It's NEVER Too Late, for Number 8 - the most UNOFFICIAL, 'official' AKL thread yet!

[Atchley]

I apologize if this question has already been asked before, but I believe that I read somewhere that there is a morning safari trek that can be taken at the lodge for an extra cost. Is this correct and if it is, how much is it?
We are planning on going to the villas next year. In addition to our family of four, we are planning on taking our DD's best friend (my third kid), and our nephew. We would probably be footing the bill for everyone's safari ride and were just wanting to plan out in advance. If I remember correctly, you must be a guest of either the villas or the lodge in order to take this tour. I know that there is one at Animal Kingdom, but I am interested in the one just at the lodge.
I am hoping that one of you can help me out here. You all seem to be the experts on AKL on this site. Thanks for any assistance that you can give!

 

[AquaDame]

I apologize if this question has already been asked before, but I believe that I read somewhere that there is a morning safari trek that can be taken at the lodge for an extra cost. Is this correct and if it is, how much is it?
We are planning on going to the villas next year. In addition to our family of four, we are planning on taking our DD's best friend (my third kid), and our nephew. We would probably be footing the bill for everyone's safari ride and were just wanting to plan out in advance. If I remember correctly, you must be a guest of either the villas or the lodge in order to take this tour. I know that there is one at Animal Kingdom, but I am interested in the one just at the lodge.
I am hoping that one of you can help me out here. You all seem to be the experts on AKL on this site. Thanks for any assistance that you can give!

That is correct but the morning one is only for those staying at the concierge level and they go inside the park so I don't think you mean that one, right? If you are, then it would be $65 per adult and $32.50 for kiddos according to http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm.

If you are NOT staying concierge then there is a more expensive sunSET safari that is $170 per person that includes a dinner at Jiko with wine samples and takes place at the three animal spots at the resort. That is without tax - with tax I think it was $198 something per person when I booked it on Monday for us. I was told for this tour there are NO discounts of any sort.

 

[Valgoof]

I am sure the info is in the thread, but what are the pros and cons of Jambo vs. Kidani? Same DVC room is available in both, but I am not sure which one to choose. Trip is 2 adults. Want to see animals. Will probably eat a couple breakfasts at the CS.

 

[dgbg100106]

Brandi - your rum runner caught my eye!! My traveling companion doesn't drink -- it's been a LONG week!!

I know you need one...

 

[dgbg100106]

Good morning, Js & Ks!

morning!!!!

 

[kimmar067]

Sounds GREAT!!! What time is dinner?

Ann

...it was at 5:50, and boy was it dee-LISH!

 

[Angel16]

Good Morning Everyone!



Ann

 

[tiggrbaby]

Hello all! Arrived home last night from our trip. It was a lovely two weeks and now there's lots to finish up before school officially starts.

BUT I was sprinkled with a little on Sunday. My one set of in-laws did not have a flight until the evening and was looking for a suggestion of something to do. I suggested going to AKL to see the animals and eat at Mara. My SIL decided that we should all head over for an early lunch before splitting up. So got to have butternut squash soup and ZDs! I took pics but probably won't have them downloaded until Friday.

Also, with luck, I may get to go back in November! If my sister goes to a conference in the beginning of the month, I could fly down and join her when my school is closed!

 

[dgbg100106]

Hello all! Arrived home last night from our trip. It was a lovely two weeks and now there's lots to finish up before school officially starts.

BUT I was sprinkled with a little on Sunday. My one set of in-laws did not have a flight until the evening and was looking for a suggestion of something to do. I suggested going to AKL to see the animals and eat at Mara. My SIL decided that we should all head over for an early lunch before splitting up. So got to have butternut squash soup and ZDs! I took pics but probably won't have them downloaded until Friday.

Also, with luck, I may get to go back in November! If my sister goes to a conference in the beginning of the month, I could fly down and join her when my school is closed!

That is awesome, so glad you got to make it over and see the animals and enjoy the ZD!!!!

 

[jm106]

Back from our first AKL stay and loved it. Had perfect room location for us, kids loved pool at both Jambo and Kidani and simbas clubhouse

 

[Pinkocto]

Hello all! Arrived home last night from our trip. It was a lovely two weeks and now there's lots to finish up before school officially starts.

BUT I was sprinkled with a little on Sunday. My one set of in-laws did not have a flight until the evening and was looking for a suggestion of something to do. I suggested going to AKL to see the animals and eat at Mara. My SIL decided that we should all head over for an early lunch before splitting up. So got to have butternut squash soup and ZDs! I took pics but probably won't have them downloaded until Friday.

Also, with luck, I may get to go back in November! If my sister goes to a conference in the beginning of the month, I could fly down and join her when my school is closed!

Welcome back! Glad you had a great trip

Fingers are crossed November works out

 

[Pinkocto]

Back from our first AKL stay and loved it. Had perfect room location for us, kids loved pool at both Jambo and Kidani and simbas clubhouse

So when are you going back

 

[miprender]

Thanks, Brandi! I'mstill not sure about the dates...I could fly Delta for cheaper, but I've got the JetBlue Amex which will earn miles, so i really dont know what to do

That stinks about your car

But did you see that JetBlue now flies from PVD to MCO. Not sure if Providence is closer for you than Boston.

 

[franandaj]

Just saying I have a million things going on and have been reading up. Just wish I had time to comment for all of you!

The good news is today we upgraded our internet to Fios wireless, so hopefully pages will load quicker and I can reply faster and keep up!

 

[pilferk]

I am sure the info is in the thread, but what are the pros and cons of Jambo vs. Kidani? Same DVC room is available in both, but I am not sure which one to choose. Trip is 2 adults. Want to see animals. Will probably eat a couple breakfasts at the CS.

Actually, the rooms are a little different....they DO sleep (except the value rooms at Jambo) the same number of people, BUT:

Kidani 1BRs, 2BRs, and Studios are all bigger than their Jambo counterparts.

The Grand Villas are bigger at Jambo.

Kidani 1BR's and 2BR's have an extra bathroom (2 bathrooms in the 1BR's, 3 bathrooms in the 2BR's).

Kidani does NOT have a Quick Service/Counter Service restaurant located inside it (only Sanaa, which is Table Service). If you want CS you will need to head over to Jambo (The Mara) to get it...it's about a 5 to 10 min walk.

Kidani has a pretty cool water play area for the kids (and the child-like adults ).

Buses to the parks stop at Kidani first, then Jambo. The buses to Downtown Disney stop at Jambo first, and then Kidani.

We do Kidani because we're at LEAST a party of 5, and that extra bathroom in the 1BR/2BR is a life saver. For 2 adults...unless the extra space (maybe 50 to 70 square feet in a studio) was hugely important....I might stick with Jambo. Having the CS place on site, if you're planning to make use of it, is an awful big benefit.

Animal viewing (both from the rooms and around the resort) is about the same..though Kidani has a couple "exclusive" animals (the okapi and the red river hogs).

 

[marykatmp]

Back from our first AKL stay and loved it. Had perfect room location for us, kids loved pool at both Jambo and Kidani and simbas clubhouse

It sounds like you had a wonderful time! We check in on Sunday and cannot wait.

 

[John's Mom]

Good Morning Js & Ks!

 

[kimmar067]

Good Morning Everyone!



Ann

....same here...

 

[kimmar067]

Actually, the rooms are a little different....they DO sleep (except the value rooms at Jambo) the same number of people, BUT:

Kidani 1BRs, 2BRs, and Studios are all bigger than their Jambo counterparts.

The Grand Villas are bigger at Jambo.

Kidani 1BR's and 2BR's have an extra bathroom (2 bathrooms in the 1BR's, 3 bathrooms in the 2BR's).

Kidani does NOT have a Quick Service/Counter Service restaurant located inside it (only Sanaa, which is Table Service). If you want CS you will need to head over to Jambo (The Mara) to get it...it's about a 5 to 10 min walk.

Kidani has a pretty cool water play area for the kids (and the child-like adults ).

Buses to the parks stop at Kidani first, then Jambo. The buses to Downtown Disney stop at Jambo first, and then Kidani.

We do Kidani because we're at LEAST a party of 5, and that extra bathroom in the 1BR/2BR is a life saver. For 2 adults...unless the extra space (maybe 50 to 70 square feet in a studio) was hugely important....I might stick with Jambo. Having the CS place on site, if you're planning to make use of it, is an awful big benefit.

Animal viewing (both from the rooms and around the resort) is about the same..though Kidani has a couple "exclusive" animals (the okapi and the red river hogs).

....hey dude - where the hay have YOU been hiding?

 

[pilferk]

....hey dude - where the hay have YOU been hiding?

I've been posting here (in the Jambo thread), again, on and off over the past week.

Work has been zany...so while I lurk around the thread, I can't keep up with the conversations enough to post as much as I'd like.

But I'm watching you...ALWAYS WATCHING YOU!!

And laughing at the pole jokes.