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

[dolphingirl47]

Personally, I would do AKL. The All Stars just don't seem comfortable to me. The difference in the distance is relatively small but the difference in quality of experience is huge.

Thanks. I am spoiled as well. We have only ever done the DVC resorts when staying online. So I am sure that after staying at Old Key West, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Bay Lake Tower and the Boardwalk Villas, a value would be a serious shock to the system.

Corinna

 

[YCFAN]

Definitely do AKL. If nothing else, the comfortable room to sleep in would be enough for me.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Has anyone that has stayed at AKL also stayed at CSR before? I'm curious how the time length of bus rides compares to CSR. We were at CSR in 2012 and it seemed like a lot of people sort of complained about how far away it was from the parks (here on the Dis) but we thought the bus rides were quick. I know AKL is close to AK, but do you think it's about an extra 5 minutes to the other parks versus CSR?

We have stayed at both CSR and AKL in the past and think the bus rides are very comparable. AKL is no more then 5 min away from CSR.

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

Thank you. Were you at Jambo or kidani? I think we decided in renting points but not sure what building to request?

I've done both on two different trips this year. . I may have a small problem. Hahaha!

I really loved both. I think Kidani wins hands down in the 1br or larger category. I think they are a tie for the studio. When are you going and for how long? How old are your other kids? Will you eat out all meals?

My initial reaction is that since it is your first trip and there are five of you, might want to try Jambo to be closer to the action. But I have a hard time saying that since I love the peacefulness of Kdani so much. Really, you can't lose either way.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Definitely do AKL. If nothing else, the comfortable room to sleep in would be enough for me.

I have now sent an email to my travel agent asking her to cancel the reservation at All Star Sports and I will stay at AKL.

Corinna

 

[YCFAN]

I have now sent an email to my travel agent asking her to cancel the reservation at All Star Sports and I will stay at AKL. Corinna

I think you'll be happy with that decision.

 

[tiggrbaby]

I have now sent an email to my travel agent asking her to cancel the reservation at All Star Sports and I will stay at AKL.

Corinna

Smart girl!

 

[Dawnywog]

Just back from an 8 night stay in a standard studio at Jambo House with my sister. It was absolutely incredible. We've decided we don't want to stay at another resort ever again!

We had a pool view on the zebra trail and the location was great - not far from the lobby and right by the elevators down to the pool. I was worried that I might be disappointed by not having a savannah view room, but I wasn't at all. There were so many fantastic places to see the animals all over the resort that I did't feel like I was missing out on anything at all.

I also wanted to say if anyone has any problems at all Emily down at the front desk is wonderful. She went above and beyond to resolve the one small issue we had all week and make the rest of our stay truly magical.

The Wanyama Safari was fantastic! It is truly worth the price. I would not hesitate to do this tour again.

Thank you everyone for all the tips I've read here while planning this trip. They were all really helpful. I will be posting a ton of pictures over on the photo thread in the next few days once I get the courage up to sort through the 6000+ pictures I took. Again thank you all for this great thread!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Just back from an 8 night stay in a standard studio at Jambo House with my sister. It was absolutely incredible. We've decided we don't want to stay at another resort ever again!

We had a pool view on the zebra trail and the location was great - not far from the lobby and right by the elevators down to the pool. I was worried that I might be disappointed by not having a savannah view room, but I wasn't at all. There were so many fantastic places to see the animals all over the resort that I did't feel like I was missing out on anything at all.

I also wanted to say if anyone has any problems at all Emily down at the front desk is wonderful. She went above and beyond to resolve the one small issue we had all week and make the rest of our stay truly magical.

The Wanyama Safari was fantastic! It is truly worth the price. I would not hesitate to do this tour again.

Thank you everyone for all the tips I've read here while planning this trip. They were all really helpful. I will be posting a ton of pictures over on the photo thread in the next few days once I get the courage up to sort through the 6000+ pictures I took. Again thank you all for this great thread!

Did you happen to sleep on the pull out by chance? I volunteered to sleep on it our our trip in May and was just wondering if its comfy or not

 

[Dawnywog]

Did you happen to sleep on the pull out by chance? I volunteered to sleep on it our our trip in May and was just wondering if its comfy or not

My sister and I took turns and we each slept on it for four nights. Neither one of us had any trouble sleeping on it. The mattress is much firmer than the bed but you can't feel a bar or anything. I wouldn't have any problem sleeping on it again next trip.

 

[disneyhorselover]

I will be in Disney in Feb 2014 for the Princess Half Marathon. We are staying at BWV, but my mother LOVES AKL and would really like to visit. We have only been here once before, to eat at Boma. Any special things to do here during a visit? Tips for viewing the animals? I heard there was some kind of resort tour, can anyone give me more information on this if it still exists?

 

[princessap]

I've done both on two different trips this year. . I may have a small problem. Hahaha!

I really loved both. I think Kidani wins hands down in the 1br or larger category. I think they are a tie for the studio. When are you going and for how long? How old are your other kids? Will you eat out all meals?

My initial reaction is that since it is your first trip and there are five of you, might want to try Jambo to be closer to the action. But I have a hard time saying that since I love the peacefulness of Kdani so much. Really, you can't lose either way.

This will be the second half of our split stay and we plan to relax more on this part of the trip. Kids will be 2,5,7 so want close to pools and splash pads, playgrounds. We will be doing dinners at sanaa or boma. But other meals probably at resort or order groceries.

Our first half is BLT and we will do more meals there so will get dining plan for that part for sure!

 

[kimmar067]

Just back from an 8 night stay in a standard studio at Jambo House with my sister. It was absolutely incredible. We've decided we don't want to stay at another resort ever again!....

...I know the feeling....

 

[Ckmommy72]

Got back Saturday from our short trip to AKL. We'd booked a standard view, and I was ready to look at the parking lot, but we got zebra trail 2486, which I think is what I've heard referred to as a people pen view? We were at the very end of the pod that kinda sticks out of zebra on the far side of the pool, so we had the hot tub right below us, could see a bit of the pool, and a bit of the savannah. We were very happy! Especially once we realized that 2 feet outside of our door was a doorway to the staircase that led down to the pool/hot tub and a short walk to The Mara. Perfect location for us. One floor up would have been (only slightly) better. We loved the resort, everyone was great. We had breakfast at Boma which was awesome. We swam at both Kidani and Jambo, and the kids loved the water slide at Kidani. Only took transportation a couple times (to MK and DTD) and both times had short waits and only one crowded bus on the way home from MNSSHP. All in all, a great, if too short trip. We'll definitely stay at AKL again!! Maybe Kidani next time.

 

[Disney Diva Mom]

Back last night from our trip with the last half at AKL. I'm totally in love with the hotel!!! What a great experience. Can't wait to go back! Stayed on 4th floor of Jambo house with savannah view. Breath-taking!

 

[mukorasirish]

Hi,
Doing a big family trip June 20 - June29. Club level at AKL with my husband, three kids, my mom and my in-laws. Never stayed at AKL and can't wait!

 

[kimmar067]

Hi,
Doing a big family trip June 20 - June29. Club level at AKL with my husband, three kids, my mom and my in-laws. Never stayed at AKL and can't wait!

...you are going to love, love, LOVE it!

 

[patclairesmom]

How far is the walk from Kidani to Jambo. My DH and I will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary at Fulton's and I told the kids they are on there own. They're both 14 so hopefully they will be capable of not burning the place down. Anyway, I thought they could have dinner at the Mara. Is it easy to walk there? I did hear there is a trail but I'm wondering if it's well marked.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

There is a trail from Kidani to Jambo, it's not a long walk, but on a hot day it's seems long.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

My sister and I took turns and we each slept on it for four nights. Neither one of us had any trouble sleeping on it. The mattress is much firmer than the bed but you can't feel a bar or anything. I wouldn't have any problem sleeping on it again next trip.

Thank you so much my son and I volunteered to take the pullout on our trip in May. Honestly I have a hard time sleeping anywhere but my own bees but after a long day in the parks I'm sure sleeping wont be an issue.