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

[scoutsmom99]

i am staying pool view. what is the best room location to ask for?

thank you.

I prefer the Zebra Trail. With Zebra Trail you are closer to the Mara which is nice if you plan on getting the mugs. Here is a view from my room (Zebra Trail 4428)

 

[HockeyGoddess]

Judie to the DIS, and ESPECIALLY to our humble thread. We are a happy group [remember: Hakuna Matata...]and there is always someone here to help you with any questions that may arise....since you requested a pool view, request a higher floor/end of Giraffe Trail - you will still get to see animals!

Thanks for the great welcome and for all the incredible information from everyone who posts here.

How do I go abut requesting a certain room/floor before I get to AKL? Is it as simple as making a phone call to CRO?

 

[padisneylover]

Hi Judi,
First off where are you from in NE PA since that is where I am also. Tunkhannock here and you?
Secondly in order to get your request in you need to let them know when you make your reservations if you haven't done so yet. Have your TA or if you are making them yourself list them in the order of importance to you on your reservation. I know a lot of people either call the hotel directly 3 days out from arrival or fax a request but I have never done that an have never been disappointed with my 4 stays here.

 

[HockeyGoddess]

Hi Judi,
First off where are you from in NE PA since that is where I am also. Tunkhannock here and you?
Secondly in order to get your request in you need to let them know when you make your reservations if you haven't done so yet. Have your TA or if you are making them yourself list them in the order of importance to you on your reservation. I know a lot of people either call the hotel directly 3 days out from arrival or fax a request but I have never done that an have never been disappointed with my 4 stays here.

"It's a Small World After All" We're from Plains, PA.

I made our ressies about two weeks ago thru CRO (just couldn't wait until the 07 rates were out so I went ahead without them) but I going to give the CRO a call today to request 1. a king size bed 2. the giraffe trail w/higher room or 3. the zebra trail room # 4428 (saw picture from that room today-it looked wonderful).

thanks for your help!!!

 

[loveFL]

I prefer the Zebra Trail. With Zebra Trail you are closer to the Mara which is nice if you plan on getting the mugs. Here is a view from my room (Zebra Trail 4428)

that is pretty much a perfect view! hope i am that lucky!

 

[catsrule]

Can someone tell me if there is a culinary tour at AKL? I thought I read this somewhere. DH would love to do this if there is. Thanks!

 

[padisneylover]

Can someone tell me if there is a culinary tour at AKL? I thought I read this somewhere. DH would love to do this if there is. Thanks!

Yes there is a culinary tour but I am not sure if it is daily or not. I do know it is in the afternoon and that is why we have never taken it since we are in the parks then. There is borads posted at the resort in various places with the times and days of their activities on it. I remember seening one at the waiting area for Bomas and also I belive there is one by the front door as you go out in the main lobby. Also, at check in they will usually give you an activities sheet for the week showing different things as well.

 

[Nancyg56]

Can someone tell me if there is a culinary tour at AKL? I thought I read this somewhere. DH would love to do this if there is. Thanks!

The tour is around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. I took it on a Saturday, and enjoyed it very much. The Chefs at Boma were very nice, explaining how they made the various dishes, ans offering tastes of several. I also enjoyed the tour at Jiko. The guides take as much time as needed to answer questions. Check the board to see the times for each say whaen you are there.

 

[kimmar067]

We're staying at AKL for the first time in June. Doing a split stay between BCV and AKL...can't wait!

!! BTW ~ I love your avatar!!

 

[catsrule]

Thanks for the info, padisneylover and Nancyg56.

 

[purpliequeen]

Unfortunately, my dad's birthday falls on the day after we return from our AKL Concierge trip mid-August. However, we are planning to celebrate at WDW while we are there. We are going to eat in Downtown Disney and then see La Nouba. Would it be considered "cheating the system" if we informed AKLC that it's my dad's birthday that night although it's really two days later?

I read that AKL does something special to honor people's birthdays. Is this true? Has anyone celebrated a birthday at AKL? I would love to hear how AKL honored your special day. I know we can plan to have things delivered to the room but I have also read that AKL leaves a special "gift." Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks,
Raina

 

[plutospup]

DW & I celebrated our birthdays 11/29 & 11/30 while we at AKL. We referred to it as "It's Our Turn to Celebrate Our Bdays at WDW" since DD8 already had celebrated her bday at WDW. The CM's at registration thought it was funny, and must have made note of it. On the 29th we came back to our room to find autographed birthday cards from Mickey and Minnie for my wife and I. Also there was an autographed photo from Cinderella for DD8.

 

[BabyFu18]

The AKL looks so beautiful from the pictures you've posted, I'm hoping to find a good rate to the AKL so I can stay there for my trip in July.

What is the view from a standard room? Can you see any of the animals from there, or do you have to request a savannah room for that?

 

[tripplanner2]

Okay...so I FINALLY made it through this entire thread.

I have to say that I made reservations at AKL only because I couldn't get what I wanted at WL and I was very disappointed. I was going to go to POR but my DH wanted a balcony and was not happy at POR. Well, after reading through this thread and seeing all of the wonderful pictures, I am REALLY excited.

Now I just have to wait for AP rates to come out for July. I know the waiting is going to make me crazy.

I just want to thank all of you for all the great information provided here.

 

[padisneylover]

Baby Fu, I don't belive there is any standard rooms from which you can see the animals but there is great viewing areas all over the resort.

Triplanner,
Great selection for your second choice you won't regret it. AKL is my DH favorite resort and when I wanted to try the Poly this year he wanted to go back to AKL due to the beauty and the quietness of the resort. Plus a guaranteed balcony is what he really likes. There is nothing better than a cup of coffee in the morning on the balcony watching the animals.

 

[plutospup]

Now I just have to wait for AP rates to come out for July. I know the waiting is going to make me crazy.

We thought about doing a MYW package at Pop, but it looks like we'll be going to WDW twice in the next year...so it looks like we're getting AP's! I'm really hoping for a July AP rate so we can return to AKL!!!!!!!!

Kimmar we may be going back to AKL!

 

[purpliequeen]

Got a question I think no one has asked yet...

How's the AKL Concierge Lounge's coffee? Is it that nasty Nescafe stuff? I read somewhere that it comes out of this fancy newfangled machine and you have a choice between latte, hot chocolate, etc. with a touch of a button. Now did I just imagine reading that?

Thanks, the info is much needed.

Raina

 

[Nancyg56]

There is a cappacino macine in the lounge that is amazing! For my family of coffee lovers, this alone was worth the extra money. I heard one of the CM in the lounge say that the machine cost $26,000. My DS said that he believed it because the one used where he works is not as good and was very expensive!

 

[padisneylover]

bump

 

[mollycruiser]

We were there a few years ago, celebrating lots, they left a great giraffe cake for us as well as some Africian perfume. They made everything so special. Also stayed at Poly. It was great but AKL is our favorite