AKV confused!

[bonybroad]

Soooo, I am considering moving our SSR res for AKL (if possible, waitlist,etc)
I spent a good deal of time last night trying to figure this out. Can someone point me in the direction of a map or something? All I have been able to find is the artist conception, so it's obviously outdated. My DVC book has artist renderings, too. I know Kidani JUST opened, so I wouldn't find a whole lot of info on that one.
I am only considering the switch for the giraffes. BUT I don't want to be a long long walk from the food/buses (my mom gets tired pretty easily).
I saw some things about giraffe trail and zebra trail. I also don't understand the food situation. No CS? I see Saana, Boma, and Jiko. I guess I am just completely in the dark about AKV!
Thanks!
I know there is a book or a link or something I am missing.

 

[Sandisw]

I am in the process of looking for a map myself. I don't know when your trip is but I just switched my reservation for August (August 5th - 9th) from a standard view room to a savannah room. I was expecting to WL since it is only 3 months away but didn't have to which was a pleasant surprise!

I had to go from Kidani to Jambo house but I am okay with that. Kidani does not have CS option, so if you are looking for something like that, you would have to go to the main lodge where Mara is located. I believe it is about a 1/2 mile walk.

There are TS restaurants at Kidani (Sanaa) and at Jambo House (Boma). But if you are concerned about the walk, you would want to be in Jambo House. Though you will be able to catch a bus from Kidani to Jambo so there is an option that does not include walking--I just don't know how convenient that will be, which is one of the reasons I am actually happy we will be at Jambo this summer. We are doing the QSDP and at least we will be closer to the food.

If I find the map, I will post!!!

Good luck!

 

[dairyqueenmom]

There is only CS at Jamba house, Mara's. If you do a Savannah view there is no guarantee you will be close to the lobby, and some of the hallways are very long. You can always request close to the lobby, but as always it is only a request. We were on the Sunset Savannah and saw a giraffe once, but that was during the construction of Kidani. I hope that savannah will be better now the construction is almost done. The buses will be running to Kidani first then Jamba so if you need counter service on the way to a park that will work, but then you have to walk back to Kidani. From what I understand, it is 1/2 mile walk. Hope that helps.

 

[erionm]

The theme park buses will go from Kidani Village to Jambo House and then on to the theme park.

The Downtown Disney buses will from Jambo House to Kidani Village and then on to Downtown Disney.

 

[bonybroad]

Wow! That's quite a hike! I'm going to have to think about this...
But definitely leaning towards Jambo with some type of savannah view....

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Here's a link to a Jambo map that will allow you to see the Zebra/Giraffe trails, restaurants etc. that are referred to. I don't recall seeing much on Kidani other than the concept art either but maybe someone has something else.
Jambo Map

Here's another map link that has the DVC sections marked for Jambo link.

 

[bonybroad]

Thanks for the link!
The resort looks huge. And I own SSR!
Would someone tell me if it is just too much after a day at the parks? I have 8 people in my party, and I don't want to be the scapegoat!

 

[Donald is #1]

I think that everyone already answered your questions, but I will add a little bit of info.

AKV has 2 buildings: Jambo House -> the orginal AKL building and Kidani Village -> new AKV building.

Jambo House contains both AKL and AKV. The AKV rooms are on the 5th floor and 6th floor. The 6th floor rooms are Conceirge level only.

Jambo has the following restaurants:
Mara (Counter Service)
Boma (Table Service - breakfast and dinner buffets)
Jiko (Table Service - signature restaurant, dinner only)

Kidani is 100% AKV.
It only has 1 restaurant: Sanaa (Table Service - lunch and dinner)

Kidani also has a community center, basketball, shuffleboard and tennis.

 

[kristenrice]

Thanks for the link!
The resort looks huge. And I own SSR!
Would someone tell me if it is just too much after a day at the parks? I have 8 people in my party, and I don't want to be the scapegoat!

I won't sugar-coat it...those savanna view rooms can feel like they are in another time zone at the end of the night. I had a savanna view room that was out a ways and all I could think of was, "Man, if I had booked a standard room, I'd be in bed by now". The thing that makes the walk more tolerable is that there are the little window sections that overlook the savanna. You can get some great views and it breaks up the walk a bit. I think the savanna view rooms that are the "closest" to the lobby would be some on the Sunset and maybe part of the Arusha savanna.

Don't worry about the walk though. The resort is so fantastic that it is totally worth the extra exercise. Oh, and FWIW, the only other DVC resort I have stayed at is OKW where we could park our car right outside our room so a "long" walk to me is anything more than "up a flight of stairs".

 

[SunnieRN]

I think that everyone already answered your questions, but I will add a little bit of info.

AKV has 2 buildings: Jambo House -> the orginal AKL building and Kidani Village -> new AKV building.

Jambo House contains both AKL and AKV. The AKV rooms are on the 5th floor and 6th floor. The 6th floor rooms are Conceirge level only.

Jambo has the following restaurants:
Mara (Counter Service)
Boma (Table Service - breakfast and dinner buffets)
Jiko (Table Service - signature restaurant, dinner only)

Kidani is 100% AKV.
It only has 1 restaurant: Sanaa (Table Service - lunch and dinner)

Kidani also has a community center, basketball, shuffleboard and tennis.

And a pool bar that will serve a few items and a grab and go area in the gift shop with snacks and ready made sands.

For more information (where I got mine) see the thread that people asked questions and got answers from people who have visited already.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2073369

 

[bjakmom]

Check out Jack's blog and pictures of Kidani on www.allears.net - they have links to all the parts of his reports on their home page right now

 

[ppjluvsdvc]

I cannot help about the locations at AKV but a suggestion for your mom as I have the same situation that my mom gets tired walking too far. Why not rent a scooter for her. I know some people resist or are too proud to do it but there are so many who use them that it is not out of the ordinary to have one. It is the only way we can do the parks and some of the hotels as just getting from the room to the lobby can wear you out. There are many places that will deliver the scooter to your hotel and then you have it the whole time that you are there. It is usually pretty easy to use them on the busses or if you have a car there are collapsable versions that you can put in the back of your trunk.

What ever you do, have a great trip!

 

[bonybroad]

Small update....
Called MS this morning. She made sure I have enough points for this IF it happens.
I am reserving three rooms, 2 studios and 1br.
We discussed. She said I would definitely want Jambo. Savanna view. Close to the main lobby as possible.
She *can't* tell me if anything is available. I understand that is their policy, but it is kind of annoying. Just tell me if there is anything available so I don't have to worry about it if there isn't, you know?
Disney's Best Kept Secret, I guess!
Anyways, I'm able to call on Wednesday and see what's available to "Disney-fi" this grand gathering!

 

[jblrn2b]

Good Luck! Have a fun trip!