JAMBO! The UN-official AKL Thread ~ UPDATED(short film/pg 8 & slideshow/pg 12) Part 3

[jaycns]

QUICK AT AKL UPDATE:

Construction...a NON issue! We have seen black drapes. That is the total extent of the impact on our stay. Not one sound. Not one worker. Not one problem.

We are staying in two connecting concierge rooms on the 4th floor and LOVE them! We have wonderful views of the Arusha Savanna on zebra trail. We are just to the right of Arusha rock so our room looks directly out on the savanna. The concierge lounge is back "in place" and not any sort of construction noise there (other then maintenence fixing the cappacino machine every morning ).

The pool is wonderful. Warm and not very crowded. It's amazing and everything I remembered and MORE!!

Need to run!!

 

[DznyDreamz]

Thanks so much for the update!! That puts my mind at ease.

 

[Tig-girl]

Jaycns, I was SO hoping you'd get to post , and that it would be good news. Thank you so much......I'm feeling more at ease, as I know everyone going in Sept will!

 

[pilferk]

Its crazy how quickly things add up. I spend so much ahead of time for all the stuff we "need" on the trip. I am trying to limit it somewhat this trip, but we shall see. I started a pile of stuff to pack so I will soon be in full packing mode. The longer I take to pack, the more I bring. I know I am going to sound totally negative and pessimistic, but the only bad thing about the trip being so close is that it will also be over soon too and then I will be sooooooo sad. The upside will be that its time to plan a new trip after that!! I think I have my ADR's all set and hope to not change them ANY more but who knows.

I can relate...we've done a LOT of that for this trip too, because we're paying for stuff we know we'll use EVERY year as DVC members.

We've stretched it out over a bunch of months, so it's a bit less painful. Now we just have to make sure we have room for it all in, on, and around the van.

One of the things I LOVE about DVC is that you don't face the "post trip blues" quite as much. For us, we'll be calling while ON our trip to book DVC accomodations for early December of '08....so we'll go out of one trip into planning for the next (a biggie...our kids first trip during the holiday season...should be fun!).

 

[pilferk]

Hi everyone!

I upgraded from CSR to AKL on Saturday, I'm so excited! I have to admit, I don't know too much about AKL though. I'll be there Nov. 15-19. Are there fridges in the rooms? Will the construction still be going on when I'm there? I booked a standard room, do I need to request any specfic section? Any other info would be great too!

Thanks!

Yes, there are fridges in the rooms.

Yes, construction will still be ongoing. How "invasive" it is depends on your specific location in the resort AND what your tolerances are. Between 9 AM and 5 PM there will be some noise...but most people report it's not very bothersome.

 

[DznyDreamz]

I can relate...we've done a LOT of that for this trip too, because we're paying for stuff we know we'll use EVERY year as DVC members.

We've stretched it out over a bunch of months, so it's a bit less painful. Now we just have to make sure we have room for it all in, on, and around the van.

One of the things I LOVE about DVC is that you don't face the "post trip blues" quite as much. For us, we'll be calling while ON our trip to book DVC accomodations for early December of '08....so we'll go out of one trip into planning for the next (a biggie...our kids first trip during the holiday season...should be fun!).

I have already informed my DH that with the Bounce Back Program we too will be booking another trip before we have left on our current trip!! I just can't resist the offer, its too good to pass up. Sort of like buying shoes on sale that I just didn't need but couldn't walk away from.

Happy packing. I am running out at lunch today to work on my "To Do" list. Only 10 more sleeps and I am outta here!!!

 

[MinnieCandi]

QUICK AT AKL UPDATE:

Construction...a NON issue! We have seen black drapes. That is the total extent of the impact on our stay. Not one sound. Not one worker. Not one problem.

We are staying in two connecting concierge rooms on the 4th floor and LOVE them! We have wonderful views of the Arusha Savanna on zebra trail. We are just to the right of Arusha rock so our room looks directly out on the savanna. The concierge lounge is back "in place" and not any sort of construction noise there (other then maintenence fixing the cappacino machine every morning ).

The pool is wonderful. Warm and not very crowded. It's amazing and everything I remembered and MORE!!

Need to run!!

Sounds wonderful!

We will be staying at AK for our 1st time in November. I was wondering if you requested the Arusha Savannah on the Zebra Trail or if you were given that location by chance.

We are not staying concierge, but we do have a Savannah view with bunkbeds and I was wondering if I should call back and request a specific location. Any advice would be great!

 

[psu1978]

DH just agreed to a trip August of 08. This will be our first stay at AKL. We have never seen the resort in person (but I think I have looked at every picture ever posted online!). Because I was able to get the AAA rate, he even let us book concierge.

Now I have nothing to do but....spend the next 11 months planning. Sounds like heaven.

 

[Tig-girl]

Good Evening Everyone.....Just HAD to check in and see the ticker.

 

[DznyDreamz]

I just put my DD to bed and told her when she woke up, we would be down to single digits!!!! This weekend I am going to be in full blown packing mode. Hopefully my DD or DH don't have any plans to wear their favorite shorts or tops, because they are going in the wash and in the luggage!! I have to work full days through Thursday and have an early am flight on Friday so my chances to pack are growing slimmer and slimmer. I seriously am having trouble sleeping I am so excited!!! I just hope we have as much fun as I have scheduled into my spreadsheets!!

 

[Tig-girl]

I just put my DD to bed and told her when she woke up, we would be down to single digits!!!! This weekend I am going to be in full blown packing mode. Hopefully my DD or DH don't have any plans to wear their favorite shorts or tops, because they are going in the wash and in the luggage!! I have to work full days through Thursday and have an early am flight on Friday so my chances to pack are growing slimmer and slimmer. I seriously am having trouble sleeping I am so excited!!! I just hope we have as much fun as I have scheduled into my spreadsheets!!

Spreadsheets? Did you say spreadsheets?
OMG, a girl after my own heart. My DH calls me "the nerd" because of my planning, spreadsheets for budget, packing, park hours, ADRs, I'm obsessed, but you name it, I have a spreadsheet for it!!!
I hear you on the packing. I had no time this past weekend, but I did get a lot of laundry done....now to keep everyone from wearing the stuff you know they want to pack. And I also am working until Thursday night and we have to leave the house around 4am on Friday! I got my baggies and medication pouches just about ready, but that's it. I finally filled out the luggage tags last night, but they aren't on the actual luggage yet...SO MUCH TO DO.....and yet so exciting.

 

[missouridisneyfans]

We have a spreadsheet that tells us what we are going to do in the morning, afternoon, evening. It contains park, parade and other hours. It tells us EMH for AM and PM, etc. We use it all the time to plan. It is fun to see how our next WDW vacation will be like.

If I can remember in the morning, I will make a PDF of it (blank - no ADRs and reservation numbers) and post it to the boards.

I would love to see what others do too.

 

[DznyDreamz]

Oh totally, I'm all spreadsheeted out!! I have the packing list (so I can sort by item, have/don't have, packed/not packed), the estimated prices of our meals so I can decide which to pay for and which to use the DDP, schedules, character locations. I was telling my hubby I won't know what to do with myself when I get home!!

 

[wvdislover]

We leave in just 2 days!!! We made the "reveal" to DD's 10 and 6 tonight and then they ran across the street to neighbor's house and "revealed" to their DD5 that we'll all be at Disney World together!!! It went great--they are all SO excited, and my DD's don't even know where we're staying yet! I'm not even sure if DD10 is even asleep yet and she's got to get up at 6:30am for school tomorrow. Funny, though, she's the one I figured would go to sleep anyways, and DD6 would be up all night Go figure.

 

[wvdislover]

Oh yeah, I've got my spreadsheet made out too!

 

[wendypooh]

Just checking in to say HI to everyone!!!

For everyone going soon.......... have fun!!! I've got 5 months left and it's going way toooooo slow!


Oh, yep, got my spreadsheet for EVERYTHING too!!! LOL


*** Someone pm'ed me about a safari outfit for kids, they had seen my DS in his, anyway, I cannot remember who it was. I'm sorry!!! Anyway, if it was you check - ebay ID pgawidow.

 

[kimmar067]

one from durango kid:

...thanks again!

 

[gpo]

We will be departing for our first family trip to the World and we are staying at the AKL on 9/16. My DW went to WDW when she was 16. I have DD's that are 6.75 and 2.5 years old.

Ironically I have done most of the planning for the trip and not my DW. I am just trying to make it a memorable trip for the family. I have the spreadsheets and everything all mapped out.

Quick question, do the fridges at AKL have a little freezer area in them?

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

We're leaving for AkL in three days for our honeymoon !!!

 

[christinadei]

Okay, I need your ideas. We are going for a christmas surprise trip and I need ideas on how to "wrap" the trip to give DS. I am planning to bring a tree (complete with the mini mickey ornaments) to set up in the room with some disney themed gifts there (warm pj's, sweatshirts, etc). DS7 (and me) have been dying to go to AKL, so how can I "wrap" a disney trip, including MVMCP and a stay at AKL? It could be in a card or box.

Also, is there anywhere to get a nice AKL christmas ornament? I looked at the DTD gift shop and they just had flat porcelin ones that I wasn't crazy about.

Thanks guys!