Help me decide- which AKL room?

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

We have narrowed down our resort to AKL for our one night stay in August. We are a family of 6 who have never been to WDW. Since we only have one night (will arrive early afternoon and are leaving the next day around 5 pm) we have decided to forgo any parks and just splurge on a deluxe resort and really soak it in. Our room choices are:
- 2 standard rooms
- 2 savannah view rooms
- 2 bedroom Kidani Village
We are big on the pools and excited to try out AKL. I don't know if that should affect our room choice. I am leaning toward savannah view, I just don't know if we should stay in the main building or do the 2 bedroom villa. The price difference is around $50, so not a big deal. Any advice?

 

[CarolynFH]

The 2BR villa at Kidani has 3 full bathrooms. It also has a king bed in the primary bedroom, a queen bed and double fold out couch in the secondary bedroom, and a queen fold out couch and twin sleeper chair in the living room.

You can use either pool, no matter which building you’re in. You can walk between them, take the shuttle that runs continuously, or take a park or DS bus.

I’d vote for Kidani 2BR savanna view.

 

[Minnie1222]

I vote for 2 savannah view rooms at Jambo house (main building). 3rd floor. Zebra trail. Overlooking Arusha savanna.

 

[Marthasor]

We have narrowed down our resort to AKL for our one night stay in August. We are a family of 6 who have never been to WDW. Since we only have one night (will arrive early afternoon and are leaving the next day around 5 pm) we have decided to forgo any parks and just splurge on a deluxe resort and really soak it in. Our room choices are:
- 2 standard rooms
- 2 savannah view rooms
- 2 bedroom Kidani Village
We are big on the pools and excited to try out AKL. I don't know if that should affect our room choice. I am leaning toward savannah view, I just don't know if we should stay in the main building or do the 2 bedroom villa. The price difference is around $50, so not a big deal. Any advice?

I would do the 2-bedroom to guarantee you will all be together (zero guarantee for connecting rooms with the regular rooms) - just make sure to plan some time to actually enjoy your balcony as you will have this room for less than 24 hours if it's only a one night stay.

 

[RoseGold]

This is a lot of money for one night. I wouldn't do Disney at all, I'd spend half the money and stay somewhere like Margaritaville or the Hilton with the lazy river. Heck, for my august dates, the Waldorf was even pretty cheap.

Disney cash bookings probably won't let you stay one night anyway.

If you are booking DVC, it's not possible for the studios to connect, the studios connect to 1BRs, which make 2BR lock offs. The two rooms could be FAR away from each other, and I mean FAR. If your family of 6 is two adults and 4 kids, that could be a major issue. Disney is not good at placing parties together, they put grandma way far away from us in the much smaller VGF2 building. In a building as big as Jambo or Kidani, you could really be spread out.

 

[Anthony1971]

A 2BR Kidani would give you 3 Bathrooms as above as well as a washer and dryer and full kitchen. The master bath is extremely nice. Kidani has a better slide at the pool and a great kids splash area. A savanna view could be better as it overlooks the far larger part and you will have the best chance of seeing all animals. Jambo has better food options the pool is much larger but the slide is not so good depending on the savanna you overlook will depend on what you see as they put food out at different times in different areas. All activities take place at Jambo and the main viewing are is much nicer and there are many places through out to see animals inside and out. My answer will depend on what you plan on doing.... Room time I would easily pick Kidani. Around the resort Jambo house. Please read above carefully they feed animals at different times so for parts of the day you will look out and see nothingand sometimes you can see something amazing...... The savanna by Kidani is far larger then Arusha that a lot say I have seen far more activity including running. Arusha you can expect to see the animals mostly standing around and eating. Both will be most active around 5 as that is when there is food. But overall the Savanna that Kidani overlooks and the rooms at Jambo that face the exact Opposite way of Arusha in Jambo (look at map to make a request) will be most active. You can always see Arusha from many windows and the main area at Jambo.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

I vote for 2 savannah view rooms at Jambo house (main building). 3rd floor. Zebra trail. Overlooking Arusha savanna.

This is the detailed information I was hoping for! I have seen people be so specific with their room requests on the WDW side, I would just never know as a newbie. Thanks!

This is a lot of money for one night. I wouldn't do Disney at all, I'd spend half the money and stay somewhere like Margaritaville or the Hilton with the lazy river. Heck, for my august dates, the Waldorf was even pretty cheap.

Disney cash bookings probably won't let you stay one night anyway.

If you are booking DVC, it's not possible for the studios to connect, the studios connect to 1BRs, which make 2BR lock offs. The two rooms could be FAR away from each other, and I mean FAR. If your family of 6 is two adults and 4 kids, that could be a major issue. Disney is not good at placing parties together, they put grandma way far away from us in the much smaller VGF2 building. In a building as big as Jambo or Kidani, you could really be spread out.

You're right, it is a lot of money for one night! I appreciate you bringing up the idea of outside resorts. I honestly would never think of them because at Disneyland, the best resorts are Disney resorts. We had to cancel our summer vacation this year because we have to attend a family obligation in the Sarasota area. The only direct flight is through MCO, so we decided to do a Disney resort for one night before we leave. Its kind of our way to make it up to DS13, who is autistic and has a very hard time with things changing and is a huge Disney lover. So for us, its not about the money and a just a fun resort, but about being at WDW.

The 2 bedroom was available to book cash through the Disney website for our date. Is that not normal?

I'm learning WDW is very different then Disneyland! We have never not gotten connecting rooms. That would be awful to be so far away. I think we are in for a rude awakening about how big everything is there. We are so used to our little compact Disneyland!

 

[RanDIZ]

2 savannah view rooms in Kidani which has the better pool. Resort only stay and you’ve never been to WDW, savannah is a must! A short walk or shuttle over to Jambo and eat at Boma.

 

[Marthasor]

This is the detailed information I was hoping for! I have seen people be so specific with their room requests on the WDW side, I would just never know as a newbie. Thanks!


You're right, it is a lot of money for one night! I appreciate you bringing up the idea of outside resorts. I honestly would never think of them because at Disneyland, the best resorts are Disney resorts. We had to cancel our summer vacation this year because we have to attend a family obligation in the Sarasota area. The only direct flight is through MCO, so we decided to do a Disney resort for one night before we leave. Its kind of our way to make it up to DS13, who is autistic and has a very hard time with things changing and is a huge Disney lover. So for us, its not about the money and a just a fun resort, but about being at WDW.

The 2 bedroom was available to book cash through the Disney website for our date. Is that not normal?

I'm learning WDW is very different then Disneyland! We have never not gotten connecting rooms. That would be awful to be so far away. I think we are in for a rude awakening about how big everything is there. We are so used to our little compact Disneyland!

I'm sorry - I missed the part where you said you had never visited WDW and are used to Disneyland. In that case, I wouldn't recommend AKL, quite honestly, unless you don't care that you really won't see anything else at WDW. It is not like Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian where you can walk out of the hotel and be surrounded by the entirety of DL. Have you considered staying on the monorail so you can at least see the castle, ride the monorail, etc.? Even a resort at the Boardwalk would give you the ability to walk around and get a sense of WDW.

 

[Mle8308]

I'm sorry - I missed the part where you said you had never visited WDW and are used to Disneyland. In that case, I wouldn't recommend AKL, quite honestly, unless you don't care that you really won't see anything else at WDW. It is not like Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian where you can walk out of the hotel and be surrounded by the entirety of DL. Have you considered staying on the monorail so you can at least see the castle, ride the monorail, etc.? Even a resort at the Boardwalk would give you the ability to walk around and get a sense of WDW.

I agree, you can't be much further from the rest of WDW than at the AKL. It's a beautiful resort, but if you want a more traditional "Disney" feel, a monorail resort would be better.

 

[Karin1984]

Its kind of our way to make it up to DS13, who is autistic and has a very hard time with things changing and is a huge Disney lover. So for us, its not about the money and a just a fun resort, but about being at WDW.

If this is the aim, to do something for your Disney loving son... wouldn't you want to stay at a resort that is a bit more Disney? The deluxe resorts are very subtle Disney.

Art of animation or Pop century have much a Disney vibe than AKL. A bit in your face Disney, so to speak. With huge statues and Disney touches everywhere, especially Art of Animation.

If he is into princesses you might want to consider a Royal Guest room at Port Orleans Riverside.

Or maybe something nice near Disney Springs so you can easily go to World of Disney and all the Disney stores.

 

[CarolynFH]

I just wanted to make sure you know that you’re considered a guest at your Disney resort from 6 AM on checkin day until 12 MN on checkout day. That means no matter what time you arrive, you can check luggage with Bell Services and use the pool (at both Jambo and Kidani if you book AKL), ride Disney transportation, etc., etc.Same for checkout day. So even if you don’t have a room, you’re still a resort guest.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

I'm sorry - I missed the part where you said you had never visited WDW and are used to Disneyland. In that case, I wouldn't recommend AKL, quite honestly, unless you don't care that you really won't see anything else at WDW. It is not like Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian where you can walk out of the hotel and be surrounded by the entirety of DL. Have you considered staying on the monorail so you can at least see the castle, ride the monorail, etc.? Even a resort at the Boardwalk would give you the ability to walk around and get a sense of WDW.

My original thought was since we are not doing any parks, this trip would be great for AKL since it is so far away. They also have great pools. But now I am going to look into the monorail hotels, because I do think the monorail would be fun for the kids. Plus I was thinking about do Chef Mickey's for breakfast. Yes I know there are much better options- but it is the most like Goofy's Kitchen in DL and that is my son's favorite.

If this is the aim, to do something for your Disney loving son... wouldn't you want to stay at a resort that is a bit more Disney? The deluxe resorts are very subtle Disney.

Art of animation or Pop century have much a Disney vibe than AKL. A bit in your face Disney, so to speak. With huge statues and Disney touches everywhere, especially Art of Animation.

If he is into princesses you might want to consider a Royal Guest room at Port Orleans Riverside.

Or maybe something nice near Disney Springs so you can easily go to World of Disney and all the Disney stores.

Port Orleans Riverside was on my original list! I liked the princess rooms, access to the two pools and the boat option to Disney Springs. It might have to go back on my list. Art of Animation is great except their is no waterslide (a must for my son). I agree that it is much better when it comes to the Disney vibe.

 

[CarolynFH]

My original thought was since we are not doing any parks, this trip would be great for AKL since it is so far away. They also have great pools. But now I am going to look into the monorail hotels, because I do think the monorail would be fun for the kids. Plus I was thinking about do Chef Mickey's for breakfast. Yes I know there are much better options- but it is the most like Goofy's Kitchen in DL and that is my son's favorite.


Port Orleans Riverside was on my original list! I liked the princess rooms, access to the two pools and the boat option to Disney Springs. It might have to go back on my list. Art of Animation is great except their is no waterslide (a must for my son). I agree that it is much better when it comes to the Disney vibe.

If this is a no-parks trip, will seeing the MK from the resort (maybe even from the room, depending on view) and having to stay on the monorail when it stops at MK be difficult for your kids?

(If you book POR or AKL, you can drive or Uber to CR for Chef Mickey’s, to avoid the monorail stop at MK.)

 

[RoseGold]

I agree AKL isn't "Disney" if Disney means IP or theme parks. There's nothing close to park or park atmosphere. There's minimal IP, I think a tile or two has Simba in the bathroom in Jambo. Maybe the pool music will lean Disney? They play African music in the public spaces and on the welcome TV screen, which I really like.

We associate AKL with Disney from the parks. But if you plopped this resort anywhere else and removed all references to Disney, it would still make sense as a standalone.

It's a huge grand resort, but there are a lot of those in Orlando.

 

[architectonic]

Just wanted to say that this thread has been particularly helpful. I’m in a similar dilemma and undecided on what AKL room would be best for my family.

 

[bholbert81]

2 Savanna rooms for sure!! Nothing like seeing the animals in the AM and near dusk..truly remarkable.

 

[Genie+]

I vote for 2 savannah view rooms at Jambo house (main building). 3rd floor. Zebra trail. Overlooking Arusha savanna.

My vote as well

 

[kiford]

We've stayed in savannah rooms and, IMO unless you're spending a lot of time in your room, it's just not worth the price. You typically only see a lot of animals when they're feeding them at specific times of day and we just weren't there at those times and didn't spend a lot of time in our room. We did go out to the walkway out back where you can see them and you can sit on the overlook on rocking chairs. We now tend to go for rooms that are closer to the lobby and the elevators down to the pool and restaurants. To get a really good savannah room (Jambo House), you usually have to walk a very long way and when you want to use the pool, it's a hassle.

Now, if I could get a 2BR at AKL with or without savannah view, I'd take that in a heartbeat. Have a leisurely breakfast in the room so I can sleep in a bit and not have to worry about getting to a restaurant in time, be able to throw a few things in the laundry, lots of space to spread out, multiple bathrooms, multiple TVs. Definitely.

 

[holden]

The 2BR villa at Kidani has 3 full bathrooms. It also has a king bed in the primary bedroom, a queen bed and double fold out couch in the secondary bedroom, and a queen fold out couch and twin sleeper chair in the living room.

You can use either pool, no matter which building you’re in. You can walk between them, take the shuttle that runs continuously, or take a park or DS bus.

I’d vote for Kidani 2BR savanna view.

This is what I'd recommend. The extra bathroom is worth it alone.

As far as the view, for one night I'd get a standard view. There are places to go outside and see the animals at both Kidani and Jambo.