Resort Thread Jambo! Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

[VicarJT]

Jiko reopening on February 17th!

So sad it's after our trip

After ours as well. I guess that just means we go next time. Always a new ready-made excuse for another trip!

 

[kimmar067]

Here's the official announcement!

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...turf-club-bar-and-grill-flying-fish-and-more/

...so sad that we're missing Jiko AND Flying Fish....wahhhhhh

[....well, at least we only have 5 more sleeps!]

 

[megs1313]

for budget reasons, we are booked in a standard room for the first time. have never stayed not on the savanna. will we be super disappointed? trying to decide if we should look at other resorts.

 

[kimmar067]

for budget reasons, we are booked in a standard room for the first time. have never stayed not on the savanna. will we be super disappointed? trying to decide if we should look at other resorts.

....for the most part, all the standard rooms are good. Many of them actually have some sort of view of a savannah....

 

[thanxfornoticin]

....for the most part, all the standard rooms are good. Many of them actually have some sort of view of a savannah....

Agreed. I'd stay with the standard and hope for a decent view. Worst case, you learn some of the areas you can stand or sit and relax to watch the animals.

 

[Bird003]

Is the kid splash area at kidani also under refurb?

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

Hi! Does anybody know if any of the AKL Standard view rooms have a bathtub? I have an infant and it’s easier to give him a quick bath in a bathtub than shower but the photos i’ve seen online and youtube seems only showers. TIA!

We have found that with the remodels (ex. Wilderness Lodge) that if you book a King bed the room has a shower only. We booked the king bed since our little one was still in a crib not realizing it may not have a tub. Not ideal, but we made it work.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Is the kid splash area at kidani also under refurb?

Yes, the pool including the splash area at Kidani is closed and being updated.

 

[kimmar067]

Four. More. Sleeps.

 

[kimmar067]

...thought I'd share:

 

[brent02139]

I dunno if it's just us, but house keeping came every day and took trash out. Then did a full clean on day 4.

edit: was dvc room

 

[Best Aunt]

I dunno if it's just us, but house keeping came every day and took trash out. Then did a full clean on day 4.

Are you in a DVC room or a hotel room?

 

[Whatsername]

I had a similar experience staying 1/10 thru 1/14 in a regular savanna view room — not quite every day, but I noticed that my garbage was taken out on day 3 and my towel was replaced even though I had it hanging up to reuse. Since that happened, I didn't think to put my do not disturb sign on my door and housekeeping came to my room AGAIN on day 4 which definitely surprised me! Maybe a sign of things returning to normal.

 

[scrappinginontario]

There are a few spots at AKL where you can do that, we love to sit outside with a book and watch the animals!

Do you (or anyone else know) if there are places outside to sit and eat a meal we pick up from Sanaa? We have an ADR but I'm going to give that up in place of ordering via mobile ordering and find a location outdoors to sit. Bonus if we can see animals!!

Thanks!

 

[rangerxenos]

Do you (or anyone else know) if there are places outside to sit and eat a meal we pick up from Sanaa? We have an ADR but I'm going to give that up in place of ordering via mobile ordering and find a location outdoors to sit. Bonus if we can see animals!!

Thanks!

There's a spot off the back of the lobby that's covered but outdoors, there are rocking chairs where you can sit and watch the animals (if they're in the area). I assume you could bring food out there? Not sure there are any tables, though.

If you're doing takeout at Sanaa, you could see if there are any spots over at Kidani since that's where the restaurant is. Not familiar with Kidani other than I've been to Sanaa.

 

[scrappinginontario]

There's a spot off the back of the lobby that's covered but outdoors, there are rocking chairs where you can sit and watch the animals (if they're in the area). I assume you could bring food out there? Not sure there are any tables, though.

If you're doing takeout at Sanaa, you could see if there are any spots over at Kidani since that's where the restaurant is. Not familiar with Kidani other than I've been to Sanaa.

Thanks so much! LOL, I really should look into this more as I wasn't even aware Sanaa was at Kidani! Oops! Thanks for your help! Off to check maps.

 

[Sabine W.]

Thanks so much! LOL, I really should look into this more as I wasn't even aware Sanaa was at Kidani! Oops! Thanks for your help! Off to check maps.

Not sure if you are driving or taking Disney transportation, but I keep reading reports of Disney resorts not allowing non-guests access without a table reservation.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Not sure if you are driving or taking Disney transportation, but I keep reading reports of Disney resorts not allowing non-guests access without a table reservation.

Thanks so much for this. We will be using Disney transportation but greatly appreciate you mentioning it as you're quite right about that!

 

[jjb1974]

Unsure of how far out the closure is for the Kidani pool refurb, but when you walk to the pool there is a bar area and some tables there: both of those are "in front of" the gate into the pool itself. That served as outside seating for us at one point this summer getting food during a thunderstorm and the pool bar itself had closed.

 

[disneyworld19]

Just returned from a great stay at AKL Jambo. Boma was outstanding for us and the woodcarvers at the gift shop carved us a custom animal which we thought was so cool and special. The hotel cast members were very kind and helpful. We had some issues with genie plus and the buses, and was way too cold for our liking but still an amazing long weekend! We used TP to request a room (standard view) and received an awesome view step from the lobby, all the animals came by and it was so fun to watch them.