The New Lizard Lounge

[tinklvr64]

Hi All~whats the lizard lounge??? Can anyone join?
We are going to GF staying at SL Nov 23~28 ohhh so excited

 

[MinnieSummer]

The Lizard Lounge was originally started as a forum for those who stay Concierge Level at the Deluxe Resorts. I joined because I thought I was going to but then plans changed so now I'm really just a wannabe Lizard, or maybe a Dreaming Lizard fits the WDW theme better.

Anyway, it's a fun place to visit. Sometimes it's very active and sometimes it's not but there's always someone out there to offer advice or just some encouragement.

Welcome to the Lounge.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

We are going to be at the AKL club level in September and I am very excited to be doing the Worlds as it has been almost 9 years since we have. Now we have not been Disney free this whole time, we did manage 2 cruises, both at concierge level and loved them so much I could barely get myself ready for a land only trip. But I am excited now. We were Florida residents then and did not stay at the resorts nor did we ever do any dining plans.

 

[MinnieSummer]

You are sooo lucky. My dream is to stay concierge at AKL or CR (and maybe Poly) for Christmas. I think this year I might actually be able to do it but we'll see.

For those of you who have followed my saga over the last few years I thought I would share that I have another road trip planned to take my mom back to PA the first week of June. I promise to watch very carefully as I fill my tank with gas.

On a sad note, my boss, the one who was so wonderful to me while my father was so sick, passed away in my arms last month. It was sudden but very quick and painless. He went exactly how he wanted to go, almost like he planned it. We had moved the office into his house last year and I always told him he did it so when his time came I would be with him. He never denied it but in the end when he started having difficulties walking and I was so worried about leaving him alone at night he told me not to worry I would be with him when he went.

Anyway, his passing has left me with alot of free time coming up so while my DD is at camp at Seaworld I am going to stay at WDW -- ALONE!!! I'm so excited!! Of course I'm probably staying at CSR or POFQ but I'll still be alone. I'm thinking of going parasailing. That just really appeals to me and since I don't think my DD is ready for that (she does but I don't) I'm going to try to do it then.

 

[Angel16]

We are going to be at the AKL club level in September and I am very excited to be doing the Worlds as it has been almost 9 years since we have. Now we have not been Disney free this whole time, we did manage 2 cruises, both at concierge level and loved them so much I could barely get myself ready for a land only trip. But I am excited now. We were Florida residents then and did not stay at the resorts nor did we ever do any dining plans.

WELCOME MOMsof2boys We are happy to see that you have joined our little group. This thread gets busy, then slows down, then gets busy. There are many people who post here that have tons of information and experience.

Sounds like you have an exciting trip planned. I haven't been able to do a Disney cruise (YET) However, our trips to WDW have been pretty fantastic, especially those to Animal Kingdom Lodge staying concierge errr "club level" If you have any questions that I may be of help with just let me know. You in for one fantastic vacation!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

WELCOME MOMsof2boys We are happy to see that you have joined our little group. This thread gets busy, then slows down, then gets busy. There are many people who post here that have tons of information and experience.

Sounds like you have an exciting trip planned. I haven't been able to do a Disney cruise (YET) However, our trips to WDW have been pretty fantastic, especially those to Animal Kingdom Lodge staying concierge errr "club level" If you have any questions that I may be of help with just let me know. You in for one fantastic vacation!

I am getting very excited. I can't believe how rushed I am to get summer here and gone already. My kids would die if they knew I was secretly wishing away their summer.

I am sure I will have a ton of questions as the time gets closer... I just don't know to ask them yet.

So thank you for the warm welcome... looks like I can read to my hearts content and still not finish all the back reading here.

 

[Angel16]

What ADR's to have in mind? Your 120 day window is coming up soon....depending on your vacation dates.

You are eligible to go on the Sunrise Safari and/or the Wayama Safarai. Try not to miss one or the other.

Angel

 

[MomsOf2boys]

What ADR's to have in mind? Your 120 day window is coming up soon....depending on your vacation dates.

You are eligible to go on the Sunrise Safari and/or the Wayama Safarai. Try not to miss one or the other.

Angel

We are doing the Sunrise Safari. My son will turn 17 while we are there so we are also doing MNSSHP on his birthday as he is a Halloween nut. I have Jiko, Yachtsman, Spirit of Aloha, Hoop de doo, CRT, 50's prime time, Le Celier, and whispering canyon on my list. We are doing a lot of TS this time to use our dining plan to its fullest.

 

[MinnieSummer]

WOW you really have everything planned out. I love your restaurant choices but as angel said make sure you get on the phone as soon as your window opens as many of those restaurants fill up very quickly. I would love to do the sunrise safari. I'm hoping this Christmas will be club level at AKL as I think that is truly the most breathtaking resort for the holidays, then I will do the safari.

Are you going to do anything special for your sons b-day? I'd talk to your concierge staff as I have great things about their ability to pull off wonderful in room surprises for b-days and anniversaries.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

WOW you really have everything planned out. I love your restaurant choices but as angel said make sure you get on the phone as soon as your window opens as many of those restaurants fill up very quickly. I would love to do the sunrise safari. I'm hoping this Christmas will be club level at AKL as I think that is truly the most breathtaking resort for the holidays, then I will do the safari.

Are you going to do anything special for your sons b-day? I'd talk to your concierge staff as I have great things about their ability to pull off wonderful in room surprises for b-days and anniversaries.

My son is the animal junkie... he has always wanted to be a zoologist so the whole trip was with him in mind. I have not talked to concierge about something special for his birthday. Is that who I would order a cake or something from? I have heard they will bring a cake at the restaurants but I am thinking we would rather have it in the room? I don't know... Just thinking that we don't always eat much desert at a table service.. correction.. my youngest and I will manage desserts but not the birthday boy.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

WOW you really have everything planned out. I love your restaurant choices but as angel said make sure you get on the phone as soon as your window opens as many of those restaurants fill up very quickly. I would love to do the sunrise safari. I'm hoping this Christmas will be club level at AKL as I think that is truly the most breathtaking resort for the holidays, then I will do the safari.

Are you going to do anything special for your sons b-day? I'd talk to your concierge staff as I have great things about their ability to pull off wonderful in room surprises for b-days and anniversaries.

I have never done Christmas at Disney... that does sound very nice especially now that the boys are getting older and Santa would not need a chimney. But being divorced, we share Christmas. One of us take them Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and the other gets them at 10ish in the morning and Christmas Dinner. Soo... that would be really mean for me to snatch them away.

 

[Nancyg56]

We are going to be at the AKL club level in September and I am very excited to be doing the Worlds as it has been almost 9 years since we have.

You are going to love AKL. My family was lucky enough to spend out first Disney vacation in years there also club level. It was wonderful, I cannot say enough about the staff. they went beyond expectations to make our time there enjoyable. We have since been back to Disney several times but i find that AKL is my favorite.

You are sooo lucky. My dream is to stay concierge at AKL or CR (and maybe Poly) for Christmas. I think this year I might actually be able to do it but we'll see.

For those of you who have followed my saga over the last few years I thought I would share that I have another road trip planned to take my mom back to PA the first week of June. I promise to watch very carefully as I fill my tank with gas.

Minniesummer- how are you doing? I think of you often and can never put diesel fuel in my truck without thinking of your last road trip

I'm sorry to hear about your boss, I remember how he helped you so that you could spend your time caring for your parents. Not many employers would have given so much latitude, but it sounds like you were more like family than coworkers.

We spent out AKL vacation just after Christmas and the decorations were still up. You are right, it is stunning. The tree in the lobby is breathtaking. You are going to have a wonderful time!

Angel- How are you doing?

 

[MinnieSummer]

The concierge staff can make any arrangements you want and that includes having a cake show up in your room. You need to let them know in advance what you want though. OR you can have the cake delivered after dinner and then take it back to your room but that just seems like way to much work.

My DD also wants to study animals but her focus is to be a large animal vet so she loves all the behind the scenes stuff at AKL and AK (watching the vet's work in Rafiki's Planet Watch was great fun for her). That's why she is going to Sea World for Summer camp this year. I keep hoping that AK will start a similar program -- staying on property and getting to work behind the scenes at AK would be a dream come true for her. Of course she is only 9 and plans are subject to change.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Nancy: Thank you for your kind words. I'm still working for his estate now, probably another few weeks and then I will be done. It's been hard as I now feel like I've lost two fathers in the space of two years so you are right, he was more like family to me then a boss. When I look back on the last 16 years with him I realize just how much of my life exists because of him and I appreciate that time so much. He was an extrememly special man and I have been blessed to have had my father and him in my life and my DH as well.

It looks like we will be staying at AKL for Chrismtas this year. I think we may have to do a one bedroom villa as my mom will be with us but i think there is Concierge level at AKL villas so I might give that a whirl. I've told my entire family that we are staying there regardless and of course my DH started in with CR MK view and my DD started in with Poly MK view but I am holding firm this time -- in fact I may book it now so they can't change my mind.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Is everyone ready for one of my bizarre questions? As I said I will be at the World for one week all alone If you had that opportunity what would you do (besides the spa things as I really don't like massages and facials)? I want to try parasailing (do they still have that?) and I'm going to check out some of the nightlife as I always miss it when I'm there with my DD. BUt what else?

 

[MomsOf2boys]

You are going to love AKL. My family was lucky enough to spend out first Disney vacation in years there also club level. It was wonderful, I cannot say enough about the staff. they went beyond expectations to make our time there enjoyable. We have since been back to Disney several times but i find that AKL is my favorite.

?

That is so wonderful to hear. It really is. Then my mind gets all childlike and excited and I start to think about the trip and will most likely get THAT look tonight at the table. you know the look....

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Is everyone ready for one of my bizarre questions? As I said I will be at the World for one week all alone If you had that opportunity what would you do (besides the spa things as I really don't like massages and facials)? I want to try parasailing (do they still have that?) and I'm going to check out some of the nightlife as I always miss it when I'm there with my DD. BUt what else?

They do still have parasailing! If i were there alone I think I would do the 4 1/2 hour tour at MK. My family doesn't want to commit to that amount of time and I think it would be neat to see the "tunnels".

 

[mmmears]

Hi everyone!

I think it has been over a year since I posted on this board, but we are finally looking at going back to WDW in 2009 and I am trying to pick resorts right now and would love some input.

For the first half of our stay we want to stay at AKL concierge. We visited this hotel on our last trip for dinner at Boma and were swept away by the ambiance. So we know we want to stay there and try out the morning safari.

For the second half, we're considering either the Poly or the GF. My questions:

1) Is it true that there is only 1 concierge level at the GF? Last time we stayed in Sugar Loaf which was their 2nd-tier concierge and loved it. Does anyone know what the changes were and if it is still nice there?

2) How is the Poly concierge? We've never stayed at the Poly because we like how light and airy it seems at the GF and the Poly always seems dark. Plus our other frequent vacation destination is Hawaii so the Poly doesn't feel like Hawaii to us. But I keep reading such passionate reviews about the place, so there must be something special there, right?

Any opinions/recommendations would be welcome. We are creatures of habit and tend to stay in the same resorts at WDW, DL, Hawaii, etc. but think it might be time to try something new. Also, we are dreading the heat (we'll be going late May, 2009) and the lack of access to Stormalong Bay that this itinerary provides!

Thanks in advance!

 

[MinnieSummer]

They do still have parasailing! If i were there alone I think I would do the 4 1/2 hour tour at MK. My family doesn't want to commit to that amount of time and I think it would be neat to see the "tunnels".

I hadn't thought of doing a tour. I absolutely love that idea!! thanks.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I hadn't thought of doing a tour. I absolutely love that idea!! thanks.

Please come back and tell us about it if you do go ok? Enjoy