Animal kingdom lodge

[fast43]

We are looking at booking a stay at the ANimal Kingdom Lodge during Christmas/New Years. Any recomendations on what to ask for during our reervation request. Specific area, Savannah view or anything else would be helpful. thanks in advance.

 

[magicaldisney]

Have you decided on Jambo or Kidani? Size of room? Value or not?

 

[Cee]

I've only stayed at AKV once. It was a deluxe savannah-view studio on the Zebra Trail in Jambo House. SPECTACULAR view and extremely comfortable and spacious. It was, however, a very, very long way from the elevators. This didn't bother me one bit but can be a deal breaker for others. Good luck!

 

[dzorn]

Christmas/New Years is a very busy time, most owners book right at 11month window. You would already be booking kind of late so I would make the reservations ASAP. Depending what you want you may end up on a wait list even now.

Denise in MI

 

[crazybones27]

I would definitely book a Savanna view room on the Sunset Savanna. We stayed on the Sunset SV in both Kidani and Jambo on our last trip. If you are staying in Kidani request a lower floor (2nd or 3rd). You can see the animals better on those floors. If you are staying in Jambo you only have one choice to stay on the 5th floor unless you are staying on the concierge level which is the 6th floor. I like to request close to the lobby also this way we're not to far from the gift shop for mug refills in Kidani, or if in Jambo you can get to Mara easier.

I also agree that you need to call MS now to see if there are any rooms still available. Xmas/New Years is a very busy week and most AKV owners will book that as soon as the window opens on that day.

We are going Nov 27-Dec 3 staying in a concierge studio. I called at 9am and got right through and got the LAST studio available for that week. I wasn't shocked because of the room we were requesting, but I was very happy. I'd definitely call as soon as you know what kind of room you want. You can always call back and put your room requests in later if you want. Good luck !

 

[bytheblood]

Any Savanna view is great, but I would say Pembe is the one I would not want.

 

[Connears]

Christmas/New Years is a very busy time, most owners book right at 11month window. You would already be booking kind of late so I would make the reservations ASAP. Depending what you want you may end up on a wait list even now.

Denise in MI

I was able to get AKLV Jambo House 1 bedroom savannah view at 7 months this year for 12/26-12/31. I had reservation at home resort OKW and was able to make the change at the 7 month mark. This was the first time I was able to do this during xmas week(we had tried year before and were not successful), it may have to do with the fact that we did not include NYE(that was check out day for us-off to HHI for NYE!) so that may have made it easier. We had room 5234 and looked out over Sunset Savannah and had lots of zebra, giraffes, antelope, birds out(feeding area was right by our balcony for the giraffes) even though it was extremely cold that week(some animals did not come out until it got warmer in the day). Loved the view and room and resort!!
Good luck!

Connears

 

[fast43]

We may just go after the New Year's Day Holiday. I will have a choice then, what should we shoot for? The kids want a Savanah view, which I also desire, but what area or House should we request. Pools probably are not a priority, however we would like to be close to a bus stop or is there just one at AKL?

 

[fast43]

It seems as though from your posts that we would be ok with Kidani or Jambo House. Which one would give us the best shot at the bus stop?

 

[bobbiwoz]

It seems as though from your posts that we would be ok with Kidani or Jambo House. Which one would give us the best shot at the bus stop?

Both Jambo and Kidani have a bus stop. To and from the parks, the busses go first to Kidani and then to Jambo. So, at busy times you may have to stand if you're getting the bus at Jambo to go to a park. The busses to DTD stop at Jambo first and then go to Kidani.

 

[fast43]

It sounds ;like a Savanah view at Jambo house is what i need............

 

[magicaldisney]

It sounds ;like a Savanah view at Jambo house is what i need............

No, if you're looking for the best bus stop, you would want to be in Kidani so you are at the first bus stop.

 

[fast43]

My bad.........I meant Kidani. First on the bus and first off the bus. The only problem I see with ANimal Kingdom Lodge is the proximity to the other parks. It looks as though it is quite a distance to the other parks.

 

[Connears]

No, if you're looking for the best bus stop, you would want to be in Kidani so you are at the first bus stop.

We only used the bus for transportation from Jambo to and from DAK during our xmas week trip, but had no problem getting a seat either way(have out car and drive to the other parks and DTD). and I really enjoyed being in the main Lodge with the great lobby and atmosphere...just loved being there.

Connears

 

[fast43]

We will not have car access. We will use Disney bus transportation. I was just concerned about the amount of time to get to the other parks.

 

[LeahA]

Trip 1-Jambo/2 bdrm-pool view

Trip 2-Kidani/2 bdrm-savanna view

Trip 3-Kidani/1 bdrm-standard view. I will be there in 29 days, so hopefully this will be another

Great resort, great theming, great food, great animals, great pools, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc!!!!

Have fun, both sides are great!

 

[mickeyworld]

The biggest drawback to Kidani is the lack of food service. Be prepared to either stock your kitchen or get food from Jambo HOuse or a park. We met several upset people with little kids looking for food their first breakfst there and they had to go to Jambo HOuse to get it. Hopefully, DVC will realize this is a problem for those who either cannot walk to Jambo house or do not understand the bus system.

 

[fast43]

What about the travel time to the other parks. Is it quite a long time or comparable to the other resorts?

 

[Mtnman44]

It is really similar in time/distance to staying at OKW and SSR. It is very quick to Animal Kingdom and also not too far from DHS and Epcot. The reason DHS and Epcot are fairly quick is because it is nearly a straight shot on less congested roads with few traffic lights. That is my impression anyway.

 

[fast43]

That sounds great. By looking at the map, it looks like the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney are the only places that may take some time to get there. There are so many bus stops at OKW and Saratoga Springs.........