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

[karmacats]

Also, I think I remember reading somewhere that Boma and Jiko did tours of the restaurants at 4pm before opening for dinner. Am I hallucinating or do they do this?

Yes, they still do this (or did in April). It's at 4 pm, and I think every day. On the list of activities, it's called something like "culinary tour" - maybe "culinary adventure tour" or "culinary discovery" or something similar.

You check in at the Jiko podium (no need to sign up beforehand - just get to Jiko a little before 4). You tour Boma first, then Jiko, and get samples of food at each.

We tried to do it in April but obviously picked the wrong day, as Boma was closed for construction, and Jiko wasn't ready for us at 4 because the tour usually starts at Boma. So, all they did was grab a server to point out a couple of hidden mickeys in Jiko, and then let us try the Taste of Africa, which is a collection of breads and dips. It was delicious, though the whole experience only took about 15 minutes because of the shortened tour, so I was kind of annoyed I had skipped a different 4 pm tour (about the hotel architecture) just for some bread and dip.

We're going to try again in October to see if we get the full-on tour! I think it would have been a blast.

 

[anjalee6]

Hi,

Hoping someone can fill me in.

Staying here for a couple of nights, which should be great.

Was wondering if you can grab a drink (alcoholic and non-alc.) and go out and view the animals from one of the viewing areas? Or are you not allowed to take alcohol out to the viewing areas?


TIA


FD

Yes. You absolutely can. We often get drinks from Victoria Falls which is the lounge/bar at AkL and take our drinks outside, or to the lobby, or we walk back to our room.

 

[fd1972uk]

Superb, thanks for that.


FD

 

[kimmar067]

....you can also purchase alcoholic [and non-alcoholic] drinks at the pool bar...

 

[cheer25mom]

We are doing 1 night offsite before we check in at AKV so we are ofiically in the single digits today. Single digit dance:

 

[whatsarahsaid]

Hello everyone! Just hopping on board as another AKL lover! My husband and I only have 29 more days to go until our trip! Cannnot wait! This thread has been so much fun to read through and hear about everyones great experiences and photos! I'll be sure to do the same after our trip next month!

 

[Reese D]

We are just back from our first stay at AKL. I can't tell you enough how much we loved it. Our two most recent trips have been to the CR and WL, but we have also stayed at the Poly and GF (pre-kids ). AKL is now, by far, our favorite resort. It is absolutely beautiful. It is much more up to date than the CR. While the WL is nice, it can't compare to the AKL. The service was excellent (much better than what I remembered at WL) and every staff member went out of their way to make our visit special.

We ate at Boma and Sanaa (both great) as well as breakfasts and a few lunches at Mara. We were happy with all. The kids loved the pool both at Jambo and at Kidani.

I was worried about bus service, but it was never an issue. We never waited more than a few minutes for a bus both at the resort and at the parks. It is a longer ride to the MK, but we just left a few minutes earlier and it wasn't a problem.

I do like to try new resorts, but it will be hard to convince my husband or kids to stay anywhere else after this vist. I'm ready to plan our next trip to AKL already.

 

[Koh1977]

We are just back from our first stay at AKL. I can't tell you enough how much we loved it. Our two most recent trips have been to the CR and WL, but we have also stayed at the Poly and GF (pre-kids ). AKL is now, by far, our favorite resort. It is absolutely beautiful. It is much more up to date than the CR. While the WL is nice, it can't compare to the AKL. The service was excellent (much better than what I remembered at WL) and every staff member went out of their way to make our visit special.

We ate at Boma and Sanaa (both great) as well as breakfasts and a few lunches at Mara. We were happy with all. The kids loved the pool both at Jambo and at Kidani.

I was worried about bus service, but it was never an issue. We never waited more than a few minutes for a bus both at the resort and at the parks. It is a longer ride to the MK, but we just left a few minutes earlier and it wasn't a problem.

I do like to try new resorts, but it will be hard to convince my husband or kids to stay anywhere else after this vist. I'm ready to plan our next trip to AKL already.

What type of room did you have? Can't wait for our stay!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

....you can also purchase alcoholic [and non-alcoholic] drinks at the pool bar...

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We are just back from our first stay at AKL. I can't tell you enough how much we loved it. Our two most recent trips have been to the CR and WL, but we have also stayed at the Poly and GF (pre-kids ). AKL is now, by far, our favorite resort. It is absolutely beautiful. It is much more up to date than the CR. While the WL is nice, it can't compare to the AKL. The service was excellent (much better than what I remembered at WL) and every staff member went out of their way to make our visit special.

We ate at Boma and Sanaa (both great) as well as breakfasts and a few lunches at Mara. We were happy with all. The kids loved the pool both at Jambo and at Kidani.

I was worried about bus service, but it was never an issue. We never waited more than a few minutes for a bus both at the resort and at the parks. It is a longer ride to the MK, but we just left a few minutes earlier and it wasn't a problem.

I do like to try new resorts, but it will be hard to convince my husband or kids to stay anywhere else after this vist. I'm ready to plan our next trip to AKL already.

I totally agree! We got back from our first stay last week. We were dazzled by the resort. The quality of the room! Omg it was amazing! The resort itself, CM's and animals! Like your good selves we never had an issue with bus waiting times at all. About the same as SSR. My heart now belongs to Kidani! Can't wait to go back! My only critique was having to check out lol..

 

[Reese D]

What type of room did you have? Can't wait for our stay!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

We were in an Arusha Savanah view with 2 Queen beds.

 

[letthewookiewin]

We are doing 1 night offsite before we check in at AKV so we are ofiically in the single digits today. Single digit dance:

Grats on hitting the single digits!! I can't wait until our trip is in the single digits. Heck, I'll be super excited when out countdown is in the double digits.

We are just back from our first stay at AKL. I can't tell you enough how much we loved it. Our two most recent trips have been to the CR and WL, but we have also stayed at the Poly and GF (pre-kids ). AKL is now, by far, our favorite resort. It is absolutely beautiful. It is much more up to date than the CR. While the WL is nice, it can't compare to the AKL. The service was excellent (much better than what I remembered at WL) and every staff member went out of their way to make our visit special.

We ate at Boma and Sanaa (both great) as well as breakfasts and a few lunches at Mara. We were happy with all. The kids loved the pool both at Jambo and at Kidani.

I was worried about bus service, but it was never an issue. We never waited more than a few minutes for a bus both at the resort and at the parks. It is a longer ride to the MK, but we just left a few minutes earlier and it wasn't a problem.

I do like to try new resorts, but it will be hard to convince my husband or kids to stay anywhere else after this vist. I'm ready to plan our next trip to AKL already.

Thanks for the review. Of the resorts we have stayed at so far (which have been the CBR, WL, and Pop Century), the WL has by far been my favorite. When I had to change resorts (since the BC GV rooms weren't on FD) I had a tough time picking between the AKL and WL. I have tried to convince the DH to stay at the AKL for years, but he has refused. This time, he told me to book the AKL. When I get tempted to change it to the WL, he tells me that if I do, he'll cancel the trip. He thinks if I stay there once I will get it out of my system and stop bugging him about it. The thing is, he doesn't look at pictures of the resort like I do. I think staying there will make me love it as much (or possibly more) than the WL. I just know, I can't wait to stay there and find out.

My only critique was having to check out lol..

No matter what resort it is, that is always my biggest issue with it.

 

[CupcakeKelly]

....you can also purchase alcoholic [and non-alcoholic] drinks at the pool bar...

I am using this as my personal happy place as I research federal tax law today. I need to imagine that I'm there, with a nice drink in hand! Thank you!

 

[kimmar067]

....figures...

 

[aVASTGrl]

....you can also purchase alcoholic [and non-alcoholic] drinks at the pool bar...

Now THAT is instant relaxation

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

....figures...

Did you expect anything less from ME???

 

[LoLaRae]

Yes, they still do this (or did in April). It's at 4 pm, and I think every day. On the list of activities, it's called something like "culinary tour" - maybe "culinary adventure tour" or "culinary discovery" or something similar.

You check in at the Jiko podium (no need to sign up beforehand - just get to Jiko a little before 4). You tour Boma first, then Jiko, and get samples of food at each.

We tried to do it in April but obviously picked the wrong day, as Boma was closed for construction, and Jiko wasn't ready for us at 4 because the tour usually starts at Boma. So, all they did was grab a server to point out a couple of hidden mickeys in Jiko, and then let us try the Taste of Africa, which is a collection of breads and dips. It was delicious, though the whole experience only took about 15 minutes because of the shortened tour, so I was kind of annoyed I had skipped a different 4 pm tour (about the hotel architecture) just for some bread and dip.

We're going to try again in October to see if we get the full-on tour! I think it would have been a blast.

Thanks so much! This will be my first solo trip and am looking for some different things to do.

 

[kimmar067]

Did you expect anything less from ME???

....is that a trick question?

 

[John's Mom]

We are doing 1 night offsite before we check in at AKV so we are ofiically in the single digits today. Single digit dance:

 

[John's Mom]

Hope everyone has a safe and fun day!