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

[kimmar067]

Well, we have returned to the real world. Thanks everyone for all your help planning this trip. I was a major lurker and learned soooo much! Our stay at AKL was wonderful!

...glad that, as a lurker, we were able to provide you with lots of helpful info....[...next time, don't be such a 'stranger'!! ]

...We did eat at Boma for both dinner and breakfast. I LOVED the dinner! My kids(DD13, DS10), who are only mildly picky, enjoyed it as well. All I asked them was to try some new things and if they didn't like them, then they could revert to the old standby foods like mac 'n cheese. They liked many of the new dishes they tried--so did DH & I! Breakfast at Boma was a really good buffet, but nothing compared to dinner. If you have to choose only one, my recommendation would be dinner. It's crazy-busy, even at 5:00, but worth it!...

...didja order the pressed pot of coffee after dinner??

Whew--anybody bored with that report? If you have questions that I can answer, I'd be happy to do so. I will post photos as soon as I get thru them all!

....not at all! Can't wait for LOTS of pix.....

 

[mdrob214]

mom2aredhead........GREAT pics. Thanks for posting them! Where is that "people pen"?

Also, does someone know.........Are there zebras and giraffe in the Arusha AND Uzima savannas????? I'd read somewhere that not all animals are in every savanna?

Yes, we were on Uzima--Zebra trail--last week and saw both zebras and giraffes, sometimes even at the same time. One night a small giraffe made his bed not far from our balcony! I will post pics when I get them sorted, etc.

Denise

 

[mdrob214]

...glad that, as a lurker, we were able to provide you with lots of helpful info....[...next time, don't be such a 'stranger'!! ]




...didja order the pressed pot of coffee after dinner??

Yep--had it at Jiko after dinner! Yum!!!




....not at all! Can't wait for LOTS of pix.....

It may be a while. There are so many! Can't complain because we saw lots of animals. It truly was a great experience waking up to see "who" is out there or coming back to the room for animal checks. I was not disappointed with that room. Yes, it would have been nice to not have the people pen right below us, but it really didn't affect our enjoyment of the savannah at all. I would happily stay in that room again. It IS a long walk, but at least I didn't have to carry any kids!

Denise

 

[kimmar067]

It may be a while. There are so many! Can't complain because we saw lots of animals. It truly was a great experience waking up to see "who" is out there or coming back to the room for animal checks. I was not disappointed with that room. Yes, it would have been nice to not have the people pen right below us, but it really didn't affect our enjoyment of the savannah at all. I would happily stay in that room again. It IS a long walk, but at least I didn't have to carry any kids!

Denise

...oh, I know too well that long walk!! Besides Zebra and Giraffe Trails, we were also in Kudu Trail...I kept hoping for a tram car to come rolling down the hallway.....

 

[disneymomof1]

Have any of you veteran AKL'ers done any spa treatments at the AKL spa? Do you know what they offer, price, quality, etc? Any info would be greatly appreciated, trying to think of something to pamper myself with during our trip, without having to go to Saratoga or GF. TIA

 

[TKDisneylover]

DH & I ate at Jiko one night. THe kids opted to go to Mara and were very happy as our meal took over 2 hours! It was SUPER! I would go again in a heartbeat. We had our server bring us a glass of wine with every course and he was spot-on! They were delish! I should have written them down as I cannot even come close to remembering the names.

Whew--anybody bored with that report? If you have questions that I can answer, I'd be happy to do so. I will post photos as soon as I get thru them all! Denise

I'm typically a lurker too. I was in no way bored with your report, thank you for sharing! Especially the info about Jiko as DH & I have anniversary reservations there for our December trip. How did that wine with each course work? Is that an option or did you just ask them to do it?

Flamingos

Great pics!!! I especially love this one! I am really starting to get excited about staying at this resort for the first time! Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures!

 

[mom2aredhead]

mom2aredhead........GREAT pics. Thanks for posting them! Where is that "people pen"?

This was on the Kudu trail, about 1/2 way down. Considering we paid for a parking lot view, I didn't complain!

...oh, I know too well that long walk!! Besides Zebra and Giraffe Trails, we were also in Kudu Trail...I kept hoping for a tram car to come rolling down the hallway.....

We were on Kudu for both of our trips, but got lucky and were close to the elevators both times. But we walked all the way down and you're right - UGH! It is far. (But probably not as far as the hike across CSR)

Have any of you veteran AKL'ers done any spa treatments at the AKL spa? Do you know what they offer, price, quality, etc? Any info would be greatly appreciated, trying to think of something to pamper myself with during our trip, without having to go to Saratoga or GF. TIA

I went for a facial at the AKL spa in Oct of last year - surprise from my hubby. Their "spa" is really just a few rooms behind the gym - if you just want an in/out treatment, it's fine. If you want a "spa experience" make the trip to GF.

 

[pilferk]

Officially double digit dancing.



I just looked at my counter this AM and realized we're under the 100 days mark. WHOO-HOO!

 

[kimmar067]

...We were on Kudu for both of our trips, but got lucky and were close to the elevators both times. But we walked all the way down and you're right - UGH! It is far. (But probably not as far as the hike across CSR)

.....yup...we were wa-a-a-a-y past the 2nd elevator! And, I also know that LO-O-O-O-O-ONG walk across CSR, CBR, AND DxL..........

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Officially double digit dancing.



I just looked at my counter this AM and realized we're under the 100 days mark. WHOO-HOO!

Now THAT is something to celebrate!!!!!!!!! Congrats!

Does anyone know where to find the info. on which savannas have which animals? And I've been hearing lately that some savanna view rooms have crummy views (by a fence or something)? Can anyone advise? TIA!

 

[kimmar067]

Now THAT is something to celebrate!!!!!!!!! Congrats!

Does anyone know where to find the info. on which savannas have which animals? And I've been hearing lately that some savanna view rooms have crummy views (by a fence or something)? Can anyone advise? TIA!

...well, the views MAY be obstructed by the floor that you are on - chances are, if you get a 4th or 5th floor room, you will get a good view....which animal are you interested in seeing??

 

[WoodysRoundup]

...well, the views MAY be obstructed by the floor that you are on - chances are, if you get a 4th or 5th floor room, you will get a good view....which animal are you interested in seeing??

THANKS!!!!! Interested in seeing giraffes and zebras the most (or at least the 3 kids are)! Where is the "infamous" people pen?

 

[pilferk]

THANKS!!!!! Interested in seeing giraffes and zebras the most (or at least the 3 kids are)! Where is the "infamous" people pen?

The "people pen" view that I know of is toward the middle/end of Zebra trail, on the Uzima Savannah side of the trail. I think there's also one SOMEWHERE down Kudo trail, too...but I've not seen that one personally.

Zebras and Giraffes are most definitely on Arusha Savannah....or were last time we were there. Not sure about the other 2 savannahs.

 

[mdrob214]

I'm typically a lurker too. I was in no way bored with your report, thank you for sharing! Especially the info about Jiko as DH & I have anniversary reservations there for our December trip. How did that wine with each course work? Is that an option or did you just ask them to do it?

We were on the dining plan, so dinner was 2 credits each. We had lamb patis and the kalamata olive flatbread for appetizers and each had a really great wine but can't remember what they were. Then DH had fish--halibut, maybe? I can't remember. I wouldn't normally order fish, but this was REALLY tasty. I had curry shrimp--also yummy. Dessert was cheesecake for DH and the pistachio creme brulee for me. We just asked the waiter to recommend wines with each course and paid for them separately. I can find out the total when I find the bill for that night. I think it was $70ish for 6 glasses of wine. Not bad, really. I will get the receipts from DH.

Denise

 

[lilyv]

OK, I've been doing way too much pricing, and....I'm considering concierge. It's just DH and I, I had a couple of questions for the AKL experts here-thanks for any help!
--If you book standard concierge, are you guaranteed a savanna view?
--Are standard concierge rooms on a different floor than the lounge? What floor(s) are the rooms on? In practice, does this work OK?
--Food, I hear great things. We've been know to eat a big lunch out, and snack for supper. Would the evening offerings do for that on occasion?
--Drink, we're wine drinkers...Know DH would prefer that to cordials. Are wines available in the evening? Particular hours?

Anything else I should know? I'm starting to get really excited about this possibility.

 

[d4est]

Hey Jambo bunch...I haven't posted in a while. Just had to jump on and say that I made my final payment for our Dec. vacation today. Feels good!

I did try to add a day to the beginning...no availability. Tried to upgrade to concierge...no availability. Poop......

 

[RachelTori]

Hope this info helps:

OK, I've been doing way too much pricing, and....I'm considering concierge. It's just DH and I, I had a couple of questions for the AKL experts here-thanks for any help!
--If you book standard concierge, are you guaranteed a savanna view? YES!
--Are standard concierge rooms on a different floor than the lounge? What floor(s) are the rooms on? In practice, does this work OK? Yes, on a different floor, but it has always been that way, to a certain extent. Lounge is on 6th floor. In the past Club Level rooms were on 5th & 6th. Now, non-DVC Club Level rooms are on 4th; DVC CL rooms on 5th (don't think any of the 6th floor rooms are open yet.) It just requires a little effort to get to the lounge - not a big deal at all because the rooms are near the lobby - not WAY down the trail!
--Food, I hear great things. We've been know to eat a big lunch out, and snack for supper. Would the evening offerings do for that on occasion?
--Drink, we're wine drinkers...Know DH would prefer that to cordials. Are wines available in the evening? Particular hours? Yes, wine was available and it was in the evening - somewhere between 6 and 10 pm, but I don't remember exactly. sorry.

Anything else I should know? I'm starting to get really excited about this possibility. Two things: 1) The AKL IPO staff is THE BEST! 2) Make sure you have IPO book the Safaris for you. The Sunrise Safari is an absolute MUST!

 

[kimmar067]

THANKS!!!!! Interested in seeing giraffes and zebras the most (or at least the 3 kids are)! Where is the "infamous" people pen?

...personally, I would request Zebra Trail then....

 

[lilyv]

Hope this info helps:

Thank you, thank you!!! It really did help!

 

[RachelTori]

Hey Jambo bunch...I haven't posted in a while. Just had to jump on and say that I made my final payment for our Dec. vacation today. Feels good!

I did try to add a day to the beginning...no availability. Tried to upgrade to concierge...no availability. Poop......

YAY! Having that final payment made feels good, doesn't it?! A word of advice on the Club Level non-availability - don't give up; keep trying. If you haven't had any luck by the day prior to your trip, ask at check-in. Good luck! And even if you don't get Club Level, you'll still have an AWESOME vacation!