming the shuttle will take us there as well?! Also, will AKL have a listing of the shuttle times so we will know what time in the morning to be waiting for the bus? Sorry for all the questions, just want to get all my ducks in a row

 

[FigNewton]

The week after thanksgiving is a mob scene, usually. By November, all the "deluxe" rooms should also be "out of service" for AKL...either having been converted or in the process of being converted for DVC, which reduces inventory somewhat.

In addition, nobody knows if they're planning on taking some of the 4th floor inventory "off-line" to make sure guests are not RIGHT below any construction going on on the 4th floor. They might, though we haven't seen any info that indicates they will.

So, combine all that, and I think you come up with AKL being a bit harder to book during the time frame you're looking at going.

Like I said, that's the same week we've been the last two years. The week after Thanksgiving is usually one of the lesser crowded weeks, by experience, and by all other accounts I've read as well. Though it was a bit more crowded last year than 2005, that was true across the board. Taking inventory offline does make some sense though.

Oh well... we were probably going to book CSR anyway to err on the side of caution due to my wife's sleeping habits.

 

[pilferk]

Pilferk, Thank you for all the awesome advice! I think I will skip on renting the car now and just use the bus service, can you tell me one more thing about the shuttle service? On the first day we arrive at 11am we want to go to Typhoon Lagoon for awhile, once I get to AKL from the Magical Express, will there be a shuttle available throughout the day to go to Typhoon Lagoon, I guess I just feel kindof trapped without the car and without the luxury of just getting up and going whenever I want. We will also be going one day to DTD and one day to go Putt Putting, I'm assuming the shuttle will take us there as well?! Also, will AKL have a listing of the shuttle times so we will know what time in the morning to be waiting for the bus? Sorry for all the questions, just want to get all my ducks in a row

The short answer is yes, there will be busses throughout the day to Typhoon Lagoon.

If you arrive at 11 AM (meaning your plane arrives at MCO) you probably won't make it out there (with DME transport, check-in, etc) until 2:30-ish, but you'll have no issues getting there from AKL.

I've done AKL both ways: With a rental and without. The only difference, really, that I've found is your dining options increase, on any given day, with a rental, because it's MUCH easier to get to other resorts to eat. Otherwise, simply on convenience, you're eating in or around your theme park every day.

But other than that, really, I've noticed not much difference in the trasport between my car and the theme parks. There's some, to be sure. But not necessarily enough to justify driving (which I do a lot of at home) or renting a car.

 

[plutospup]

If you plan on going to WinterSummerland from AKL you need to take the Blizzard Beach bus. A walk across the parking lot, and you're there!

As for Fantasia Gardens...From AKL I believe you would need to go to a park, and then transfer to Swan/Dolphin. From S/D it's a short walk to Fantasia Gardens Golf. Does anyone know a better way?

 

[marlower]

Thank you everyone for all your great advice regarding AKL. I appreciate your willing to help me out with all these issues.