Resort Thread Jambo! Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

[SmithSmith]

The compensation (from your other post) definitely sounds fair. The part about the no motion detector is definitely crap. You can see it on the unit!! It’s the white hump in the lower right hand corner of the face. Though it does sound like something is wrong with your unit besides that. Our room is stuffy when we get back from the parks, but once we’re in and moving around it starts to work. Also I think the ceiling fan is keeping the detector active overnight, so it’s not too bad.

We didn’t ask for one on this trip, but at other resorts we’ve asked for a box fan from housekeeping and they’ve brought one. They should have offered you that as well!

Thanks for this. I pointed out to Don that you can see the motion sensor right on the thermostat, but he said that was a temperature sensor. Even though I had a background that dealt with motion sensors, I briefly believed him because he has a way of talking with such confidence that everything out of his mouth sounds like the truth. For example, we spoke about past resort stays and I mentioned I had stayed at Riverside a few years ago and also back in the day when it was Dixie Landings. He corrected me by saying he had started his Disney career at Dixie Landings and that French Quarter was Dixie Landings, so that meant I stayed at French Quarter and not Riverside like I believed. I briefly believed him even though I have distinct memories of staying in the Magnolia Bend buildings. Just a quick google search confirmed what I knew to be true and that is Riverside was originally Dixie Landings. So I’m definitely not going to take his word as gospel.

What I don’t understand is how the rooms get so stuffy in the first place. There were nights we were only gone an hour or so from the room, and despite the cool outdoor temps and the freezing hallways, our room would get so hot. Where is all this heat coming from?

 

[SmithSmith]

Doing the Wanyanma Safari tomorrow. But in the meantime, this is my favorite picture from earlier this week. This is from the Jambo observation area.

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Thanks so much for this photo. I saw this (or something like it) from my balcony and wanted to run over to Arusha Rock so badly to get a picture. I did however get one from behind.

 

[SmithSmith]

This is one thing I’ll miss. Seeing the Savanna when you wake from a nap.

 

[SmithSmith]

The best time to view animals was around 5, while the Wanyanma Safari truck was out. Animals everywhere, it was amazing.

 

[SmithSmith]

Thank you! 8pm is early!

I’m sorry, I never got an answer about pool hours. I asked, but the person I asked didn’t know.

 

[psac]

Thanks so much for this photo. I saw this (or something like it) from my balcony and wanted to run over to Arusha Rock so badly to get a picture. I did however get one from behind.

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I really think one of the blobs in the picture is me!!!

 

[likesdisney]

A while back I stayed at Jambo house in a standard view, I requested and got Arusha Savannah (I think that's the name of where we were) It was a savannah view just not the best savannah view. It was fantastic thought. For our next trip we're thinking about staying at Kidani Village as there's a 2 bedroom layout we like the looks of and would suit us. I'm just curious if there's any rooms in Kidani like we had at Jambo house that could be requested. Probably the obstructed/not the best savannah view type rooms are only at Jambo house? Thought I'd ask here and see if anyone knew.

 

[kimmar067]

This is one thing I’ll miss. Seeing the Savanna when you wake from a nap.

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...or when you wake up, PERIOD. [ ]

 

[kimmar067]

I really think one of the blobs in the picture is me!!!

....there, there....you're not a BLOB.

 

[kimmar067]

 

[psac]

We did the Wanyama Safari at AKL last night. It’s not restricted to those staying at AKL, and it’s open to everyone. If you have an extra afternoon/evening to spare (runs from about 3:45-7:30, including dinner at Jiko), DO IT. For sure it was one of the best things we’ve ever done at Disney World!

Up close and personal with the baby giraffes.


Mama giraffes and other adults:

 

[psac]

I posted this to the Club thread, and re-posting here.

Finished our trip at AKL Club. We enjoyed our trip a lot. Some general thoughts:

The rooms are really due for a refurb. The beds creaked like crazy, and weren’t the most comfortable, but weren’t quite terrible.

Very few plugs in the room, and you have to pull out the center night-table to get to the plugs behind it.

The club desk staff sometimes said hello and sometimes didn’t. The food staff were all nice though. The food choices at breakfast were all good. The apps we only did twice (because of our schedule), and the food was good, but of course exotic considering the resort. Loved the wine!

We had room 4407, which is the Arusha view room closest to the elevators on the Zebra trail side (the side closest to the pool and the Mara), but because of that the view may be the worst club view because the Arusha Rock blocks your view. But, worst is subjective. It was still a really pleasant view and you see a good amount of animals in the afternoons/early evenings. You could also see some of the animals on the other side of the Rock. Everything looks far with the un-zoomed phone pics, but things look closer with the naked eye. Definitely plan some time hanging out down by the Arusha Rock in the 4-5pm area at least once. That was definitely prime-time, and you can see how close the giraffes are!





Overall I would still have no problems recommending the resort, and we would definitely stay here again!

 

[NikkiDP]

Great pictures @psac !! Thank you fo sharing with everyone. These pictures have got me so excited for our stay

 

[psac]

Great pictures @psac !! Thank you fo sharing with everyone. These pictures have got me so excited for our stay

Thank you! Enjoy your stay!!

 

[GoGoBeans]

I really think one of the blobs in the picture is me!!!

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How funny is that!

@SmithSmith it doesn’t sound like Don knows what he’s talking about. Glad they comped for your issues.

 

[SmithSmith]

I really think one of the blobs in the picture is me!!!

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No way!
That’s awesome.

 

[sndral]

We did the Wanyama Safari at AKL last night. It’s not restricted to those staying at AKL, and it’s open to everyone. If you have an extra afternoon/evening to spare (runs from about 3:45-7:30, including dinner at Jiko), DO IT. For sure it was one of the best things we’ve ever done at Disney World!

Up close and personal with the baby giraffes.
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Mama giraffes and other adults:

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Psac are the 2 baby giraffes still on Uzima savanna? That’s where they were in Dec. and I’m curious to know if they’re still there.
I love doing the Wanyama safari, pricey though it is, especially early in an AKL stay as the animal keepers always give you such interesting information about individual animals.

 

[MainMom]

I’m sorry, I never got an answer about pool hours. I asked, but the person I asked didn’t know.

Thank you for trying!

 

[bwbuddy5]

Are there any princess-worthy boutiques at either Jambo or Kidani?

 

[psac]

Psac are the 2 baby giraffes still on Uzima savanna? That’s where they were in Dec. and I’m curious to know if they’re still there.
I love doing the Wanyama safari, pricey though it is, especially early in an AKL stay as the animal keepers always give you such interesting information about individual animals.

Yes, they are. They said basically they keep the giraffe on the savanna they’re used to. They’re hoping to get some baby magic going with the female giraffes on the other Savannas.