Animal Kingdom Lodge - Holidays

[aselbs]

Hey!

My wife and I want to get some good relaxing time just the two of us before we go visit family for the holidays. We are new DVC Members and are still getting the hang of using points and what's best to give us the most value. Was curious how the Savannah View rooms are during December months??
If there's not much of a difference in the wildlife seen from a Standard room and a SV room then I don't want to use the points. BUT, if you get to see a good bit of wildlife during December then we would really enjoy it.
Just looking for some pointers, we appreciate everyone's help and advice

AJ & K

 

[delilah]

There is actually a very large difference between wildlife seen in savannah vs standard view rooms. If you have a standard view room, then you could see animals from the various windows and observation decks throughout the AKL Jambo and Kidani buildings. I have gone to AKL many times, and various times of the year, and there isn't a great difference in the animals on display at different times of the year. It depends on how much time you are going to spend at the resort vs doing other things elsewhere. It depends on what area you are staying, but, they bring the animals inside during the early morning hours to examine and feed them. It has been my experience that in some rooms, the animals are inside during the time when I would want to be sitting on the balcony having breakfast. Specifically, this past June, animals went inside sometime between 6-7 am, and didn't come back out until after we would leave to go to parks for the day. The facility where they do the exams was close enough to our room that we could see the animals behind the fence. But, I know that I have stayed in other rooms where the animals were out between 7-8 am, and generally, those are the rooms that face the main savannahs.

I haven't stayed in a room that faced the main savannah for the past couple trips. I remember that years ago, when I stayed at the main AKL, before there was DVC at AKL, that we could see animals during breakfast time from the balcony. This room was on the zebra trail, in what is now Jambo house. On that same trip, I noticed that the animals were off display in the afternoon, because my son and I were waiting at the resort in the afternoon until it was time to catch the bus to the airport, and there were no animals visible. It is possible that over the past several years, they have changed the time when they bring the animals inside.

 

[Mazz519]

It all depends if you like walking to viewing areas to observe the animals..PP was correct there is no difference in time of year viewings... My wife and I love sitting on our verandah watching the wildlife whether its with a cup of coffe in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening...nothing like it

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have stayed at Kidani twice during the first week of December. The first time was in 2010 in a standard view room, which overlooked the bus stop. Last December we had a savanna view in the last bead closest to Jambo. I would have to say that we enjoyed the savanna view room more than the standard view. In addition to animal viewing, one big difference is that the savanna view balconies are peaceful, whereas the standard view rooms can sometimes be a little noisy with bus traffic or pool noise, depending on your location.

One thing about December is that it is dark early, so if you will be hitting the parks during the day and returning to the villa after dark, the animal viewing is a little more difficult. Still, I enjoy sitting out on a quiet balcony on the savanna over the standard view after spending time at the park. Of course, it can also be cold in December, so you may not end up sitting on the balcony much if it is cold. We were lucky last year, but Dec 2010 was freezing.

Early in the AM, there does not seem to be very many animals on the savanna, other than perhaps a crane or ostrich. They tend to be more numerous in the afternoon.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have had great animal viewing at both Kidani and Jambo in December, but as previously mentioned, the daylight is so short and the animals are most active midday. One thing I like about Kidani over Jambo is the easy access of the animal viewing at the fire pit at night. The exchange people from the African countries are around the fire pit and will answer questions etc.

Dec. 2011 I got some great videos of giraffes playing on sunset savanna from our balcony midday. In fact, when we stay there, we tend to spend more time in the room sitting on our balcony watching the animals. It's almost more fun than the parks!

 

[delilah]

We have had great animal viewing at both Kidani and Jambo in December, but as previously mentioned, the daylight is so short and the animals are most active midday. One thing I like about Kidani over Jambo is the easy access of the animal viewing at the fire pit at night. The exchange people from the African countries are around the fire pit and will answer questions etc.

Dec. 2011 I got some great videos of giraffes playing on sunset savanna from our balcony midday. In fact, when we stay there, we tend to spend more time in the room sitting on our balcony watching the animals. It's almost more fun than the parks!

I agree that watching the animals can be almost more fun than the parks. I looked it up on a sunrise/sunset calculator. Given that we almost never get back to our room at Disney before the evening fireworks, I don't even worry about when is sunset. But, sunrise in June is about 6:30 and about 7 am in December. I am an early riser, and that is when I most enjoy watching the animals (if they are there). I think some of the animals might be more active in December than June because of the heat. I know that on Kilamajaro safaris, for example, I get better pictures early in the day, when the park first opens. Sometimes, later in the day, the animals are hiding in shaded areas. So, it depends almost entirely on what the OP wants to do with their time while at Disney. The last few trips, we have tried leaving the room early enough in the day so we can come back in late afternoon, and that is a good time to watch animals. We do that more in the summer, when is it so hot, and the parks can be more enjoyable after sunset.

 

[hakepb]

If the weather is unseasonably cold, Disney will keep many animals (including giraffe) inside their warm barns, so that can reduce the number of animals on the savannas.

 

[disneynutz]

AKV/AKL are not known for being quiet and peaceful during the holidays. Drums, singing, kids running around are common around the lobby areas. If you can stay away from the lobby you will be okay or I would choose another resort if you want quiet.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hey!

My wife and I want to get some good relaxing time just the two of us before we go visit family for the holidays. We are new DVC Members and are still getting the hang of using points and what's best to give us the most value. Was curious how the Savannah View rooms are during December months??
If there's not much of a difference in the wildlife seen from a Standard room and a SV room then I don't want to use the points. BUT, if you get to see a good bit of wildlife during December then we would really enjoy it.
Just looking for some pointers, we appreciate everyone's help and advice

AJ & K

You are using points at AKV, not AKL. You can't use points at AKL.

If you are at Jambo House, your standard view is more than likely a pool view. You might get a partially blocked or poorer view of the savanna if you are lucky. But you won't get dead on savanna.

If you want to sit on your balcony and watch the wildlife, you'll want to book a savanna view. If you want to watch from a window in the hallway or from the lobby, you can get either.

If you are at Kidani Village, your standard view will be parking lot, pool or maybe the edge of the savanna. Again, not dead on savanna.

You are using more points for a better view of the animals from your villa, not for a villa with nicer furniture or better linens.

By the way, do you have your villa booked already? You are getting pretty close to the holidays and might have a hard time booking either location.

 

[delilah]

We have stayed at Kidani usually. Generally, Kidani is pretty quiet, as opposed to Jambo. Jambo has more activities, though, but the two are about a 10 minute walk apart across the parking lot.

 

[hakepb]

FWIW, the Kidani lobby was quite noisy with guests every time I walked through it last month...it wasn't the quiet lobby I experienced on my last trip.

I guess the afternoon thunderstorms that closed the pool didn't help any at those times, but that didn't explain early or late activity.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have stayed at Kidani usually. Generally, Kidani is pretty quiet, as opposed to Jambo. Jambo has more activities, though, but the two are about a 10 minute walk apart across the parking lot.

I disagree about the activities. I much prefer the activities at Kidani. The only good one at Jambo over Kidani is the story teller, but we love the cultural exchange presentations in the library at 8:15 PM year round and there is a drum circle that young and old can participate in prior to the cultural exchange. We also love the firepit/savanna viewing off the lobby at Kidani better than at Jambo. It's a little easier to see and access the animals, and the exchange docents are excellent there, because they are in the last half of their tour of duty, so they are more relaxed with talking about their country etc.

 

[twinklebug]

FWIW, the Kidani lobby was quite noisy with guests every time I walked through it last month...it wasn't the quiet lobby I experienced on my last trip.

I guess the afternoon thunderstorms that closed the pool didn't help any at those times, but that didn't explain early or late activity.

That's very odd. Kidani's lobby has been very quiet almost every time I've been to/through it (literally well over 100 times) with exception to two times when the check-in lines were long (morning) and twice when the drum demonstration was going on in the library (evening).

We just visited Kidani 2 weeks back, it was the usual peace and quiet we're accustomed to.

 

[delilah]

Well, I guess as far as noise level, one can only go by experience. I have actually stayed at both multiple times, and it on the basis of that experience I expressed my observation. As a matter of fact, since 2002, when we first stayed at AKL,( I know, I know, there wasn't DVC then) until now, we have probably stayed at AKL/AKV Kidani/AKV Jambo 6 times during December, and I make the observation that at the times we were in the lobby, it was quieter at Kidani than Jambo. But, then, we never have stayed in a room that was close enough to the lobby for noise from the lobby to make it back to our room. Either is way less noisy than, say, the pool area at All Star sports at spring break with cheerleading camps.

You are correct, however, that there sometimes are fewer visitors to castmembers in the observation area at Kidani. I don't particularly notice that the one's at Kidani are more knowlegable than those at Jambo. Might be sort of like the student:teacher ratio at school. The fewer directions teacher is pulled in the more attention they can focus on an individual student. Thusly for castmembers vs guests at the observation areas. But some of the most enjoyable conversations I have had with castmembers have been with those at Jambo. Depends on who's working there.

 

[Kidanifan08]

My comments about peacefulness was more related to the savanna view balcony. It is particularly peaceful when you are in the farthest bead from the lobby The standard view balconies have some risk of having some sort of ruckus at some point in the day. The one we had overlooking the bus stop had the "beep-beep-beep's" and other bus noises. The pool was not too bad, but still not as quiet as our savanna view rooms. Noise levels of our balconies based on our visit has been BWV (BW view) = BLT (pool view) > OKW (HH area) > SSR (Carousel) > Jambo (savanna) >/= Kidani. We have not stayed at BCV or VWL yet, so I can't comment on those balconies.

All of the DVC lobbies that I have been in have moments when they are more boisterous than other times of the day. Although, the Kidani lobby has been the least noisy of the bunch on average, in my experience. Boardwalk has been perhaps the busiest of the lobbies we have been in. The BLT lobby has become a little busier and noisy now that they have the check-in desk.

 

[aselbs]

You are using points at AKV, not AKL. You can't use points at AKL. - By the way, do you have your villa booked already? You are getting pretty close to the holidays and might have a hard time booking either location.

I'm booking tomorrow, I just wanted to get some feedback from people with more experience on where to stay there.
Thank you to everyone for all your info, it's been very helpful!! We're looking forward to our trip very much and can't wait to just unwind on the savannah

 

[twinklebug]

I'm booking tomorrow, I just wanted to get some feedback from people with more experience on where to stay there.
Thank you to everyone for all your info, it's been very helpful!! We're looking forward to our trip very much and can't wait to just unwind on the savannah

I hope you got what you were looking for!

My first year as a member we ended up in a unit at SSR over the holidays. It was still great! SSR is not decorated up like Kidani or Jambo, but they still play the music and the proximity to Downtown Disney where there is plenty of holiday decor and food can't be beat.

Also, if you do end up booking another location, get yourself onto the wait list! Particularly around the holidays I've had very good luck with 1-3 night WLs. We're allowed to have 2 active at any given time.

 

[Brandis]

I think there are actually a few rooms that have a full-on view of the Savannah but still are designated standards view (or actually have been re-designated from Savannah to standard view) in the northernmost building of Kidani (fourth bead from the top end) where the savannah only is a small strip, because guests complained they didn't see many animals there. They usually only pass through there when going to the smaller savannah by the pool.

 

[aselbs]

managed to get 2 nights with savannah view the week before christmas! perfect timing for us to get some relaxing one on one time before visiting with family

 

[Kidanifan08]

managed to get 2 nights with savannah view the week before christmas! perfect timing for us to get some relaxing one on one time before visiting with family

Congrats! Enjoy . . .