Can you see any animals at AKL (Kidani) with a standard view?

[ErinInCT]

If not, where do you go to see the animals? Can they be seen from the lobby? Can you take a walk around the property and view them? I hate to go to AKL and never get to see any animals!

 

[disneynutz]

There are viewing areas throughout the resorts and lobby.

Bill

 

[ErinInCT]

When I choose online check in it gives me a choice of Savannah and Pembe view. I can't check those right? Since I have a standard view?
Other choices are upper or lower floor, near lobby, near elevator, near transportation. Wouldn't the lobby, elevator and transportation all be in the same place? For standard view what is better - upper or lower floor (I don't wanna sit on the balcony with a bunch of cars parked in front of me so I am guessing upper floors?) Sorry for all the questions! I just wanna make sure I get the best room (1bed) that I can that is not too far to catch the busses to the parks!

 

[disneynutz]

When I choose online check in it gives me a choice of Savannah and Pembe view. I can't check those right? Since I have a standard view?
Other choices are upper or lower floor, near lobby, near elevator, near transportation. Wouldn't the lobby, elevator and transportation all be in the same place? For standard view what is better - upper or lower floor (I don't wanna sit on the balcony with a bunch of cars parked in front of me so I am guessing upper floors?) Sorry for all the questions! I just wanna make sure I get the best room (1bed) that I can that is not too far to catch the busses to the parks!

Online check in is for Disney's cash guests, DVC is using it to allow members to check in but the request choices do not really apply to DVC rooms. If you are a member, it's better to add the request to your reservation through MS.

Bill

 

[drusba]

When I choose online check in it gives me a choice of Savannah and Pembe view. I can't check those right? Since I have a standard view?
Other choices are upper or lower floor, near lobby, near elevator, near transportation. Wouldn't the lobby, elevator and transportation all be in the same place? For standard view what is better - upper or lower floor (I don't wanna sit on the balcony with a bunch of cars parked in front of me so I am guessing upper floors?) Sorry for all the questions! I just wanna make sure I get the best room (1bed) that I can that is not too far to catch the busses to the parks!

If you are a DVC member or a renter from a member, then the best way to make room requests is to ignore that online list, which is designed for cash guests purchasing through Disney and not DVC reservations, and have the member contact Member Services and put in a request. Be aware all such requests are not guaranteed and you may not get your request.

As to DVC reservations, including rentals through members, most of the standard views overlook roadway, bus stop, front entrance, or pool area, but there are some rooms that were previously savanna view that overlook the Pembe savanna which have been converted to standard view. Best chance to get one of those is to request a room near the Pumba elevator, but be aware that if you get it, you will be long way (and at Kidani a "long" way is truly very long) from the lobby and bus stop. (Note, fact that you have 1BR is irrelevant to any request because all areas have studios, 1BRs and 2BRs.)

There are actually three sets of elevators along each of the two long wings at Kidani and thus a request to be near an elevator could literally put you almost anywhere in the resort and thus it is a request to be avoided. However, the elevators, except ones close to lobby, have names (like Pumba mentioned above) and making a request near a particular elevator can accomplish something. Near the Rafiki elevator (north wing) would have you overlooking pool and give you the shortest walk to the pool via that elevator, but you will still have some distance from transportation. To get close to the bus stop, which is on the south wing, that near transportaiton request might work, but also would one of the following made through Member Services: near Community Hall or near the Timon elevator. Nevertheless, the views are definitely of road and bus stop for any standard rooms on that south wing.

For standard view, better is upper floor not lower.

There are excellent animal viewing areas near the lobby. Note that other than near the lobby, you cannot go anywhere outside where you can see animals. The only human beings who can be at the same ground level as the animals are the CM's who take care of the aimals and the savanna.

 

[circhead]

There are many animal viewing areas throughout both Kidani and Jambo.
I am not as familiar with Kidani, but I know you can take the shuttle over
To Jambo use that pool and the animal viewing areas near the pool.

 

[TheDisneyFour]

Our first stay at Kidani was in a standard view and when we looked to the left we got a very clear view of the backside of the savanna. Our room looked out at the pool. We got lucky, but it is possible.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When I choose online check in it gives me a choice of Savannah and Pembe view. I can't check those right? Since I have a standard view?
Other choices are upper or lower floor, near lobby, near elevator, near transportation. Wouldn't the lobby, elevator and transportation all be in the same place? For standard view what is better - upper or lower floor (I don't wanna sit on the balcony with a bunch of cars parked in front of me so I am guessing upper floors?) Sorry for all the questions! I just wanna make sure I get the best room (1bed) that I can that is not too far to catch the busses to the parks!

There are a few standard views at Kidani that have a partial view of the Pembe savannah. I would select that option at check-in and cross my fingers. That will place you further away from the buses than other locations however. Otherwise as mentioned there are several places around the resort to view the animals.

 

[amym2]

There's a great viewing area with rocking chairs at Kidani. There's also an outside viewing area accessible from the lower level where you can see the animals, and at night you can view them with night vision goggles. I made a request through MS for "near lobby" and got a great room on an upper level between the lobby and the buses. It was perfect, even though we had a standard view of the front entrance. My sister had a studio that was standard view and overlooked the end of a savanna, but it was a hike from her room to ours (I'd requested they be near each other but didn't get that request).

 

[DenLo]

Even walking from your room to the lobby there are windows which give you great views of the animals. Some of the windows have a bench seat. As the others have said there are lots of views of the savanna. One of the best is from inside the Community Hall. Or you can go outside from the lower level were Sanaa is located for viewing area of the savanna. The fire pit with rocking chairs are there as well.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

There are a few standard views at Kidani that have a partial view of the Pembe savannah.

I always book a standard 2 bedroom and have been fortunate to always have a partial view of the animals. Several times close to the pool, you see oxen, gazelles at the feeding areas and also behind the savanna where the Animals go at night by the fences. They feed them there in the am as well! Good luck!