Several AKL questions

[rriley25]

We have invited friends to join us for our upcoming WDW trip in July. Our friends have never been to WDW, much less stayed onsite and we are all really psyched-up about it. We hope they enjoy WDW as much as we have. Although we have visited WDW many times, we have only spent one night at the AKL, so we don't know a lot about it. So, here goes with my questions....Are there tables around the pool area that we might congregate at on our arrival day as we wait for our room to become available (we expect to arrive at about 9:30 AM)? Is the pool slide too scary for 8 and 10 YO boys and a 3 YO girl? How far away is the kiddie pool from the main pool? Is the playground well kept? Crowded? Our reservations are for pool-view rooms. Any chance we'll be upgraded to Savannah view at that time of year? Oh yeah, one more thing. We're just one short to qualify for the magical gatherings as there will only be 7 of us. Any volunteers to make it 8 (or more)???

 

[MickeyMac]

>Are there tables around the pool area that we might congregate at on our arrival day as we wait for our room to become available (we expect to arrive at about 9:30 AM)?

Yes, and a changing room nearby. I would send one person down to the pool to scoop out a good location as the tables by the pool are few and hard to get.

> Is the pool slide too scary for 8 and 10 YO boys and a 3 YO girl?

My kids loved it. It's well shaded, too. It's not too tall, but I would stand at the bottom and 'catch' the girl coming down. My DD would come out rather fast. She was six when we first went there, and not a good swimmer. Having someone there, despite her wearing a vest, really boosted her confidence. BTW, I had to DRAG the kids out whenever we go.

>How far away is the kiddie pool from the main pool?

It's close, but because of all the landscaping, not easily seen from all over.

> Is the playground well kept?

Yes.

> Crowded?

Can be.

>Our reservations are for pool-view rooms. Any chance we'll be upgraded to Savannah view at that time of year?

Very possible, but the pool view is very nice and if you get a first floor location, you can walk right out your room through your patio sliders and right into the pool area, and to the restaurants, arcade, and such. It's such a great location with kids.

>Oh yeah, one more thing. We're just one short to qualify for the magical gatherings as there will only be 7 of us. Any volunteers to make it 8 (or more)???

Hot diggety dog, I'm there.

 

[Tinkerbutt]

Plenty of tables. Also nice area in the savannah around the firepit and inside. My DD6 had no problem w/ the slide. I didn't even get in and she went by herself...I watched from afar. She is a good swimmer so it would probably depend on how well your children swim. I've always paid for a savannah...and this trip I'm taking my chances and praying for an upgrade. From what I understand it is one of the best resorts for getting an upgrade so I'll have my fingers crossed. Playground is great, it was never very crowded in the 10 nites we have stayed there...we don't use the kiddie pool as I said above DD is a great swimmer for her age.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

The playground is very nice. You may be able to get a room as soon as you check in. I have checked in early in the morning several times and have always been lucky enough to be immediately given a room. Have a great time. This is our favorite resort. We are in the same situation as you, we have friends acoompanying us on this trip as well. Only one person in their party has ever been to WDW and it has been years since she has been. They are very excited about it as we are.

 

[rriley25]

Thanks everyone! Great answers!

Hey, goin2disneyagain...I'm a little worried that our friends won't "get" WDW like we do. Do you have the same concern? I mean, I know our whole family is crazy about Disney. Maybe they won't be.

Either way, we know we will have a great time. We've even booked an Illuminations cruise for them.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

rriley25- yes we are a little concerned about that too. We all love Disney too. I hope they enjoy it, so far they seem very excited about it so I hope they are not disappointed.

 

[bobcat]

The pool is also zero entry so little ones can play in the area with you. I would love this feature if my kids were still little. We were upgraded to Savanna view from standard view last July.

What part of July are you going? We will be there from the 18th-28th and might be interested in a magical gathering.

 

[rriley25]

Hi Bobcat! We're going 7/2 through 7/10. I know...4th of July. It's going to be very crowded. Hot too! We may be spending a lot of time in the pool.

 

[coachYO & my 3 girls]

I was wondering if the rooms on the 1st floor that walk out to the pool, how noisy are they?
Can my little one get her snooze time in early afternoon or is the place just jumping with everyone having fun?
Do they have bunks in them?
Thanks, YO

 

[MickeyMac]

Hmmm... we found the pool to be relatively quiet in the afternoon. My guess would be more people are at the parks then. It tended to pick up in the late afternoon and be busy all evening.

Bunk rooms are scattered fairly well throughout the building. I don't know for sure, but I think there are some on the first floor patio rooms as well.

If you're concerned about noise, but like the concept of the patio rooms, let the CM know and perhaps they can get you a room further down the wing.