[downsouthtigger]

May 16th
It was time to check out of PO-FQ, and that was really a sad time. I would miss that king bed and the intimacy of the french quarters. Later I would miss the fact that everything was soo close in po-fq as well. I would be reminded of this everytime I saw a bus, since for some reason the PO bus would always stop first.
Anyways it was a sunday, I thought I had express checkout, but I guess I was wrong. SO I stood in line, the lobby was packed, then again it's sunday so everyone is flying in. Never again will I check in or out on a sunday! Well I finally get up to the front desk and she says I'm all taken care of, keep the keys for a souvenier. Nice I was all taken care of, I wish I had known that!
Before I leave I want to thank Ut, she was a sweet lady who was our mousekeeper. I think it was the fact that she looked like my mom, they both are short and asian, and was friendly like my mom too. She asked us how we liked the resort and told us by when we left. Also when she found out we were packing up to leave she said take your time, I'm in the room next door so don't worry. Ashley took the towel animal she made us home, it's now sitting in tha bathroom. Ut made a cute little Bird from a washcloth, I don't know where she got the eyes and beak for it, but it was cute!
With all that packed up, I gave my friend Alan a call. He is down there on another college program internship, to which he later told me he's the one responsible for all the Magical Gathering signs with Tinkerbell on them. Primarily the ones found on the entrances to WDW. Well I asked him to meet us at AKL since I knew check in would take a while, he said naw, just call him when I get settled. Well Ashley decided to go shopping again, so off to prop control again. This time I actually let Ashley look, so this took a long time!
Well she went to lost and found and dug in the bins! Some of the things you people lose is beyond me, I'm hoping you left them in the hotel room, but if someone lost their boxer shorts on Tot or RnRc, lord help them! We found lots of good stuff, Ashley actually found some Polo Jammie pants, old navy sweats, and an A&F shirt, which were for me. She found herself some DKNY, limited, and other brand name sweaters/shirts for herself. Nice thing about it was I didn't know L&F stuff was only a quarter, score!! So we get all of our stuff, and the price goes up to $389.79, after tax, you shoulda seen ashleys eyes open and jaw drop. Then they took the discount and it came down to 90 bux, she the hit me and said stop trickin me like that. I didn't do anything this time!!!
Ok now to AKL, finally!!! Now we had been to Boma the other night, so I was very much looking forward to staying there. We pull up, gate guard asks my name, then shows us where to go. Well he shows us how to get to the bag handlers, I have no problem with that, but I do not intend to pay someone for carrying my bags, I don't have that kinda money! So I hop outta the car and give the keys to Ashley, she parks and I go check in. The lobby, I know I was here a couple days ago, but everytime I walk in and see that bridge, the carvings, all the art & sofas, well lets just say it took me away to Africa. The line for check in wasnt too long, all of a sudden Ashley pops up. Well we get the next CM, and wow another no personality front desk clerk. Since I was a cm I figured she'd talk a bit more, but no I just got a stack of papers, I was thinking Good Lord what is all this? She informed me, sign this to state you understand the wellness and care of our animals, here's your room keys, map to your room, paper which lists services, park hours and listings, Animal guide, etc etc etc. I don't know if I got all this cause it was standard, I looked lost, or she was pampering a guest, cause it did feel overwhelming!
Well with all that done, I asked Ashley, see the room or get the bags. What would you choose? Naturally, See the room! Well we were on the Kudu trail, not far from the elevators, 2nd floor, overlooking the sunset savannah. Now the first thing I had to do was look out my balcony. AFter paying so much for this room, I was hoping to see some animals! Well I open the curtain, open the doors, get out on the balcony and what do I see...... Well I saw girraffes, about 3 of them eating. What you thought it would be an empty view?? Gotcha didn't I? Anywasy Girrafes and some weird bird thing. OK after some pictures and droolin over the decor and beauty of our room it was time to get the bags.
About the rooms and hotel though, the room was so lovely, although the Bathroom placement is semi awkward when coming from a moderate. The bathrooms are off to the side of the entrance, this is due to the Cameras that mointor the animals. If you just had the bathrooms in the back like the moderates I think the cam operators would probably be watching the guests more than they do! Ok anyways the Decoration in the hotel was dark rich wood tones. The lighting in the rooms which everyone says is dark, well it's true, but I like the dim lighting. It seemed more like candle light, since the light fixtures themselve resemble torches. All in all the room was so nice and it was great having a real closet for once! Oh yeah the digital controls for the A/C, I loved that, often our room at PO-FQ was too cold, here we could set it at 72 and would know how hot/cold our room was. Though the hotel itself the hallways were always soo cold, which made sitting by the firepit in the lobby so much ncier! As for the hotel, there are so many places to just sit and watch the animals! I kinda wished I had not gotten a savannah view room, just so I had to get out of my room to walk around the hotel more. I do think it very clever to come in on the 3rd floor though, that was a new one to me! Oh as for savannah view and deluxe savannah view, well I don't know if I'd go for deluxe. You're on the higher floors with deluxe, which means you can see more savannah, but regular savannah is on the lower floors, closer (as close as you can be) to the animals.
Now for the unpacking adventure! If I ever have money I will just tip the bellboys and be done with it, but nooo I'm a poor college student! So the parking lot is virtually in another county from the lodge, moreover our room! So first Ashley doesn't remember where she parked the car, second its as hot as AK! Well as it turned out our unpacking was going to have to take 2 trips, not fun. We loaded up my suitcase with luckily had a telecopic handle and roller wheels, with the chips and snacks, and the gym bag which held our toiletries. Ashley got her suitcase, the old style with wheels on the bottom and you pulled, and placed all the hang up clothes, blanket and pillow on top. This weighed down her suitcase so we had to trade, the concept of pulling the suitcase cord up and toward escaped her, she pulled it just toward and the thing scraped the ground awful nasty. So she took my and easily rolled away. Me on the other hand struggled with this behemoth of a suitcase and on more than one occasion dropped all the clothes on top! Once crossing the street, another time on the ramp up to the load/unload zone. Now if I could have gotten a luggage cart I woulda been fine, but I was told at front desk, that was from bell services, hence I would have to pay a bellman! Well I finally make it to the covered load/unload in front of the lobby. Well the bored Cm's up there look at me and one asks if I need help. Sorry buddy I don't have the funds to tip you, I didn't tell him that though. No thanks I said, we were past the hard part anyways: the parking lot. So we make it inside the lodge, I ask ashley if she just wants to plop our stuff on the floor and just sit at a couch and we'll take it in one by one. Nope she's a trooper and bound to make it! Well we trade off one more time, she learns to pull her suitcase and we start going. well there is a ramp at the beginning of the Kudu trail and she cant pull the suitcase. I prop mine against the wall and tell her take mine, its easier. She does and I grab hers, turning one more time to get to the elevator the clothes on top drop again. If everyone had not been to the parks I swear they would've been laughin at us, watching the free entertainment. One short elevator trip and what seemed like miles we finally made it to our room! Ashley pus her suitcase on the floor, I put mine in the closet, she gets some ice and I start putting the other stuff away. This was trip 1, there were still things left in the car. Well since it was the $400 worth of souveniers Ashley said leave it, so we did, I was too tired to argue. Not only that but hot and sweaty! I call alan and tell him we finally checked in, I tell him I'm leaving for the bus and I'll meet him at MGM. Ashley decides to take a nap and shower for a little while, plus she wanted the boys to have some time to theirselves.
Bus ride over, I wait for alan, actually I went to the Bathroom first, passed right by him and didn't even notice. Well he caught up to me after I was out and we start walkin and talking. By the looks of it, youd think we were the best of friends and had known each other for the longest. Aside from a couple phone convos and a brief chat at speedway we had never really met. Well we just lucked up to be by the sorcerers hat at MGM and the characters came out, somehow we were in line to get pics with Mulan and Mushu! Today would be a great day for character pics. Not only did I get to hang out with Alan, but it was star wars weekend! I think that was another reason Ashley didn't wanna go. Well we head over to star tours and the sww area. Now I was here yesterday, what happened to all the people??? I get a pic with Jango/Bobba Fett, then onto Darth Maul. Darth was great but I don't know if he knew he was supposed to take a pic with me or not. He walked around me, scowling, just like the end battle in Episode 1. It was like ok, I'm Qui-gon and he's well darth maul and he's trapped behind energy beams waiting to strike. I look back and scowl and he walks off. Alan is trying to take a pic, then Maul notices and walkes back to me, I never worked so hard for a picture! Lets see Jedi Mickey, now this was cute but wrong. I think it woulda worked better if Jedi Mick had a Jedi utility belt, or a padawan braid (even though he has no hair), I mean it just seemed like mickey mouse in robes. Oh well Alan wanted a pic with him, so he took mine and I took his. Off to more star wars folks, a Jawa tried to barter with me to get my lanyard. First he offered me a piece of gum, then a pencil, I said no, but I got a picture instead. Who else who else?? Princess Amidala, well if it was Nat Portman, yes, but it was a freaky girl with big hair so no. La la la finally off to the star tours area. Well I got a pic with a tuscan raider, then who comes out! Well Alan looks at me and says who are the guys in red? Its the Imperial Royal guard, and they're escorting Emporer Palpatine!!! Oh yeah stand in line, got a pic. Through out the day Alan would be asking me, you want a pic with those weird guys, whos that, and what the *beep* is that thing?? I got a pic with storm troopers and then clone troopers, Alan asks me arent those the same guys? I have to sit there and explain no, ones from the original trilogy, the others from the new ones. He looks at me and says how he knows nothing about star wars and they all look alike to him. I know he's doing this for me and I was greatful, so after a couple more pics we would be off. Of course I got a pic with Chewwie, alan noted how the costume was great and where did they find a guy that tall, since the eyes were really his eyes! Oh and of course lastly I got a pic with some guys from the Modal nodes, the band that plays in the Cantina at Mos Eisley. Well I take another look around to see if there is anyone else, no ewoks unfortunately. Alan sees a pale freaky looking woman, Aura Sing, and asks if I want a pic with her, oh and who she is of course. That was one I didn't know, but I knew she was a bounty hunter from the first movie, ep I that is. Ok we make our escape.
heading down Mickey Avenue, Alan asks me if I had goten a pic with Mike and Sulley from MOnsters INC. Well the line was so long that I never get the chance, the gate where there were usually at was closed as usual. Well further down, there they are, and the lineup was sooo short! Me and Alan got in the pic together, hey two monster pals and two human pals! Plus Alan didn't take any pics with me with the star wars folks! We head to RnRc and grab a fast pass, Alan had one from earlier, so when Ashley popped up, she had one too. Well we met her hollywood and sunset by the tip board, gotta love that tip board! Then off to RnRC, but first 20 min for ToT, you better believe it! SO one more time, its Ashleys new fave ride you know? Well Alan didnt want to go so he sat in the photo area. We get done and he states that was the longest 20 min in the world! I look at my pic, my pose?? I'm looking at my watch and pondering the time. Yeah on a drop I'm looking at my watch while everyone elses eyes are open and screaming their lungs out!
Well now time for RnRC, I think Alan was trying to get another fast pass, since he saves em up, but he lost his CM ID, not good! Although no one else can use it, it's not something you want to lose. So he goes from being happy to pissed. You can tell by the pic on RnRC, which I didn't buy cause I made the gayest face. Literally, I had my fingers over my lips and a little smirk, I thought it was funny, but well if any guys saw it they would either ask me for my number or wanna beat the crap out of me!
We head up to the crossroads between Tot and RnRC, I then ask Alan if he wants to go to dinner with us, we hadn't eaten all day. He says no he needs to find the ID, so he heads back to ToT and sees if they turned it in there. Ashley and I head to the PO-FQ bus, since we were going to Rainforrest Cafe for diner. The AK one closes an hour after the park does and it was 6:30pm by now. SO by going to PO-FQ we could take the boat to dtd. Well at Po-FQ Alan gives me a call, he tells me how he found his ID at TOT, well after he asked the cm at Tot, they told him to go to guest services which then informed him that the L&F at Tot had it! Is that just me or was that way too much run around???? He tells me the story then wishes me good luck on getting dinner, since I probably wouldn't eat until 8pm. Boy was he right! The wait at RFC was an hour!!!!! Oh mind you here's idiocy for you. The man in front of us has a party of 8, well an employee tells him they can seat him now, but it will be outside. The patron declines and the employee says ok well then it will be an hour and a half wait. Did I miss something?? I'll sit outside! I'm hungry now! My adventure wouldn't start until 7:34, not bad, about 45 min wait, so we head to the gift shop. By 7:30, you would not believe how hungry Ashley and I were! I got a papagallos perfection pizza, and she gets the awsome appetizer adventure, oh and we got cheessticks to start off. I guess after eating all day your stomach just isn't used to food. She hardly touched her appetizer, and I only ate all but one slice of pizza. If I was more hungry I probably couldve eaten the last slice, but I was starting to feel sick to the point of bursting! Ashley was too, but more sick than me, so we paid the check and headed to the bus. Now here's something about buses and resorts, you do get what you pay for. The stop we were at had both us and coronado Springs, well when AKL pulled up, do you know how many folks from CSR tried to get on? The bus driver said it was only AKL and how they shared a stop at DTD. Well Ashley and I and another couple were the only ones on the bus. The other guy got a real kick about being on the bus and leaving the folks behind. You could hear him laughing and saying how those other folks should pay more attention, well anywasy off to the resort. It was Evening EMH at Epcot and Ashley was too worn out to go. That was ok, I took this opp to walk around the hotel some more. I tooka walk down to the Mara and got my mug. This hotel was soo lovely! I came back and talked to my mom on the phone, telling her about the hotel. It was soo nice to have a patio, but I kinda wished I had gone to the EMH, instead of being outside sitting. WEll that and all the bug bites on my feet from being out there too!!
Well our first night at AKL, it was pleasant, the room was soo dark it was perfect. Best of all we were in queen beds, instead of a big king. This meant snuggling up to Ashley was a lot easier, since there wasn't a big space between us.

[Dana]

I was hoping this installement of your trip report would be here when I got home from work, and it was ...Thanks! It made my day. I loved AKL and am so thrilled that you liked it oo. I think the lighting was perfect!

[tinkerbell]

DST you took me back to when we stayed at the AKL, your discription of the lobby and the room was perfect. We had a deluxe savanah view and there were always animals .. I laughed because of course the first thing we did in the room was go right to the balconey too. I loved just walking around ..and sitting out in the rocking chairs. And we spent one of the best nights every with good friends (Dixie the ones from England) at the AKL just sitting out there talking for hours and hours. awww now I wanna go back to the

[lawwin]

Sounds like quite a hike! Did you try out the pool? Did Ashley want to try out the pool at AKL?

[disneyguy]

OK, as a Disney CM you have done your job: You have sold me on PO-FQ and a night or two at AKL!!!! I can see it now!!! I thought PC was OK but we really wanted to try a Moderate for our next trip. I have been having a toss-up between CBR and PO-FQ, and you definetly sold PO. LOL. Another great episode. Sounds like your friend Alan has a HUGE task!!!! Disney has a VERY large amount of those signs (At MGM every bus stop has one!!!!!). Good luck to him!!

[lawwin]

OK, DST. I am anxiously awaiting Day 7. Where is day7? What happened on your last day at WDW? Tell us. Tell Us.

[downsouthtigger]

LAwwin,
I'm sorry I've gotten a little lazy, with so many days off and it being Mem day weekend, I've been pre-occupied. Just to let you know there are 2 days left, day 7, the last full day and night, and day 8, we spent half the day there until the drove home.
Oh and I forgot to answer your question earlier, we did go to the pool. Uzumi, means clear water, and the Uzumi pool was quite clear. I think Uzumi must also mean shallow water as well, since even the deepest part of the pool was only 5 feet. Ashley is 5'6" or less and she never even stood on her tippy toes. To be honest the good part about the pool is that it's open 24 hours, the bad part about it is, the theming is horrible. Every pool has a theme to it, AKL, does not. It starts out nice enough, with a small stream that starts from Boma and ends in the pool, but the pool itself is just a pool. Staying at PO resort and looking at their main pools, FQ had a gian serpent, clamshell, and gators; Riverside, had water troughs, geysers, and sprays that shot water. The poly had a nice volcano, Y&BC: well we all know about stormalong. Point is all the pools I saw while visiting the other resorts made you want to jump in with their whimsical themes. AKL pool is just like swimming at any other pool. From pics I've seen online the pool looks very similar to the Radisson at LBV, same freeform pool and even the waterslide seems constructed the same. At AKL you have disney at your fingertips and the lion king seems a large part of AKL. WHy not use this advantage and put a recreation of pride rock in the center of the pool, with water flowing down, or have Timon and Pumbaa on the sides squirting out water. Its just sad when a Deluxe's pool doesn't even have the theming as a budgets. IMO All star movies had a better pool, with sorcerer mickey shooting out water from his fingertips, it just had a better presentation to me.

[disneyguy]

Yeah, I was a little dissapointed with the pool theming at PC. It was just really lame compared to any other resort.

[MissDisney]

Fred... how hilarious... three giraffes and some wierd bird thing.... I think my mom would love that room. Do they let the animals roam around all night? And also, when you were checked out of POFQ, but not yet checked into AKL, did you feel sort of strange, like a hat without a head? I hate to check out early and then go to the parks before going to the airport. I like to have a room to call home EVERY MOMENT!

[downsouthtigger]

Miss Dis,
Yes the animals do get to roam at night, I forgot to talk about that.
For those that have never stayed, the Savannah is lit up with an "artificial moonlight" its a truly beautiful effect. It makes the savannah appear as though a full moon has cast its light over the whole lodge. Some may say that moonlight isn't bright enough, but for those of us who live in the south, we know that a full bright southern moon can light up a whole field or forrest!
The only problem with lightin up the savannah is the animals that are out there, mostly grazing, are not nocturnal. So I got to see the longhorned cattle and ostriches sleeping. It was very serene and I got so many mosquito bites on my feet from sitting on the balcony watching the animals sleep.
Oh as for checking out, I did feel odd. I don't know what it is, but not having a room just makes you feel like you are missing something?? Even though I was checking out of FQ and checking into AKL, having all my stuff in the car for that couple hours just made me feel like I was leaving. I can tell you this, I did feel my day got wasted spending that energy moving from one hotel to another. As mush as I enjoyed AKL, during check in and that long haul with my luggage, I woulda just prefered staying at PO-FQ.
Oh and I'm sorry yall for not posting Trip report 7 yet, with mem day weekend and now my classes for summer semester starting it may take a bit. Then again I have a day off today so I may post it sometime today.

[crystalrp]

I agree that the few hours when switching when you don't have a room yet make you feel somehow "homeless". LOL