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

[anjalee6]

Geez I wish that was true with the Arusha view rooms. They charge more for the bunk bed rooms in that category. When I made the resort switch the only thing open was the Arusha view with 2 queens and then one with the Bunks but I can't remember what the difference in price was.

Yeah, that is the case with pool view bunk beds also. It costs more for them as well. WE usually pay extra for the pool view ones just so our two (DD and DS) don't have to share a bed with each other or us. The extra price is worth it for us when staying pool view.

 

[stephk1981]

Hello All of the AKL experts! I am trying to find the answer to this question, but continue to get conflicting answers. If you stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge(jambo house) can you use the uwanja camp(at kidani) ? We have heard yes from some and no from others. We are staying at the yacht club this year but my son wants to stay in an arusha view room at jambo AND play at uwanja camp; so we are thinking of adding on a day just for him to play there. Can anyone answr this? Thanks.

 

[dolphingirl47]

As a rule people who stay at Jambo House can use the pool and water play area at Kidani. However, when those reach capacity, they may restrict access to people staying at Kidani only.

Corinna

 

[nadira36]

Geez I wish that was true with the Arusha view rooms. They charge more for the bunk bed rooms in that category. When I made the resort switch the only thing open was the Arusha view with 2 queens and then one with the Bunks but I can't remember what the difference in price was.

I don't personally like the bunk beds, but our girls do. So I found it well worth the extra price. Though we paid for a pool view bunk bed room and didn't have to pay for the arusha view. If we could afford it at the time, we would have found it worth the difference in price though.

 

[sndral]

As a rule people who stay at Jambo House can use the pool and water play area at Kidani. However, when those reach capacity, they may restrict access to people staying at Kidani only.

Corinna

??? This is not what the WDW site says and is contrary to everything I've read about the AKV/AKL pools.
I assume you must have actually experienced this while staying there so I'm curious when did this happen, has it happened often in your experience? I go in the winter, so pool crowding isn't an issue.

 

[delilah30]

I booked AKL Jambo in May and was checking to see availability to upgrade and it seems that the hotel is completely sold out 9/8 and 9/9. The family joke is I always book the hotel with the bizarre event. Does anyone know what is going on? It seems strange the hotel is booked solid for a Tuesday and a Wednesday.

 

[stephk1981]

*This is not what the WDW site says and is contrary to everything I've read about the AKV/AKL pools.
I assume you must have actually experienced this while staying there so I'm curious when did this happen, has it happened often in your experience? I go in the winter, so pool crowding isn't an issue.
Today 02:27 PM

I asked this question on the resort thread also because I keep hearing both a yes and no from people...and according to one of the posters on there, she and her family were turned away from kidani pool access in may(they were at AKL).....I wish I had a direct number, to figure out what the definitive answer is!

 

[dolphingirl47]

??? This is not what the WDW site says and is contrary to everything I've read about the AKV/AKL pools.
I assume you must have actually experienced this while staying there so I'm curious when did this happen, has it happened often in your experience? I go in the winter, so pool crowding isn't an issue.

I have personal experience in terms of using the Kidani pool area despite staying at Jambo House, but we always stay during the off season (September, October or between Thanksgiving and Christmas). I have however read trip reports where people reported being turned away. From memory, this happened during the Spring Break/ Easter period and mid afternoon.

Corinna

 

[Sherrkel]

Yes, there are standards with a queen and a bunk bed. They do not cost any extra.

Thank you Anjalee!

 

[mjohnson96]

I have personal experience in terms of using the Kidani pool area despite staying at Jambo House, but we always stay during the off season (September, October or between Thanksgiving and Christmas). I have however read trip reports where people reported being turned away. From memory, this happened during the Spring Break/ Easter period and mid afternoon.

Corinna

Here is the link on the WDW site that shows both pools under Animal Kingdom Lodge


https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/animal-kingdom-lodge/pools-animal-kingdom-lodge/

Cool off amid African-inspired architecture and a wildlife preserve at the Uzima Pool and the Samawati Springs Pool

I am going to guess that people got turned away more due to capacity issues. Would hate to go over there and get turned away and then have to show them their own site

 

[rhardy1206]

Anyone ever use go pros in the parks? I just purchased 1 for our trip. Figure I can use it on splash mountain and at the AKL pool and slide?

Also Measured my 4 year old son this morning in at 47 inches. Looks like someone is now tall enough for 90% of the rides!! Made my day


Also 50 days left

Can I start packing?!?!?!?

 

[mjohnson96]

Anyone ever use go pros in the parks? I just purchased 1 for our trip. Figure I can use it on splash mountain and at the AKL pool and slide?

Also Measured my 4 year old son this morning in at 47 inches. Looks like someone is now tall enough for 90% of the rides!! Made my day


Also 50 days left

Can I start packing?!?!?!?

Did you buy a chest or wrist strap? I tried to get one for our last cruise and just could not get the hang of it Ended up returning and upgrading my camera to a Cannon 70D instead...can't wait to use it this trip.

And no you can't start packing unless I get to start packing.

 

[disney meema]

We are dedicated mid-day break folks and we stayed at AKL for the first time back in May. We did the mid-day break at the hotel when we were touring AK and DHS, but in both cases were were all but done with the actual touring so we didn't miss the time for transport. When we toured Epcot and MK, we ended up taking our breaks at one of the resorts closer to the respective park. A nice big ice cream or frozen beverage, a stroll around the shops and a good half hour off your feet in the lobby area A/C works pretty well. From MK, I recommend the Contemporary, and at Epcot I recommend Beach/Yacht Club.

I just saw your post on how you take a break when at MK or Epcot while staying at AKL and what great ideas so thank you : ) it's our first time staying in the wild at AKL so I was wondering how or where we would take a break ... I'll love your ideas!!

 

[disney meema]

Hello All, I've decided to lurk on this thread... need to make sure all is well at the home resort before we arrive! (anyone following WL thread will understand ) I have been planning a BIG retirement trip for DH and myself (i'm not retiring, but reaping the benefits of the trip)! We will arrive at OKW on 10/29.. we then move over to WL cl on 11/1... moving over to YC cl on 11/3 for some food and wine fun...AND THEN 11/9 we're comin' home! This will be DH first time at AKL, and his 2nd trip to the world (first trip was really short)! We will be at AKL cl until 11/14/14. I have been planning this trip for about a year now, and just finished making all the food and wine reservations. We have several tours planned and some pretty good dinning plans! This trip is happening right after we move to Dallas Texas from NYC... So lots of exciting and fun things happening as well as some pretty big life changes!! BRING IT ON!! Ok back into lurking!! ~N

Welcome Nannette : ) just saw your post and you'll be staying a bit of everywhere how fun : ) Such exciting moves ahead for you as well moving to Dallas from NYC that is a big life change and I hope your move goes well and then your fabulous trip to follow!!! My husband and I are staying at CL at AKL at the same time as you Nov. 9 - 19 and the a 4 night stay at RPC GF. Glad you came out from lurking : )

 

[rhardy1206]

Did you buy a chest or wrist strap? I tried to get one for our last cruise and just could not get the hang of it Ended up returning and upgrading my camera to a Cannon 70D instead...can't wait to use it this trip.

And no you can't start packing unless I get to start packing.

Fin we can both start packing

I got the wrist strap. Figured that would be way easier

 

[sndral]

I have personal experience in terms of using the Kidani pool area despite staying at Jambo House, but we always stay during the off season (September, October or between Thanksgiving and Christmas). I have however read trip reports where people reported being turned away. From memory, this happened during the Spring Break/ Easter period and mid afternoon.

Corinna

What a bummer for someone to get all packed up for the pool and make the trek from Jambo to Kidani only to be told no despite what Disney advertises.
Safety comes first and if it's so crowded that the lifeguards can't do their job then they have the final say. I guess the best option if you are there during a busy hot time is to verify @ the front desk in Jambo that you'll be let in before you go over.
Personally I think the Jambo pool is nicer, but if I had younger children I'd be all over Kidani's water play area.

 

[VbChristy]

Any chance we can swim with our 18 month old mid-January? What's the likelihood that it will be warm enough one day? We won't take him under 75?? I'm always missing the good pools by going during colder months :/

 

[mjohnson96]

Any chance we can swim with our 18 month old mid-January? What's the likelihood that it will be warm enough one day? We won't take him under 75?? I'm always missing the good pools by going during colder months :/

It will be hit or miss honestly, I am from Florida and sometimes it was bone cold in January and other times I'm outside washing the car in a bathing suit. Once we headed to WDW in Feb and it was so nice out I took DD to TL waterpark. Plus that day the rental car's AC went out and we were sweating

Best time will be late afternoon when things warm up some

 

[DizDaD7]

Just some info, but the pools are kept at 85* I believe...Even the water parks I believe too.

 

[kimmar067]

Did you buy a chest or wrist strap? I tried to get one for our last cruise and just could not get the hang of it Ended up returning and upgrading my camera to a Cannon 70D instead...can't wait to use it this trip.

And no you can't start packing unless I get to start packing.

.....my DS can't go ANYWHErE without his Go-Pro! He absolutely loves his....