Resort Thread Jambo! Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

[wmoon]

Hi guys, I've been following this thread for a while now and there's so much invaluable information! We'll coming from the UK to stay at AKL from 6 Sept - 21 Sept '17, and I just have a few questions:

Pool
How easy is it to find sunbeds around the pool throughout the day? We stayed at POFQ in 2014 and had a hard time finding 2 sunbeds together during the afternoon. We're looking forward to lots of pool time during this trip.

Is it worth walking over to Kidani's pool? Am I right in thinking it's only a 10 minute walk from Jambo house?

Rooms
We have booked a standard room, and called our UK travel agent last week to see we could possibly upgrade to a pool view but were told they have sold out ! Does anyone know if it's possible to call Disney and pay them to upgrade, or would this not be an option as we booked with a third party?

Food/drink
Is Victoria Falls a popular place to go? We're thinking of having a couple of pre-dinner drinks some nights and would love a nice lively place to go beforehand.

Is the outdoor seating area at the Mara near to the pool?
Sorry for posting so many questions - we're very excited and are trying to get the most out of our time there . in advance!

We are from the UK as well and spent 15 mights at AKL last year in July and are returning again this July.

We never had an issue getting sunbeds but we used to look in the sections a little bit futher back from the pool. There were 3 of us and we normally took 2 as DS was constantly in and out the pool with one of us.
We never swam at Kidani but its on our list for this year, you can walk over or get the little shuttle bus from out front.

Disney won't upgrade your room type. You would be better placed getting your travel agent to request a room on the kudu or zebra trail if its the thought of a parking lot view that is bothering you. There are no guarantees but you never know. We were on the Kudu trail last and had a nice outlook, a bit of a distance to buses, lobby etc but not enough to bother me.

Victoria Falls looked nice but we never went and we tended to eat inside at Mara to get out the heat.

Its a lovely resort

 

[xlsm]

I am home from my solo trip and my first stay at AKL!

I said I would come back and talk about my room and location so here goes...

I used Touring Plans fax request and asked for room 3427. I ended up in 2453 which was in a similar-ish location, because my main request was to be close to the elevator for easy access to the Mara and laundry room (zebra trail, btw). My room location was perfect!

I loved my Uzima savanna view and enjoyed giraffes, ankole cattle, pelicans, Thomson gazelles...and even some bunnies There were other animals too, but I don't know all the names! "White deer things with horns" is not an official name of anything, LOL!!

There was an elevator steps from my room, but far enough removed that I didn't ever hear it. Overall, the hotel was very quiet and I didn't hear a lot of noise from other guests. The elevator takes you down to the first floor and exits right by the laundry room, Simba's Clubhouse, and the door that goes outside to the pool, game room, Mara, etc...Going down to grab food and drink was super easy and convenient. Getting to the lobby took a little longer, but wasn't bad at all. If you go all the way to the back of the lobby from the front doors and take the hallway on the right behind the fireplace, you walk until you come to an elevator and then ride down to the second floor.

I really feel like second floor is the perfect view of the animals on the savanna too. Second or third floor (lobby is on third, for reference) would be my choice if I stayed here again, and would be my recommendation to anyone wondering how to get a good animal view on the savanna.

AKL is the PERFECT resort for relaxing and just hanging out. I did have a lot of frustration with the buses...sometimes it took a long time to get anywhere. The MK buses were always standing room only during my week, even though overall crowds were the lowest I've seen in a long time. The trip to Magic Kingdom is at least 20 minutes, but one day it took an hour on the way back. My trip to Disney Springs took almost an hour, too. I don't know if I would recommend the resort to families who like to get up and go, go, go, but for a laid back trip with lots of resort time I would recommend AKL 1000%! It's gorgeous, comfortable, and just a wonderful atmosphere.

I loved hanging out on this thread over the past few months and I learned so much. Thank you!

 

[bjcaed]

November

ALK$Disney, 1st - 9th, AKV Jambo House

DizDad7, 3rd - 11th, SSR

TaraPA, 11th - 13th, AKL CL

RmeDad, 14th - 21st, AKL

Sassy2000, 17th - 24th, AKL

We will be there 15-23 can't wait!!!

 

[jvattes]

but one day it took an hour on the way back

Oh my word! That is crazy! Was there an accident or traffic or some reason your bus was re-routed??? We've never had it take anywhere near that long. Even on Half Marathon Sunday, when there was a huge backup because a lane was being used for runners, it didn't take more than 30 minutes to get to MK from AKL.

I will say that this last trip (4/22-30) we had the most frustration with buses and did have more standing room experiences than ever before. I think Disney takes buses and drivers out of service in lower crowd times, but it seems so counterintuitive - and they seem to take too many out.

Glad you enjoyed my favorite resort! I am having major withdrawal right now and forums like this are the only way I'm coping Can't wait to get back!

 

[allsaintsatx]

Oh my word! That is crazy! Was there an accident or traffic or some reason your bus was re-routed??? We've never had it take anywhere near that long. Even on Half Marathon Sunday, when there was a huge backup because a lane was being used for runners, it didn't take more than 30 minutes to get to MK from AKL.

I will say that this last trip (4/22-30) we had the most frustration with buses and did have more standing room experiences than ever before. I think Disney takes buses and drivers out of service in lower crowd times, but it seems so counterintuitive - and they seem to take too many out.

Just as a counterpoint, we had the greatest bus service at AKL! We waited zero minutes a few times, bus was pulling up when we showed up, and the "longest" wait was posted at 20 minutes for a MK bus, and it ended up arriving in 10! This was April 6-10.

As a side note, the longest wait for transportation we ever had was on the resorts monorail from MK to the Poly - 45 minutes midday after it started raining. It was miserable.

 

[ceeceegee]

I am headed to AKL next weekend! Yay! I've always wanted to stay there, so when the AP Pandora preview came up I decided to make it an "AK All Day" weekend. Will be staying in a savanna view room queen + bunk beds because that is all I could get for my dates using the AP discount. This thread has been so helpful so I will be sure to report back on room location, thoughts, etc.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We love AK and own DVC points there so stay very often. Lately we have noticed the hot tubs at Jambo are too hot. Has anyone else noticed how hot they have been in the last year? I don't know if complaining at the front desk would help or how to get it turned back to what it was.

 

[AngiTN]

I asked this in the CL thread but figured it can't hurt to ask here too, in case someone knows

Does anyone know how many Bunk Bed rooms there are for CL at AKL?
I really want CL again but DGD really wants a Bunk Bed room.
I currently have a Pool View room booked but am so tempted to call and switch us. I wondered if we had any chance at all of getting a bunk bed room? Touring Plans shows 1 but I know their room parameters are often off
If it is right then no, I won't do it. The odds of us getting the 1 Bunk bed room for our 1 night are slim to none. We'll just stay put, maybe book the Night Safari instead. It won't replace what I'll miss from the CL but it would keep her happy

 

[dgbg100106]

Please add us for May 30-June5 2018 we decided to change from YC regular room to AKL CL

June

Disnmooner2013, May 30th 0 5th, AKL CL

 

[kimmar067]

I loved hanging out on this thread over the past few months and I learned so much. Thank you!

....that's what we're here for....thanks for sharing!

 

[jvattes]

We love AK and own DVC points there so stay very often. Lately we have noticed the hot tubs at Jambo are too hot. Has anyone else noticed how hot they have been in the last year? I don't know if complaining at the front desk would help or how to get it turned back to what it was.

We were just there in April and they were quite warm but they are hot tubs after all and they were not unsafe by any means. I was more interested in the chlorination level actually!

 

[jvattes]

I asked this in the CL thread but figured it can't hurt to ask here too, in case someone knows

Does anyone know how many Bunk Bed rooms there are for CL at AKL?
I really want CL again but DGD really wants a Bunk Bed room.
I currently have a Pool View room booked but am so tempted to call and switch us. I wondered if we had any chance at all of getting a bunk bed room? Touring Plans shows 1 but I know their room parameters are often off
If it is right then no, I won't do it. The odds of us getting the 1 Bunk bed room for our 1 night are slim to none. We'll just stay put, maybe book the Night Safari instead. It won't replace what I'll miss from the CL but it would keep her happy

Sorry no idea. I hope you can sort it out. Bunk Beds are a must for us with boy/girl siblings so I kind of feel your pain.

 

[disnmooner2013]

What are the breakfast and afternoon offerings at AKL cl lounge?

 

[bookgirl173]

I asked this in the CL thread but figured it can't hurt to ask here too, in case someone knows

Does anyone know how many Bunk Bed rooms there are for CL at AKL?
I really want CL again but DGD really wants a Bunk Bed room.
I currently have a Pool View room booked but am so tempted to call and switch us. I wondered if we had any chance at all of getting a bunk bed room? Touring Plans shows 1 but I know their room parameters are often off
If it is right then no, I won't do it. The odds of us getting the 1 Bunk bed room for our 1 night are slim to none. We'll just stay put, maybe book the Night Safari instead. It won't replace what I'll miss from the CL but it would keep her happy

I don't know the total number of CL bunk bed rooms, but I can say that Touring Plans lists our room (4429) as 2 queen beds but we had bunk beds (as I'd hoped/asked for). So, Touring Plans are at least a little bit off. I called DSS to request bunk beds and crossed my fingers it would work: I hope you'll have the same good luck!! Have a great trip!

 

[Minnieloves4]

Hi everyone, I couldn't find the answer to this question. We're booked for a standard view at Jambo House and my DD is obsessed with giraffes, is there a view i can request so she can see the giraffes from our room?

 

[Lvsdisney]

Hi alll,
Thinking of changing our forthcoming Beach Club reservation to AKL. Unfortunately I don't have time to read all of this brill thread. Could any kind soul answer these questions please.

Is there a preferred savanna to request?
Can we use both pools at AKL and is it hard to get loungers in the early evening?

Many thanks.

The animals roam so I don't think one savannah is better than the other, but when we were there, it appeared to me that Sunset got the most action.

Yes, you can use both pools. There is a shuttle that can take you between the buildings or you can walk (approx 10 minutes).

I have never stayed at BC but AKL is absolutely breath taking - I think you'll love it!

 

[Lvsdisney]

Hi everyone, I couldn't find the answer to this question. We're booked for a standard view at Jambo House and my DD is obsessed with giraffes, is there a view i can request so she can see the giraffes from our room?

When I stayed I saw the most giraffes on the Sunset savannah which is on Kudu trail. BUT there are so many viewing areas, if you don't see them from your room, you'll have many opportunities elsewhere. Have fun! Your DD will LOVE it! Both of my kids did.

 

[Minnieloves4]

When I stayed I saw the most giraffes on the Sunset savannah which is on Kudu trail. BUT there are so many viewing areas, if you don't see them from your room, you'll have many opportunities elsewhere. Have fun! Your DD will LOVE it! Both of my kids did.

Thank you!!!! Hopefully we will get a Sunset Savannah room.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Btw, go to the disunplugged page, listen to the Top Resorts vlog and find out how AKL ranked among Pete's favorites.

 

[Skippyboo]

If you are in a standard room, you can request a partial animal view. Did this in 2015. Giraffes outside every morning.