Number 9 is really FINE! Welcome to AKL LITE - the 'unofficial' FAQ Thread

[Christinaxo]

How did you get selected for FP+? We will be at AKL CL on Sat.

I believe the FP+ testing starts on August 4th? We are arriving the 5th.

 

[kimmar067]

Quick question for anyone who has recently been to AKL and took the Magical Express from MCO, does AKL/Kidani still have their own line for the Magical Express? Or does it now share with some other resorts? I remember seeing before they had their own line and didn't make any other stops at any other resorts when dropping visitors off. Thank you.

...as of April they were still solo....

 

[Mickdeb]

The last day to customize you bands is 31 days before your trip. Starting day 30 you would receive the gray band.

We just booked a last minute trip to AKL on Wed. 7/24. We arrive on 8/20 and we were able to customize our bands and we actually received them today. Pink for me and yellow for DD. Just have to link our tickets and will start making our fastpass reservations!

 

[lfortin16]

Quick question for anyone who has recently been to AKL and took the Magical Express from MCO, does AKL/Kidani still have their own line for the Magical Express? Or does it now share with some other resorts? I remember seeing before they had their own line and didn't make any other stops at any other resorts when dropping visitors off. Thank you.

We just took the ME from MCO.
It stopped at Pop and Art of Animation before we got to Jambo and Kidani.

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

My recent Me was the same... AOA and Pop before AKL.... Not dedicated. Bus to the parks for AKL and Kidani were still dedicated.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Sorry, I missed this somehow but what are the bands people are talking about?

 

[Momto8]

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between a value and deluxe standard view studio suite in Jambo House? Are they the same size or is standard larger? I've read that standard is pool or water view and value is landscape or parking lot view, but also read you can get savanna with value. Is that not the case with standard view?

Also are there any differences between a standard view suite in Jambo vs. Kidani? We have DVC standard view in Jambo House (2 suites) for next May , and I read they are larger than value, but I also read the suites in Kidani are larger than Jambo. So is there a difference between Jambo and Kidani when it comes to the room sizes (same square footage), views or anything else?

Also what would be a good location to request? We stayed here in 2003 and were upgraded to savanna view but that was so long ago before they had the villas. I would like savanna view again, but my son wants pool view, and I'm okay with that as long as we can be near or next to each other, so any recommendations would be appreciated.

I apologize if these questions have been answered on this thread already. I tried reading through several pages but couldn't find anything and there are so many to read!

Thanks for any help!

 

[disney2014plan]

Ruadisneyfan2, the bands are the new magic bands (have a look on the other threads to see about what they are) - these are what Disney is aiming to replace tickets and fastpasses with.

 

[RachelTori]

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between a value and deluxe standard view studio suite in Jambo House? Are they the same size or is standard larger? I've read that standard is pool or water view and value is landscape or parking lot view, but also read you can get savanna with value. Is that not the case with standard view?

Also are there any differences between a standard view suite in Jambo vs. Kidani? We have DVC standard view in Jambo House (2 suites) for next May , and I read they are larger than value, but I also read the suites in Kidani are larger than Jambo. So is there a difference between Jambo and Kidani when it comes to the room sizes (same square footage), views or anything else?

Also what would be a good location to request? We stayed here in 2003 and were upgraded to savanna view but that was so long ago before they had the villas. I would like savanna view again, but my son wants pool view, and I'm okay with that as long as we can be near or next to each other, so any recommendations would be appreciated.

I apologize if these questions have been answered on this thread already. I tried reading through several pages but couldn't find anything and there are so many to read!

Thanks for any help!

Theresa: Before answering, I want to make sure we're clear. Are you talking about a DVC Studio Villa in Jambo House? (They are not "suites" and using that term tends to confuse us! There are "suites" at AKL-Jambo, but they are part of the regular resort, not DVC.) Kidani is all DVC and was built specifically as DVC -- those rooms are larger and more family friendly than Jambo.

 

[lfortin16]

Here is a picture taken from my balcony.
I was in room 7810 on the 4th floor- savannah view.
It was awesome!!
I miss it already!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200263713136758&l=91cb194e9e

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Here is a picture taken from my balcony.
I was in room 7810 on the 4th floor- savannah view.
It was awesome!!
I miss it already!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200263713136758&l=91cb194e9e

How lovely! You made me 'homesick' too! Was delighted to read they had a baby giraffe born in Animal Kingdom this week!

 

[lfortin16]

Here's another picture from my balcony at Kidani.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200239786258601&l=093657c58c

 

[Momto8]

Theresa: Before answering, I want to make sure we're clear. Are you talking about a DVC Studio Villa in Jambo House? (They are not "suites" and using that term tends to confuse us! There are "suites" at AKL-Jambo, but they are part of the regular resort, not DVC.) Kidani is all DVC and was built specifically as DVC -- those rooms are larger and more family friendly than Jambo.

Yes, it's DVC deluxe standard studio in Jambo house. We rented points. Sorry, I've always called them studio suites.

So Kidani studios are larger than Jambo's studios? Why the higher price then if they are the same size as the value? If it's just for the view, then in my opinion it's not worth it since you can get upgraded with the value. I read on Allears.net that the standard is 365 sq. ft. That'swhy we went with standard Jambo.

Maybe I should have booked in Kidani.

 

[RachelTori]

Yes, it's DVC deluxe standard studio in Jambo house. We rented points. Sorry, I've always called them studio suites.

So Kidani studios are larger than Jambo's studios? Why the higher price then if they are the same size as the value? If it's just for the view, then in my opinion it's not worth it since you can get upgraded with the value. I read on Allears.net that the standard is 365 sq. ft. That'swhy we went with standard Jambo.

Maybe I should have booked in Kidani.

Value Studios are the smallest villas (approx 315 sq ft) and are only at Jambo. Standards are at both Jambo and Kidani. (I wouldn't want any more than 2 adults in a Value Studio, but then I really like my space! )

I have to retract a statement from my earlier post! While the 1- and 2-bedroom villas are larger at Kidani, the Studios (Standard and Savanna) are basically the same size.

I have only stayed "Standard" studio once at Jambo and it was right off the lobby, pool view. I loved the room and I loved the location! (Your Villa will be on the 5th floor.)

At Jambo, Standard Studios would be either pool or landscape view. The Value Villas are only in Ostrich and Giraffe Trails and could be savanna, pool or landscape view.

I hope I haven't further confused you!

 

[ddixon1]

So how is Simba Cub House? Will my 8 1/2 y/o enjoy? He loves the kids programs on DCL. Is it non-structured play? He loves Legos, classic Disney cartoons, and making new friends. Just wondering what else they do? I wanted to make a mad dash for the 4 "thrill" rides (everest, dinosaur, primeval whirl, kali rivervrapids) at AK while he chills in the club for 2+ hours. Figure I could check him in, go back to AK, hit the rides using single rider, then head back to get him. We're staying at AKL so it's convenient. Any thoughts? Thanks! We leave in 17 days!

 

[Mayhem1976]

I know this has been asked 1000 times, but I can't decide. We are going in Nov for 7 days. We had thought about a Savannah view, my boys are 3 and 6 and think that they would love it. However, with the talk about FD and RO discounts for the time we are going, it would be close to $1000 more to do Sav view with FD. We wouldn't spend close to the FD amount on meals since they would probably split a lot, plus we'll have a car and pick up snacks etc.

Anyhoo, I know there are tons of viewing spots, tell me I'm not missing anything not staying Savannah View!!!

 

[jillmc40]

I know this has been asked 1000 times, but I can't decide. We are going in Nov for 7 days. We had thought about a Savannah view, my boys are 3 and 6 and think that they would love it. However, with the talk about FD and RO discounts for the time we are going, it would be close to $1000 more to do Sav view with FD. We wouldn't spend close to the FD amount on meals since they would probably split a lot, plus we'll have a car and pick up snacks etc.

Anyhoo, I know there are tons of viewing spots, tell me I'm not missing anything not staying Savannah View!!!

Why not skip fd and rent points instead? I did it through David's and it was a breeze! We did savannah view, I kind of feel like that is the whole point of the resort, but I am in the minority on that I think

 

[Mayhem1976]

Why not skip fd and rent points instead? I did it through David's and it was a breeze! We did savannah view, I kind of feel like that is the whole point of the resort, but I am in the minority on that I think

I've never thought/know anything about renting points! I do feel like I really want Savannah for the experience of it at least once!

 

[jillmc40]

I've never thought/know anything about renting points! I do feel like I really want Savannah for the experience of it at least once!

Renting points is awesome, but there are some things that are different. Limited mouse keeping (I like that but some don't). No canceling. Payment up front. You can go onto David's website, they are a sponsor here, and calculate how much it would cost using their points calculator. Then you can see if it is worth it or not. I am already a timeshare owner so I am used to that stuff but some folks don't like it.

 

[Momto8]

Value Studios are the smallest villas (approx 315 sq ft) and are only at Jambo. Standards are at both Jambo and Kidani. (I wouldn't want any more than 2 adults in a Value Studio, but then I really like my space! )

I have to retract a statement from my earlier post! While the 1- and 2-bedroom villas are larger at Kidani, the Studios (Standard and Savanna) are basically the same size.

I have only stayed "Standard" studio once at Jambo and it was right off the lobby, pool view. I loved the room and I loved the location! (Your Villa will be on the 5th floor.)

At Jambo, Standard Studios would be either pool or landscape view. The Value Villas are only in Ostrich and Giraffe Trails and could be savanna, pool or landscape view.

I hope I haven't further confused you!

No, you haven't confused me. Thank you for clearing this up for me and I feel better that the standard view in Jambo House is larger than the value studio and same as Kidani. That was one of the reasons why we reserved it. We felt the value was a little on the small size. My son wants the pool view since that is where they stayed last time and they really liked that location for the convenience. They didn't do DVC last time and stayed in a regular room, so we weren't sure about the studios.

Thanks for your help!