Mini AKV CC report

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for the report. We're going to do both safaris on our trip. After reading your report I'm even more excited about them! I stayed in an AKL deluxe room once and it had a magnifying mirror attached to the side wall in the vanity area. I was hoping the Concierge rooms would have those. It was a big help given the low lighting.

No makeup mirror, and I know that would have helped immensly. Maybe we can talk them into adding them.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanx for the report, Diane.

I'm wondering if you could help me with a question..
My wife and I are doing the sunset safari (Wanyama??) this coming May. We absolutely LOVE Jiko, but I heard when it's included with the safari it's family style.
Can you describe how your safari meal at Jiko differed from a regular Jiko meal? Was it a full menu? Was alcohol included?

We have no problem doing family style, but we're trying to figure if we want to do a regular Jiko meal in addition.

Thanx!!..

MG

MG, we were a bit worried about this as well, but it was wonderful! The meal IS served family style, but they bring plenty of dishes for all to sample. We had 10 people, and they brought 3 platters of appetizers, 3 platters of each of three different entrys, and 3 platters of 3 desserts each. It was all wonderful. Wine was included, and I believe they brought us 2 or 3 different kinds at different times.

 

[Donald is #1]

MG, we were a bit worried about this as well, but it was wonderful! The meal IS served family style, but they bring plenty of dishes for all to sample. We had 10 people, and they brought 3 platters of appetizers, 3 platters of each of three different entrys, and 3 platters of 3 desserts each. It was all wonderful. Wine was included, and I believe they brought us 2 or 3 different kinds at different times.

Does everyone from the safari sit together? I'd probably do it solo so having a larger group would be nice.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wow, I'd love to do one of the safaris someday! The Sunset is for anyone staying at AKV, right? Is it less costly if you stay in concierge?

Bobbi

I just signed up for it tonight. It is less costly if you're staying concierge, but I really wanted to do it, so I decided not to risk trying to get concierge and am paying the extra. And Donald is #1, I'm also doing it solo (also in May, Maistre Gracey), so I can tell you how it is for a solo when I get back.
Diane, how large a group is there on the sunset safari? He was quoting me figures like "we have spots available for [5 or 7] on [this night]." How many in all? What do they serve you to eat? And unfortunately, I can't drink red wine, so what might I get to drink?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

MG, we were a bit worried about this as well, but it was wonderful! The meal IS served family style, but they bring plenty of dishes for all to sample. We had 10 people, and they brought 3 platters of appetizers, 3 platters of each of three different entrys, and 3 platters of 3 desserts each. It was all wonderful. Wine was included, and I believe they brought us 2 or 3 different kinds at different times.

Thanx, Diane. That's the exact info I needed to know.

MG

 

[VrBchJ]

Thanks for all the great information. Was the Jiko dinner in the Wine Room or the main dining room?

 

[Inkmahm]

Our Jiko dinner was in the main room at the big table in the back in the center. It's an odd size table but easily fits 10 people. The food was served family style and was very good. My only "complaint" would be there was a 12 year old girl and her older sister on the safari with us and this girl had an APPETITE. She cleaned out the shrimp before everyone had a shot at it and probably would have eaten 2 or 3 of the steaks if some of us hadn't pointed out that there was obviously one of every entree for each person. Still, she made comments to her family about how she wanted more steak. I didn't really enjoy sitting next to her.

 

[LisaS]

Diane, do they use real plates, cups and glasses in the concierge lounge or do they use paper plates, paper cups and paper/foam coffee cups? We're staying in a studio on our AKV Concierge trip and with the recent removal of the real glasses and mugs from the studios, I'm wondering if I will be able to borrow some real glasses and coffee mugs from the lounge for use during our stay.

 

[Donald is #1]

And Donald is #1, I'm also doing it solo (also in May, Maistre Gracey), so I can tell you how it is for a solo when I get back.

Awesome! Yes, please let me know. I am thinking about adding it to my list for my December trip.

 

[kgc07]

Diane, do they use real plates, cups and glasses in the concierge lounge or do they use paper plates, paper cups and paper/foam coffee cups? We're staying in a studio on our AKV Concierge trip and with the recent removal of the real glasses and mugs from the studios, I'm wondering if I will be able to borrow some real glasses and coffee mugs from the lounge for use during our stay.

I can't tell you about the use of glasses at the AKV Concierge, but I can tell you at the GF they use plastic cups (for wine) and paper cups (for coffee and milk). The plastic cups hold up well, we took a couple home and wash them in the dishwasher.

 

[BCV23]

Diane, do they use real plates, cups and glasses in the concierge lounge or do they use paper plates, paper cups and paper/foam coffee cups? We're staying in a studio on our AKV Concierge trip and with the recent removal of the real glasses and mugs from the studios, I'm wondering if I will be able to borrow some real glasses and coffee mugs from the lounge for use during our stay.

There are both real glasses, plates, mugs, cups and saucers as well as some plastic and styrofoam to go cups.

kgc07, we've stayed at the club levels at GF several times and have always had real dishes. I wonder if you were there right after a renovation or something? Very unusual I think.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Diane, do they use real plates, cups and glasses in the concierge lounge or do they use paper plates, paper cups and paper/foam coffee cups? We're staying in a studio on our AKV Concierge trip and with the recent removal of the real glasses and mugs from the studios, I'm wondering if I will be able to borrow some real glasses and coffee mugs from the lounge for use during our stay.

There were both kinds. You could take real cups and glasses or the paper or plastic ones if you wanted a lid. We were in a 1 bedroom, so the only time I used anything other than glass or pottery was when I wanted to take tea along with me to the bus stop.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I just signed up for it tonight. It is less costly if you're staying concierge, but I really wanted to do it, so I decided not to risk trying to get concierge and am paying the extra. And Donald is #1, I'm also doing it solo (also in May, Maistre Gracey), so I can tell you how it is for a solo when I get back.
Diane, how large a group is there on the sunset safari? He was quoting me figures like "we have spots available for [5 or 7] on [this night]." How many in all? What do they serve you to eat? And unfortunately, I can't drink red wine, so what might I get to drink?

I look forward to your report. This is something I may be doing solo.
Bobbi

 

[drag n' fly]

Our Jiko dinner was in the main room at the big table in the back in the center. It's an odd size table but easily fits 10 people. The food was served family style and was very good. My only "complaint" would be there was a 12 year old girl and her older sister on the safari with us and this girl had an APPETITE. She cleaned out the shrimp before everyone had a shot at it and probably would have eaten 2 or 3 of the steaks if some of us hadn't pointed out that there was obviously one of every entree for each person. Still, she made comments to her family about how she wanted more steak. I didn't really enjoy sitting next to her.

Are kids allowed? I really want to do this for dh in December for his birthday and not take our three kids with us and just have a nice Mom and Dad evening I was kind of hoping for a nice kid free evening

 

[dianeschlicht]

Are kids allowed? I really want to do this for dh in December for his birthday and not take our three kids with us and just have a nice Mom and Dad evening I was kind of hoping for a nice kid free evening

Children over a specific age (sorry, can't remember what it was) are allowed, but I really don't think it is appropriate. We had 10 adults in our group, and I don't think I would have wanted children there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Diane, which savannah does the concierge lounge face? I am thinking about next March when the Sunset Savannah will not have animals.

I have a DF, who goes to dialysis 3 times a week, so we can have a 2 night maximum visit away from her home town near Daytona FL. It will have to be a Saturday and Sunday night, and her birthday is in March and so, my DSis and I will celebrate her birthday with her. I figured that a 1 bedroom savannah view would be great for our trip. Then I'm reading your report about how wonderful your stay was, even if you didn't have a savannah view, and the concierge lounge would be another place for us to hang out. The food choices sound delicious, even if our friend just eats a bit, it sounds like a wonderful experience.

Our friend doesn't use a wheelchair, except for the parks. She needs lots of rest, and if the only areas for her to view animals will be from the public areas, I think I'd rather go with the savannah view, but if the lounge faces a different savannah, I will try for concierge level for the stay.

She's joining us at the BCV this November when my family will be there, she delights in seeing our DGC, but for this adult trip, I want to do something extra special for her, and I think the AKV is it, but in what accomdation?

Bobbi

 

[BCV23]

The lounge faces the lobby, Bobbi. It's located over the entrance to the lodge if that helps. The view of the lobby is beautiful but no savannah view.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The lounge faces the lobby, Bobbi. It's located over the entrance to the lodge if that helps. The view of the lobby is beautiful but no savannah view.

Oh! wow, thank you, I am surprised.
Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, lounge faces the lobby, BUT...Don't worry too much about those animals being gone from Sunset Savanna. We were told by the animal curator that they are going to try and have the animals there all the time with the possible exception of a few days when they open up the savanna around the new building. Basically, it will be when they take down that fence that is there during the construction period. They only put the warning in the newsletter because they didn't want folks to be too disappointed if they happen to be there just when that is happening.