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

[Jalva22]

Thanks Heidi! Sounds like from several just returning that if you want to avoid construction noise you should book Kudu Trail. I've requested Zebra Trail for the shorter walk to the pool, but I'm tempted to change my request to Kudu Trail and close to the lobby. Can't decide. We'll be there in 20 days, and I can't wait!

 

[Tink-in-Training]

Subscribing.

I'm starting to research an 'Oh good Lord I'm turning 29 and it's been WAY too long since I've been to the World!' solo birthday trip for September/October 2008 and I'm strongly leaning to making it a totally deluxe trip. I'm a big animal lover and am an amateur photog hoping for a new, bea-u-ti-ful camera this Christmas. What better place than AKL? I've also got the Poly and the CR on the radar.

 

[heatherlynn444]

Spekaing of construction noise my parents got back last week. they were on ostrich trail savannah view and heard nothing except when they were by the pool they heard beeping like from a big piece of equipment. SO thats good I guess.

 

[flipflop]

Hi all! We stayed at AKL from May 4-6. We booked a standard view room. Upon check-in we were upgraded to a savannah view room and were told we would be on the trail with construction - Zebra Trail - but that no noise would occur before 8 am or after 8 pm. Kelly, the CM who checked us in was super nice and friendly. The concierge was also fantastic. Our room was fabulous (2517) and we saw many giraffes, zebra and elands from our balcony. We did not come across one unfriendly CM except for a bartender by the pool who had selective hearing. We heard NO construction noise. NONE. Not one peep of construction noise except for some occasional beeping by the pool. My only complaint about the room would be the lack of lighting in the bathroom causing me to have nicked my leg while shaving (if this is the biggest complaint, I'd say that's pretty good ). We ate at Mara, Jiko and Boma during our stay and all were great - Jiko was excellent. We had never stayed at AKL before and decided to check it out for our adults only get-away. We very much enjoyed our stay and can tell it would be a great place to bring kids - so many activities. It did take an hour to get to DTD both times we headed there - but I believe that is b/c of where AKL is compared to DTD and the roads to get to DTD - no direct route. That was annoying but not enough so to keep me from staying there again.

Overall AKL gets a big thumbs up!!!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Hi everyone! I have been lurking on this thread for awhile, and decided to finally post!

My DH and I are planning to stay at AKL at the end of a week of free dining at POFQ. We are just staying at AKL just one night (9/29) and we will most likely stay at the resort from check in till check out. We want to relax on a savannah balcony, see the animals, and maybe jump in the pool.

DH asked if he can be in a room that overlooks "white bearded wildebeasts" (sp?). I said, "sure dear, I'll ask my Dis where we should put ya!"

(believe it or not) I don't mind some construction noise during daytime hours, so great animal view is probably the most important thing for us. Where would you guys suggest that I make a "request" for? (I know that it is not guaranteed, but I'll make a request) thanks!
-mary

 

[HGD24]

flipflop - So sorry about the long rides to DTD! Our rides to DTD took maybe 15 mins at the most. Our longest ride was to Typhoon Lagoon and that was only because of the 2 stops we had to make at DTD on the way. It took maybe 30 mins total at 12pm on a Saturday to get to TL. Our ride from Magic Kingdom took 22 mins (yes, I kept track and only because of all the complaints I read here about it being such a long ride).

 

[stepdisney]

Hi all! We stayed at AKL from May 4-6. We booked a standard view room. Upon check-in we were upgraded to a savannah view room and were told we would be on the trail with construction - Zebra Trail - but that no noise would occur before 8 am or after 8 pm. Kelly, the CM who checked us in was super nice and friendly. The concierge was also fantastic. Our room was fabulous (2517) and we saw many giraffes, zebra and elands from our balcony. We did not come across one unfriendly CM except for a bartender by the pool who had selective hearing. We heard NO construction noise. NONE. Not one peep of construction noise except for some occasional beeping by the pool. My only complaint about the room would be the lack of lighting in the bathroom causing me to have nicked my leg while shaving (if this is the biggest complaint, I'd say that's pretty good ). We ate at Mara, Jiko and Boma during our stay and all were great - Jiko was excellent. We had never stayed at AKL before and decided to check it out for our adults only get-away. We very much enjoyed our stay and can tell it would be a great place to bring kids - so many activities. It did take an hour to get to DTD both times we headed there - but I believe that is b/c of where AKL is compared to DTD and the roads to get to DTD - no direct route. That was annoying but not enough so to keep me from staying there again.

Overall AKL gets a big thumbs up!!!

flipflop (love that name by the way), your post made my day. You answered all of my questions but one, did you see any construction? I am so glad you had so many nice things to say about AKL. I too have been lurking and reading trying to make a decision about changing resorts.

 

[flipflop]

flipflop (love that name by the way), your post made my day. You answered all of my questions but one, did you see any construction? I am so glad you had so many nice things to say about AKL. I too have been lurking and reading trying to make a decision about changing resorts.

Thanks, I have a thing for flip-flops. I saw no construction from our room or from the pool. Granted, I didn't stand around for along time trying to find construction but nothing "stood out" in a "there sure is a lot of construction going on in this place" kind of way. If I hadn't been aware of the construction when I left or wasn't told at check-in, I would not have even known anything was going on. However, we were never in our room between the hours of 11-3, so there may have been noise then. I am adding a link to my dining review which includes the 3 eateries at AKL - may be helpful to you....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1453922

 

[flipflop]

flipflop - So sorry about the long rides to DTD! Our rides to DTD took maybe 15 mins at the most. Our longest ride was to Typhoon Lagoon and that was only because of the 2 stops we had to make at DTD on the way. It took maybe 30 mins total at 12pm on a Saturday to get to TL. Our ride from Magic Kingdom took 22 mins (yes, I kept track and only because of all the complaints I read here about it being such a long ride).

Curious b/c we never really waited all that long to get on a bus - it was the actual drive that took so long. It took so long we were 30 minutes late for dinner (and we generally run on-time, especially without kids). We got to Epcot in 10 minutes, which I thought was great. Oh well, we were still at disney!

 

[BensMom]

Hi everyone! I have been lurking on this thread for awhile, and decided to finally post!

My DH and I are planning to stay at AKL at the end of a week of free dining at POFQ. We are just staying at AKL just one night (9/30) and we will most likely stay at the resort from check in till check out. We want to relax on a savannah balcony, see the animals, and maybe jump in the pool.

DH asked if he can be in a room that overlooks "white bearded wildebeasts" (sp?). I said, "sure dear, I'll ask my Dis where we should put ya!"

(believe it or not) I don't mind some construction noise during daytime hours, so great animal view is probably the most important thing for us. Where would you guys suggest that I make a "request" for? (I know that it is not guaranteed, but I'll make a request) thanks!
-mary

Once you stay at AKL, you'll be officially "Deluxified," and you will find it hard to go down to Moderates! Just warning you!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Once you stay at AKL, you'll be officially "Deluxified," and you will find it hard to go down to Moderates! Just warning you!

I know...I know... it's just gonna happen. It has already started actually. We "made the mistake" of staying on rented points at OKW in december, and fell in love with that place! - - I was just snooping on the dvc boards, as a matter of fact - checking out info on the AKV !!! Hey! I was just looking around! It just dawned on me that it would be possible to stay at Animal Kingdom on DVC points, wouldn't it? I am a DVC-wanna-be!

 

[stepdisney]

Thanks, I have a thing for flip-flops. I saw no construction from our room or from the pool. Granted, I didn't stand around for along time trying to find construction but nothing "stood out" in a "there sure is a lot of construction going on in this place" kind of way. If I hadn't been aware of the construction when I left or wasn't told at check-in, I would not have even known anything was going on. However, we were never in our room between the hours of 11-3, so there may have been noise then. I am adding a link to my dining review which includes the 3 eateries at AKL - may be helpful to you....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1453922

Darn it. Now I'm hungry and thirsty. Great reviews.

 

[kimmar067]

Overall AKL gets a big thumbs up!!!

...another AKL 'convert'.....ahhhhhh, my job is done here......

 

[Tig-girl]

...nuttin' like pourin'

in the wound.....[ ]

Sorry Kim! But ya know.....it's been nearly 3 years! I think it's high time I headed back, don't you??

 

[kimmar067]

Sorry Kim! But ya know.....it's been nearly 3 years! I think it's high time I headed back, don't you??

....YIKES, has it been THAT long already.....I'm just bummed cuz' we arent' going on vaca this year, and it seems like EVERYBODY that I know is going there......

 

[disneytraveler]

I am going to Wdw in December but it s not Akl sadly ,its the Movies.Its because i already have a big trip planned for Italy this summer. I hope next summer to be back at AKL

 

[Tig-girl]

I am going to Wdw in December but it s not Akl sadly ,its the Movies.Its because i already have a big trip planned for Italy this summer. I hope next summer to be back at AKL

ITALY!?!?! Then I want to hear no whining from you!
Italy is on our "list of places to go", but so far, we just keep ending up in Disneyworld! You must report back on that trip, ok?

 

[kimmar067]

ITALY!?!?! Then I want to hear no whining from you!
Italy is on our "list of places to go", but so far, we just keep ending up in Disneyworld! You must report back on that trip, ok?

...watcha complainin' 'bout...you can always visit Laura and Marco......

 

[disneytraveler]

Ok its with Adventures by Disney . So i am not completely away from the mouse

 

[d4est]

Sigh......

Still way too many days to go....