The All-New "unofficial" AKL/AKV's Jambo & Kidani FAQ thread.....

[2manypets]

10 months of planning! Oh my! We put our trip together in 6 weeks and got everything we wanted into the plan. I can't imagine having 10 months to drive DH crazy! Enjoy!

So far I just get the eye roll when I ask him where he wants to eat in 10 months, 2 week, 4 days, at 6:30pm.

 

[JanineandMike]

BUT now I just saw some photos from allearsnet of the standard rooms... which is just parking lots and buses-- not at all pretty, and some were just plain gross.

we also have a standard view room booked for december, but if you look at the resort map the percentage of rooms that only have a parking lot/bus view is about 10% maybe 15% at most. there are a number of rooms that are considered "standard view" but they are actually "poor savannah view." i'll take those odds. lots of people have posted about booking standard view and ending up with savannah view. we will also make the best out of our trip and will be okay with a poor view, we'll just have to spend more time in the lobby, by the pool or at the lobby savannah, oh well. we want to get the most out of the resort, not just the room, so any view is fine, but we are holding out hope for a savannah view upgrade.

 

[yooperfan]

If you've stayed at both WL and AK, which did you like better and why? Also, my DH wants to stay at AK for somethng new, but I'm worried it might be to isolated and be to much bus travel.Opinions anyone?

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

If you've stayed at both WL and AK, which did you like better and why? Also, my DH wants to stay at AK for somethng new, but I'm worried it might be to isolated and be to much bus travel.Opinions anyone?

DH & I stayed at the WL in April, and AKL in September. We actually enjoyed both, but would choose AKL over WL as there's just so much more to do at AKL. We didn't even scratch the surface on everything they have available. We enjoyed the WL and chose that resort because we were only visiting the MK & Epcot. For September we chose AKL since the rates were absolutely fantastic & we were only going to the AK & MK, but actually ended up only going to AK, DHS & Epcot. The bus rides were minimal times to get to the parks & we loved it. Longest wait at all was actually coming back from DTD in a huge thunderstorm....took about 45 minutes for a bus to come get all of us.

No matter which resort you choose it'll be fun & relaxing!!

 

[StPeteDisneyers]

we also have a standard view room booked for december, but if you look at the resort map the percentage of rooms that only have a parking lot/bus view is about 10% maybe 15% at most. there are a number of rooms that are considered "standard view" but they are actually "poor savannah view." i'll take those odds. lots of people have posted about booking standard view and ending up with savannah view. we will also make the best out of our trip and will be okay with a poor view, we'll just have to spend more time in the lobby, by the pool or at the lobby savannah, oh well. we want to get the most out of the resort, not just the room, so any view is fine, but we are holding out hope for a savannah view upgrade.

thank you!!!

 

[StPeteDisneyers]

When we were there I asked the staff at the CL about how do people get free upgrades? (we paid for the room we wanted - savannah view, CL) The reply was, "Haha! They don't happen often. If you want something, book it - don't hope for an upgrade. Not here. We fill up."

Take it for whatever you like, but that was the response directly from staff.

thank you..... is it wrong to wish bad thoughts about certain "castmembers"

 

[Disney Dreams]

thank you..... is it wrong to wish bad thoughts about certain "castmembers"

You're welcome. And, LOL, maybe. Something about not killing the messenger.

 

[ang38]

We've done both in the same trip. Wl is great if you want to travel quickly to and from MK. You can't beat the boat ride. The resort is beautiful and relaxing. The views are ok if you like woods or can get a courtyard view. AKL is beautiful and has a lot of things to do and most of the rooms offer fantastic views. A savanah room can't be beat. It's not a far bus ride to the parks, but that's all there is is buses. At WL you have boats, buses and then the monorial if you boat it over to the CR. Decide if you'll be spending a lot of time at your resort and if the view is a must., if you want to see animals from your balcony, if a quick boat to MK is needed. Then you can decide. Either resort is great!!

If you've stayed at both WL and AK, which did you like better and why? Also, my DH wants to stay at AK for somethng new, but I'm worried it might be to isolated and be to much bus travel.Opinions anyone?

 

[MrsTigger]

Hi, We're thinking of staying at AKL and will probably just go for a standard view room however we would like a king bed..Is this something we would be able to request?

 

[2manypets]

Ok...so now I'm on the phone with a very nice CM changing my ressies to AKL Club Level. It sound wonderful and will save us money on snacks and maybe breakfast.

Can anyone that's been tell me all about it? When should I hear from Concierge, what should I ask them to do for me? Where are the rooms?

Thanks!

 

[JanineandMike]

Hi, We're thinking of staying at AKL and will probably just go for a standard view room however we would like a king bed..Is this something we would be able to request?

you can request a standard view room with a king bed.

 

[JHarveyTN]

I'm so excited. I just upgraded our Dec trip reservation from POP to AKL. We stayed at AKL when we took our oldest DS to WDW for the first time 5 years ago. We love AKL and can't wait to return with our youngest DS for the first time. He is going to flip over the animals (he's almost 4). We didn't do the savanna view but we got a pool view bunk bed room. Should I put a room request of any kind on our reservation with the pool view? Also, when we stay at value & mods I usually request an upper floor for noise reasons. Is that necessary at AKL? Thanks!
Oh, the best part for me is that the upgrade is a Christmas surprise my DH and boys think we are staying at POP. Shhhh!

 

[StPeteDisneyers]

Would all of you who have successfully been upgraded tell us your "secrets"... i mean.. did you ask for an upgrade... or were you just pleasantly surprised... or how did you get it?

I've worked in customer service, so I know not to be pushy, but I've had more luck with airline gate agents than i've ever had at Disney...

What am I doing wrong?

 

[dthorry]

I was wondering if the people who have booked standard rooms that had the poor savanna views could tell us what rooms they had. This may help when requesting where to stay so if you booked a standard room and don't get an upgrade you may still ask for one with a poor savanna view.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Would all of you who have successfully been upgraded tell us your "secrets"... i mean.. did you ask for an upgrade... or were you just pleasantly surprised... or how did you get it?

I've worked in customer service, so I know not to be pushy, but I've had more luck with airline gate agents than i've ever had at Disney...

What am I doing wrong?

This past September when we checked into AKL later than expected we explained to the CM that our business had been robbed the night before and we had spent the day with the police & trying to upgrade security etc, at the shop. It had been a very long & stressful day. On top of that this was our Anniversary celebration and our AP's were expiring so this was supposed to be a nice, relaxing and fun filled vacation. The CM went into the back and when he came back out, we'd been upgraded from our "standard" view room to a sunset savanna room and it was the most fantastic surprise we've ever had on site. There were so many animals no matter what time of day we were relaxing on the balcony. It actually was the highlight of our stay. We spent alot of time at the resort enjoying everything AKL had to offer & only ventured to AK, DHS & Epcot for short periods of time. This was the first time in over 20 years of staying onsite we'd ever been upgraded & it was perfect.

 

[heatherbabydoll1]

That's awsome! I am so excited about our up coming trip! We wanted the view but they only had pool view available. Some said you can see animals from the pool view also.

 

[Disney1976]

Would all of you who have successfully been upgraded tell us your "secrets"... i mean.. did you ask for an upgrade... or were you just pleasantly surprised... or how did you get it?

I've worked in customer service, so I know not to be pushy, but I've had more luck with airline gate agents than i've ever had at Disney...

What am I doing wrong?

You're not doing anything wrong. Upgrades are infrequent occurences, but people posting to message boards can make it sound like it's a common thing, when it's really not. Basically, if you get a free upgrade, it's "pixie dust" to begin your trip. But I wouldn't go in expecting it -if you want a certain room, it is best to book it before you go.

You can also ask the cost of an upgrade when you arrive, but you'd likely be paying rack rate at that point.

 

[s&k'smom]

Hi, I just booked AKL this morning for 2009. Can we use the pool at the Villa's as well as the main one at the resort? Thanks for any info!

 

[3for Me]

I know this may sound like a dumb question, but I am new to AKL/AKV...sorry in advance!

I have scrolled through this FAQ, but I am confused...so here goes...if you book a 1BR villa, can you still get concierge service? I tend to think NO, but then, in reading it seems like maybe...we have a family of five, so really that is our only option, other than a 1 BR Suite which I know you can get with concierge.

Thanks in advance!!! Love this thread!

 

[hematite153]

I know this may sound like a dumb question, but I am new to AKL/AKV...sorry in advance!

I have scrolled through this FAQ, but I am confused...so here goes...if you book a 1BR villa, can you still get concierge service? I tend to think NO, but then, in reading it seems like maybe...we have a family of five, so really that is our only option, other than a 1 BR Suite which I know you can get with concierge.

Thanks in advance!!! Love this thread!

There are 5 2brm lockoff (this means they can be 2 bdrms or break down into a 1 bdrm and a studio) villas in the concierge category. However, I think that these rooms generally book quickly and are unlikely to make it to CRO for cash reservations. (You could possibly rent points from a DVC member though in order to book one.)