Wow - I just read over this whole thread... lots of great info on concierge stays.
I dredged up my AKL Concierge report from last year to add. August 23rd, 2002 - 9 nights - DD8 and I.
Pre Trip
When making my reservation with WDTC they asked me for my email address - about 3 months before our trip Don from the AKL Itinerary Planning Office emailed me to introduce himself and ask if I needed any PS's made.
About the same time in the mail I received an information package with a little questionaire to complete.
Great service so far!
I chose to email (instead of regular mail) a request to Don for a few meals & the sunrise safari and to request a room on the 5th floor with a main savanna view.
CRT was one of my requests - I said it could be any of 7 mornings - and luckily they were able to book it for me - but I did not find this out till about a week before our departure.
I also asked about "pillow gifts" things to be left on my daughters bed everynight at turndown for a little surprise.
Don came up with the idea of plush safari animals from the gift shop - sounded great to me. He picked up 9 of them and had them all ready to go for our arrival. (cost of animals 85.00)
I also arranged a welcome surprise for Noel from the Walt Disney Florist - it was a Sorcerer Mickey Backpack filled with items such as candy, a large candle, colouring book, cookies, autograph book, and a plush sorcerer mickey. (cost 85.00)
Arrival
Don had asked when and how we were arriving - I said about 12:00 via Florida Town Car.
We pulled in the driveway at AKL and security checked our name off a clipboard and we drove up... The bellman opened the door and said "Welcome to Animal Kindom Lodge you must be Cassie and Noel" (at this point I almost fell over)
His next statement was that our room was ready and he would take us straight there.
He gave us a mini tour on the way up - pointing out all kinds of things - of course that conversation was all a blurr as I was so overwhelmed.
Our room was 5233 on the kudu trail with a wonderful view of the main savanna. The room had 2 queen size beds and was bright and comfortable, there was an full ice bucket, 2 glasses and a large bottled water on the table beside Noel's welcome gift which was all wrapped in cellophane.
There were no animals on the savanna at this point of the day as they go to the barns for feeding. I tipped the bellman and he said just to stop by the concierge lounge when I was ready.
We unpacked for a few minutes - well - I unpacked... Noel sat on the balcony and was in awe.. also she was so excited about the welcome gift and was trying to rip it apart - the card said "From all your Disney Friends" She still has not clued in that these things might have something to do with me.
The phone rang and it was Juanita from the Kilamajaro Club - she welcomed us to the hotel and told us to stop by the lounge. We headed there a few minutes later and I was really impressed by the beauty of the lodge. The rope bridge that spans the lobby was such a joy to walk across - I have really never seen anything like this place - it is warm and comfortable despite it's size.
We used our key cards in the elevator to acccess the 6th floor concierge - YAY they work! Noel loved using this card. It was around 1pm now and there were some snacks out in the lounge, cashews, gummy bears, trail mix etc... Noel asked for a coke and fixed herself some snacks while I sat with Juanita.
Marge (another CM) noticed I did not have a drink and came to offer me a lemonade she had poured for me, how nice! I enjoyed my drink while signing the papers and having my credit card processed. I can't say enough good things about the concierge staff at AKL.
Everynight at promised - at turndown there would be an animal left for Noel on her bed - by the 3rd night - she had caught on - and was DRAGGING me back to the room to see what was there. Some of the animals were beanie size but made noise when you squeezed them and some were really large and much more than I expected in quality... a good tip for any parent trying to make your child's trip a little more magical.
Also on our first night there was a hand carved wooden giraffe left as a gift in our room.
Breakfast in the lounge was a treat - not having to figure out where to go was a treat, not having to carry money or anything was a treat.
This lounge is peaceful and airy and has glorious view of the main lobby below.
Breakfast consited of Bagels & toast with butter, margarine, cream cheese, peanut butter, jams & jellies, marmalades, muffins (at least 3 varieties each day) mini danishes, hot oatmeal with toppings such as dried fruit, cold cereals in plastic bowls with peel back lids, fresh fruit platter, yogurts, milk, chocolate milk, many teas, juices, water & coffee - there was a large coffee/expresso/cappucino machine but it intimidated me. (LOL)
Daily snacks - trail mix, cashews, goldfish crackers, gummi bears, occasioanllly a bowl of whole fruits (apples, pears), ice tea, water, lemonade, african smoothies and soda on request.
High Tea - with scones, cookies etc
Late Afternoon - Hot Appetizers - usually 2 or 3 types of skewer - chicken, pork, beef, shrimp or salmon, chicken nuggets, occasionally fries, different types of hummus with pita, cheese & cracker platter, fruit, veggies and dip, flatbreads, sandwich roll ups, PB&J uncrustables.
Evening cordials such as Baileys, Drambuie, Frangelico, Grand Marnier, desserts included tarts, mini cheesecakes, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, occasionally zebra domes, squares & nanaimo bars.
I was thrilled that concierge was able to get PS's for CRT - it was for 8:05 am and we had a table right at the window overlooking Cinderella's golden carousel - magical.
One morning I asked the CM to check for Hoop Dee Doo for the next night - later she confirmed that she had booked it for us. When we arrived at Hoop Dee Doo - our table was front and centre - touching the stage - I asked the waiter how this could be as I booked so late - he said it was noted on the PS that we were VIP... I have no idea if this is a normal thing concierge does - but I was completely surprised at this.
Another night we had Fultons Crabhouse booked for dinner - but it was raining cats and dogs so I decided to just stay at AKL. I stopped by Boma to make a reservation and the place was mobbed (this was about 5:30pm) The hostess said the first time we could get in would be around 8:20pm -too late for us.
Later at the concierge lounge I mentioned this to the CM - she immediately picked up the phone and a moment later asked me when I wanted to dine.. we walked in at 6:30pm - the place was even more packed but we were shown straight to a table... amazing.
The kilamanjaro club lounge is a nice place to relax. There is rain pretty well every day in August and we would make a habit of coming up for a cookie or a drink. Noel would watch one of the Disney videos on the big TV and I would people watch or read the paper - what a great place to cool off. Also there was other guests to chat to if you are so inclined.
It is also very close to the pool area - one elevator stright up - Noel would go up and get canned soda to bring down to the pool or a styrofoam cup of gummi bears etc.. to enjoy by the pool. I would make a take out coffee to enjoy in the mornings on the bus ride to a park.
In the Evening after a long day the lounge was also a great place to stop before going to bed, Noel would have a cookie and a glass of milk and sit with the other kids either doing puzzles or colouring or watching TV - it is like having your living room with you on holiday.
IT was also very nice to take a drink back to the room to enjoy on the balcony. We felt truly spoiled at AKL.
Sunrise Safari - Go on this if you can.
We arrived in the lounge at 7:00am and I had a coffee, Noel had a chocolate milk. we were given name tags and asked to hand in our park passes. The CM's verfied that we had admission to DAK - then we were off to the park. Our guide was Joe and he was very knowledgable and pleasant.
We entered the back way into DAK, past all the specialized buildings for caring for the animals.
We left the bus and walked to the Kilamanjaro Safari ride and then left on our safari. It is not like the regular ride where you catch poachers and save Little Red the elephant. There are no sound effects like creaky bridges.. it is very quiet and peaceful and the safari is slow paced with lots of opportunity to take photos. It was about 45 minutes in total and as it is so early the animals are just returning to the savanna - they come so close to the jeep - and you can get some great photos.
After the safari we headed to the tuskerhouse to a private room (schoolroom?) where breakfast was waiting for us. There was fruits and cinnimon rolls, eggs of different varieties, muffins and danishes, bacon & sausages, vegetables... hot coffee & tea - really a nice relaxing meal.
After breakfast you are given a fastpass to try the safari the "normal" way - but you probably won't need it as the park is just now opening and there are very little people around.
Things to do around the hotel - cookie decorating at Boma (we went twice), hidden mickey safari (pick up a clue sheet from the concierge lounge or guest services), they do games around the pool during the day and one afternoon they had crafts. Storytelling at the firepit (our storyteller ate a bug for us). Night vision goggles in the evening.
Chat with the African CM's - what a pleasure! Ask questions or just say Hi!! These people are so gracious and a credit to the resort.
Check out Day
We just did express checkout (they slip the bill under your door the night before)
I arranged for the bellman to take our bags around 9:00am - When he arrived he had 2 bottles of water in a string-like bag with a thank you note, wishing us a safe journey home and left it with our luggage.
We had our last breakfast in the lounge and Marge presented Noel with a "take home" cup. It was a styrofoam coffee cup with a lid and it was tied with a ribbon. She opened it later in the airport and it was filled with cookies (that were quartered) and gummi bears... Noel ate them on the flight home.
TIPS
- Utilize the pretrip
itinerary planning services - let them book your PS's for you
it is also a good way to get aquainted - by the time you arrive you feel like you know them.
-
Request things - don't expect them always to be available. I witnessed an incident with a large family furious that they could not get a last minute PS. They gave the CM a really hard time and it was embarrassing.
**On SoapBox**
- Concierge Rooms / Locations / Views - This is one weird situation.
The 6th floor is the concierge floor where the lounge is located and also several pool view rooms (smoking optional) and savanna views rooms - which do not look over the main savanna. They overlook the sunset savanna which is
MUCH smaller and there are some rooftoops tops to look over before you see the savanna. There are giraffes and ostriches here and a watering hole - but no Zebras or wilderbeast. (I believe)
To get the best Savanna view - I recommend requesting the 5th floor - Arusha Savanna View - but you must realize to have this view means you are a bit of a walk and one floor down from the Kilamanjaro Club.
**Off Soap Box**
Food Offerings Breakfast is substancial - enough to feed everyone with many choices. Yummy!
Snacks - very light, not filling, just munchies - don't expect this to be lunch - it also gets repetative
High Tea - very light, scones & cookies - they go pretty fast too!
Hot Appetizers - on days we went to the parks - we had BIG Lunches at 3:00pm- and I found with these hot & cold appetizers at 5:30pm - we did not want to go out for dinner after that - we were full!
So my tip here would be don't overeat and ruin your dinner plans - how disappointing if you have PS's and you are not hungry
-
Dress properly in the lounge - it is very relaxed up there, however, adults in their "jammies" getting breakfast is a little too relaxed LOL
Also bare feet is a NO NO... guests would come up from the pool to grab a drink and just have their cover up over a bathing suit and no shoes.. the CM's sent them packing.
- Watch your kids in the lounge - I saw a little kid throw handfuls of coffee stir sticks over the railing down to the lobby below
His parents were totally oblvious!
- Optional but nice - Bring a small gift for the concierge staff (I brought boxes of chocolates)
- Tip a Concierge CM if you feel they have
really gone above and beyond for you. (This is totally optional and not required and it is not widely known but they can accept cash up to 75.00)
I didn't know you could tip a CM - If I had known I would have left a nice tip after my daughter's favourite toys were returned to her - after we left the behind at hoop dee doo That was some incredible Disney Magic - you can read "the best thing that ever happened at Disney" on my website link below.
- Tip your housekeeper - (again optional but nice ) There was a little card from my housekeeper introducing herself - her name was Isabel - around mid-stay I finally ran into her during the day and we chatted, I gave her $75.00 and thanked her for everything.
In addition I left $2.00 a night out for the turndown housekeeper - sometimes she took it.. sometimes she didn't.
- Houskeeping was excellent - no towel animals but she sure set up Noel's toys in fun and inventive ways
- If you are staying concierge - stop and smell the roses, try not to be a park commando - out first thing in the AM.. back late at night - give yourself an opportunity to enjoy the hotel and the meet staff in the lounge along with other nice families - the kids had fun together in this lovely relaxed setting.
Thanx for reading my report,
>>^..^<<
I guess not realizing that we were still at WDW
. For the hot afternoon service, the AKL had more hot dishes, but WL had more traditional items, if you don't like the food at Boma's and Jiko's. While AKL had fancy desserts, WL had great chocolate iced brownies 
)
) The concierge people were great and very helpful for us. There were somethings that we were very disappointed in, but not the specific people that worked the concierge. Word of caution- don't stay in the rooms that overlook the lobby- they are very noisy and you won't be able to sleep till about 11 pm and you will hear kids in the lobby at 5 in the morning, other than that we didn't have too many complaints about our room. We got to see the fireworks from our balcony at night so that was very nice
