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

[pilferk]

So if you book a standard concierge room will it just be a standard room with access to the concierge lounge?

Thanks again for the quick response.

More or less.

The rooms ARE specific to concierge.....it's not like you just get any room in the house and, on top of that, they give you access to concierge services and the lounge. The specific block of rooms (all savannah view) are dedicated concierge rooms, in a specifc "block" on the 4th floor. But they're set up just like, and are the same size as, a standard AKL room. I think they might have better robes in them (can't remember) and they all get nightly turndown service (unless you request otherwise) but other than that...not much difference.

The real differences are in the services you'll get (as mentioned, turndown...but you also have full access to the IPO staff who, IMHO, are the best IPO/concierge on property), the access to the lounge AND access to the Sunrise Safari (which is almost worth the extra $$ per night by itself, IMHO).

 

[mkmommy]

That is good to know that they are savannah view. I have booked a standard concierge room, I was not worried about the view, but I now have a friend that may join me and I know she would prefer a savannah view over a concierge room. I booked concierege just for the Sunrise safari.

Thanks

 

[gwilliams]

I just booked a 2 bedroom suite at AKL for next month. I'm having trouble figuring out from the posts already on here how construction will affect us. I thought I had read somewhere that all the concierge 2 bedroom suites were on the 5th and 6th floors, but then I"ve also seen lots of people saying that the 5th and 6th floors are what's being converted to DVC. Can anyone clarify this for me?

 

[Daydreamer64]

Unless things have changed...every day at "dusk". They put the specific time on the events list and the bulletin board, but it changes with the season. For January, figure it's going to be AROUND 6 or 6:30 PM.

Thanks- I trying to make plans obviously! DUH!

We are torn about the arrival day- we are going to arrive in Orlando at 8:23am- Dec. 30, 2007- we were going to check in to the CR, then go to MGM to catch H&V Little Einsteins/JOJo lunch, do a few rides, have Sci Fi - the boys have asked for the last 2 trips and we PROMISED on this trip- anyway, next was Osborne Lights and the 10 showing of Fant.- HOWEVER, we will be arriving at the Atl airport at 4 AM -=we are paranoid because it's a very busy flying week and he wants us there 3 hours before the flight- the flight leaves at 7:05am- he says we can get through security ( if you haven't gone theough security in ATL then you haven't lived ! ) then get breakfast at the terminal?? Should we just make arrival day a relaxed one and not try to get to all of this stuff the first day??

 

[kimmar067]

More or less.

The rooms ARE specific to concierge.....it's not like you just get any room in the house and, on top of that, they give you access to concierge services and the lounge. The specific block of rooms (all savannah view) are dedicated concierge rooms, in a specifc "block" on the 4th floor. But they're set up just like, and are the same size as, a standard AKL room. I think they might have better robes in them (can't remember) and they all get nightly turndown service (unless you request otherwise) but other than that...not much difference.

The real differences are in the services you'll get (as mentioned, turndown...but you also have full access to the IPO staff who, IMHO, are the best IPO/concierge on property), the access to the lounge AND access to the Sunrise Safari (which is almost worth the extra $$ per night by itself, IMHO).

...I concur....

 

[kimmar067]

Thanks- I trying to make plans obviously! DUH!

We are torn about the arrival day- we are going to arrive in Orlando at 8:23am- Dec. 30, 2007- we were going to check in to the CR, then go to MGM to catch H&V Little Einsteins/JOJo lunch, do a few rides, have Sci Fi - the boys have asked for the last 2 trips and we PROMISED on this trip- anyway, next was Osborne Lights and the 10 showing of Fant.- HOWEVER, we will be arriving at the Atl airport at 4 AM -=we are paranoid because it's a very busy flying week and he wants us there 3 hours before the flight- the flight leaves at 7:05am- he says we can get through security ( if you haven't gone theough security in ATL then you haven't lived ! ) then get breakfast at the terminal?? ...

............ !!

..Should we just make arrival day a relaxed one and not try to get to all of this stuff the first day??

...... !!!!!

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks- I trying to make plans obviously! DUH!

We are torn about the arrival day- we are going to arrive in Orlando at 8:23am- Dec. 30, 2007- we were going to check in to the CR, then go to MGM to catch H&V Little Einsteins/JOJo lunch, do a few rides, have Sci Fi - the boys have asked for the last 2 trips and we PROMISED on this trip- anyway, next was Osborne Lights and the 10 showing of Fant.- HOWEVER, we will be arriving at the Atl airport at 4 AM -=we are paranoid because it's a very busy flying week and he wants us there 3 hours before the flight- the flight leaves at 7:05am- he says we can get through security ( if you haven't gone through security in ATL then you haven't lived ! ) then get breakfast at the terminal?? Should we just make arrival day a relaxed one and not try to get to all of this stuff the first day??

I just want to jump in here because I fly out of Hartsfield-Jackson. Your DH is right - you need to arrive that early! I've learned that even a non-busy flying week can be a nightmare trying to clear Security and get to the gate! You'd rather be sitting by the gate "waiting" with a coffee and bagel than frantically trying to get to the gate! Make sure you print your boarding passes the evening prior.

If your family takes a mid-afternoon break (nap? ), you might be able to make it through Fantasmic, but if you can save that for another day, that might be better!

 

[amcjeep4life]

Since Tig-girl is gone, I guess I can say:

Check out my ticker!

 

[kimmar067]

Since Tig-girl is gone, I guess I can say:

Check out my ticker!

....

OMG! I just realized that you are leaving TOMORROW!!!!
[...have a wonderful time - bring back UPDATES....]

 

[kimmar067]

 

[justanynamewilldo]

Hi, I know this has probably been asked, but this is a loong thread & I've tried to read through & didn't find an answer to my question, so... we're going to AKL in Oct. with a code, with a standard room (all that was available). We want to know what should we request for a standard room, what are the chances for an upgrade to savannah view, will making a request hurt our chances for an upgrade, how do you ask for an upgrade? Any help? Thanks!

 

[pilferk]

Thanks- I trying to make plans obviously! DUH!

We are torn about the arrival day- we are going to arrive in Orlando at 8:23am- Dec. 30, 2007- we were going to check in to the CR, then go to MGM to catch H&V Little Einsteins/JOJo lunch, do a few rides, have Sci Fi - the boys have asked for the last 2 trips and we PROMISED on this trip- anyway, next was Osborne Lights and the 10 showing of Fant.- HOWEVER, we will be arriving at the Atl airport at 4 AM -=we are paranoid because it's a very busy flying week and he wants us there 3 hours before the flight- the flight leaves at 7:05am- he says we can get through security ( if you haven't gone theough security in ATL then you haven't lived ! ) then get breakfast at the terminal?? Should we just make arrival day a relaxed one and not try to get to all of this stuff the first day??

Hubby's right about arriving early...I think 4AM is a good target.

My question is this: Can your kids handle that kind of pace?

I know mine couldn't, but they're very young. If we tried to burn the candle at both ends like that we'd end up with miserable kids, and end up having a pretty miserable time late in the day. So, personally, we take the "play it by ear" bent on the first day. We make an ADR for dinner at our resort, and if we get to the parks that day, we do...if not, we spend the day at the pool.

That being said, only you know your kids. Some kids tolerate that kind of pace better than others, but I'd tailor my day to what I think the kids can handle.

 

[jed]

I have been searching the web regarding the partial closure of the lodge, the only information I am finding is that is: Animal Kingdom Lodge - will partialy close to guests from July 9 until September 1, 2007. (subject to change.)

As its now September 17th I was wondering if anybody had more up to date news?

Iam booked for November 19th through to December 2nd in a standard room(all I could get). So was wondering if work would be finished in the main lodge itself by then with hopefully some more savanah rooms becoming available so I could upgrade. Bit hopeful I know with Thanksgiving falling between these dates. I live in Scotland and didn't realise!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RachelTori]

I have been searching the web regarding the partial closure of the lodge, the only information I am finding is that is: Animal Kingdom Lodge - will partialy close to guests from July 9 until September 1, 2007. (subject to change.)

As its now September 17th I was wondering if anybody had more up to date news?

Iam booked for November 19th through to December 2nd in a standard room(all I could get). So was wondering if work would be finished in the main lodge itself by then with hopefully some more savanah rooms becoming available so I could upgrade. Bit hopeful I know with Thanksgiving falling between these dates. I live in Scotland and didn't realise!!!!!!!!!!!

Many who have visited since Sept 1st have heard very little, if any, construction noise. The black drapes are still blocking the lobby rooms on the 5th & 6th floors, but that hasn't impacted guests.

It never hurts to ask if you can upgrade at check-in, however, if there are no upgrades available, you will be perfectly fine in a standard view room. And you can always ask again mid-way through your stay if there might be any savannah views available (assuming you don't mind changing rooms!)

 

[kimmar067]

...posted by JoAnnPan:

....I REALLY wish I were here right now....

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

We just got back from our week long Disneymoon at AKl yesterday. I'm happy to report that the trip was blissful. The construction wasn't an issue at all. The black drapes are still up, but you hardly notice them. We never heard any construction noise or saw any indication of construction besides the drapes. Also I thought I would add, with the free dining I was concerned about the crowd levels at the parks, but the crowd levels were really low. We got to the parks early each morning and walked on all the rides. The longest we ever waited in line was about 15 minutes.

 

[missouridisneyfans]

Thanks for the recent update. We are getting real close to our trip. Tomorrow we will be doing the single digit dance. We can't wait.

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

Thanks for the recent update. We are getting real close to our trip. Tomorrow we will be doing the single digit dance. We can't wait.

Hope you guys have a great time! I was so sad to come home.

 

[stewpette]

I have been reading about folks requesting rooms and some rooms not being too favorable i.e. near the entrance hearing cars etc. Can anyone give me some advice on a room request? We are arriving on Sat and have a pool room with bunkbeds reserved. We have never been to the resort and are having a hard time visualizing the layout. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[busymomma123]

This will be our first stay at AKl in October. Is there a place there to buy milk and juice? Thanks