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

[mlwear]

book a waterview room. Thinking of trying AKL for a few nights after our Poly stay. Waterview would save some $, but after reading some of the posts (sorry I couldn't read all, so if this is a repeat, I apologize) seems that savannah is beyond exceptional and worth the extra $.

 

[kimmar067]

Hello everyone or should I say JAMBO Started reading this thread yesterday & just finished, whew! Great thread btw I even seen one of my pictures posted here

In Jan. I was blessed with a free trip to the world compliments of my mil. Our last night we stayed at AKL & I feel in love with the resort. I did not think another trip was going to be possible this year, but with the free dining I could not resist. So I have booked AKL Sept. 30th - Oct. 6th I told my 2 ds(12 & 9) that we will be staying at Pop Century, so this will be a surprise for them. I know they will love it!

In Jan. for our one night we were upgrade to a savanna view, I do believe in the Zebra trail, 2cd floor. It was awesome! We had planned on spending our last night at Epcot, but once we walked into our rooms(bil & his family were with us)that was it, we did not leave. Sitting on the balcony watching the animals was so exhilerating to me, I did not want to leave lol

We looked around the resort & were in awe with the decor & snapped lots of pictures! We had dinner at Bomas & I must confess, deserts were the hightlight for me The zebra domes are very good, but my favorite were those little bite size lemon meringue pies. Oh I ate way to many of those lol Dsil & I relaxed in the hot tub & enjoyed a drink. I tell ya this was a perfect ending to a wonderful vacation with my inlaws.

So I am now looking forward to a longer stay & getting to share this wonderful resort with my 2 ds Here are some pictures from our stay, enjoy!

This was taken from our balcony

Thank you for posting a wonderful report...now you are another one of those AKL 'lovers' who understand why it's so hard not to want to go BACK! Again, thanks for your report and also for sharing your great AKL pix!

 

[kimmar067]

I can hardly wait for our first trip to AKL at the end of June. We had originally booked for six of us, each of our DD's was to bring a friend. I am fortunate enough to have some points that I was able to use to book the entire trip. yes!! 9 nights AKL, full hopper/waterpark passes...all FREE!!!
Unfortunately, one of the invited guests is no longer going to be joining us, and my travel agent is telling me no substitutions, has anybody ever arrived at the resort, and wanted to substitute a name of one of their guests? These are children, not adults, and I am looking to put a different name on the KTTW...is this not an easy switch at the front desk? Or would I be able to call AKL directly once they have our reservation? (According to my TA the package was purchased through a wholesaler here in Canada, and the actual names won't be supplied to AKL until about three weeks prior to our arrival). Has anyone run across a situation like this before? For the life of me I cannot see how it should be an issue to change a name, they are still getting the same amount of guests? Any advice would be helpful....
Thanks

I would contact AKL directly and explain your circumstances. I'm sure they will be able to help you out. I am thinking of adding another person or two to my list, too (not CHANGING a name) since we will be going in August, and I have sorta 'promised' 2 of my DS's that they could bring a friend.....good luck!

mlwear ~

I would just book the waterview (pool view) room and request a higher floor. That way, you have a better chance of still seeing animals from you balcony. Or, at check-in, you could ask if any upgrades are available; they can advise you then....

 

[tinknme]

Your welcome I have to tell you, everytime I see your little bunny pooh it brings such a smile to my face

Thank you for posting a wonderful report...now you are another one of those AKL 'lovers' who understand why it's so hard not to want to go BACK! Again, thanks for your report and also for sharing your great AKL pix! :thumbsup:

 

[kimmar067]

Your welcome I have to tell you, everytime I see your little bunny pooh it brings such a smile to my face

....

 

[Cringer227]

Hey for those of you who have stayed at AKL if you were getting a Savannah Room View what would you request? I want the best possible view for my money and am booking the vacation today. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[padisneylover]

Tinknme-Great pictures and report thanks for sharing. Isn't it a wonderful resort. I can't wait to get back there.

Cringer-Can't give you a specific room number since I can never remember the number of the room we were in once I leave. I can tell you that all 4 of our previous stays there have been on the Zebra trail and 3 of them on the 4th floor and 1 on the 5th. All we ever request is Zebra trail and 4th floor and have never been disappointed with our view and have yet to have a view of Arusha Rock. The reason we ask for Zebra trail is that it is the easiest access to the pool area and restruants which saves some steps when going there. Hope this helped some.

 

[Nancyg56]

Hey for those of you who have stayed at AKL if you were getting a Savannah Room View what would you request? I want the best possible view for my money and am booking the vacation today. Any input would be appreciated.

I cannot remember the name of the trail that we were on but we were in rooms 5425 and 5427. We had an amazing view of Arusha rock with animals all day long. I did not request anything but a Savannah view and I was not disappointed. I know that you will love this beautiful resort. Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[maxaroni]

We will be joining the AKL lovers, I'm sure....our first stay will be in August & free dining! We booked pool view, just couldn't swing the Savannah view with other things going on. If we can see our way clear, we may upgrade, down the road. If not, is there a preferred floor for pool view?

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Good evening all! Just back from a quick, 4 night, "mom and boys" only trip to AKL. This was our first stay at the AKL and I will try to give you some of the highlights. Cast: Me (Mom) and 3 DS's, 8, 6, and 3.

First, we checked in around 2:30 and waited about 30 minutes to check in. I have to say, I was somewhat irritated. I have never waited that long to check in anywhere and it seemed like they had a ton of CM's behind the check in desk. Anyway, not really a big deal and I certainly wasn't going to let it get me down. The CM checking me in tells me all about the resort and says that he is able to accomodate my request of "non-smoking" and "bunkbeds". I say "as long as it isn't 40 miles away". Well, the joke was on me. He wanted to put us in the very last room on Kudu Trail facing the Arusha Savannah. I didn't think I would be up for the hike with three little ones in tow w/o a stroller or my DH to carry a sleeping 3 y/o, so I ask if there are any bunk bed rooms closer. He puts us in room 4222 on the Sunset Savannah.

The room is perfectly clean and acceptable, until it comes time to look out the balcony. Let's just say, I wasn't impressed. The Sunset Savannah is very small and I had a view of some service doors to my left and a large people pen to my right. I called the front desk and ask to be moved. The CM was very nice and informed me that I couldn't get a new room until later in the evening and she said "I know the view isn't very picturesque, but it is a favorite of the front desk and I think you should give it a try.". Well, I was lazy and didn't wan't to drag my kids around by myself, so I decided to stay put.

Boy, was I glad I did. This was our view only 1 hour later...

We saw Giraffes, Ostriches, Thompson Gazelles, Nyalas, Marabou (sp?) Stork and loads of other birds.

B/c this savannah is so small, the animals are so very close. It was pretty amazing.

All in all, AKL was wonderful. Loved the pool, the restaurants and the Victoria Falls Mist . Would I stay in a Savannah view room again? That I am not sure about. I think I would prefer being close to Mara and the elevators and might just book a pool view room. We just weren't in our room long enough (or at the right times) to sit and gaze at the animals all day. I may feel differently had I been on a larger savannah. Sunset was definately cool b/c the animals were so close, but it wasn't the prettiest of spots.

Not sure what kind of room I will book for our Feb. trip. I will be taking the boys again solo, b/c DH will be on deployment, and I think I am going to switch from my current ressie at WL to AKL. Any questions, please feel free to ask.

Amie

 

[scoutsmom99]

Woo-hoo I'm going to AKL in September!!! I just got off the phone with a great CRO rep and I had my package booked in 9 minutes and I only had to wait 6 minutes for my call to be answered. My sister decided that AKL and pool view were worth the money. I can hardly wait!! I had to share my enthusiasm with my fellow AKL lovers I'm off to find a ticker now

 

[DisTeach1]

My experience was a lot like Mickey Flier. I requested Arusha Savannah and got Uzima, right over a people pen. I almost had a fit, but they wouldn't move me, and I got lazy about it the next day. But, I ended up loving it. We had all kinds of animals, and I really miss that view now. We are going again, and I've decided to just request Zebra trail, farther out on the horseshoe, if that makes sense. I don't want to be real close to the lobby.

To the other posters, I would never stay at AKL without a Savannah view. Sorry, but I would cut corners somewhere else, but it wouldn't be worth it to me. The public viewing areas are fine, but nothing, nothing beats having the animals outside your room.

 

[scoutsmom99]

We are going again, and I've decided to just request Zebra trail, farther out on the horseshoe, if that makes sense.

I always request Zebra Trail as well.

To the other posters, I would never stay at AKL without a Savannah view. Sorry, but I would cut corners somewhere else, but it wouldn't be worth it to me. The public viewing areas are fine, but nothing, nothing beats having the animals outside your room.

I actually really like the pool views at AKL. I'm personally excited that I have one booked for the upcoming trip. If we were gonna spend a lot of time in the room or have a longer trip then I could see booking the Savannah view. Maybe we will get showered with PD and get an upgrade like I got last fall. Plus I also really enjoy the whole AKL themeing and feeling I get when I stay there.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Your welcome I have to tell you, everytime I see your little bunny pooh it brings such a smile to my face

Kimmar I agree your Easter hoppy Pooh always makes me smile when I see it in your siggie.


Tinknme- thanks for sharing the great report and pictures.
Mickey Fliers- Great report as well.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Hey for those of you who have stayed at AKL if you were getting a Savannah Room View what would you request? I want the best possible view for my money and am booking the vacation today. Any input would be appreciated.

I personally would request Zebra Trail. I think the Arusha and Uzima savannahs are the better savannahs.

We will be joining the AKL lovers, I'm sure....our first stay will be in August & free dining! We booked pool view, just couldn't swing the Savannah view with other things going on. If we can see our way clear, we may upgrade, down the road. If not, is there a preferred floor for pool view?

There is not a preferred floor for pool views. They have deluxe pool view rooms, but those are just larger rooms with daybeds in them and a few other minor things.

 

[tinknme]

I booked a standard, I would love a savannah view. But I canott afford the extra money & I know my boys will still love it there. I know I will

To the other posters, I would never stay at AKL without a Savannah view. Sorry, but I would cut corners somewhere else, but it wouldn't be worth it to me. The public viewing areas are fine, but nothing, nothing beats having the animals outside your room.

 

[silverangel879]

Hey,

I just keep reading this thread and the more I read the more I convince myself this where I want my FIrst ON-Site experience be. I can't wait to book!

 

[MaliasMom]

Hi,

I'm new...been lurking for awhile and got great information from this thread. Thanks to everyone. We are booked for July 25! I decided to all out and requested a deluxe room w/ bunk beds, Arusha Savannah, Zebra trail not more than half way down from the lobby for faster access to the elevator to the pool, and concierge
I know that's probably alot to ask, but I'm hoping!! The deluxe, concierge part is a surprise for my family.
Anyone know about the Magical Express? Is it good?

Thanks

 

[Nancyg56]

I booked a standard, I would love a savannah view. But I canott afford the extra money & I know my boys will still love it there. I know I will

Don't worry. This is a beautiful resort with plenty of areas to enjoy the animals. We took time to visit them to enjoy all of the animals strolling around. Your boys will love it!

 

[Kitka]

Thanks so much for the advice! I just requested Zebra trail Arusha Rock view, queen/bunk bed room. Can't wait!