Planning AKL

[mom2febgirls]

Hi

My first trip to WDW was Feb 2003. We did it as cheap as we could and had a great time.

Now we're planning to go next year and Dh requested I look into AKL. Also, when we mentioned we were going, my Mom wants to come along and bring my niece/nephews. That is fine with us.

I have 2 questions.

One, how many people can a 2 room suite sleep? There will be 4 adults and 7 children (14,9,9,7,4,4,3)

Second, I don't know much about concierge level, but I am interested if it enhances our vacation.

Thanks so much,
Angelique

 

[nordtrjr]

Hello Angelique -

I'm not sure I am best to answer your questions but I'm in a similar situtation as yours. My family and I (DW, 3 kids) went for our first trip last year "on the cheap" as well and had a great time. We had dinner at Boma's one night and after spending some time at the AKL (we were staying at CBR) my wife said to me, "on our next trip this is where I want to stay".

Well, we have just booked our next trip (Feb. '05) at AKL and my parents are commig with us. Total of 4 adults and 3 kids. I looked into a "suite" for all of us but it was very expensive. I also was uneasy about all of us being in one "room" for 8 days. So I found that two deluxe rooms were cheeper then one suit anyway so that is the way we decided to go. One room for my parents and one for me and my family.

As for the concereige level, we did book concereige rooms. My parents are used to staying at really good hotels with high qualty service. Also, after reading about all you get (such as the lounge and their abilty to make PS arrangmetns for you) I decided to pay the extra $$ and go with concereige. By the way, you have to be a concereige guest to partake in the "Sunrise Safari" which is something we all wanted to do to begin with.

So in answer to your questions:

1. I'm not sure a 2 room suit would be big enough for 11 people. I think you can go to a 3 room suit but that would be very expensive. Your best bet may be several rooms next to each other on the same floor.

2. Concereige would be of benefit to you if you'd like to have the use of the lounge with their complementry drinks and snacks and the use of their "planning" staff to make all your PS and event arrangments.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

The suites have one bed in the master bedroom, a queen bed and a bunkbed in the second bedroom...and to be honest, I can't remember if the couch is a daybed. It's a pretty nice floorplan.

Concierge is really, really nice IMHO. They have everything waiting for you the minute you pull up to the Lodge. They have a continental breakfast in the morning, tea time in the afternoon, and plenty of snacks throughout the day. It's very peaceful up there, and the Concierge CMs are wonderful.

 

[litlpixie]

AKL CL, as my 13yr old DS says "Rocks". The concierge staff was wonderful...From making last minute PS's at "hard to get on Easter Week" Restaurants to helping me track down my lost video camera! The lounge is stocked w/ incredible goodies and you cant beat that Cappacino machine!! I cant wait to go back!! It was our first experience w/ concierge and they did not let us down!!!

 

[mom2febgirls]

Thanks. I think we're going to splurge and go Concierge.

Are there ever discounts on concierge rooms?

Thanks

 

[DutchsMommy]

They do discount concierge rooms, more so in Value season - I think you mentioned February 2005, which is value. We are going to AKL in Feb as well, concierge, and are really hoping for a discount. If it doesn't happen, we're OK with that, but judging by 2004 I think our chances are pretty good.

Also - FYI the Suites at the AKL are at the end of the hallway which can be a bit of a walk to the lounge etc. I think connecting rooms would be the way to go. That way you also get more bathroom-room, probably really important with that many kiddies!

 

[PRaffen]

We booked AKL concierge for this August with the AAA discount which gave us approximately $25 off each night's rate. When the AZR code came out for August I applied that discount and it took another $$12/$13 off the night's rate.