Number 9 is really FINE! Welcome to AKL LITE - the 'unofficial' FAQ Thread

[RachelTori]

personally, I would keep the split stay, but we don't mind moving to another hotel (especially since they move your bags for you while you play!). I really want to try the Poly though, and stay on the monorail line! If the days you would be there are your MK days that would seal the deal for me personally, and I love the AKL! Best of both worlds!

I agree with this -- especially for a young family!

flinkerfrosch -- Your family will have a wonderful time, no matter which option you choose. I love AKL and it is my favorite resort, but you can't beat the monorail resorts for convenience to MK! (I have stayed at them all, but of the 3 MK resorts, I would choose Poly in a heartbeat! )

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Turk February]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when doing online check-in and making room requests (I have a savannah view), wouldn't requesting a room near the lobby double as a Sunset view request as well since all rooms near the lobby are Sunset view? To me this request seems like 2 for the price of 1, yea?

 

[RachelTori]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when doing online check-in and making room requests (I have a savannah view), wouldn't requesting a room near the lobby double as a Sunset view request as well since all rooms near the lobby are Sunset view? To me this request seems like 2 for the price of 1, yea?

No because Arusha is near lobby too! Sunset Savannah will put you on one side of Kudu Trail or Ostrich Trail; Arusha is on both Kudu and Zebra Trails. In fact, there are more Arusha Savannah rooms than Sunset Savannah rooms at Jambo House.

Here's a map (although it's an older version, the room configuration is still the same!): http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm

 

[Turk February]

No because Arusha is near lobby too! Sunset Savannah will put you on one side of Kudu Trail or Ostrich Trail; Arusha is on both Kudu and Zebra Trails. In fact, there are more Arusha Savannah rooms than Sunset Savannah rooms at Jambo House.

Here's a map (although it's an older version, the room configuration is still the same!): http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm

I really should have been more specific and mentioned that I'm staying at Kidani Village, sorry! That said, would my assumption be correct?

 

[t_daniels]

Sooooo exciting!!!
Yes they do have the door tags. And I recommend it for coffee as the in room coffee is nasty! I drink hospital industrial stuff daily and it tastes like Starbucks comparatively.

What, what what?!

This is my third stay at AKL, and I had no earthly idea you could do this for coffee.

I'm afraid that the resort QS coffee won't be replaced by Joffrey's in time for our trip (Shame, I have a reusable mug ordered... ) . So, I'd love to do this.

Are the forms in the room? Or do you have to ask for them?

 

[RachelTori]

I really should have been more specific and mentioned that I'm staying at Kidani Village, sorry! That said, would my assumption be correct?

Sorry about that! In that case, I'd say you are correct!

Another map (again, probably not the latest version! )

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/Kindani_Village_Map.jpg

(and I'm not sure why the misspelling of "Kidani" in the link! )

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I agree with this -- especially for a young family!

flinkerfrosch -- Your family will have a wonderful time, no matter which option you choose. I love AKL and it is my favorite resort, but you can't beat the monorail resorts for convenience to MK! (I have stayed at them all, but of the 3 MK resorts, I would choose Poly in a heartbeat! )

Let us know what you decide!

Thank-you for your advice

I've ran some numbers, and decided on this...

*5 nights AKL and 4 nights at the Poly (so I saved some $$ staying an extra night at AKL vs the Poly)
*Ive managed to save myself almost $800 in total by purchasing the DP in the first 5 nights, buying the 5 day park tickets in the first reservation vs splitting it up and buying 4 day then 1 day (saved almost $300 right there)
*I will not purchase the dining plan the 4 nights at the Poly, and pay OOP for 2 of our ADR's.
All and all, I save $$ and we still get the best of both worlds!!! Yay!!

We are very excited, and thank you, and everyone for the help/advice!

 

[flinkerfrosch]

personally, I would keep the split stay, but we don't mind moving to another hotel (especially since they move your bags for you while you play!). I really want to try the Poly though, and stay on the monorail line! If the days you would be there are your MK days that would seal the deal for me personally, and I love the AKL! Best of both worlds!

We did decide on the split stay

We changed some things around a bit, and still get the best of both worlds!!

Thanks for your help!

 

[kamjamjameve]

Getting so close now, hope those arriving before us have a great trip there.
I am trying to get our room preference, but Im' having a horrible time with my phone not working and am awaiting chat to see if I can't get it that way.
xx finger xx

 

[RachelTori]

Thank-you for your advice

I've ran some numbers, and decided on this...

*5 nights AKL and 4 nights at the Poly (so I saved some $$ staying an extra night at AKL vs the Poly)
*Ive managed to save myself almost $800 in total by purchasing the DP in the first 5 nights, buying the 5 day park tickets in the first reservation vs splitting it up and buying 4 day then 1 day (saved almost $300 right there)
*I will not purchase the dining plan the 4 nights at the Poly, and pay OOP for 2 of our ADR's.
All and all, I save $$ and we still get the best of both worlds!!! Yay!!

We are very excited, and thank you, and everyone for the help/advice!

I think that was a great decision! You will have to come back here and tell us all about your trip! It will magical, I'm sure!

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I think that was a great decision! You will have to come back here and tell us all about your trip! It will magical, I'm sure!

Thank-you! It does feel good to get it all sorted out

I promise to post how our trip was when we return!!!

Thanks again,
Cheers

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Thank-you! It does feel good to get it all sorted out

I promise to post how our trip was when we return!!!

Thanks again,
Cheers

Just came back to reply to you---I are you made a decision. Looks great!!! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Side note re the car---we never used to rent one but my DH insisted we do so a few trips ago and I love it. We won't for our 4 day trip in Oct, but we are only doing 2 park days. Anything longer and we do a car no matter the resort. I hate waiting for buses now . Spoiled!

 

[dgbg100106]

I paid my oldest dd to go up to the Kilimanjaro Club on more than one occasion to get me am coffee .

Well after Brandi's link re: the AK anniversary I spent (way to much) time trying to find a way to make it work. The best I could do was $189/ night at the dolphin (AKL was over $400!!) and flights were $360 per person. no extra trip for me. I decided to take that $ and put it into the Disney acct I have at ING. That will make a dent in the DL Paris trip my dd asked for.

Sorry it did not work for you, but I like that idea, that you are saving up to take me to Paris with you...

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

Hahaha, thanks!!!

We do plan on spending 3 different days at MK. 1 of them was when we were at AKL, the other 2 while at the Poly.
One thing we did really want to do was rent a sea racer, but do you know if you have to be a guest at the hotel to be able to rent one?
We don't plan on doing Epcot this trip. It will be for the next trip in a few years.
Seeing the castle, being on the beach, watching the fireworks/water parade are all wonderful things to be able to do while at the Poly, and I'm just so torn whether going to the Poly to "visit" and see all these things would be good enough? MY DH says yes, its good enough. He thinks we should stay put at AKL, but I can never keep my head from wandering and wondering what it would be like to stay at 2 different resorts. They are both so different, and beautiful!!
Packing up doesn't really bother us. I never actually "unpack" cause I'm SO paranoid of the bed bug thing, I drive myself crazy!
Thank you so much for your input and advice. It really helps when I hear from people that have been to AKL or both and can give me reasons to stay or split stay that I haven't even thought of!
Cheers

OK - I'm going to agree....KEEP the split stay. In September, we're doing a night at the AKL (because we all love it so much) but then the rest of the trip at BLT/Contemporary. I can't argue with the convenience and coolness factor for the kids of the monorail. My daughter counts that as a "ride" she loves it so much. So we do the BLT stay for the longer part and for our Magic Kingdom days and then AKL for our AK/Epcot days.... so it will definitely work and you will have a great time. I think you will really enjoy both and they are so different...but AMAZING...in their own ways. And if you won't be back for a few years, get the best of both worlds!

We usually drive so we always have a car. But we typically park it and use it maybe once or twice the whole trip. Not worth is to us but everyone is different.....

Have a BLAST!!! And resist the urge to rethink your resort decision. Consider it done and now you are on to ADRs (which it sounds like you are in good shape) or speculation on when the new Mine Train will open....much healthier!

 

[mara61]

Thank-you for your advice

I've ran some numbers, and decided on this...

*5 nights AKL and 4 nights at the Poly (so I saved some $$ staying an extra night at AKL vs the Poly)
*Ive managed to save myself almost $800 in total by purchasing the DP in the first 5 nights, buying the 5 day park tickets in the first reservation vs splitting it up and buying 4 day then 1 day (saved almost $300 right there)
*I will not purchase the dining plan the 4 nights at the Poly, and pay OOP for 2 of our ADR's.
All and all, I save $$ and we still get the best of both worlds!!! Yay!!

We are very excited, and thank you, and everyone for the help/advice!

I'm wondering if perhaps you decided to add those hoppers? Only reason I ask is, as we all know kids are unpredictable sometimes and the day you pick to go to a park might not work for the kids, but later in the day might but then it could be a "bad" park time as in crowds, etc. so your stuck. We used to always do hoppers and then a couple years ago when we were finally able to get back to DW, I opted not to, to save some money. It was not a good idea for our family. It was well worth the extra money last year to just add it on and save some stress. I know not hopping works for many people but for us it just doesn't. We do take afternoon breaks, sometimes we go back to the same park but sometimes we choose to go else where.

Regardless though, I'm sure you will have a blast. You seem to like to plan, so perhaps you have the park days/details all set to go.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I entertained splitting between AKL and GF..but I thought I would rather just unpack and stay in one spot for this trip. Seems feel like "home" for the week.

In other news..I am checked in this morning!! 60 days!!!!!!

 

[dgbg100106]

I entertained splitting between AKL and GF..but I thought I would rather just unpack and stay in one spot for this trip. Seems feel like "home" for the week.

In other news..I am checked in this morning!! 60 days!!!!!!

Whoop! On the check in

 

[aVASTGrl]

Hi all, I am so glad I found this thread!

I will be staying at AKL July 30-Aug 4th with my family (4 Disney-crazed adults) as a treat for surviving Grandma's 90th Birthday party/family reunion

I stayed at AKL once before with my sister back in 2007. We absolutely fell in love with this beautiful resort, and are so excited to stay again, it really felt like home for us

Have there been any major resort changes I should know about since my last stay?

 

[dgbg100106]

Hi all, I am so glad I found this thread!

I will be staying at AKL July 30-Aug 4th with my family (4 Disney-crazed adults) as a treat for surviving Grandma's 90th Birthday party/family reunion

I stayed at AKL once before with my sister back in 2007. We absolutely fell in love with this beautiful resort, and are so excited to stay again, it really felt like home for us

Have there been any major resort changes I should know about since my last stay?

Congrats on your stay and I have added you to the list.

July
Marinolichfamily, 5th – 13th, AKV
Polynesian27, 5th – 13th, Kidani
mamaprincess, 7th – 12th, BWV
sharon78, 8th-18th, AKL
mamaprincess, 12th – 18th, AKV Jambo
Z28KatCar, 18th - Aug1st, AKL CL
tinkermama117, 21st – 26th, Jambo House
Anjalee6, 29th – Aug 3rd, AKL
aVASTGrl, 30th – Aug 4th, AKL
The Marsons, 31st – Aug 4th, AKL Jambo

 

[jillmc40]

Thank-you for your advice

I've ran some numbers, and decided on this...

*5 nights AKL and 4 nights at the Poly (so I saved some $$ staying an extra night at AKL vs the Poly)
*Ive managed to save myself almost $800 in total by purchasing the DP in the first 5 nights, buying the 5 day park tickets in the first reservation vs splitting it up and buying 4 day then 1 day (saved almost $300 right there)
*I will not purchase the dining plan the 4 nights at the Poly, and pay OOP for 2 of our ADR's.
All and all, I save $$ and we still get the best of both worlds!!! Yay!!

We are very excited, and thank you, and everyone for the help/advice!

Can I just throw one more thing out there to you? I don't remember when you are going, but have you looked into renting points for the 5 nights at AKL? We rented points for the first time and OMG! It was super easy, way cheaper, and I thought it was really a great way to go. I used Davids rentals and if you are far enough out it shouldn't be a problem to get AKL. You can add the DP to a point rental, and you can buy your tickets through undercover tourist to save a few more bucks (especially if you do it before price increase)...Anyway, I saw you wanted to save a little money and thought I would throw in my 2 cents