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

[Mickey Fanatic]

Whew! Finally made it through the entire thread! This is a great place, I have found so much information about AKL.

We are stayiing there next month for the first time! It will be our first time in a deluxe! Only 26 more days!

Thank you for all your hints and tips!

 

[scoutsmom99]

Thanks Scoutsmom & Kimmar. The girls are actually excited about staying at Pop, they like the IN YOU FACE theming there and DH could care less where we stay. I thought about going to a mod but we've been lucky enough to get the $39 air fare from SW for the past 2 years so the difference in mod and value would pay the $394 air fare.

I'm the only one out of the whole bunch that could lay down and cry. But one things for sure I can still hope for Feb.

The medical expenses are just for some tests that DH had run. He has high blood pressure so they did the stress test and all sorts of stuff beings that he's only 34. He's checked out fine though.

I'm glad your husband is ok Just tell yourself you will get to AKL one of these days. It took me 3 years before I got a stay at AKL...now the problem is that I really don't want to stay anywhere else!!

 

[scoutsmom99]

I see that......... at first I thought it was my post..........LOL I only wish it looked like the pic. on the tickertag....... it's much more vibrant....... oh well!! I tried to make my own too.......... but, like you said, it has to be "approved"??? LOL I'm confused, I see you are going the same time as me....... were there 3 of us going at the exact same time??? I thought ktink was going too......... ?? anyway, looks like we'll at AKL at the exact same time......... COOL!!!

LOL! I wish it was more vibrant as well...it looked kinda reflective in the preview, but it looks so dull here and my heart I picked out isn't red either. Oh well hopefully, mine will be approved (not that it is any different!). I will be there at the same time you are (Sept 2-9).

 

[scoutsmom99]

Uhhhh ...... what's SS? Sorry to ask a silly question, but when you don't know - you don't know!

I believe she is referring to the Sunrise Safari (there is also a sunset safari, but that is 16 and older(just done at AKL and not AK)). This is from All Ears Net:

What is the Sunrise Safari?

Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is available to concierge guests only. The tour, along the safari ride path, lasts about 45 minutes and includes multiple stops so that you can stand up and take many pictures. Each of the animals along the way is described in great detail, since there is plenty of time. The Adventure is available on Sunday and Thursdays.

After the Safari, you go to Tusker House for a breakfast buffet which includes both standard American and African items. Each person also gets a FastPass to Kilimanjaro Safari to experience it "the regular way".

Betty Queen writes: Just came back from an AKL concierge, and wanted to report that the Sunrise Safari increased in price to $55 per person on November 1, 2005. (Wouldn't deter us a bit...it was wonderful as always!)

Bill Leska writes: We just returned from a six night stay at AKL, where we did the Sunrise Safari twice. It was that great! Here are a couple of updates you may want to consider:

The fact sheet said that there was a limit of 28 persons. This wasn't the case for either of our safaris. One of them had 55 people and the other had about 50. However, there does appear to be a limit to the number of people: We went on the safari on a Saturday and like it so much, we booked it again for the following Tuesday. As the Concierge was setting things up, he mentioned that it looked good, because there wasn't anyone on the waiting list. (Having a waiting list indicates to me that there is a limit of some kind.)

As I mentioned, we had a great time on the safari and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who enjoys the Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safari. The Sunrise Safaris were the highlight of our trip.

It can be booked up to 90 days out, by contacting AKL concierge directly (once you have your room reservation).

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I'll be staying at AKL 12/14-12/20 (7 nights ) with dh, dd 12, ds 4. We arrive at the airport on the 14th at 1 so I guess we'll be at the Lodge by 4? I'd love to be able to to the great culinary tour you've all raved about!

I wasn't planning to make dinner reservations for that night at Boma till about 7, since we only have to walk back to our room. Does anyone have a sense of Boma's peak dinner time?

(Also are reservations required for breakfast? The day after we do the MVMCP, I think we'll sleep in 7:30 (lol) and eat a leisurely breakfast and then go to World Showcase in time for its 11 am opening.)

Later in the week I wanted to make an ADR for Jiko just for myself and DH, probably at 8. (My daughter would probably like it-she is a little gourmand but my son's idea of fine dining includes chicken fingers and french fries.) I was planning on making a reservation at Artist's Point In WL for all four of us which I think will be ok, but my impression is that Jiko might be a little more sophisticated? (I thought one night we would check out the holiday decorations at the WLodge and the Grand Floridian and Artist's Point seemed like a great place to eat and I also love the WLodge.)

Is it fairly easy to get a cab to go from the AKL to the WL?

All of the activities everyone has written about sound like so much fun! The kids will love the cookies. Are the stories for kids or adults or both? It seems like there are some indoors and some outdoors? Is there a place to get hot chocolate or Irish Coffee or other such type of thing (for big kids)?

Does any one know what the cultural Safari is?

I'm a little overly excited-I feel like a hyped up 8 year old!
We just came back from a week's stay in London last month and I might even be more excited about this-is that pathetic?

All right I better pace myself now...have a while till trip!

Thanks
Patricia

 

[scoutsmom99]

Hello Patricia,

to the dis and the AKL thread!!

I'll be staying at AKL 12/14-12/20 (7 nights ) with dh, dd 12, ds 4. We arrive at the airport on the 14th at 1 so I guess we'll be at the Lodge by 4? I'd love to be able to to the great culinary tour you've all raved about!

I have never been to the lodge when they have all of the holiday decor out, but it looks amazing and I hope you share pics when you come back from your trip!!! Depending on your mode of tranpostation I would say you could be at AKL as early as 2-2:30pm.

I wasn't planning to make dinner reservations for that night at Boma till about 7, since we only have to walk back to our room. Does anyone have a sense of Boma's peak dinner time?

Peak dinner hours for disney are between 6-8pm. I would reccomend making an advanced dining reservation (ADR) at the 180 day mark. Remember you can always change or cancel the reservation.

Also are reservations required for breakfast? The day after we do the MVMCP, I think we'll sleep in 7:30 (lol) and eat a leisurely breakfast and then go to World Showcase in time for its 11 am opening.)

Reservations or ADR's as Disney calls them are not required for any restaurant, but it is highly reccomended that you do make one. Basically an ADR means they will give you the next available table for your size. If you just walk in you may risk not getting a table or waiting awhile (not that the breakfast is always that full there).

Later in the week I wanted to make an ADR for Jiko just for myself and DH, probably at 8. (My daughter would probably like it-she is a little gourmand but my son's idea of fine dining includes chicken fingers and french fries.) I was planning on making a reservation at Artist's Point In WL for all four of us which I think will be ok, but my impression is that Jiko might be a little more sophisticated?

Jiko does have a children's menu as well that has mac and cheese, PB&J, etc. IMHO Jiko and Artist Point are both the same level of sophistication...plus they are both very tasty!!

Is it fairly easy to get a cab to go from the AKL to the WL?

Yes they will just call up the next availble cab for you at the bell stand.

Are the stories for kids or adults or both? It seems like there are some indoors and some outdoors?

They are for both ages

Is there a place to get hot chocolate or Irish Coffee or other such type of thing (for big kids)?

They have this in the Mara (aka food court) if my memory serves me right

Does any one know what the cultural Safari is?

I have never done that so maybe someon who has can tell you about it.

I'm a little overly excited-I feel like a hyped up 8 year old! We just came back from a week's stay in London last month and I might even be more excited about this-is that pathetic?

nothing pathetic about that...think about how much fun you will have planning this trip

 

[wendypooh]

I will be there at the same time you are (Sept 2-9).

Hey, I was hoping I wasn't nuts!!! I thought there were 3 of us originally staying the same time!!! LOL

I'm trying (with surprisingly) good results in getting DH to add more days to make a full 10 days, SO, keep everything crossed for me!!!! It is funny how receptive he is so far!!!!

 

[scoutsmom99]

Hey, I was hoping I wasn't nuts!!! I thought there were 3 of us originally staying the same time!!! LOL

I'm trying (with surprisingly) good results in getting DH to add more days to make a full 10 days, SO, keep everything crossed for me!!!! It is funny how receptive he is so far!!!!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you I wish we were staying longer, but my sister could not get more than a week at the time! I'm planning a solo trip at the end of September for Food and wine and MNSSHP so I'm hoping if AP rates come out they have a decent rate for AKL so I can stay again!!!

 

[mickey@dvc]

Ok for all you AKL experts here, I have one question: We will be driving 550 miles to get to WDW, so we will have our truck. When we stayed at POR, we had about 130 miles of just park-to-park miles on the truck. We have a gas guzzler (Nissan Titan, Largest truck on the market), so will we be better off to take busses to and from AKL when we don't have ADR's, or just take the truck everywhere the whole time?

 

[plutospup]

AKL bus service is very good, especially since they don't share with other resorts. It is by far faster to take a Disney bus to MK than a car. The only questionable route I have found is to Downtown Disney. So...leave the driving to Disney. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

 

[kimmar067]

....but we've been lucky enough to get the $39 air fare from SW for the past 2 years so the difference in mod and value would pay the $394 air fare. ...

.... Holy schmokes!! Costs more 'n'that to fill up my gas tank!!

....The medical expenses are just for some tests that DH had run. He has high blood pressure so they did the stress test and all sorts of stuff beings that he's only 34. He's checked out fine though.

.... I know what THAT's like...2 yrs ago, my DH was rapidly losing weight [along with other symptoms] and went through a series of all kinds of tests...finally it was determined that he has Celiac Sprue, and, since then, he is doing much better.....

 

[kimmar067]

....or you can get the african stew at Mara........ it is sooooooooo good, I'm really looking forward to that again!!!

.....yes it comes in a 'bowl' of crusty bread....DEE-lish!

 

[kimmar067]

HUMMMM ~~~ YUP, you should try it!!! LOL

I'll whip up the potion ......... you add the siggie thingie, here's some pixie dust OK, a double dose, , all the other girls, let's pray ......... then we can send mind altering vibes to Kimmar's DH


Yeah, I've got a little too much time on my hands today!!!! LOL

.......

 

[kimmar067]

PrafPerfPatricia ~
I personally would take the bus to MK and then take the ferry to WL - it's a lovely boat ride, and you can do it leisurely....(or perhaps, do tht on the way BACK.... ) . I also agree with plutospup that the bus to DTD is a little longer, but my epxerience has been that buses from ALL the resorts take longer (with the exception of DxL) to get to and from DTD.....

 

[mouseaddicts]

Thanks for answering my questions scoutsmom!!!

We're thinking of doing AKL Sept 1-4, but we haven't fully made up our minds. We are definitely going to stay there, just a matter of when .....

Quick questions - WHEN/IF AP rates come out, do they also apply to concierge? The SS really sounds neat, but we've just never shelled out the extra $$$ to do concierge.... DH would LOVE to, but I'm a bit iffy myself.

 

[wendypooh]

I will keep my fingers crossed for you I wish we were staying longer, but my sister could not get more than a week at the time! I'm planning a solo trip at the end of September for Food and wine and MNSSHP so I'm hoping if AP rates come out they have a decent rate for AKL so I can stay again!!!

Thanks!! I"m hoping he'll go for it!!! It's looking good ~~

We are thinking of getting AP's, since we go so often!! I do hope they offer good rates for you!!!! It's a great feeling ~ going "home"!!!

 

[wendypooh]

Ok for all you AKL experts here, I have one question: We will be driving 550 miles to get to WDW, so we will have our truck. When we stayed at POR, we had about 130 miles of just park-to-park miles on the truck. We have a gas guzzler (Nissan Titan, Largest truck on the market), so will we be better off to take busses to and from AKL when we don't have ADR's, or just take the truck everywhere the whole time?

We actually never drive once we get to our resort!! We park, and don't see our car again till we leave! The transportation is great, we've never had a problem with it. I wouldn't drive anywhere if I didn't absolutely have too!!!

 

[Kitka]

I just had to pop in to say - 3 more days to AKL! We leave at 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning!

 

[MILEMRKR63]

Hi~

Booked a standard room for 5/31-6/7 for my buddy and I.

How are the standard rooms, the views, and how is the resort with complimentary upgrades. We don't expect anything more than what we booked and are confident we will have a blast. Having said that, we prefer to be in a room near the lobby and close to the bus area since we tend to partake in "spirits" at night at Pleasure Island and when doing the walk of shame, we would like it to be short hehe. Any sugestions for room location requests for a room located off the lobby area?

We were originally booked at our fav resort GF but we despise the long bus shared bus rides to any area not linked by the monorail. Can't stand the fact the we stood on the bus most everywhere we went from GF due to it being the last stop to/from everywhere.

We are excited to try a new resort and a new experience.

Thanks for any info on the standard rooms.

 

[kimmar067]

Hi~

Booked a standard room for 5/31-6/7 for my buddy and I.

How are the standard rooms, the views, and how is the resort with complimentary upgrades. We don't expect anything more than what we booked and are confident we will have a blast. Having said that, we prefer to be in a room near the lobby and close to the bus area since we tend to partake in "spirits" at night at Pleasure Island and when doing the walk of shame, we would like it to be short hehe.

.....

Any sugestions for room location requests for a room located off the lobby area?

We were originally booked at our fav resort GF but we despise the long bus shared bus rides to any area not linked by the monorail. Can't stand the fact the we stood on the bus most everywhere we went from GF due to it being the last stop to/from everywhere.

We are excited to try a new resort and a new experience.

Thanks for any info on the standard rooms.

...LBI - MILEMRKR63, LBI - MILEMRKR63, LBI - MILEMRKR63.....ohhhhh, I get it, it's "63" on the GSP!

You may want to request Giraffe Trail - near lobby, so that you can be near the bus. Actually, the bus stop is down the walkway to your left as you leave the AKL lobby - not a far walk at all! I loved the fact the AKL didn't share buses with any other resort....have fun!