Sake's Alive! AKL Lite V!!

[pilferk]

...hey, anyone watch the newest installment of that new show My Yard goes Disney ?? It featured the AK!!!

We watched it last night. LOVED the playset and the "watering hole".

Still not sure how "safe" I'd feel with the jeep.

Can't wait for next weeks with that Mickey shaped pool.

 

[kimmar067]

We watched it last night. LOVED the playset and the "watering hole".

Still not sure how "safe" I'd feel with the jeep.

Can't wait for next weeks with that Mickey shaped pool.

...I KNOW! That looks totally AWESOME!

 

[kimmar067]

...and I just loved the names of those 6 African kids! Reminds me: I have a student now, use name is Kidane [kih-DON-ay] !!

 

[franandaj]

Good morning everyone...

i am in training all week and it feels like I have been away months...

I am in Chicago this week, and have no idea of any place to eat, anyone got any suggestions?

I am in the theater district...

TIA

I second Miller's Pub! There is also a Thai place near the FedEx/Kinko's that was pretty good (at least in 2006 it was), it's on the street that faces the park and the water. I think the restaurant in the Palmer House Hilton was pretty good too.

 

[DisneyMamato4]

Just back from our fabulous Disney vacation at AKL! It's an absolutely beautiful resort, unfortunately we didn't get to spend too much time here because as it was our first trip to Disney World we overdid it, overbooked ourselves and basically ran ourselves ragged for a week but loved every minute of it. What we did get to see of the resort was amazing, the animals, the staff, the lobby!

We were upgraded at check in but had to decline it. We would have had a room with a view but because we required connecting rooms (small children) it just wasn't possible. We ended up on the Ostrich Trail in rooms 3113 and 3115 which worked great for us, it was a room with a view of the front entrance but it was steps from the lobby and the elevators to Mara.
Here is the view from our room

I loved AKL but there were a few things that I just didn't get until we actually stayed there. When people would say how far out it was I just didn't understand. Having never been to Disney I had a hard time envisioning the shear mass of it all. We had a car and ended up using that every day, I just didn't want to deal with the buses. AKL is far out and driving back every night I realized just how far. It's beautiful and I'd definitely stay there again but I'm looking forward to trying out other resorts too.
What I did love though was just how quiet it was, after eating at both the Beach Club and the Poly I loved how quiet AKL was and how few people there were milling around. At BC and Poly there were just people everywhere and I'm not sure how I'd like that if I was staying there.
Mara was great, we used it every day at some point. Sanaa for dinner was our best meal of the trip, I'd highly recommend it for anyone who hasn't tried it.

Oh I almost forgot our 1 little hiccup while there. One evening we heard the toilet gurgling but didn't think too much about it. We woke up in the morning though to a toilet that wouldn't work and a bathtub full of raw sewage. Yuck to say the least. Luckily we had another bathroom we could use that was fine but a few rooms down the hall didn't fair as well. Theirs came up and over and all over their floors. I didn't ask but I take it they were moved into other rooms because maintenance took all day completely cleaning and sanitizing rooms. Ours was done by the time we got back from the parks that day but they were still working on other rooms. They were extremely apologetic but nothing else was done. That was our gross out for the week.

DH and I have had to cancel our trip for July because his work is sending him to Thailand for a month. We're hoping to make it up sometime in the fall but we'll see.

 

[chris31997]

Just had to go off subject here, so frustrated. Just love how doing an overseas screening all depends on how the wind blows and who you talk to I just want it to be over and want to be cleared, packed, passports in hand and at AKL eating zebra domes

Government and military


Thank you, I feel better now.

 

[miprender]

First I want to thank everyone for their helpful responses! I'm one of the posters who was involved with the many posts on the DIS about this particular seller. I've even had the police involved. Didn't go far (yet) since he technically didn't commit a crime with me yet. Most of the posts were removed from the DIS boards. I guess the moderators didn't want negative things on the boards. I definately will NOT do the online check in since many here have said that it does send the owner a confirmation. I think that may give him a reason to cancel us!

That is just so scary. What will happen if he did cancel your reservations? Do you still have a room?

Good morning, Jamborinis!

Today brings another step forward for Bob. Home Health will do his final discharge and then he will begin outpatient day rehab (PT, OT and speech) at one of our local hospitals on Friday! Five months!!

That is good news

Can't seem to ever catch up

But I wanted to tell you about the podcast....I mentioned that I was invited to record a WDW podcast. It's called the Lost Boys List...Search for it on ITunes (If you don't use ITunes let me know, I can get a link to listen) the topic was my 5 fav places to propose at WDW It's up and running as of yesterday. You don't have to subscribe, just look for the episode dated 6/12/11 w/the title proposing at WDW...It's about a 38 min podcast and I'm in the last 18-20 min or so...Would love it if you all got to hear me

123 more days until WDW

I don't have Itunes so can you send me the link. Thanks

...hey, anyone watch the newest installment of that new show My Yard goes Disney ?? It featured the AK!!!

It's on my DVR to watch later

Oh I almost forgot our 1 little hiccup while there. One evening we heard the toilet gurgling but didn't think too much about it. We woke up in the morning though to a toilet that wouldn't work and a bathtub full of raw sewage. Yuck to say the least. Luckily we had another bathroom we could use that was fine but a few rooms down the hall didn't fair as well. Theirs came up and over and all over their floors. I didn't ask but I take it they were moved into other rooms because maintenance took all day completely cleaning and sanitizing rooms. Ours was done by the time we got back from the parks that day but they were still working on other rooms. They were extremely apologetic but nothing else was done. That was our gross out for the week.
.

back. YUK about your hiccup.

 

[PNO4TE]

And another friend with suggestions for Brandi!

Best Smith and Wollensky's in the world is right under the river side of the Marina Towers

ETA: and another! "Frontera Grill on Clark Street. Fabulous!" (Actually, two friends have raved about this place already!)

 

[CJsMom]

Good morning, Jamborinis!

Today brings another step forward for Bob. Home Health will do his final discharge and then he will begin outpatient day rehab (PT, OT and speech) at one of our local hospitals on Friday! Five months!!

Great news Elin!!

 

[CJsMom]

Can't seem to ever catch up

But I wanted to tell you about the podcast....I mentioned that I was invited to record a WDW podcast. It's called the Lost Boys List...Search for it on ITunes (If you don't use ITunes let me know, I can get a link to listen) the topic was my 5 fav places to propose at WDW It's up and running as of yesterday. You don't have to subscribe, just look for the episode dated 6/12/11 w/the title proposing at WDW...It's about a 38 min podcast and I'm in the last 18-20 min or so...Would love it if you all got to hear me



123 more days until WDW

Cool! Can't wait to check it out!

 

[CJsMom]

Just back from our fabulous Disney vacation at AKL! It's an absolutely beautiful resort, unfortunately we didn't get to spend too much time here because as it was our first trip to Disney World we overdid it, overbooked ourselves and basically ran ourselves ragged for a week but loved every minute of it. What we did get to see of the resort was amazing, the animals, the staff, the lobby!

We were upgraded at check in but had to decline it. We would have had a room with a view but because we required connecting rooms (small children) it just wasn't possible. We ended up on the Ostrich Trail in rooms 3113 and 3115 which worked great for us, it was a room with a view of the front entrance but it was steps from the lobby and the elevators to Mara.
Here is the view from our room

I loved AKL but there were a few things that I just didn't get until we actually stayed there. When people would say how far out it was I just didn't understand. Having never been to Disney I had a hard time envisioning the shear mass of it all. We had a car and ended up using that every day, I just didn't want to deal with the buses. AKL is far out and driving back every night I realized just how far. It's beautiful and I'd definitely stay there again but I'm looking forward to trying out other resorts too.
What I did love though was just how quiet it was, after eating at both the Beach Club and the Poly I loved how quiet AKL was and how few people there were milling around. At BC and Poly there were just people everywhere and I'm not sure how I'd like that if I was staying there.
Mara was great, we used it every day at some point. Sanaa for dinner was our best meal of the trip, I'd highly recommend it for anyone who hasn't tried it.

Oh I almost forgot our 1 little hiccup while there. One evening we heard the toilet gurgling but didn't think too much about it. We woke up in the morning though to a toilet that wouldn't work and a bathtub full of raw sewage. Yuck to say the least. Luckily we had another bathroom we could use that was fine but a few rooms down the hall didn't fair as well. Theirs came up and over and all over their floors. I didn't ask but I take it they were moved into other rooms because maintenance took all day completely cleaning and sanitizing rooms. Ours was done by the time we got back from the parks that day but they were still working on other rooms. They were extremely apologetic but nothing else was done. That was our gross out for the week.

DH and I have had to cancel our trip for July because his work is sending him to Thailand for a month. We're hoping to make it up sometime in the fall but we'll see.

Glad to hear you had fun, but eeeewwww for raw sewage!!!

 

[franandaj]

Brandi,

I have another recommendation. A friend of mine ho is a Chicago native says Lou Malnati's has the best pizza around.

The funniest thing is I posted this message on the SSR lovers & owners thread, since I was on my smartphone and in the car, I didn't notice until about an hour until I visited there and found I'd posted on the wrong thread! I edited it with an oops and came over here to repost!

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, Jamborinis!

 

[snykymom]

I have now officially joined the "I can't make up my mind" club! I took a look at some of the DVC rental sites (because of issues like the ones related a few posts above, I don't want to rent from individuals on the DIS), and I think I could get a DVC Club Level studio for less than I'm now paying for an Arusha View queen room.

Now, I understand that all the Club Level studios have a savannah view. Are they all close to the lobby, or are they also all over the 4th floor? Or is it 5th floor? Are they all in Jambo House (which is where I want to be)?

What can you tell me about the food/drink offerings on the Club Level? DH doesn't go to the parks, and will have to work for at least part of the trip, so availability while he's in the room is really important.

Someone convince me to try to book it before I go nuts!

 

[pilferk]

I have now officially joined the "I can't make up my mind" club! I took a look at some of the DVC rental sites (because of issues like the ones related a few posts above, I don't want to rent from individuals on the DIS), and I think I could get a DVC Club Level studio for less than I'm now paying for an Arusha View queen room.

Now, I understand that all the Club Level studios have a savannah view. Are they all close to the lobby, or are they also all over the 4th floor? Or is it 5th floor? Are they all in Jambo House (which is where I want to be)?

What can you tell me about the food/drink offerings on the Club Level? DH doesn't go to the parks, and will have to work for at least part of the trip, so availability while he's in the room is really important.

Someone convince me to try to book it before I go nuts!

OK: If Club Level = Concierge Level (double check with the renter)...couple things:

They are NOT all savanna view. In fact, when you book they tell you they will not promise which view (savanna or pool) you'll get. I THINK (but am not 100% sure) there are 3 2 BR lockoffs (so, broken down, that would be 3 1BR and 3 Studios) that have savanna view and 2 2BR lockoffs (so, broken down, that would be 2 1BR and 2 Studios) that have pool view.

They are all in Jambo house, 6th floor (the only villas/rooms that are up there).

Since there aren't many, they are VERY hard to book. You typically have to book them 11 months out (or close to it) to get them. Sometimes you get lucky. So if you're "speculating" based on number of points up for rent...the renter might not be able to get you what you're looking for. If they're renting a specific ressie (club studio for such and such a date), you should be fine.

I'm not sure how up to date this is, but this might help with the offerings:
http://allears.net/acc/faq_aklc.htm

Also something to keep in mind (might not matter to you): DVC studios have one queen bed and one pull out sofa bed (queen sized), NOT 2 queen beds like the standard (or most of the standard, excluding the bunk bed rooms) hotel rooms. You'll get a nice little "kitchenette" area (sink, microwave, toaster (I think), and mini fridge), though.

 

[athenna]

Here's the link to the podcast I was on, for those of you that would like to hear me

http://www.thelostboyslist.blogspot.com/

 

[dgbg100106]

And another friend with suggestions for Brandi!

Best Smith and Wollensky's in the world is right under the river side of the Marina Towers

ETA: and another! "Frontera Grill on Clark Street. Fabulous!" (Actually, two friends have raved about this place already!)

Ohhh, thanks so much...

 

[dgbg100106]

Brandi,

I have another recommendation. A friend of mine ho is a Chicago native says Lou Malnati's has the best pizza around.

The funniest thing is I posted this message on the SSR lovers & owners thread, since I was on my smartphone and in the car, I didn't notice until about an hour until I visited there and found I'd posted on the wrong thread! I edited it with an oops and came over here to repost!

Thanks and I hate when I do that..... I have on a number of occasions!

 

[chris31997]

Morning, sitting on my lani enjoying coffee and listening to contruction trucks Gotta get rolling on my errands this morning, no fun.

 

[mamaprincess]

Brandi,
I have another recommendation. A friend of mine ho is a Chicago native says Lou Malnati's has the best pizza around.

The funniest thing is I posted this message on the SSR lovers & owners thread, since I was on my smartphone and in the car, I didn't notice until about an hour until I visited there and found I'd posted on the wrong thread! I edited it with an oops and came over here to repost!

Mmmm Lou Malnati's deep dish!!! It's a family fave.