Apparently it's Official...Jambo House at AKV is Complete!

[Granny]

Saw this news article from Feb 18 in the Orlando Sentinel and wasn't sure if it was posted here yet.

The first phase of Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom Villas time share is complete. Disney last month wrapped up work on the last of 109 units that have been converted from hotel rooms to time shares on the upper levels of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Construction is continuing on the project's much-larger second phase: A 340-unit annex next to the lodge that has been dubbed "Kidani Village." Disney says the expansion will include a 120-seat sit-down restaurant, a 4,700-square-foot swimming pool with a water slide and two spas, plus tennis, shuffleboard and half-court basketball, among other amenities. Disney expects to complete the second phase during the spring of 2009.



Looks like construction is going very well, and a Spring 2009 completion would be awesome!

 

[Nikisha421]

Cant wait to stay in the new Kidani Villas

 

[aprince&princess]

That is great. I would love to stay at the AKV for one of our vacations. I think my daughter would love to see all the animals roaming.

 

[pilferk]

Saw this news article from Feb 18 in the Orlando Sentinel and wasn't sure if it was posted here yet.

The first phase of Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom Villas time share is complete. Disney last month wrapped up work on the last of 109 units that have been converted from hotel rooms to time shares on the upper levels of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Construction is continuing on the project's much-larger second phase: A 340-unit annex next to the lodge that has been dubbed "Kidani Village." Disney says the expansion will include a 120-seat sit-down restaurant, a 4,700-square-foot swimming pool with a water slide and two spas, plus tennis, shuffleboard and half-court basketball, among other amenities. Disney expects to complete the second phase during the spring of 2009.



Looks like construction is going very well, and a Spring 2009 completion would be awesome!

That "completed in spring of '09" is the first quasi-official mention I've heard of Kidani being ahead of schedule. I know the original target (on the DVC AKV FAQ..but since removed) was "opening in phases BEGINING in spring of '09".

Completion might mean they start opening phases late this year.

I hope that's the case, as we'd consider moving our December ressie from Jambo to Kidani.

 

[Granny]

I hope that's the case, as we'd consider moving our December ressie from Jambo to Kidani.

Not trying to go off topic on my own thread, but will Jambo and Kidani be guaranteed booking classifications or just requests?

 

[JaxFLBear]

Not trying to go off topic on my own thread, but will Jambo and Kidani be guaranteed booking classifications or just requests?

Guaranteed. Current reservations state a specific room type with the word Jambo appended.

 

[pilferk]

Not trying to go off topic on my own thread, but will Jambo and Kidani be guaranteed booking classifications or just requests?

Guarenteed booking classifications.

It will say something like "Jambo SV View" or "Kidain SV view".

You can specify one or the other, if you like, or they'll simply assign whichever (if you have no preference, which is hard to believe) they have in inventory and pops up first. But you will absolutely know WHICH one you have gotten when you book. All of which makes good sense considering you'll check in at completely different places for the two, respectively.

Points value, as far as we know (and most assume), will be the same.

 

[wildernessDad]

We are planning to have some friends go with us to AKV in May of 2009. It would be great if we could switch the ressie to Kidani Village.

 

[rwcmath]

Cant wait to stay in the new Kidani Villas

Me too!

 

[Jaaron2]

That is great news We are taking close friends and their 2 kids with us and they have never been to Disney before. We are planning a 10 day trip and would love to have it at Kidani