Just back from AKL!!!!

[Brier Rose]

We just got back last night, and I'm still trying to catch my breath. Not from all that we did, but from the truly amazing Animal Kingdom Lodge!
It is so funny that the only reason I made a reservation here was because I got a postcard with an unbelievable rate, and now it is one of my very favorites.
We have been to Disney 27 times is 11 years, and this has been one of the best trips EVER!!

We checked in Sat. June 21 at about 11:00am. I couldn't believe we didn't have to wait in line at that time of day! Then we found out we had gotten upgraded to a pool view.It was a perfect location. Bunk beds for the kids, about five doors down there was a bench with a window to look out and see the animals,and the elevator that took you straight to the pool and the Mara.We also liked being on the 3rd floor, as it was just a short walk down the hall to the main lobby, the indoor fire pit, and Zawandi Marketplace.
We drove, and valet parked everyday, so I can't tell you about transportation, but the valet parking was a lifesaver for us.We're always running late in the morning, and DH could just call down,and the van would be sitting at the front ready to go.At night we we're all so tired,and being able to just pull up to the front,and be just a few more steps from the room was great.
DH had a massage at the health club the first day, which he said was AWESOME!! I took the kids to swim while he did that.We all really loved the pool and the slide.
I have to say that at least DH and I did not like The Mara.I really liked the look of the place, and the set up, but we both thought the food was not good.The kids usually had chicken strips and mac and cheese, and they always enjoyed their food very much.
We all liked Boma.It wasn't my favorite of the trip, but I definatly want to eat there again.
We really wanted to try the cookie decorating that they have there everyday at 1:00, but just never seemed to be able to get there. We did do the storytelling, and the night vision tracking, both of which were alot of fun.
Two strange things that happend while we were there, one, we always set up a room charge , but we like to go to the front desk every couple of days and just check the charges, and pay the balance in cash.Well after about 3 days, Dh goes to do this, and they claim THEY OWE US $138.00!! Dh stays down there arguing with them for 1 hour. Two managers later, they are still saying that they overcharged us for our room.Even after DH shows them our conformation where it is written very plainly that we paid the right amount.They are dumbfounded at this point,because they say they can't believe that he is arguing about the fact that they gave us a $138.00 credit.Never mind the fact that WE DID OWE IT, and just wanted to pay what we were supposed to!!
The manager even signed our copy of the room charges saying that we DID NOT OWE that $13800. Well,I'm sure you can guess what happened.On the morning of our check out the final copy of of room charges showed were that very morning they had charged my credit card with.......$138.00!!!
The other was with our maid.Don't get me wrong,she was great.The room and bathroom was always spotless.She just had this strange habit of coming in without knocking!

 

[magicmouse2]

Awesome! we are staying at AKL in September 3 nights... Cant wait to try Boma!!! Cant believe they charged your c card after promising no charge!

LOL the maid.... DH always sleeps in his boxers and one day he was having an afternoon nap, whilst we were swimming (@por) so I took the do not disturb sign off the door so the maid would wake him up!!!!! Serves him right for being lazy !!!
:

 

[Brier Rose]

Sorry I didn't finish! Accidently clicked submit.....

Anyway, one day we got back to the room,and she was in there cleaning, and said to come back in about 5 min. Ok, no problem.

So we left and rambled around for 10 or 15 min, but when we got back she was still there.When she saw us come in the door she said.... Ok I leaving now, and left.DD went in the bathroom, and I had my back turned going our on the balcony, when I heard the door open.It was the maid,and she had forgotten to leave an extra roll of toilet paper, but instead of knocking on the door, she just walks right back in, and tries to open the door to the bathroom with my DD in there! When she realized someone was in there,she just laid the paper on the sink area, walked past me, picked up the phone, and starts pressing speaker phone, then buttons, speaker phone, then buttons again....hangs up the phone and walks out!! Very strange. I just stood there, and didn't say a thing! I just caught me so off gaurd, I think I was in shock.
Then on our last day, DH was at the front desk, the kids were sleeping, and I was sitting on the balcony with my back to the door. I heard the door open, and then some rumaging around, and then the door close again. I thought it was DH, and ran to the door to catch him to find out what he was doing,but it wasn't DH....it was the maid!!
I guess she had thought we were gone, but she didn't even knock on the door.She just walked right in, walked around the room,and then walked back out.Very, Very strange!

I know I'm forgetting stuff! If anyone has any questions.....please ask.

Oh! don't know if it might be of use to anyone, but DH had gotten into some poison oak on his arms and legs before we left home,and wound up having to see a doctor about it. We have used Centa Care before when we've had them come to the room for the kids,but this was our first experience with the walk in clinic.
Dh went by himself,while I stayed with the kids,and he had to wait 2 hours, even though he got there right after opening. If there ever has to be a next time(hopefully not) we will have them come to the room again.Much rather wait there,and it was only about $50.00 more than going to the clinic.

 

[rriley25]

Oh no.....I hope my wife doesn't read your post MagicMouse2. An afternoon nap just sets up a perfect evening for me. Too funny. Of course, I always say it's for the kids.

Bob Riley

 

[gm]

Hi,

Can you tell me how much the visit to the clinic costs? I always worry that my kids will get sick on vacation.

 

[Brier Rose]

Well, it's hard to say becase it depends on if they give you medicine or not.
When we had them come to our room for DS the charge was only about $75.00, with no medicine. He had been running a fever, and was a baby at the time, so he couldn't tell us if something was hurting.I wanted to have him checked to make sure he didn't have an ear infection.He didn't, and just had a virus, so no medicine was needed.
If he had needed some though, they had it right there with them,so we wouldn't have had to go to a pharmacy and have a perscription filled.

When DH went to the walk in clinic it was $160.00, with medicine.
They had the medicine on hand there,so again,no need to get a perscription filled.They gave him some pills to take,and a cream to use.

I hope your kids never get sick on while your on vacation,but if it had to happen at any hotel I think Disney is the absoulte best.
That same time I mentioned above involving my DS, we were staying at the Contemporary.He woke up sick in the middle of the night,and I realized I had left my thermometer at home.This was about 2:00am, and DH called down at the front desk to see if maybe they had one there in a first aid kit or something.
They didn't,but told us not to worry,and to wait in our room,they would send someone up.Within 15 min. there was a knock on the door,and a very nice CM had gone to the gift shop that was closed,opened it up,and brought us a thermometor.

He also started throwing up in Mgm one day,and we took him to the First Aid there.They checked his temperature,and he had a little fever,so the nurse went ahead a gave him a little medicine.After he took his medicine so good for her,she went out of the room for a minute, and came back with Rafiki from the Lion King!