Club Level at AKL?

[Master Yoda]

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.

That is not what I have been told by multiple Concierge CMs. They pull from the same reservation pool you and I do. When a place is booked solid, it is booked solid.

My own experience has show this to be fairly accurate. I have never had a time when a Concierge CM was able to get me an ADR that I could not get myself, even at a resort I was staying at.

What most of them do know how to do is work the reservation system to get it to spit out availability someone unfamiliar with the system might no be able to. (eg tweaking party size and booking multiple reservations, altering times, etc.)

There is also the possibility that a CM in Concierge knows a CM at the restaurant and can make a call to see if a walk up can be suck in if a restaurant is booked to the staffing level, but not necessary to the actual restaurant occupancy, but that is a case by case basis.

 

[dreamfinder]

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

I'm think I mentioned this in one of the threads you have been active in about AKL recently, but the Unofficial Guide has a great tool on their website that shows exactly how each room is classified and what view it should have. The club rooms (non DVC) should all be 4th floor, and all overlook the Arusha Savannah. I believe most of them are located within the first two "buildings" on each side of the center of the horseshoe, overlooking the general fire pit area. The DVC club rooms are on the DVC floors. So you don't really have a whole lot of requests to make for a club level room, as there are only a handful and they are all centrally located by each other.

Keep in mind that map is showing both Jambo and Kidani. Technically two separate places for booking purposes. Jambo is both DVC and regular rooms, while Kidani is DVC only. Guests staying at one are free to visit the other, but have no need to do so. The one exception is that Kidani has no quick service, so guests staying there would need to go to Jambo to visit The Mara. So while it may seem huge, the average guest will only be dealing with less than half of that map.

 

[Innkeeper's Club]

That is not what I have been told by multiple Concierge CMs. They pull from the same reservation pool you and I do. When a place is booked solid, it is booked solid.

My own experience has show this to be fairly accurate. I have never had a time when a Concierge CM was able to get me an ADR that I could not get myself, even at a resort I was staying at.

What most of them do know how to do is work the reservation system to get it to spit out availability someone unfamiliar with the system might no be able to. (eg tweaking party size and booking multiple reservations, altering times, etc.)

There is also the possibility that a CM in Concierge knows a CM at the restaurant and can make a call to see if a walk up can be suck in if a restaurant is booked to the staffing level, but not necessary to the actual restaurant occupancy, but that is a case by case basis.

I experienced the same thing when we tried to get a last minute ADR for dinner at Cape May. When we were staying Club Level at the BWI they tried a number of dates and times, however it was not becoming available. Although since it was during Free Dining I was not expecting it to be available and looking back I think it was good that we never went there.

I should also mention it was during that exact same time when they mentioned how the system see's them going on from a Club Level lounge and etc.

 

[AndrewsJ]

@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"?

I think the Arusha View guarantees you a view of the main big Savanna. With the the other rooms I think they could stick you anywhere with a view of any one of them. Before I was DVC at AKL I would usually choose Arusha View. The map of the resort is a little overwhelming but as others have said Jambo House will have everything you need and more. I think the community room at Kidani is DVC only but don't quote me because even though I am DVC I've never used it. One thing I do really love about Kidani is the pool area. You may or may not be planning pool time but if you are I would recommend it. There is an area kind of like a splash and play area that the kids in our family love. I think you will love the resort. I get excited for people when I hear they are staying there because there really isn't anything like it anywhere else. Have a great trip and let us know your thoughts when you return!

 

[UncleFastpass]

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"?[/QUOTE]
Was the thread talking specifically about Jambo house?Jambo house's hallways aren't too long so no worries,Kidanni's on the other hand are very long and depending on where you are it can be quite a hike.

 

[21stamps]

I think the Arusha View guarantees you a view of the main big Savanna. With the the other rooms I think they could stick you anywhere with a view of any one of them. Before I was DVC at AKL I would usually choose Arusha View. The map of the resort is a little overwhelming but as others have said Jambo House will have everything you need and more. I think the community room at Kidani is DVC only but don't quote me because even though I am DVC I've never used it. One thing I do really love about Kidani is the pool area. You may or may not be planning pool time but if you are I would recommend it. There is an area kind of like a splash and play area that the kids in our family love. I think you will love the resort. I get excited for people when I hear they are staying there because there really isn't anything like it anywhere else. Have a great trip and let us know your thoughts when you return!

Thank you for this! I am excited! Just overwhelmed by the map.lol.

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"?

Was the thread talking specifically about Jambo house?Jambo house's hallways aren't too long so no worries,Kidanni's on the other hand are very long and depending on where you are it can be quite a hike.[/QUOTE]
Yes, Jambo. This makes me feel better!

 

[21stamps]

Back with another question-

If we arrive early 9:30am-ish, will we still have access to the lounge if room is not ready?

I'm seriously thinking about doing only 1 night. It just seems crazy to spend so much for Thanksgiving night when we won't be arriving until @ 2am.

 

[Tuvalu]

If we arrive early 9:30am-ish, will we still have access to the lounge if room is not ready

Yes. As soon as club level guests arrive, all the club amenities are available to them ~ up until 11:59 p.m. on check out day.

 

[21stamps]

Yes. As soon as club level guests arrive, all the club amenities are available to them ~ up until 11:59 p.m. on check out day.

Great, Thank you! I think I'm going to switch the plans to this!

 

[rawisericho]

I'm staying CL in AKL in October. Two questions:

1. Are our guests allowed? I'm assuming it's "officially" discourages but assuming they're with me and everyone is being cool there shouldn't be any issues.

2. One of the "perks" is that a concierge person will call you up a week ahead of time to help you plan. This isn't super helpful for me since my ADRs have been done for months and my Fastpasses are completed. Is there any benefit to this? Do they have extra Fastpasses or anything an advanced Disney traveler would find useful?

 

[Master Yoda]

I'm staying CL in AKL in October. Two questions:

1. Are our guests allowed? I'm assuming it's "officially" discourages but assuming they're with me and everyone is being cool there shouldn't be any issues.

2. One of the "perks" is that a concierge person will call you up a week ahead of time to help you plan. This isn't super helpful for me since my ADRs have been done for months and my Fastpasses are completed. Is there any benefit to this? Do they have extra Fastpasses or anything an advanced Disney traveler would find useful?

1. I have never seen them look twice at one or two extra people, but there might be an issue if you bring say your 8 brothers and sisters and their 17 kids.
2. There is no real benefit to the concierge if you already have everything in order. They do not have a special stash of ADRs or fastpasses. They pull from the same inventory you and I do.

 

[rawisericho]

1. I have never seen them look twice at one or two extra people, but there might be an issue if you bring say your 8 brothers and sisters and their 17 kids.
2. There is no real benefit to the concierge if you already have everything in order. They do not have a special stash of ADRs or fastpasses. They pull from the same inventory you and I do.

Gotcha, thank you for the response.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I'm staying CL in AKL in October. Two questions:

1. Are our guests allowed? I'm assuming it's "officially" discourages but assuming they're with me and everyone is being cool there shouldn't be any issues.

Only you can decide if it's OK to break the rules.

 

[rawisericho]

Only you can decide if it's OK to break the rules.

I'm gonna break SO MANY rules.

 

[aw14]

Yes. As soon as club level guests arrive, all the club amenities are available to them ~ up until 11:59 p.m. on check out day.

yes indeed. In my experience they are so nice and helpful. Our first CL stay was at Poly and when we checked in, we were escorted to the Hawaii building and offered drinks etc...

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

will not be doing any parks,

I am curious, what is the reasoning behind this? Purely a business trip?

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

Only you can decide if it's OK to break the rules.

Why is it breaking the rules? You paid for a room and if you don't damage it or cause disruption to the other guests your fine. What hotel ever cuts your stay short for having your mom and dad over for a couple hours?

 

[21stamps]

I am curious, what is the reasoning behind this? Purely a business trip?

We leave on a 7 night Disney cruise the next day.. Originally planned on doing Epcot and candlelight processional the day after Thanksgiving, had made reservations at the Swan for those 2 nights, then I realized it was a 9/10 crowd day and decided to switch to a resort day at AKL. But, I've been having second thoughts.. checking in at 2am when the price is so high seems a little ridiculous, so we'll just do one night and stay at the airport when we arrive in Orlando. Our flight gets in after midnight.

After the cruise we're going back to WDW for 4 nights at the Contemporary. We'll do the parks then.

 

[dreamfinder]

Why is it breaking the rules? You paid for a room and if you don't damage it or cause disruption to the other guests your fine. What hotel ever cuts your stay short for having your mom and dad over for a couple hours?

The poster wasn't asking about having other guests over in the room, that is completely fine. They were asking about having other guests over to partake in the club level lounge. Some people will see that as akin to someone staying at Beach Club, and then inviting family not staying at the resort to come use Stormalong bay. The difference being that Stromalong bay will specifically check to ensure that each guest has a magic band/room key associated with an active BC/YC resevation, while club lounge may not necessarily make the same check, rather relying upon the guest to be honest about who is in their room. Using a service meant for certain guests, without being an actual guest.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Why is it breaking the rules? You paid for a room and if you don't damage it or cause disruption to the other guests your fine. What hotel ever cuts your stay short for having your mom and dad over for a couple hours?

The poster wasn't asking about having other guests over in the room, that is completely fine. They were asking about having other guests over to partake in the club level lounge. Some people will see that as akin to someone staying at Beach Club, and then inviting family not staying at the resort to come use Stormalong bay. The difference being that Stromalong bay will specifically check to ensure that each guest has a magic band/room key associated with an active BC/YC resevation, while club lounge may not necessarily make the same check, rather relying upon the guest to be honest about who is in their room. Using a service meant for certain guests, without being an actual guest.

That is what I was referring to. If you are not staying in the room, then you are not technically allowed into the club level lounge. And just because they aren't checking, doesn't make it right. Sorry, but this country has become way too much of a me, me, me and whatever I can get away with attitude. I don't care that someone paid a lot of money to go there. We all do. Guess I'm just old and was brought up with a different mind-set of following the rules. 22 years in the military helped with that attitude as well. Integrity was our number one core value, and we took it to heart.

So I wonder if he will be the first one complaining to the CMs when they run out of something, because people grabbed all of an item that he wanted and then gave it to other people that aren't staying at the club level, but just visiting?