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

[CornishPixie]

I believe Sydney was at Jambo House, which was built as a deluxe resort; DVC villas were added later (and had to be retrofitted into the existing space). If I'm not mistaken, Sydney's family was in a regular resort room where upgrades are sometimes offered.

Kidani was built as a DVC resort. The odds of a standard-to-savanna upgrade are very rare. Never say never, but be prepared to be in a standard view room (if that's what you booked). There are lots of public viewing areas and my favorite at Kidani is out on the overlook, by the fire pit.

Thank you so much!
That makes perfect sense - on another thread some warned me to be wary of an upgrade because it might cost more points to the owner. I was thinking in "deluxe resort" mode, not DVC. We are just excited to be there - can't wait!

 

[kimmar067]

I think AKL has thoroughly spolied us!!!...

...is that painful? [ ]

 

[kimmar067]

I believe Sydney was at Jambo House, which was built as a deluxe resort; DVC villas were added later (and had to be retrofitted into the existing space). If I'm not mistaken, Sydney's family was in a regular resort room where upgrades are sometimes offered.

Kidani was built as a DVC resort. The odds of a standard-to-savanna upgrade are very rare. Never say never, but be prepared to be in a standard view room (if that's what you booked). There are lots of public viewing areas and my favorite at Kidani is out on the overlook, by the fire pit.

....I think you may have better odds at being 'upgraded' if you stay at Jambo House, rather than Kidani....

 

[RachelTori]

....I think you may have better odds at being 'upgraded' if you stay at Jambo House, rather than Kidani....

Kimmar, Kidani doesn't do upgrades....... We don't want anyone getting their hopes up.

 

[mrsmorgan]

Please add me to the list! We are booked at Jambo House Jan 28th - Feb 6th.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Hi!


I just booked my trip to AKL for the first weekend in May. I'm hoping to run the Expedition Everest challenge. We (me and...not sure who yet?) are staying in a standard CL room and it will be my first time staying at AKL. I'm thinking of booking a Wanyama Safari.
I'm so excited!

 

[RachelTori]

Please add me to the list! We are booked at Jambo House Jan 28th - Feb 6th.

Maybe I will see you there - I arrive on Feb 3!

BTW, my husband is from the other side of your state -- a tiny town in the northeast corner (Rosholt)!

January
CornishPixie, 4th, AoA
CornishPixie, 5th-8th, Kidani
Ckrisie, 16th  19th, Jambo House, Honeymoon&.
connors95, 17th  25th, AKV
eckero, 18th  21st, Kidani
AquaDame, 19th -24th, Jambo House
Tarak, 20th  27th, Kidani
Singastory, 24th  27th, Jambo House
my2disneyboys, 25th  Feb 1st, Jambo
shannon006, 25th  Feb 2nd, AKL
mrsmorgan, 28th - Feb 6th, Jambo
MrsK41, 29th  Feb 6th, Jambo CL

February
mrsmorgan, Jan 28th-6th, Jambo
MrsK41, Jan 29th  6th, Jambo CL
RachelTori, 3rd  8th, AKV Jambo
WildGinger, 9th  15th, Kidani
MSUmom, 15th  22nd, Kidani
DizDaD7, 15th -22nd, AKL
MomofDisneyLoversx3, 20th  24th, AKL CL (Running Princess ½ Marathon)

Hi!


I just booked my trip to AKL for the first weekend in May. I'm hoping to run the Expedition Everest challenge. We (me and...not sure who yet?) are staying in a standard CL room and it will be my first time staying at AKL. I'm thinking of booking a Wanyama Safari.
I'm so excited!

Congrats -- your first time at AKL and you're staying Club Level? Very nice!

The Wanyama is wonderful - and is available to anyone staying at AKL. Since you're staying CL, you might consider the Sunrise Safari (Thursdays and Sundays) -- it is ONLY available to those staying CL and, having done it 7 or 8 times myself, I think it is one of the BEST values at WDW!!

 

[VAfamily1998]

Congrats -- your first time at AKL and you're staying Club Level? Very nice!

The Wanyama is wonderful - and is available to anyone staying at AKL. Since you're staying CL, you might consider the Sunrise Safari (Thursdays and Sundays) -- it is ONLY available to those staying CL and, having done it 7 or 8 times myself, I think it is one of the BEST values at WDW!!

Thanks!

Yes, I wanted to do the Sunrise Safari, but unfortunately we will be staying Friday-Monday--and the race is very late at night on Saturday with an after party until 4 am (I think? Registration doesn't begin until Dec. 17 so I haven't completely confirmed all details yet) so I don't think we'll be up for a Sunday morning Safari!

But I've heard so many excellent things about Wanyama so I'm excited about that!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Yay!! I am on the AKL list again! 10 days till I'm back!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Just booked Sunrise Safari for our March/April 2014 AKV Jambo CL stay yesterday. So excited and so thankful we are able to book it and pay for it!

119 days!!! Until we leave.

60 days until I can make FP+ selections.


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Just booked Sunrise Safari for our March/April 2014 AKV Jambo CL stay yesterday. So excited and so thankful we are able to book it and pay for it! 119 days!!! Until we leave. 60 days until I can make FP+ selections. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

oh how thanks! A very happy thanksgiving to you too!

 

[EllinK]

Is a room only discount ever offered for any rooms other than std view at AKL? I just booked CL but wonder if a room only discount might be available or if free dining would be our only possibility.

Thanks for any help.

 

[VAfamily1998]

So I am currently booked for a CL room, but I am considering switching to a standard room.

1) Price difference is just about $330, for 3 nights--so basically I'd be paying an extra $110 night for club level vs. standard room
2) We will not have time in our schedule to book a Sunrise Safari, so that huge perk will not benefit us.
3) There will likely only be two of us in the room, and I'm not sure we will be around for many of the major "snack" times, so I don't think we will get $110 worth of food each day...
4) One major reason I reserved CL was that all room have either a pool view or a savannah view, so I thought it might be worth it for the guaranteed "nice view"...but now I'm not so sure.

$330 is a lot of money, we could use that towards the Wanyama Safari instead...

So, those of you with more experience with AKL (this will be our first time)....what would you do? Especially considering there will not be time in the schedule to take the Sunrise Safari? Is CL still "worth it" for an extra $110/night?

 

[Pinkocto]

If you don't think you'll utilize the food in the CL I'd say save the money. They do have complementary beers all day, and wine and cordials from 5-10, so if that's something you will take advantage of it's something to consider. I love the convenience of the breakfast, but it's not $110 worth that's for sure.

 

[TaraPA]

Is a room only discount ever offered for any rooms other than std view at AKL? I just booked CL but wonder if a room only discount might be available or if free dining would be our only possibility.

Thanks for any help.

Yes CL rooms are offered with room only discounts, just booked it for March!

 

[mrsmorgan]

I love this thread, I learn so much about the resort. This will be our second time staying at AKL but we loved it there last time. RachelTori, my husband grew up here in western SD in a little tiny Black Hills town called Pringle. I myself am an east coast girl, grew up on Cape Cod. Hopefully we'll run into each other. I'd love to meet some of the people on this board.

 

[mrsmorgan]

I am crossing my fingers for the same thing to happen to us in January!
I booked standard at AKV and will be happy either way but would love an upgrade! Can anyone recommend which floor is optimum for viewing the animals?

We stayed on the third floor last time, midtrial and had a phenomenal view of the animals. We loved early morning coffee on our balcony the animals were very active early and hubby and I got to relax and watch and enjoy coffee while the little ones slept a bit later.

 

[psac]

So I am currently booked for a CL room, but I am considering switching to a standard room.

1) Price difference is just about $330, for 3 nights--so basically I'd be paying an extra $110 night for club level vs. standard room
2) We will not have time in our schedule to book a Sunrise Safari, so that huge perk will not benefit us.
3) There will likely only be two of us in the room, and I'm not sure we will be around for many of the major "snack" times, so I don't think we will get $110 worth of food each day...
4) One major reason I reserved CL was that all room have either a pool view or a savannah view, so I thought it might be worth it for the guaranteed "nice view"...but now I'm not so sure.

$330 is a lot of money, we could use that towards the Wanyama Safari instead...

So, those of you with more experience with AKL (this will be our first time)....what would you do? Especially considering there will not be time in the schedule to take the Sunrise Safari? Is CL still "worth it" for an extra $110/night?

Are you renting through a DVC member or is it a regular cash booking? If it's not DVC, all the regular Club rooms have an Arusha Savanna view. That's the best savanna. If you are going to be in the room in the late afternoon/early evening, like 3-7 PM, then the extra money might be worth it for the view if you factor in what food/drinks you would use. Otherwise Club usually will not "save" you money, otherwise everyone would do it.

 

[RachelTori]

I love this thread, I learn so much about the resort. This will be our second time staying at AKL but we loved it there last time. RachelTori, my husband grew up here in western SD in a little tiny Black Hills town called Pringle. I myself am an east coast girl, grew up on Cape Cod. Hopefully we'll run into each other. I'd love to meet some of the people on this board.

I, too, am from the east coast - grew up just across the river from Manhattan!

It's always fun to meet fellow DISers! That's how I met a number of people who have become dear friends!

 

[TaraPA]

I, too, am from the east coast - grew up just across the river from Manhattan!

It's always fun to meet fellow DISers! That's how I met a number of people who have become dear friends!

Another east coaster here and RachelTori - hopefully we'll be meeting next week at Epcot! Safe travels to WDW tomorrow!