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

[Brave teacher]

When my DH and I decided that we would be going back to Disney, we said that we wanted to bring the boys for a savannah view at the AKL. We have also been investigating DVC and were interested in buying at AKV so we wanted to stay there before we bought in to it.

I am reading more and more everyday about the construction, and it's kind of starting to make me nervous. My then 17-month-old will be taking naps everyday, so the possibiluty of noise concerns me. I want them to be able to have the view of the animals from our balcony. Are they being scared away because of the noise?

I am just getting really concerned. We are noe reconsidering our stay and might choose to switch to WL instead. I don't know what to do?

 

[RachelTori]

When my DH and I decided that we would be going back to Disney, we said that we wanted to bring the boys for a savannah view at the AKL. We have also been investigating DVC and were interested in buying at AKV so we wanted to stay there before we bought in to it.

I am reading more and more everyday about the construction, and it's kind of starting to make me nervous. My then 17-month-old will be taking naps everyday, so the possibiluty of noise concerns me. I want them to be able to have the view of the animals from our balcony. Are they being scared away because of the noise?

I am just getting really concerned. We are noe reconsidering our stay and might choose to switch to WL instead. I don't know what to do?

Your trip isn't until 2008? Then I don't think you have anything to worry about! Most of the construction in AKL will be done before December 1st.

When we were there 3 weeks ago, we spent time talking with some of the animal caretakers - who were awesome BTW!! Before the construction even started, they moved some of the animals around because of each species' tolerance for noise, etc. There were animals in all 3 savannahs so any guests with a savannah view would see animals!

I believe enough people on this thread will keep us informed as to how the construction's going. I'll bet you'll be pleasantly surprised before the end of the year!

 

[wvdislover]

We're staying at AKL 9/7-15. We added a couple of nights to our trip b/c of cheaper airfare on Allegiant, but when I called my TA to add the 16th, they were "booked." We're doing free dining, but can't get it for the last night, since we have to switch resorts (staying at WL as a room-only if AKL doesn't open up). DH doesn't really like the idea of having to switch resorts (actually, I don't either), so we're hoping it all works out. TA says that maybe we can get in after July, since everyone's final payments are due then, and that there may be cancellations. We're probably going to stay at a cheap off-site our first night (9/6) since we won't be landing in Sanford until 7:55pm. Anybody know of a good place to stay (preferably under $75)? Keeping our fingers crossed!

 

[Tink-aholic]

Well, they offered us a 1 bedroom at SSR with $946 back. I am bummed about not being able to stay at AKL, though. It was going to be our first stay at that resort and honestly, the only reason why DH agreed to go!

Great upgrade, but still bummed about what could have been...

Funny thing is, with the money back, we tried to book two more guests (my son's two best friends) to go with us. Even with all of that room at SSR, they only allow 4 in the suite. They fit 5 at CSR and POR, but only 4 at SSR. I was also told that they would lock my thread on that forum because it was a touchy subject. Who knew that being generous and giving more money to Disney would be so hard?

 

[pilferk]

Funny thing is, with the money back, we tried to book two more guests (my son's two best friends) to go with us. Even with all of that room at SSR, they only allow 4 in the suite. They fit 5 at CSR and POR, but only 4 at SSR. I was also told that they would lock my thread on that forum because it was a touchy subject. Who knew that being generous and giving more money to Disney would be so hard?

True, especially when booking through CRO. Apparently DVC Member Services has been known to allow 5 in a 1 BR, but the stated occupancy IS 4...

That was one of the selling points (as if we needed many of them!) on AKV for us...they're the first DVC 1BR's with a stated occupancy of 5...perfect for our "brood".

 

[silverangel879]

My fellow AKL Lovers!
Just a note to write...

ONLY 10 DAYS!

And I'll be entering the beautiful lobby of AKL, trying Zebra Domes for the first time, enjoying the flavors of Boma...

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[John's Mom]

My fellow AKL Lovers!
Just a note to write...

ONLY 10 DAYS!

And I'll be entering the beautiful lobby of AKL, trying Zebra Domes for the first time, enjoying the flavors of Boma...

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Have a great trip! Don't forget to take plenty of pictures of the AKL for that trip report you are going to write as soon as you get home.

 

[silverangel879]

Have a great trip! Don't forget to take plenty of pictures of the AKL for that trip report you are going to write as soon as you get home.

You bet I will!!!! I'm so anxious to know the hotel. I already got My ME passes and everything!!!

 

[amycishere]

I considering adding a extra day/night to my stay just for the lodge and animals. We will have a 3 day pass for the parks. Has anyone done this and is it worth it? I am a huge animal lover.

 

[housemouse]

I am just dancing with excitement waiting to stay here. I've never stayed at a Disney resort before and have always wanted to try AKL since I saw the first pictures of it. I sure hope we don't get bumped out of this resort in September. I told my DS we were staying at ASMO and secretly booked AKL as a surprise for his birthday. Don't think he'd care too much about being surprised with SSR.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Have they been bumping people from AKL? People who already have reservations?!? Oh no! Say it isn't so!

 

[Flossbolna]

I considering adding a extra day/night to my stay just for the lodge and animals. We will have a 3 day pass for the parks. Has anyone done this and is it worth it? I am a huge animal lover.

I haven't done this, but I remember that quite a few people who posted on this thread have done it and enjoyed it. We stayed 8 nights and I wished I had more time for the hotel, but was just running around at the parks too much. There are lots of activities going on, many are for kids, but some might be interesting for adults as well, for example I remember that there was something about feeding the flamingoes? And then there is of course the culinary tour in the restaurants, very much recommended before you have dinner at Boma! There are many public viewing areas where there are cast members who will tell you things about the animals.

So in respose to your question: I think it would be worth it!!

 

[Marshay]

I considering adding a extra day/night to my stay just for the lodge and animals. We will have a 3 day pass for the parks. Has anyone done this and is it worth it? I am a huge animal lover.

Absolutely! We planned a 5 day trip at AKL and didn't go to the parks at all. Just lounged around the pool, watched the animals in the 3 different savannahs for hours (literally), explored the resort and did DTD. You can easily add just a day at AKL!

 

[kimmar067]

Riiiight, I forgot. You post it on your trip report. BIG Oooops....

.... wha-a-a-a-at trip report??!?

 

[kimmar067]

When my DH and I decided that we would be going back to Disney, we said that we wanted to bring the boys for a savannah view at the AKL. We have also been investigating DVC and were interested in buying at AKV so we wanted to stay there before we bought in to it.

I am reading more and more everyday about the construction, and it's kind of starting to make me nervous. My then 17-month-old will be taking naps everyday, so the possibiluty of noise concerns me. I want them to be able to have the view of the animals from our balcony. Are they being scared away because of the noise?

I am just getting really concerned. We are noe reconsidering our stay and might choose to switch to WL instead. I don't know what to do?

...I'd say GO FOR IT......BTW ~ isn't your username kinda redundant??!?!?

 

[kimmar067]

....We're probably going to stay at a cheap off-site our first night (9/6) since we won't be landing in Sanford until 7:55pm. Anybody know of a good place to stay (preferably under $75)? Keeping our fingers crossed!...

.... DON'T stay in a hotel in Sanford!! My advice would be to find a nice place nearer the Lake Buena Vista area.....

 

[silverangel879]

I am just dancing with excitement waiting to stay here. I've never stayed at a Disney resort before and have always wanted to try AKL since I saw the first pictures of it.

I felt the same! I was thinking about staying at POFQ until I saw AKL pictures.

 

[silverangel879]

.... wha-a-a-a-at trip report??!?

...Or maybe I imagined it?

 

[Brave teacher]

I just wanted to let ya'll know what we decided to do.

My DH is really concerned about the naps, so he wants to play it safe this time. We are now trying to dcide between WL and Poly. I think we are leaning to WL a little more though. We are going again for Mardi Gras 2009, so we will stay at AKL for that trip. Plus, we'll be with my parents and siblings as well as my sister's little girl. They were kind of wanting to stay there anyway.

I will stay there one day. Just not as soon as I originally thought.

 

[Brave teacher]

...I'd say GO FOR IT......BTW ~ isn't your username kinda redundant??!?!?

Yeah. I get that a lot. I teach at a high school that has a Brave as the mascot.