AKV ~ Kidani or Jambo ~ Have DS with special needs

[Tink316]

Hi Everyone,

We are new DVC members...we are so excited We are planning our first trip to WDW as DVC members. We purchased our pints in the AKV.

Ok, now for the help ~ We have an 11-year old son with Down syndrome who has very low muscle tone. Although he can walk, he has difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. So need to know if Kidani or Jambo would be better to book as far as the walking distances to buses, pool and restaurants.

We will be renting a wheelchair in the parks since there is absolutely no way he could walk the park for any amount of time. But we would prefer to walk at the resort when we can. And we don't want to have to rent a wheelchair for the resort if we don't need to ... as getting on and off the bus with a wheelchair is probably not the easiest...we have rented special needs stroller in the past, and that was not easy...but he is too big for a stroller now.

Ok, I'm sure that's more informaiton that you need, but wanted to give as much info as possible so you understand our concerns.

Oh, and one other very important factor - the pools. My son LOVES to swim. If it were up to him, we'd probably spend majority of time at the pool. So the pool is also very important to consider as well.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide. Can't wait for our visit!!

T.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Hi Everyone,

We are new DVC members...we are so excited We are planning our first trip to WDW as DVC members. We purchased our pints in the AKV.

Ok, now for the help ~ We have an 11-year old son with Down syndrome who has very low muscle tone. Although he can walk, he has difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. So need to know if Kidani or Jambo would be better to book as far as the walking distances to buses, pool and restaurants.

We will be renting a wheelchair in the parks since there is absolutely no way he could walk the park for any amount of time. But we would prefer to walk at the resort when we can. And we don't want to have to rent a wheelchair for the resort if we don't need to ... as getting on and off the bus with a wheelchair is probably not the easiest...we have rented special needs stroller in the past, and that was not easy...but he is too big for a stroller now.

Ok, I'm sure that's more informaiton that you need, but wanted to give as much info as possible so you understand our concerns.

Oh, and one other very important factor - the pools. My son LOVES to swim. If it were up to him, we'd probably spend majority of time at the pool. So the pool is also very important to consider as well.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide. Can't wait for our visit!!

T.

Jambo sounds like it would be better option for you. It is bigger, there is more of everything, the convenience of having more options and the pool is SO MUCH BETTER.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The resorts do have wheelchairs for use - first come first serve but an option if you find you need it.

Still, you might want to consider renting a wheelchair from an offsite company. Then you won't have to spend time renting each day you go to the parks and it will be less expensive and you'll have it if you need it at the resort. Since it sounds like your son is able to get on the busses under his own power it might make loading easier although I've not found it difficult with a person.

Jambo is probably a little better but you may want to put in a request for a room close to the lobby elevator due to medical reasons. That will give you closer access to the pool, busses and restaurants. If you get Kidani the same request would help although the pool is a short walk from the lobby. Both resorts have some pretty long hallways.

 

[moredisneyplease]

agreed that no matter which house you go with make sure you let member services know your situation so they can put you close to the elevators!! And both pools are amazing! you may never leave the resort!!!

 

[Kidanifan08]

One advantage of Kidani is that the buses stop there first, so you would be able to have seats on the bus to the various parks. The Kidani pool has a zero entry, which may make it easier for getting in and out of the pool. You could request a room on the lobby level, close to the lobby. This would put you reasonably close to the lobby, pool and bus stop. We have never stayed at Jambo, so I cannot comment on how that location might work for you.

 

[disneyobessed]

I also have an 11 year old son with special needs! He has cerebral palsy thought and like your son he can walk short distances but it isnt easy.. we have a CONVAID Special needs stroller for him..I think he has used it 1x in the past 8 months.. but its a must for Disney. We are also staying at AKV for three days then switching over to BCV... we are staying in Jambo House..but we are also renting a car so that makes life a bit easier.. but the food court is also at Jambo.. and from what I thought I read Jambo has zero entry pool too.. When are you going?? Maybe we will run into you!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, zero entry pool at Jambo too.

 

[lakohls]

Our DS13 has CP & is in wheelchair. We stayed at Kidani last year & have reservation for Kidani again this fall. We requested lobby level near pool and were very pleased with where we were placed. I have heard requests near Rafiki elevator on lobby level also work well. As another poster indicated, Kidani is 1st stop and we found them very accommodating in getting our wheelchair on/off. Our son loves Wii, and I understand there is a great activity room at Kidani (but not at Jambo) that has activities including Wii for the kids - we plan to take advantage of this amenity this year.

Have not yet stayed at Jambo, but have walked over for the QS dining.

Have you tried a maclaren stroller? It is lightweight & works for up to 150 lbs I believe. Basically an oversized umbrella stroller that is very easy to collapse down, but still gives a footrest & enough support to be comfortable. We have that as well & have been quite pleased. I'm still debating over wheelchair vs. maclaren for upcoming trip.

 

[disneyobessed]

If we are staying at Jambo House can we go to Kidani for the activity room?? We are DVC owners and our home resort is AKV not sure if that really matters... but...

 

[drusba]

For OP, you can actually be fine with either resort as long as you request close to lobby and note it is a special needs request. Close to lobby at either puts you close to all the amenities of the resort including applicable pool, bus station , restaurants and store. Both pools have zero entry. Kidani has the elaborate kids water play area. However, if there is a "slide" issue, Kidani has the long one and Jambo's is fairly short and tame. Jambo has three restaurants including a counter service, Kidani has only one table service which is not open for breakfast.

As to question above, quests at either resort can use all the ameneties at both resorts.

 

[Tink316]

I also have an 11 year old son with special needs! He has cerebral palsy thought and like your son he can walk short distances but it isnt easy.. we have a CONVAID Special needs stroller for him..I think he has used it 1x in the past 8 months.. but its a must for Disney. We are also staying at AKV for three days then switching over to BCV... we are staying in Jambo House..but we are also renting a car so that makes life a bit easier.. but the food court is also at Jambo.. and from what I thought I read Jambo has zero entry pool too.. When are you going?? Maybe we will run into you!!

We are planning to go either the week after Thanksgiving or the first week of December...when are you going. It would be awesome to meet up with someone else...

 

[disneyobessed]

We are going in August...

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

What type of room are you planning to get - Savannah or Standard view?

We had a standard view room at Jambo in August 2010. It was super close to everything ... we were just around the corner from the elevator, which was close to everything (pool, restuarants, gift shop, bus stop).

 

[Tink316]

What type of room are you planning to get - Savannah or Standard view?

We had a standard view room at Jambo in August 2010. It was super close to everything ... we were just around the corner from the elevator, which was close to everything (pool, restuarants, gift shop, bus stop).

Hoping to do Savannah view since this will be our first stay at AKV - and I think my son would love it. Although we'd be ok with a standard view if Savannah not available. And will take the suggestions to request location close to the elevator and other areas.

I'm sure no matter what view we have, we'll love it!

Thanks!

 

[disneyobessed]

We are getting a value studio with roll in shower...and a regular value studio... !We have 2 studios and we requested to be next to eachother.. oh man..if one has savannha view and 1 doesnt.. ..My guess is the HA room will be facing savannah on what Ive read..

 

[Tink316]

Our DS13 has CP & is in wheelchair. We stayed at Kidani last year & have reservation for Kidani again this fall. We requested lobby level near pool and were very pleased with where we were placed. I have heard requests near Rafiki elevator on lobby level also work well. As another poster indicated, Kidani is 1st stop and we found them very accommodating in getting our wheelchair on/off. Our son loves Wii, and I understand there is a great activity room at Kidani (but not at Jambo) that has activities including Wii for the kids - we plan to take advantage of this amenity this year.

Have not yet stayed at Jambo, but have walked over for the QS dining.

Have you tried a maclaren stroller? It is lightweight & works for up to 150 lbs I believe. Basically an oversized umbrella stroller that is very easy to collapse down, but still gives a footrest & enough support to be comfortable. We have that as well & have been quite pleased. I'm still debating over wheelchair vs. maclaren for upcoming trip.

Do you happen to know if any offsite facility rents the maclaren strollers? I didn't think they went up to 150 lbs. If that's the case, that would work for us instead of wheelchair. My DS is about 120 lbs give or take a few lbs. I'm just trying to figure out if renting something from an offsite is not the better way to go instead of just renting in the park. I'm staring to think it makes more sense to rent from offsite so that we have it available for when/if we need it...parks, resorts, DD, etc.

Thanks for any info on any of the offsites people have used.

 

[SamSam]

Do you happen to know if any offsite facility rents the maclaren strollers? I didn't think they went up to 150 lbs. If that's the case, that would work for us instead of wheelchair. My DS is about 120 lbs give or take a few lbs. I'm just trying to figure out if renting something from an offsite is not the better way to go instead of just renting in the park. I'm staring to think it makes more sense to rent from offsite so that we have it available for when/if we need it...parks, resorts, DD, etc.

Thanks for any info on any of the offsites people have used.

I don't know the answer, but I just wanted to suggest that if no one this board can help with an answer, you might try the disABILITY board. I've heard they're very helpful and have an immense amount of knowledge about rentals, etc.
Also, we stay at both Kidani and Jambo, love them both. Everyone has given you excellent advice about requests. I think you'll have a wonderful time at either resort.

 

[lakohls]

Just by chance I happened to be reading through this thread again & saw your post - check out ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-Specia...082?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a648d7fe2

they have one listed right now! Exactly what we have too. If you can get one via an a source like this it will probably be cheaper than renting & you will own it forever. Good Luck!

(I'll try PMing you too so hopefully you get the message fast enough to check it out)

 

[Tink316]

Just by chance I happened to be reading through this thread again & saw your post - check out ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-Specia...082?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a648d7fe2

they have one listed right now! Exactly what we have too. If you can get one via an a source like this it will probably be cheaper than renting & you will own it forever. Good Luck!

(I'll try PMing you too so hopefully you get the message fast enough to check it out)

That looks perfect! Thanks so much...going to give it a try. Wish me luck!

T

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Just wanted to say hi and share my experience. DS18 has H-F Autism and DD2 is a former 1 lb 2 oz preemie with mild cp and a laundry list of other needs. We are staying at AKV - Jambo in 9 DAYS!!!

We have stayed at Jambo three times in the past, when DS was 10,11 and 13. We loved having the Mara for quick service (not to mention DS is a huge Boma fan!) and the zero entry pool was great! We had asked for ground floor, near transportation on our previous trips because DS had frequent meltdowns, and it was easier to get him back to the room.

Ths time, we are requesting a room on Giraffe trail (near transportation) because although DD walks now, she tires very easily, and has a very unsteady gait.

I'm sure you will love your stay at AKV!

By the way...We are also in CT (Windsor)! I know there's an official Fairy Godmailer thread somewhere, but if you think he'd like it, I'd be happy to send a postcard from your son's favorite character to him while we're at Disney later this month. PM me if you're interested!