Just Back from The AKL Concierge!

[roozlilone]

Well, all my construction worries were for nothing! Just came back from a wonderful 4 night stay at the AKL, booked standard club room, got room #4231, awesome savannah view room, Kudu trail, Arusha savanna, updated with the new flat panel TV and got the bunk beds I requested!

For all those worrying about construction noise, fear not! They are doing a great job from keeping the construction noise and views hidden. I barely noticed anything out of the ordinary.....the lodge had the same wonderful "feel" and "smell" as always! However, Floors 5 & 6 are definitely closed. They have moved the lounge to the Presidential Suite and ohhh.......I loved the move! I could have lived out on the huge balcony overlooking the animals!! The lounge had a very cozy feel, great food, great CM's, not one complaint. This is where they should have put the lounge to begin with....we were even given a private tour of the master BR and huge master BA, oh my gosh! It was heavenly! Oh, and we did the Sunrise Safari, this ALONE is worth the extra price of concierge!! It was the highlight of our trip!

For anyone that is going soon and worrying about construction affecting their visit, don't worry, be happy! The AKL is still the same great place I've come to love! Any questions? I'd be happy to answer.

 

[cocowum]

Sounds great...Do you have any pics???

 

[DisneyBee]

Wow! Thank you for that report! I leave at 5:00 a.m. in the morning for AKL concierge, and couldn't be more excited. Your post just made my night!

 

[grannyminnie]

What a great report!! Unfortunately, I have to wait until the end of Nov. to leave for AKL concierge...you think the lounge will still be in the Pres. suite? Sounds like that's an upgrade!!

 

[amcjeep4life]

We are heading there in September, and can't wait! How did the bunkbeds work? They make the room look a bit smaller, although I guess it's just the fact that it's a standard room, no more deluxes! We are also scheduled to do the Sunrise Safari. This is our first trip, and our nieces, aged 10 and 12, can't wait! They don't know where they are staying, we just told them they will have something interesting to see in the mornings, right from the balcony! Tell us more, and PLEASE post some pics!

 

[SharonLowe]

We had the same room just before you - actually had connecting rooms with 4229!

A CM in the CL told me the move was for months, which seems to coincide with when they will start working on that side of the 5th floor.

I'll post photos when I get the chance.

 

[roozlilone]

We are heading there in September, and can't wait! How did the bunkbeds work? They make the room look a bit smaller, although I guess it's just the fact that it's a standard room, no more deluxes! We are also scheduled to do the Sunrise Safari. This is our first trip, and our nieces, aged 10 and 12, can't wait! They don't know where they are staying, we just told them they will have something interesting to see in the mornings, right from the balcony! Tell us more, and PLEASE post some pics!

The bunkbeds do make the room feel a little smaller. But it was worth it for my DD's, ages 7 and 9. The CM told us they couldn't get the bunkbeds, so when we walked in the room and saw we in fact did get the bunkbeds, it made my kids day! You will love the Sunrise Safari! And the breakfast at the Tusker house afterwards was just amazing!!

 

[roozlilone]

What a great report!! Unfortunately, I have to wait until the end of Nov. to leave for AKL concierge...you think the lounge will still be in the Pres. suite? Sounds like that's an upgrade!!

I was told it would definitely be there for at least a couple months, at least through September. To me it was an upgrade.....when would I ever get the chance to say I ate my breakfast in the Presidential Suite of the AKL!!

 

[amcjeep4life]

I'm hoping for the bunkbeds. We were also told they couldn't guarantee us the beds. The girls are not too keen on sleeping in the same bed , so I'm crossing my fingers, toes, whatever! Unfortunately, Tusker House will be closed when we are there , and no one seems to be able to tell us where we will be eating after the Safari! I'm glad you had such an awesome trip, and can't wait to get there! Only 11 weeks to go! Looking forward to some pics!

 

[jmom]

Thanks for the update...we're going to AKL (having never stayed in a WDW resort before) in just over 3 weeks...we booked AKL because our son LOVES animals (we've booked the savanna room)...fingers crossed it still lives up to the expectation! Hope you manage to post some photos and any further info...would love to know/see what it's like.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Great trip report and I hope it puts a lot people's minds at ease with upcoming trips to AKL! Out of curiosity, was there an upside to the construction? Less people at the pool, activities, waiting for buses.....everyone on here is so doom and gloom about the construction, I'm wondering if there are any benefits???

 

[amycishere]

Thank you SOOO much for this post, we have a club room standard booked for October and am sooo excited and thanks to your post SUPER relieved. Please post pics if you can!

 

[roozlilone]

Great trip report and I hope it puts a lot people's minds at ease with upcoming trips to AKL! Out of curiosity, was there an upside to the construction? Less people at the pool, activities, waiting for buses.....everyone on here is so doom and gloom about the construction, I'm wondering if there are any benefits???

I think there were definitely some benefits to the construction. Pool was never crowded, definitely less people overall at the resort, maybe my imagination, but it did feel that way. Also, the buses were never crowded.

However, I will say the bus service was not as good as previous trips (not isolated to the AKL) We spent 3 nights at the BC and it was the same way. We waited 30 minutes+ for some of the buses. We waited 35 minutes to be picked up from Typhoon Lagoon!! We waited 25 minutes to be picked up from MGM, was picked up and then taken to the Animal Kingdom park, not the lodge and was told to get out and find another bus to the lodge (not just us, about 15 other people, eventhough it said AKL on the bus). It was about 8 p.m. at night! It took us about an hour and 15 minutes to finally get to the lodge! UGH!

 

[Tiffany]

Well, all my construction worries were for nothing! Just came back from a wonderful 4 night stay at the AKL, booked standard club room, got room #4231, awesome savannah view room, Kudu trail, Arusha savanna, updated with the new flat panel TV and got the bunk beds I requested!

For all those worrying about construction noise, fear not! They are doing a great job from keeping the construction noise and views hidden. I barely noticed anything out of the ordinary.....the lodge had the same wonderful "feel" and "smell" as always! However, Floors 5 & 6 are definitely closed. They have moved the lounge to the Presidential Suite and ohhh.......I loved the move! I could have lived out on the huge balcony overlooking the animals!! The lounge had a very cozy feel, great food, great CM's, not one complaint. This is where they should have put the lounge to begin with....we were even given a private tour of the master BR and huge master BA, oh my gosh! It was heavenly! Oh, and we did the Sunrise Safari, this ALONE is worth the extra price of concierge!! It was the highlight of our trip!

For anyone that is going soon and worrying about construction affecting their visit, don't worry, be happy! The AKL is still the same great place I've come to love! Any questions? I'd be happy to answer.

Hi,
I am so glad you had a great stay at the AKL. We love the AKL and will be returning for our 8th stay overall and our 3rd Concierge this coming September. Cannot wait. New tvs in the rooms an added bonus.

 

[SB in KY]

Thanks so much for this post...makes me feel a LOT better...we have 3.5 week to go until we leave for WDW, the AKL concierge stay falls in the middle of our trip.

Glad to hear the lounge is working out in the new location.

Was the lounge crowded? I was looking forward to my AM coffee in the lounge...hope there is room to do so!!

 

[roozlilone]

Thanks so much for this post...makes me feel a LOT better...we have 3.5 week to go until we leave for WDW, the AKL concierge stay falls in the middle of our trip.

Glad to hear the lounge is working out in the new location.

Was the lounge crowded? I was looking forward to my AM coffee in the lounge...hope there is room to do so!!

The lounge was never, never crowded at all, even for breakfast. There were always tables...the weird part is no one ever sat outside to eat, which I couldn't figure out. Here was this HUGE balcony (you could throw a party on that balcony it was so big) overlooking the savannah and no one ever sat outside?? And it was never too hot! Anyway, during the day and the evenings, we just about had the lounge to ourselves, literally. No one was ever there. That is one reason they let us tour the rest of the suite (part of the suite is blocked off to guests).

I will try to post some pics when I get to work. Don't have the connections at home. Hope this helps! And enjoy your stay....I wish I was still there.

 

[mjalvarez]

Thanks for the info! We are going end of September and I have been worried sick since I'm the planner for my group. Now I can't wait! AKL here we come!
I can't believe that the concierge wasn't crowded. We are booked for Savannah, but who knows, maybe they will let us upgrade.

 

[mom2mykids]

Just FYI everyone, this is from mousesavers:

According to a reliable source, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World will be mostly closed to guests from July 9 until Sept 1, 2007. (This date is subject to change.)

The temporary closure is due to disruption caused by the construction of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas units within the main structure of the Lodge. Apparently the disruption was greater than anticipated and Disney has decided to move guests rather than inconvenience them during their stays.

It appears a few rooms will remain in use, but not many. I have been told that the following room types probably will NOT be affected: Pool View Bunkbeds, Suites (except Vice Presidential and Presidential) and Kilimanjaro Club Standard rooms. Guests staying in those room types may request a move, but the decision to move them will be handled on a case by case basis.

Disney is calling guests who are currently booked at the Lodge in chronological order to assist them with moving to another resort. Guests have been offered rooms at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and at various Disney Deluxe resorts for the same price they were paying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Each case is handled differently, based on the room type booked and availability at other resorts for the dates in question.

If you booked through a travel agency, your travel agent will receive the call and will contact you with options.

It is believed that the restaurants will remain open but perhaps with limited hours.

 

[mirlow]

I was able to book a deluxe Kilimanjaro Club room for our family of five. I have been looking online forever and just thought the only way we would be able to do concierge was through DVC. I'm so excited because our family LOVES the AKL.

I hope the lounge is in the Presidential Suite when we go in September. That will be great. How was the set up for food? Was there an area for kids? We're the food offerings the same? I can't wait for you to post some pictures!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone know what trail the deluxe rooms will be on? We're going in September so it would be a trail that is done, but I haven't been keeping up with where the construction is going on.

I hope the construction will be ok. When we were there in April 05 they were doing work in the pool area and it was LOUD. It was disappointing because I love to just relax at the resort. We were there in Aug 04 during hurricane Charley so that took a couple of days away from relaxing at the pool. It's probably crazy going during construction, but here's hoping for the best

 

[SharonLowe]

I was able to book a deluxe Kilimanjaro Club room for our family of five. I have been looking online forever and just thought the only way we would be able to do concierge was through DVC. I'm so excited because our family LOVES the AKL.

I hope the lounge is in the Presidential Suite when we go in September. That will be great. How was the set up for food? Was there an area for kids? We're the food offerings the same? I can't wait for you to post some pictures!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone know what trail the deluxe rooms will be on? We're going in September so it would be a trail that is done, but I haven't been keeping up with where the construction is going on.

I hope the construction will be ok. When we were there in April 05 they were doing work in the pool area and it was LOUD. It was disappointing because I love to just relax at the resort. We were there in Aug 04 during hurricane Charley so that took a couple of days away from relaxing at the pool. It's probably crazy going during construction, but here's hoping for the best

You may want to call and confirm that your room will still exist in September. My understanding was that DVC was taking over the entire 5th and 6th floors and there are no deluxe rooms on any other floors. With them moving the construction pace up, I would be very worried that your room will not exist in September and they will try to relocate you. The deluxes that did exist were on all trails.