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

[kimmar067]

Sorry duplicate post.

....you post-waste-er, you....

 

[DizDaD7]

"...shaddup, shuddin' up...."

I'm taking that to be a No....

 

[shanlynn1012]

Spending. One night at animal kingdom villas any tips on how to make the most of it? Thanks

 

[kimmar067]

I'm taking that to be a No....

....since it is probably just the two of us, I'm thinking that the best route to take is just booking a room.....

 

[AmyinPA]

The best way to get what you want, is just ask!. If you don't want to be down a long hallway, just request "as close as possible to lobby". We've always had this honored here in a Standard.

Thanks!

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Everything I have read said don't stay at akv if you don't get savannah view. Is that not true?? I would love to save money but don't want to be there and wish I had done savannah instead. We r going in September and someone said when it's that hot the animals aren't out as much. Any truth to that??

Here I come to confuse you further... Aren't I so helpful? I'm speaking for Jambo House, as I haven't stayed Kidani.

On my first trip to AKL I did savannah view. To me that was one of the big draws of the resort -- being able to see animals right from your own room. Let me tell you, it really did make a huge impact on the overall feel of the stay. (My fool of a boyfriend throwing open the curtains on the first morning and singing "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba!!" at the top of his lungs was worth the price of the upgrade alone. ) We were on the go from morning to night and didn't spend a lot of time in the room. Our animal viewing was limited to a few minutes in the morning over coffee, one of us going out on the balcony while the other got ready, and then an hour or so at night before bed, and a few minutes here and there when we came back to the room to get ready for dinner, etc. I loved having the savannah view but on a future trip, where the upgrade was going to be in the $1200 range, I rationalized that I could just use the public viewing areas and save the difference.

I wasn't willing to take the chance of ending up with a parking lot view, so I upgraded to pool view. (The price between standard and pool is so negligible I would recommend you do so, if you're considering standard, to guarantee yourself a pretty view.) Only when I stayed pool view did I realize how much viewing time we HAD gotten with savannah view, even though we didn't spend a lot of time in the room. It was no longer convenient to pop out on the balcony for a few minutes here and there to see the animals. Going to the public viewing areas required us to set aside time and make the effort -- You know, the massive effort of putting on shoes and walking down the hallway. Lol. Using the public areas also meant you lost the privacy of your own balcony and the convenience of being able to step right inside to use the bathroom/refill a drink and then step right back out. I ended up feeling far-removed from the animals, which was a big deal for me. It may not be for others. After that, it's savannah view only for us. That said, if I had to, I would take a view of a brick wall at AKL before I would stay anywhere else. The resort is just THAT gorgeous IMO.

If I understood correctly, you said the price difference was $209. I would spend that in a heartbeat for the savannah view. Especially with this being your first stay, I think you'll feel like you're getting a more "complete" experience in regards to what staying at AKL is all about. You also won't have any pre-trip anxiety about what kind of view you'll end up with, and you won't come away with any nagging thoughts that maybe you should've sprung for the upgrade.

 

[RachelTori]

TipsyTraveler - are you referring to Standard View at the resort OR are you referring to DVC villas at Jambo House? There's a huge difference! In fact, every time I have booked a Standard View Villa at Jambo, I've had a pool view, right off the lobby -- wonderful!

 

[AmyinPA]

Here I come to confuse you further... Aren't I so helpful? I'm speaking for Jambo House, as I haven't stayed Kidani.

On my first trip to AKL I did savannah view. To me that was one of the big draws of the resort -- being able to see animals right from your own room. Let me tell you, it really did make a huge impact on the overall feel of the stay. (My fool of a boyfriend throwing open the curtains on the first morning and singing "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba!!" at the top of his lungs was worth the price of the upgrade alone. ) We were on the go from morning to night and didn't spend a lot of time in the room. Our animal viewing was limited to a few minutes in the morning over coffee, one of us going out on the balcony while the other got ready, and then an hour or so at night before bed, and a few minutes here and there when we came back to the room to get ready for dinner, etc. I loved having the savannah view but on a future trip, where the upgrade was going to be in the $1200 range, I rationalized that I could just use the public viewing areas and save the difference.

I wasn't willing to take the chance of ending up with a parking lot view, so I upgraded to pool view. (The price between standard and pool is so negligible I would recommend you do so, if you're considering standard, to guarantee yourself a pretty view.) Only when I stayed pool view did I realize how much viewing time we HAD gotten with savannah view, even though we didn't spend a lot of time in the room. It was no longer convenient to pop out on the balcony for a few minutes here and there to see the animals. Going to the public viewing areas required us to set aside time and make the effort -- You know, the massive effort of putting on shoes and walking down the hallway. Lol. Using the public areas also meant you lost the privacy of your own balcony and the convenience of being able to step right inside to use the bathroom/refill a drink and then step right back out. I ended up feeling far-removed from the animals, which was a big deal for me. It may not be for others. After that, it's savannah view only for us. That said, if I had to, I would take a view of a brick wall at AKL before I would stay anywhere else. The resort is just THAT gorgeous IMO.

If I understood correctly, you said the price difference was $209. I would spend that in a heartbeat for the savannah view. Especially with this being your first stay, I think you'll feel like you're getting a more "complete" experience in regards to what staying at AKL is all about. You also won't have any pre-trip anxiety about what kind of view you'll end up with, and you won't come away with any nagging thoughts that maybe you should've sprung for the upgrade.

What a great reply! This helped me a lot with my decision too!

 

[kimmar067]

Here I come to confuse you further...On my first trip to AKL I did savannah view. To me that was one of the big draws of the resort -- being able to see animals right from your own room. Let me tell you, it really did make a huge impact on the overall feel of the stay. (My fool of a boyfriend throwing open the curtains on the first morning and singing "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba!!" at the top of his lungs.....

....and you're still WITH him???!!?!??

[]

 

[TipsyTraveler]

TipsyTraveler - are you referring to Standard View at the resort OR are you referring to DVC villas at Jambo House? There's a huge difference! In fact, every time I have booked a Standard View Villa at Jambo, I've had a pool view, right off the lobby -- wonderful!

I'm talking about plain old book-a-room at Jambo. No DVC for me. Every time I look into it my head starts to spin. Is the pool view what you get when you book standard with the villas, or are you still gambling that you may end up with a parking lot? I really know very little about the DVC options. I know the question I was replying to was for Kidani but I was hoping I could give a little insight about how the difference in view categories of savannah vs. pool affected my overall impression.

What a great reply! This helped me a lot with my decision too!

Thank you! Glad I could help.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

....and you're still WITH him???!!?!??

[]

15 years this month. I think I'm probably stuck with him at this point. Plus I forgot to keep my receipt.

 

[kimmar067]

 

[RachelTori]

I'm talking about plain old book-a-room at Jambo. No DVC for me. Every time I look into it my head starts to spin. Is the pool view what you get when you book standard with the villas, or are you still gambling that you may end up with a parking lot? I really know very little about the DVC options. I know the question I was replying to was for Kidani but I was hoping I could give a little insight about how the difference in view categories of savannah vs. pool affected my overall impression.

It does get confusing, regular resort or DVC, doesn't it?!!

I agree, I don't know that I'd chance a "standard view" for the regular resort (Jambo) rooms.

The DVC rooms, however, don't have any of those type of views! Jambo House Standard View DVC Villas are either pool view or a partially restricted savannah view. (they are all on the 5th floor.)

 

[goofy78]

Hi! New here and trying to decide which view to book. DH and I are staying one night in August. Right now we are booked standard view but I got a pin and was thinking of switching to pool view. I wouldn't mind even savannah or Arusha view but we don't want to be too far from dining and transportation. Looking at the layout is changing to pool view the best option for us? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[princessap]

We were leaning towards kidani 1 bedroom as they are bigger and first stop for bus. Are the standard view rooms there pool view or obstructed savannah views?

 

[psac]

I would also jump on a Savanna view for a $209 difference.

My personal opinion is first, you should never book a vacation you can't really afford. If you can't afford a Savanna view and you'd have to skimp elsewhere (like on meals) to make up for it, then it's not worth it.

If it is within your budget, I would definitely stay Savanna view. It's truly a special experience.

 

[medicgirl177]

Do all the CL rooms have a balcony? Or should that be a request?

 

[RachelTori]

We were leaning towards kidani 1 bedroom as they are bigger and first stop for bus. Are the standard view rooms there pool view or obstructed savannah views?

No, that's the Jambo Villa "Standard View" description.

Kidani standard view would be of the pool area or landscaped area (could include parking lot). There might be an obstructed savannah view room or 2.

At this point, you're stressing too much over the view. If you can afford the $209, I'll join the others who are urging you to GO FOR IT!!! Then, no regrets!

Do all the CL rooms have a balcony? Or should that be a request?

All rooms at the resort have balconies. CL rooms are also guaranteed savannah view.

 

[think-like-tink]

does anyone have a map showing where the CL are?

 

[RachelTori]

Hi! New here and trying to decide which view to book. DH and I are staying one night in August. Right now we are booked standard view but I got a pin and was thinking of switching to pool view. I wouldn't mind even savannah or Arusha view but we don't want to be too far from dining and transportation. Looking at the layout is changing to pool view the best option for us? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Pool view would ensure you are close to the pool, restaurants, lobby, and transportation. The Arusha Savannah View would be your best bet if you have your heart set on a savannah as Arusha would keep you fairly close to the lobby area. I'd definitely avoid the generic "savannah view" category where you could very well end up near the end of Kudu or Zebra Trail.

Congrats on the pin!