Saturday, September 29, 2007
Had breakfast at Spoodles this morning had the AYCE meal it was great, but the eggs were a little too runny for my wife. The French toast of the meal was excellent. The coffee is better at Spoodles than at the resorts so far.
This was the day we transferred from BWI to AKL. The transfer went smoothly we called BWI bell service they came up within 10 minutes to get our luggage after that is when we went to breakfast. We came back from breakfast and finished getting ready.
We went to take the bus transportation for this resort and it was fast. It only took 10 minutes for the bus to come by to pick us up.
AKL is amazing with breathtaking views. When we arrived we were taken to concierge desk to check-in; however, our room was not ready, but we were not surprised. We went to the pool to relax and do some laundry; while we waited for our room. About 45 minutes later they called us to let us know our room was ready. They first put us in room 4423 (Arusha/Zebra Trail) only to discover that maintenance had decided that it had some type of leak so they moved us even though we went into the room and changed from our swim wear. We went back to concierge and we were given room 2319 (Arusha/Kudo Trail). At first my wife did not like the room because it did not have some of the other nice things like the new TVs as well as the distance from the concierge lounge, but after we went out on the balcony and saw zebras, giraffes, and some of the other animals that she decided it is an ok room besides we are at AKL. We also noticed that this has a nicer view (other room had a tree right in our way of viewing) and this room also seemed closer to the animals.
Once we got to our new room, we called bell service and they delivered our luggage within 5 minutes of the phone call. All in all, I would consider it a very smooth hotel transfer.
We spent time on the balcony and then went to the culinary tour; which was great. I enjoyed it more than my wife, but it made me so anxious to try Boma for dinner that I went to the desk and had my ADR changed from 7:50 tonight to right now. Even with that change it only took 15 minutes and wow the food was great. I tried the Fufu and it was better than I expected. I also liked the Gerety Rice and it was great I ended up having two servings of them. I also had some of those famous ZDs. I also bought some at Mara. My wife thought the carrot ginger soup was excellent.
Went to DTD and we waited 10 minutes for the bus to the place. It was raining so hard on the way over there, we thought we would have to leave as soon as we would arrive, but it stopped after our arrival. We had a great time and did our annual track to DTD. We also tried those create your own marshmallows at Goofys and they are the best.
We got back to the hotel to our wonderful turn-down service and settled for a nice night of rest and relaxation.
Just before going to bed, my wife noticed some cattle outside our window. We went back onto the balcony and also saw a zebra. It was a great sight and one that you have to see to truly experience its awesomeness.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
This morning we did the concierge breakfast safari and it was good one of those once in a life time type adventures. I would have to say this is one of those adventures that you have to try at least once. Our guides were George and Ric they were very knowledgeable and personable. We were able to see and learn about several animals on the safari. The guides also told us a little how the ride was built and how they kept the animals in their own area. The breakfast was very good at the end of the safari (it was in pizzafari instead of tusker house). We did not get a fast pass to ride the ride again, but it did not really matter to us; especially since we just got off the ride. It was a neat experience to travel back to pizzafari from the ride and see all the people and the parade with Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy on the truck walking to the Harambe village section.
The rest of the day we spent visiting the attractions at DAK. We did get to see the Finding Nemo, the Musical show and it was even better than we had imagined. We had seen a
YouTube video of the show, but it was much better in person. It is like the FOTLK show where we will have to see that every time we go to DAK. The weather today was excellent there was a nice breeze and it made being out in the park bearable.
Around 2:30 pm, we went back to the hotel to have lunch. We ate at Mara and had the chicken strip basket again (both of our favorite food at WDW). We then went and took an hour nap back in our room. We desired this trip to be full of rest and relaxation and it has truly been what we desired. I am glad now that we decided not to do our normal commando type trip. So far it is a great vacation.
This evening we decided to say around the hotel. We went up to the lounge for a snack after relaxing and reading around the pool. It was so windy that it was almost too cool to be around the pool. I tried the peanut butter uncrustable things and they are great. My wife had the carrot-ginger soup again. The lounge is nice to supplement your meals, but I would have to agree with others that it cannot be a meal replacements.
We then went to the fire pit to sit and relax and read while we waited for the story telling. It was so relaxing reading by the fire. The story teller was excellent and did a great job with audience participation. We all had a part in his story. It was one of my favorite things at AKL.
Around 8:10 p.m., we went to go find a seat to relax and read and wait for the cultural presentation. Our presenter, Kaiser from Botswana came out earlier and I had the chance to talk to him about his country. I found the entire thing very informative and entertaining, but of course, I am excited about learning new things; especially about different cultures. It was nice to listen to his enthusiasm for his country. I felt sort of bad for him when his presentation started he only had me, my wife and another gentleman show up. He did a great job of trying to get audience participation (me). I dont how the others felt in the presentation, but I felt like I was listening to a friend talk. It was great. I asked for a card from his country (he was giving out to those who came to the presentation) and he wrote his name and email on it. I plan to send him an email when I get home.
The last thing we did was go do the night vision again one of those events that you just have to experience to understand and feel the emotion involved with it. The view was just like you were looking at it in the day. My wife enjoyed it too; although, she stated she had a difficult making out the animals because of her bifocals she did state she could see the shape/figure of the animals.
We got back to the hotel to our wonderful turn-down service and settled for a nice night of rest and relaxation.
Just before going to bed, my wife noticed some zebra outside our window. We went back onto the balcony. It was a great sight and one that you have to see to truly experience its awesomeness.
Overall, our stay at AKL was fair (and not just because of the room). I probably would not attempt to stay here in the future. The staff did not seem as friendly as they were at BWI. There the staff would acknowledge you and say hello; especially the concierge staff, but at AKL I almost felt like an intruder. The concierge staff was not impressive as they were in email (especially Don as in Donald Duck). They never acknowledged your arrival and when you went to the desk to talk to them they always had that I am busy personification about them. Also, concierge here gave us difficulty in getting bottled water for the room; although they ended up giving it to us begrudgingly stated it was against their policy and we could not have any more. However, at BWI they were more than willing to give us bottled water for the room even to the point of asking how many do we want. Now, dont get me wrong I have worked in the service industry for 20+ years and I know that you cant please everyone, but one thing I do know is that sometime all it takes is just a simple hello. I work in a library now and I cant emphasize that enough to my own employees. It is just good customer satisfaction.
AKL construction update we could not hear construction noise anywhere; including on our balcony. The concierge lounge is back up on the sixth floor overlooking the lobby. I agree with others that it is an impressive view of the lodge.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.
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You're kids are the same ages as mine and i have the same concerns with transpo, etc. 
!!
I want to get more info on this resort. Thanks
