|
The concierge level here is known as 'Kilimanjaro Club'
Concierge service includes robes, make-up mirror, turndown service,
and lounge with continental breakfast, midday snacks, evening beverages,
wine and hors d'oeuvres.
Concierge guests will be greeted by a concierge Cast Member and
escorted to the lounge to check-in. Concierge check in is done through
the bell services desk.The concierge lounge is located on the 6th
floor, with rooms on the 5th & 6th floors.
The concierge rooms are of the 'deluxe' type, so are slightly larger
than standard rooms.
Lounge open 6:30am to 10:00pm
Concierge desk staffed 7:00am to 10:00pm
Click here for photos of AKL Concierge.
Macheo
(Sunrise Offering)
6:30am
Coffee and assorted juices
Miamko (Adventurous Awakenings)
7:00am - 10:30am
Fresh fruits, juices, pastries, bagels, croissants, muffins, oatmeal,
and cereals. Hot drinks, fruit juice, milk.
Vitafunio (Safari Snacks)
11:30am - 3:00pm
Various African snacks (nuts, dried fruit, pretzels) and beverages
Chai (Afternoon Tea)
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Sandwiches, scones, homemade cookies, biscuits & loose leaf
teas.
Kisikusiku (Twighlight Offerings)
5:00pm - 7:00pm
African wines, hors d'oeuvres, and specialty appetizers (from Jiko
and Boma). Also a children's selection that may include PB&J,
chicken nuggets.
Rehema (Evening Indulgences)
8:00pm - 10:00pm
Desserts (from Boma and Jiko) and Cordials
Beverages are available all day
Juice, soda, bottled water, hot drinks.
Sunrise
Safari
This is one of the most popular perks of staying in a concierge
room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Available exclusively to concierge
guests on Tuesdays and Saturdays, meeting at 6:15am (sometimes 7am)
in the lounge. Guests are taken, by special bus, to the Animal Kingdom,
where they get a 'private' safari on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride.
The safari takes longer than normal, with the guide making frequent
stops to enable guests to ask questions and take photos of the animals.
Once the safari is over, you are taken to a private room in the
Tusker House Restaurant, and served a magnificent breakfast buffet,
which some say is the best on Disney property.
Before you leave, each guest receives a Fastpass to ride Kilimanjaro
Safari the regular way.
Unfortunately there is a separate charge of $39.50 for adults and
$24.95 for children, and park admission is also required. You can
sign up for the Sunrise Safari up to 90 days in advance, and as
it's so popular I would suggest doing it sooner rather than later.
Wildlife Discovery Excursions
Walt Disney World Resort concierge-level guests can venture off
the beaten path of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve at Disney's Animal
Kingdom for a unique wildlife discovery excursion. Led by a seasoned
safari guide and an animal expert, the adventure takes guests beyond
the safari trail, stopping at special observation and photo areas
throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve. The excursions
begin Feb. 15, 2005.
Small groups (no more than 14 guests) travel in a custom-designed,
climate-controlled vehicle for the one-hour excursion, offered daily
at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost is $45 per guest with a portion of the
proceeds donated to the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.
For more information and to book an excursion, concierge-level
guests may contact their Walt Disney World Resort concierge or resort
itinerary planning office. Advance reservations are required.
Stayed
in concierge? Fill in the resort review form,
or email me your comments and reviews.
Reviews
"Pre Trip
When making my reservation with WDTC they asked me for my email
address - about 3 months before our trip Don from the AKL Itinerary
Planning Office emailed me to introduce himself and ask if I needed
any PS's made.
About the same time in the mail I received an information package
with a little questionaire to complete.
Great service so far!
I chose to email (instead of regular mail) a request to Don for
a few meals & the sunrise safari and to request a room on the
5th floor with a main savanna view.
CRT was one of my requests - I said it could be any of 7 mornings
- and luckily they were able to book it for me - but I did not find
this out till about a week before our departure.
I also asked about "pillow gifts" things to be left on
my daughters bed everynight at turndown for a little surprise.
Don came up with the idea of plush safari animals from the gift
shop - sounded great to me. He picked up 9 of them and had them
all ready to go for our arrival. (cost of animals 85.00)
I also arranged a welcome surprise for Noel from the Walt Disney
Florist - it was a Sorcerer Mickey Backpack filled with items such
as candy, a large candle, colouring book, cookies, autograph book,
and a plush sorcerer mickey. (cost 85.00)
Arrival
Don had asked when and how we were arriving - I said about 12:00
via Florida Town Car.
We pulled in the driveway at AKL and security checked our name off
a clipboard and we drove up... The bellman opened the door and said
"Welcome to Animal Kindom Lodge you must be Cassie and Noel"
(at this point I almost fell over)
His next statement was that our room was ready and he would take
us straight there.
He gave us a mini tour on the way up - pointing out all kinds of
things - of course that conversation was all a blurr as I was so
overwhelmed.
Our room was 5233 on the kudu trail with a wonderful view of the
main savanna. The room had 2 queen size beds and was bright and
comfortable, there was an full ice bucket, 2 glasses and a large
bottled water on the table beside Noel's welcome gift which was
all wrapped in cellophane.
There were no animals on the savanna at this point of the day as
they go to the barns for feeding. I tipped the bellman and he said
just to stop by the concierge lounge when I was ready.
We unpacked for a few minutes - well - I unpacked... Noel sat on
the balcony and was in awe.. also she was so excited about the welcome
gift and was trying to rip it apart - the card said "From all
your Disney Friends" She still has not clued in that these
things might have something to do with me.
The phone rang and it was Juanita from the Kilamajaro Club - she
welcomed us to the hotel and told us to stop by the lounge. We headed
there a few minutes later and I was really impressed by the beauty
of the lodge. The rope bridge that spans the lobby was such a joy
to walk across - I have really never seen anything like this place
- it is warm and comfortable despite it's size.
We used our key cards in the elevator to acccess the 6th floor concierge
- YAY they work! Noel loved using this card. It was around 1pm now
and there were some snacks out in the lounge, cashews, gummy bears,
trail mix etc... Noel asked for a coke and fixed herself some snacks
while I sat with Juanita.
Marge (another CM) noticed I did not have a drink and came to offer
me a lemonade she had poured for me, how nice! I enjoyed my drink
while signing the papers and having my credit card processed. I
can't say enough good things about the concierge staff at AKL.
Everynight at promised - at turndown there would be an animal left
for Noel on her bed - by the 3rd night - she had caught on - and
was DRAGGING me back to the room to see what was there. Some of
the animals were beanie size but made noise when you squeezed them
and some were really large and much more than I expected in quality...
a good tip for any parent trying to make your child's trip a little
more magical.
Also on our first night there was a hand carved wooden giraffe left
as a gift in our room.
Breakfast in the lounge was a treat - not having to figure out where
to go was a treat, not having to carry money or anything was a treat.
This lounge is peaceful and airy and has glorious view of the main
lobby below.
Breakfast consited of Bagels & toast with butter, margarine,
cream cheese, peanut butter, jams & jellies, marmalades, muffins
(at least 3 varieties each day) mini danishes, hot oatmeal with
toppings such as dried fruit, cold cereals in plastic bowls with
peel back lids, fresh fruit platter, yogurts, milk, chocolate milk,
many teas, juices, water & coffee - there was a large coffee/expresso/cappucino
machine but it intimidated me. (LOL)
Daily snacks - trail mix, cashews, goldfish crackers, gummi bears,
occasioanllly a bowl of whole fruits (apples, pears), ice tea, water,
lemonade, african smoothies and soda on request.
High Tea - with scones, cookies etc
Late Afternoon - Hot Appetizers - usually 2 or 3 types of skewer
- chicken, pork, beef, shrimp or salmon, chicken nuggets, occasionally
fries, different types of hummus with pita, cheese & cracker
platter, fruit, veggies and dip, flatbreads, sandwich roll ups,
PB&J uncrustables.
Evening cordials such as Baileys, Drambuie, Frangelico, Grand Marnier,
desserts included tarts, mini cheesecakes, chocolate covered strawberries,
cookies, occasionally zebra domes, squares & nanaimo bars.
I was thrilled that concierge was able to get PS's for CRT - it
was for 8:05 am and we had a table right at the window overlooking
Cinderella's golden carousel - magical.
One morning I asked the CM to check for Hoop Dee Doo for the next
night - later she confirmed that she had booked it for us. When
we arrived at Hoop Dee Doo - our table was front and centre - touching
the stage - I asked the waiter how this could be as I booked so
late - he said it was noted on the PS that we were VIP... I have
no idea if this is a normal thing concierge does - but I was completely
surprised at this.
Another night we had Fultons Crabhouse booked for dinner - but it
was raining cats and dogs so I decided to just stay at AKL. I stopped
by Boma to make a reservation and the place was mobbed (this was
about 5:30pm) The hostess said the first time we could get in would
be around 8:20pm -too late for us.
Later at the concierge lounge I mentioned this to the CM - she immediately
picked up the phone and a moment later asked me when I wanted to
dine.. we walked in at 6:30pm - the place was even more packed but
we were shown straight to a table... amazing.
The kilamanjaro club lounge is a nice place to relax. There is
rain pretty well every day in August and we would make a habit of
coming up for a cookie or a drink. Noel would watch one of the Disney
videos on the big TV and I would people watch or read the paper
- what a great place to cool off. Also there was other guests to
chat to if you are so inclined.
It is also very close to the pool area - one elevator stright up
- Noel would go up and get canned soda to bring down to the pool
or a styrofoam cup of gummi bears etc.. to enjoy by the pool. I
would make a take out coffee to enjoy in the mornings on the bus
ride to a park.
In the Evening after a long day the lounge was also a great place
to stop before going to bed, Noel would have a cookie and a glass
of milk and sit with the other kids either doing puzzles or colouring
or watching TV - it is like having your living room with you on
holiday.
It was also very nice to take a drink back to the room to enjoy
on the balcony. We felt truly spoiled at AKL.
Sunrise Safari - Go on this if you can.
We arrived in the lounge at 7:00am and I had a coffee, Noel had
a chocolate milk. we were given name tags and asked to hand in our
park passes. The CM's verfied that we had admission to DAK - then
we were off to the park. Our guide was Joe and he was very knowledgable
and pleasant.
We entered the back way into DAK, past all the specialized buildings
for caring for the animals.
We left the bus and walked to the Kilamanjaro Safari ride and then
left on our safari. It is not like the regular ride where you catch
poachers and save Little Red the elephant. There are no sound effects
like creaky bridges.. it is very quiet and peaceful and the safari
is slow paced with lots of opportunity to take photos. It was about
45 minutes in total and as it is so early the animals are just returning
to the savanna - they come so close to the jeep - and you can get
some great photos.
After the safari we headed to the tuskerhouse to a private room
(schoolroom?) where breakfast was waiting for us. There was fruits
and cinnimon rolls, eggs of different varieties, muffins and danishes,
bacon & sausages, vegetables... hot coffee & tea - really
a nice relaxing meal.
After breakfast you are given a fastpass to try the safari the "normal"
way - but you probably won't need it as the park is just now opening
and there are very little people around.
Things to do around the hotel - cookie decorating at Boma (we went
twice), hidden mickey safari (pick up a clue sheet from the concierge
lounge or guest services), they do games around the pool during
the day and one afternoon they had crafts. Storytelling at the firepit
(our storyteller ate a bug for us). Night vision goggles in the
evening.
Chat with the African CM's - what a pleasure! Ask questions or just
say Hi!! These people are so gracious and a credit to the resort.
Check out Day
We just did express checkout (they slip the bill under your door
the night before)
I arranged for the bellman to take our bags around 9:00am - When
he arrived he had 2 bottles of water in a string-like bag with a
thank you note, wishing us a safe journey home and left it with
our luggage.
We had our last breakfast in the lounge and Marge presented Noel
with a "take home" cup. It was a styrofoam coffee cup
with a lid and it was tied with a ribbon. She opened it later in
the airport and it was filled with cookies (that were quartered)
and gummi bears... Noel ate them on the flight home.
TIPS
- Utilize the pretrip itinerary planning services - let them book
your PS's for you it is also a good way to get aquainted - by the
time you arrive you feel like you know them.
- Request things - don't expect them always to be available. I witnessed
an incident with a large family furious that they could not get
a last minute PS. They gave the CM a really hard time and it was
embarrassing.
**On SoapBox**
- Concierge Rooms / Locations / Views - This is one weird situation.
The 6th floor is the concierge floor where the lounge is located
and also several pool view rooms (smoking optional) and savanna
views rooms - which do not look over the main savanna. They overlook
the sunset savanna which is MUCH smaller and there are some rooftoops
tops to look over before you see the savanna. There are giraffes
and ostriches here and a watering hole - but no Zebras or wilderbeast.
(I believe)
To get the best Savanna view - I recommend requesting the 5th floor
- Arusha Savanna View - but you must realize to have this view means
you are a bit of a walk and one floor down from the Kilamanjaro
Club. **Off Soap Box**
Food Offerings Breakfast is substancial - enough to feed everyone
with many choices. Yummy!
Snacks - very light, not filling, just munchies - don't expect this
to be lunch - it also gets repetative.
High Tea - very light, scones & cookies - they go pretty fast
too!
Hot Appetizers - on days we went to the parks - we had BIG Lunches
at 3:00pm- and I found with these hot & cold appetizers at 5:30pm
- we did not want to go out for dinner after that - we were full!
So my tip here would be don't overeat and ruin your dinner plans
- how disappointing if you have PS's and you are not hungry
- Dress properly in the lounge - it is very relaxed up there, however,
adults in their "jammies" getting breakfast is a little
too relaxed LOL
Also bare feet is a NO NO... guests would come up from the pool
to grab a drink and just have their cover up over a bathing suit
and no shoes.. the CM's sent them packing.
- Watch your kids in the lounge - I saw a little kid throw handfuls
of coffee stir sticks over the railing down to the lobby below
His parents were totally oblvious!
- Optional but nice - Bring a small gift for the concierge staff
(I brought boxes of chocolates)
- Tip a Concierge CM if you feel they have really gone above and
beyond for you. (This is totally optional and not required and it
is not widely known but they can accept cash up to 75.00)
I didn't know you could tip a CM - If I had known I would have left
a nice tip after my daughter's favourite toys were returned to her
- after we left the behind at hoop dee doo. That was some incredible
Disney Magic - you can read "the best thing that ever happened
at Disney" on my website link below.
- Tip your housekeeper - (again optional but nice ) There was a
little card from my housekeeper introducing herself - her name was
Isabel - around mid-stay I finally ran into her during the day and
we chatted, I gave her $75.00 and thanked her for everything.
In addition I left $2.00 a night out for the turndown housekeeper
- sometimes she took it.. sometimes she didn't.
- Houskeeping was excellent - no towel animals but she sure set
up Noel's toys in fun and inventive ways
- If you are staying concierge - stop and smell the roses, try not
to be a park commando - out first thing in the AM.. back late at
night - give yourself an opportunity to enjoy the hotel and the
meet staff in the lounge along with other nice families - the kids
had fun together in this lovely relaxed setting." (8/02) Cass
"Just
got back from our spring "Flower Power" Trip. Stayed at
the AKL (4 nights, 22-26th) and WL (5
nights,26-31st) This was the first time at WL and the second stay
at AKL.
Filled out the itinerary planning sheets and listed on both that
it would be my DW birthday (27th) while we were down there. I did
arrange with the Disney florist to deliver to our room a suprise
basket of goodies, baloons, etc. on her birthday.
I did not request any special room location at either resort.
Last year, at the AKL, we stayed on the 6th floor overlooking the
Sunset Savannah, so I expected something similar this time. When
we drove up, the CM said our room was ready and it was on the 5th
floor. OK, no problem. A quick ride up the elevator to the lounge
was fine. But our room was 5315. What a walk. But I guess you take
the good with the bad. This savannah was much more alive this trip.
Plus there is a gated staircase from the 5th to the 6th floor so
we didn't have to cross the bridge over the lobby to get to the
elevators.
When we checked in, they gave us a printed list of our itinerary
(PSs and tours) for our entire trip. even the PSs that the WL made
for us and the ones we made on our own.
The food offerings were great. The lounge was crowded some days.
I wish they had cardboard trays to carry items back to the rooms
The AKL concierge goes well above above and beyond. Last year we
sayed the second week of May. Concierge called us a couple of months
ahead and we mentioned it was to celebrate our aniversary (April
30). They had a little cake waiting for us in our room one night.
This year they called us on April 30th and wished us a happy anniversary.
This year they gave us a little gift for her birthday and called
our house on the 27th to wish her a happy birthday I guess not realizing
that we were still at WDW.
When we were checking out, the bell services brought up water bottles
in a paper (gift type) bag, not the string like bag." (6/03)
Ed
"Animal
Kingdom Lodge ~ Deluxe Savana View Room 5505 - 3 nights - Aug 2003
Room - 8
I have to admit the room is a little dark... we had twin bunk beds,
a queensize bed and a day bed/couch.
Beautiful savanna view on the zebra trail.
Standard Mickey Toiletries and 2 nice AKL robes.
Housekeeping was great and we even got a towel animal bunny on our
last night - it was holding our toothbrushes and had sticker eyes
and nose.
Turndown - 6
They came too early, around 5pm when we were getting ready for dinner...
I actually told her no one night as it was really not convenient
and she thrust a proverb card and 4 chocolates through the door
at me.
Lounge - 10++++++
This is the most beautiful sitting area I have ever seen, warm,
cozy, intimate and gorgeous... the bustling sounds from the lobby
below and the towering thatched roof and zulu shields... my favourite
place to be.
Lounge Offerings - 9
Breakfast... just as bountiful as the Beach Club but with the addition
of 2 hot oatmeal cereals & toppings.. excellent.
Snacks
They need to improve their daily snacks... basically goldfish, nuts,
gummi bears, trailmix & cinnamon chips & whole fruit...
it gets repetative, no variety.
Appetizers - served from 5pm - 7pm - outstanding! Chicken wings,
skewered beef, shrimp, chicken, salmon, hummis & pita, crackers,
veggies and dips, cheeses, flat breads, lentil salad, bean salad..
everything was fresh and excellent. They also served wine &
beer during this service.
New to the lounge - they have put a fridge out that you can help
yourself from. IN the morning it has juice and milks... in the evening
it has coke, sprite & Mr Pibbs?? (spelling)
Evening Desserts ~ not as much variety as last year, one tiny tray
of maybe 2 or three things that they kept refilling.
Zebra domes, cheesecakes, brownines, cookies, truffles... everything
was very good. Liquers are also served at this time.
Pre-trip planning n/a
Didn't use AKL planning this year at the planner in BC made my AKL
day arrangements.
Used AKL services last year though and they were excellent, helping
to arrange pillow gifts... and all my PS's..etc
Concierge Staff - 9
Excellent, very friendly and chatty.. remembered Noel and I from
the previous year and took time to welcome us back. Don was especially
nice to talk with.
I just love AKL Concierge and would stay there in a heart beat.
The Sunrise Safari is very special and I would also do this again."
(8/03) Cass
"6th
floor, view of the area called Sunset. room is very dark(as has
been mentioned before by others). Dark colors plus 53 watt bulbs
in the fixtures made it hard to read in the room especially with
my old bad eyes LOL. Large room, view of all the animals in the
morning was fantastic. Lounge is large, lots of seating, good breakfast
selection (however no bread for toast or english muffins . Not much
in the way of early afternoon snacks. Late afternoon goodies were
superb - a lot of variety of food from Boma's. CMs exceptionally
helpful and pleasant.
Need to stay there at least once so that you can go on the sunrise
safari. (The sunrise safari is only open to AKL concierge guests).
This behind the scene tour includes a special safari ride and they
both are a must. It is early in the morning before the park opens.
On this early safari ride, I saw more animials than all the 5 regular
safari rides put together. I think the tour guide helped make the
difference also. She works at the Lodge taking care of the animals
and she was able to explain the differences in the routines of the
animals between the AK and the AKL." (02) Ed
|
