Sake's Alive! AKL Lite V!!

[RachelTori]

Good Morning Jamborinis and Kidanites!

Good morning Kathy! How are the move-preparations going?

 

[John's Mom]

Good morning Kathy! How are the move-preparations going?

Good morning Laura! We left Delaware on July 29 and arrived in Florida on July 31. DH drove a 16' truck towing our van behind. That was an experience in itself.

We'll be in a rental until settlement, which is now scheduled for Sept. 30. We drive by the construction often. It's really amazing how fast the house is going up.

 

[pilferk]

Everyone here is so friendly!

We can't wait for our trip. We ended up upgrading our room to pool view bunk beds. The other two in our party booked pool view regular rooms. My kids are so excited about the bunk beds!

Can someone tell me if there are any pool view rooms on the ground floor? I don't really want the pool ON my balcony - LOL!

At Jambo house...yes. They're somewhat removed from the actual pool area, but there are some rooms ringing that area, pushed out by one of the hot tubs.

At Kidani, no. The pool area is across the parking lot from the actual building that houses the villas.

 

[pilferk]

I'm not sure if someone asked this already, but does AKL have cabanas by the pool?

Nope. Not at Jambo or Kidani.

 

[pilferk]

we are checking into kidani one bedroom on oct 9. when should i call to request a room location (knowing its just a request)?

and which rooms/location should i request?

im thinking the banks of rooms on the pemba safari by the pool area?

we have a savannah one bedroom, if that matters?

and which floor to request too?

i really need to do some AKV research!!

And how long is the walk between kidani and jambo house - can you walk it? is it a nice walk?

Call now, and have them note your room request.

At Kidani, I usually request "3rd or 4th floor, near the pool and lobby".

Savanna request isn't as important, unless you're dying to see the Pembe exclusive animals (the red river hogs and okapi).

The walk is around 10-15 min, depending on how fast you walk. Honestly, you can do 1/2 the walk INSIDE Kidani, take the LAST elevator (I think it was Pumba??? But I can't remember for sure) in the building down to the parking area, and then walk the rest of the way to Jambo.

You can also use the buses as sort of a shuttle system. All Theme park buses stop at Kidani first, then go to Jambo House, and then to whatever parks they're headed to. All Downtown Disney buses go to Jambo House first, then Kidani, and finally to DTD. Just keep in mind, you may wait longer for a bus than it takes to walk there....but if the weather's lousy the buses are a great fall back.

 

[pilferk]

I'm excited that I switch my reservation from CBR to AKL today! I have been wanting to stay at this resort and with the PIN code that was sent out today, it made it very affordable.

I've got a few questions that I hope you all can answer.

1) What kind of coffee are in the rooms?
2) Does anyone have a recent room service menu? Can you get a pot off GOOD coffee delivered? (assuming the kind in the room is the swill that I've heard about)
3) Is the entrance to Mara outside? The only pictures I've seen make it appear there is not an entrance from inside.
4) How early would I need to be at the bus stop to get to MK in time for the opening ceremony? This is really important to me and I want to make sure I leave enough time.
5) Can you use the pool at Kidani or just the pool at Jambo? I think I read some place that said you could, but not sure if it is still true.
6) Does anyone have pictures of the water play area at Kidani?

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to go in October. I'd actually been holding off updating my ticker since it is off a day, but now that I can do the AKL back ground I may need to go ahead and update it.

1) From what I remember, it's a pretty generic brand/package...but it's probably Nescafe repackaged. It wasn't great. When we stay in the hotel rooms...we bring our own!

2)You CAN get a good pot of Kenyan coffee delivered via room service:
http://allears.net/menu/menu_akrmb.htm
http://allears.net/menu/menu_aklin.htm

We've had them bring coffee with dinner, before...so even if it's not on the lunch/dinner in room menu, just ask.

3)Yes, sort of. The entrance is in the pool area, but the entire "route" there from either of the 3 "hotel exits" that drop you in the pool area is pretty much under cover. No worries about the weather (except the heat..depending on when you're going).

4) I'd be at the bus stop at least 1 hour and 20 min BEFORE the park is slated to open. You could wait up to 20 min for the bus and it can take 30 min+ for the bus to get to MK. It's not USUAL for all those things to happen in one trip..but it can. If it's important to you, best to be a little early than risk being late.

5) Guests at the lodge can use BOTH pools (and you can use the Gym at Kidani, too).

6) I don't have pics....but these should help:

 

[athenna]

Good morning Jamborinis

 

[bluejasmine]

I called yesterday to add a request to our room, we booked Arusha and I asked to request arusha room somewhat close to the pool and lobby. The lady was quite rude, told me I would have to wait and see what they put me in when I check in. I told her I know that you can call and add requests and that I understood it wasnt guaranteed. She said she was doing it but I hung up and called back and got someone else to verify it was done..Wow she defanitely was having a bad day! LOL

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, Jamborinis and Kidanites!

 

[RachelTori]

I called yesterday to add a request to our room, we booked Arusha and I asked to request arusha room somewhat close to the pool and lobby. The lady was quite rude, told me I would have to wait and see what they put me in when I check in. I told her I know that you can call and add requests and that I understood it wasnt guaranteed. She said she was doing it but I hung up and called back and got someone else to verify it was done..Wow she defanitely was having a bad day! LOL

not Disney-like at all!! I've found over the years that if I'm not getting that warm, fuzzy feeling from the CM, I need to end the call quickly and try my luck with another CM!! I usually say something like "I just remembered I need to check something first - I'll call back another time!"

Good idea to call back though and make sure that first CM really did make your requests.

Good morning, Jamborinis and Kidanites!

You're late this morning!

 

[twinklebug]

I called yesterday to add a request to our room, we booked Arusha and I asked to request arusha room somewhat close to the pool and lobby. The lady was quite rude, told me I would have to wait and see what they put me in when I check in. I told her I know that you can call and add requests and that I understood it wasnt guaranteed. She said she was doing it but I hung up and called back and got someone else to verify it was done..Wow she defanitely was having a bad day! LOL

It's so true what they say about one sour grape... sorry you ran into her.

This is why I always opt to take the survey at the end of the call. Some CMs will bend over backwards trying to help and offering ways to help, others just don't want to be there. I want to make sure Disney knows who's been great so they can try to retain the excellent CMs.

 

[chris31997]

So is thre more to move? At least i am not moving that stuff.

Yes, there is more. The rest will go into storage for the time we are in Okinawa. I had to pick the most important stuff and send it to Japan. The rest sits in storage. I am just glad I don't have to pack it up myself.

Good morning Laura! We left Delaware on July 29 and arrived in Florida on July 31. DH drove a 16' truck towing our van behind. That was an experience in itself.

We'll be in a rental until settlement, which is now scheduled for Sept. 30. We drive by the construction often. It's really amazing how fast the house is going up.

Glad you made it. that everything continues to go smooth for you.

 

[RachelTori]

Good morning Laura! We left Delaware on July 29 and arrived in Florida on July 31. DH drove a 16' truck towing our van behind. That was an experience in itself.

We'll be in a rental until settlement, which is now scheduled for Sept. 30. We drive by the construction often. It's really amazing how fast the house is going up.

I pictured you still packing up the house in Delaware!! You must be much more organized (and motivated!) than I!!

So how are you liking the heat & humidity? It's just as miserable here in Georgia. I spend lots of time indoors in the A/C!!

Yes, there is more. The rest will go into storage for the time we are in Okinawa. I had to pick the most important stuff and send it to Japan. The rest sits in storage. I am just glad I don't have to pack it up myself.

I'm wishing you a smooth move and many blessings for your time in Okinawa. It sounds like a wonderful adventure. (and thank goodness for the packing help! )

 

[chris31997]

I'm wishing you a smooth move and many blessings for your time in Okinawa. It sounds like a wonderful adventure. (and thank goodness for the packing help! )

Thank you

 

[PNO4TE]

You're late this morning!

Yep, I was... seems to take longer and longer to get things done for both of us these days. Bob's car needed to have the emissions inspection done and I had the extra time this morning so I took it in and did some paperwork while I waited. Killed two birds with one proverbial stone!

I don't always get back on here twice in one day either, so consider yourselves fortunate!

 

[miprender]

Happy Tuesday.

WOW. This IS like our view. DH was like.. "You mean, that isn't our picture??"

Think we were maybe a little to the left of you.

That's how I felt when I saw your picture posted.

I missed like 10 pages So forget catching up

I miss you all Working crazy hours, cant wait until everyone is back from their vacations.

Scott had a phone interview w/my boss Looks like we may be working together again I'll never see him though, he'll keep HD part time he'll work 7 days a week...Hey, we need the money.

Beauty is doing well, she's sound asleep next to me right now..Which is nice she's usually all over the place which makes it difficult to site here.

69 more days until the awesome vaca I have planned

Sending Pixie dust that scott gets the job

Here are some pictures from our Meet with Laura & Marco:

Marco, two Lauras and a JD!

Tori got in the picture too!

Looks like everyone had a great time. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Let the chaos begin.

The movers are here packing the first wave of stuff to go to Okinawa. We won't see it for about 8 weeks The house is upside down and thankfully I am not doing it myself. Otherwise, I would never be done packing

It is 5 o'clock somewhere and a ZDome with my name on it right:
3 more days than we will be homeless and on our new adventure with a stop at the AKL Gotta keep telling myself that to stay excited

But what an exciting adventure you will have.

I'm not sure if someone asked this already, but does AKL have cabanas by the pool?

As someone already posted there are none at the resorts but we never have had a problem finding seats at Jambo or Kidani.

Good morning Laura! We left Delaware on July 29 and arrived in Florida on July 31. DH drove a 16' truck towing our van behind. That was an experience in itself.

We'll be in a rental until settlement, which is now scheduled for Sept. 30. We drive by the construction often. It's really amazing how fast the house is going up.

WOW you did pack up quick. I hope you post pictures of you new house being constructed.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Oh my gosh!! I cannot Dis on this I phone! Lol
Anyway. Cute pics Laura! Yellow looks good on you!
Just found out SSR and AKL/V are host hotels for Princess Half....hmmmmm...lol

 

[disneymomof1]

Just upgraded our resort from POFQ to AKL !!!! Love the AKL and can't wait to wake up in the morning with a nice cup of tea, and listen to the music in the lobby!! This will be our fourth time staying at AKL and it really is starting to feel like a second home !!

 

[dsnydaddy]

Congrats! I did nearly the same. POR to AKL! It'll be our first time in a deluxe and we're all excited.

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, Jamborinis and Kidanites!