Just Back AKL and WL

[jadedNYer]

We just got back from 6 nights at AKL and 3 at WL. Here are answers to two questions that have come up on the boards.

1. Room lighting at AKL. We had a bunk bed room and each bunk bed had its own light above the head boards and there were two lights on either side of the queen bed along with a floor lamp. I had no problem with the lighting. The downside to the bunkbeds is that is hard to see the TV from them because of the bed posts.

2. Mugs - both ALK and WL offer either the "chubby" mug or the one that fits in cup holders.

I have two "peeves". We ate at Boma several times which was wonderful. My kids loved it. However, the times I paid in cash, I did not get any coins back. Our bill was 46.83, I gave our waiter 60 and he came back and said, "you change is 13.00." This wasn't a fluke as it happened three times at both breakfast and dinner.

My other is kind of a warning for all those who are like me and need that picture developing instant gratification. The first two times I left my film (35mm, 24 exp) at Zawadi they charged me 28.56. I thought that was high even for Disney. The manager was very nice and tried to figure it out. I went to the camera store at MK and asked how much it should be and was told $16.00. It turns out that the reason my price was so high was that they put in a picture CD even though that section wasn't filled out. I did get credit back. So, I started to write "No CD" in very large letters on the photo envelopes.

Big pluses - we were upgraded to pool view at AKL and at WL we got towel animals.

We had a great time at both resorts and I am happy to answer any questions.

 

[ducklite]

Sounds like you had a great trip! Did you use the night vision goggles or go to storytelling at the firepit at the AKL?

Anne

 

[Scratch42]

Towel AniMules at AKL?

How was your Mousekeeping? Lately there have been complaints. Also, what about "Bugs" in the room?

Anymore details would be greatly appreciated.

Scratch

 

[jadedNYer]

Ducklite -
Yes, we did do the story telling one night. It was moved indoors because of rain. My boys enjoyed it. We did the nightvision goggles twice. They loved that too. We could have just stayed at AKL and not gone to any theme parks.

Scratch42 -
I thought the Mousekeeping at AKL was a bit better than at WL even though we didn't get towel animals there. Our mousekeeper was very nice at AKL. At WL I don't think they did a very thorough vacuuming and missed quite a bit of fuzz along the wall.

BUGS - none at AKL except at night while waiting to do the night vision goggles. But at WL when I opened the door to watch the fireworks a whole bunch of tiny creatures got into our room. There were tons of bugs on the balcony at WL but not at AKL.

Let me know what other details you want and I will try to answer as best as I can. I really enjoyed both resorts but prefer AKL as do my boys who are 5 and 9. My 9 year old likes the WL pool better but only because he is able to go down the slide as it is smaller than the one at AKL and it lets out into shallower water. Being from NYC my boys are not exactly swimming savvy.

Also, I preferred Mara over the Territory Lounge. I found Mara to be a little more organized and less crowded. Breakfast at the TL was a zoo.

 

[jadedNYer]

Scratch -
I did hear periodic toilet flushing at both AKL and WL but it was only a few times. As for the interior hallway noise I found AKL much quieter. And at WL I could hear a baby crying that was two doors down from us.

 

[Scratch42]

I'm glad to hear about Mousekeeping and no Bugs!

My DD hates them. Just yesterday she let out a blood curddling scream in the car! When I asked what was it, she pointed to the back window! A look of horror on her face! OMG! It was a LadyBug!LOL

What about the Transportation? Am still debating whether to keep the car for our entire stay or just rely on Disney or cab it sometimes?

TIA

Scratch

 

[jadedNYer]

Scratch42
If your daughter wants to do the night vision googles at AKL I would reccomend long sleeves and pants as I did get bit by mosquitos while waiting to do that but that was the only time I got bit at AKL.

I found the buses to be fine. I don't think we ever waited more than 10 minutes. Transportation is one of those personal things and I would prefer to wait for the next bus if it is standing room only. This only happened once while coming from back from the MK just before closing.

I also noticed that for some reason the tap water doesn't smell at AKL like it does at the WL and Poly. I wonder if this is because AKL is in a different county??

I think you and your daughter will enjoy AKL. Try to spend some time relaxing and enjoying the resort. You can also get "real" coffee at AKL which is a major benefit.

 

[heart4pooh]

JadedNYer

Did you use disney visa reward certificates to pay for your meals? I just read on another thread that you don't get change back when you use them... I have never not received change back at a restaraunt. That is just too wierd!

 

[jadedNYer]

heart4pooh
Nope, I didn't use any reward points or anything else, just cold hard cash. Between the no coins and the picture fiasco it left me wondering if Disney was really that desperate. I didn't quibble about the change but I sure did about the pictures.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Scratch.. did you book savanna view?

>>^..^<<

 

[Scratch42]

Yes I booked a Savannah View. Please don't tell me that this will create a problem? Bug Wise I mean?LOL

Warning! To all at AKL when we are there, DD will scream at any crawly thing!LOL I will try to get it out before she sees it!

As for Mosquitoes, already have the Muskol to ward them off. She tried it at camp and it worked!

JadedNYer - Thanks for letting me know that AKL has REAL COFFEE! I won't have to go thru withdrawals! YIPPEE!

Scratch

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by Scratch42
Yes I booked a Savannah View. Please don't tell me that this will create a problem? Bug Wise I mean?LOL

The only bug problem you will have is me bugging to see your view if I get put in a poolview concierge (savanna is not guaranteed)

Seriously though ~ last summer there was a big spider in our room at AKL ~ I wanted to kill it but was afraid to go near it, I was embarrassed to call down to guest services but I was terrified of this thing.... I was also afraid to leave the room in case it disappeared - I wanted to know where it was...

I ended up asking a man who was walking past our room to come in and kill it for me "My hero" ( I think he thought I was hitting on him ROFL)

>>^..^<<

 

[Dana49]

We have never changed resorts in mid-week. Would you please explain how you did this and was there anything that you would do differently? If you were going to split the week again, between AKL and WL, how would you split it? Thanks.

 

[jadedNYer]

Dana49
It is really easy to change resorts. When you check out of the first resort let bell services know which resort you are going to and they will transfer your luggage to your new hotel. It should arrive no later than 3:00PM. We checked out of AKL around nine, went to MGM for a little while then took the bus from MGM to WL around 1:00. I checked in and our room was not quite ready so we had lunch at Whispering Canyon and be the time we finished the room was ready.
Originally I was going to do 3 nights ALK then 6 at WL but I switched to 6 nights at AKL because I didn't want to pack up after only three days. I am glad I did that as I loved the AKL but am glad we also got to stay at the WL.

 

[Dana49]

Thanks for the help. Looks like a "might do" in the future. Thanks again.

 

[Scratch42]

I hate drinking alone!

I love your story! If DD sees anything like that everybody will come a runnin' 'cause spiders are the worst for her!

Everybody will think she is being murdered!LOL

I still have not stopped laughing!

OBTW, I phoned Disney regarding doing the concierge for one night, yes you do have to change rooms! But since I booked thru CAA I have to get a hold of them to make arrangements, etc. UGH!

Scratch

 

[dansyr]

I just e-mailed AKL concierge about applying disney visa rewards certificates to the room charge if anyone is interested on the official answer. As soon as I hear back I will let everyone know.