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

[minie_meese]

We just returned from a week's family vacation at AKL Jambo house. We were in room 5270 (2 bedroom DVC). The weather was perfect and we didn't see any rain. I had requested the Arusha Savanna and was a bit disappointed when we ended up with the Sunset Savanna but it turned out great. We saw lots of animals especially in the early evening and 4 of the 7 mornings we saw hot air balloons over Kidani. There were a few hiccups with the Magic Bands but overall that worked great. We used them from room entry, FP+,charging and tickets. We visited all 4 parks including the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot for 3 days and MNSSHP on 10/14. We just loved coming back to AKL every evening and sitting on the balcony. An added treat - we had a great view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the balcony. We could not see them from the lock-off balcony. We ate at Boma one evening to celebrate our 10 yrs old granddaughter's birthday. I ordered a cake for the celebration and it was terrific - chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and whipped cream frosting and a white chocolate stand-up Mickey. The kids loved the pool. One night we ordered food from Flippers Pizza. They had a pretty decent menu including freshly prepared salads. The pizza was good. One of their Kissimmee locations delivers to AKL. You just need to meet them in the lobby. Very reasonably priced.

 

[PNO4TE]

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.

We use Buena Vista Scooters (a WDW approved off-site company that delivers right to the resort.). They are fabulous, and you are right... just about $30 a day.

 

[sjs314]

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.

It is kinda funny but I have never noticed the looks of others waiting for the bus as I am in my own little world fretting about having to load and try to park the ECV on the bus

 

[leannak]

We're getting ready for our first trip to AKL and Animal Kingdom!! We showed our kids The Lion King a few weeks ago and before that we watched The Jungle Book. Tonight we're watching a Donald Duck movie (Saludos Amigos) so they know who he is when we go to Tusker House. An anybody recommend any other movies for us?

 

[jillmc40]

We're getting ready for our first trip to AKL and Animal Kingdom!! We showed our kids The Lion King a few weeks ago and before that we watched The Jungle Book. Tonight we're watching a Donald Duck movie (Saludos Amigos) so they know who he is when we go to Tusker House. An anybody recommend any other movies for us?

You have to then go on the Donald Duck ride in Mexico! My kids love love love it and I can't tell you how many people don't even know it is there!

I can't think of any other movies. I still haven't seen the jungle book!!! I don't k ow how that is even possible!

 

[1girln3boys]

You have to then go on the Donald Duck ride in Mexico! My kids love love love it and I can't tell you how many people don't even know it is there! I can't think of any other movies. I still haven't seen the jungle book!!! I don't k ow how that is even possible!

My youngest loves it to. Never a wait. But he loves all boat rides.

 

[leannak]

Saludos Amigos was actually pretty good. My daughters were cracking up. They don't get a lot of TV, and are more apt to be afraid than amused by movies. (They weren't huge fans of The Lion King... too much peril.

I actually even learned a few things in Saludos Amigos. South American geography type stuff. There WAS a scene where Donald got a little drunk and there are dead animals being cooked over fire and Walt Disney is shown smoking, etc. But overall, our whole family enjoyed it.

Jungle Book was good too!!

 

[Pinkocto]

We just returned from a week's family vacation at AKL Jambo house. We were in room 5270 (2 bedroom DVC). The weather was perfect and we didn't see any rain. I had requested the Arusha Savanna and was a bit disappointed when we ended up with the Sunset Savanna but it turned out great. We saw lots of animals especially in the early evening and 4 of the 7 mornings we saw hot air balloons over Kidani. There were a few hiccups with the Magic Bands but overall that worked great. We used them from room entry, FP+,charging and tickets. We visited all 4 parks including the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot for 3 days and MNSSHP on 10/14. We just loved coming back to AKL every evening and sitting on the balcony. An added treat - we had a great view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the balcony. We could not see them from the lock-off balcony. We ate at Boma one evening to celebrate our 10 yrs old granddaughter's birthday. I ordered a cake for the celebration and it was terrific - chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and whipped cream frosting and a white chocolate stand-up Mickey. The kids loved the pool. One night we ordered food from Flippers Pizza. They had a pretty decent menu including freshly prepared salads. The pizza was good. One of their Kissimmee locations delivers to AKL. You just need to meet them in the lobby. Very reasonably priced.

Glad you had a great trip love the photos!

 

[jillmc40]

Saludos Amigos was actually pretty good. My daughters were cracking up. They don't get a lot of TV, and are more apt to be afraid than amused by movies. (They weren't huge fans of The Lion King... too much peril.

I actually even learned a few things in Saludos Amigos. South American geography type stuff. There WAS a scene where Donald got a little drunk and there are dead animals being cooked over fire and Walt Disney is shown smoking, etc. But overall, our whole family enjoyed it.

Jungle Book was good too!!

We have it and watch it too. I agree, there is a lot to learn. Funny about smoking, it was all so normal when we were young

You will love akl! Ds4 still asks to go to the hotel with the animals. We named a giraffe outside our balcony Nicole. Dd6 asked me tonight how I thought Nicole was doing

We had Easter breakfast at tusker last year. It was really great but ds was in a snit that morning so I think I would have enjoyed it more if I could remember it...instead of inhaling my food so dh and I could take turns with him. The characters were great though. They snapped him out of it. Goofy has a way of doing that.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Squeal ... I just got to customize my Magic Band for my one night stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It also let me customize our Magic Bands for Beach Club Villas. I have gone with blue for Animal Kingdom Lodge and pink for Beach Club Villas. Unfortunately I need to be patient as I live in the UK, I have to pick them up at the hotel.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Squeal ... I just got to customize my Magic Band for my one night stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It also let me customize our Magic Bands for Beach Club Villas. I have gone with blue for Animal Kingdom Lodge and pink for Beach Club Villas. Unfortunately I need to be patient as I live in the UK, I have to pick them up at the hotel.

Corinna

Very cool!!!

 

[Belle83]

I just booked 6 nights at AKL for our honeymoon! So excited!!

 

[Pinkocto]

I just booked 6 nights at AKL for our honeymoon! So excited!!

Congratulations!

 

[Sydney2977]

OK, weird towel questions coming!

We've never been to the waterparks at WDW, but are doing Blizzard Beach this time. Can you take towels from the resort to BB, or should we bring our own from home? Also, will we have new towles when we get back to shower with?
We'll probably be at BB from 10-3. so I figured Mousekeeping would come bring us more towels during that time. Do we need to request them though? I didn't want them to think we stole the towels.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Pinkocto]

OK, weird towel questions coming!

We've never been to the waterparks at WDW, but are doing Blizzard Beach this time. Can you take towels from the resort to BB, or should we bring our own from home? Also, will we have new towles when we get back to shower with?
We'll probably be at BB from 10-3. so I figured Mousekeeping would come bring us more towels during that time. Do we need to request them though? I didn't want them to think we stole the towels.
Thanks for the help!

I wouldn't take towels from the resort, I think that's frowned upon. Instead bring your own from home because they charge a rental fee for towels at BB.

Have fun, BB is a blast!

 

[kimmar067]

....OMG! The kudus are escaping!!!

 

[PNO4TE]

....OMG! The kudus are escaping!!!

 

[pArKsFaN]

Is soda readily available CL, or mainly certain times of the day? Not usually a worry, but my dh is a big Coke drinker. I'm getting ready to order water bottles to have delivered and am debating on adding some Coke just in case...but if he is able to get it any time then I won't bother.

 

[tiggerlvr27]

This guy welcomes everyone to the new thread!

I want whatever room you were in!!!

 

[Pinkocto]

Is soda readily available CL, or mainly certain times of the day? Not usually a worry, but my dh is a big Coke drinker. I'm getting ready to order water bottles to have delivered and am debating on adding some Coke just in case...but if he is able to get it any time then I won't bother.

They do close the CL at 10:00 but you can take as many cans as you want to your room. I don't think you'd need to buy any.