AKL LITE unofficial FAQ thread#10 - I believe that's known as a 'Jambo Dozen'

[AngiTN]

Just had to update that 2 weeks from today we'll be waking up with the animals outside the door. Can not wait! Knowing we'll have a wonderful resort stay is making me not dread the heat, quite so much.

 

[kimmar067]

....nice....lucky you...

 

[eangel12]

If I ship a box to myself at Kidani, will it go to Kidani or Jambo? Anyone know? Was thinking of sending a box ahead of time of Disney toys wrapped for the kids that I can leave each day as a gift from Mickey!

 

[disney meema]

Just had to update that 2 weeks from today we'll be waking up with the animals outside the door. Can not wait! Knowing we'll have a wonderful resort stay is making me not dread the heat, quite so much.

Wow your trip will be here in no time : ) I can't wait to see your pictures and read about your trip (( fun ))

 

[LJD2143]

Can I join the party?

We'll be arriving at AKL in a mere 37 days!

Aug 23 - 26 at Kidani - 1BR Villa
Aug 26 - 31 at Jambo - 1BR Villa

Have never stayed here before, so we're very excited. Couldn't decide on whether to pick Kidani or Jambo - so we'll be doing BOTH!

 

[Traceylee]

We will be at AKL 11/20--11/29

 

[Best Aunt]

If I ship a box to myself at Kidani, will it go to Kidani or Jambo? Anyone know? Was thinking of sending a box ahead of time of Disney toys wrapped for the kids that I can leave each day as a gift from Mickey!

Kidani has its own check-in desk, so I would think that if you labelled the box to show it should go to Kidani, it would be delivered there. But I've never done it personally, so I'm not speaking from experience.

 

[shakes]

Hi, hoping someone can give me some advice. It's is me, my wife and son (7)

Never stayed at AKL before. Was originally booked at WL but moved to AKL arusha view due to the main pool closure. Currently in a bunk bed room because that was all that was available for Oct 26-Nov 1. We tried the bunk bed at WL during a first stay and they just didn't work out. I was going to try to get two queens upon checkin.

I am now considering a 1 Bedroom villa at Kidani, but all that is available is a standard view.

I know it is strange but at home everyone has their own room. My wife and I love each other but I snore, she snores and kicks, etc!

Having a villa with a separate bedroom seems much better and it isn't that much more expensive, my main concern is how much would we be missing without a view of the animals from our balcony. I assume that there are some good spots to view them from public spaces?

Also, is it really that far from Jambo house and the quick service restaurant? While at the WL I made a lot of late night runs to the RF for food, but then again if we have a kitchen I can just nuke a snack instead.

For anyone who has stayed at both Jambo and Kidani , are the pools similar, in particular the water slides?

Finally, and this is directly from my son, does anyone know if the Kidani arcade has Blazing Angels? Yes I know, we are in Disney and we worries about a video game

thanks!

 

[donnawine]

Can't wait! Me and mom are checking in at AKL on Monday!
We're only staying for one night but I'm very excited. We saved AKL for when our AP's black out so we can just enjoy the resort. Despite resort visiting for years, we've never even set foot here. We have a Bomo dinner ressie and hope to do one of the culinary tours. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[RachelTori]

Can't wait! Me and mom are checking in at AKL on Monday!
We're only staying for one night but I'm very excited. We saved AKL for when our AP's black out so we can just enjoy the resort. Despite resort visiting for years, we've never even set foot here. We have a Bomo dinner ressie and hope to do one of the culinary tours. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

Congrats! I have a suggestion about Boma. There is a free culinary demo of Boma and Jiko every afternoon at 3:45. Go to the Boma podium on the first floor about 3:40pm and let them know you want to do the tour.

You will get to sample a soup and a zebra dome at Boma (possibly the breads/dips at Jiko) - but more importantly, you will learn a lot about Boma, the pods, and the foods they will be serving that evening!


Enjoy!!!

 

[psac]

Hi, hoping someone can give me some advice. It's is me, my wife and son (7)

Never stayed at AKL before. Was originally booked at WL but moved to AKL arusha view due to the main pool closure. Currently in a bunk bed room because that was all that was available for Oct 26-Nov 1. We tried the bunk bed at WL during a first stay and they just didn't work out. I was going to try to get two queens upon checkin.

I am now considering a 1 Bedroom villa at Kidani, but all that is available is a standard view.

I know it is strange but at home everyone has their own room. My wife and I love each other but I snore, she snores and kicks, etc!

Having a villa with a separate bedroom seems much better and it isn't that much more expensive, my main concern is how much would we be missing without a view of the animals from our balcony. I assume that there are some good spots to view them from public spaces?

Also, is it really that far from Jambo house and the quick service restaurant? While at the WL I made a lot of late night runs to the RF for food, but then again if we have a kitchen I can just nuke a snack instead.

For anyone who has stayed at both Jambo and Kidani , are the pools similar, in particular the water slides?

Finally, and this is directly from my son, does anyone know if the Kidani arcade has Blazing Angels? Yes I know, we are in Disney and we worries about a video game

thanks!

So you're the one they keep the arcades open for!! with all the games people have on their iDevices now, I always wonder why they still even have them!

Anyway, the 1BRs at Kidani are really nice. Not only do you get the extra room but also a second bathroom with tub/shower that you don't get in a 1BR at Jambo. Plus the master bath with the shower/hot tub is huge and your wife will love it when she takes it over like mine did.

Are you driving? If so, Kidani is also great with parking.

Otherwise, besides those two points above, to be honest, we do like Jambo more. But there are definitely positives to each.

The hallways at Kidani are super-long, insanely long. Think of the longest you can imagine. And then triple it. BUT, I think the standard views don't run the whole way, and that actually may be a benefit to you. They have a small snack shop in Kidani, but it's tiny. It's a good 10-15 minute walk from lobby to lobby over to Jambo. It's not at all quick to get over to the Mara QS, which we think is pretty good. But you're right, you can load up on snacks, cereal and milk (or even eggs and bread for toast) for the mornings, frozen pizzas, burritos, etc., that will make the 1BR differently convenient.

The pool at Jambo is huge, while the one at Kidani is relatively small, so we like the Jambo one much more, but everyone says the Kidani water slide is MUCH better. Can't speak to that first-hand. The bartender at the Kidani pool bar made better drinks than the one at Jambo the one time we tried each.

In terms of the animals, we've always booked Savannah view, but at Kidani they do have a big overlook you can go out to, plus the big community center room has an outside area with lots of chairs to sit out on and watch the animals. Plus those long hallways have break areas with benches and windows you can see out from. That might be good enough, but maybe others who have stayed Standard view can speak to this more. Whatever you chose, enjoy!

 

[griz4]

We have standard view room booked at AKL, want to bring extra coffee. What type of coffee makers are in standard non DVC rooms? I had read a thread saying regular drip machine, then another they had Cuisanart pods coffee makers.

 

[psac]

We have standard view room booked at AKL, want to bring extra coffee. What type of coffee makers are in standard non DVC rooms? I had read a thread saying regular drip machine, then another they had Cuisanart pods coffee makers.

All regular rooms (regardless of view) use the Cuisinart pods. All DVC rooms (studios and villas, even if booked with cash) have the basket filter drip coffee makers. Hope that helps!

 

[Danadanes]

Hi, hoping someone can give me some advice. It's is me, my wife and son (7)

Never stayed at AKL before. Was originally booked at WL but moved to AKL arusha view due to the main pool closure. Currently in a bunk bed room because that was all that was available for Oct 26-Nov 1. We tried the bunk bed at WL during a first stay and they just didn't work out. I was going to try to get two queens upon checkin.

I am now considering a 1 Bedroom villa at Kidani, but all that is available is a standard view.

I know it is strange but at home everyone has their own room. My wife and I love each other but I snore, she snores and kicks, etc!

Having a villa with a separate bedroom seems much better and it isn't that much more expensive, my main concern is how much would we be missing without a view of the animals from our balcony. I assume that there are some good spots to view them from public spaces?

Also, is it really that far from Jambo house and the quick service restaurant? While at the WL I made a lot of late night runs to the RF for food, but then again if we have a kitchen I can just nuke a snack instead.

For anyone who has stayed at both Jambo and Kidani , are the pools similar, in particular the water slides?


thanks!

Kidani Standards are actually close to the lobby (relatively) because in the further wings, both sides are savannah view. There is a van that runs between Kidani and Jambo if you don't want the 10 minute walk to Jambo. It runs constantly.
There are loads of public viewing areas.
The pool at Kidani, especially the slide, is way better than Jambo.

 

[Lisann]

Anyway, the 1BRs at Kidani are really nice. Not only do you get the extra room but also a second bathroom with tub/shower that you don't get in a 1BR at Jambo. Plus the master bath with the shower/hot tub is huge and your wife will love it when she takes it over like mine did.

See, now this is why I come to these message boards. I just 'chatted' with Disney today, and I asked what the difference was between Jambo and Kidani, and the cast member said "none". And...I specifically asked about the 1 Bedroom villa (square footage, decor, etc.).

 

[AngiTN]

See, now this is why I come to these message boards. I just 'chatted' with Disney today, and I asked what the difference was between Jambo and Kidani, and the cast member said "none". And...I specifically asked about the 1 Bedroom villa (square footage, decor, etc.).

Do the CM on the phone really know and fully understand DVC? I have the impression no, they do not. I think the center that you speak to on the phone in regards to Disney travel is outsourced to someone that is not even Disney. That's why they can't accomplish what you can get done if you speak to Guest Services, which is actually Disney Corp. But that's just the impression I get, not any specific knowledge

I don't own DVC and probably wouldn't ever stay in a DVC property but I do have learned that there is no way Jambo and Kidani are the same because Jambo are retrofitted rooms and Kidani are specially built for DVC. The retrofitted rooms are not the same because they weren't built to the specs for DVC.

 

[Lisann]

I actually chatted on the website at disneyworld dot com. I kind of expected them to know a little something!

 

[kimmar067]

I actually chatted on the website at disneyworld dot com. I kind of expected them to know a little something!

....one would THINK, wouldn't one....

 

[maryj11]

What Trails are the pool view rooms located ? I was looking at an AKL unoffical web site and it said they were in Zebra Trail. Isn't there any on Giraffe Trail ? I would like to find a map that shows the location of pool view and standard rooms. Anyone know where I can find one ?

 

[thumper*]

Maryj11 hope this helps...general AKL info page.....http://allears.net/acc/faq_akl.htm

maps http://allears.net/acc/ResortMaps/AKL.pdf