AKL LITE II - We're #2, but we try harder....

[Flossbolna]

Laura, thanks for all the wonderful pictures. Strangely, Kidani is not really my cup of tea. I guess I am really much more a hotel person! It still looks beautiful and I love it as an addition to JAmbo House, but I really don't need to stay there.

Talking about staying at DVC properties: I kow some of you are owners: I am still thinking about renting points, but don't want to settle on a reservation before I have booked flights (as those would be intercontinetal this is a huge cost factor). How difficult would it be to get a reservation for a studio in late January or early February when I would be booking in September or October?

 

[Donald is #1]

Wow, those pictures are awesome! What floor were you on?

Every picture that I see of Kidani just makes me more excited about my December trip.

 

[RachelTori]

your pics are awesome and getting me really excited for our Dec stay
thanks

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Laura, thanks for all the wonderful pictures. Strangely, Kidani is not really my cup of tea. I guess I am really much more a hotel person! It still looks beautiful and I love it as an addition to JAmbo House, but I really don't need to stay there.

Talking about staying at DVC properties: I kow some of you are owners: I am still thinking about renting points, but don't want to settle on a reservation before I have booked flights (as those would be intercontinetal this is a huge cost factor). How difficult would it be to get a reservation for a studio in late January or early February when I would be booking in September or October?

You shouldn't have a problem with that time frame. That's really not one of the times of year where demand is high. By mid-February, it could be a different story......

Wow, those pictures are awesome! What floor were you on?

Every picture that I see of Kidani just makes me more excited about my December trip.

I'm sure you'll bring back lots of great pictures for us!

The floor # is the 2nd number: 7534 -- Floor 5 (which is the highest). Since Jambo's highest room numbers are 6XXX, and Kidani numbers start in the 7XXX's, I think there will never be a doubt as to which resort the guest is in. (does that make sense?!! )

 

[RachelTori]

Sunset Savanna from the Kidani side:

There were lots of animals on Sunset Savanna. On the Overlook at Kidani (the equivalent of the Arusha Rock Overlook, the animals seem closer and more plentiful. Some of the species currently on Sunset: Zebras, 5 Giraffe, Ostrich, Wildebeest, Antelope (not sure if Roan or Nyala, but a CM was telling me the Wildebeest are mean to the antelope so they were sticking close to the fence over by Jambo. One or the other might get moved), Waterbuck, African Cranes, and Vultures. (I might have missed a species or 2!)

 

[mmmears]

What lovely photos of the animals out on the savanna -- it looks like the Sunset Savanna will no longer be considered the smaller one without many animals.

 

[RachelTori]

Sanaa

Mixing these up a little - from 2 separate visits! (both were lunches):

Window table:

Dum Biryani (pronounced BREE-yanni) - filled with Rice and Veggies:

Tandoori Chicken (on Naan Bread)

Turkey Club That was DH's choice - surprised me as he's usually adventurous!

My last day sad1 I had a table by the window and the animals are literally feet away!

mmmears: I was thrilled to see the Sunset Savanna brimming with activity!

 

[CJsMom]

RachelTori - wonderful pictures!!! Looks like you had a great trip! Too funny about the cakes. Your daughter got to go onstage with Kris Allen?? Very cool!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Laura, thanks again for even more wonderful pictures and the advice on February/January! I guess we will just wait for the flights and see what we can get once we know our date for sure.

I really need to try Sanaa, it looks just like my type of food. Even the chick pea salad your DH had with his rather standard looking sandwich looked great!

Did you use the buses? I have read that people are complaining about the buses now since they also stop at Kidani. There were reports of people not being able to board a bus at Jambo because it had filled up at Kidani? What was your experience?

 

[RachelTori]

Laura, thanks again for even more wonderful pictures and the advice on February/January! I guess we will just wait for the flights and see what we can get once we know our date for sure.

I really need to try Sanaa, it looks just like my type of food. Even the chick pea salad your DH had with his rather standard looking sandwich looked great!

Did you use the buses? I have read that people are complaining about the buses now since they also stop at Kidani. There were reports of people not being able to board a bus at Jambo because it had filled up at Kidani? What was your experience?

We didn't have a car, so we had to rely solely on the buses. Since we spent 8 of our 9 nights at Jambo House, we most often caught the park buses there, which meant they had picked up at Kidani by the time they reached Jambo.

There was only one time where we (and several others) couldn't fit on the Epcot bus, but another one came along shortly. We noticed something that we've often noticed at big resorts like OKW & SSR........ multiple buses for a certain park arriving within moments of each other. It appears to me that they are trying to gauge crowd size and prevent the "too full to board" problem.

The bus experience isn't quite as wonderful as it used to be, but we got used to the extra stop quickly and didn't feel it was a problem.

When Kidani is at 100% (Phase II is nearing completion) I'm sure there will be times when multiple buses are needed. But I'm optimistic that WDW Transportation is going to monitor that very closely.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Laura,
Thank you for the pictures!!!!!!!! They are BEAUTIFUL! I love the ones of the animals all swarming the feeding truck. And what an awesome experience to have the animals so close while you were eating lunch. My DH, who is not exactly an adventurous eater, had Indian food for the first time the other day and he LOVED it. So......I'm re-thinking my potential ADRs and might try to do Saana. I know I would enjoy it and now I'm thinking he may as well!

Do you mind if I snag a few of your pictures and possibly use them in my PTR?

She sure was! This was the trip of a lifetime for her! She was onstage at the American Idol Experience with Kris Allen! (her feet still haven't touched the ground!! )

Wow! That's so cool!!

 

[Danauk]

Firstly, I love those Sanaa pictures, can't wait to eat there!!

Now onto my question, when you stay at AKL and are not staying club level can you still request turn down service in the evening. Or is this not offered at AKL?

 

[vladimir10]

Mind if I join?

We are going in Sept, staying in a 2 BDR at AKV. Only 1 week until I can make my ADRs!!

Great pics and info here!!!

 

[RachelTori]

Laura,
Thank you for the pictures!!!!!!!! They are BEAUTIFUL! I love the ones of the animals all swarming the feeding truck. And what an awesome experience to have the animals so close while you were eating lunch. My DH, who is not exactly an adventurous eater, had Indian food for the first time the other day and he LOVED it. So......I'm re-thinking my potential ADRs and might try to do Saana. I know I would enjoy it and now I'm thinking he may as well!

Do you mind if I snag a few of your pictures and possibly use them in my PTR?

Absolutely, feel free to use any of the pictures you like! (although everyone might think "oh, my - she's losing her touch"!! My pictures can't hold a candle to your's! )

Firstly, I love those Sanaa pictures, can't wait to eat there!!

Now onto my question, when you stay at AKL and are not staying club level can you still request turn down service in the evening. Or is this not offered at AKL?

Yes, you can request it at Jambo House (I don't believe it would be available to Kidani).

Mind if I join?

We are going in Sept, staying in a 2 BDR at AKV. Only 1 week until I can make my ADRs!!

Great pics and info here!!!

Welcome! Glad you found us!

Is your 2-bedroom in Jambo or Kidani?

 

[vladimir10]

Absolutely, feel free to use any of the pictures you like! (although everyone might think "oh, my - she's losing her touch"!! My pictures can't hold a candle to your's! )




Yes, you can request it at Jambo House (I don't believe it would be available to Kidani).




Welcome! Glad you found us!

Is your 2-bedroom in Jambo or Kidani?

Jambo house, Savanah view. Kidani wasn't available, but considering I didn't book until about 6 months out, I was happy to get the 2 bdr sav!!!

 

[RachelTori]

Jambo house, Savanah view. Kidani wasn't available, but considering I didn't book until about 6 months out, I was happy to get the 2 bdr sav!!!

Jambo House, being the original, is still nearest and dearest to my heart!

Make sure you take time to explore Kidani. I do have more pictures of some of the public areas which I'll post soon!

I know the excitement you must be feeling for the approaching ADR call-in date! I hope you'll post here and let us know what you got!

 

[vladimir10]

Jambo House, being the original, is still nearest and dearest to my heart!

Make sure you take time to explore Kidani. I do have more pictures of some of the public areas which I'll post soon!

I know the excitement you must be feeling for the approaching ADR call-in date! I hope you'll post here and let us know what you got!

I will!

I have a pre-trippie going (never done one before), so we'll see how it goes!.

I plan to check out Kidani during one of our rest breaks, and hope to take pics as well. I love your pics, makes me wish to get 'Home' sooner!

Thanks!

 

[johnsonet]

VERY nice!

Awesome! Thank you SO very much for all the great photos. Kidani looks fabulous and Sanaa is going to be SUCH a big hit with those views

 

[RachelTori]

More Kidani pictures:

The front entrance:

In the lobby:

Community Hall:

View from outside the Community Hall - The "Overlook" to Sunset Savanna (which didn't have a name anywhere that I could find):

Just off the lobby, there's an activity board for both Kidani & Jambo House!

Glad you're enjoying the pictures, Liz! Sanaa is a beautiful restaurant even without the Savanna View!

 

[RachelTori]

Kidani Lobby:

Pool:

Watch out when you walk past these things:

They spritz you!

 

[RachelTori]

May 31st Sunrise Safari:

As this was our 4th time on the SS, we sat in the back, happy to let others get the better seats; and we didn't take many pictures. The Safari & breakfast at Pizzafari were wonderful as always!

I think that's about it for my pictures!