Just returned from WL (deluxe) and AKL (1 bdrm suite), any questions?

[mistaroo]

We just returned from a fantastic vacation . We stayed at the WL in a deluxe/jr suite room (was able to add concierge) for three nights before moving to a 1 bedroom suite at the AKL. We had great views from each room. We also did the dining plan and made out like bandits. I'll post a trip report on the appropriate board later but in the meantime, any questions?

 

[Joan1]

would love to hear about the concierge food offerings at each resort

Thanks

 

[jjohnson]

I would like to know how you added concierge. Was it offered or did you ask? Do you remember the cost? We're thinking of staying in the junior suite next year. Thanks.

 

[wrldpossibility]

Do you know if you're charged extra for more than 2 adults in the room? Is it spacious? TIA!

Amy

 

[spoon full of sugar]

What is the balcony like with the AKL 1 bedroom, is it the round spacious one? What is the decore like?The pics I saw weren't very impresive.Thinking of doing this for a couple of nights for my mom. I had a CM tell me you can't add concierge to the 1 bedrooms is this true?

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We just returned from a fantastic vacation . We stayed at the WL in a deluxe/jr suite room (was able to add concierge) for three nights before moving to a 1 bedroom suite at the AKL. We had great views from each room. We also did the dining plan and made out like bandits. I'll post a trip report on the appropriate board later but in the meantime, any questions?

LIZ

I am so glad you were able to add Concierge to your Deluxe room.
Was the new Lounge open during your stay? And do you have any photo's?

Can't wait to read your Trip Report.

Beckie

 

[mistaroo]

would love to hear about the concierge food offerings at each resort

Thanks

Joan1- the concierge offerings at both resorts were very nice. We never really ate in the WL during the evening snacks but got some really great berry cobbler during the dessert offerings. I do remember thinking the WL had no where near the number of interesting dishes that the AKL offered. Both resorts offered standard continental breakfast items- croissants, muffins, bagels, danish, fruit, juice, yogurt, cereal, coffee, etc. We unintentionally made a meal out of the evening snacks at AKL. We munched on spice rubbed salmon, moroccan meatballs, bbq ribs, veggie wrap slices, hummus, cheese and crackers, etc. After sampling even just one of each item we were too full to get a meal so we just had an extra taste of our favorite items and called it a night. The WL had soda (coke, sprite, etc) available basically all the time but you sometimes had to ask for it at the AKL because they stock their refrigerator with juices in the morning. I didn't find that to be a problem at all.

 

[mistaroo]

jjohnson- When we made our ressie we were told we could only inquire about adding concierge to the jr suite/deluxe room at check-in, not in advance. When we checked in we asked the CM about adding it. She called the concierge and at first they said they were full but after holding for a couple minutes, we were offered concierge service at the rate of $50 per night for our entire party (3 adults, a 2 yr old and a 1 yr old). Unfortunately, when you have to wait until check in to get concierge, you miss out on the benefit of express check-in so you have to wait in the line. I've heard the jr suites may include concierge in the future but at this time they do not. It is a trek to the lounge from the jr suites. We did have a view of the EWP, geyer, and fireworks though! I don't think all jr suites have this view but we lucked out and got one of the only ones that did .

wrldpossibilities- there was a $25 charge for the third adult in the jr suite at the WL; there was no additional charge for the third adult in the one bedroom suite at the AKL.

I'll be back to answer the other questions in a while after lunch but yes, I did get pics !

 

[jjohnson]

Thank you. Do you remember your room number?

 

[mistaroo]

What is the balcony like with the AKL 1 bedroom, is it the round spacious one? What is the decore like?The pics I saw weren't very impresive.Thinking of doing this for a couple of nights for my mom. I had a CM tell me you can't add concierge to the 1 bedrooms is this true?

The balcony was huge but not round as we asked to be on the second floor closest to the animals. The round balcony is only available on the top floor. The decor was really nice and I have some pics I will share once I figure out how to do it. Concierge service is included with the 1 bedroom suite at AKL. It does not come with the jr suite/deluxe room at the WL (the only way to get concierge access is to ask at check in and even then they can say no).

 

[mistaroo]

LIZ

I am so glad you were able to add Concierge to your Deluxe room.
Was the new Lounge open during your stay? And do you have any photo's?

Can't wait to read your Trip Report.

Beckie

Hi Beckie- yea, I was happy about that! Thanks for your help

Yes, the new lounge was open. It is very nice with a really cute theme but the logs still really smell like turpentine (at least that is what it smelled like to me). I do have photos but unfortunately forgot to take one looking down the length of the lounge. I have a nice one of the carved bear and side entrance though. I'll post as soon as I figure out how.

jjohnson, it was room 5166. We were offered one on the second floor but it did not have the direct bay view we wanted (it was only halfway down the wing). Seeing the electric water pagent from the room was important to us but trees blocked the views from many of the jr suites though. I feel lucky we got the room we did. One balcony was the cutout type, the other SRO balcony was the wrought iron. My kids had no trouble looking out but there is a gap in the WL balcony floor that could be dangerous for very little children(the concrete floor ends a couple inches before the rail starts leaving a gap) even under constant supervision. The gap wasn't big enough for his whole body to fall through but his leg and foot would have easily fit if he stepped on the gap. I don't know if this is a problem to only this room or not but thought I'd mention it.

 

[spoon full of sugar]

Thanks mistaroo. Glad you had such a magical stay! Can't wait for your pics. One other ?. How much was the 1 bedroom at AKL with concierge? The man at ressie told me I couldn't have concierge with this room. Wondering if the price he quoted me and yours was the same?

 

[Frank_M]

Great post. Sounds like you had a terrific time!

5166 sounds like a nice room! I don't understand what you mean about two balconies, though. We're heading down next week (wow!) and last time our junior suite was on the short side of the buidling... so we had a great view of the pool area, and an ok view of the bay (actually.. a great view, but just of a section of it). We were on the 3rd floor.

Can you explain more about this room? Were you on the corner? Or am I misunderstanding about the two balcony thing?

Also... anyone know the best way to request a specific room at the WL these days?

 

[mistaroo]

OK, here is my feeble attempt at photos. I didn't put them in any particular order but here they are anyway. There is a "panoramic" series of the view from the WL room. We could see the geyser, some fireworks, and had an unparalleled view of the electric water pagent. Please forgive the quality of some of them. I may have more soon as I took more video than photos and can get some still shots from the camcorder if I figure out how

Mistaroo's DIS photo gallery. I have an album for the WL, AKL, and b-day treats/desserts.

Frank- the jr suite was on the end of the wing and on the corner. There was a regular balcony off the sitting room and a standing room only balcony off the bedroom. The bedroom windows were on the courtyard side whereas the sitting room looked out directly on the bay. Boy that sounds confusing...does that make any sense? I posted a photo of our room from the outside so maybe that will help you see what I mean. HTH

 

[jjohnson]

Thanks for the pics! Great room & view.

 

[mistaroo]

Thanks mistaroo. Glad you had such a magical stay! Can't wait for your pics. One other ?. How much was the 1 bedroom at AKL with concierge? The man at ressie told me I couldn't have concierge with this room. Wondering if the price he quoted me and yours was the same?

oops, almost forgot to respond, sorry. The 1 bedroom suite at AKL cost $640 per night and concierge was automatically included, no question about it. The "similar" room at WL (separate bedroom and sitting romm but much, much smaller and no second bathroom) is considerably cheaper and does not include concierge. HTH

 

[LeesyUD]

Overall which hotel did you like better?

 

[mistaroo]

Overall which hotel did you like better?

Overall I liked the AKL better. We wanted to try a new resort and needed a jr suite so we chose the WL. I wasn't a huge fan of the WL but it isn't anything I can put my finger on. There wasn't anything wrong there or anything; maybe the theme just isn't my favorite, I don't know.

The AKL concierge really made our first DS's b-day special (they are a fantastic bunch of CMs- the best!) so that is why we returned for our other DS's b-day. Otherwise, we will be staying at the Poly until our boys are out of the double stroller. The monorail is just too darn convenient.