staying at AKL instead of DVC

[rpink58]

I booked the AKL conciege for Nov. . I love staying ay OKW , but I decided to go for a change of pace after 10 years. I can honestly say that this is the most excited I have been to go to WDW in awhile.
Ray

 

[westjones]

I think I want to do this with my family next year! Isn't there a day that AKL guests can go on the safari tour early (before the park opens) and get a longer more personal tour?

DJ

 

[luvindisneyworld]

yes, but you have to stay concierge.i think the only days they offer it is on tuesday and saturday.they say it is awesome.
misty

 

[Mary Ellen]

That is the Sunrise Safari. As luvindisneyworld mentioned, it is only available for Concierge guests who pay an additional $50/adult (don't know children's price) for it. This does include a wonderful breakfast buffet afterwards with the game keeper who lead the tour.

Friday and Saturday nights eat a LOT of points in AKL concierge, but we loved it. One thing that was nice about using points is that it is for the room - up to the room capacity, not per adult. Due to unusual circumstances we had a change of plans and ended up with with a friend needing to stay with us at AKL before we all moved to BWV. We didn't have to pay the $25 additional for a third adult in the room. (We did notify MS ahead of time there would be 3 adults so she could have her own key to get to the concierge floor.)

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, it's not the most efficient use of points, but isn't the whole idea of the DVC to give you the ability to do a vacation the way you want?

 

[queenof4hearts]

I am staying AKL concierge next week and spoke w/ Concierge CM about sunrise safari. We got put on waiting list, which is fine. W/out my asking he said my 2 year old is free and 3 & 7 year old will be a 24.95 charge not $ 50. I keep reading that adults and children are same price.
Anyhow I am not planning on attending but if we do get in it will be a nice surprise. Disney is toooo cool!

 

[queenof4hearts]

Just one more question about AKL. We booked now 4 nights instead of two in concierge. When I spoke w/ CM I asked if it might be a possibility to get upgraded w/ paying cash difference. We used points. He didn't seem to think this would be a problem if one was available. We booked w/ points and 1 br suites are not an option. Has anyone ever actually done this before? I didn't ask him how much it may be either.
3 days and counting!!

 

[nezy]

You are never crazy for using your points to your greatest enjoyment and with few hassles. It is one of those things you don't do every year, so go for it and have a great time!

 

[Pig Pen]

Sounds like a plan...

Because of my DH's weird work schedule, we always start our vacations on Thursdays. Our plan is to pay cash for Thurs, Fri, and Sat and stay at non-DVC properties (DH wants to try them all), then check into a DVC property for Sun-Thurs (cheap points).

Someday we will make it to AKL!!!!

Have a great time.

 

[WDWguruDH]

AKL is our favorite resort by far...love it! One of the reasons against DVC for us was no AKL(except for high points), but we keep our fingers crossed for villas one day. We too, have made plans for a point stay, it is worth it.