Ok, someone needs to educate me on the CL at the AKL

[SL6827]

Mostly on the times with the food! LoL. No really, its all about the food, won't need any thing in regards to planning things. So any expert on this wish to enlighten me?

 

[gillep]

I have a few pictures from January.



Offerings (sorry I was in a rush and never took a better picture):


Signature Beverages:


Vitafunio (Safari Snacks) 11:30am-3:00pm

 

[gillep]

Offerings:

MACHEO (sunrise offering) 6:30- Coffee and assorted juices

MIAMKO (adventurous awakenings) 7:00am-10:30am- fresh fruits, juices, pastries, cereals (also has yogurt, oatmeal)

VITAFUNIO (Safari Snacks) 11:30am-3:00pm- selection of snacks and beverages (pics above show dips and breads, trail mix, cookies, soup/stew, gummy bears, coffee, tea, juices)

CHAI (afternoon tea) 3:00pm-4:30pm-tea and baked treats

KISIKUSIKU (twilight offerings) 5:00pm-7:00pm- wines, hors d'oeuvres, and a variety of apps from Jiko and Boma (there is a stand with a couple hot dishes usually including a soup or stew from Boma)

REHEMA (evening indulgences) 8:00pm-10:00pm- desserts and cordials


One of the CL regulars who does great reviews is at AKL CL right now and said he will be doing a full write up when he returns over on the Resorts CL board so I would keep an eye over there for better pics and descriptions.

 

[disneynutz]

Nice to do at least once, after that you can decide if it's worth it. In the mornings it can get crowded, the lounge is used by all CL guests at the resort, not just the DVC.

Bill

 

[SL6827]

Nice to do at least once, after that you can decide if it's worth it. In the mornings it can get crowded, the lounge is used by all CL guests at the resort, not just the DVC.

Bill

If its worth it? Bill, we have never been able to afford CL and will never be able to do so in the future. This was a once in a lifetime thing for us. And we have been going to Disney since 2005. I'm feeling truly blessed! I was able to snag two nights because of what we think was a room released back into inventory from most likely needing work done on it, and that is the only reason I got it. So I know it is worth it for us to at least say we got the chance to experience it at least once.

 

[SL6827]

One of the CL regulars who does great reviews is at AKL CL right now and said he will be doing a full write up when he returns over on the Resorts CL board so I would keep an eye over there for better pics and descriptions.

I seen that, will keep an eye out for it.

 

[disneynutz]

If its worth it? Bill, we have never been able to afford CL and will never be able to do so in the future. This was a once in a lifetime thing for us. And we have been going to Disney since 2005. I'm feeling truly blessed! I was able to snag two nights because of what we think was a room released back into inventory from most likely needing work done on it, and that is the only reason I got it. So I know it is worth it for us to at least say we got the chance to experience it at least once.

Worth the extra cost is what I meant. We have stayed CL there a couple of times, it was okay but just okay. We had room issues like any other room so no special treatment there. They missed our room cleaning one day, the concierge in the lounge wasn't very helpful and sometimes the food was picked over and not restocked after the rush. Now this was a few years ago so things may have improved so don't let our experience turn you off. That is why I said the you need to experience it for yourself. Now thinking about it, our experience with CL is one of the reasons why we sold 5 of our 6 AKV contracts.

Bill

 

[gillep]

For us, it is worth it. The lounge was also re-organized a year or two ago so there are more tables now because the space is being used in a much better way than before, so it isn't nearly as crowded as it used to be and is much easier to get a table, the nice thing about the DVC rooms too is that if you don't want to look for a table your room is just a few steps away. The evening hors d'oeuvres have also really stepped up in the past couple years with the little cooking station and the chef plating the food right there. There were a couple years there (2014-2016 ish) where the service and offerings really went downhill terribly, but the last two years have been so much better, with this year being the best yet. It all depends on what you are looking for in a stay, but we have gone back to AKL-CL every year for about nine years and it continues to be our most anticipated annual trip.

 

[wdw4rfam]

If its worth it? Bill, we have never been able to afford CL and will never be able to do so in the future. This was a once in a lifetime thing for us. And we have been going to Disney since 2005. I'm feeling truly blessed! I was able to snag two nights because of what we think was a room released back into inventory from most likely needing work done on it, and that is the only reason I got it. So I know it is worth it for us to at least say we got the chance to experience it at least once.

We snagged 5 nights on a whim in a CL studio. After a ton of research, and my daughter being able to join us, we gave it up for a 2 bedroom. I know it was a once in a lifetime opportunity - and it was like hitting the DVC lotto. But the more I thought about it, we were more caught up in that thought than realizing we could have a 2 bedroom with way more room and washer/dryer which in our family is way more important than free snacks. But I can’t say it still stings that I gave it up.

 

[Best Aunt]

It's been several years, but I remember finding a small fridge which had cans of soda in it. I liked grabbing a can to take back to my room. It was on the side where the safari view rooms are. Mentioning it so that you can look for it. I think there were other types of drinks in there as well.

 

[SL6827]

We snagged 5 nights on a whim in a CL studio. After a ton of research, and my daughter being able to join us, we gave it up for a 2 bedroom. I know it was a once in a lifetime opportunity - and it was like hitting the DVC lotto. But the more I thought about it, we were more caught up in that thought than realizing we could have a 2 bedroom with way more room and washer/dryer which in our family is way more important than free snacks. But I can’t say it still stings that I gave it up.

Was this yesterday? For the month of June, July?

 

[gillep]

It's been several years, but I remember finding a small fridge which had cans of soda in it. I liked grabbing a can to take back to my room. It was on the side where the safari view rooms are. Mentioning it so that you can look for it. I think there were other types of drinks in there as well.

Yes, there is a refrigerator always stocked with drinks while the lounge is open. In the morning there is limited soda, juices, yogurt, milk/chocolate milk and in the afternoon they remove the yogurt and most of the other items and put in more soda varieties, in the evening they add beer and I believe cider although I may be imagining that as I stick to the wine and specialty beverages.

The fridge has moved though, and now it is more centrally located in the lounge so that you can't really miss it.

 

[pangyal]

We stay CL at AKL three to five times a year and I confess, we’ve never stayed at AKL in a regular room. I have food allergies and DS is super picky, so it saves us a LOT of money on breakfasts, dinner (now that they sporadically have kid-oriented food out for dinner) and of course the mimosas! Congrats on scoring the room, I saw the availability open wide for that last week of June a few days ago (and am amazed that the 1BD is still there for a few nights )!

The staff is lovely and it’s so nice to just sit and relax in the morning instead of rush off to a QS or TS breakfast somewhere, and the coffee machine (when functional) is awesome.

They went through a phase where the chef would only plate one app at a time and I think they received a lot of complaints as dinner service would get really backed up, so now they plate multiples again.

They recently started putting out beer and cider for self-serve during the dinner hours as well as the wines.

You can look up the menu online, it doesn’t change from month to month, it seems. Have fun!