Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo & Kidani - 17 SEP 09 - The DIS Discussion Forums

ehagerty · 11-05-2009, 05:40 PM

Stopped by Kidani in September. Took bus to AKL, then walked over to KV. I liked to walk - and generally walk about 5 miles a day - by hubby was not as enchanted with the longer-than-expected walk in higher-than-usual temperatures. I didn't measure it - it may be no longer than from Boardwalk to Beach Club, but the scenary is definitely "parking lot". "Nice Disney Parking Lot" but not scenic. Of course, I understand the logistics and limitations - what could be shorter, central walkways are in use as a mini-zoo. Just sayin' is all. Also, the theme park buses do service both hotels, but they stop at KV FIRST, so you can't count on taking a bus from Jambo House (JH) to Kidani Village (KV) - only the other way round (KV to JH).

We will return to the buses the morning of my Backstage Magic tour, while staying at JH. (Details later, but for now, the amazing bus service for AKL that has received such praises - and rightly so - in the past has some serious process adjustments needed - so much so that the bus drivers asked the customers to write to WDW Guest Communications and complain because they aren't listening to the drivers. Not saying it is true - just repeating what I heard... I CAN confirm that the bus service in October was NOT good.)

Jambo House:

Your standard photos - but I like them!! Posted here for anyone who wants to download / copy.....

Main Lobby

World's Biggest Headdress

... from the overlook

Hubby demonstrating hand-hewn ladder

From the overlook

Lobby window

.

ehagerty · 11-05-2009, 05:54 PM

Outside the main lobby..

Inside the main lobby

Lighting

Gift Store

Walkway to look out

From the overlook, toward the lobby window (nicely balanced with AKL)

View of Sanaa restaurant, from the outside

Animals, from overlook

.

ehagerty · 11-05-2009, 06:04 PM

These gentlemen offered to walk us to a different viewing area (basically, the end of a stairwell). The gentleman on the right was mentoring the two on the left who were new. He was helping them to get oriented to interacting with guests - probably reading faces for interest in the animals and receptivity (those not rushing to a destination). Since we fit that category, we followed him, heard a little about their education programs and took this picture. They were very interested in helping to establish eco-tourism programs when they return to Africa.

View from the overlook

Hidden Mickey

.

Flossbolna · 11-15-2009, 02:57 PM

Thanks for the wonderful pictures.

I am sad to hear that busses weren't as great as they used to be.

ColinCodyMom · 11-15-2009, 03:02 PM

I am also sad to hear about the bus situation as it was nearly perfect in May. We had a load of trouble with the bus situation at Wilderness Lodge in October so maybe it is happening all over!! That's interesting to note. We love AKL, by the way!! Thanks for the review.

kimmar067 · 11-15-2009, 03:06 PM

...these photos made me SMILE.....and then, made me CRY

(WAHHHHH!! I wanna be there!!!

) Thanks for sharing...

floridascgirl · 11-15-2009, 03:12 PM

Love your photos...thanks for posting.

nrsldy · 11-15-2009, 06:23 PM

Thanks for the photos. We will be staying there in 3 weeks.

Brave teacher · 11-15-2009, 11:06 PM

Thanks for sharing!

HsvTeacher · 11-15-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehagerty

Stopped by Kidani in September. Took bus to AKL, then walked over to KV. I liked to walk - and generally walk about 5 miles a day - by hubby was not as enchanted with the longer-than-expected walk in higher-than-usual temperatures. I didn't measure it - it may be no longer than from Boardwalk to Beach Club, but the scenary is definitely "parking lot". "Nice Disney Parking Lot" but not scenic. Of course, I understand the logistics and limitations - what could be shorter, central walkways are in use as a mini-zoo. Just sayin' is all. Also, the theme park buses do service both hotels, but they stop at KV FIRST, so you can't count on taking a bus from Jambo House (JH) to Kidani Village (KV) - only the other way round (KV to JH).

The DTD buses run from Jambo to Kidani.

We will return to the buses the morning of my Backstage Magic tour, while staying at JH. (Details later, but for now, the amazing bus service for AKL that has received such praises - and rightly so - in the past has some serious process adjustments needed - so much so that the bus drivers asked the customers to write to WDW Guest Communications and complain because they aren't listening to the drivers. Not saying it is true - just repeating what I heard... I CAN confirm that the bus service in October was NOT good.)

When we were there in October, we only had trouble with one bus. I thought they did really well considering they were working on covering the awning at Kidani and all the buses had to share one bus stop.

(Red wording is mine.)

aspen37 · 11-16-2009, 12:11 AM

I loved the photo, thanks for sharing. I will be staying at AKL for the first time this December. I can't wait!

11-05-2009, 05:40 PM	#1
ehagerty DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,462	Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo & Kidani - 17 SEP 09 Stopped by Kidani in September. Took bus to AKL, then walked over to KV. I liked to walk - and generally walk about 5 miles a day - by hubby was not as enchanted with the longer-than-expected walk in higher-than-usual temperatures. I didn't measure it - it may be no longer than from Boardwalk to Beach Club, but the scenary is definitely "parking lot". "Nice Disney Parking Lot" but not scenic. Of course, I understand the logistics and limitations - what could be shorter, central walkways are in use as a mini-zoo. Just sayin' is all. Also, the theme park buses do service both hotels, but they stop at KV FIRST, so you can't count on taking a bus from Jambo House (JH) to Kidani Village (KV) - only the other way round (KV to JH). We will return to the buses the morning of my Backstage Magic tour, while staying at JH. (Details later, but for now, the amazing bus service for AKL that has received such praises - and rightly so - in the past has some serious process adjustments needed - so much so that the bus drivers asked the customers to write to WDW Guest Communications and complain because they aren't listening to the drivers. Not saying it is true - just repeating what I heard... I CAN confirm that the bus service in October was NOT good.) Jambo House: Your standard photos - but I like them!! Posted here for anyone who wants to download / copy..... Main Lobby World's Biggest Headdress ... from the overlook Hubby demonstrating hand-hewn ladder From the overlook Lobby window . __________________ My favorite picture threads: California Grill, Wilderness Lodge, Victoria & Albert, Pictures Galore Last edited by ehagerty; 11-05-2009 at 06:08 PM.

11-05-2009, 05:54 PM	#2
ehagerty DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,462	Kidani Village - 17 SEP 09 Outside the main lobby.. Inside the main lobby Lighting Gift Store Walkway to look out From the overlook, toward the lobby window (nicely balanced with AKL) View of Sanaa restaurant, from the outside Animals, from overlook . __________________ My favorite picture threads: California Grill, Wilderness Lodge, Victoria & Albert, Pictures Galore Last edited by ehagerty; 11-05-2009 at 06:00 PM.

11-05-2009, 06:04 PM	#3
ehagerty DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,462	AKL - Very Friendly Staff These gentlemen offered to walk us to a different viewing area (basically, the end of a stairwell). The gentleman on the right was mentoring the two on the left who were new. He was helping them to get oriented to interacting with guests - probably reading faces for interest in the animals and receptivity (those not rushing to a destination). Since we fit that category, we followed him, heard a little about their education programs and took this picture. They were very interested in helping to establish eco-tourism programs when they return to Africa. View from the overlook Hidden Mickey . __________________ My favorite picture threads: California Grill, Wilderness Lodge, Victoria & Albert, Pictures Galore Last edited by ehagerty; 11-17-2009 at 06:26 AM.

11-15-2009, 02:57 PM	#4
Flossbolna DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nuremberg and Berlin, Germany Posts: 2,390	Thanks for the wonderful pictures. I am sad to hear that busses weren't as great as they used to be. __________________ Disneyland 1992, 2005 Disneyland Paris 1995, 1997, 2003, October 2007 Walt Disney World 2004 POR, 2007 AKL, 2008 AKL, 2009 Poly and January 2010 AKL 2007 Dining Review: Our Quest for American Food - and Pictures of it 2008 Dining Review and Pictures 2009 January Dining Review and Pictures Sisters' Trip Jan/Feb 2010 PTR

11-15-2009, 03:02 PM	#5
ColinCodyMom Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 485	I am also sad to hear about the bus situation as it was nearly perfect in May. We had a load of trouble with the bus situation at Wilderness Lodge in October so maybe it is happening all over!! That's interesting to note. We love AKL, by the way!! Thanks for the review. __________________ Me DH DS12 DS9 2010 Trip: May 1-6 AKL and May 6-9 POP 2009 Trips: May 6-13 AKL Sep.30-Oct.2 WL

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11-15-2009, 03:06 PM	#6
kimmar067 JAMBO WILDBUNCH Gang I'm glad that I have folks who ‘appreciate’ my wacky sense of humor Need a shot of Orli Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: "Exit 16W" of the Land of the Last! Posts: 42,907	...these photos made me SMILE.....and then, made me CRY (WAHHHHH!! I wanna be there!!! ) Thanks for sharing... __________________ July 1992 ~ off-site Dec 1999 ~ CSR Feb 2001 ~ DxL Nov 2001 ~ Dolphin July 2002 ~ CBR Aug 2002 ~ WL Feb 2005 ~ AKL/concierge Feb 2005 ~ AKL Aug 2006 ~ PoP C Aug 2006 ~ AKL Dec 2007 ~ Dolphin "That's IT! The absolutely, positively VERY LAST Marino....."

11-15-2009, 03:12 PM	#7
floridascgirl DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charleston, S.C. Posts: 886	Love your photos...thanks for posting. __________________ Many trips as a child! 2005 Thanksgiving Wilderness Lodge2008 January Wilderness Lodge 2009 Jan/Feb Animal Kingdom Lodge2009 December Animal Kingdom Lodge

11-15-2009, 06:23 PM	#8
nrsldy Knows enough about Disney to be dangerous! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: INDEP,MO Posts: 513	Thanks for the photos. We will be staying there in 3 weeks. __________________

11-15-2009, 11:06 PM	#9
Brave teacher DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 1,352	Thanks for sharing! __________________ Megan Hey Mom, Do I get to be the line leader again? A PTR...

11-16-2009, 12:11 AM	#11
aspen37 Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Aspen Posts: 4,191	I loved the photo, thanks for sharing. I will be staying at AKL for the first time this December. I can't wait! __________________ Anna

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