Club Level at AKL?

[21stamps]

Let me start off by saying that I've never seen the value in staying club level before.

This would be a 2 nights but only 1 day stay, I do not want to eat any "big" meals, will not be doing any parks, so would actually visit the lounge. I still want to try some of the food from Jiko & Sanaa, and I think a few of the offering from these restaurants are part of the apps offered. Is this true?

Also with room selection- I read that club level rooms could be on the 5th or 6th floor. Is there one that is more preferable? Any room request tips?

Is a savanna view "worth it", as in do you always see the animals?

I don't have any first hand knowledge of this resort at all.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

This link will give you a general list of the offerings available in the club level lounge at AKL as well as a few other activities available to club level guests.

http://allears.net/acc/faq_aklc.htm

IMHO the Savannah view it very much worth it, but the animals are unpredictable. Disney does a good job of adding things that will draw them close to the guest areas, but they do not always play along with the program.

 

[21stamps]

This link will give you a general list of the offerings available in the club level lounge at AKL as well as a few other activities available to club level guests.

http://allears.net/acc/faq_aklc.htm

IMHO the Savannah view it very much worth it, but the animals are unpredictable. Disney does a good job of adding things that will draw them close to the guest areas, but they do not always play along with the program.

Thank you! I'm so afraid of that happening and know that it is a possibility.

I just found out yesterday that there are a ton of activities available at the resort, will the concierge help us with times and locations?

 

[Master Yoda]

Thank you! I'm so afraid of that happening and know that it is a possibility.

I just found out yesterday that there are a ton of activities available at the resort, will the concierge help us with times and locations?

To a point.

Concierge at Disney resorts are not quite like concierge at other resorts. They will bend over backwards to help you in anyway that they can but they do not have a stash of hard to get tickets and reservations hidden away just for concierge guests like other hotel concierges seem to.

They will be more than happy to give you recommendations and book whatever you wish, but if something is booked up, there is not much they can do.

 

[dreamfinder]

Thank you! I'm so afraid of that happening and know that it is a possibility.

I just found out yesterday that there are a ton of activities available at the resort, will the concierge help us with times and locations?

You should be given an activities sheet upon check in. And if not, you can request one but they are also listed by the restrooms for Boma down on the 1st level. Many of those are targeted towards children, but some are appropriate for all ages. There are other activities that are more adult oriented, but those often should be reserved in advance as they are limited in number and frequently involve a meal.

 

[21stamps]

To a point.

Concierge at Disney resorts are not quite like concierge at other resorts. They will bend over backwards to help you in anyway that they can but they do not have a stash of hard to get tickets and reservations hidden away just for concierge guests like other hotel concierges seem to.

They will be more than happy to give you recommendations and book whatever you wish, but if something is booked up, there is not much they can do.

This is why I have never seen the value in it. I travel with myself and young child, at some hotels they will play games with him, leave a few cookies as a surprise etc. I've never heard of these things at a WDW resort when staying concierge. We do 1-2 character meals per day, leave the resort early, mid day break to swim, and then back to parks. I don't think the lounge alone justifies the price- especially when we wouldn't utilize it.

You should be given an activities sheet upon check in. And if not, you can request one but they are also listed by the restrooms for Boma down on the 1st level. Many of those are targeted towards children, but some are appropriate for all ages. There are other activities that are more adult oriented, but those often should be reserved in advance as they are limited in number and frequently involve a meal.

So the same regardless of if club level or not? My child is 6 and the activities sound great! I just need to know when & where. So the decision really comes down to the view- standard room without a savanna view or club level with view I guess.

Do either of you recommend one over the other for 1 day? This is our pre cruise day, checking in late night 11/24 checking out 11/26 to head to Port Canaveral.

 

[Master Yoda]

This is why I have never seen the value in it. I travel with myself and young child, at some hotels they will play games with him, leave a few cookies as a surprise etc. I've never heard of these things at a WDW resort when staying concierge. We do 1-2 character meals per day, leave the resort early, mid day break to swim, and then back to parks. I don't think the lounge alone justifies the price- especially when we wouldn't utilize it.

So the same regardless of if club level or not? My child is 6 and the activities sound great! I just need to know when & where. So the decision really comes down to the view- standard room without a savanna view or club level with view I guess.

Do either of you recommend one over the other for 1 day? This is our pre cruise day, checking in late night 11/24 checking out 11/26 to head to Port Canaveral.

I would tend to agree.

I have been fortunate to stay at the club level at several Disney resorts due to upgrades, conventions and the like, and while it is nice, I can't see myself every paying for it. This is especially true when I am at the parks all day long.

 

[21stamps]

I would tend to agree.

I have been fortunate to stay at the club level at several Disney resorts due to upgrades, conventions and the like, and while it is nice, I can't see myself every paying for it. This is especially true when I am at the parks all day long.

The main thing with AKL is, if I do the savanna view standard room- the club level is only @ $20 per night more- so that's a no brainer when it's only 2 nights and we would actually use the food and drink offerings one day.

 

[aw14]

We are actually staying club level at AKL in November. We have also stayed club level at Poly and CR and love it.

I am excited to see what AKL offers as we have stayed there previously with a Savannah view room and it was excellent.

 

[dreamfinder]

So the same regardless of if club level or not? My child is 6 and the activities sound great! I just need to know when & where. So the decision really comes down to the view- standard room without a savanna view or club level with view I guess.

Do either of you recommend one over the other for 1 day? This is our pre cruise day, checking in late night 11/24 checking out 11/26 to head to Port Canaveral.

Well, the general activities are available to everyone staying at the resort. There are some club level exclusives, but those are usually just the tours/dinners etc.

Standard view is a toss up. Alot of the standard view rooms actually have savanna view, just not the best view. There are some that are parking lot or pool view only, but alot of them overlook animals, just not the best views. You won't know until you show up, but something to keep in mind.

 

[Omi19]

I've stayed AKL Kilimanjaro Club well over a dozen times, plus once at both Poly and CR club levels. Club level rooms at AKL are on the 4th floor, with 5th and 6th floor being DVC. As has been said, it's worth it for days when you would be spending less time in the parks.

 

[The_Jobu]

Let me start off by saying that I've never seen the value in staying club level before.

Is a savanna view "worth it", as in do you always see the animals?

Thanks in advance!!!

I went with "standard view" a few months ago and assumed I was destined for a view of the parking lot or side of a building, but we actually had a wonderful view. Saw all the animals plenty of times, especially zebras in the morning. I wouldn't hesitate to save some pennies with standard again if I return.

 

[coachwnh]

We have stayed CL at YC, BC, BW, Contemp, GF, and AKL. Some of these several times. The only place I say its an easy decision to stay CL (if thats what you want) is AKL because you get the savanna and all the club perks (snacks, drinks, etc) for very little extra cost. As you said, the $ is almost nothing on top of the savanna room price. I say do it and enjoy. We have never had any issues with the animals. There has always been plenty to see. The free resort activities are outstanding as well. Have fun!

 

[21stamps]

@epcotisbest or anyone who has stayed at AKL-

What is the difference between the Savanna views? My room type says "Arusha Savanna". Other room types say "View of One of the Savannas".

Also, I read that there is a 'community room' with billiards and games at Kidani. Will we be able to use that even though we are staying at Jambo?

Lastly, Is there a certain room request I should make when the time comes. I just read on another thread that the hallways are very long, so thinking "near elevator"?

 

[Innkeeper's Club]

To a point.

Concierge at Disney resorts are not quite like concierge at other resorts. They will bend over backwards to help you in anyway that they can but they do not have a stash of hard to get tickets and reservations hidden away just for concierge guests like other hotel concierges seem to.

They will be more than happy to give you recommendations and book whatever you wish, but if something is booked up, there is not much they can do.

Isn't it not true that they might be able to get you an ADR at a restaurant in the resort you are staying at, assuming if it was sold out by checking yourself through the My Disney Experience app. A Club Level Cast Member once told me when they log into the reservation system it knows that it's doing it from a specific location like the Club Level lounge. So that's how they can find reservations even if a restaurant is showing as sold out to everyone else.

 

[21stamps]

Isn't it not true that they might be able to get you an ADR at a restaurant in the resort you are staying at, assuming if it was sold out by checking yourself through the My Disney Experience app. A Club Level Cast Member once told me when they log into the reservation system it knows that it's doing it from a specific location like the Club Level lounge. So that's how they can find reservations even if a restaurant is showing as sold out to everyone else.

I think so. But all concierge level hosts can do this, regardless of where.
That's not enough for me to justify Disney's club level prices, I pay for tpv or boardwalk view respectively, the price difference isn't that much between those views and some club rooms- but I still don't see the value for a week stay... I do see the value on this quick 2 night trip, doubt we'll do it again.

 

[epcotisbest]

@epcotisbest or anyone who has stayed at AKL-

What is the difference between the Savanna views? My room type says "Arusha Savanna". Other room types say "View of One of the Savannas".

Also, I read that there is a 'community room' with billiards and games at Kidani. Will we be able to use that even though we are staying at Jambo?

Lastly, Is there a certain room request I should make when the time comes. I just read on another thread that the hallways are very long, so thinking "near elevator"?

Here is a map that shows the different savannas. Did not visit the community room, no help there. As for long hallways, with the amount of walking you do at WDW, it seems insignificant to me, but we don't have kids. Yes, we had long walks to the room, but worth it seeing as how spectacular both resorts are.

 

[21stamps]

Here is a map that shows the different savannas. Did not visit the community room, no help there. As for long hallways, with the amount of walking you do at WDW, it seems insignificant to me, but we don't have kids. Yes, we had long walks to the room, but worth it seeing as how spectacular both resorts are.

View attachment 153479

Thank you!!! Oh my goodness that is HUMONGOUS!!! I'm a tad frightened. No joke.

Do you know where the club level rooms are or where the club lounge is?

I don't think we'll make it over to the community room!

I know it's only 2 nights, but I still want to learn about AKL so we can enjoy the resort. I'm not planning on leaving the property once we arrive on the 24th until the DCL transport arrives on the 26th.lol

 

[epcotisbest]

Thank you!!! Oh my goodness that is HUMONGOUS!!! I'm a tad frightened. No joke.

Do you know where the club level rooms are or where the club lounge is?

I don't think we'll make it over to the community room!

I know it's only 2 nights, but I still want to learn about AKL so we can enjoy the resort. I'm not planning on leaving the property once we arrive on the 24th until the DCL transport arrives on the 26th.lol

Not my video, found it with a Google search:

 

[21stamps]

Not my video, found it with a Google search:

Thanks! So I guess I should request a room closer to the pool area and lobby. Looks like that's where most of the action is.