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

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

When booking a Savanna view room in Jambo House and requesting near the lobby, are there any "bad" sections/views?

If for some reason we end up at either far end of Jambo House, how long is the walk to the lobby? I'm trying to decide if it is more important to request to be close to the lobby, or to have a specific view.

I, personally, don't think that the walk is that long at Jambo. And I'm not a super-exerciser or anything, just a pretty normal human (at least I hope so.... ). The halls are much longer at Kidani and even there I feel like the walk is totally worth it. I really don't understand why people complain at Jambo. Or Kidani - don't you want to see animals and not into other people's rooms/villas? Seems intuitive that providing space for the animals/people to coincide would mean longer halls...but maybe that's just me!

Just my opinion but at Jambo I don't worry about requesting close to lobby unless my elderly parents are with us or we have some other need. I typically prefer to be a bit out in the wings which gets you a bit away from the Arusha rock common viewing area. Feels a bit more natural to me instead of watching people on the ground watching animals. But I adore both views so I typically don't worry about it!

With my DD who is crazy about the pool, I typically just request "close to pool) in the hopes we'll be near that elevator bank about half way down the Zebra trail which gives the best of both worlds for our family. But I really think you can't lose with Savannah view at Jambo! Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I think requesting Lobby Level is better..it seems to make the walk not so bad if an elevator isn't involved

 

[smiths02]

I don't remember minding the walks until my 3 year old decided it was the best place to run! Keeping him from running was really, really hard LOL.

 

[tarak]

I don't remember minding the walks until my 3 year old decided it was the best place to run! Keeping him from running was really, really hard LOL.

I here you on that one. Mine are no longer three, but those hallways really seemed to encourage the running of the children.

Took a quick poll tonight and it seems like everyone but me prefers the okapi and the red river hogs to the giraffe and zebras. Weirdos, I tell you. I'll just have to take my coffee elsewhere in the mornings to see the zebras and giraffe.

 

[LJSquishy]

Since I know some of you have little ones...

At The Mara, do the kid's meal breakfasts come with a small beverage like a full meal or is it just the breakfast platter or Mickey waffles? And, will I run into any issues ordering this for myself as an adult (with no kids) in the mornings? I don't want to get yelled at! I'm a light breakfast eater and would usually choose between a yogurt parfait or one of the kids meals which seem like the perfect amount of food. We won't be on a dining plan.

 

[smiths02]

Since I know some of you have little ones...

At The Mara, do the kid's meal breakfasts come with a small beverage like a full meal or is it just the breakfast platter or Mickey waffles? And, will I run into any issues ordering this for myself as an adult (with no kids) in the mornings? I don't want to get yelled at! I'm a light breakfast eater and would usually choose between a yogurt parfait or one of the kids meals which seem like the perfect amount of food. We won't be on a dining plan.

They won't know who you are ordering for and won't think twice! Don't know about the beverage as we were on DDP our last 2 trips.

 

[eeyore81]

I here you on that one. Mine are no longer three, but those hallways really seemed to encourage the running of the children.

Took a quick poll tonight and it seems like everyone but me prefers the okapi and the red river hogs to the giraffe and zebras. Weirdos, I tell you. I'll just have to take my coffee elsewhere in the mornings to see the zebras and giraffe.

We loved the red river hogs. On our last stay we only saw one on one day. What trail are you on? We have always stayed around the third pod on the Zebra trail.

 

[tarak]

We loved the red river hogs. On our last stay we only saw one on one day. What trail are you on? We have always stayed around the third pod on the Zebra trail.

I admit, I loved the little hogs, too. We saw three of them running like mad one morning. Very cute. We were way at the end - past the Pumba elevator. We could see wishes from our balcony. Which was kind of neat, actually. But it was a haul at the end of the night. I think this time I'll request a room halfway between the Rafiki and Pumba elevators. That would put us smack in the middle of the savannah, I think. A bit closer to the pool (we're planning two resort days, and a few of the park days might be short). Of course, I could mention to Things 2 & 3 that if we're on a different savannah, we'd be closer to Jambo house (they still complain about the walk, which I honestly didn't think was that bad). Maybe sway them to the giraffe/zebra side.

 

[aagee]

I am doing online check-in. I have a standard view room at AKL booked, but one of the room requests available to me is "sunset savannah view". Can I really request that if I didn't book a savannah room? Obviously I would love a savannah view! I guess it's a dumb question, since its clearly listed as a choice, but it seems too good to be true?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I am doing online check-in. I have a standard view room at AKL booked, but one of the room requests available to me is "sunset savannah view". Can I really request that if I didn't book a savannah room? Obviously I would love a savannah view! I guess it's a dumb question, since its clearly listed as a choice, but it seems too good to be true?

I'd like to know this too. I don't know why I'm reluctant to do online check in. It would be nice if this was a free upgrade they're offering to you.

 

[iRy]

I am doing online check-in. I have a standard view room at AKL booked, but one of the room requests available to me is "sunset savannah view". Can I really request that if I didn't book a savannah room? Obviously I would love a savannah view! I guess it's a dumb question, since its clearly listed as a choice, but it seems too good to be true?

I'd like to know the answer to this as well!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

I am doing online check-in. I have a standard view room at AKL booked, but one of the room requests available to me is "sunset savannah view". Can I really request that if I didn't book a savannah room? Obviously I would love a savannah view! I guess it's a dumb question, since its clearly listed as a choice, but it seems too good to be true?

I had the same option available to me when we booked a standard view. I chose the option sunset savanna. We were on the side of the building that sunset savanna was on but didn't have an actual savanna view. Meaning sunset was to the right of the lobby pembe to the left. We were on the right hand side of the building. Does that make sense?

 

[iRy]

There's also an option for "Kudu Trail" as well. Most, if not all of those rooms, overlook a savannah if I'm not mistaken.

 

[aagee]

Ok, another question. If I do request the sunset savannah, where exactly is that, which trail?

Thanks!

 

[Disney Diva Mom]

What area should I request for a savanah view of the giraffes?

FYI I am having a blast reading posts and learning all about AKL!!! So excited!! Less than 3 weeks to go.

 

[iRy]

Ok, another question. If I do request the sunset savannah, where exactly is that, which trail? Thanks!

The sunset savannah is on the right side of the hotel in between Ostrich and Kudu Trails.

 

[POLY1985]

Is there new bedding in the AKV Studios?

 

[Mommymarie]

I know, another room request question! We are going in Nov, renting DVC and staying in Kidani Village in a Savannah View Studio. Trying to find a map of the room locations, but my #1 request would be a good view.

I know it can be a long walk to the ends, but we've stayed at CSR and CBR so we've walked before. Are there certain area's that the animals hang out or to request?
TIA!!!

I also have a room request question....I booked an Arusha view room already, are there any better/worse Arusha rooms? I just want to make sure that I make a room request if it will make a difference--this is our first time at AKL and we are so excited

 

[pArKsFaN]

Since I know some of you have little ones...

At The Mara, do the kid's meal breakfasts come with a small beverage like a full meal or is it just the breakfast platter or Mickey waffles? And, will I run into any issues ordering this for myself as an adult (with no kids) in the mornings? I don't want to get yelled at! I'm a light breakfast eater and would usually choose between a yogurt parfait or one of the kids meals which seem like the perfect amount of food. We won't be on a dining plan.

I don't think they care. I asked for a kid's meal for myself and was up front about it and there were no issues. I don't remember if there was a drink included or not ... it seems like maybe I got a small bottled water and saved it in the fridge for later. I had purchased a refillable mug and got iced tea or coffee usually.

FWIW, on my most recent trip in May I also asked if it was okay to get kids meals at a couple of the QS places in the parks and the CMs were perfectly fine with it. I wasn't wanting to break any rules, but the kids meals were the right amount of food for me and they said "sure, no problem at all"!

 

[letthewookiewin]

We are checking into the Swan just for one night before checking into the AKL. Bell services at the Swan said they would take our luggage to the AKL for us, but I'm pretty sure we would need to get our luggage from the AKL bell services when we get back to our room from the park that night. The only thing is, that we'll be at the MK and it is open until midnight (thanks to PM EMH). Once we get back to the AKL, will bell services still be open to be able to bring our luggage to our room, or will we have to wait until the next morning to get it?