Just back today from AKL and Swan:Some observations

[mom23guys2]

I just returned tonight from the AKL and Swan.We started our trip at the Swan. It was beautiful. (Thanks to these boards I had the TEACH discount and SPG) They upgraded our room to a balcony. The resort is lovely and the service was first rate. We had a king room. It was very roomy and had a pull-out sofa bed which we didn't need as a bed so it provided a great sitting area. I loved the convenience of calling housekeeping and just telling them a time I'd like the room done. It worked every time. I do think I'll try the Dolphin next time because of the convenience to Tubbis.
Tubbies was okay but I think it could have been set up differently. We had to wait in a long line just to place a pizza order. Many of those in front of us were getting dinners that were made up by ONE person. This was quite time consuming. One day we even hopped in the car and went to the All Star Movies to get lunch. I hate to say this but for quick meals, Disney's food courts are much better. We did eat at Palios, it was terrific but a little expensive. All in all I'm definitely planning to stay in one of these resorts again. You just can't beat the price for the upscale amenities.

For those of you who answered my panic plea last week about the WL, thanks. CRO messed up our reservation. I had called in January to change the dates and package for our AKL Savannah room. Well they changed the package but not the dates and we weren't going to be there when they had us booked in the room.The problem was partly my fault for not checking the new confirmation carefully. I saw 04/04 and just assumed it was the checkout date, not the check-in date. Anyway the night I was packing I realized the error and called to find out there were no rooms at AKL. I spoke to a supervisor, Troy. Troy is my hero. He was able to get us into WL at the same price but I explained that AKL is my favorite resort. Well he kept trying and finally got us one night at AKL. He called us everyday we were at the SWan. Finally, he called Monday afternoon with the good news that we were at AkL for the whole second part of our trip. We didn't have savannah view but standard. However, Troy put in a special request for us at the front desk. When we checked in we were upgraded to a pool view, no savannahs were available. It was still marvelous to be there.

The AKL is fantastic. It was far more crowded than our last visit opening week, but only part of the resort was open then. Boma was still great. One thing I noticed was there were fewer African kids working in Boma and none in Mara. We did have a great waitress, Sally, at Boma. I missed the young African girls working at Boma. They used to talk to us and were really cultural representatives. Now the staff at Mara is no different from any of the other Disney food courts althought the food is still great.

I'll be happy to answer any questions about either resort.

 

[Belle5]

mom23guys2,
When we dined at Boma last month there were several young African girls working and sweetly singing their African songs. It was really wonderful to listen to.

 

[mom23guys2]

There are still a few cultural exchange youg girls and guys from Africa at Boma. Last year the servers were exclusively from Africa, this year there are a lot less.(There seemed to be a changover recently so maybe fewer of these young people came here.) There are still the guides who were charming and helpful. They always had time to chat about their homelands. I just missed seeing them at Mara.

 

[NicsMom1500]

We've been curious to check out the All Star Movies resort. We've stayed at PO FQ, Grand Floridian, WL and AKL.

In December we will be at WL and AKL.

I was thinking of stopping by ASM to do lunch at their food court. We have a son who will be nearly 3 in December.

Can we tell the guard that we are just going for lunch?

Kim

 

[cottontail]

Hello: At the AKL did you need your insect replellent while strolling in the evening or sitting on your balcony? We are heading down in 2 weeks for the first time, can't wait.


Deb.

 

[cottontail]

Oh I thought of another question after I hit the send button. At the swan did they close the grotto pool during your stay for a convention, and was it cold or warm in the grotto pool?

Deb.

 

[Kitty 34]

Glad to hear you had a nice time at both resorts. We enjoyed our stay at the Dolphin but would love to try AKL.

 

[mom23guys2]

Sorry I took so long to anwser but I had to go out of town for a few days after our vaction.
Anyway, I didn't need insect repellent. No no-seeums to be seen or felt. Thank goodness.
They closed the dolphin lap pool while we were there for an Amway south America convention party. The Swan lap pool was open. The grotto pool is cooler than the lap pools. but plenty of people were swimming. I thought both pools at the Swan were cooler than the AKL pool.

If you want to visit the All Stars you just have to say you're going to the food court. Of course we had our Disney AKL parking pass in the window. We just parked at the check-n parking lot and went into the food court. I really do like the Movies food court and The Mara the best of all the quick food options.

 

[kenman]

I was wondering if those cones where in the driveway at the AKL where you pull up to the door! what are they there foor?

 

[Peter Pirate]

there are still a few cultural exchange young girls and guys from Africa at Boma...Last year the servers were exclusively from Africa...

Not to quibble, but again, I think this is a perception. We have stayed at AKL 4 times (between 6/2001 & 12/2001) and we have eaten at Boma on all 4 occasions. NEVER (in our experience) were ALL of the servers at Boma African exchange students. I truly believe it's a hit or miss type game (just like with the animal viewing)...

 

[CRB#33]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for posting.

Can you tell me how you got your upgrade to the balcony? I have a teachers rate for our upcoming trip for a standard room.

Thanks!

 

[mom23guys2]

I joined SPG and although I didn't have any points on my account I just requested a room with a king bed and a balcony if posssible. When I checked in the front desk clerk started to say they had a very nice room ready for us, then he lokked again and said we had a REALLY nice room. I guess we just had a little pixie dust sprinkled on us. The room was large with a sofa sleeper so we had a sitting area in addition to our sleeping accomadations.

I'm not sure why the cones were there but there was also a CM directing car to drop off and pick up people. The limos seemed to be on one side while the cars and vans seemed to be on the other. I'm not sure if this was planned or just a coincidence.

We had only eaten at Boma once before and that was opening week. Although I didn't check every wait staff they all did seem to be cultural representatives(they had African costumes and accents) That may have only been for the first week, the place was crawling with Disney execs. Don't get me wrong, we had a terrific waitress, Sally. The Mara on the other hand also had cultural representative wooking in the dining area. They would take your trays and talk with you if you were interested. This time there weren't any. The place was busier than last year and though well kept I missed the interaction. The CM were the same as any you'd find in the various food courts. The housekeeping staff was still great and friendly.