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

[BraveMom3]

Okay-now I'm scared! I have 5 nights booked at the WL (one of my children's absolute favorite, can't-go-to-WDW-without-staying-there-resorts) before we move to BWV for 9 nights (had to make ressies here instead of our usual BCV because Katrina caused me to be so distracted that I did not make my ressies as early as I usually do). I'm just about settled on adding on a night at the beginning of our trip, for which we will be joined by friends on the second trip (their just staying for the WL portion of the trip). Now I'm afraid that a night at AKL may spoil them for WL!

 

[tlady]

To all you veterans of AKL - are 1-bedroom suites available there? The Disney site doesn't show this option when pricing out a reservation, only 2-bedroom suites.

Yet, I recall reading on another site that 1-bedroom suites are an option at AKL.

If true, can anyone describe what they're like and where they're located at AKL?

 

[kimmar067]

...thanks LiteBrite, for posting a report and pix on this thread.... !

 

[kimmar067]

This is what happens to black horses when they stand too close to freshly-painted white fences....

......

 

[binkyboots]

hi!

I've read and enjoyed this thread, but maybe I missed this, I finally decided to change our booking to a split stay with the last four nights at akl (it is our anniversary afterall)

what are the disabled rooms like, does anyone have pics? do they all have car park views or can you get a savanah view? I'm really stressed in case the view turns out to be crappy because we need an accesable room.

thanks folks

 

[padisneylover]

Here is a link to pictures of the handicap rooms. http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_akl.htm#ac

I know that this site only shows standard room pictures but I belive I have read that there is savanaha and pool view rooms as well.

 

[jcemom]

To all you veterans of AKL - are 1-bedroom suites available there? The Disney site doesn't show this option when pricing out a reservation, only 2-bedroom suites.

Yet, I recall reading on another site that 1-bedroom suites are an option at AKL.

If true, can anyone describe what they're like and where they're located at AKL?

Deb Wills has 1 bedroom suites listed on her site...http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_akl.htm along with rates. She also has some photos http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_akl.htm if you'd like to take a look. I'm not sure why it wouldn't come up on the WDW site.

 

[binkyboots]

excellent, thank you!

yay, akl here we come (the look on his face will be priceless, lol!)

 

[tlady]

Just booked a savannah view room at AKL for 7 nights in May! I am so excited and can't wait to go!!! We've been to Disney before but never stayed at AKL. I politely asked for a view of the Arusha savannah on 3rd or 4th floors and am keeping my fingers crossed that we get that when we check in.

When I told my 9-year old DD, she was so excited she screamed! This is quite a change from our original reservations which were off-site.

One question - are refrigerators standard in all rooms or do we have to request them?

Also, the reservations person was really pushing the Magical Express option. Has anyone used this service and could you describe it to me? I asked her if the bus made many stops before taking us to AKL and she couldn't answer me. She did say this was a complimentary service. Does that mean a free shuttle to and from the airport by Disney? Hard to believe.

 

[kimmar067]

hi!
I'm really stressed in case the view turns out to be crappy because we need an accesable room.

thanks folks

...binkyboots, binkyboots, binkyboots, there ARE no crappy rooms at WDW - unless you count the bathrooms!

Get in touch with AKL and request an "assessable" savannah room......

 

[kimmar067]

Just booked a savannah view room at AKL for 7 nights in May! I am so excited and can't wait to go!!! We've been to Disney before but never stayed at AKL. I politely asked for a view of the Arusha savannah on 3rd or 4th floors and am keeping my fingers crossed that we get that when we check in.

When I told my 9-year old DD, she was so excited she screamed! This is quite a change from our original reservations which were off-site.

One question - are refrigerators standard in all rooms or do we have to request them?

Also, the reservations person was really pushing the Magical Express option. Has anyone used this service and could you describe it to me? I asked her if the bus made many stops before taking us to AKL and she couldn't answer me. She did say this was a complimentary service. Does that mean a free shuttle to and from the airport by Disney? Hard to believe.

Refrigerators are standard in all rooms, so you don't have to request one. As for the transportation, yes it is complimentary, but don't plan on arriving at AKL in a timely manner, because it does make various stops. They are still trying to work out the kinks in a scheduling/resort system....

 

[eagle0112]

Hello
I am so excited, I just booked a trip for my birthday next January. 7 days at the AKL. I hope you don't mind a couple of questions.
1. Does anyone know what days of the week the Sunrise Safari is currently being offered? Is it only for concierge guests? How much is it?
2. Which savanna do you like and why?
3. Has anyone done the in-room romantic dinner for two on the balcony?
Did you enjoy it and feel it was worth the money? (DH is thinking about doing this one night.)

Thankyou all for your answers and help in advance. I have already learned alot just reading thru this thread.

 

[scoutsmom99]

1. Does anyone know what days of the week the Sunrise Safari is currently being offered? Is it only for concierge guests? How much is it?

It is available on Sundays and Thrusdays and yes it is only for concierge guests. It costs $55.[/QUOTE]

2. Which savanna do you like and why?

I was on the Uzima and I really loved it. It was quiet (not in an animal sense), but I think most people who visit the lodge only think of the Arusha savannah (It has the most viewing spots for people to check it out) and not the other two. Also it was nice to be on the same side of the resort as the pool and the Mara.

3. Has anyone done the in-room romantic dinner for two on the balcony? Did you enjoy it and feel it was worth the money? (DH is thinking about doing this one night.)

I didn't do that, but you could always order some regular room service and make your own romantic dinner. They have a good wine selection at the Zawadi Marketplace (resort gift shop).

 

[binkyboots]

...binkyboots, binkyboots, binkyboots, there ARE no crappy rooms at WDW - unless you count the bathrooms!

Get in touch with AKL and request an "assessable" savannah room......

lol, and this is why I love the dis!!


I shall be phoning them asap (just waiting to hear from our travel agents with our reservation numbers)

 

[binkyboots]

Hello

3. Has anyone done the in-room romantic dinner for two on the balcony?

ooh... can anyone tell me more about this, is it concierge only?

lol, I'm printing things off and pasting into my notebook of doom as fast as I can, is there a listing of these "extras" you can do at the resorts?

 

[ohsodisney]

Hi everyone .
It has been quite sometime since i have posted here . We are drawing much closer to our AKL stay ., only 9 more weeks . .

We are in a deluxe bunkbed savannah view room . We have not yet stayed at this resort but i have been doing alot of research . the girls are totally excited about seeing animals of their balcony .

Can anyone tell me a little more about Bomas ? We have dinner resses there the first night . The girls are only 4 so I hope they enjoy the food .

We will be staying there for 4 days and then swifted of to our 7 day Disney Eastern cruise . We have learned our pirate lingo as per the pirate night . . My DD says ARRRR me matey very nicely .

We are also doing are first Mickey dining experience at AK Breakfast with Donald & Mickey , this is so exciting I just can't wait !

Well take care , enjoy your weekend everyone !

 

[Nancyg56]

Also, the reservations person was really pushing the Magical Express option. Has anyone used this service and could you describe it to me? I asked her if the bus made many stops before taking us to AKL and she couldn't answer me. She did say this was a complimentary service. Does that mean a free shuttle to and from the airport by Disney? Hard to believe.

We used ME in January, and were pleased with the service. I think that we stopped at 2 resorts prior to arriving at AKL. The total drive was well under 1 hour. The service was free, and it is a regular tour bus. There were plenty of CM's with Mickey Hands directing us to the appropriare bus. The return trip was easy also. You must be ready 3 hours before your flight, and the bus takes you straight to the airport. I think we made the same two stops on the way back.

Enjoy your trip, the AKL is as beautiful as it is peaceful.

 

[eagle0112]

I just finished reading thru this thread beginning to end. Thank you everyone for all the info and great pictures. Wish I were going now instead of next January. Especially since it is sooo cold and windy today.

Thank you Scoutsmom for answering my questions. I think I'll consider a split stay for the lounge and for the sunrise safari (my dh would just love this). I tried to find out about the concierge rooms but they have not released any rates for 2007 yet.

The reason I asked about the romantic dinner for two was in the menu on allears it listed "Romance Romance Package" for $79.99 which included a choice of wine. I was wondering if anyone had done this package? But I may just do what you suggest and just order from the regualr menu or even just bring food from MARA and set up myself.

As to your question binkyboots - I think only the deluxe resort have an In-Room dining option, unless you count pizza. Thank you all again.

 

[ohsodisney]

Ditto for me... We are going late April. I've already reserved AKL/savannah view. Called ahead for bunkbeds and a crib. Any other 'special' requests I need to make? Now or when I arrive???

thanks

Maybe we will cross paths , we are staying there from the 25th - 29th of April . We are in a bunkbed savannah view room . I cannot wait to have my first AFrican Sunrise

Would anyone happen to know if that is Spring break for the colleges or schools ? We thought we picked a week we may miss the brunt of it but I'm not to sure .

There is wonderful inforamtion on these boeards , thank you everyone for posting all your reviews and photos .

 

[kimmar067]

...Can anyone tell me a little more about Bomas ? We have dinner resses there the first night . The girls are only 4 so I hope they enjoy the food..

For the "picky" eaters, there is an assortment of the 'standard fare', including 'skettie', mac'n'cheese, and chick'n nuggets.....