Priority Seating at AKL

[DVC-Landbaron]

I picked this item up from another site. The poster said this was included in the recent copy of All Ears:

Restaurants Jiko and Boma at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge no longer require a credit card guarantee when making a Priority Seating, nor is there a cancellation fee charged for no-shows. You will still need to have a Priority Seating, however, to enter grounds of the Animal Kingdom Lodge if you are not a registered guest at the resort.

I have two questions. First, what would stop someone from making a reservation just to check out AKL and then leaving without eating? And second, what is 'All Ears'?

Thanks.

 

[HorizonsFan]

All Ears is Deb's newsletter. You can subscribe at her site www.wdwig.com

I don't understand the fuss. Nothing stopped us from getting on an AKL bus and having lunch at the counter service place near the pool.
It's a beautiful hotel, but I was taken aback when I could see the Days Inn sign as I walked to the bus stop.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

It's a beautiful hotel, but I was taken aback when I could see the Days Inn sign as I walked to the bus stop.

Please tell me you're kidding!!!

Doesn't anyone else have a huge problem with this!!!???

 

[J. Thornhill]

I find this a little disconcerting as well. I hope they plant a tree or something before I get there in a few weeks. I can't imagine why this has not already been addressed. Bad show!

J.-

 

[YoHo]

It possible that the berm hasn't fully grown in yet. I would rather they be horticulturally minded and put up with that sign for a few years then stuff grown plants in that are less likely to survive and thrive. that goes double in a drought.

 

[All Aboard]

I wondered about the visibility of 192 from AKL. Seems my fears were correct. From the third floor walkways on the Toy Story buildings at ASMo, you can see the cars driving by on 192. But, within sight, there is no development on that section of the road. I believe (but I am having trouble finding a map) that Disney owns that property beyond 192.

However, the land near AKL is heavily developed. My concern was that rooms on the left side (as you face the entrance) may have a view of an ugly patch of 192. Anyone out there know?


As to the other question, DVC, initially requiring a partially-refundable deposit for AKL restaurants was supposed to discourage "unwanted" visitors (doing just what DVC described). Aparently the AKL restaurants are not doing too much business. Unlike other resort eateries, AKL seems to be serving AKL guests only. My guess is that some would-be diners were turned off by the policy and opted not to risk a deposit, enough to make WDW reconsider it.

 

[Disbuf]

We made a ps at Boma this Thursday for that night and had a wonderful dinner there. They did not ask us for a credit card to guarantee our ps nor did we have to show our ps number to security to get in. I just told them when we pulled up that we had a ps at Boma and they gave us a parking pass to put in our window. No problems and had a great dinner along with an enjoyable stroll around the resort.

 

[Planogirl]

We arrived by taxi for our meal at Boma and the guard asked for our name and reservation number, and then checked a list. Maybe it depends on which guard is on duty.

As far as seeing the outside world from AKL, keep in mind that AKL is very new and will undoubtedly need time for it's vegetation to grow in. I doubt that any sign of 192 or Days Inn will be noticeable in a year or two.

I thought that AKL was a beautiful resort both outside and inside, and I think that it will only get better with time. I bet that Boma will eventually get a character meal and that both Boma and Jiko will catch fire one day because they're so good.

 

[zulaya]

Made PS for Boma in May and went (totally yummy BTW). Was told that the credit card thing was to keep people from just making a PS to check out the resort - probably the locals since they have more time than out-of-staters to check it out. I was told by the gate guard and our waitress at Boma that they were doing the entry-only-with-PS thing because AKL has a very small parking lot compared to other resorts and they just don't have the space for a lot of people just driving inand dropping by "just because". And after parking there, I have to agree, it was small. That's why you can take a bus over there no problem - because it's not an "exclusive" type issue - it's a parking issue.

 

[Safari Steve]

The PS requirement is intended to keep the hotel from being crowded by people who are not staying there, which can be a nuisance to the hotel guests. The night that I went, all of the restaurants were packed, and there didn't seem to be any lag in business. This was before Memorial day, so the crowds hadn't even set in yet.

 

[DaveO]

I think this change in policy makes a great point to all the 'Eisner haters' out there.

If you do not like the way things are going then stop spending your money there and things will change. That is the what drives our economy and most businesses.

I know .... before I get harassed you will say that you do not want it to get to that point. But that is the only way Disney will hear you good or bad.

Or ... buy enough stock to throw the bum out.



Dave O.
Tyler's 1st trip 12/01 - BWV

 

[Disneyfrek]

My dad just came back on Sunday. They had dinner at Jiko's and when they pulled up to the gate, the guard waved them in. They didn't ask for PS or if they were hotel guests (they were not).

I called the other day and made reservations for Boma's in July and was not asked for a credit card number. I thought they would ask for something since we're a party of 9, but they only asked if we were staying on property.