Our Most Excellent Trip to AKV!

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

We had a super fun family vacation last week at AKV. I can't say enough about the concierge staff and service on the 6th floor. It was amazing and it made this trip really special for us. We were in a savanna view studio for the first two nights and then checked in to a 1br pool view for 3 nights after that. Check in and check out was a breeze considering we were just moving from one side of the 6th floor to the other. I was surprised that our 1br was ready for us to check in to at 9am so I'm figuring that it was probably unoccupied from the night before. We (Me,DW, DS12, DD8) felt a bit cramped in the studio so the space in the 1br was much appreciated by all of us.

We had breakfast in the lounge every morning. Although by the end of the trip we may have just picked up some food and came back to the room with it once. Dinner foods and desserts were soooo tasty. Are they from Jiko or Boma or both? We had turn down service all but one night but only had a USA Today at our door on 2 mornings. Not that it made a difference, there was at least one or 2 copies available in the lounge. But really the house keeping to me was incredible. They actually loaded and ran the dishwasher for us and folded my daughters pajamas too!

If you get the chance, you must do the Sunrise Safari. Highlights inlcuded the safari itself of course, the short ride backstage to get into the park, and the breakfast at the end! Having an hour or so on the safari was amazing opportunity for pictures and to learn about the animals. We went on the ride again later in the day and it really couldn't compare to what we experienced in the morning.

We ate at lunch at LeCellier and at San Angel in Mexico, and dinner at Kona Cafe. All the other dinners were in the lounge. Although once I had to get something at the Mara because we got to the lounge a little later and they were cleaning up and getting ready for the desserts. We had picked up lunch at the Mara a couple of times too.

This is getting a little long I guess but like I said, it was a super fun family vacation.

 

[sweetminnie]

It was nice to hear of your wonderful stay. I am looking forward to my concierge visit so I love to read these trip reports.

I must confess, I am a dessert girl and was pleased to hear that the desserts were very enjoyable.

You had the opportunity to stay at both sides of the concierge rooms, savanna and pool view. I am curious to know of what your view preference was?

Thanks for sharing your trip report, they really are good to read and helpful as well.

 

[LisaS]

If you want to take your breakfast back to your room, are there trays available?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Glad you all had such a great time. I'm afraid AKV isn't on our radar yet, but still looking forward to it.

 

[RLRDA]

Thanks for the report......I've said that I'd like to try a concierge villa once (or more!) but DH isn't convinced it's worth the extra points. I think we'd all enjoy one of the special safaris they offer. Are the sunrise safari and sunset safari the same - except for the time of day, of course? Are they really expensive $$$ ?

Glad you had a wonderful trip!

 

[pyrxtc]

Glad to hear it all went well, especially since we'll be there on SUNDAY!! WooHoo! Don't even have to count the days or give a date we're so close, I just have to say the day!! I can't wait!!

 

[LadyKay]

Happy you had a nice family vacation! When staying in a Villa concierge level, did you have daily housekeeping?

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

You had the opportunity to stay at both sides of the concierge rooms, savanna and pool view. I am curious to know of what your view preference was?

I liked the pool view better but only because of the Kidani construction going on. We did have a giraffe and an ostrich within close view with the savanna view but the construction cranes and the ongoing work just made it more relaxing to be looking out at the pool.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

If you want to take your breakfast back to your room, are there trays available?

No, there are no trays in the lounge. Being on the 6th floor, definitely has it's advantages. One of which is the ease with which you can be back in your room after a visit to the lounge. We brought the dinner appetizers/desserts back to our room sometimes too. On our last day, housekeeping loaded up the dishwasher with our plates and silverware from the lounge.

First, I was confused when I saw people getting off the elevators and coming into the lounge because I thought that concierge service was only for guests on the 6th floor but then I found out that concierge is also on the 4th floor for cash customers. It would be harder to manuever onto an elevator with food down to the 4th floor without a tray.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Thanks for the report......I've said that I'd like to try a concierge villa once (or more!) but DH it's convinced it's worth the extra points. I think we'd all enjoy one of the special safaris they offer. Are the sunrise safari and sunset safari the same - except for the time of day, of course? Are they really expensive $$$ ?

Glad you had a wonderful trip!

I would definitely say it was worth the extra points. The safaris are different and the Sunset one is more expensive but everyone says that one is great too. I think the Sunrise safari was around $200 for the four of us.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Happy you had a nice family vacation! When staying in a Villa concierge level, did you have daily housekeeping?

There was one day where we didn't have turn down service or housekeeping. I think it was our second day there.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Glad to hear it all went well, especially since we'll be there on SUNDAY!! WooHoo! Don't even have to count the days or give a date we're so close, I just have to say the day!! I can't wait!!

You are gonna LOVE it! Have a blast!

 

[LisaS]

I think we'd all enjoy one of the special safaris they offer. Are the sunrise safari and sunset safari the same - except for the time of day, of course? Are they really expensive $$$ ?

The Sunrise Safari takes place in AK (the park) in the Kilamanjaro Safari ride vehicles. It costs $55 for adults (ages 10+), kids price is less, and it includes a breakfast buffet. Park admission is required. The Wanyama (aka Sunset) Safari takes place on the three savannas at AKL/AKV. They take you out in the savannas in special vehicles and you get close up views of the animals at AKL/AKV. It costs $160 for adults (10+), about half that for kids aged 8-9 (8 is the minimum age for this safari) and includes a group dinner at Jiko. Non-Concierge guests at AKL/AKV can sign up for the Wanyama safari but it costs $50 more per adult (not sure what the extra charge is for kids).

 

[RLRDA]

The Sunrise Safari takes place in AK (the park) in the Kilamanjaro Safari ride vehicles. It costs $55 for adults (ages 10+), kids price is less, and it includes a breakfast buffet. Park admission is required. The Wanyama (aka Sunset) Safari takes place on the three savannas at AKL/AKV. They take you out in the savannas in special vehicles and you get close up views of the animals at AKL/AKV. It costs $160 for adults (10+), about half that for kids aged 8-9 (8 is the minimum age for this safari) and includes a group dinner at Jiko. Non-Concierge guests at AKL/AKV can sign up for the Wanyama safari but it costs $50 more per adult (not sure what the extra charge is for kids).

Thanks for the info! We just watched a Travel Channel show called 'Disney Splurge' (or something similar) and one of the families did the Sunset Safari and it looked like they were roaming the resort grounds. I thought both were on the Kilamanjaro savanna, so, good to know they're different. I think we'd end up doing the Sunrise Safari (we have 1 kiddo still under 8 -- plus it's less $$) Now I just have to convince my DH!

 

[sweetminnie]

Thanks for the reply and opinion Robo-Daddy 3000.

I am thinking along the same lines and imagine I would prefer to relax with the pool view too considering the background construction.

I am now hoping I will receive a pool view. I'm sure though I will enjoy whatever view I end up with.

 

[LisaS]

First, I was confused when I saw people getting off the elevators and coming into the lounge because I thought that concierge service was only for guests on the 6th floor but then I found out that concierge is also on the 4th floor for cash customers. It would be harder to maneuver onto an elevator with food down to the 4th floor without a tray.

Yes, the hotel concierge guests used to stay on the 6th and 5th floors. Now that AKV has taken over those two floors the hotel concierge guests stay on the 4th floor.

Thanks for the response about the trays.

 

[kgc07]

It sounds like you had a great stay. I have have less than a months wait before we are there. Did they stock your room with body wash or were you only given bar soap?

 

[buckeyebill1995]

The Sunrise Safari takes place in AK (the park) in the Kilamanjaro Safari ride vehicles. It costs $55 for adults (ages 10+), kids price is less, and it includes a breakfast buffet. Park admission is required. The Wanyama (aka Sunset) Safari takes place on the three savannas at AKL/AKV. They take you out in the savannas in special vehicles and you get close up views of the animals at AKL/AKV. It costs $160 for adults (10+), about half that for kids aged 8-9 (8 is the minimum age for this safari) and includes a group dinner at Jiko. Non-Concierge guests at AKL/AKV can sign up for the Wanyama safari but it costs $50 more per adult (not sure what the extra charge is for kids).

We just booked the Sunset Safari for October. They charged us $210 per adult and $80 for our DD. Hope this helps!

Loved reading the report -- now I'm more excited about our trip than ever!

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

It sounds like you had a great stay. I have have less than a months wait before we are there. Did they stock your room with body wash or were you only given bar soap?

The bathrooms had bars of soap, shower gel, shampoo, mouthwash, conditioner, and toothbrushes!

 

[disneymom8589]

The concierge level is fantastic! DH and I spent one night in a 1 bdrm. SV room on the 6th floor. The other nights were in a regular 1 bdrm. SV. The lounge was relaxing and the food was delicious. Glad you enjoyed your stay!