AKL Questions

[jsantini]

We are considering renting a studio on points at AKL for 2 nights over MLK weekend if it's still available. We would be adding on to 7 nights at Poly. The purpose of this would be relaxation and a food tour of AKL restaurants/resort features for my son's second birthday--no parks on these 2 or 3 days.

-A savannah view is $80 more for the weekend. Worth it over the standard view? Maybe standard view isn't available 6 months out--I haven't rented points before.

-Given that we plan to eat at all of the restaurants, I would probably request Jumbo but the 10-15 minute walk doesn't matter to us. We are there to escape Midwestern winter and welcome the outdoor time! What should I know about the differences in Kidani and Jumbo?

-Haven't stayed at AKL before or done a resort only stay. What are your favorite activities at AKL? I'm not sure we will swim much, if at all, in a January .

Thanks for any input.

 

[Kidanifan08]

If you were going to the parks, I would suggest Kidani, since the park buses stop there first and with a stroller that is a huge plus. The walk from Kidani to Jambo is not bad, or you can take the intra-resort shuttle or hop on any park bus. We prefer Kidani, as it is a little quieter in the lobby and we like The pool area better. Also, Sanaa is our favorite restaurant. Some like the studio set up at Jambo better.

For only $80, I would go for the savanna view. With a standard view you run the risk of facing the bus stop and listening to beeping buses all day long. If there will be nap time, you will appreciate the solitude of the savanna view, even if it's a little chilly.

I have not looked at the availability, but I would guess a savanna view studio would still be available at this point for that weekend.

 

[supersnoop]

I believe the savanna view to be worth the price, especially if you aren't going to the parks. It's nice to wake up and drink your coffee overlooking the savanna.

There is a van that runs between Kidani and Jambo if you don't want to walk. Also, all park buses stop at Kidani and then Jambo, so you can hop on one of those if your going that direction. Downtown Disney buses stop at Jambo and then Kidani, but are much less frequent. So, it's really not that difficult to go between resorts.

My main factor in deciding where to stay would be, do you plan to eat at the counter service restaurant? That's only at Jambo. If not, I really enjoyed Kidani, and I think the pool is better there.

 

[disneynutz]

Depending on where your room is the savanna view may allow you an animal view. The sunset savanna seem to have the most and it is the most popular. The animals are put on display by feeding locations which attracts the animals.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If staying at the resort for relaxation I'd also go with the savanna view if available. You'll have the ability to take advantage of it since you won't be going to the parks.

 

[apple9117]

savanna view for sure!

 

[DenLo]

Savanna view for your 2 year olds second birthday for sure! You might not get him out of the room.

 

[jsantini]

Sigh. The way our flights worked out, we now have just one night before our Poly reservation begins. I think we will still spend it at AKL and have the savannah view for that one day/night. The alternative would be to see whether our renter has enough points to add a night to our Poly reservation, but I'm pretty sure we used most, if not all, she had available to use. One night can give us a taste of AKL and then I'm sure we will want to stay again!

 

[Sparrow624]

We did one night SV at AKL this s summer before our BWV stay. It was great. Our 3 year old enjoyed the animals, ate a relaxing Jiko dinner and Boma breakfast. No parks, just food and animal watching.

 

[Pirate Granny]

We added one night savannah view late May, we loved it...Jambo House, although we walked the kids (both 8 yrs old), over to also see/swim in the Kidadi pool. For your little one, he would enjoy the splash pad if it's warm enough at Kidadi. Our kids thought both pools had mediocre slides, but I think their is also a baby slide at the Kidadi pool....that's what you get when they are used to BCV, BLT and BWV slides and of course the water park slides!

 

[jsantini]

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to go ahead and look for rental points for two studios for one night for our group savanna view at AKL. I think it will be a wonderful birthday treat for my little guy. He LOVES Boma breakfast. I've also wanted to try Boma or Jiko dinner for years--decisions, decisions!