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

[JJ&JSMOM]

I think a split stay might be a good idea! The one-bedroom villas are really beutiful, so they might be really worth a try. So in case you and up at AKL anyway, I wanted to answer your question about ADRs. As someone else mentioned, AKL really has very good bus service, so having to take the bus is not as bad as it sounds. First of all I would recommend if you stay at AKL to try Boma and possibly Jiko, which is a signature restaurant. So you would already be covered for two nights With regards to meals elsewhere, our strategy was to combine meals with the park we wanted to visit. This works not only for the restaurants in the parks, but those close by. For example on the day we would spend the evening at the MK you could plan an early dinner at one of the resorts close by. Or if you would visit during a time of the year when parks close early, go to directly from the park to where you want to eat. Another tip: for the way back, plan your meals so that you can transfer at a park. Having to go through Downtown Disney is a hassle. Or take a taxi, we took one from the Contemporary to AKL and it was 20 $. Not cheap, but fast!!

Thanks for the info. Maybe its a possiblity but $480/night is pretty steep for us to spend. One never knows. We took our first taxi while staying at the Poly and it is definitely worth the $$$ then messing around w/the bus. Thanks again.

 

[kimmar067]

jacyns ~
Thanks for sharing those fantastic pix!

 

[MAGGIED]

We will be doing a split stay in November.... it is a surprise trip for my DD 18th birthday... we are doing 2 nights at POP and then 2 nights at AKL....I asked them to note on the reservation that it is her 18th birthday.... maybe hoping for some pixie dust to come her way!!! She has always wanted to stay there and I couldn't justify the price... but got a great rate at $149 so couldn't pass it up..... anything in particular I should know about this resort... we have eaten at Boma many times...

 

[pilferk]

Just got back from the Poly and eventhough we liked the Poly we'd like to try AKL next time. We would have 5 in our party (Me, DH, DD4,DD7 & DD10 - ages upon travel) and I've tried to get a quote for 5 of us on Disney website and it keeps saying party size too large. Can 5 stay at AKL? I thought there were Deluxe rooms for larger parties? We wouldn't go until 2 years from now so I know I can't book I'm just doing a little dreaming ! Anybody know 2008 rates for the Deluxe rooms?

Unfortunately the Deluxe rooms are no more. Those rooms are the rooms that have been (well...are in the process of) converted to DVC rooms.

There ARE some options for families of 5, though. You could rent a suite (expensive), rent a 1 BR DVC room through Disney (not as expensive as a suite, but still pricey) OR rent a DVC owner's points and have them book you a 1BR at AKV (cheaper, ususally, depending on the rental rate you can find for the season you're looking to go). Granted, none of those are ideal for everyone but at least there's ways to do it.

Also - how easy or difficult is it to get to ADRs from AKL? I know some people complain about the distance to the other parks, etc. Do you rent a car or just schedule bussing into the schedule? Even at the Poly we'd schedule ADRs especially those restaurants in the parks while we were visiting that particular park. Probably do the same strategy. Thanks for any info.

Getting to ADR's at the parks is a snap...transport is VERY efficient at AKL since you don't share the busses with any other resorts.

Getting to ADR's at other resorts is not so efficient. But that's true for most resorts (the exception being the MK resorts with an ADR at ANOTHER MK resort...because the monorail trumps all) because leaving your resort, and going to another, is going to necessitate using a theme park (or Downtown Disney...though that'd be my LAST choice) as a sort of "hub". You have to take a bus to the nearest park, and then hop ANOTHER bus to the "ADR" resort. That can take, with bus waits, up to and just over an hour (longer if you run into a string of VERY bad luck or your ADR is near park closing times, or just after the afternoon parades when the busses are full).

 

[kimmar067]

Refurbishment/Closure/Update Schedule at Walt Disney World
Refurbishment/closure information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at http://www.disneyworld.com

Current

Uzima Pool Slide (Animal Kingdom Lodge) closed through 10/19/07 for refurbishment. The pool will remain open.

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue (Ft. Wilderness Resort) will not be shown Tuesdays and Wednesdays through 10/24/07.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) closed through 10/24/07 for refurbishment.

Spaceship Earth (Epcot) closed through 11/13/07 for refurbishment.

Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery (Animal Kingdom) closed through 11/15/07. It will reopen as a window take out only.

Tusker House Restaurant (Animal Kingdom) closed through 11/15/07 for changeover to full service restaurant. Advance reservations can now be made (see article below).

Official All Star Cafe (Wide World of Sports) closed through 11/19/07 for remodel.

Main Street Cinema (Magic Kingdom) closed through 11/20/07 for refurbishment.

Hidden Springs Pool (Villas at Wilderness Lodge) closed through 11/21/07 for refurbishment. Guests may use the feature pool at Wilderness Lodge.

Innoventions: Too Small To See Exhibit (Epcot) closed through 12/14/07 for updates.

Innoventions: Opportunity City Exhibit (Epcot) closed through 2/6/08 for updates.

Mickey Avenue (Disney-MGM Studios) closed through at least Spring 2008 for installation of the Toy Story Mania attraction and related theming.

Food and Fun Center (Contemporary Resort) will remain closed until approximately 8/14/08. A temporary counter service location (Tempo Grab and Go) is open near the Outer Rim Lounge on the 4th Floor.

Animal Kingdom Villas will be under construction through 4/30/09. The construction will occur in phases. During this time, guests will hear and/or see construction staff and equipment inside the resort as well as in the external areas of the property during the daytime hours.

 

[vmickey]

I am in the process of making my boys an AKL animal guidebook. I have the Wildlife Field Guide from our last stay in 2004. I wanted to see if there have been any changes to the guide since then, or if anyone notices an omission. Here is what mine lists -

Mammals
Ankole Cattle
Bongo
Blesbok
Eland
Gemsbok
Grant's Zebra
Greater Kudu
Impala
Reticulated Giraffe
Thomson's Gazelle
Waterbuck
White-Bearded Wildebeest

Birds
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
Blue Crane
East African Crowned Crane
Greater Flamingo
Marabou Stork
Ostrich
Pink Backed Pelican
Ruppel's Griffon Vulture

Thanks so much for looking!

 

[Flossbolna]

We will be doing a split stay in November.... it is a surprise trip for my DD 18th birthday... we are doing 2 nights at POP and then 2 nights at AKL....I asked them to note on the reservation that it is her 18th birthday.... maybe hoping for some pixie dust to come her way!!! She has always wanted to stay there and I couldn't justify the price... but got a great rate at $149 so couldn't pass it up..... anything in particular I should know about this resort... we have eaten at Boma many times...

That's a great way to celebrate a birthday!! Make sure you take advantage of the activities at the lodge and spend some time at the awsome pool. Some of the activities are aimed at kids, but others are more grown up, for example the culinary tour through Jiko and Boma and a cultural tour. Also make sure to talk to cast members about the animals, this can be very interesting and the Uzima Savannah lookout behind the pool has cast members with night vision goggles in the evenings. Have a fantastic time there!!

 

[kimmar067]

We will be doing a split stay in November.... it is a surprise trip for my DD 18th birthday... we are doing 2 nights at POP and then 2 nights at AKL....I asked them to note on the reservation that it is her 18th birthday.... maybe hoping for some pixie dust to come her way!!! She has always wanted to stay there and I couldn't justify the price... but got a great rate at $149 so couldn't pass it up..... anything in particular I should know about this resort... we have eaten at Boma many times...

...make sure you bring back plenty o' pix of the lobby, if it is decorated for Chirstmas....

 

[diseverestfan]

Hello Everyone! I'm fairly new here, and am planning on going to the WL in 2009. I honestly think DW would like AKL better though, and so I am seriously considering a change. Problem is, we will be a family of 6 by then, and I really want us all to be together. Are there connecting rooms available, and what would be the best way to secure them? I've been searching around for an answer to this and haven't found one yet, and I haven't had time to go through this whole thread yet. Thanks in advance for any and all help. This place just might win me over-especially if it makes my wife happy!

 

[MAGGIED]

That's a great way to celebrate a birthday!! Make sure you take advantage of the activities at the lodge and spend some time at the awsome pool. Some of the activities are aimed at kids, but others are more grown up, for example the culinary tour through Jiko and Boma and a cultural tour. Also make sure to talk to cast members about the animals, this can be very interesting and the Uzima Savannah lookout behind the pool has cast members with night vision goggles in the evenings. Have a fantastic time there!!

I see that you are headed to Disneyland Paris... I was there a few years back... actually I was pregnant for my son and he is 14 now... it was beautiful.... we had a wonderful trip.....I was just looking at photos the other day from that trip and my kids wondered why the castle looked different.... my DD who was 3 at the time didn't remember being there....maybe someday we will get back.... have a great trip!!!!!!

 

[pilferk]

Hello Everyone! I'm fairly new here, and am planning on going to the WL in 2009. I honestly think DW would like AKL better though, and so I am seriously considering a change. Problem is, we will be a family of 6 by then, and I really want us all to be together. Are there connecting rooms available, and what would be the best way to secure them? I've been searching around for an answer to this and haven't found one yet, and I haven't had time to go through this whole thread yet. Thanks in advance for any and all help. This place just might win me over-especially if it makes my wife happy!

There are connecting rooms available. You can request them when making your reservation, and if you're travelling with younger kids, you'll likely get them. HOWEVER, the one thing you should be aware of is that, like all other Disney resorts, connecting rooms are considered a request. They'll do everything they can to satisfy that request....but sometimes they do fail, which can be a BIG damper (you'll likely get adjoining rooms, even in that case) on the vacation. I've only read of it happening a few times, so it's not the norm, but it DOES happen. Disney will list it on your reservation as a guarantee BUT the "ugly truth" is that it's not.....and a few people have been burned by that.

You could also choose to book a 2BR DVC room through CRO....they sleep 9 AND you get a full kitchen. The rate for a Savannah view 2BR DVC room is ABOUT $100 more per night, during value season, than 2 Savannah view AKL rooms would be (680 per night vs 580 per night)...not TOO much more. Not sure about discounts, etc, being applicable for DVC rooms through CRO.

You could also check out the DVC rent/trade board and try to rent points from a DVC owner (going rate is about $10 - $12 per point, you'd need to rent AROUND 270 points for a week in value season) and have them make a reservation for you for the time frame you're looking for. I've never (nor do I plan to) rented our points, so I'm not sure the exact process....but you can find good resources over on the rent/trade board.

 

[diseverestfan]

There are connecting rooms available. You can request them when making your reservation, and if you're travelling with younger kids, you'll likely get them. HOWEVER, the one thing you should be aware of is that, like all other Disney resorts, connecting rooms are considered a request. They'll do everything they can to satisfy that request....but sometimes they do fail, which can be a BIG damper (you'll likely get adjoining rooms, even in that case) on the vacation. I've only read of it happening a few times, so it's not the norm, but it DOES happen. Disney will list it on your reservation as a guarantee BUT the "ugly truth" is that it's not.....and a few people have been burned by that.

You could also choose to book a 2BR DVC room through CRO....they sleep 9 AND you get a full kitchen. The rate for a Savannah view 2BR DVC room is ABOUT $100 more per night, during value season, than 2 Savannah view AKL rooms would be (680 per night vs 580 per night)...not TOO much more. Not sure about discounts, etc, being applicable for DVC rooms through CRO.

You could also check out the DVC rent/trade board and try to rent points from a DVC owner (going rate is about $10 - $12 per point, you'd need to rent AROUND 270 points for a week in value season) and have them make a reservation for you for the time frame you're looking for. I've never (nor do I plan to) rented our points, so I'm not sure the exact process....but you can find good resources over on the rent/trade board.

Thank you very much for that information, it helps me out a lot! I actually asked my DW today about the AKL and, as I suspected, that is where she really wants to go. One question I didn't ask is this... Are connecting rooms only available in the Savannah room category, or are there some in the standard and pool view rooms as well?
I will also consider the DVC possibility, but I know that the kitchen would probably go unused. Vacation to my wife includes being out of the kitchen!

 

[tnminnie]

We stayed at AKL 2 weeks ago in room # 3432. It was a pool view, bunk bed room and it was a connecting room. Hope this helps.

 

[pilferk]

Thank you very much for that information, it helps me out a lot! I actually asked my DW today about the AKL and, as I suspected, that is where she really wants to go. One question I didn't ask is this... Are connecting rooms only available in the Savannah room category, or are there some in the standard and pool view rooms as well?
I will also consider the DVC possibility, but I know that the kitchen would probably go unused. Vacation to my wife includes being out of the kitchen!

I think there are some in all categories. I just used the savannah example because it was easy, convenient, and I had the info easily available.

On the kitchen's use....I agree. We don't plan to cook (much) on our trips either. Quick breakfasts probably....consisting of bagels or cereal. But having a full sized fridge (for leftovers, snacks, water, etc) and a microwave (because microwave popcorn is an addiction)...along with the other amenities (tableware, plates, glasses, a WHIRLPOOL TUB in the master bedroom!!, etc) make it worthwhile for us.

Also keep in mind that, for that extra $100 a night (not chump change, I know), you're essentially getting the square footage (actually, a bit more....a 2BR DVC accomodation at AKL was created from converting three DELUXE room "bays") of THREE AKL rooms. The extra space might be nice, too. You get a Master bedroom with a king siized bed, a living room with a queen sleeper sofa and a single sleeper chair, and a 2nd bedroom with a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa (and the sleepers are much more comfortable than your "average" sleeper). Large, flatscreen TV's in the Master, the living room, AND the 2nd bedroom (which will have it's OWN bathroom, FYI).

Anyway, just throwing that out there. Both options would work well for you and I don't want to "scare you" off of trying for connecting rooms or "push you" into a DVC 2 BR. Just want to make sure you have all the info!

 

[John's Mom]

We've just booked a savannah view room, Feb4-12. Is there a specific savannah view area that I should request to be placed in? Maybe one area has more animals in it than another. If so, when should I call with the request. Any info. would be greatly appreciated as the savannah view is a surprise for our daughters and I'm hoping to not be dissapointed by the view, I have read about some dissapointing views and I'm hoping not to experience that.
Thanks for any info
Patti

I would request the Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail. The pool and restaurants are also on this side of the Lodge.

 

[Flossbolna]

I see that you are headed to Disneyland Paris... I was there a few years back... actually I was pregnant for my son and he is 14 now... it was beautiful.... we had a wonderful trip.....I was just looking at photos the other day from that trip and my kids wondered why the castle looked different.... my DD who was 3 at the time didn't remember being there....maybe someday we will get back.... have a great trip!!!!!!

Hi! Thanks for the good wishes. Unfortuantely the trip is already over, I just haven't got round to delete the count down! But we had a fantastic trip. It really is the most beautiful Park I know and I am sure that you would love it now, it has gotten some cool additions in the last 14 years! It must have been brand new when you visited as it is celebrating its 15th birthday this year!

 

[diseverestfan]

We stayed at AKL 2 weeks ago in room # 3432. It was a pool view, bunk bed room and it was a connecting room. Hope this helps.

I think there are some in all categories. I just used the savannah example because it was easy, convenient, and I had the info easily available.

On the kitchen's use....I agree. We don't plan to cook (much) on our trips either. Quick breakfasts probably....consisting of bagels or cereal. But having a full sized fridge (for leftovers, snacks, water, etc) and a microwave (because microwave popcorn is an addiction)...along with the other amenities (tableware, plates, glasses, a WHIRLPOOL TUB in the master bedroom!!, etc) make it worthwhile for us.

Also keep in mind that, for that extra $100 a night (not chump change, I know), you're essentially getting the square footage (actually, a bit more....a 2BR DVC accomodation at AKL was created from converting three DELUXE room "bays") of THREE AKL rooms. The extra space might be nice, too. You get a Master bedroom with a king siized bed, a living room with a queen sleeper sofa and a single sleeper chair, and a 2nd bedroom with a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa (and the sleepers are much more comfortable than your "average" sleeper). Large, flatscreen TV's in the Master, the living room, AND the 2nd bedroom (which will have it's OWN bathroom, FYI).

Anyway, just throwing that out there. Both options would work well for you and I don't want to "scare you" off of trying for connecting rooms or "push you" into a DVC 2 BR. Just want to make sure you have all the info!

Thanks again! The DVC option sounds really, really nice and if money was not an object at all, I would love to pull it off. However, money is an object ( and sometimes a scarce one at that ) so I'm leaning toward the connecting room option. Until a few days ago I wouldn't have even considered the AKL for our next trip, but after doing some research, I can't wait to try it out. I guess I'll have to change my signature!

 

[kimmar067]

BEYOND EPCOT
--------------------

"This year, more than ever before, the Food & Wine Festival seems to have extended its reach into the whole of Walt Disney World. A number of signature dining experiences and other events take place at the Disney resort hotels' premiere restaurants and beyond, such as Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the California Grill at the Contemporary, and even Todd English's bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

Having attended both the "Inspirations from India" lunch that was held at Jiko, and one of the Afternoon Teas with Stephen Twining (held at Ariel's at the Beach Club), I can tell you that, in my opinion, these events are worth the extra distance you have to travel to reach them. Based on these two events, also, I would say that they are worth the extra expense -- and believe me, they aren't INexpensive.

--------------------
ALL THE REST
--------------------

As for the rest of the festival's happenings, well, it offers many of the same events that I've talked about over the past few years -- the Eat to the Beat Concerts that are held nightly in the America Gardens Theater, the weekly Party for the Senses tasting extravaganza held at the World Showplace, the usual activities for kids at the Kidcot Fun Stops around Epcot and in the Land. While these may not change much from year to year, that does not lessen their appeal, and I would recommend that you check them out for yourselves if you're heading to Walt Disney World for the festival.

You'll find reviews of many of these events on AllEars.net in the next few days. And I hope you'll see that, despite the fact that I walked the equivalent of a marathon while experiencing all the events and sampling all the delightful tastes that I could, there is no one else's shoes I would have rather been in.

= = = = = = = = = = = =
VITAL INFO
= = = = = = = = = = = =

Epcot's 12th Annual International Food and Wine Festival runs daily through November 11, 2007. Admission to the Festival is included with your park admission, but there are several special events that are an additional (and often hefty) charge. Many events are sold out, but some openings remain, particularly for the Party for the Senses. To make reservations, contact 407-WDW-FEST. And if you're thinking ahead to next year, the dates have already been announced: September 26-November 9, 2008. Remember that reservations for many of the ticketed events go fast -- be sure to watch AllEars.net and the ALL EARS® newsletter for an announcement, probably sometime in July, concerning reservations for the 2008 Festival."

 

[tinkermamaof2]

I would request the Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail. The pool and restaurants are also on this side of the Lodge.

Thank you so much for the information. Is the Arusha Savannah the main savannah in the center of the resort?

 

[onehotdisneymama]

I would like to know more about the culinary tour that is offered at the AKL.
We will be there around Chistmas and this sounds like something we would really enjoy doing. How much does it cost?