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

[scoutsmom99]

What's a Zebra Dome? I read the thread before going and someone wrote that Mara had ZD's but we couldn't find them. Is it a dessert? Also, I didn't see the tiramasu, we must have been there on an off night.

Are the zebra domes grayish brown with a chocolate stripe and filled with a truffle and a cake bottom?

We went to Mara for a quick linner (lunch/dinner). It was good.

The Zebra Domes at the Mara are in the refrigerator cases They are in a clear plastic take out box and you get 4 of them I believe.

Here is a pic of the Zebra Domes (the 3 desserts on the right are Zebra Domes)

 

[kimmar067]

.....yummy!!

 

[kimmar067]

 

[kimmar067]

Beyond the far side of the pool...

 

[padisneylover]

All I can say is WOW what a great thread. My DH and I will be returning to the AKL for our 4th stay and this time our first stay at CL and can't wait. We arrive on April 30th and leave May 9th. It seems from this thread that all the 6th floor rooms are smoking so if we don't smoke we should get a savanaha view is that right? Since my DH has lung problems and I have asthma I have asked for a non-smoking room for medical reasons. Also, do you e-mail or phone the CM in club level to let them know of any special requests for the room as well or just have it on the reservation? My DH will be using an ECV and I don't want a room with a king bed since I will toss him out of bed at night with all my flipping around Any suggestions will be appreciated and all of your pictures make me so glad we choose to go back to this resort. It will be our first stay using an ECV and we are kind of nervous about that.
Also, how early do you contact the CM in club level to let them know you are coming since we booked through a travel agent?
Thanks for taking the time to answer me in advance.
Kathe

 

[padisneylover]

All I can say is WOW what a great thread. My DH and I will be returning to the AKL for our 4th stay and this time our first stay at CL and can't wait. We arrive on April 30th and leave May 9th. It seems from this thread that all the 6th floor rooms are smoking so if we don't smoke we should get a savanaha view is that right? Since my DH has lung problems and I have asthma I have asked for a non-smoking room for medical reasons. Also, do you e-mail or phone the CM in club level to let them know of any special requests for the room as well or just have it on the reservation? My DH will be using an ECV and I don't want a room with a king bed since I will toss him out of bed at night with all my flipping around Any suggestions will be appreciated and all of your pictures make me so glad we choose to go back to this resort. It will be our first stay using an ECV and we are kind of nervous about that.
Also, how early do you contact the CM in club level to let them know you are coming since we booked through a travel agent?
Thanks for taking the time to answer me in advance.
Kathe

 

[Crazy Kanga]

This thread is getting me excited about our May trip. Anyone have any suggestions for room locations? We had a pool view last time, but will probably do savannah view this trip. I want to be fairly close to the pool and bus stop too. Should we ask for Sunset savannah lobby view?

 

[Angel16]

Hi Padisneylover (Kathe)To answer your questions:

do you e-mail or phone the CM in club level to let them know of any special requests for the room as well or just have it on the reservation?

You can reach CM's in IP at 407 938-4755. If they are busy or shorthanded they will have voice mail on. Call back. Don, Juanita and Sue are fantastic Let them know your requests for room location and preference for two queens, non-smoking and why. King rooms are very, very hard to get. They only have approx. 16 king rooms resort wide so I would not worry if I were you.

It will be our first stay using an ECV and we are kind of nervous about that.

On our last visit this past October my DH used a ECV - it was not a problem at all. Are you bringing it with you or renting from one of the off site companys? Either way, you will be treated with respect and warmth at AKL. The ECV we found fit pefectly in our room next to the day bed. We backed it up there and could plug it in for charging. It was not in our way at all. The elevators are a bit quick so I would hold the door for DH when we had to use them. Going up to the lounge was not a problem it was close and everyone is so friendly. The bus service was wonderful and the drivers were very kind with DH and loading the ECV. He was never rushed and always made to feel like he was their main concern. You will have a wonderful stay. If there is anything you need just ask concierge, they will be happy to help you. Be sure to arrange all your PS at right away if you have not already. You can now make them 6 months out and IP will take care of everything for you. .

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask me either through this thread or PM me. Also, you might want to take a look at the Lounge Lizard thread on the Community Board. There is lots of information and many very friendly people over there. Just do a search for Lizard Lounge. We are a fun friendly group who like to stay conciege whenever possible. We also stay value and moderate and sometimes even off property.

Angel 16

 

[padisneylover]

Wow angle thanks for all the information. Your comments about using the ECV at AKL made me feel better. We do so love this resort and orginally made reservations for the Poly but just could not get comfortable with it so yesterday changed our reservations and feel so much better about this. There is something about AKL that keeps drawing us back. I rented the ECV from Walker Medical through our TA and it is to be delivered the day we arrive. Most of my dining reservations are done thanks to my more than patient TA and I do have two I think I want to change but decided to let the CM's do that for me. I belive I need to wait for the TA to send me my new reservation numbers right before I can contact the AKLC CM's and she should have them by tomorrow. Were you able to do either one of the safarias with the ECV at the lodge? DH could walk some if necessary but once we got to the park after the sunrise one he would need the ECV in order to get around there.
I will also go and check out the other thread you told me about. Thanks again for all the helpful information.
Kathe

 

[kimmar067]

This thread is getting me excited about our May trip. Anyone have any suggestions for room locations? We had a pool view last time, but will probably do savannah view this trip. I want to be fairly close to the pool and bus stop too. Should we ask for Sunset savannah lobby view?

Chances are, you will probably get a good location if you request the above! It isn't too far off the trails and fairly convenient....

Angel16 ~
Thanks!

 

[Angel16]

Wow angle thanks for all the information. Your comments about using the ECV at AKL made me feel better. We do so love this resort and orginally made reservations for the Poly but just could not get comfortable with it so yesterday changed our reservations and feel so much better about this. There is something about AKL that keeps drawing us back. I rented the ECV from Walker Medical through our TA and it is to be delivered the day we arrive. Most of my dining reservations are done thanks to my more than patient TA and I do have two I think I want to change but decided to let the CM's do that for me. I belive I need to wait for the TA to send me my new reservation numbers right before I can contact the AKLC CM's and she should have them by tomorrow. Were you able to do either one of the safarias with the ECV at the lodge? DH could walk some if necessary but once we got to the park after the sunrise one he would need the ECV in order to get around there.
I will also go and check out the other thread you told me about. Thanks again for all the helpful information.
Kathe

Kathe, Your DH will not have a problem using the ECV and going on either the Sunrise or Sunset Wanyama Safari. We have done both using a ECV. The sunrise they bus you over to Animal Kingdom Park. The ECV goes along. When you get off the bus they have it unloaded for use to get to the area where the safari starts. If you DH can walk a little then he can just walk right onto the safari vehicle. He will be able to sit in the regular seats and enjoy himself. At the end of the safari his ECV will be waiting. Please let the WDW staff and CM's know that this is your first visit with a ECV. They will help you and give you suggestions as well as explain what all to expect. After the safari you go over to Tusker house for a wonderful breakfast buffet. It is a short distance away, but he will be in his ECV. When you are done you have the day to enjoy the AK park. When you are ready to return to AKL just go to the bus stop for AKL. They now have new busses that lower to you so a ECV or wheelchair just rolls right up a ramp. I hope you find mostly those busses as they are so user friendly.

As for the fantastic Sunset-Wanyama Safari. You meet in the concierge lounge. When the group is ready you go down to the front entrance. They will take your DH ECV and move it to where they will be dropping you off. The tour vehicle is a little different as it has seats that flip down for 10. The top of the vehicle will raise when you get out on the savannah. Let the CM's know what your hubands physical needs are and they will help place him in the vehicle in the best place for his needs.

After the safari they will have the ECV waiting for him to take to Jiko's for dinner. Don't worry they will take very good care of both of you.

Kathe, You might want to check out the Disabilities thread. They have great people over there and offer many suggestions on touring and enjoying you vacation with a disability. They also give information on what entrance to use for each ride in the park and how to find it. WDW is one of the best places for people with disabilities to vacation. I think they have thought of just about everything.

Have a good day.

Angel 16

 

[kimmar067]

....great info, Angel16!

 

[Angel16]

Glad I could be of help Kimmar

Have a good day.

Angel 16

 

[kimmar067]

You too!

 

[kimmar067]

...awesome shot, purplern!

 

[scoutsmom99]

This thread is getting me excited about our May trip. Anyone have any suggestions for room locations? We had a pool view last time, but will probably do savannah view this trip. I want to be fairly close to the pool and bus stop too. Should we ask for Sunset savannah lobby view?

I spent a week there in Ocotber and I had booked a pool view and requested Zebra Trail and I got an upgrade to the Uzima Savanah I was in room 3514 and I did not feel like it was too far away from anything. I can't believe the amount of animals I saw outside my balcony everyday it was just amazing. At night the gazelles loved to sleep in the tall grass outside my balcony. Anways here are a few pics of the view I had from the room and the animals:

Here is a pic of my room from the Uzima Pool Savanah Lookout (It is on the left hand side of the split 2nd from the bottom with the red railing). It was a nice location becuase I could look to the left side very easily.

Some Savannah Views (Note the people pen was to the left of me)

 

[kimmar067]

...for your trip report and the wonderful pix, too!!

 

[scoutsmom99]

...for your trip report and the wonderful pix, too!!

your welcome I could post AKL pics all day long (I have pics of everything even the wallpaper and sconces in the hallways)! I just love that place.

 

[kimmar067]

your welcome I could post AKL pics all day long (I have pics of everything even the wallpaper and sconces in the hallways)! I just love that place.

Well, gurfriend, don't let ME stop ya....post away, post away!

 

[scoutsmom99]

Well, gurfriend, don't let ME stop ya....post away, post away!

Not a problem I will add some pics to my photobucket tonight and post away!!!