Number 9 is really FINE! Welcome to AKL LITE - the 'unofficial' FAQ Thread

[RachelTori]

Rachel! Thanks so much for this info! This is a huge help and yes, you're right - either way, renting DVC points seems to be the best way to save some $$$ when going with larger rooms. I'm hopeful we'll be submitting our request for a room sometime today or tomorrow so keeping fingers crossed something pans out or it's on to plan B.

thanks again!

My pleasure! Good luck with the reservations! Come back and let us know what you were able to book - and of course, we'll be happy to answer any other questions you might have!

 

[Pinkocto]

Jambo everyone!
We just returned from a wonderful (first-time) stay at Jambo House for Marathon weekend. We fell in love with this resort. We had a standard view that offered a partial Savannah view. It was terrific. It was DS7's first visit to WDW. We packed in way too many activities, and did not allow nearly enough down time. I felt the need to return, so that we could spend more time at the hotel.
Soooo... Just rented DVC points for a Savannah Studio for 04-08 December 2013! Couldn't resist the $1200 savings! I'm nervous about renting points, but have read good reviews of David's DVC process.
I have researched, but cannot get a clear idea of what is actually in the studio? Is the coffee maker the same pod type as the main resort rooms? If not, do I need to bring my own filters/coffee? Are the same toiletries (Disney H2O) included? Dish soap? Glasses/plates/bowls/cups? Can I order Mousekeeping as an additional service?
Thanks for all of your answers! I seem to have been hopelessly smitten by AKL/AKV!

As of September they were not pod coffee machines so unless that's recently changed you'll need to bring filters and extra coffee.

Disney H20 - yes, but they're quite small and since there is not daily mouse keeping you won't get the refills like usual.

You can get daily mousekeeping but its either $30-$35 a day.

Dish soap - yes

Cups/mugs - yes

Plates/ bowls - yes, but they're paper

There is a microwave, toaster, and good sized mini fridge as well.

Glad you had a wonderful trip!

 

[ddixon1]

....thought you said STANDARD ROOM....Zebra Trail doesn't have any std rooms...

Hmmm, well I was told that it was a standard view room, and it is listed as a standard view room on my receipt? (We originally had a pool view room, but I requested an upgrade to a Savannah view, but balked at the $950+ price difference. This room resulted in a CREDIT to our room account, which was awesome!) I was told that it was one of the rooms that had been re-classified to standard, e.g., now listed as a partial-savannah view. It had a strange looking pen just below the balcony -- no animals were ever in it, and it jutted out a bit into the savannah space. We would see animals led each morning/evening into/out of the space (by someone blowing into a whistle). It was definitely Zebra trail, but right in the nook. Sorry for any confusion!

 

[ddixon1]

As of September they were not pod coffee machines so unless that's recently changed you'll need to bring filters and extra coffee.

Disney H20 - yes, but they're quite small and since there is not daily mouse keeping you won't get the refills like usual.

You can get daily mousekeeping but its either $30-$35 a day.

Dish soap - yes

Cups/mugs - yes

Plates/ bowls - yes, but they're paper

There is a microwave, toaster, and good sized mini fridge as well.

Glad you had a wonderful trip!

Thanks millions! I am really obsessing over this return trip. And zebra domes! Now, I really should log off of the disboards, and go back to work. Well, maybe after one more read... I'm curious about if there are Christmas decorations/a Christmas tree, and if there are ornaments for sale in the gift shops during the first week of December?

 

[Pinkocto]

Thanks millions! I am really obsessing over this return trip. And zebra domes! Now, I really should log off of the disboards, and go back to work. Well, maybe after one more read... I'm curious about if there are Christmas decorations/a Christmas tree, and if there are ornaments for sale in the gift shops during the first week of December?

I understand completely.

Yes the decorations and tree will be up the first week of December. Not sure about the ornaments, they were available to buy at OKW this past December. There's always the Christmas shop at DTD too. Oh, and the one at MK. I'm probably missing others.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hmmm, well I was told that it was a standard view room, and it is listed as a standard view room on my receipt? (We originally had a pool view room, but I requested an upgrade to a Savannah view, but balked at the $950+ price difference. This room resulted in a CREDIT to our room account, which was awesome!) I was told that it was one of the rooms that had been re-classified to standard, e.g., now listed as a partial-savannah view. It had a strange looking pen just below the balcony -- no animals were ever in it, and it jutted out a bit into the savannah space. We would see animals led each morning/evening into/out of the space (by someone blowing into a whistle). It was definitely Zebra trail, but right in the nook. Sorry for any confusion!

You had a people pen view! The pen is to evacuate people in case of fire. They obviously can't just go out on the savanna to be mixed with the animals...

Also on your DVC studio question: You asked about additional housekeeping. This site has lots of DVC information: http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/policies-a-procedures/faqs At DVC they differentiate between "trash & towel service" and "full cleaning". trash & towel means just that: the trash is being emptied and you get new towels - as well as toiletries. Additional trash & towel service is $15 and additional full cleaning is $30.

 

[ddixon1]

You had a people pen view! The pen is to evacuate people in case of fire. They obviously can't just go out on the savanna to be mixed with the animals...

Also on your DVC studio question: You asked about additional housekeeping. This site has lots of DVC information: http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/policies-a-procedures/faqs At DVC they differentiate between "trash & towel service" and "full cleaning". trash & towel means just that: the trash is being emptied and you get new towels - as well as toiletries. Additional trash & towel service is $15 and additional full cleaning is $30.

Ok, so I had to chuckle about the people pen view. Thanks for that one!
Thanks so much for the DVC information, too! And the link. And to the other poster RE: Christmas decorations. Need to create a countdown sticker!
Thanks again!

 

[pixarmom]

Hello AKL/AKV fans!

We're leaving for our Poly/BWI split stay in just five days and decided to add a couple nights to the end of our trip. We'll need a break after our week in the parks and thought AKV-Jambo would be perfect! Got a nice AP discount on a 1-bedroom villa for our family of five. So if it's not too late to add me to the list, our trip is from January 26-February 3, but our AKV-Jambo dates are February 1-3.

We've stayed at AKL before, but not with all five of us, so we were in a great pool view room. I noticed that we could not book pool view for AKV-Jambo, so we have standard and I put in a request for pool view. I hope that's likely because most AKL/AKV fans might want at least partial savannah. Anyone have experience with a pool view request at AKV-Jambo?

I would have loved to book the 1-bedroom villa with CL, but it wasn't available, either with or without the AP discount. I'm guessing it's not likely to become available at this late date, but I'll keep checking the website. I read that those are hard to get - I can see why a villa with CL would be in high demand!

That shouldn't happen in January, right?
I'm bummed the boys won't have the slide at Jambo, so I was thinking of making one trip over for the pool.

Best way to get there in bathing suits???

We've only stayed at AKL once before, so I'll be asking more questions than I answer! But when we stayed at AKL, we thought it was super easy to walk over to Kidani from Jambo. Not the most beautiful walk ever, but quick and seemed easier than waiting for the bus. We LOVE the Kidani pool and think it's one of the greatest things about staying at AKL.

So after walking over, we used the very convenient and super clean locker rooms next to the fitness center and the pool to change into swimsuits. And after swimming, we used the locker rooms to change back into dry clothes for the walk back. Really easy!

 

[WDWaddictt]

I am posting this everywhere...lol

Single Digit Dance!!! 9 days until AKL!!!!

 

[dgbg100106]

Whoop... Congrats...

 

[TruBlu]

The slide was OPEN yesterday!!!



Sent from Tracey's iPhone using DISBoards

 

[AquaDame]

For those of you who have rented points around how far out do the value & concierge options tend to sell out? We will have to wait until the end of Feb/early March to book but were hoping for one of the two. Will I be out of luck?

 

[Disney38Girl]

Staying at AKL CL for the 1st time August 26-31! Was going to stay at the Poly, but when I priced it out with the BB offer, AKL CL was about the same amount of $. Never stayed club level before so we went with it! Super excited!

 

[kimmar067]

You had a people pen view! The pen is to evacuate people in case of fire. They obviously can't just go out on the savanna to be mixed with the animals....

...gee, why not? They let 'em swim with the animals....

 

[kimmar067]

The slide was OPEN yesterday!!!



Sent from Tracey's iPhone using DISBoards

...how has the weather been?

 

[moopdog]

I am posting this everywhere...lol

Single Digit Dance!!! 9 days until AKL!!!!

Me too!!

 

[brucerob62]

We have a ressie for Rainforest cafe ..and we have friends picking us up. Can they get.in ?
Is there a Gate.

 

[RachelTori]

For those of you who have rented points around how far out do the value & concierge options tend to sell out? We will have to wait until the end of Feb/early March to book but were hoping for one of the two. Will I be out of luck?

Value and CL pretty much are booked at 11 months........ A couple years ago, it was relatively easy to book both -- now there's lots of competition.

 

[RachelTori]

We have a ressie for Rainforest cafe ..and we have friends picking us up. Can they get.in ?
Is there a Gate.

Rainforest Cafe is at AK park, not at the Lodge. Yes, there is an entrance outside the park as well as one inside the park. I'm not sure your friends can bring a car into the park area without paying -- unless they have APs or are staying on Disney property.

 

[AquaDame]

Value and CL pretty much are booked at 11 months........ A couple years ago, it was relatively easy to book both -- now there's lots of competition.

Alas....thank you! I won't get my hopes up!