The All-New "unofficial" AKL/AKV's Jambo & Kidani FAQ thread.....

[swwake]

Congratulations!!! I love AKL and I really love AKL CL!!! This thread is really, really helpful. Another one to look at is the general club level/concierge thread here on the Resorts board. There are lots of people on both who have really helped me when planning our first stay at AKL. You made a great choice -- have you contacted the IPO office or decided if you want to do the Sunrise Safari yet?

I just sent an email to the IPO office about an hour ago, so I don't expect to hear anything for a couple of days.

We definitely want to do the sunrise safari. We also want to eat at Boma again, look forward to hanging out at that bar above it (can't remember the name?), and we will probably try to surf Typhoon Lagoon one morning, since we booked it on our last trip and it was canceled before we went. I am hoping the IPO can help with those reservations as well.

We loved exploring the lodge on our last trip, and we are really looking forward to this experience!

 

[mmmears]

I just sent an email to the IPO office about an hour ago, so I don't expect to hear anything for a couple of days.

We definitely want to do the sunrise safari. We also want to eat at Boma again, look forward to hanging out at that bar above it (can't remember the name?), and we will probably try to surf Typhoon Lagoon one morning, since we booked it on our last trip and it was canceled before we went. I am hoping the IPO can help with those reservations as well.

We loved exploring the lodge on our last trip, and we are really looking forward to this experience!

IPO can definitely book the sunrise safari for you! And they booked the surfing at TL for us last year. My DD did it and loved it!!! I'm sure you'll hear from the IPO office soon -- they have been very helpful and responsive.

 

[disneyland fan]

We are thinking of changing our summer reservation over to the AKL. I have been reading the posts in this thread, but can't find an answer to this question: what rooms on the 4th floor are for concierge? Where is the concierge lounge located?

Thanks

 

[mmmears]

We are thinking of changing our summer reservation over to the AKL. I have been reading the posts in this thread, but can't find an answer to this question: what rooms on the 4th floor are for concierge? Where is the concierge lounge located?

Thanks

I don't know the actual room numbers for the CL rooms. They are all located on the 4th floor, facing the Arusha savanna. We've stayed in the 2nd pod and in the 3rd pod of rooms (if you look at the map, there are blocks of rooms connected by a hallway). The rooms are on both sides of Arusha Rock.

The concierge lounge is located on the 6th floor. That means you'll need to walk towards the lobby area and either use the stairs or the elevators to reach the 6th floor. The lounge is right there, by the elevator and the stairs. It can be a bit far, but we think it's worth it.

 

[tink_lover]

Can anyone tell me where the possible locations for a HA AKV studio might be? We have never stayed at AKV and are getting ready for our upcoming trip. I don't know if they are spread out at the resort or in a couple of locations.

 

[almil]

We were staying at the Pop Century and then got a pin, switched to Port Orleans Riverside, and then decided lets do Animal Kingdom Lodge. When talking to the Reps at Disney they say that I have a great pin until the end of the year.
Life is short. So we are splurging. Never have been at the Animal Kingdom, so here we come

 

[mmmears]

We were staying at the Pop Century and then got a pin, switched to Port Orleans Riverside, and then decided lets do Animal Kingdom Lodge. When talking to the Reps at Disney they say that I have a great pin until the end of the year.
Life is short. So we are splurging. Never have been at the Animal Kingdom, so here we come

Congratulations! You picked a great place to stay!!!

 

[momof3lovebugs]

Subbing! We'll be there in October!!

 

[Kara]

I just sent an email to the IPO office about an hour ago, so I don't expect to hear anything for a couple of days.

We definitely want to do the sunrise safari. We also want to eat at Boma again, look forward to hanging out at that bar above it (can't remember the name?), and we will probably try to surf Typhoon Lagoon one morning, since we booked it on our last trip and it was canceled before we went. I am hoping the IPO can help with those reservations as well.

We loved exploring the lodge on our last trip, and we are really looking forward to this experience!

Did you hear back?
If I email at night, I usually get a response the next day. Their help has been awesome so far!!

 

[swwake]

Did you hear back?
If I email at night, I usually get a response the next day. Their help has been awesome so far!!

Each time I have emailed them, I have heard back within less than 24 hours. I had an email exchange with Don yesterday and he is so helpful. We are getting so excited!

 

[David_Thibert]

Are the Amimals any closer to one villa or the next ?

 

[nemofans]

We have stayed at AKL & love it! We tried Poly & CR, but not happy w/them at all. AKL is our fav & we plan on staying there again our next trip. We had pool view which was nice, but we're hoping to get savannah view next time!
Has the Kidani Village opening up added time to the buses?
If you stay at AKL, can you go to Kidani & check it out? I know you can't check out BLT from CR.

 

[TheWog]

Has the Kidani Village opening up added time to the buses?

adds about 2-3 mins.

 

[mmmears]

We have stayed at AKL & love it! We tried Poly & CR, but not happy w/them at all. AKL is our fav & we plan on staying there again our next trip. We had pool view which was nice, but we're hoping to get savannah view next time!
Has the Kidani Village opening up added time to the buses?
If you stay at AKL, can you go to Kidani & check it out? I know you can't check out BLT from CR.

We love AKL, too! Kidani is completely open and yes, you can visit it. We stayed at AKL Jambo last summer. We were able to go to Kidani, check out the lobby and animal overlooks, and even use the pool and the new splashy play area. We just toured it, didn't play in it, but the pool play area looked like lots of fun, with slides, "leaky" pipes, "spitting" snakes, etc. (tons of ways to get wet).

 

[rance]

Can someone help medecide between a value studio vs std. studio.not sure if it is worth it to pay more for std.

Also not sure which villiage to stay in.Think it would be nice to be first on resort busses in morning, but I do like hotel feel...lobby etc. so maybe jambo house is better.

 

[RachelTori]

Can someone help medecide between a value studio vs std. studio.not sure if it is worth it to pay more for std.

Also not sure which villiage to stay in.Think it would be nice to be first on resort busses in morning, but I do like hotel feel...lobby etc. so maybe jambo house is better.

If you choose a Value Studio, Jambo House is your only choice. Standard Studios are available at both Jambo & Kidani. The Value is smaller and has less storage space, so I would say it depends on your party size.

I love Kidani, but still prefer Jambo for the convenience of the restaurants. The park buses do pick up at Kidani first, so if you're at Jambo, depending on the time and park, you might have to stand and in rare cases, wait for another bus. The downtown Disney bus picks up at Jambo first.

HTHs!

 

[wdisneyaholic]

Could someone please confirm for me that the 1 bedroom villas at Kidani will sleep 5? I read that some 1 bedroom villas sleep 4 and some sleep 5. I'm a little confused. Thanks.

 

[Katie & Glen]

I was curious about this, I know when this thread was started it looks like this was only for CL guests, but now on the WDW website, they have it listed as anyone staying in Jambo or Kidani.

Can someone tell me if the cost listed on the first page is still accurate? Also, how does it affect the DDP?

 

[swwake]

I was curious about this, I know when this thread was started it looks like this was only for CL guests, but now on the WDW website, they have it listed as anyone staying in Jambo or Kidani.

Can someone tell me if the cost listed on the first page is still accurate? Also, how does it affect the DDP?

From my IPO email:

"Wanyama Safari is an approximately 1 and a half hour safari experience
at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge where a guest will experience a
re-creation of a true African afternoon game drive. An opportunity to
spend time with members from the Lodge animal programs team in a very
personal environment. Learning about the natural history and management
of the animal collection at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Incredible
photo opportunities of the animals and architecture of Disney's Animal
Kingdom Lodge that can only be experienced from our savannas . Your
safari will conclude with a true African dining experience at Jiko, just
like the lodges in Africa where a multi-course meal will await you which
may include a wine pairing. You will be meet at the Jiko Podium at 3:45
p.m. where you will be met by our animal Programs team. Safaris are
offered daily. Guests must be 8 years of age or older. The price for
the experience is $170 per person. Tax and gratuity included as well as
a small contribution to the Disney Conservation Fund. 48 hour
cancellation policy does apply so a credit card is required at time of
booking. Admission is limited to 12 Guests and can be reserved 90 days
in advance of arrival. "

My understanding is that this is open to all guests staying at AKL and this year they changed it so that the price is the same, whether you are CL or not.

 

[mmmears]

I received the same information as the pp. WS is $170pp, open to anyone staying at AKL, and there is no longer a price break for guests staying CL.