Sake's Alive! AKL Lite V!!

[kimmar067]

Hello everyone! We are a family of 5 staying in a 1 BR in Kidani Village this July 14-17. Never been to AKL before but cant wait! Stayed at all the values, Both Port Orleans, CSR, and BC. I love the BC and both PO's!! I have never stayed in a villa before. In an effort to cut cost, I was wondering if we were allowed to leave crockpots running when away?

....you'll never go back to a Mod or Value again...or WANT to.

....as for the 'crockpot dilemma', hmmm, that's a tough one.....I absolutely LOVE mine.

 

[wendypooh]

Hello everyone! We are a family of 5 staying in a 1 BR in Kidani Village this July 14-17. Never been to AKL before but cant wait! Stayed at all the values, Both Port Orleans, CSR, and BC. I love the BC and both PO's!! I have never stayed in a villa before. In an effort to cut cost, I was wondering if we were allowed to leave crockpots running when away?

As for the crock - pot, I don't see why you couldn't do it. You will have a fully stocked kitchen, so, I would have to say yes.

 

[dgbg100106]

Thanks for all the information AKL'ers! We check in for our first AKL visit in less than two weeks. We are staying April 28 - May 2 for a short getaway for me and DW. Third AK stay but first CL. Sounds like really no need to make room request, just sit back and enjoy!

I have added you to the list, and congrats on your stay at CL

 

[dgbg100106]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting this year....

If you have any updates please let me know...


April
Lissiesmum, 23rd - ???, Dolphin
MickeyT, 28th - May 2nd, AKL CL
bcnorth, 30th – May 9th, AKL

May
MickeyT, April 28th - 2nd, AKL CL
bcnorth, April 30th – 9th, AKL
MinniesYooHoo, 1st – 8th, AKL
camsmomE, 6th -8th, Poly CL
GaSleepingBeautyFan, 5th – 8th, AKL
Tonyslady, 22nd – 29th, AKL
dgbg100106, May 25th-30th, BWV

June
CamsmomE, 2nd – 5th, AKL
CamsmomE, 5th – 9th, Portofino Bay CL
Em&Bec'sMom,?????, AKL
DisneyMamato4, 4th – 12th, AKL
mapmakerj, 16th, AKL
mapmakerj, 17th - 26th, AKL CL

July
Tinacaplan, 14th – 21st, AKL CL
HappyDad, 14th – 21st, AKL
Shmily1, 19th - 23rd, AKL CL
Miprender, 20th, BC
DisneyMamato4, 21st - 24th, AKL
lov2b@disney, 21st - 31st, AKL
Miprender, 21st – Aug 3rd, AKL
Ahoyle, 22nd – 29th, AKL
RachelTori, 28th – Aug 4th, AKL-CL

August
Miprender, July 21st – 3rd, AKL
RachelTori, July 28th – 4th, AKL-CL
tristansmiles, 1st - 5th, AKV Kidani Villas
Tinker’n’Fun, 1st – 6th, POR
AndreaDM, 7th – 12th, AKL
Sherabby, 7th – 14th, AKV Jambo House
OThopeful35, 10th – 14th, AKL CL
mom2travel, 14th – 17th, AKL
KarBear, 20th – 31st, AKL
Tinker_Belle, 20th - 26th, AKL
Nicolepdonnelly, 28th – Sep 3rd, AKL

September
Princessreilly, 19th – 25th, AKL
RachelTori, 29th – Oct 9th, BCV

October… AKL Meet
RachelTori, 29th – Oct 9th, BCV
TyRy, 1st – 8th, AKV
Dgbg100106, 2nd – 7th, at BCV
Wendypooh, 2nd – 8th, at AKV
Pilferk, 6th – 15th, at AKL
athenna, 15th – 18th, at AKLV Jambo House
athenna, 18th – 23rd, at SSR (but on waitlist for BWV)
PoohNFriends, 22nd – 29th, AKV CL
pix13dust, 31st – Nov 13, AKL CL


November
pix13dust Oct 31st – 13th, AKL CL
camsmomE 5th – 7th at BLT
tiggrbaby, 13th – 15th, POP


December
Crzyred 3rd – 10th, AKL Kidani
John's Mom, 12th - 22nd, AKL CL
Tinker'n'Fun, 18th – 26th, AKL CL

January
DisneyFirstTimer10, 21st – 28th, AKV

 

[kimmar067]

...wow! Nice job, Brandi!

 

[dgbg100106]

...wow! Nice job, Brandi!

awwww shucks

 

[miprender]

Can I do the double digit dance with you? This will be our first trip at AKL so I'm doing my best to read all about it before I go. We've stayed at most of the resorts so we are marking this one off the list. Only 97 more days to go!!

I love to dance... so lets dance some more

we are having our first stay at AKL 7/27-31...

We'll be there at the same time.


And to all our July travelers there's a thread just for us http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2512174

What is going on with these boards the past couple of days? Pages are sooooo s-l-o-w to load.

I thought it was my internet service until I had trouble at work too.

 

[RachelTori]

I thought it was my internet service until I had trouble at work too.

It's probably that darn 321 page Lite IV thread that's bogging down the system!!!

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi guys! I love the new list of all of us going to AKL this year! Nice work, Brandi! Even though I couldn't swing staying there this year, you can still put me down for April 27...we'll be doing dinner at Boma and staying the evening to sit by the fire and listen to the storytelling and doing the night vision animal watching! I am so excited for our evening at the AKL, and of course, will get a pic of some zebra domes to post when I return! I'm hoping next year our week will have some deals again so that we can stay next year...we've been dreaming about it for so long...but, I have come to terms with it finally and have planned a pretty fun trip surrounding Epcot and the Boardwalk, and I scored a great Epcot view with a balcony with my teacher discount, so I'm pretty excited about the Dolphin (after moping about the AKL for far too long! ) So after this trip, I will be back on for next year, hoping that 2012 will be our year to stay at the AKL!

 

[John's Mom]

Good morning everyone!

I wonder when all this back and forth between IV and V will stop.

 

[RachelTori]

Good morning everyone!

I wonder when all this back and forth between IV and V will stop.

I don't know, but I think the longer IV goes on, the harder it will be (for us to accept) when it's abruptly locked!

 

[DisneyMamato4]

Ok, so I had a panic attack last night about how much we are spending on this vacation. We can afford it and DH keeps telling me to calm down that this is why he works so hard so that we can take nice vacations and relax. But of course there I am last night at 1am pricing how much the cost difference would be between staying at 2 rooms at POP compared to the 2 rooms at AKL. Um, huge difference. DH shut my computer and said "I want to stay with giraffes so stop it!"

So please, please help me! I need to hear why AKL is worth it, I want to hear all of the good stuff. Calm me down and tell me AKL is going to be awesome!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Kinda feels like we're sneaking notes behind the teacher's back, doesn't it?

 

[RachelTori]

Ok, so I had a panic attack last night about how much we are spending on this vacation. We can afford it and DH keeps telling me to calm down that this is why he works so hard so that we can take nice vacations and relax. But of course there I am last night at 1am pricing how much the cost difference would be between staying at 2 rooms at POP compared to the 2 rooms at AKL. Um, huge difference. DH shut my computer and said "I want to stay with giraffes so stop it!"

So please, please help me! I need to hear why AKL is worth it, I want to hear all of the good stuff. Calm me down and tell me AKL is going to be awesome!

The differences are HUGE!! I've stayed at Pop many times, and it's a nice resort, but there is no way to compare the 2.

AKL has cast members from Africa who are fascinating to talk to. They have so much information about the Region they are from and so much knowledge about the animals.

The kids activities at AKL are wonderful. The pool is one of the best of any WDW resort. Your family can totally immerse itself in the culture at AKL.

The restaurants are wonderful - The Mara for counter service, Boma for breakfast and dinner, Jiko for Signature Dining. Sanaa (at Kidani) is a wonderful restaurant for lunch or dinner.

Staying at AKL is like taking 2 vacations in one. You have the hustle-bustle of the parks and then there's the serenity of the Savannas.

That's the best I can describe it. If I could only afford a Pop vacation, that's where I'd stay; but if I could afford AKL, I'm there!!!

Kinda feels like we're sneaking notes behind the teacher's back, doesn't it?

Love it!!

 

[camsmomE]

pass this back to tiggrbaby... forgot to check "yes" or "no"

 

[tinacaplan]

Ok, so I had a panic attack last night about how much we are spending on this vacation. We can afford it and DH keeps telling me to calm down that this is why he works so hard so that we can take nice vacations and relax. But of course there I am last night at 1am pricing how much the cost difference would be between staying at 2 rooms at POP compared to the 2 rooms at AKL. Um, huge difference. DH shut my computer and said "I want to stay with giraffes so stop it!"

So please, please help me! I need to hear why AKL is worth it, I want to hear all of the good stuff. Calm me down and tell me AKL is going to be awesome!

I haven't even stayed there yet...so maybe I shouldn't even comment...but when has not knowing what I'm talking ever stopped me before? Seriously, though, we've been to Disney twice in the past year and a half and when we went the first time we had dinner at Jiko. I was not expecting to like AKL, hadn't thought it looked all that great in the pictures. And then I walked into the lobby and I was a total GONER! The lobby is even more beautiful, more majestic than it looks in pictures. Jiko was fabulous. AKL was the one resort on property that I had to visit during my trip this past February. This time I was smart enough to walk out onto Arusha rock and see some animals, up close and personal. My incredibly frugal (OK cheap ) husband said, "OK...maybe we DO have to say here someday..."

We were quite happy during out two stays at CSR and Pop does look cool in pictures, but when I saw a price I could swing for this summer...it was a no brainer. AKL is special, IMO, even by Disney standards. I think I'm more excited about going to AKL than I am about the parks..and again... I haven't even spent a single night there yet.

So, yes, I think you're going to LOVE it and won't regret spending the money. I mean, when you think about, couldn't we all save a TON and stay off-site...but who wants to do that?

 

[tiggrbaby]

Ok, so I had a panic attack last night about how much we are spending on this vacation. We can afford it and DH keeps telling me to calm down that this is why he works so hard so that we can take nice vacations and relax. But of course there I am last night at 1am pricing how much the cost difference would be between staying at 2 rooms at POP compared to the 2 rooms at AKL. Um, huge difference. DH shut my computer and said "I want to stay with giraffes so stop it!"

So please, please help me! I need to hear why AKL is worth it, I want to hear all of the good stuff. Calm me down and tell me AKL is going to be awesome!

It is sooo totally worth it! My sister and I saved for three years to do CL and the safaris, then my parents were so interested, we took them three years after that! Unfortunately, we can't afford to stay there this time, but we are certainly going to go and hang out for an afternoon!

pass this back to tiggrbaby... forgot to check "yes" or "no"

LOL!

 

[wendypooh]

It's probably that darn 321 page Lite IV thread that's bogging down the system!!!

Ok, so I had a panic attack last night about how much we are spending on this vacation. We can afford it and DH keeps telling me to calm down that this is why he works so hard so that we can take nice vacations and relax. But of course there I am last night at 1am pricing how much the cost difference would be between staying at 2 rooms at POP compared to the 2 rooms at AKL. Um, huge difference. DH shut my computer and said "I want to stay with giraffes so stop it!"

So please, please help me! I need to hear why AKL is worth it, I want to hear all of the good stuff. Calm me down and tell me AKL is going to be awesome!

Well, IF you can afford it - then there is NO question. The differences are like two different worlds. First, the size of the rooms are bigger, they are MUCH more comfortable and appointed better. There is NO comparison to the savanna's - to step out on the balcony and see the animals - there are NO words. The resort itself is so much more warm, almost serene if that makes sense, it doesn't feel like it's SOOOOOOOO busy or fast paced. I enjoy the constant stimulation of the parks, restaurants, noise, energy, etc...... but, then when you get back to the lodge, it's like instant decompress - instant relax mode, it's hard to explain.......... until you experience it. Then there's the food............. OMG, it's SO good - the smells when you enter the lobby, they just take you away!!! You truely feel pampered and are able to relax. There are TONS of things to do at the resort, the pool is fantastic. I guess the best way to easily describe it would be like this - beer and hot dogs OR Champagne and Strawberry's with cream (and zebra domes) - NOT that there is anything wrong with the beer and hot dogs.......... but, on vacation, you want the best, you want to be pampered, you want space, you want to relax, you want GOOD food and a gorgeous, warm, inviting enviroment and again, the savanna's are beyond beautiful........ If you are still concerned, you could always do a few days at both places. Good Luck, but, you won't regret it if you do stay at the lodge - it's truely incredible.

 

[tinacaplan]

I feel like this would be a safe forum to say this in... but each and every time I've visited a deluxe (as opposed to a mod, never been to the values) I've noticed a difference. You can just tell that where you is just a bit nicer. CMs are more attentive, too.

 

[MickeyT]

but, on vacation, you want the best, you want to be pampered, you want space, you want to relax, you want GOOD food and a gorgeous, warm, inviting enviroment.....

I think that's it for us. We don't get pampered very much in our 'regular' everyday lives. When we step into a deluxe, we are in another world and can relax.