Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[firstwdw]

We are on rented points standard view studio at Jambo House mid-late April and got the letter We are a midday nap/resort family so we are kinda freaking out about our naps being disrupted by construction noise. The letter definitely said noise between 9-5. Of course, all studios at other DVC resorts are booked (except OKW and SSR which are more points and not where we want to be). Since we rented points....I am assuming we are STUCK. Never rented points before and can't say we will do it again anytime soon-too stressful and risky! I can't even call for more information because I'm not the DVC owner so if anyone gets more information or the order in which they are renovating etc, please let us know! Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

our naps being disrupted by construction noise

It's a softgoods renovation, which theoretically isn't especially noisy. Softgoods reno is usually bedding, comforters, curtains, and wall & floor coverings.

This article has the room mockups that were presented at the DVC annual meeting, and the furniture updates look minimal. So I would expect this not to be overly noisy, save for the sound of people doing work: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resort...870/3197-jambo-house-refurb-begins-in-january

 

[disny_luvr]

We are planning a trip to the World this summer and are staying at the BC. We are thinking of adding one night to the end of our trip and staying at AKL. We visited the resort for dinner on our trip in 2009 but haven't been back since and our memory is very limited but we remember the resort being beautiful and we love to look at pictures of it. Our stay would be to enjoy the resort (no parks). We want to spend time viewing the animals and swimming. To save money we'd be staying in a standard view room. So here are some of my questions:
1. Are standard view rooms really bad? What should I request?
2. Since we'll be staying in a standard room, are there a lot of public areas to view the animals?
3. What are the food options? My boys are very picky. We'd only be eating CS so no reservations. Is there a food court? Are there food options (like chicken nuggets, etc.) for picky eaters?
4. Can someone give me a brief run down in the difference between the two buildings? (I think there are two - Jambo House and ?).

Thanks for any and all help. I've been to Disney several times and consider myself pretty knowledgeable until it comes to AKL. I'm totally clueless.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Answers:

1. No.
2. Yes.
3. The Mara is the food court. They offer some standard issue boring kid menu items.
4. Jambo is the original building, and where all lodge rooms are. Kidani is all DVC units. The QS is in Jambo.

 

[DisneyDiana]

There is nothing wrong with a standard room, they will just not be facing the savannah. Mara has chicken nuggets, flatbread pizza, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, mac n cheese, etc. my picky kid can eat there 9 days straight and not complain.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Got the letter...jumped ship. AKL will have to be for another time. I moved us all to the GF.

Unfortunately, we have had an unpleasant refurb stay in the past, and don't want to repeat that.

 

[cinderelly1010]

Got the letter...jumped ship. AKL will have to be for another time. I moved us all to the GF.

Unfortunately, we have had an unpleasant refurb stay in the past, and don't want to repeat that.

What are your dates?

 

[Mousemommy1]

What are your dates?

We were at AKL from 4/29-5/1. 2 nights after a cruise.

 

[cinderelly1010]

We were at AKL from 4/29-5/1. 2 nights after a cruise.

Well after all this talk about people getting letters in the mail, low and behold, I had the letter waiting in my mailbox when I checked for yesterday's mail. Yippee. My dates seem to jive with others who are getting the same letter, last week of January :/

 

[marinejjh]

Are the people that are getting letter just staying club level or is it anyone with a standard room? We are going the last week of January and haven't gotten anything yet.

 

[cinderelly1010]

Are the people that are getting letter just staying club level or is it anyone with a standard room? We are going the last week of January and haven't gotten anything yet.

I think people staying Club level and DVC (Jambo) are getting the letters.


And today I was told mid Jan - mid July will be construction projects including the DVC soft goods refurb and club lounge. I've been told 3 different times that the club lounge refurb has been pushed back to spring.

 

[kadrachb]

I think people staying Club level and DVC (Jambo) are getting the letters.


And today I was told mid Jan - mid July will be construction projects including the DVC soft goods refurb and club lounge. I've been told 3 different times that the club lounge refurb has been pushed back to spring.

I just emailed the IPO today about dates (I'm going May 17th - 25th), and they told me that the club level lounge will be renovated along with the 6th floor towards the later days of the refurbishment schedule, which will take place from January to late May. So the lounge will probably be renovated most of May.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I was told specifically that 5/6/16 is the start date for the lounge. Take that for what it's worth. I'm not willing to chance it. BTDT and been burned in the past.

 

[RedStars]

Are the people that are getting letter just staying club level or is it anyone with a standard room? We are going the last week of January and haven't gotten anything yet.

I'm booked in a regular standard room (non CL or DVC) and I got the letter.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We are booked at Jsmbo on rented points for Feb. We are out of town for the holidays but I am assuming we will have a letter when we get back. Anyone have any idea what our options will be? Are people being offered the ability to move for the same number of points? We booked through a rental service. I am assuming our owner would have to make any changes?

 

[TeeterTots]

I got a letter too! 4/17-4/23 AKV jambo club level.

 

[DisneyNurse19]

Are the people that are getting letter just staying club level or is it anyone with a standard room? We are going the last week of January and haven't gotten anything yet.

We are staying the last week of January (DVC points) and have no letter yet obviously it is not going to affect us

 

[wallawallakids]

We are staying in January and didn't receive a letter. I am assuming it is because we are renting points and are at Kidani. Sounds like it will not affect us anyway. I am sorry for all of you that this does effect. Hopefully it won't be too loud.

 

[RachelTori]

We are booked at Jsmbo on rented points for Feb. We are out of town for the holidays but I am assuming we will have a letter when we get back. Anyone have any idea what our options will be? Are people being offered the ability to move for the same number of points? We booked through a rental service. I am assuming our owner would have to make any changes?

As of now, no options being offered. Just a letter stating that they will "attempt to limit any work most likely to cause a noise impact to the hours of 9:00am-5:00pm."

I am not concerned. I have stayed at AKL/AKV 2 other times when refurbishments were being done and they really do a great job of limiting any inconvenience.

And for what it's worth, this late January/early February trip will be all about refurbishments for me!! I am staying 4 nights AKV - got that letter; the next 3 nights at BCV - also got the letter for that resort!!

 

[marinejjh]

I'm booked in a regular standard room (non CL or DVC) and I got the letter.

Thanks, mine will probably be in the mail. We will be in the parks when they are working. We probably would have stayed elsewhere if we knew earlier, but now I guess we're stuck, sine we are leaving in 3 weeks.