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

[kimmar067]

.....DONE! (sorta.... )

 

[kimmar067]

....mo'nin' Brandi...

 

[Dis703]

I will try to answer your questions. Standard CL rooms are in the 1st 2 pods off the lobby (Kudu and Zebra Trails) on 4th floor. Lounge is on 6th. It is a bit of a hike, but everyone's perception differs so what might be fine for some families might be "too far" to others.

Sunrise Safari is wonderful, however the 2 young ones might be bored and restless. I think your 5 year old would enjoy it. I would hesitate only because of the younger children. I only say that because the 7 or 8 Sunrise Safaris I've done, often the young children (under 4) have had issues sitting in the safari vehicle for over an hour, then waiting to eat at the buffet. You know your children and what they can handle!

Late check-out is very hard to come by - you will likely have to vacate your room by 11am. However, your family is welcome to use the Lounge on check-out day up till it closes at 10pm.

Thanks for the information! We were extremely spoiled at our first Deluxe CL stay last year and had a room that was no more than 15 feet from the lounge at BC. It was fabulous because we just popped in on our way in and out every day and even when the kids were napping I could sneak over and grab a snack with the room still in sight. I'm just not sure how much we'll use it if it isn't convenient.

I'm not sure about the safari and my twins either. I mean they love the regular safari, but I could see it possibly getting boring.

And yes, the perk of having the lounge on the last day is a big part of why I'm considering CL for the end of our trip. It was a really big plus last year.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

 

[Dis703]

I am thinking this, if budget it a concern: You could very well try to rent points, doin't know if AKL will have availability, but renting for 2 weeks at AKV was cheaper than a 30% discounted stay at POR....

OR,

Unless you are using a PIN for your May stay I am guessing you aren't getting a discount, you could switch to POR and get a 25% discount, and then apply that difference in costs to doing your potential split stay ???

I'm currently booked with a bounceback offer so 30% off mod, but also will be using Disney Gift cards purchased at Target with another 10% off. I also have an AP this year so I can look at AP discounts. Points make me really nervous with the nonrefundable aspect. With three kids I'd hate to take the risk.

 

[DizDaD7]

FWIW , just so you know, if you end up staying in a DVC studio in Jambo ( which doesnt have washer/dryer ) there is a separate laundry room, then the one I used near the Arcade down on the 1st floor. The one I found ( just by chance) is on the 5th floor just off of the lobby near the beginning of the zebra trail. Unfortunately I realized this too late. My room was just around the bend same floor and this would've saved me a ton of time... HTH. Btw,I think you can only access this with a DVC card though.

 

[DizDaD7]

I'm currently booked with a bounceback offer so 30% off mod, but also will be using Disney Gift cards purchased at Target with another 10% off. I also have an AP this year so I can look at AP discounts. Points make me really nervous with the nonrefundable aspect. With three kids I'd hate to take the risk.

Instead of split stay mod and AKL CL , why not get a standard view for your whole stay. I'm sure the price difference wouldn't be that much off.

 

[rockiesfan]

It's just a lil gift shop, with sundries some t-shirts, souveniers...Oh & they have some food there too. Packaged goods to take back to the room..I think like donuts and stuff if I remember correctly...

Hi Everyone, we are huge AKL fans and have stayed there on several trips but not since 2009 and not since my son developed a long list of food intolerances. Here's my question: one of his safe foods is Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream. Does anyone know if there is a freezer case in the gift shop and if by any chance they have Haagen Dazs? I can't imagine anyone knowing this detail but you guys seem to know everything about this resort! (We'll be keeping some groceries in the room but we're in a DVC studio and I don't think those mini-fridges have a freezer compartment.)

 

[RachelTori]

Hi Everyone, we are huge AKL fans and have stayed there on several trips but not since 2009 and not since my son developed a long list of food intolerances. Here's my question: one of his safe foods is Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream. Does anyone know if there is a freezer case in the gift shop and if by any chance they have Haagen Dazs? I can't imagine anyone knowing this detail but you guys seem to know everything about this resort! (We'll be keeping some groceries in the room but we're in a DVC studio and I don't think those mini-fridges have a freezer compartment.)

I don't know about the ice cream, but I can tell you that you will have a small freezer compartment in the DVC studio! The studio refrigerators are larger than the little refrigerators used in the resort rooms (those do not have a freezer compartment).

Hopefully, someone will be able to give you an answer on the Haagen Dazs!

 

[DizDaD7]

I honestly don't recall. We were in jambo house and only went to kidani side twice. There's more of a selection at the Mara, so you may be able to stockpile a few n bring em back to your room if they even have fhem there. Or you can call and have some groceries delivered to your room. This might be your best bet......Due make sure you get some Zebra domes for yourself though... These are a must try for sure...

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Hi Everyone, we are huge AKL fans and have stayed there on several trips but not since 2009 and not since my son developed a long list of food intolerances. Here's my question: one of his safe foods is Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream. Does anyone know if there is a freezer case in the gift shop and if by any chance they have Haagen Dazs? I can't imagine anyone knowing this detail but you guys seem to know everything about this resort! (We'll be keeping some groceries in the room but we're in a DVC studio and I don't think those mini-fridges have a freezer compartment.)

I did a Google image search for Animal Kingdom Lodge Haagen Dazs. The Mara has some kind of pre-packaged Haagen Dazs vanilla bar dipped in chocolate and the Safari Ice Cream kiosk in DAK sells plain Haagen Dazs vanilla by the scoop. I know that's not exactly what you were looking for, and I don't even know if that info is still current, so... Maybe I'm not being too helpful right now. Lol.

 

[kimmar067]

I did a Google image search for Animal Kingdom Lodge Haagen Dazs. The Mara has some kind of pre-packaged Haagen Dazs vanilla bar dipped in chocolate and the Safari Ice Cream kiosk in DAK sells plain Haagen Dazs vanilla by the scoop. I know that's not exactly what you were looking for, and I don't even know if that info is still current, so... Maybe I'm not being too helpful right now. Lol.

....dang skippy.....great, now I'm in the mood for Haagen Dazs.....

 

[MrsK41]

Does anyone have the activity list through the end of the month?

 

[rockiesfan]

Wow, you guys are great! All the info is so helpful. If the fridge does have a mini-freezer, we can add frozen stuff to our grocery run. And knowing that those HD bars are right downstairs in the gift shop will be great

And I had no idea that AK served Haagen Dazs in the park! Now we have a safe snack there as well.

Thanks for your encyclopedic knowledge!

 

[princessap]

I am debating a regular room at akl vs a one bedroom at akv for our split stay next year. Family of five with three kids under 6 and one under 3. This will be the more relaxing part of our stay. What would everyone suggest?

 

[RachelTori]

I am debating a regular room at akl vs a one bedroom at akv for our split stay next year. Family of five with three kids under 6 and one under 3. This will be the more relaxing part of our stay. What would everyone suggest?

This is just my opinion, but I think you would be tripping over each other in the resort room - and not relaxing much at all.

An AKV 1-bedroom at Jambo will give you much more room to relax and a 1-bedroom at Kidani would be utopia!

 

[princessap]

This is just my opinion, but I think you would be tripping over each other in the resort room - and not relaxing much at all.

An AKV 1-bedroom at Jambo will give you much more room to relax and a 1-bedroom at Kidani would be utopia!

Thanks for the reply. that was going to be my next question…kidani or jamb???

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks for the reply. that was going to be my next question&kidani or jamb???

Kidani rooms are newer and the 1-bedroom is larger PLUS has a full 2nd bathroom! The pool there is wonderful (as is Jambo's). If using the buses, Kidani is picked up/dropped off first for the parks (Jambo is picked up first for DTD). Sanaa is the table service restaurant there -- great food! Disadvantage is that there is not a great quick service restaurant at Kidani -- that would be the Mara at Jambo.

Jambo rooms were retro-fitted from regular resort rooms. They're still fine, but Kidani rooms are much nicer. (my opinion, remember! ) The biggest draws for Jambo would be the lobby (Kidani's doesn't compare) and the fact that The Mara, Boma, and Jiko are there.

You can easily walk between Jambo and Kidani, take a bus, or the shuttle (which is the golf cart-type vehicles!) Guests at either resort are allowed to use the amenities at both resorts.

Advantage at both is that with a 1-bedroom you will have a full kitchen. You can save a lot of money that way (the resort rooms have mini-fridges that don't even have a freezer compartment). You also get a washer/dryer in the DVC 1-bedrooms!

HTHs! Any more info you need? Ask away!

 

[kimmar067]

...nicely done Laura....

 

[princessap]

Kidani rooms are newer and the 1-bedroom is larger PLUS has a full 2nd bathroom! The pool there is wonderful (as is Jambo's). If using the buses, Kidani is picked up/dropped off first for the parks (Jambo is picked up first for DTD). Sanaa is the table service restaurant there -- great food! Disadvantage is that there is not a great quick service restaurant at Kidani -- that would be the Mara at Jambo.

Jambo rooms were retro-fitted from regular resort rooms. They're still fine, but Kidani rooms are much nicer. (my opinion, remember! ) The biggest draws for Jambo would be the lobby (Kidani's doesn't compare) and the fact that The Mara, Boma, and Jiko are there.

You can easily walk between Jambo and Kidani, take a bus, or the shuttle (which is the golf cart-type vehicles!) Guests at either resort are allowed to use the amenities at both resorts.

Advantage at both is that with a 1-bedroom you will have a full kitchen. You can save a lot of money that way (the resort rooms have mini-fridges that don't even have a freezer compartment). You also get a washer/dryer in the DVC 1-bedrooms!

HTHs! Any more info you need? Ask away!

Thanks, I might just take you up on that!!

I was going to do BLT for a week but once my DD saw AKV she wanted to stay there so a split was decided on! I am leaning towards AKV now…would you recommend savannah or standard view (to save money).

I am thinking of not doing the dining plan and ordering food from garden grocer so we can make this the more relaxing part of our trip..I want to try sanaa, boma and tusker house but don't think that's worth the dining plan for just that??

 

[RachelTori]

...nicely done Laura....

Thank you!

Thanks, I might just take you up on that!!

I was going to do BLT for a week but once my DD saw AKV she wanted to stay there so a split was decided on! I am leaning towards AKV now&would you recommend savannah or standard view (to save money).

I am thinking of not doing the dining plan and ordering food from garden grocer so we can make this the more relaxing part of our trip..I want to try sanaa, boma and tusker house but don't think that's worth the dining plan for just that??

Standard view will save $$$. You won't see animals from your balcony, but there are so many public viewing areas that it's really not necessary to have a "savannah view".

The dining plan used to be a great deal -- it hasn't been for 4 or 5 years now. I know some people love it; I am not a fan!

You can save lots of $$$ by ordering through Garden Grocer. Boma & Tusker are buffets; your non-alcohol beverage is included -- go there hungry and you will definitely get your money's worth (). Sanaa is reasonably priced. You will do much better paying out-of-pocket for those 3 restaurants than using the DDP.