Resort Thread Jambo! Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

[Gary Stocker]

Confirmed...July 3 to 5 AKL kidani savannah...just a resort trip until we check out and go to Boardwalk 5th to the 11th and then hit the parks. My boy is in love with the gray crowned cranes outside the room.

 

[HooperSnag]

Is Stevia (green packets) available in the tower rooms or dining areas?

We stayed at Jambo House this past week and they do not have Stevia within the rooms. However, The Mara (quick service) did and we grabbed a bunch for early AM coffee.

 

[kitkat4622]

Just booked my stay 4/12-4/17. Solo trip( my 5th). I usually stay at POFQ but wanted to try a new place. Tips? On staying here? I already love BOMA.

 

[Jonnnyap]

@kitkat4622 That's a great time of year to go, and I'm sure you'll love AKL/AKV. There are many activities in the lodge; both Kidani and Jambo have viewing areas to watch the animals. There is a workout room, great pools and hot tubs, activity room, and the resort has a weekly guide to activities that includes learning, movies, s'mores, and cultural exchanges; you can visit many of the locations and build a necklace/bracelet with animal figurines. While some of these are more geared towards kids, most can be fun at any age.

Since you already love Boma, I'd recommend exploring the other restaurants. Mara, Jiko, and Sanaa all have unique offerings that I would recommend. The Victoria Falls bar also has small plates you can order. The food at AKL/AKV is some of the best at Disney in my opinion. You can also eat in the bar area at Sanaa or get it to go if you want. The Sanaa bread service is fantastic, and although it's not written on the menu, you can swap/select bread/dips to your liking... or try them all!

Hope you have a fabulous trip!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I just modified a water view room to a dvc value studio on a cash stay. It’s a 1 night stay at the ap rate and I was just stalking for the cheapest rate knowing very little about AKL, my goal is a nice resort day. Looks like there are very few of these rooms. A little googling later and dvc chatter is you can’t make room requests for these, does that also apply to cash bookings? Will it basically be the same as a hotel stay logistically with the same front desk & bell services since it’s still in Jambo?

 

[CarolynFH]

I just modified a water view room to a dvc value studio on a cash stay. It’s a 1 night stay at the ap rate and I was just stalking for the cheapest rate knowing very little about AKL, my goal is a nice resort day. Looks like there are very few of these rooms. A little googling later and dvc chatter is you can’t make room requests for these, does that also apply to cash bookings? Will it basically be the same as a hotel stay logistically with the same front desk & bell services since it’s still in Jambo?

If it's a DVC value room, my understanding is that you can't request savanna view because there are so very few of them - but I hear that you can request to be on the Kudu trail, which might give you a partial savanna view. Logistically, it will be the same as a cash stay.

 

[Jonnnyap]

(cross posting this to both the AKL and AKV threads)

Jambo/Kidani friends... unfortunately, my plans have changed, and I need to drop my reservation on March 19-22 in Jambo Value Studio. I hate to do this, because it's a great time of year, those rooms are hard to get, and I love AKL; but my plans have changed, and I can't go down and use the nights. I'm writing this group hoping someone can utilize the nights. I will drop my reservation at 8pm (eastern) tomorrow, so hopefully someone here can grab the nights (or someone's waitlist will be granted). Trying to spread some pixie dust myself and avoid bots/companies from nabbing these.

Thurs-Sun, March 19-22, AKL Jambo Value Studio (40pts)

I'm not selling these... just letting people know they'll come available tomorrow (Thursday Jan 8) at 8pm (eastern).

Best wishes for great trips!

 

[TeeKo]

Unopened water bottles—probably 30 bottles we are leaving outside Jambo 5363

 

[carlosalonsor]

This will be my first time staying at a DVC Room. I've just reserverd a 1 Bdrm Resort View at Jambo for this December.
I hope we get a refurbished unit, however what are the odds to get a partial savanna view? Is there something I can do to improve my chances? How do you make room requests? Not only for this, but for things like baby cribs, floor, distance from lobby etc...

 

[Willow Ufgood]

This will be my first time staying at a DVC Room. I've just reserverd a 1 Bdrm Resort View at Jambo for this December.
I hope we get a refurbished unit, however what are the odds to get a partial savanna view? Is there something I can do to improve my chances? How do you make room requests? Not only for this, but for things like baby cribs, floor, distance from lobby etc...

Room requests for DVC villas that were made using points are made by the member. The owner either calls member services or uses chat to have it noted on the reservation. If you booked a cash reservation, then your room request goes thru by calling Disney's reservation number and asking that your preferences are noted.

You can request a pack n play, high chairs, bed rails, etc by phoning housekeeping once you are in your room. Asking ahead of time is pointless because room assignments can change. So housekeeping doesn't place those items in your room in advance of your arrival.

I suggest going to touringplans.com and checking the views for various resort view 1BR villas to get a feel for locations that might give you a glimpse of the savanna. Just remember that the more requests you make (high floor, near lobby, etc), the less likely you are of getting everything you ask for. You could end up with a top floor, near the elevators and a view of the bus stop.

 

[SwanVT2]

What are the AC unit types at AKL? TIA!

 

[carlosalonsor]

Room requests for DVC villas that were made using points are made by the member. The owner either calls member services or uses chat to have it noted on the reservation. If you booked a cash reservation, then your room request goes thru by calling Disney's reservation number and asking that your preferences are noted.

You can request a pack n play, high chairs, bed rails, etc by phoning housekeeping once you are in your room. Asking ahead of time is pointless because room assignments can change. So housekeeping doesn't place those items in your room in advance of your arrival.

I suggest going to touringplans.com and checking the views for various resort view 1BR villas to get a feel for locations that might give you a glimpse of the savanna. Just remember that the more requests you make (high floor, near lobby, etc), the less likely you are of getting everything you ask for. You could end up with a top floor, near the elevators and a view of the bus stop.

Thanks! Very helpful! Will do!

 

[elvispursley]

What are the AC unit types at AKL? TIA!

Like the brand? Or are you wanting to know if they're window or "central"? From what I recall, they're the central type controlled by a wall thermostat.

 

[SwanVT2]

Like the brand? Or are you wanting to know if they're window or "central"? From what I recall, they're the central type controlled by a wall thermostat.

Yes, central or the window ones like at POR. Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

This will be my first time staying at a DVC Room. I've just reserverd a 1 Bdrm Resort View at Jambo for this December.
I hope we get a refurbished unit…

But the website says AKV-Jambo won’t start refurb until 2026? Kidani is the one under refurb starting in Oct.

ETA dates are hard

 

[holyrita]

But the website says AKV-Jambo won’t start refurb until 2026? Kidani is the one under refurb starting in Oct.

We're in 2026. Kidani refurb started October of last year and Jambo refurb starts this May through January of next year.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We're in 2026. Kidani refurb started October of last year and Jambo refurb starts this May through January of next year.

Hahahaha, well so we are. Dang January lol.

 

[holyrita]

Hahahaha, well so we are. Dang January lol.

 

[trishadono]

Ended up with a split stay of CSR and AKL 2 nights each. We were at AKL 1/8-10. Dd did the 1/2 marathon (mostly walking) on the 10th so I transferred the luggage in the morning via rideshare and left bags at AKl around 8:30am.

This was my 1st “run” experience. For those who do one or attend with friends or family here’s a bit I figured out.

For us guests there was transport from the hotels to Epcot where race started and ended. They also had food packs for sale in Mara. There was a table with water, bananas and signs to make outside by lobby entrance. Also there were signs to hold for selfies.

After the race I found dd and we headed to AKL and got room ready text as we arrived to the hotel. FYI the lobby is on the 3rd floor. We got a 3rd floor room which was convenient not to have to use elevators for everything. We also got upgraded from std/resort view to a Savannah View! I did chat when I checked in that we had stayed there before and dd was doing her 1st race . Not sure if she did upgrade or luck?

Here are some pix. Best time to see animals is later morning and 3pm. 3pm I always see lots! It’s feeding time.

 

[trishadono]

We tried Sanaa doe the 1st time! Loved it! Such a nice relaxing place! Very pretty and lots of windows.

Dd ordered the kids meal without any issues, She also did at Kona Cafe at Poly.