Our stay at AKL, July 5-July 9.. About This Page:

[LFRD4504]

So glad that I found PassPorter!! As this was my first trip to WDW, I was looking for help, and found answers to all my questions with Jennifer and Dave's excellent publication.
I began to book our trip in Feb. and started by signing up with the Disney Club through my work(thus a $10.00 savings). I work for an automotive company(one of the Big 3, the one that starts with the letter F!). Me, age 46 and 2 years away from retirement, DS is age 9 and was ready for WDW. On the Disney Club website I ran across an offering for a savannah view room at AKL for an unheard of price of $105.00 per night! I made all the arrangements through the Disney Travel agent, airfare, car rental for 4 days after we left WDW for a trip to Naples and 2 PS's for dining. Also purchased the 4 day Hopper Passes at this time and was tickled to death with the price.
We left Louisville at 7:15am and after connections in Cinncinati, arrived at MCO at 11:35am. The driver from Tiffany Towncar was at baggage claim when we arrived and carried my 100lbs. of luggage quite a ways to where he had parked. Arrived at AKL around 12:15 and walked right up to the counter with no wait at all. What a beautiful place!!! I almost ran into 3 people on the way to our room due to my "gazing" at all the appointments of this lovely resort.
We have requested room 2501, and were escorted directly there as the room was already prepared at the time we arrived. The staff that we came in contact with were sooo friendly and helpful it made you feel as if you were truly a part of the family. No complaints whatsoever. Whenever I had a question about something, they always had the answer that I was looking for.
After depositing our supplies in our room and a quick walk around the pool, DS and I headed for the buses to MGM and a dose of Star Tours, Indiana Jones, and Muppet Vision 3-D. I was surprised at the crowds, or should I say the lack of, as we never waited more than 30-35 minutes for any of the rides this day. Didn't even consider the Fast Pass, must have been living right!
Our PS for Boma that evening was 7:30pm and we were seated by 7:40pm! I can't begin to describe the food that evening. While I sampled most of the entrees, my favorite had to be the prime rib that had been cooked just right over the wood fired ovens..mmmm, melted in your mouth! As picky an eater as DS is, even he found pleasure in the roasted chicken, as was evident by his 3 trips back to the serving line! I could go on and on about this experience, but must stop at the Zebra Domes(of which I sampled 3 times)least I make my self sick. With an Amber Bock beer and one iced tea for DS, my total tab that evening was $45.00, including the $10.00 tip! How could I complain?
Breakfast the next morning at Boma was much the same as dinner the night before, no complaints, only praise for a job well done. We also visited Mara numerous times and while the menu was somewhat limited, I enjoyed each selection. The Sugar Cane chicken seemed a tad on the spicy side for DS, but the chicken pizza sat well with him.
A wonderful pool kept DS busy, wearing out the slide and meeting new friends while I felt the need to sample the wares at Uzima Springs. Awww, the cold mugs of dark beer and the conversations around the bar in the afternoon with the lovely ladies (yes, I'm single) were "the life"!
Many more visits to the parks over the course of the next 3 days proved to be a very enjoyable time. While I had been apprehensive about going at this time of year, I again, must have been living right because we never encountered waits of more than 40 minutes on any of the attractions. One of our evenings was spent at Magic Kingdom for the parade, fireworks and an E-Night. DS felt compelled to drag me onto Space Mountain 5 times in a row and Buzz Lightyear 4 times. Buzz was great, but 5 times around Space Mountain was growing old!!
Again, I cannot say enough about AKL and our experience there. Waking up to the Zebras,giraffes, antelopes, etc.. outside our room each morning and viewing them again late at night was well worth any price that I would have been asked to pay. Plans are in the making already for a return visit soon!!!

[All Ears]

I am soooo glad to hear you had such a great time at AKL. DH and I have ressies there for November. We will be checking into AKL in 108 days.
I am also glad to hear you had favorable experiences at Mara & Boma, as we plan to check both out.
Do you have any tips, recommendations, or other advice on anything to see or do at AKL?
Thanks for sharing your report.
All Ears [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[LFRD4504]

Wow! 2 replies to my posting!! Tikibird, I guess one of the things that amazed me the most during our first visit to WDW was the attention to detail and the warm and friendly cast members that I had contact with. It was truly a great experience, and one that I fully intend to have again, soon!!

All Ears, as far as recommendations for AKL, one is that when you visit Boma, try everything, make yourself feel as though you're doing the chef an injustice by not sampling everything!! I DID!! Ummm Ummm good!! There were a couple of things that I wished we'd had more time for at AKL, one was a tour of the resort that I think was offered around 3:30pm each day. I believe it centered on the native artwork and architecture of the resort. It sounded like something that would have been of interest because there were so many things displayed throughout the property that were so beautiful but I had no idea as to their real meaning. Another tip, plan some time for browsing in the Zawanda (sp?) Marketplace located near the front lobby. So many neat things to spend money on!! My DS started his pin collection there, I believe he came home with about 20 of them. When he went to trade one of his Mickey pins with a lady at the register one afternoon, she wouldn't take his pin in trade but gave him an AKL pin that he'd had his eye on, and refused to allow me to pay for it. It was jestures like that which made our trip so special. We will be returning soon.

[tikibird]

Hi LFRD4504!

I want to work for your company (early retirement and DC discounts)!

Congrats on the excellent rate for AK and thanks for sharing about your trip!

As a first timer, what was your absolute favorite thing about WDW?

[Fortissimo]

Thank you, LFRD4504, for the wonderful report. The CM that gave your son the pin is what Disney magic really is about.

I can hardly wait to wake up in the, walk out on to the balcony with a cold cup of Diet Coke and watch the animals eat breakfast.

We will definetly have to check into a AKL tour.

Only 1,089 days until I get to see the AKL!

[All Ears]

Thanks for responding to my questions. I am soooo excited to go see what AKL is all about.
I am always excited about any trip to WDW, but this time - I am even more excited. (is that possible?!) Ever since I heard about AKL, I knew I wanted to check it out. And I will be there in just a few months.... Woo-Hoo!
Also, thanks for the information on the tour. That definitely sounds like something I would be interested in.
So glad your trip was full of Disney magic.
All Ears [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ 07-17-2001: Message edited by: All Ears ]

[arielsmom]

LFRD4504-Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip and especially AKL. We will be going in 91 days and appreciate all the great feedback from those who have already been. One question, why room 2501?

[LFRD4504]

A friend of mine had stayed at AKL in June and had recommended this room. It was an area that seemed to attract a lot of traffic as far as the animals were concerned, and I'll have to agree with him. Room 2501 also was at the beginning of the wing, thus it was about 30 ft. from the elevator, yet we were never disturbed with noise in the area. One other nice thing I liked about it's location was there is a outside observation area next to this room, so my DS was able to walk right outside and use the built in binoculars and I was able to stay on the balcony and keep an eye out on him.

[CU Tigger]

I'm just now reading your report and I'm thrilled to get some first hand input on AKL. I'll be staying there in Oct. A few questions about 2501. Does the balcony face the firepit? I'm assuming that it was on the second floor. Was that a good level for animal viewing or would a different floor be better?

I, like you, was surprised during my July visit by the lack of massive lines and waits. What a treat to pack more in to the long weekend than we ever imagined. It was HOT though! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

Thanks for your report. I can't wait to check into AKL!

[LFRD4504]

In regards to room 2501's location, I got some good pics from our balcony, though I was using a 200mm lens. It's about a full wing away from the fire pit, but as far as the height and location of the room for viewing the animals, I was totally satisfied. Each morning brought something different and I liked the idea of being nearby the elevators.A short walk to everything I needed. Hope you have an enjoyable trip in Oct., of course it's hard not to with the "magic"!