Just Back from AKL - amazing!

budwmn

If you believe in magic, you belong
Joined
Apr 18, 2003
Messages
924
This was our third stay at AKL and we were still blown away with the beautiful rooms, animals, and great service. We stayed in a 1-bedroom suite (3285) overlooking the Sunset Savannah. Initially, I was a little concerned about the view as we had always loved looking out over Arusha Rock. Now, we only want the Sunset Savannah. Every morning we had 2 to 3 giraffe right outside our window. We saw more wildlife on this trip than on any of our past stays at AKL.

The 1 bedroom suite was quite roomy. My only complaint was the poor lighting in the bathrooms. I can't figure out why Disney doesn't improve this problem in all of it's resorts. I always feel like I'm going to look like a clown because I can't see what my make-up really looks like. Otherwise, the room was great.

Concierge service was top notch. I think it's actually improved since our last stay in 2003. They continually replenished the food and beverage offerings throughout the day. I like that they offered vanilla and hazelnut syrups so that you could flavor your coffee. I was even able to make vanilla milks for my DS. Although our rooms were not immediately available when my large party checked in (it was a family reunion), one CM, I think his name was Bob, actually came down into Mara (the quick serve restaurant) to alert us when they were ready. All the CMs in the concierge lounge were very helpful and went out of their way to accomodate any of our needs.

Let me know if I can help answer any questions about AKL!
 
Glad you had a fantastic trip! I really miss my favorite resort.. so much I was afraid to visit it this past Easter!
 
We had a slight room mess-up while at AKL but I was really glad it happened because I got 4 4-day park hoppers and a discount rate and private phone number for the manager on our next trip! :flower:

He wants to make sure we come back to the AKL lol :goodvibes

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I think it's the prettiest out of all the WDW resorts. Not just the animals, but the interior is absolutely breathtaking. And Jiko and Boma are top notch as well.

Edit: hello to another Detroiter! :cool1:
 
We just got back last night! We had a wonderful time also! Would stay there again in a heartbeat!
 

I love AKL as well...Glad to hear you had a wonderful stay.
 
I love hearing all these positive things about AKL!!! I can't wait to get there.

:wave: Fellow Detroiter!
 
We are actually trying to decide whether or not to stay at AKL in late September, early October this year with our three boys--6,8 & 1.

Have any of you been there with young kids, and can you recommend better areas to request to stay for Standard Rooms.

We can't wait to go!

Thanks
 
We loved our stay at AKL! Thanks for the report. :cool1:
 
budwmn - I've requested a third floor one-bedroom for our stay in August. Did you find the walk to the pool/Mara to be long from your room? How about the walk to the concierge lounge?

Did you try the storytelling?
 
Glad you enjoyed your trip. We love AKL concierge and are going back in June. I have a question that maybe you can answer. This year we are taking DD's boyfriend, he drinks hot chocolate in the morning, I can't remember if they had hot chocolate packets in the lounge. It is not a big deal, but I was just curious if you remembered seeing them.
 
Did you participate in any of the activities around the hotel? Glad you had a wonderful trip!
 
Glad you had a good trip, I cant wait until our first visit to AKL in June. :bounce:
 
Harambe said:
budwmn - I've requested a third floor one-bedroom for our stay in August. Did you find the walk to the pool/Mara to be long from your room? How about the walk to the concierge lounge?

Did you try the storytelling?

Unfortunately, you do a fair amount of walking at all Disney hotels, but I didn't find this walk any worse than any others. My DS gets tired pretty easily and he never complained. As far as the walk from the lounge, unless you're on the 6th floor, you have to take an elevator or use the stairs to go to the fifth floor. It wasn't a big deal to go to the third instead. The only thing we noticed was that we got a few more looks when we brought a plate of treats back to the room. There aren't any other concierge guests on the thrid floor, so people kept asking where we got the food. I was uncomfortable at first, but didn't worry too much about it.

We didn't do the storytelling -- guess we need to go back again to try it out! :banana:
 
luvdzny said:
Glad you enjoyed your trip. We love AKL concierge and are going back in June. I have a question that maybe you can answer. This year we are taking DD's boyfriend, he drinks hot chocolate in the morning, I can't remember if they had hot chocolate packets in the lounge. It is not a big deal, but I was just curious if you remembered seeing them.


Yes, they had hot chocolate packets. :sunny:
 
I've stayed at AKL twice and am going back in May for a quick trip - glad to hear you had a good time.
 


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