Home at AKV...

[dianeschlicht]

...Wish you were here!

We checked in on Tuesday at Jambo house. We requested Arusha Rock savanna but got Uzima. We are on Zebra trail in 5544-46. Our DD loves the second bedroom because it is more like a little suite compared to an OKW studio. We have a people pen just below our room, and if I was on the 2-3rd floor, I'd be disappointed in the view, but being on the 5th floor is fine. There are a lot of animals that kind of come and go on this part of the savanna because of the water hole just below our room. We have seen 4 giraffes (including last year's baby who has really grown!), the old Orex, Water boc, tommies, Ankoli cattle, and even saddle back storks.

This is our first time staying in a 2 bedroom at Jambo for a full week. Our only other stays here have been in concierge 1 bedrooms.

The verdict....
Not as anamoured with a few things about AKV. HATE the long hallways, and it's frustrating that the check in staff etc. don't really know a thing about DVC and how it works. That's quite a difference from OKW.

Today I am going to request a full cleaning for tomorrow, since we have our DD leaving and some of the in laws coming in. I must say I'm a little skeptical about actually getting that done, since the staff here is kind of questionable. We'll see. I haven't taken a walk over to the Kidani area just yet, and the part that can be seen easily from the side part of the lobby area is teh plain side, so it's hard to get a feel for it. I'll have to take a hike down the halls on that side of the resort to get a better look and hopefully better pictures.

I will try to maintain this thread as a trip report and will post pictures later in the trip. Right now we are too busy trying to stay warm and entertain guests!

We did get to meet up with Mr. and Mrs. Caskbill and DVC John yesterday. They came over to AKV to explore the chances for walking trails etc. I'm anxious to see him post what he found out.

Oh, and Toy Story Mania is incredible fun!!! I loved Who Wants to be a Millionaire play it, but this is a good replacement too!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi!

I'm glad you got a savannah with some animals during this time!

We think TSM is great too!

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

Bobbi, there are LOTS of animals on Sunset yet. I think it's going to be just as the animal curator told us last year....They do NOT plan to have animals off that savanna the whole time...just a few weeks when necessary.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well, that's certainly good news for the people who thought they would be disappointed!
You're up early! I have to go to work, what's your excuse?!
I hope everything goes as planned, and that you enjoy your whole vacation!!

Bobbi

 

[nikkistevej]

Thanks for the report and enjoy the rest of your trip!!

 

[wildernessDad]

Glad you are having a good time thus far!

 

[momof3poohlovers]

...Wish you were here!

We checked in on Tuesday at Jambo house. We requested Arusha Rock savanna but got Uzima. We are on Zebra trail in 5544-46. Our DD loves the second bedroom because it is more like a little suite compared to an OKW studio. We have a people pen just below our room, and if I was on the 2-3rd floor, I'd be disappointed in the view, but being on the 5th floor is fine. There are a lot of animals that kind of come and go on this part of the savanna because of the water hole just below our room. We have seen 4 giraffes (including last year's baby who has really grown!), the old Orex, Water boc, tommies, Ankoli cattle, and even saddle back storks.

This is our first time staying in a 2 bedroom at Jambo for a full week. Our only other stays here have been in concierge 1 bedrooms.

The verdict....
Not as anamoured with a few things about AKV. HATE the long hallways, and it's frustrating that the check in staff etc. don't really know a thing about DVC and how it works. That's quite a difference from OKW.

Today I am going to request a full cleaning for tomorrow, since we have our DD leaving and some of the in laws coming in. I must say I'm a little skeptical about actually getting that done, since the staff here is kind of questionable. We'll see. I haven't taken a walk over to the Kidani area just yet, and the part that can be seen easily from the side part of the lobby area is teh plain side, so it's hard to get a feel for it. I'll have to take a hike down the halls on that side of the resort to get a better look and hopefully better pictures.

I will try to maintain this thread as a trip report and will post pictures later in the trip. Right now we are too busy trying to stay warm and entertain guests!

We did get to meet up with Mr. and Mrs. Caskbill and DVC John yesterday. They came over to AKV to explore the chances for walking trails etc. I'm anxious to see him post what he found out.

Oh, and Toy Story Mania is incredible fun!!! I loved Who Wants to be a Millionaire play it, but this is a good replacement too!

We stayed in room #s 5543/5545(a 2 BR also). Are these right across the hall from you? We, too, were right above a people pen but I thought the SV was not very good and we saw very few animals the whole time we were there. I also agree about the loooong walk. Because of this we have stayed Concierge level the last several times. Much better!

I'm glad to hear that you had so much fun on TSM! We love it too! It is probably our families favorite ride.

I hope you have a great stay! Keep us updated if you have the time! Thanks for the info.

 

[starbox]

Glad you're having a good time. Can I request a bit of AKV info? I remember that the room service menu had a few "special" events - one with animal cookies and I think a wine/cheese type offering?? Could you possibly post them along with the prices?

We have given friends a honeymoon at AKV in March and I'd like to call and arrange to have something put in their room. I know Disney Florist does stuff too - but I remember thinking the AK offerings looked nicer.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Glad you're having a good time. Can I request a bit of AKV info? I remember that the room service menu had a few "special" events - one with animal cookies and I think a wine/cheese type offering?? Could you possibly post them along with the prices?

We have given friends a honeymoon at AKV in March and I'd like to call and arrange to have something put in their room. I know Disney Florist does stuff too - but I remember thinking the AK offerings looked nicer.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

The karibuni is fresh and dried fruites with cheese and crackers $65

Indaba is AKL chocolate logo with cookies, brownies, and Chocolate animals. $40

Honey moon is a bottle of house champagne served with 4 zebra striped strawberries $40

Kwa Heri is a dozen truffles in an AKL box $49

Cookies and Milk is fresh baked Chocolate chip cookies with a carafe of milk. $25

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are still really enjoying our stay on the Uzima savanna and Zebra trail much more than I expected. The animals are very plentiful during the day, but not around much at night.

We are starting to HATE this long hallway though! Everything I hate about BWV seems to be here too except that this is better decor.

I absolutely HATE the layout of the kitchens in Jambo! I remember complaining about this last year in our CL stay, but it didn't really bother me too much, since it WAS CL and we didn't need to use the kitchen. This time the kitchen is more than an irritation...it's maddening!. I have threatened to completely rearrange the placement of the dishes, glasses, cups etc so they make more sense. If you want a glass for a drink of water, it's all the way over on the "L" end of the cabinets by the fridge and coffee maker. Now if you want a cup for the coffee, is it near the coffee maker???? NOPE, it's over near the sink! It's a small "one butt" kitchen that has you constantly moving back and forth even for a simple thing like getting a drink or making toast. I'v decided it's a plot to make you order room service! Maybe if they make it difficult enough, you'll just give up!

I thought I'd dislike the lack of a laundry room, but the location of the stackables is actually pretty good here. HATE the tub shower combination though, and I wont put up with it again unless I will be staying CL. I've decided I'll wait for Kidani next time I want to stay in just a Savanna view. i'm hoping the layout will be significantly better there. Otherwise, I'll probably only be using my AKV points for an every 3rd year CL stay.

 

[KirstenB]

Diane, do you find you need to be really tall to use the shower and sinks at AKL? I'm 5'7, and the shower/tub was cumbersome to get in and out of. Also, I wear contact lenses so I need to get close to the mirror while I'm putting them in. Again, it was a long reach, making me wish I were taller. I've never noticed this anywhere else within DVC we've stayed.

I know it seems like a nutty question, but when you said somthing about the tub/shower, I was wondering if this was your issue too?

Otherwise, I'm very envious of you and my fellow DVC'rs who are at WDW right now! Enjoy your stay!!

 

[aurorafan]

Good to hear you're enjoying your stay! I'm headed there on Sunday and can't wait! We've only been there once in Dec. and the hallways didn't bother us, but then again our first trip was to POR and compared to the walk there AKV is nothing . I did find the front desk staff to be a bit clueless on DVC, but the bell staff was great and one of them even took us up to concierge to check in (front desk lady couldn't seem to figure that out ). I can't wait to get the black olive hummus from Mara and peruse the gift shop without kids .

Keep us updated !

 

[starbox]

The karibuni is fresh and dried fruites with cheese and crackers $65

Indaba is AKL chocolate logo with cookies, brownies, and Chocolate animals. $40

Honey moon is a bottle of house champagne served with 4 zebra striped strawberries $40

Kwa Heri is a dozen truffles in an AKL box $49

Cookies and Milk is fresh baked Chocolate chip cookies with a carafe of milk. $25

Thanks SO much!!!!!!!!! I thought I remembered the prices being much better than Disney Florist!!!!!!!!!

 

[AKV707]

Thanks for the reports. Keep them coming! Can't wait until our next AKV stay in June.

 

[twinmomto3boys]

We are arriving on 1/31 for our first AKV stay so I am excited to hear about your trip. Maybe a silly question, but what is a "people pen?" Thanks!

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks for your reports, Diane. Like you, we are waiting for Kidani at this point.

Enjoy your trip--hope you have lots of magic!

~Erika

 

[jblrn2b]

Any pictures? Have a great trip. Must be warmer than Minnesota right now - although I met a woman from Florida today while doing my nails - I can't imagine anyone visiting Boston in January - go figure- but her kids were so excited about the snow they were really cute.

Send more TR pages - thanks. I have 24 days until SSR and some sunshine!!!

 

[RLRDA]

Diane, thanks for sharing your trip observations with us! I know you think highly of your past concierge stay.....I'm assuming that access to the concierge villas is close to the elevators (i.e no long hallway to get there). We'll be staying CL in August so just wondering how you get to them. Is it right off the lobby? The only time we stayed at AKV was just after the first group in Jambo opened. We had to walk down a hall to get to the elevator but then the villa was right around the corner. I guess now that all of Jambo is open the villas stretch all the way down the hallways.

 

[zumbergc]

someone was wondering what people pens are.

Well, in the event of fire, you have to evacuate. With zebra and kudu trail having animals on both sides, no easy place to evacuate. So, people pens are the evacuation route, else you would evacuate to the animal areas.

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Oh, I see! Thank you!