AKL Room request

[ge0rgette2]

Have an 8n stay at AKL Kidani - 2 bedroom - surprising my daughter with a birthday surprise for her 21st. Already booked….
Any type of room or floor I should request?
I tend to doubt I’ll get any pixie dust to a Savannah view LMAO … one can dream and wish to win the lottery lol

Anyone stay and had a room they loved on a certain floor. Pics if ya had please too!
Help this old mom out by making it a wonderful experience

 

[meekey7197]

Do you use touring plans? They have views of every room on property there are a handful of partial savannah rooms at Kidani but they are a loooong walk from the lobby. We had a lovely view of the Target on 192 one year in a standard view room (also had a lovely and loud view of the luggage storage once as well)

 

[meekey7197]

Also, I know that people love Kidani 2 bedrooms for the extra bathroom BUT standard 2 bedrooms at Jambo will always be pool or partial Savannah, never parking lot

 

[ge0rgette2]

Do you use touring plans? They have views of every room on property there are a handful of partial savannah rooms at Kidani but they are a loooong walk from the lobby. We had a lovely view of the Target on 192 one year in a standard view room (also had a lovely and loud view of the luggage storage once as well)

Hahahahha no. Don’t use touring. Never have but will.
Omg you’re funny. The Target lmao

 

[ge0rgette2]

Also, I know that people love Kidani 2 bedrooms for the extra bathroom BUT standard 2 bedrooms at Jambo will always be pool or partial Savannah, never parking lot

It’s alot more points too.

 

[sndral]

It’s alot more points too.

Points for Jambo & Kidani standard/savanna views are the same, but, savanna view does indeed take a lot more points than standard. Your chance of getting a standard view that overlooks a savanna are much better at Jambo because more of Jambo’s standards are adjacent to a savanna than the few Kidani standards that are adjacent to one. The villas at Kidani are larger & have the extra bathroom (you’ll have 3 bathrooms in your 2 br.) & there are lots of places to hang out & watch the animals both at Kidani & at nearby Jambo if you end up in a villa that isn’t adjacent to a savanna.
At Kidani if you want a shot at a savanna view when you’ve booked a standard view & don’t mind a walk to the lobby the request to make is near the Pumba elevator since the standard views there overlook the small Pembe savanna.
The locations & names of the elevators are noted in blue on this map.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Points for Jambo & Kidani standard/savanna views are the same, but, savanna view does indeed take a lot more points than standard. Your chance of getting a standard view that overlooks a savanna are much better at Jambo because more of Jambo’s standards are adjacent to a savanna than the few Kidani standards that are adjacent to one. The villas at Kidani are larger & have the extra bathroom (you’ll have 3 bathrooms in your 2 br.) & there are lots of places to hang out & watch the animals both at Kidani & at nearby Jambo if you end up in a villa that isn’t adjacent to a savanna.
At Kidani if you want a shot at a savanna view when you’ve booked a standard view & don’t mind a walk to the lobby the request to make is near the Pumba elevator since the standard views there overlook the small Pembe savanna.
The locations & names of the elevators are noted in blue on this map.
View attachment 792060

Oh very very cool! Ty! We only “walked” thru and visited restaurants. Never stayed. I only ask as I have a 2yo grandson who’s gonna love this. I hope! Ha!
Jambo was a lot more points and I don’t believe, if I can recall, they had any availability. Or maybe the pts stopped me from booking lol
Extra bathroom is nice didn’t know that.
How far is far from the lobby? Certain floors are dvc too right?
So are you saying it’s the left side Pumba on the “outside”. “ Insides” around are Savannah views?
I was hoping for some pixie dust since I never get any lmao but one can hope! If I explain it’s a surprise 21st for my daughter.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Points for Jambo & Kidani standard/savanna views are the same, but, savanna view does indeed take a lot more points than standard. Your chance of getting a standard view that overlooks a savanna are much better at Jambo because more of Jambo’s standards are adjacent to a savanna than the few Kidani standards that are adjacent to one. The villas at Kidani are larger & have the extra bathroom (you’ll have 3 bathrooms in your 2 br.) & there are lots of places to hang out & watch the animals both at Kidani & at nearby Jambo if you end up in a villa that isn’t adjacent to a savanna.
At Kidani if you want a shot at a savanna view when you’ve booked a standard view & don’t mind a walk to the lobby the request to make is near the Pumba elevator since the standard views there overlook the small Pembe savanna.
The locations & names of the elevators are noted in blue on this map.
View attachment 792060

Also. Where are the pools? Anything near Pumba. I’ll have to google this morning.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Also. Where are the pools? Anything near Pumba. I’ll have to google this morning.

If you look at the resort map provided above, you'll see the Kidani pool near the main lobby, not that far from Pumba area, depending exactly where your room is. And if you're willing to walk/bus to Jambo House, you will also have access to that pool during your stay, as well. The Jambo pool is an elevator ride off the main lobby down to ground floor. The Pumba section of Kidani would be the section furtherest away from Jambo - but it's definitely walkable, should you choose to do so. If you're doing a standard view room, remember there are some really nice animal viewing areas around the resort. One is downstairs from the Kidani main lobby, across from Sanaa - you can walk outside to view. And there's a main animal viewing area on the far side of the Jambo main lobby - again outside viewing. Enjoy your trip!

 

[jo-jo]

Just a warning, the furthest room from lobby is about 1/3 of a mile. We have had some great memories there, but in about a dozen visits there, we have never been within the first two segments. Last trip, we were one segment from the end. I know some will say, you walk 10 -12 miles a day at disney, what's a bit more? My DH rides a scooter, and we do a lot of people watching, so maybe 4-5 miles is my total.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Just a warning, the furthest room from lobby is about 1/3 of a mile. We have had some great memories there, but in about a dozen visits there, we have never been within the first two segments. Last trip, we were one segment from the end. I know some will say, you walk 10 -12 miles a day at disney, what's a bit more? My DH rides a scooter, and we do a lot of people watching, so maybe 4-5 miles is my total.

Okay! Thanks. Hmm. I wonder if I’ll get lucky and get closer.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Okay! Thanks. Hmm. I wonder if I’ll get lucky and get closer.

You could contact Member Service (call, chat, email) and make part of your room request 'close to lobby' or 'close to elevator'. If you were near the Pumba elevator, it shouldn't be too bad. But as with any request, nothing is guaranteed. Something I'd recommend - if you can do it. On your check-in day, go to the front desk as early in the day as you can conveniently do it. You can ask the cast member at the front desk if your room meets any of your requested criteria. They won't give you the room number until it's ready to move in, but they can tell you if you're in Pumba or some other section. And if there is any other location available you might like better, they might be able to make an adjustment at that time. Not a convenient approach, but one we've used a few times.

 

[ge0rgette2]

You could contact Member Service (call, chat, email) and make part of your room request 'close to lobby' or 'close to elevator'. If you were near the Pumba elevator, it shouldn't be too bad. But as with any request, nothing is guaranteed. Something I'd recommend - if you can do it. On your check-in day, go to the front desk as early in the day as you can conveniently do it. You can ask the cast member at the front desk if your room meets any of your requested criteria. They won't give you the room number until it's ready to move in, but they can tell you if you're in Pumba or some other section. And if there is any other location available you might like better, they might be able to make an adjustment at that time. Not a convenient approach, but one we've used a few times.

Thanks. I mean how far is far lmaooo I have to look at a map. Tour your room doesn’t have anything unless I looked wrong lol caffeine hasn’t kicked in yet

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Thanks. I mean how far is far lmaooo I have to look at a map. Tour your room doesn’t have anything unless I looked wrong lol caffeine hasn’t kicked in yet

You'll find out here that 'far' is in the eye of the beholder. We've had 'long' walks to/from our room at Kidani, at Jambo, at Beach Club, at Boardwalk, at Old Key West, at Saratoga, at All Star..... We've also had short walks. Actually, being away from the lobby tends to be quieter, in our experiences!! We have never found Kidani to be any worse or better in that regard than anyplace else. If you get a room on the very end?? Yea, it's a good distance from the bus or parking space at the end of the night. But (in our opinion) no worse than other places. And that's only if you're unlucky and get the far end. For some, I can see the extra walking to be more of an issue over the course of several nights or a week. But it's probably not something you need to stress over.

All things considered, Kidani/AKL is one of the most beautiful and unique resorts anywhere in the world. It's our absolute favorite anywhere (not just WDW). Spending 8 nights there in one of their 2BR villas should be an absolutely amazing experience with lots of priceless memories. Enjoy every minute of it!!!

 

[Mle8308]

Have an 8n stay at AKL Kidani - 2 bedroom - surprising my daughter with a birthday surprise for her 21st. Already booked….
Any type of room or floor I should request?
I tend to doubt I’ll get any pixie dust to a Savannah view LMAO … one can dream and wish to win the lottery lol

Anyone stay and had a room they loved on a certain floor. Pics if ya had please too!
Help this old mom out by making it a wonderful experience

You could go to the DVC site to see availability of a 2BR savannah view for your dates, that will be a predictor of any potential "pixie dust". It's not likely for an 8 night stay, especially if you booked with points. But, you never know! Great birthday surprise for your daughter!

 

[ge0rgette2]

You'll find out here that 'far' is in the eye of the beholder. We've had 'long' walks to/from our room at Kidani, at Jambo, at Beach Club, at Boardwalk, at Old Key West, at Saratoga, at All Star..... We've also had short walks. Actually, being away from the lobby tends to be quieter, in our experiences!! We have never found Kidani to be any worse or better in that regard than anyplace else. If you get a room on the very end?? Yea, it's a good distance from the bus or parking space at the end of the night. But (in our opinion) no worse than other places. And that's only if you're unlucky and get the far end. For some, I can see the extra walking to be more of an issue over the course of several nights or a week. But it's probably not something you need to stress over.

All things considered, Kidani/AKL is one of the most beautiful and unique resorts anywhere in the world. It's our absolute favorite anywhere (not just WDW). Spending 8 nights there in one of their 2BR villas should be an absolutely amazing experience with lots of priceless memories. Enjoy every minute of it!!!

TYVM!!! I will

 

[ge0rgette2]

You could go to the DVC site to see availability of a 2BR savannah view for your dates, that will be a predictor of any potential "pixie dust". It's not likely for an 8 night stay, especially if you booked with points. But, you never know! Great birthday surprise for your daughter!

 

[jo-jo]

You could contact Member Service (call, chat, email) and make part of your room request 'close to lobby' or 'close to elevator'. If you were near the Pumba elevator, it shouldn't be too bad. But as with any request, nothing is guaranteed. Something I'd recommend - if you can do it. On your check-in day, go to the front desk as early in the day as you can conveniently do it. You can ask the cast member at the front desk if your room meets any of your requested criteria. They won't give you the room number until it's ready to move in, but they can tell you if you're in Pumba or some other section. And if there is any other location available you might like better, they might be able to make an adjustment at that time. Not a convenient approach, but one we've used a few times.

Every trip, I have requested close to lobby. Never got it.

 

[sndral]

Oh very very cool! Ty! We only “walked” thru and visited restaurants. Never stayed. I only ask as I have a 2yo grandson who’s gonna love this. I hope! Ha!
Jambo was a lot more points and I don’t believe, if I can recall, they had any availability. Or maybe the pts stopped me from booking lol
Extra bathroom is nice didn’t know that.
How far is far from the lobby? Certain floors are dvc too right?
So are you saying it’s the left side Pumba on the “outside”. “ Insides” around are Savannah views?
I was hoping for some pixie dust since I never get any lmao but one can hope! If I explain it’s a surprise 21st for my daughter.

Jambo tends to book first because there are fewer DVC villas at Jambo & they are all on the 5th floor (except the club villas on the 6th floor) so you likely only saw savanna views still available at Jambo.
Kidani is all DVC, so you could be on any floor & yes, the ‘inside’ villas facing Sunset savanna are savanna views & most of the ‘outside’ villas are standard view. Some of the outside facing villas in the Pumba elevator area overlook Pembe savanna and are savanna view & a few of those outside facing villas overlooking Pembe savanna are standard view.
Touring plans is a paid service however their room search feature is free, it takes a bit of navigating to find it, but they have photos of the views from the various rooms which I find useful when deciding on location requests. Navigate to the map of Kidani & touch one of the boxes to see the view https://n.touringplans.com/hotel_maps/disneys-animal-kingdom-villas

W/ a standard view in the Kidani building I’d personally likely request near Pumba elevator, upper floor - but I walk…a lot & don’t have toddlers to wrangle - so my preferences wouldn’t be everyone’s choice. Most of the standard views look out over a road/parking area & the upper floors offer nicer vistas IMO.
If you are driving/will have a car the walking distance is less of a concern because there’s parking under the Kidani building & the elevators go all the way down to the parking under the building so you just park your car near the elevator your villa is closest to w/out needing to hike to/from the lobby at all.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Every trip, I have requested close to lobby. Never got it.

Me either. But the last trip, I gave up and didn't request close to lobby. That time I got last pod (not unusual for me) but also, top floor. Haven't figured the secret to getting "close to lobby".