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

[kimmar067]

Don't feel bad. I don't like ZDs either. I was just holding a package of domes in my ZD picture.

....and yet, somehow, strangely, we love you anyhoo.....

 

[Sydney2977]

Just returned from a trip AKL. All my requests were honored and we had a perfect room. Zebra trail, 2nd floor, 3rd pod, which puts you right in the middle. We had amazing views of the animals. We were also very close to the elevators down to the pool and the quick service restaurant. The room was very clean and no bug sightings at all. The pool area was beautiful, there are a lot of chairs in the shade, so it was hard to find ones in the sun, but there are a lot of little areas outside of pool, that you could find chairs. I would return here in a minute. My 17year old really wanted to stay here and now says he doesn't want to stay anywhere else. He was like a 5 year old. Great resort! Don't hesitate booking here!

I'm hoping my 17 & 13 year olds will have the same reaction! Glad to hear you loved it so much!

 

[DSNY4ever]

We just got back from our first AKL stay and it was wonderful!!

My only complaint was the buses. We stayed at AoA the first week and the buses were great and always came on time. They have queues for the lines so everyone gets on in the order they arrived- great! At AKL there is no queue and so if you don't sit right by where the bus stops you might not get on even if you were the first person there. We were in Jambo house and we also had problems with the buses arriving already full and he would just pull up and basically say "I'm not taking anyone else". If we got to the bus stop an hour or more before park opening we didn't have many problems, but if we waited longer we had problems. One morning we waited 25 minutes for an AK park bus and when it arrived it was full and there were about 20 people waiting to get on. We waited a little longer and then said forget it turned around and went to the pool instead, this was our last day too and we didn't get to the parks till the afternoon.

Other than that we loved our stay. What a gorgeous resort. We ate at The Mara, Sanaa and Boma- all delicious!!! Our two Boma breakfasts were divine! That French Toast casserole with carmel sauce is TO DIE FOR. Everything was delicious. We ate at Sanaa at 5pm and it was so lovely and the food was very good. The pumpkin cheesecake at The Mara right now is delicious...we got it 3 times! The african stew was also very good. But beware we ate at the outside table one night at dusk and I got eaten alive by mosquitos instantly- seriously about 20 horrible bites. I was itching the rest of the trip EAT INSIDE at dusk!

Our son LOVED the little toddler slide over at the Kidani pool. We found that we were walking over there to use the pool a lot because it was so great for toddlers. They had so many great kid's programs throughout the hotel and at the pools- really fun!

Sad that my countdown is over Enjoy your trips everyone!

 

[John's Mom]

We just got back from our first AKL stay and it was wonderful!!

My only complaint was the buses. We stayed at AoA the first week and the buses were great and always came on time. They have queues for the lines so everyone gets on in the order they arrived- great! At AKL there is no queue and so if you don't sit right by where the bus stops you might not get on even if you were the first person there. We were in Jambo house and we also had problems with the buses arriving already full and he would just pull up and basically say "I'm not taking anyone else". If we got to the bus stop an hour or more before park opening we didn't have many problems, but if we waited longer we had problems. One morning we waited 25 minutes for an AK park bus and when it arrived it was full and there were about 20 people waiting to get on. We waited a little longer and then said forget it turned around and went to the pool instead, this was our last day too and we didn't get to the parks till the afternoon.

Other than that we loved our stay. What a gorgeous resort. We ate at The Mara, Sanaa and Boma- all delicious!!! Our two Boma breakfasts were divine! That French Toast casserole with carmel sauce is TO DIE FOR. Everything was delicious. We ate at Sanaa at 5pm and it was so lovely and the food was very good. The pumpkin cheesecake at The Mara right now is delicious...we got it 3 times! The african stew was also very good. But beware we ate at the outside table one night at dusk and I got eaten alive by mosquitos instantly- seriously about 20 horrible bites. I was itching the rest of the trip EAT INSIDE at dusk!

Our son LOVED the little toddler slide over at the Kidani pool. We found that we were walking over there to use the pool a lot because it was so great for toddlers. They had so many great kid's programs throughout the hotel and at the pools- really fun!

Sad that my countdown is over Enjoy your trips everyone!

Thanks for posting. Since Kidani opened, we've had similar situations with the buses.

Did you know that you could take the shuttle between Jambo and Kidani? It runs about every ten minutes. People who use the pools, use this shuttle. I know because I've had a wet bottom on several occasions.

 

[msmith1026]

We check in tomorrow night! I'm so excited for our first AKL stay. Right now it's pouring rain and cold in upstate NY, so i'm really looking forward to the warm weather. I'm having that last minute packing anxiety--making lists to not forget anything, but am stressing over the fact that there's not much left to put on the list. This time tomorrow we'll be exploring the hotel and soaking it all in.

 

[that's nice]

We check in tomorrow night! I'm so excited for our first AKL stay. Right now it's pouring rain and cold in upstate NY, so i'm really looking forward to the warm weather. I'm having that last minute packing anxiety--making lists to not forget anything, but am stressing over the fact that there's not much left to put on the list. This time tomorrow we'll be exploring the hotel and soaking it all in.

AWESOME!!!!!! Have a magical trip!

 

[karmacats]

Leaving tomorrow for WDW! Woo hoo! First ever stay at YC for a couple days, followed by 4 nights at AKL CL, then first ever cruise on the Dream. I'm trying to ignore the fact that it's 1 a.m. and I'm still packing, and we're supposed to leave at the crack of dawn...

 

[PNO4TE]

Everyone headed to AKL ... Have WONDERFUL vacations!

 

[sjs314]

We just got back from our first AKL stay and it was wonderful!!

My only complaint was the buses. We stayed at AoA the first week and the buses were great and always came on time. They have queues for the lines so everyone gets on in the order they arrived- great! At AKL there is no queue and so if you don't sit right by where the bus stops you might not get on even if you were the first person there. We were in Jambo house and we also had problems with the buses arriving already full and he would just pull up and basically say "I'm not taking anyone else". If we got to the bus stop an hour or more before park opening we didn't have many problems, but if we waited longer we had problems. One morning we waited 25 minutes for an AK park bus and when it arrived it was full and there were about 20 people waiting to get on. We waited a little longer and then said forget it turned around and went to the pool instead, this was our last day too and we didn't get to the parks till the afternoon.

Other than that we loved our stay. What a gorgeous resort. We ate at The Mara, Sanaa and Boma- all delicious!!! Our two Boma breakfasts were divine! That French Toast casserole with carmel sauce is TO DIE FOR. Everything was delicious. We ate at Sanaa at 5pm and it was so lovely and the food was very good. The pumpkin cheesecake at The Mara right now is delicious...we got it 3 times! The african stew was also very good. But beware we ate at the outside table one night at dusk and I got eaten alive by mosquitos instantly- seriously about 20 horrible bites. I was itching the rest of the trip EAT INSIDE at dusk!

Our son LOVED the little toddler slide over at the Kidani pool. We found that we were walking over there to use the pool a lot because it was so great for toddlers. They had so many great kid's programs throughout the hotel and at the pools- really fun!

Sad that my countdown is over Enjoy your trips everyone!

Thanks for posting the review. I am headed to AKL in 17 days my first trip back since Kidani was built and the bus service is my only concern since I do use an ECV.

Our last 2 trips we stayed BWI which was 1st pickup and never had the issue of a full bus pulling up, plus there was always a CM there with a clip board checking to see who was heading where and could call for additional buses it seemed. Is there a CM assigned to the bus stop at AKL?

I love AKL and have been wanting to return there so I am really hopeing I am not disappointed in the bus service this time.

Anyone have any Expierence with using an ECV at AKL?

 

[PNO4TE]

Anyone have any Expierence with using an ECV at AKL?

My husband uses an ECV and we often stay at AKL. What do you need to know?

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Thanks for posting the review. I am headed to AKL in 17 days my first trip back since Kidani was built and the bus service is my only concern since I do use an ECV.

Our last 2 trips we stayed BWI which was 1st pickup and never had the issue of a full bus pulling up, plus there was always a CM there with a clip board checking to see who was heading where and could call for additional buses it seemed. Is there a CM assigned to the bus stop at AKL?

I love AKL and have been wanting to return there so I am really hopeing I am not disappointed in the bus service this time.

Anyone have any Expierence with using an ECV at AKL?

When we where there in June, they did have a CM at the bus stop. He would let us know how long till the next bus and would radio in if a particular parks line was getting long

 

[sjs314]

My husband uses an ECV and we often stay at AKL. What do you need to know?

PNO4TE Wondering if the overall bus Expierence was good or bad ie full buses and needing to wait a long time I order to board with an ECV.

At BWI there was never a problem since the bus was empty on arrival and I always was able to load. We try to travel on off times mid morning and before park closeings also which helps

When we where there in June, they did have a CM at the bus stop. He would let us know how long till the next bus and would radio in if a particular parks line was getting long

DevonsDisneyMom Thanks hopefully there will be a CM there in a few weeks

 

[Poohsmommi]

Hi - Can someone please tell me the difference between the 2 Villas offered at AKL? Is one better than the other? I'm not sure which to book. Thanks!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Hi - Can someone please tell me the difference between the 2 Villas offered at AKL? Is one better than the other? I'm not sure which to book. Thanks!

We have only ever stayedat the studios at Kidani and Jambo, but from what I have read the 1 and 2 headroom villas might be a little bigger at Kidani. And I am pretty sure the 2 bedroom villas at Kidani have a 2nd bedroom whereas Jambo doesn't.

 

[danabalana]

I'm so happy! It's official. We're adding two days to our Feb '14 trip and having our first stay at AKL before we head to CR for a conference.

I've really enjoyed reading all about it. We are really going to relax. I don't think we'll even go to the parks those first couple of days. It looks like there will be plenty to do at AKL. Unfortunately it will probably be too cold for pool time. Maybe the Wanyama Safari. We were planning dinner at Jiko anyway and this might be perfect.

Has anyone here done the Wanyama Safari? Did you like it? It's spendy but sounds great.

 

[PNO4TE]

PNO4TE Wondering if the overall bus Expierence was good or bad ie full buses and needing to wait a long time I order to board with an ECV.

At BWI there was never a problem since the bus was empty on arrival and I always was able to load. We try to travel on off times mid morning and before park closeings also which helps

We are fairly new to the use of ECVs since Bob's stroke was just after our 2010 December trip. He thinks any time he has to make people wait for him to load is too long.

Although I never mind having to wait for buses I think that the overall wait time at AKL seems longer than many other resorts. With the addition of Kidani the buses are sometimes full when it comes time to load Jambo guests. That being said, when a bus does come we have never had to wait to load the ECV at AKL but at Saratoga Springs, BC/YC/Swolphin we had to wait numerous times for there to be enough spots for an additional ECV. We also found that returning from the parks we often had to wait for a bus since there seem to be more ECVs than ever and they can only take two or three per bus.

My philosophy is much like yours... travel at off-peak times and be patient. There is nothing we can do to make it happen any faster after all, is there? Oh, and I spend a lot of time keeping DH cool and calm as he watches people eyeing his "scooter" that they know will make them wait when the bus arrives.

 

[tarak]

We are fairly new to the use of ECVs since Bob's stroke was just after our 2010 December trip. He thinks any time he has to make people wait for him to load is too long.

Although I never mind having to wait for buses I think that the overall wait time at AKL seems longer than many other resorts. With the addition of Kidani the buses are sometimes full when it comes time to load Jambo guests. That being said, when a bus does come we have never had to wait to load the ECV at AKL but at Saratoga Springs, BC/YC/Swolphin we had to wait numerous times for there to be enough spots for an additional ECV. We also found that returning from the parks we often had to wait for a bus since there seem to be more ECVs than ever and they can only take two or three per bus.

My philosophy is much like yours... travel at off-peak times and be patient. There is nothing we can do to make it happen any faster after all, is there? Oh, and I spend a lot of time keeping DH cool and calm as he watches people eyeing his "scooter" that they know will make them wait when the bus arrives.

PNO4TE, I feel for your husband. I know the buses come to Kidani first, so we've never had an issue getting on a bus. I'm looking at a knee replacement in the next six months or so and considered getting an ECV for our January trip. I'm still on the fence, in part because I don't want to deal with the stink eye from everyone who will be delayed getting on the bus before hitting the parks. My plan at this point is to bring a cane and a bottle of vicodin. If it's really awful, I'll use an ECV. But my preference is not to have to deal with loading one on the bus. I remember my nine-year-old complaining about the wait once and I pointed out she should be glad she doesn't have an issue that requires her to be in one.

Hi - Can someone please tell me the difference between the 2 Villas offered at AKL? Is one better than the other? I'm not sure which to book. Thanks!

We've stayed in a 1 BR at Kidani. I believe the square footage is slightly greater at Kidani versus Jambo House. The big benefit is two bathrooms at Kidani. The 1 BR suites at Jambo House only have one. Not that it mattered with us too much because the kids insisted on using the master bath. But depending on the makeup of your party, it might be important.

 

[PNO4TE]

PNO4TE, I feel for your husband. I know the buses come to Kidani first, so we've never had an issue getting on a bus. I'm looking at a knee replacement in the next six months or so and considered getting an ECV for our January trip. I'm still on the fence, in part because I don't want to deal with the stink eye from everyone who will be delayed getting on the bus before hitting the parks. My plan at this point is to bring a cane and a bottle of vicodin. If it's really awful, I'll use an ECV. But my preference is not to have to deal with loading one on the bus. I remember my nine-year-old complaining about the wait once and I pointed out she should be glad she doesn't have an issue that requires her to be in one.

Thank you. But please don't hesitate to get that ECV if you need it! We are so very thankful that they exist or our WDW vacations would not be possible. Don't let the "fear of boarding" ruin your trip!

 

[Sydney2977]

PNO4TE, I feel for your husband. I know the buses come to Kidani first, so we've never had an issue getting on a bus. I'm looking at a knee replacement in the next six months or so and considered getting an ECV for our January trip. I'm still on the fence, in part because I don't want to deal with the stink eye from everyone who will be delayed getting on the bus before hitting the parks. My plan at this point is to bring a cane and a bottle of vicodin. If it's really awful, I'll use an ECV. But my preference is not to have to deal with loading one on the bus. I remember my nine-year-old complaining about the wait once and I pointed out she should be glad she doesn't have an issue that requires her to be in one.

Don't worry about what everyone else will think- they should have the same attitude you told your 9yo about- and if they can't oh well! DH had to use an ecv one trip after ankle surgery and everyone was very nice and the bus drivers were super accomodating everywhere. It will be nice for you to have one when going around the parks and the resort. You can always walk through the actual lines- that's what he did one some since he did have a boot, he just kinda limped along cuz he didn't want anyone giving him "special treatment" as he said. I think we rented one from an offsite company for around $30 a day and it was great.

 

[DSNY4ever]

When we where there in June, they did have a CM at the bus stop. He would let us know how long till the next bus and would radio in if a particular parks line was getting long

Hmm, there was a cast member who would hang around the bus stops, but I didn't realize this was his job. He was answering park questions and helping people with magic bands and FP+ selections.

My best advice would be to get down there (at a minimum) an hour before park opening. We didn't have many problems then, but if we went down anytime after that in the morning it was pretty bad, even if it was 50 minutes before opening. My husband and I have noticed that Deluxe resorts seem to have the worst buses and Values seem to have the best. We joke that rich people must be too good for buses and they must all have rental cars