Dining at AKV

[Tink316]

Hi Eveyone,

We are staying for the first time as DVC members at the end of November/begining of December.

We are booked in studio at Kidani (savannah view) While we are ordering some groceries - breakfast items, snacks, drinks, etc. We'll be end up eating out for lunch and dinner most of the time since we only have microwave in studio.

I'm curious as to food selection at Mara - is it decent? And also how far from Kidani. Don't mind walking, but my DS has Down syndrome and cannot walk or stand for long periods of time. So we will be renting wheelchair in the parks. But prefer to have him walk at the resort when/if he can. So just trying to plan...

Also, what about Sanaa and Boma? Have never eaten there. Again more interested in the distance from Kidani. I've made some Dining Reservations already in the parks, but trying to decide about places right at AKL.

Thanks for any information, ideas, suggestions.

Teri

 

[ABCanada]

Saana is one of our favorites. We enjoy the food and the atmosphere is wonderful. They have ceiling to floor windows to watch the animals. Service has always been very good as well. We often go twice in a trip even if we are not staying at AKV.

Boma is a buffet and I find it very loud and busy.

 

[magicaldisney]

I'm not sure how quickly your son would do the walk, but it takes us 10 minutes or so. However, you don't have to walk. You can get on any park bus and the next stop is Jambo. To get back to Kidani get on a DTD bus. There is also a shuttle between the two resorts, but I'm not sure on the time it's offered.

 

[CarolMN]

H....(snip)........Also, what about Sanaa and Boma? ......

Sanaa is located within the Kidani building. Distance to walk is between your room and the restaurant, which is on the floor below the lobby.

Boma is inside the AKL building (Jambo). As already posted, you can hop a bus if the walk seems to long for your son. You'll easily be able to judge that once you arrive and check in.

 

[Disneypapa]

Boma is one of my favorites (may be pricey to some).

It's a 10-15 minute walk from the lobby area of Kidani to the lobby at Jambo. Depending on your son's mobility, that might be further than you would care to try especially on a hot day (no shade).

 

[sherreis]

BOMA is one of our favorite restaurants at WDW.

We haven't walked from Jambo to Kidani yet and we asked about it when we were there a few weeks ago. The DVC guy said it was about an 8 minute walk (but don't know whose speed he was talking about -- mine or his or a runner).

As for wheelchairs - you can also ask at Guest Services at the resort just to have one in case you need it at the resort.

Have fun! I'm getting ready to book our first DVC vacation for June.

 

[sitchu2]

The mara is also a quick bus ride away in jambo house.. the buses come very often. then its a few minutes to get there. The counter service food selection there is excellent in my opinion. They have bakery items, cerials , chips, wine, beer , fresh fruits, breakfast lunch and dinner entrees, large beverage selection. I love the half roasted chicken with cous cous all for under ten dollars. they have selections from boma such as hummus, and the famous dessert zebra domes.

 

[Ansky]

Like others have said, it is about a 10 minute walk from Kidani to Jambo. We just got back from a 12 night stay at Jambo and I did the walk between the two in about 7 minutes. With a pregnant wife and pushing a 2 year old in a stroller it took about 10 minutes from lobby to lobby.

We ate at Boma once for breakfast and once for dinner. We loved the dinner. Lots of variety and plenty for kids to eat too. Would highly recommend it for dinner. Breakfast was good too but we didn't find it to be quite worth the money. Eggs, pancakes, waffles etc., just aren't really different than any other breakfast.

Mara was great too. There were a few different flatbreads to choose from, rot. chicken, salads, stew and more. It was a great quick service option.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[drusba]

If you have a studio at Kidani and there will be walking issues, very important that you call MS immediately and put in request for having room close to lobby. The walk from Kidani to Jambo is not the major issue, the possible walk from your room to lobby is. Close to lobby means you will be close to restaurant, pool, community hall, store, and bus station.

Right now you risk getting a rom far from lobby and at Kidani that is like being in two different states. The end rooms on the north wing of Kidani are about 1/3 mile from the lobby giving you the longest walk down an internal hallway that exists in any hotel in the world (and the world I am referring to is the Earth not just WDW). The walk to end rooms on the south wing is only a little shorter.

 

[Joy]

We were just at Kidani in a studio. We were in the third to the last section from the lobby on the side towards Jambo House. It is a really long walk to the lobby. (We are all in good shape and sometimes we opted not to go to the lobby because it was so long of a walk.) I was going to ask to be moved but I figured if someone with mobility issues had this room it would be a real problem for them. The parking was right under our room. The walk to Jambo was just about the same as the walk to the lobby at Kidani.

We had snacks and things to make sandwiches in our room. I would suggest you add some of that to your shopping list along with a few drinks.

You can get limited food at the pool. They have a few ready made sandwiches and salads. You can also have room service delivery food to the pool. We did that a few times. That is a really nice thing to do. If your son isn't an adventurous eater - pick something from the kids menu.

Enjoy your trip. It is my kids and my favorite resort!

 

[Tink316]

If you have a studio at Kidani and there will be walking issues, very important that you call MS immediately and put in request for having room close to lobby. The walk from Kidani to Jambo is not the major issue, the possible walk from your room to lobby is. Close to lobby means you will be close to restaurant, pool, community hall, store, and bus station.

Right now you risk getting a rom far from lobby and at Kidani that is like being in two different states. The end rooms on the north wing of Kidani are about 1/3 mile from the lobby giving you the longest walk down an internal hallway that exists in any hotel in the world (and the world I am referring to is the Earth not just WDW). The walk to end rooms on the south wing is only a little shorter.

Thanks! When we booked we did request close to lobby as I did inquire before booking as to what was the best given our situation - so thanks for confirming that.

We can't wait to go for our very first stay as DVC members!

 

[Tink316]

We were just at Kidani in a studio. We were in the third to the last section from the lobby on the side towards Jambo House. It is a really long walk to the lobby. (We are all in good shape and sometimes we opted not to go to the lobby because it was so long of a walk.) I was going to ask to be moved but I figured if someone with mobility issues had this room it would be a real problem for them. The parking was right under our room. The walk to Jambo was just about the same as the walk to the lobby at Kidani.

We had snacks and things to make sandwiches in our room. I would suggest you add some of that to your shopping list along with a few drinks.

You can get limited food at the pool. They have a few ready made sandwiches and salads. You can also have room service delivery food to the pool. We did that a few times. That is a really nice thing to do. If your son isn't an adventurous eater - pick something from the kids menu.

Enjoy your trip. It is my kids and my favorite resort!

Thanks for the suggestions on items to add to our list. We were thinking about getting a few lunch items in addition the breakfast items, snacks and drinks we were already planning to order. Even if we are close to the lobby still probably a good idea.

Thanks to everyone for all your input and help...