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

[kimmar067]

....that you are okay.....woohoo, an extra day - that's great!! That's an extra day of eating those YUMMY Zebra Domes....

 

[wendypooh]

Thanks!!!! We are fine, and doing well. My DS is good, he was a little scared a few times, the wind was horrible, and then the flooding rain. We lost my car, it flooded completely. We are just waiting on the insurance now. But, we are fine, and our house is fine.


KIMMAR ~~~~~ I KNOW, that's exactly what I was thinking!!!!

 

[NYRN]

Wonderful thread with wonderful pictures!

 

[plutospup]

Three yrs ago we booked a courtyard view at WL. At checkin we asked if we could upgrade to concierge. It was available for an extra $30/night. It was great, especially at that price. Has anyone heard about anything like this at AKL?

 

[kimmar067]

Wonderful thread with wonderful pictures!

....we try our best!

 

[kimmar067]

Three yrs ago we booked a courtyard view at WL. At checkin we asked if we could upgrade to concierge. It was available for an extra $30/night. It was great, especially at that price. Has anyone heard about anything like this at AKL?

...but not as likely, especially for $30 extra/nite! The cheapest I had ever heard was $70/$80 extra. Usually, the folks that visit AKL have already booked concierge, 'specially cuz' they wanna sign up for SS...

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Three yrs ago we booked a courtyard view at WL. At checkin we asked if we could upgrade to concierge. It was available for an extra $30/night. It was great, especially at that price. Has anyone heard about anything like this at AKL?

Just curious, why would you want to upgrade for concierge? I know that they can get you your ADR's but, won't most of that planning be done already? The only reason why I'd upgrade would be the sunrise safarri, but then I'd have to pay extra for that and get a babysitter for the 13, 9 and 17 month old. I'm not judging, just want to know why, in case it's something I should look into.

 

[plutospup]

Truthfully, two primary reasons. 1. Breakfast near the room. WL concierge was perfect for this. Right down the hall from our room we had coffee, juice, milk, danish, muffins, cereal. It was VERY convenient, and saved us the time it would have taken to go somewhere else for the same food. 2. ADRs. I'm the planner in the family. When it comes to meals my family,however,likes to wait until the last minute. During our June vacation DD7 finally wanted to go to a character meal (she was afraid of them when she was 3-5). Unfortunately, EVERYTHING was booked. No character meal.
Other reasons: evening turndown service with chocolates on the pillow, snacks during the day & evening desserts.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Truthfully, two primary reasons. 1. Breakfast near the room. WL concierge was perfect for this. Right down the hall from our room we had coffee, juice, milk, danish, muffins, cereal. It was VERY convenient, and saved us the time it would have taken to go somewhere else for the same food. 2. ADRs. I'm the planner in the family. When it comes to meals my family,however,likes to wait until the last minute. During our June vacation DD7 finally wanted to go to a character meal (she was afraid of them when she was 3-5). Unfortunately, EVERYTHING was booked. No character meal.
Other reasons: evening turndown service with chocolates on the pillow, snacks during the day & evening desserts.

So the breakfasts, and snacks are included? how much more is Concierge? Do you ever get free or discounted upgrades? Also are you saying that with things like character meals booked that they could get you into a meal? How is that possible?

 

[Viki]

Oooh, I'm so excited. As it turns out, we're not going to have to wait until Aug 2006 to visit AKL for the first time. For our Dec 05 trip, we decided to fly in one night earlier and we picked up one night at AKL concierge. I know it's only one night, but it will give us a "foretaste of the feast to come" in August and will be a heck of a way to kick off a great trip. I just hope the next day they don't lose our luggage somewhere between Africa (AKL) and the New Jersey Coast (BCV)

 

[kimmar067]

So the breakfasts, and snacks are included? how much more is Concierge? Do you ever get free or discounted upgrades? Also are you saying that with things like character meals booked that they could get you into a meal? How is that possible?

....don't necessarily dictate an actual "full meal", but it does provide loads of goodies to keep yer belly filled until that ONE BIG MEAL of the day. Also, there is an abundance of beverages; that alone would cost a mini fortune if ya had to purchase it! I can't remember how many times my DH dug into his pockets for a couple 'o bucvks here and there every time one of my DS's wanted a snack or a drink (you'd be surprised how quickly it adds up!) There is something for everyone - water, yogurt, fruit, soda, iced tea, fruit punch, cookies, and, don't forget - ZEBRA DOMES!!!!!!

As for the PS's, those wonderful folks at concierge seem to always work their magic. They can get ressies for ALMOST anything, with the exception of Cindy's Castle. They can even arrange golf tee times, fishing excursions, spa treatments, and the like.....

 

[kimmar067]

from Greg_NY:

THANKS AGAIN, Greg!

 

[YCFAN]

I taped the Travel Channel's show on AKL last Friday. I've already watched it over and over. Yesterday I had a very hectic day at work (I'm doing budgets) and I went straight home and watched it again. When my husband walked in and gave me a strange look I told him I was reminding myself what I was working for!!

 

[kimmar067]

...When my husband walked in and gave me a strange look I told him I was reminding myself what I was working for!!

Hey, when is it gonna be on again????

 

[YCFAN]

Not sure. You can check the Travel Channel website to see future listings. They have Disney shows quite often.

 

[taximomfor4]

Hi all, JUST upgraded from POFQ to AKL for my 3-night BUDGET (haha) trip with my stepmom 12/21-12/24. SInce we only have three days, what are the MUST DO things at AKL? And also the costs involved? I am a WL lover, so am quite excited (but nervous) about broadening my horizons.

Ideas? Just me and stepmom. I have an AP, but she does not...she won't want to go more than 2 of the days into the parks, I am betting.

Oh, and we booked pool/water view since that was the cheapest available with BRP now. Should I make any requests? I just want to REALLY imprss stepmom...this resort-change is her birthday surprise. Also if anyone else is going to be there at that time, would LOVE to meet fellow DISers.

Beth

 

[John's Mom]

Taximomfor4,

My DH, DD and I will be at the AKL Dec. 17-24. This is our favorite resort at WDW. We have reserved a deluxe, savannah room (5th floor).

There are several threads here that will explain all the free things to do at the Lodge. We love just walking around the grounds to see all the animals and talking to the friendly CMs from South Africa. The lobby is breathtaking. We enjoy eating at Boma, Jiko and Mara.

If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Kathy

 

[Viki]

Hi all, JUST upgraded from POFQ to AKL for my 3-night BUDGET (haha) trip with my stepmom 12/21-12/24. SInce we only have three days, what are the MUST DO things at AKL? And also the costs involved? I am a WL lover, so am quite excited (but nervous) about broadening my horizons.

Beth

Here you go:

AKL activities:

Horticulture Activity-Arusha Rock @ 9am
Flamingo Feedings-Uzima Savanna @ 9:30am
Spirit of Africa Art Tour-Ogun's Firepit @ 10:30am
Animal Tracking-Arusha Rock @ 11am-2pm
Medallion Crayon Rubbings-Lobby @ 12:30pm
Cookie Decorating-Boma's @ 1pm
Pelican Feedings-Arusha Rock @ 1pm
Pool Activities-Sat thru Wed, Uzima Pool @ 2:15pm
Children's Arts & Crafts ($5)-Thursdays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm
(limited space available)
African Rag Doll Making ($10)-Fridays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm (limited
space available)
Junior Researcher-By flamingo pond at pool @ 3pm
Culinary Tour of Africa-Ogun's Firepit @ 4pm
The Music of the Savanna-Top of Grand Staircase, Lobby @ 5pm
African Games & Crafts-Uzima Pool Deck @ 4:30pm
African Folktales-Arusha Rock Firepit @ 7:30pm
Games with Savanna Guides-Sunset Overlook @ 6:30pm
Cultural Safari-Sunset Overlook @ 8:30pm
Animal Viewing with Night Vision-Far end of Arusha Rock @ 9pm-11pm
Nightly African story-telling outdoors, next to a raging fire.

 

[AngieInOH]

AKL on Travel Channel today at 5:00. They have Disney specials running from 3-7 (I think) check travelchannel.com

 

[taximomfor4]

Here you go:

AKL activities:

Horticulture Activity-Arusha Rock @ 9am
Flamingo Feedings-Uzima Savanna @ 9:30am
Spirit of Africa Art Tour-Ogun's Firepit @ 10:30am
Animal Tracking-Arusha Rock @ 11am-2pm
Medallion Crayon Rubbings-Lobby @ 12:30pm
Cookie Decorating-Boma's @ 1pm
Pelican Feedings-Arusha Rock @ 1pm
Pool Activities-Sat thru Wed, Uzima Pool @ 2:15pm
Children's Arts & Crafts ($5)-Thursdays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm
(limited space available)
African Rag Doll Making ($10)-Fridays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm (limited
space available)
Junior Researcher-By flamingo pond at pool @ 3pm
Culinary Tour of Africa-Ogun's Firepit @ 4pm
The Music of the Savanna-Top of Grand Staircase, Lobby @ 5pm
African Games & Crafts-Uzima Pool Deck @ 4:30pm
African Folktales-Arusha Rock Firepit @ 7:30pm
Games with Savanna Guides-Sunset Overlook @ 6:30pm
Cultural Safari-Sunset Overlook @ 8:30pm
Animal Viewing with Night Vision-Far end of Arusha Rock @ 9pm-11pm
Nightly African story-telling outdoors, next to a raging fire.

What I am having trouble with is figuring out which of the activities are fun for adults. We will have no children at all with us. I definitely want to hear the evening folktales, but the rest???

Beth