AKL's concierge rooms are located on part of floor 5 and all of 6. The actual lounge and staff are located on the 6th floor. The concierge rooms are identical to the deluxe rooms in terms of size and amenities (plus a few extra). You can not book a specific concierge view.....they are either a pool view or Sunset or Arusha Savannah view. For some odd reason, the lounge was not built with a Savannah view and instead opens to the lobby on the 6th floor. Prices range from $425-$610 per night depending on season.
*****
PRE-ARRIVAL - As soon as I booked my room, I immediately called the AKL and requested the concierge staff so that I could book the Sunrise Safari. This private early morning tour which replicates the Kilimanjaro Safari ride had gotten outstanding reviews. During this initial conversation, the Cast Member asked if there were any special needs or planning she could help with and were we celebrating any special occasions. I called again a few days prior to arrival to confirm. That was my sole contact with them prior to arrival. RATING: 3 Stars
CHECK-IN - A wonderful perk is the check in procedure which completely bypasses the Front Desk situated in the lobby. If you've ever tried to check in to AKL on a Friday or Saturday, you know how crazy it can be! Depending on your transportation, you can either let the guard know you are checking into Concierge ( if you are arriving by car) and also let Bell Services know when you exit your car/taxi/ etc. A special bell person will get your luggage and (if your room is ready) take you directly to your room. You can then go to the Kilimanjaro Club to check-in after you freshen up. If your room is not ready, they will store your bags and take you to the Kilimanjaro Club directly. Kudos to Anhil our bellman! RATING: 5 Stars
ROOMS - Concierge Service is located on the 5th and 6th floors of the resort. The Kilimanjaro Club (lounge) is located on the 6th floor over looking the expansive lobby. Concierge rooms on the 5th and 6th floor are "deluxe" rooms offering more square feet, phone in the bathroom, makeup mirror, and . You can book a deluxe room without staying concierge. Families with older children should definitely consider the deluxe room option. Some concierge rooms are quite a ways from the Kilimanjaro Club but these rooms also had awesome views of the Savannas (can you tell where my room was?). Too far from the lounge, while bigger than the standard rooms, they are still dark, but you can't beat the view! RATING: 4 Stars
CAST MEMBERS - One of the main things you are paying for when staying Concierge is "service", which for Disney means Cast Members! Concierge Cast Members either worked the "desk" or the "lounge". At the desk a Cast Member was available from 7am to 9pm each evening. You simply had to ask for a Priority Seating and it was taken care of. I found the "desk" staff to be efficient and courteous. Several seemed to have that "concierge air" about them, which I just ignored. Juanita checked us in and was at the desk most times during my visit. I found her extremely helpful, friendly and a delight to see each day.
The "lounge" staff were responsible for the food and beverage areas as well as general "clean up" in the lounge. These ladies would do whatever they could to assist you and almost always with a great smile. (Special thanks to Marge!) If you needed a bottle of water or anything special, they were there to help. The only strange exception is that NO trays are available to take coffee or anything else back to your room. Therefore if one of you wanted to sleep in, or have coffee in bed, you had to hand carry your items back to your room. This policy makes little sense considering how far away some of the rooms are. At one point, I even heard one of the Cast Members tell a guest "If you want tray type service, I suggest you visit Mara on the first floor". Ok, you have a policy that makes little if any sense to the guests, you don't have to be obnoxious about it.
When I stay Concierge, I want to be made to feel special by the staff, but not elite! Several Cast Members definitely were into the "elite" attitudes. RATING: 3.5 Stars
FOOD OFFERINGS - The schedule for the food offerings was adhered to promptly, both in terms of set up and take down. The evening food was especially wonderful! Breakfast was an array of pastries, cereal, juices, and fruit. Afternoon snacks were light munchies. Complimenting bottles of Cape Indaba Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay was an array of finger foods that easily were dinner on several nights. Everything from a variety of dips and African "pita" chips, to flatbreads, wraps, Durban Chicken, salmon cakes, BBQ pork skewers (the food changed nightly). Desserts...from Boma...wonderful!!! RATING: 5 Stars
LOUNGE - the Kilimanjaro Club is an expansive lounge which opens up to the lobby of the Lodge. In additional to big comfy chairs and sofas, there are several sets of tables and chairs to sit at, including some off the main lounge which were quieter. Very quiet during the week, much louder on the weekend. There is also a television which runs Disney movies for those interested with adjacent couches. This area could get loud if kids were present. RATING: 4.5 Stars
AMENITIES - in addition to the wonderful Kilimanjaro Club, the Cast Members were there to assist you however possible (within reason of course :). Priority seatings, tickets to things such as Cirque du Soleil Whatever was needed they would help you. Room amenities included welcome and departure notes, nightly turn-down service and bathrobes. RATING: 4 Stars
UNIQUENESS - In addition to staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (which is its own unique experience) the two things that made the Concierge stay unique had to be the espresso machine and the Sunrise Safari!
Available during the hours the Kilimanjaro Club was open, the Espresso machine was self-serve and would make regular and decaf varieties of espresso, latte and cappuccino at the touch of a button. How awesome is that?! It's a coffee drinkers dream :)
The Sunrise Safari is offered twice a week to guests of the Concierge in Animal Kingdom Lodge for $49.95 per person (same price adults and children). This is almost worth the price of staying concierge! Children are allowed on the safari! We gathered in the Kilimanjaro Club at 7am on Saturday morning. The Cast Members checked us in, issued a name tag, and scanned/checked our park passes for the day. I had been told ahead of time NOT to eat much before going and I'm glad I only did coffee and a banana. Anyway, we left the lounge and were taken to a bus that drove us into Animal Kingdom. We were escorted into the Kilimanjaro Safari area. Our group split up and boarded 2 jeeps, each having their own animal guide as well as driver. The wonderful thing about the Safari is not only do you get to see the animals first thing in the morning, but the jeep will stop for you to take photographs! We saw more animals out than we had ever seen before including the Cheetahs, Baboons and warthogs. While my digital camera got some nice shots, our Pentax SLR with a telephoto lens captured some of the animals wonderfully. It's worth lugging your heavy camera equipment along just for this!
Our safari took just under an hour...we disembarked and were escorted to Tusker House. One of the private dining rooms was set up with the most incredible buffet! All in all an incredible experience and one I would do again in a heartbeat! RATING: 5 Stars
FAMILY/ADULT FRIENDLY - Yes to both. As I have said before, the weekdays were quiet and more adult, the weekends were definitely for families. The lounge is set up so with big couches and chairs facing a TV that shows Disney Videos.
BEST TIPS-
For a romantic or more adult stay at AKL's concierge, plan your visit for during the week days and avoid Fri-Sunday check-ins/outs.
Don't miss the Sunrise Safari!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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