Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[Best Aunt]

Does anyone know if plenty of soap/shampoo is included? We rented points from a DVC member.

Other people kind of mentioned this, but I want to make sure you realize that since you rented points:

(a) You cannot make any requests yourself regarding room location. The requests would have to be made to DVC Member Services, and only members can call Member Services. So the person you rented from would have to call.

(b) People staying on DVC points do not get housekeeping every day. If you are staying less than 8 nights, then on the 4th day you will get "Trash & Towel Service." Housekeeping will do the following:
- Empty the trash and replace trash bags.
- Provide fresh bathroom towels.
- Replace bath amenities as needed.
- Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
- Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.

The schedule is different if you are staying for more than 8 nights. If that's the case, let me know and I will get the rules for you. I never stay that long, so I don't know them off the top of my head.

 

[kimmar067]

Best Aunt ~
Thanks for providing that info....I had an idea about this info but wasn't 100% sure how that worked - again, thanks!

 

[kimmar067]

As far as less walking, it depends on if you have a car or are using busses. If you have a car, that would be ideal. The parking spaces are directly under the hotel. If you ask for a room near the elevator and explain your mobility issues it will bring you right down to the parking area and you will have very little walking....

...this isn't necessarily true, if they are placed in Jambo House...

 

[kimmar067]

....Oh, and I make an early visit to Basin White at the GF and stock up on bath bombs for the spa tub

....there's another one located at DTD, right near the World of Disney store...

 

[bocaj1431]

...this isn't necessarily true, if they are placed in Jambo House...

Her post said she was staying at kidani not Jambo house.

 

[nkereina]

Staying at AKL in October. Booked on points in a standard studio in Jambo House. Two questions:

1. During online check-in, what should my request be in order to have the best shot at a savannah/animal view? I have no preference on floor, proximity to lobby/restaurants, etc. Just would much prefer a savannah view of some kind over a pool view.

2. Are there taxis waiting on standby at AKL throughout the day? If not, can bell services call one for me while I wait or would I need to arrange it ahead of time? There were taxis waiting on standby at CBR in November, and the bellman flagged one to pull up for us. Was hoping AKL had a similar set-up.

Thanks all!

 

[DizDaD7]

Staying at AKL in October. Booked on points in a standard studio in Jambo House. Two questions:

1. During online check-in, what should my request be in order to have the best shot at a savannah/animal view? I have no preference on floor, proximity to lobby/restaurants, etc. Just would much prefer a savannah view of some kind over a pool view.

2. Are there taxis waiting on standby at AKL throughout the day? If not, can bell services call one for me while I wait or would I need to arrange it ahead of time? There were taxis waiting on standby at CBR in November, and the bellman flagged one to pull up for us. Was hoping AKL had a similar set-up.

Thanks all!

If you're staying w/ DVC points , which I believe u said, then at Jambo, it's either 5th floor or 6th.Standard is either on the Giraffe Trail or Ostrich If I remember correctly.. Believe it or not there are some Values on Ostrich side that got a slight Savannah view. But Mostly all standard view face the pool. I've never done onlinecheck in for any resort so I can't help you there. Here's a link which will show you some areas. http://allears.net/acc/aklmap.jpg

 

[Sinderelly]

Other people kind of mentioned this, but I want to make sure you realize that since you rented points:

(a) You cannot make any requests yourself regarding room location. The requests would have to be made to DVC Member Services, and only members can call Member Services. So the person you rented from would have to call.

(b) People staying on DVC points do not get housekeeping every day. If you are staying less than 8 nights, then on the 4th day you will get "Trash & Towel Service." Housekeeping will do the following:
- Empty the trash and replace trash bags.
- Provide fresh bathroom towels.
- Replace bath amenities as needed.
- Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
- Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.

The schedule is different if you are staying for more than 8 nights. If that's the case, let me know and I will get the rules for you. I never stay that long, so I don't know them off the top of my head.

Thank you! I was going to call David's and ask if the member can make a request for room location. I was trying to make sure I made the best request possible for us because of the member having to do this.

Is it okay to ask for:
As close to lobby as possible
Partial savannah view
(Or should my request specify a specific location?)

Is it okay to ask for partial savannah? I don't want to seem greedy because we paid for a standard view.

We are staying for 7 nights so it sounds like we will get the trash/towel.

 

[nkereina]

If you're staying w/ DVC points , which I believe u said, then at Jambo, it's either 5th floor or 6th.Standard is either on the Giraffe Trail or Ostrich If I remember correctly.. Believe it or not there are some Values on Ostrich side that got a slight Savannah view. But Mostly all standard view face the pool. I've never done onlinecheck in for any resort so I can't help you there. Here's a link which will show you some areas. http://allears.net/acc/aklmap.jpg

Thanks. It's my understanding that some savannah view rooms have been re-classified as standard view because they may have paritally obstrcuted views, so I guess I'm looking to request one of these rooms. Just not sure which trail or savannah that would be on. When I use the Touring Plans room finder, it looks like there's a number of them, more than pool view ones at least.

Thank you! I was going to call David's and ask if the member can make a request for room location. I was trying to make sure I made the best request possible for us because of the member having to do this.

Is it okay to ask for:
As close to lobby as possible
Partial savannah view
(Or should my request specify a specific location?)

Is it okay to ask for partial savannah? I don't want to seem greedy because we paid for a standard view.

We are staying for 7 nights so it sounds like we will get the trash/towel.

Let me know if David's obliges and has that room request made for you. I'm working with them now and asked them to notate savannah view on my reservation (standard studio) and they said that I would need to book a savannah view to receive that, and that any requests should be made during check-in. They wouldn't do it.

 

[sndral]

If you're staying w/ DVC points , which I believe u said, then at Jambo, it's either 5th floor or 6th.Standard is either on the Giraffe Trail or Ostrich If I remember correctly.. Believe it or not there are some Values on Ostrich side that got a slight Savannah view. But Mostly all standard view face the pool. I've never done onlinecheck in for any resort so I can't help you there. Here's a link which will show you some areas. http://allears.net/acc/aklmap.jpg

To clarify, AKV Jambo has 4 view categories:
1) Value which are located on the 5th floor on Ostrich and Giraffe trails (the 2 arms at the front of the building.) The villas face the parking lot, the pool or a sliver of Sunset savanna. These villas are smaller and have lower occupancy levels.
2) Standard located on the 5th floor on Kudu or Zebra trail. Views of the pool (Zebra trail) or partial/reclassified savanna view (Zebra = Uzima savanna, Kudu = Sunset savanna.)
3) Savanna view located on the 5th floor on Kudu or Zebra trails. Views of Arusha savanna (Zebra or Kudu trail) or unobstructed/best views of Uzima savanna (Zebra trail) and Sunset savanna (Kudu trail.)
4) Club located on the 6th floor.
Hope this helps.
If I had standard view and only cared about seeing a savanna from my balcony and I was ok with being a bit of a hike to the lobby, Mara, bus, etc., I'd request Kudu trail.

 

[nkereina]

To clarify, AKV Jambo has 4 view categories:
1) Value which are located on the 5th floor on Ostrich and Giraffe trails (the 2 arms at the front of the building.) The villas face the parking lot, the pool or a sliver of Sunset savanna. These villas are smaller and have lower occupancy levels.
2) Standard located on the 5th floor on Kudu or Zebra trail. Views of the pool (Zebra trail) or partial/reclassified savanna view (Zebra = Uzima savanna, Kudu = Sunset savanna.)
3) Savanna view located on the 5th floor on Kudu or Zebra trails. Views of Arusha savanna (Zebra or Kudu trail) or unobstructed/best views of Uzima savanna (Zebra trail) and Sunset savanna (Kudu trail.)
4) Club located on the 6th floor.
Hope this helps.
If I had standard view and only cared about seeing a savanna from my balcony and I was ok with being a bit of a hike to the lobby, Mara, bus, etc., I'd request Kudu trail.

Great descriptions - thanks for the help!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Zahanati Massage and Fitness - has anyone used these services, what can you tell me about them?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/spas/animal-kingdom-lodge/zahanati-massage-fitness-center/

With a Disney Visa I discovered I get a discount, and the rates seem relatively reasonable to what I have paid before at other spas even before the discount, let alone after....

 

[Best Aunt]

Are there taxis waiting on standby at AKL throughout the day? If not, can bell services call one for me while I wait or would I need to arrange it ahead of time? There were taxis waiting on standby at CBR in November, and the bellman flagged one to pull up for us. Was hoping AKL had a similar set-up.

Thanks all!

I stayed at Jambo House last year. There are taxis waiting out front. If you need a taxi and there aren't any out front, they will call one for you. However, it is the Valet Parking people who do that, not the bell services people. I only say this because they weren't very nice to me when I asked the wrong person. If you are in front of Jambo house with your back to the door, there is a window on the right with a person sitting inside. That's who you ask to call a cab for you.

 

[bocaj1431]

To clarify, AKV Jambo has 4 view categories:
1) Value which are located on the 5th floor on Ostrich and Giraffe trails (the 2 arms at the front of the building.) The villas face the parking lot, the pool or a sliver of Sunset savanna. These villas are smaller and have lower occupancy levels.
2) Standard located on the 5th floor on Kudu or Zebra trail. Views of the pool (Zebra trail) or partial/reclassified savanna view (Zebra = Uzima savanna, Kudu = Sunset savanna.)
3) Savanna view located on the 5th floor on Kudu or Zebra trails. Views of Arusha savanna (Zebra or Kudu trail) or unobstructed/best views of Uzima savanna (Zebra trail) and Sunset savanna (Kudu trail.)
4) Club located on the 6th floor.
Hope this helps.
If I had standard view and only cared about seeing a savanna from my balcony and I was ok with being a bit of a hike to the lobby, Mara, bus, etc., I'd request Kudu trail.

This is really helpful. Thank you for sharing.

I have a DVC savanna view for Jambo house. But I really want to be as close as possible to Mara and the pool. Should I switch to a pool view instead of savanna or is it possible to get the location I want with savanna view. I was hoping because you had so much info on the layout of Jambo house you might know which is a better choice for being close to Mara.

 

[DizDaD7]

This is really helpful. Thank you for sharing.

I have a DVC savanna view for Jambo house. But I really want to be as close as possible to Mara and the pool. Should I switch to a pool view instead of savanna or is it possible to get the location I want with savanna view. I was hoping because you had so much info on the layout of Jambo house you might know which is a better choice for being close to Mara.

I'd try for a Zebra Trail Arusha Savannah

 

[sndral]

This is really helpful. Thank you for sharing.

I have a DVC savanna view for Jambo house. But I really want to be as close as possible to Mara and the pool. Should I switch to a pool view instead of savanna or is it possible to get the location I want with savanna view. I was hoping because you had so much info on the layout of Jambo house you might know which is a better choice for being close to Mara.

I'd try for a Zebra Trail Arusha Savannah

I agree, my villa in January was Arusha view on Zebra trail - lovely view and conveniently close to the elevators on Zebra trail which go down to the pool and Mara.
You can't get a 'pool' view with DVC like you can with a cash reservation at AKL - most standard villas are pool view and on Zebra trail but you could end up on Kudu trail in a partial savanna view with standard view too.

 

[bocaj1431]

I'd try for a Zebra Trail Arusha Savannah

Thank you.

I agree, my villa in January was Arusha view on Zebra trail - lovely view and conveniently close to the elevators on Zebra trail which go down to the pool and Mara.
You can't get a 'pool' view with DVC like you can with a cash reservation at AKL - most standard villas are pool view and on Zebra trail but you could end up on Kudu trail in a partial savanna view with standard view too.

Thank you. So, should I ask to be near the elevators on zebra trail or Arusha view on Zebra trail?

 

[DizDaD7]

Thank you.





Thank you. So, should I ask to be near the elevators on zebra trail or Arusha view on Zebra trail?

Yeppers.

 

[psac]

I stayed at Jambo House last year. There are taxis waiting out front. If you need a taxi and there aren't any out front, they will call one for you. However, it is the Valet Parking people who do that, not the bell services people. I only say this because they weren't very nice to me when I asked the wrong person. If you are in front of Jambo house with your back to the door, there is a window on the right with a person sitting inside. That's who you ask to call a cab for you.

Ditto this. Same experience for us. At Kidani, they usually had to call for a cab, which took a few minutes. At Jambo they were always waiting there. After a while on our Kidani stay (our room was all the way at the end), we found it quicker to walk to Jambo to get the cab there!

 

[Angiem0217]

Has anyone ever had a massage at the spa at animal kingdom? I was thinking of going to grand Floridian but saw they offer them at AKL. Just curious if anyone has done this?