Questions about AKV

[Miaka]

I'm renting points for a february trip, and have been reading all that I can find about AKV, and trying to decide which 'building' is better. It will be me, my husband and three kids, we're staying in a standard room, and am not sure which is better, Kidani or Jambo? could people share their thoughts and opinions on why you chose which one you did? also, when one is renting from a DVC owner, I know you cannot use the pool hopping perk that the DVC owners use, but there were other perks listed (internet for example) that I am curious if renters can use or not.

thank you all for humoring a total newb!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Are you in a 1 BR? If so, Kidani will have two bathrooms so that might be nice with 5.

All the standard view rooms at Jambo are pool view. Kidani could be pool or parking lot. No matter which building you are in you will be able to go to either of the AKV pools. If you plan on wanting CS frequently you may want Jambo since Kidani does not have that.

 

[Donald is #1]

Honestly, I think that it is a toss up between Kidani and Jambo. Of course, I may change my mind after my December Kidani stay. Here are some of the benefits of each:

Jambo:
- Mara is in the building (if you want CS meals, this is a big plus)

Kidani:
- 1 BRs have an extra bathroom
- Can have a lower level floor (for me who likes SV rooms, this is a big plus)
- First stop for the park buses

 

[DebbieB]

Do you already have a reservation? When you make the reservation, it will be for one or the other, it's not a request after you make the reservation.

 

[Miaka]

Kat4Disney - We will be in a one bedroom, the youngest going is going to be 4 at that point, so we won't be able to be in a studio. A second bathroom might be novel to my kids, but since we only ave one batroom in our house it's not the selling point for us at the moment. but it's being factored in (meaning, if that was the only qualification for decision, it wouldn't be such a drama about deciding. LOL)

Donald is #1 - That's what's hanging us up LOL. Mara being in Jambo, vs. Kidani being the newer building. Though knowing that it's the first stop for busses is new info, and that is something we might weigh into deciding. Mara looks like the place we would eat at the resort, our kids aren't that adventerous from a culinary aspect, though I would like to try some of the other things at the other restaurants, I know how picky my kids are and that is wasted money if we took them there. I would love a Savvanah view room, but we get more nights stay with a standard room.
DebbiB - We're making our reservation next month when we book our flights, so I am gathering as much info before then to have all the important information to book our building.

Thank you all for helping out and giving me new information that I didn't have yet. My kids and I are Zoo nuts (the animals aren't as important of a factor for my husband,) and the reserve feel is what enticed me to AKV. Do the rooms have internet access? and what are the policies regarding that?

 

[Donald is #1]

Yes the rooms have internet connections. The internet is free for DVC members staying on points. So my assumption is that if you are renting points, then it would also be free since Disney doesn't know that you are renting point.

 

[Miaka]

Yes the rooms have internet connections. The internet is free for DVC members staying on points. So my assumption is that if you are renting points, then it would also be free since Disney doesn't know that you are renting point.

Thank you! that's what I was curious about, since our youngest child will be staying with my mom, and my brother and sister in law, I was looking for a non-cell phone roaming alternative to getting in touch with them.

thank you to everyone who gave me more to think about, and don't hesitate to add more I love to read the information!

 

[wdrl]

Mara looks like the place we would eat at the resort, our kids aren't that adventerous from a culinary aspect, though I would like to try some of the other things at the other restaurants, I know how picky my kids are and that is wasted money if we took them there.

We have two nieces that are very picky eaters, so we fully understand what you mean. But just for your information, you might find that Boma, a table service buffet restaurant located at Jambo House, has things many kids will eat. Boma has a wide variety of appealing choices from standard "American fare" to some African with an Indian flair. But they also have a serving pod with foods my little nieces eat: Mac & cheese, chicken tenders, spaghetti & meatballs, french fries. The cost for kids at Boma is around $15, so it isn't cheap, but then Disney dining is very seldom a bargain. Allears.net has menus posted for all Disney restaurants.

Speaking of food, be sure to try out the Zebra Domes! They are available on the dessert pod at Boma and at Mara.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes the rooms have internet connections. The internet is free for DVC members staying on points. So my assumption is that if you are renting points, then it would also be free since Disney doesn't know that you are renting point.

That is just your assumption. It doesn't always work that way. The non-owner may still be charged for the internet service, especially if they need to show a DVC Member card at any point. We've been charged in the past and had to go down to the front desk and show our member card to get the charge removed.

At Kidani Village, the pool view is pretty much across the parking lot. So if you don't want to look at the parking lot, get Jambo House.

Kidani will also have the separate tub and shower, while Jambo House will have the tub/shower combination like most homes have.

As a non-member staying on a points reservation, you will get all the same perks as any WDW guest staying at a WDW resort - charge to the room, Disney Transportation including ME, ability to get the dining plan, etc. But you won't get any of the DVC member perks because you must be staying with the member to get those. If you pay a member to rent a reservation, you are not entitled to any DVC member perks.

Enjoy your stay.

 

[Cinderelli]

We just returned yesterday from a five night stay (2 adults & 6 teens) in a 2 bedroom standard view in Jambo house. I hesitate to give my opinion because I know the number of rooms at Jambo are limited and I would hate to not be able to get a room in Jambo next time, tee hee. Having said that, we absolutely fell in love with AKL Jambo and would want to always stay there. I have no desire to stay at Kidani. In fact, we are considering selling our OKW points and repurchasing at Jambo.

The atmosphere is just soooo delightful. The standard view 2 bedroom we had was of the pool (a fantastic view). Yes, we only had the 2 bathrooms but even with 6 teenagers, it wasn't a problem. You can't beat the ambiance of the lobby, Victoria Falls, Boma, Jiko, the smell, etc. Nice pool (but we spent more time at the Kidani pool).

We preferred the pool much better at Kidani, tho. It was approx an 8-10 minute walk from Jambo over to the pool. In the 92 degree heat, we were glad we had a vehicle because we wouldn't have wanted to make the walk back. The activites offered at the Kidani pool were more to our liking. We spent 2 afternoons there and getting the 2 teenage boys with us to do a hula hoop contest says something about the directors at Kidani. If I could move the Kidani pool over to Jambo - life would be perfect.

We just didn't like the ambience of Kidani (except for the pool) and much preferred the atmosphere and offerings of Jambo.

I know you'll love you're stay either way.

Lissa

 

[Miaka]

You guys have all been VERY helpful! I know that the information says that Kidani is larger then Jambo, (square footage wise) for the one bedroom. Is that square footage taken up by the extra bathroom, or are the Kidani rooms noticbly larger? I'm sitting at more in favor of Jambo at the moment for the food selections, but I really like the idea of the shower and bath tub separate (no idea why it just looks cool. LOL) But I could also put the younger boy in the tub, and tell the older boy to take his shower, and kill two birds with one stone on that.

As for the kitchen do any of you bring/send food and cook some while your on vacation? Or do you just use the kitchen for coffee and drinks?? I'm thinking that doing breakfast in the room for the majority of the mornings might be simpler, then getting everyone up and moving for a run to the restaurants. I don't want to cook my entire vacation, but thinking taking some staples down to make snacks and such in the room might be a good way to go, or do some see that as tacky?

Thanks again everyone! you have been such a great help and wealth of knowledge

 

[Deb & Bill]

...As for the kitchen do any of you bring/send food and cook some while your on vacation? Or do you just use the kitchen for coffee and drinks?? I'm thinking that doing breakfast in the room for the majority of the mornings might be simpler, then getting everyone up and moving for a run to the restaurants. I don't want to cook my entire vacation, but thinking taking some staples down to make snacks and such in the room might be a good way to go, or do some see that as tacky?

Thanks again everyone! you have been such a great help and wealth of knowledge

There is nothing tacky about using the kitchen any way you want. If you want to just make snacks, not a problem. If you want to make full meals every day, not a problem. Sometimes we'll bring stuff or buy stuff at Publix and make meals. Other times we'll just get cake, ice cream, popsicles, popcorn, chips, coffee cake, etc and just snack our way through the kitchen.

 

[Miaka]

I just didn't want to be thought to be tacky by mailing down a box of non-perishables so I don't have to put it in my luggage

I think at this point we might be leaning towards Jambo, I haven't told my kids yet that we're staying there, I think I'll keep it a secret, they still think we're staying at POR.