AKV villa requests

[princessap]

we are getting ready to book our 1 bedroom villa at kidani and just wondering what room requests we should specify??? we are booking savannah view!!! thanks in advance

 

[drusba]

If you want to see giraffes request Sunset Savanna view (about 80% of all savanna view rooms at Kidani). The other, smaller savanna, Pembe, has no giraffes but instead a much smaller cousin called an okapi.

Many also request close to lobby. However, I have now seen too many not getting that request probably because everyone has figured out they want close to lobby to avoid the longest walk in any hotel in the world (meaning the earth not just WDW) from lobby to room down a winding hallway to the end rooms on the two wings. Lately, the result for many who have asked for close to lobby has been to end up in those end rooms on the wings (imagine yourself at the base of the World Showcase after coming over from Future World at Epcot; turn left and walk to Germany; that is about the same distance as it is from lobby to the end rooms on the north wing at Kidani). Thus, I am now going to start recommending two alternatives that put you within striking distance of the lobby if you get one of them: either close to the Rafiki elevator, which puts you on the north wing with the shortest possible walk to the pool, or close to the Timon elevator which puts you on the south wing with a very short walk to the bus stop.

 

[cpc430]

Great info!! I like the visual using Epcot - that's far for a hotel walk!

 

[DVCcurious]

Why Kidani? Why not Jambo?

Is the second bedroom a must-have?

We went to Kidani last January (low crowd time). I called the first day room requests were accepted. I requested Sunset Savannah and close to the lobby.

I got literally the third room from the end of the top wing on the Pembe Savannah. I complained and complained and was told that they get so many requests that not all can be honored.

I will never stay at Kidani again. A 30 minute walk to-from the bus stop is not my idea of fun. Paying for a savannah view and seeing only a couple of ostriches is not my idea of a good value.

There are no bad rooms at Jambo, so why would you risk having such a terrible room?

Just stay away from Kidani.

 

[princessap]

I picked kidani for extra bathroom, splash pad and first bus stop. Are those not good reasons??

Why Jambo??

 

[ToddyLu]

You made a great choice and Kidani is great for families. Extra bathroom, pool area, Community Hall. Jambo would give you the most dining options--Mara for counter service and Boma and Jiko for table service. Kidani of course has Sanaa.

DH and I pick Jambo simply for the value rooms because they are ONLY located there. When we pick Standard room with DVC they are always pool view at Jambo--not necesaarily at Kidani...at times not so great a pool view because you are sometimes looking out over the Mara/Boma roof at the pool. So lately we have been staying at Jambo to conserve points but really miss the tranquility at Kidani...long hallways and all.

Remember: Kidani is first to be picked up and let off on the bus system when heading to or returning from a park. So many times we stand when getting on the bus at Jambo. Jambo gets first pick up at DTD only, so it is the only bus that will get you to Kidani (there are signs posted to remind you).

Also there is a nice shuttle van that can be called up to take you straight away to Jambo for meals...or you simply get on the first park bus you see--next stop is always Jambo.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We always request the 2nd floor. Its the same floor as the lobby and quick walk to get drinks, community hall, out to the buses etc

 

[quandrea]

Why Kidani? Why not Jambo?

Is the second bedroom a must-have?

We went to Kidani last January (low crowd time). I called the first day room requests were accepted. I requested Sunset Savannah and close to the lobby.

I got literally the third room from the end of the top wing on the Pembe Savannah. I complained and complained and was told that they get so many requests that not all can be honored.

I will never stay at Kidani again. A 30 minute walk to-from the bus stop is not my idea of fun. Paying for a savannah view and seeing only a couple of ostriches is not my idea of a good value.

There are no bad rooms at Jambo, so why would you risk having such a terrible room?

Just stay away from Kidani.

Kidani will always be our first choice. It is not a thirty minute walk from the far end of the hotel. I've timed it at seven minutes and that's with four year old twins in tow. I can do it in five alone. Sunset savannah is larger but don't discount pembe. My children preferred it. The loved the okapis and the nialas. Still talk about them months later. The pembe savannah put us closer to the pool which was a bonus. That was a villa by the pumba elevator. Don't discount any location. It's a great hotel. We've been near the zazu elevator which puts you only a short walk from jambo house. Liked that feature too. So you see, room location is not a bug deal.

 

[DisReno]

Well, based on reading this thread, I have decided not to request any room for my upcoming stay and just see what I get. It might be too late for room requests anyway-My stay is in a month.

At Jambo, everyone loves Arusha, but we found we preferred Uzima, so I'm willing to give Pembe a chance. But I love giraffes, so would miss them.

We'll see. If I change my mind, is it too late to put in a room request if I call member services?

 

[Jennasis]

We have trip in 16 days. Just completed online checkin for our 1br savannah view and requested Sunset Savannah/near elevator/near lobby...but when I went to do online check in, near lobby was already selected and it wouldn't let me unselect it. So I'm going with it. I think it's because the member who made our reservation (our uncle) requested we be close to Jambo?

 

[drusba]

At a month out, you can still do requests through MS. As to Jambo v. Kidani disagreement above, I like both buildings but follow the simple rule that if I get a studio or GV, I do Jambo; if 1 or 2BR, Kidani. The studios in the two buildings are about the same size and the GVs at Jambo are about the best on site, while the 1 and 2 BRs at Kidani are 100 sq ft larger than Jambo, have the extra bathroom, are nicer overall, and have more closet space. If you have a car, Kidani also has a strong advantage because you can park fairly close to an elevator with fairly quick access to your room in the under building parking lot no matter where your room is.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

We love AKV, both Jambo and Kidani and have stayed more than once at each. We never make room requests, just wait for the surprise of what we get! There are pros and cons for both buildings, both ends...you can't have everything. IMO any room at Disney is better than being at home! I agree with the above poster about the extra bathroom at Kidani...With two girls it comes in handy, as well as the sleeper chair in the 1 bedroom because they don't like sleeping together. Either way I am sure you will have a fantastic time.