Resort Thread Jambo! Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

[DizneyFamof4]

Would booking a water view help guarantee a shorter walk to the room? Looking at TP it looks like you have to have a view of the pool so it seems that would guarantee you aren’t way out on the wings of the hotel?

I am pretty sure that really is the only way to guarantee a room closest to the lobby. Or you can go all-in with the Presidential or Vice Presidential Suite. LOL

 

[Gary Stocker]

We were just there..moved to Boardwalk now...loved it. Had savannah view (kidani Timon building) 5th floor..just asked for anything in that building close to the parking elevators and they accommodated. Sanaa and community hall close by...only complaint is that the bathroom had ZERO theming..empty gray walls...but given animals were roaming outside the room couldn't care less.

 

[cindianne320]

How worried should I be with the construction starting in October? Staying in a standard room mid-October.

 

[mrsap]

Refurbishment Timeline Announced for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas​

Disney Vacation Club has officially confirmed the refurbishment timeline for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas!

• Guest rooms at Kidani Village will be refurbished from October 2025 through May 2026.

• Jambo House will undergo its hard goods refurbishment from May 2026 through January 2027.

While Members and Guests may see or hear construction during these dates, all resort amenities will remain open and available throughout the project.

Click link for full article.

 

[brent02139]

thanks mrsap. I'm surprised nobody is talking about this. AKL had great themed furniture that I'm worried, based on what other DVC underwent, that it'll be cookie cutter hotel furniture.

 

[NobodyNew]

thanks mrsap. I'm surprised nobody is talking about this. AKL had great themed furniture that I'm worried, based on what other DVC underwent, that it'll be cookie cutter hotel furniture.

I agree- that would be a sad mistake to replace with bland furniture.

I said the same thing though when all the walls were painted white because some complained the rooms were too dark.

I can tell you ONE thing I am excited (maybe not totally excited) about is new electrical outlets
Last few trips we had rooms with bad outlets - multiples mostly.

 

[Doingitagain]

I may be in the minority, but I want them to remove the pool table from the GV and increase the family room space.

 

[Hubalorian]

Idk how much furniture will change. I’ve been told that they are keeping the headboards in all of the DVC units

 

[Robber Baron]

thanks mrsap. I'm surprised nobody is talking about this. AKL had great themed furniture that I'm worried, based on what other DVC underwent, that it'll be cookie cutter hotel furniture.

We stayed Kidani, (Rm 7970), in June 2024 and loved the room and furnishings.

I like the heavy wood furniture for this resort.

I usually prefer hard floors, but this room had a mix of tile and carpet. It was that low, really tight carpet that I have less of an aversion to.

 

[bluecastle]

I also stayed in Kidani in 2024, November, and loved our 2BR villa! I took so many photos of the furniture, including those hooves at the bottom of the legs. I especially loved the bathroom tiles. I really hope they don’t change the furniture or the tiles.

 

[vinotinto]

We just stayed in Kidani in a 1-bedroom and our room was very comfortable and very nicely themed. I thought the furniture went really well with the setting. 2 teens slept in the queen pull out and 1 teen slept in the twin pull out and everyone slept well. I really, really, really hope they don't make it bland and "light."

 

[mrsap]

Animal Kingdom Lodge Refurbishment: Samawati Springs Pool Slide Closing September 8, 2025 for Routine Maintenance ​

Beginning September 8, 2025, the Samawati Springs Pool Slide at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village will temporarily close for routine maintenance.

Disney says that during the refurbishment, guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge can use the waterslide at the nearby Uzima Springs Pool, located at Jambo House. Both pools remain open throughout the project, with only the Samawati Springs slide unavailable.

Disney has not yet announced an end date for the refurbishment, but these types of maintenance projects are typically short-term. The main pool and other amenities at Samawati Springs will continue to operate as normal.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

Heading down later this week. Have never been to AKL before and can’t wait. For those who have recently been or are there now, what’s the deal with this “Zebra Trail Terrace” construction? It was supposed to be done by now and is now pushed to mid September. Does this affect room noise, views or access to the point I should ask at check in to be not near it? Or is it nowhere near rooms or not noisy at all? Thanks.

 

[DutchJoyce]

Heading down later this week. Have never been to AKL before and can’t wait. For those who have recently been or are there now, what’s the deal with this “Zebra Trail Terrace” construction? It was supposed to be done by now and is now pushed to mid September. Does this affect room noise, views or access to the point I should ask at check in to be not near it? Or is it nowhere near rooms or not noisy at all? Thanks.

We stayed near the Zebra Trail Terrace from 8/8 till 22/8 and the whole terrace is closed down. There are construction workers there, but we didn't experience a lot of noise.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

We stayed near the Zebra Trail Terrace from 8/8 till 22/8 and the whole terrace is closed down. There are construction workers there, but we didn't experience a lot of noise.

I was on Kudu trail and saw no construction the whole stay. I did see executives on 2 days walking the hallways carefully noting wear and tear issues to each other, which was nice to see. The property overall looks great.

 

[keahgirl8]

I stayed at Jambo House once before, but didn't have a Savanna view. I usually stay at Kidani and I know what area to request there. I usually stay at Sunset Savanna area. What should I request at Jambo, or is it totally different there?

 

[Carouselofplanning]

I stayed at Jambo House once before, but didn't have a Savanna view. I usually stay at Kidani and I know what area to request there. I usually stay at Sunset Savanna area. What should I request at Jambo, or is it totally different there?

Totally different setup. They have Savanna, water (which is really pool) and resort/standard. For savanna, zebra trial is closest to amenities but has a reputation of being a boring part of the savanna for views of animals. Kudu was great for viewing. If you can get the side that faces Kidani even better. Lots of animals on that side. Can be long walks from lobby to room but plus side of being farther away from lobby is less noise from people walking past your room. I found at this resort families walk past rooms on their way to/from lobby and have no regard for the noise they create early in am or late at night. Touring plans has layouts and sample room requests.

 

[sticker231]

Totally different setup. They have Savanna, water (which is really pool) and resort/standard. For savanna, zebra trial is closest to amenities but has a reputation of being a boring part of the savanna for views of animals. Kudu was great for viewing. If you can get the side that faces Kidani even better. Lots of animals on that side. Can be long walks from lobby to room but plus side of being farther away from lobby is less noise from people walking past your room. I found at this resort families walk past rooms on their way to/from lobby and have no regard for the noise they create early in am or late at night. Touring plans has layouts and sample room requests.

Having previously stayed at Kidani and just returning from Jambo last week, I agree with your response.

I requested zebra trail thinking since it was the center of the hotel and had a walk out area, like Kidani, it would have more animals. There was one zebra, giraffes-one/occasionally two, a few packs of animals, three pelicans, and a few other assorted birds. It was enjoyable, but didn't compared to what we were used to from the balcony at Kidani. If we stay again I would request the Sunset Savanna. Zebra trail was convenient for food and the pool.

In regards to noise, I completely agree. We weren't near the lobby, but my wife and I commented several times about the foot traffic and how noisy people were in the hallway.

Tottaly different vibes between the two buildings.

 

[Gary Stocker]

During our split stay my son became OBSESSED with the gray crowned cranes..which he calls."oviraptors" given the resemblance to those dinos. He keeps telling he misses them more than anything at WDW haha.