Just back from OKW

[patsal]

Loved it as usual. This time we were in the Turtle Pond Area--our first time there. We were in building 39 Villa 3921(7/16-21 and 23-27) and 3920(studio just for the weekend between 7/21-22, as I wanted to reserve some points just in case I can sneak away in December for a few days). We finished the vacation with two nights at AKL club level so that we could do the sunrise safari. Both rooms were clean and well worn, but noting in disrepair. We noticed our neigbors in 3920 were smoking in a non-smoking room and mentioned that at the desk when we were switching rooms since non smoking for med reasons was a concern for me. At the desk we were told that the room was indeed non smoking and that if someone is smoking on the balcony or in a room in a non-smoking area that one should call the front sesk to let them know. The CM seemed pretty adament about reporting it to avoid the problem htat we had--of course we were placed in that room on the weekend and it did need some work before we could stay there comfortably. In the future if the need arises I will call at the first sign of smoke. On the second portion of the 1BR we went back to where we started from and again it was wonderful. We noticed that the lighbulb in the shower was blown out and called maintainence. When we returned from dinner it was all fixed. All in all a wonderful vacation and if I can answer any questions let me know. Oh, we did use the DDP for both 1BR villa stays.

 

[Nanajo1]

Thanks for the report. I'm curious about AKL club level as DH and I are spending 2 nights there at the start of our trip then switching to BWV when my DB and DSIL arrive. We booked the Sunrise Safari. Any pointers would be great.
Thanks.

 

[patsal]

Thanks for the report. I'm curious about AKL club level as DH and I are spending 2 nights there at the start of our trip then switching to BWV when my DB and DSIL arrive. We booked the Sunrise Safari. Any pointers would be great.
Thanks.

The staff there are, for the most part, very warm and friendly. As for the safari, well, I had some incorrect information, but it all worked out in the end. As far as room and view are concerned--if you really want a great savannah view then be sure to put that in your requests--unfortunately good Savannah views are scarce on the 6th floor. I was aware of this when I booked and metioned that a fifth floor room would be fine--no biggie to walk to the stairs and use the key to get up the littel flight or use the elevator. For the sunrise safari check in on the 6th floor at the designated time, don't forget your theme park tickets as they will be run through up there before heading to the bus for the safari. Everyone, after check in meets in the downstairs lobby(third floor) to check in with the safari guides. Once everyone is checked in you go to the front doors and board the witing buses--a security guard is there to check all your bags prior to entering the bus. You enter the AK through the back security gates and enter the safari through the CM entrance. Safari vehicles are waiting for you and you go throught he savanna at a very leisurely pace. The guide gives wonderful inforamtion and facts and answers any questions. The safari vehicle stops and stays stopped for extended viewing and photo opps. You may stand to take photos and video tape. It takes about an hour, and once completed you go to Tusher House for a buffet breakfast--wonderful foods, and you get a fast pass to re-ride kilamanjaro Safari. It was well worth the money. As for club level--this was our first time staying at this level and it was a treat. All I can say is, well I'm sure you've read the comments on the resorts board--it can be curious. Though in the welcome packet it says that bathing suits should be covered and shoes worn, some didn't think it applied to them. Still others thought it a good idea to empty the fridge of all coke products into their canvas tote bags as well as the fruit bowls. There was even one person who came in and took the whole cheese platter and cracker bowl and left down the stairs to go back to her room--DH and I laughed as this is something you need to have a sense of humor for! The wines and appetizer selections varied from night to night, but all was a treat. We even managed cordials and desserts one of the nights and the desserts were quite a treat as well. Overall we enjoyed the experience and DH and I will certainly add a night or two of club level into our future plans, most likely as a wind down from a two week vacation or for an anniversary treat. Our children (14 and 10) still would rather have been in the parks or in the room watching the animals from the balcony, though DD was enjoying the ability to go grab a snack or lemonade when returning from a park.

 

[Nanajo1]

Thanks for the info. I will request a Savannah view. I did mention that I will be using an ECV did you see any on the Sunrise Safari? We are not planning any park days while we are there, resting up for the Wine and Food Festival !

 

[JimMIA]

We noticed our neigbors in 3920 were smoking in a non-smoking room and mentioned that at the desk when we were switching rooms since non smoking for med reasons was a concern for me. At the desk we were told that the room was indeed non smoking and that if someone is smoking on the balcony or in a room in a non-smoking area that one should call the front sesk to let them know. The CM seemed pretty adament about reporting it to avoid the problem htat we had.

This experience is interesting to me for two reasons. One -- DD4-going-on-24 has asthma, so we always request NS medical. The other is, I've heard frequent comments indicating that CMs have told smokers that smoking on the balcony is okay, and I've also seen posts here from smokers who think it's the considerate thing to do. Not trying to start The Great Debate here, but I was glad to see the response you got from the front desk.

 

[patsal]

This experience is interesting to me for two reasons. One -- DD4-going-on-24 has asthma, so we always request NS medical. The other is, I've heard frequent comments indicating that CMs have told smokers that smoking on the balcony is okay, and I've also seen posts here from smokers who think it's the considerate thing to do. Not trying to start The Great Debate here, but I was glad to see the response you got from the front desk.

Well, the medical request is similiar for my DS. Based on what I had seen posted several times around here I thought that if I complained it would fall on deaf ears, but I was told that no smoking means no smoking and most especially when the request is for medical reasons that smoke can be harmful to the guest. I was very encouraged by what I was told and intend to follow it through should the need arise (hopefuly I will never be in that position).

 

[Simba's Mom]

I notice that Building #39 is near the highway. Were you aware of/bothered by road noise?

 

[JimMIA]

We stayed in 39 once too. We only heard highway noise if we were outside, on our balcony. Then we heard a good bit of noise, but none inside the unit.

 

[patsal]

I notice that Building #39 is near the highway. Were you aware of/bothered by road noise?

Like Jim said only when on the balcony and it really was not disturbing. I'd stay there again. There was no road noise audible form the inside of the villa. The only disturbances we had were the strange things from the studio a few different nights--there seemed to be a good amount of turnover in that room. First full week we had the smokers, then from Sunday to Tuesday we had the "Clampets" they moved the patio chairs to the front of the door and hung their bathing suits from the front--I suppose with five in the room it was crowded. Wednesday night there was a very large group of like 6 and they were running around until about 1am. The only reason I was so aware of the loudness was becasues we were going on the sunrise safari on Thursday and had to get up really early to make the transfer to AKL.