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

[Tig-girl]

We are not planning to eat at the resort at all. I had both Boma and Jiko ADR's, but ended up canceling them. Just a little too much for our tastes. If it was a 1TS meal I would give it a shot, but....

Boma is a 1TS meal I'm sure, and totally worth it. It's not "totally exotic", so I'm sure you'd find something you'd love...not that I'm trying to talk you into it like I did my sister and family, lol.........and the deserts are SO good, not just those ZD's! We have so many ADR's.....planned the trip around them.

 

[Tig-girl]

We have Boma ADRs for breakfast on the 19th and dinner on the 20th. I'll eat all the zebra domes for you kimmar! And you're just jealous! Only 24 days here, and 22 for the other girls!

Just remember this Kimmar.......when you are planning your Christmas trip to AKL, we will feel the same way you do now girl!

 

[Tig-girl]

What you outline, above, was the ORIGINAL plan: First Zebra (which IS pretty much done...I think they're just tweaking and stuff at this point..but the official date for about 3/4 of those rooms is Sept 1) trail, then Kudo, then the lobby and Giraffe/Ostrich trails (which contain the concierge and value inventory).

At some point, DVC decided to change that timetable, and do the lobby rooms and Giraffe and Ostrich trail FIRST, then do Kudo trail. We (DVC owners) found out about that in June....as it changed the date the value and concierge rooms would be "bookable" from May of '08 to Dec of '07.

The timetable we're getting now is STILL that Concierge and value will be ready in early december, but Kudo will be complete by the end of January (not May). I'd think that means they're ahead on the concierge/value conversions, too....but that's just my assumption. Maybe they're just bringing in more crews to work concurrently. I do know that, as of 8 days ago (when someone I know was actually THERE) they hadn't touched Kudo trail yet.

So are you telling me that the Giraffe and Ostrich trails are under construction as we speak? This is awful, I just can't stand it anymore!! Considering that we had ressies at WL and cancelled them to stay at AKL, this is very, very distressing to say the least. Maybe I'll call there again today and see what they have to say, although that seems fruitless since you get a different story from every CM you talk to!

 

[pilferk]

So are you telling me that the Giraffe and Ostrich trails are under construction as we speak? This is awful, I just can't stand it anymore!! Considering that we had ressies at WL and cancelled them to stay at AKL, this is very, very distressing to say the least. Maybe I'll call there again today and see what they have to say, although that seems fruitless since you get a different story from every CM you talk to!

Yes, the two small trails (Giraffe and Ostrich) are under construction now, along with the lobby rooms. I'm not sure how far into the process they are on Giraffe and Ostrich, but I know they've at least started the process..

Remember, only the 5th and 6th floors (well, plus the noise) are really "under the knife".

What view have you booked?

 

[Tig-girl]

Yes, the two small trails (Giraffe and Ostrich) are under construction now, along with the lobby rooms. I'm not sure how far into the process they are on Giraffe and Ostrich, but I know they've at least started the process..

Remember, only the 5th and 6th floors (well, plus the noise) are really "under the knife".

What view have you booked?

Pool view booked this time. And was going to request giraffe so DH could be close to the fitness center......now I'm all confused. Right now I feel like calling them up and demanding to me moved to another resort! But I know that I don't want to do that either. What to do, what to do......

 

[pilferk]

Pool view booked this time. And was going to request giraffe so DH could be close to the fitness center......now I'm all confused. Right now I feel like calling them up and demanding to me moved to another resort! But I know that I don't want to do that either. What to do, what to do......

Request ZEBRA trail (where the construction is pretty much done) near the elevator down to the pool. There's pool rooms aplenty on that side, and the elevator down puts you next to Mara and Simba's Clubhouse...pretty much right across from the fitness center. It's a SLIGHTLY longer walk (since you have to cross the pool area) but not TOO much longer.

 

[Flossbolna]

Just to chime in...

I love me some Boma's, too. Best buffet, EVER, IMHO.

Jiko's is the 2nd best restaurant on property, IMHO....2nd only to Victoria and Alberts. If ANY meal is worth 2TS, it's Jikos.

I have no experience with V&A (yet), but I agree that Jiko is an incredible restaurant!! Well prepared food, lovely atmosphere and we also had a fantastic server! I liked it much better than California Grill (but then CG has this special feature of being able to view fireworks....)

 

[Flossbolna]

Request ZEBRA trail (where the construction is pretty much done) near the elevator down to the pool. There's pool rooms aplenty on that side, and the elevator down puts you next to Mara and Simba's Clubhouse...pretty much right across from the fitness center. It's a SLIGHTLY longer walk (since you have to cross the pool area) but not TOO much longer.

I was just about to recommend the same We stayed in a pool view room on Zebra trail close to the elevator and absolutely loved it!!! The walk to the fitness center really should not be long at all (would add just a bit more exercise and that's the point of fitness centers, isn't it? ) I think it would take a couple of minutes to walk across the pool area. And being on Zebra trail you would be slightly closer to Mara for refilling the mug and you get to walk along Zebra trail which has nice outlooks over Arusha Savannah when you go to your room!

 

[usewickhouse]

I'm sure this has been asked but want to double check on something. How will the construction be during the week before Christmas? The CM that did my ressie last week said there would still be a lot going on. Is that true? I am considering changing to the AKL from POFQ would that be smart? Thanks!

 

[Tig-girl]

I just got off the phone with CM who is right at the lodge, who put me on hold to speak with his supervisor to answer my questions about the construction. I was told........
CONSTRUCTION IS GOING ON ALL OVER THE LODGE. THEY ARE DONE A GOOD JOB OF DISGUISING IT, BUT THERE IS REALLY NO AREA WHERE YOU CAN ESCAPE IT. FEBRUARY 1ST, 2008 IS THEIR CURRENT GOAL FOR FINISHING THE INSIDE WORK. NOISE WILL BE AN ISSUE BETWEEN 9&5, LIKE WE HAVE ALL HEARD BEFORE. DUST OR SMELLS ARE NOT AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE FLOORS "PRETTY WELL BLOCKED OFF".
So there you have it, my latest CM account of what's going on. This one sounds like the most honest account I've had, since they have ranged from "no construction inside at all", to "only Kudu trail is under construction."
So, what to do now, eh?

 

[usewickhouse]

HUM...I never even thought of smells! Maybe I will skip AKL and wait until the work is finished. Thanks for your update!!!!!

 

[DznyDreamz]

Okay, this is getting ridiculous. The story changes with every person you speak to. I too am contemplating trying to switch resorts, but I'm reading many other Deluxe are booked solid. So I don't how AKL is going to feel about me demanding to be re-positioned if their official story is that it won't impact us. As I said earlier, I am paying far too much money to only have uninterrupted access outside of the 9-5 window. If they had been honest about the construction months ago, I would have had more options to transfer. Now what is right.

 

[kimmar067]

Just remember this Kimmar.......when you are planning your Christmas trip to AKL, we will feel the same way you do now girl!

...



[...actually, we MAY be going to WL this time out.....]

 

[Tig-girl]

...



[...actually, we MAY be going to WL this time out.....]

WHICH IS WHAT I WISH I'D HAVE DONE THIS TIME........AND IF YOU'VE READ THE POSTS FROM TODAY, YOU KNOW WHY!!!!!!! I AM TOTALLY AGGRAVATED.

 

[kimmar067]

WHICH IS WHAT I WISH I'D HAVE DONE THIS TIME........AND IF YOU'VE READ THE POSTS FROM TODAY, YOU KNOW WHY!!!!!!! I AM TOTALLY AGGRAVATED.

...I just read the various posts from the last page - I can see your concern and frustration.....if you want to be near the fitness center and you have booked a pool view room, why not request a 1st or 2nd floor room on Giraffe Trail?

....actualy, my DFam doesn't even know about all the construction going on....I mentioned to my youngest DS, Dylan, where he'd like to stay - he said, "How about the WL again? And, can we get the free food upstairs like last time at AKL?" Of course, he is referring to concierge - typical 13-y-o!!

 

[Tig-girl]

Okay, this is getting ridiculous. The story changes with every person you speak to. I too am contemplating trying to switch resorts, but I'm reading many other Deluxe are booked solid. So I don't how AKL is going to feel about me demanding to be re-positioned if their official story is that it won't impact us. As I said earlier, I am paying far too much money to only have uninterrupted access outside of the 9-5 window. If they had been honest about the construction months ago, I would have had more options to transfer. Now what is right.

I called CR right after I posted the construction report, explained our dilemma, what with one of our party having a compromised immune system and worrying about the dust, chemicals, etc, and I was told that there is no way I could switch and retain the free DDP, which is saving us a TON of money. Perhaps we are panicking for no reason? Maybe it really IS well contained, and maybe we'll be lucky enough not to be in a noisy section? Between this, and my "bum leg", crying a lot is not out of the question.

 

[Tig-girl]

...I just read the various posts from the last page - I can see your concern and frustration.....if you want to be near the fitness center and you have booked a pool view room, why not request a 1st or 2nd floor room on Giraffe Trail?

....actualy, my DFam doesn't even know about all the construction going on....I mentioned to my youngest DS, Dylan, where he'd like to stay - he said, "How about the WL again? And, can we get the free food upstairs like last time at AKL?" Of course, he is referring to concierge - typical 13-y-o!!

And to think I had ressies at WL with the Free DDP and canceled them.

 

[kimmar067]

I called CR right after I posted the construction report, explained our dilemma, what with one of our party having a compromised immune system and worrying about the dust, chemicals, etc, and I was told that there is no way I could switch and retain the free DDP, which is saving us a TON of money. Perhaps we are panicking for no reason? Maybe it really IS well contained, and maybe we'll be lucky enough not to be in a noisy section? Between this, and my "bum leg", crying a lot is not out of the question.

...just keep thinking BRING ON THE PIXIE DUST!.....I'm sure that things will have a way of working themselves out....

 

[Tig-girl]

...just keep thinking BRING ON THE PIXIE DUST!.....I'm sure that things will have a way of working themselves out....

You're right Kim! I really need to snap out of this negative, boo hoo, poor us attitude! I mean really, we are going to DW, and it's going to be fine. If it was really that bad, I think you'd see a whole lot of complaints posted right here on the boards, and unless I'm missing something, I haven't see that. So how awful could it be. I am just panicking because after all, it's our first vacation in 3 years, and it's a lot of mula.....so I just want it to be perfect. But it will be fine, just fine. They would not have an unsafe environment for the animals, after all, let alone the guests. And the noise? Well, I can probably count on one hand the times we are in the room between 9&5, so who cares. And if I hear some noise while I'm lounging at the pool with a big pina colada in my hands, who cares?
So when can I make a room request? I do like the idea of Zebra trail, and being able to view the animals as I walk to the room.....

 

[kimmar067]

...THAT'S the spirit!! I really wouldn't wait too long to put in for those requests though.....