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

[hematite153]

I'm trying to get an AKV jambo 1 BR club level for our honeymoon next March. I know there are only 5 right? Does anyone know when these might be available to book.

I want to try to get it ASAP just to lock it in. When i called last time they said that some of the villas arent available to book until 10 months out, however im reluctant to fully believe them since they didnt really know what I was asking for and had instead booked me at a 1 BR at kidani. I really want to stay CL because i love my coffee in the morning but I also love all the space in the 1 BR.

Thanks!

Are you trying to book this with DVC points, or for cash?

I don't think that the DVC 1bdrm concierge rooms are ever likely to be available for cash reservations. Because there are only 5 of them, they get snapped up fast by members and there is usually a long waitlist.

Thus, if you were trying to book with points and they didn't have them, I'm not surprised because they probably were booked within the first week (if not the first day) of the 11-month window. And, if you were trying to book with cash they probably didn't know what you were talking about because they (CRO) NEVER see those rooms in their system.

I think that AKL has a couple of larger suites though too. You might try asking about them because I think they all come with concierge access.

 

[myDISboards]

Direct posts/links (pictures) to my LIVE thread feeds from Easter Sunday April 04-09, 2010 at

Savanna pics from 1-bedroom balcony

1-bedroom pics (room safe & instructions)

Many videos for Kidani Village and Jambo House (STS-131 Discovery Launch April 05, 2010 from NASA Causeway)

April 2010 Activities Sheet At Check-In (aka Daily Adventures)

An excellent showers and change of clothes area!!

One Bedroom & Two Bedroom Villa Amenity List

Photos for April 2010 Activities for Jambo House and Kidani Village (aka Daily Adventures)

Our room location:
7th door from Community Hall
Or
3rd door from Walkway to WDW buses, lobby, pool, restaurant
Or
2nd door from Timon Elevators

Even-numbered rooms layout from main lobby to south elevators:
Community Hall
Room 7204
Room 7206
Room 7208
Room 7210
Walkway to WDW buses, lobby, pool, restaurant (see photo below)
Room 7212
Room 7214
Room 7216 --> our 1-bedroom
Room 7218
Timon Elevators

Webcam view to the LEFT of “Sunset” savanna

Webcam view to the RIGHT of “Sunset” savanna

A photo of Walkway to WDW buses, lobby, pool, restaurant

 

[CelticBelle]

Thanks for the response! I was looking to book with cash. The AKL suites are about twice the price of the DVC 1 BR. If I cant get it, i'll probably just switch us to a standard CL AKL.

Thanks for the help!

 

[hematite153]

Thanks for the response! I was looking to book with cash. The AKL suites are about twice the price of the DVC 1 BR. If I cant get it, i'll probably just switch us to a standard CL AKL.

I'm pretty sure that is because the AKL suites have concierge status and the DVC 1bdrms (the ones that are bookable for cash) do not. In the rare instance that an AKV concierge 1bdrm became available for a cash stay I suspect it would cost the same as the suites.

You could try looking to rent points, but, I think you're probably getting going too late to get the reservation since you'll need time to set up a contract with a renter and they'd probably need to book at exactly 11 months.

 

[Burnt Toast]

FYI.

Kidani Village offers coffee service between 5:30am to 7:00am (though I have found that sometimes it is out at 5:00am to match the opening of the Airline Check-In desk) at the Front Desk. Complementary coffee for those early morning risers as well as those departing the Resort early and headed home.

Jambo House and Kidani Village are offering transportation services via golf cart between both buildings between 7:30am to 3:30pm, with a small break between the 12pm-1pm hour (though service maybe continued based on availability). Just ask the Front Desk, Concierge, Concierge Curbside check-in (podium outside on the front drive), or a Valet attendant to find out more.

Maji, Kidani Village's pool bar, offers counter-service items while they are open and DOES take quick-service credits on the Disney Dining Plan. Items range from turkey club sandwiches and tandoori chicken salads. They also have various snack credit items there as well.

These things are still a "test" so if you've experienced any of the above offerings recently then please let the Front Office staff at the DAKL know what you think. These are all new offerings that have started this year and they'd like to know if you like to see it continued.

Hope this helps!

 

[JanetMom]

Hello AKL experts, I just had a thought, and I figure this would be the best place to get some advice.

I'm travelling to WDW for a work conference on Monday, staying at CSR. Since this is a work conference I will only be at WDW for three nights, and will likey only have the evenings to myself. This doesn't feel like enough time to spend the money on park passes, so I'm looking for ideas of how to spend my evenings. (My family just finished a dream vacation of 7 nights club level CR overlooking MK, and spending 7 days in the parks so I don't feel as much of a need to get a park fix.)

It occurred to me that it might be very nice to go check out AKL one night for a few hours. I figure I could get some counter service food and check out the property. So here are my questions...

If I am not staying in a room at AKL is it possible to see some of the animals from any of the public areas at the resort? Any must-see points of interest in the lodge if I am only passing through for an hour or two?

 

[P&B's Mom]

FYI.

Kidani Village offers coffee service between 5:30am to 7:00am (though I have found that sometimes it is out at 5:00am to match the opening of the Airline Check-In desk) at the Front Desk. Complementary coffee for those early morning risers as well as those departing the Resort early and headed home.

Jambo House and Kidani Village are offering transportation services via golf cart between both buildings between 7:30am to 3:30pm, with a small break between the 12pm-1pm hour (though service maybe continued based on availability). Just ask the Front Desk, Concierge, Concierge Curbside check-in (podium outside on the front drive), or a Valet attendant to find out more.

Maji, Kidani Village's pool bar, offers counter-service items while they are open and DOES take quick-service credits on the Disney Dining Plan. Items range from turkey club sandwiches and tandoori chicken salads. They also have various snack credit items there as well.

These things are still a "test" so if you've experienced any of the above offerings recently then please let the Front Office staff at the DAKL know what you think. These are all new offerings that have started this year and they'd like to know if you like to see it continued.

Hope this helps!

I hope these things continue. We travel back "home" to Kidani in July. I will definitely report back to the CMs!

 

[Palm_Tree]

Our family will be arriving at AKV for our first time this week and are very excited. We are big Montreal Canadiens hockey fams and are wondering if there is anywhere on site where we will be able to catch the game on Versus? From what I understand they do not have that station in the room. Wondering if there are any places (bar? rec room?) that may be showing it?

 

[swwake]

Hello AKL experts, I just had a thought, and I figure this would be the best place to get some advice.

I'm travelling to WDW for a work conference on Monday, staying at CSR. Since this is a work conference I will only be at WDW for three nights, and will likey only have the evenings to myself. This doesn't feel like enough time to spend the money on park passes, so I'm looking for ideas of how to spend my evenings. (My family just finished a dream vacation of 7 nights club level CR overlooking MK, and spending 7 days in the parks so I don't feel as much of a need to get a park fix.)

It occurred to me that it might be very nice to go check out AKL one night for a few hours. I figure I could get some counter service food and check out the property. So here are my questions...

If I am not staying in a room at AKL is it possible to see some of the animals from any of the public areas at the resort? Any must-see points of interest in the lodge if I am only passing through for an hour or two?

We did this in '08. We spent a few hours there. We had reservations at Jiko, which we canceled and got on the waiting list for Boma. It was about a 45 minute wait. So during that time, we explored the lodge. We took the elevators up to higher floors and walked the full length of the hallways. There are several window areas where you can stop and see the animals on both sides of the hallway.

Also, you can explore the lodge, the gift shop, there is Victoria Falls lounge for a fun drink, and you can walk out back to the Arusha Rock and see lots of animals.

There is Mara for quick service, but I highly recommend Boma. It was one of our top two restaurants for that trip (the other was California Grill).

 

[JanetMom]

We did this in '08. We spent a few hours there. We had reservations at Jiko, which we canceled and got on the waiting list for Boma. It was about a 45 minute wait. So during that time, we explored the lodge. We took the elevators up to higher floors and walked the full length of the hallways. There are several window areas where you can stop and see the animals on both sides of the hallway.

Also, you can explore the lodge, the gift shop, there is Victoria Falls lounge for a fun drink, and you can walk out back to the Arusha Rock and see lots of animals.

There is Mara for quick service, but I highly recommend Boma. It was one of our top two restaurants for that trip (the other was California Grill).

Perfect! Thank you so much for the response. Since I am there for a work conference I'm not sure what time will be my own, but from your experience it looks like AKL will make for the perfect unplanned evening getaway.

Thanks again for your response.

 

[Sea Turtles]

Our family will be arriving at AKV for our first time this week and are very excited. We are big Montreal Canadiens hockey fams and are wondering if there is anywhere on site where we will be able to catch the game on Versus? From what I understand they do not have that station in the room. Wondering if there are any places (bar? rec room?) that may be showing it?

Should it be a weekend/day game, definitely try Uzima Springs pool bar. They use a satellite connection with more channels than the room.

 

[ajjollie23]

Should it be a weekend/day game, definitely try Uzima Springs pool bar. They use a satellite connection with more channels than the room.

Also I would try ESPN restaurant at the boardwalk. they have tons of sports games playing, you may even be able to call them ahead of time and ask

 

[KELLY]

Do they have a hairwrap stand near the Pool? My dd wants to get this done again. But I'm sure my youngest will want it done this time also.

We got a pool view room should I put a request in for a upper floor? I just don't want to be on the bottom floor. We also did the QSDP this time around because there are only 2 adr's we want to do. Does the mara sell pizza? I know the food court is a bit limited like WL. But I can't remeber if they had pizza.

 

[Golf4food]

Anyone able to provide more deatils on the massage services offered at AKL? Are there couples' massages available? Are the facilities nice or are they more like a small Dr.'s office room? DW & I are planning on doing a massage during our stay in December and are trying to decide on which location and since we're staying at AKL I wanted to at least check it out and see if it would work - not have to leave the hotel that day, etc. If they aren't really a nice destination type spa then we'd just as soon head over to Saratoga Springs or the Grand Floridian. Thanks.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

I am sure that someone has probably asked this before but as it is taking me so long to read through I will ask now. What is the difference between a value and standard views if you are staying in a one or two bedroom villa. Are they different if you stay in Kidani rather than Jambo. Thanks in advance. This will really make a difference to my DH.

 

[Disbug1]

Are you trying to book this with DVC points, or for cash?

I don't think that the DVC 1bdrm concierge rooms are ever likely to be available for cash reservations. Because there are only 5 of them, they get snapped up fast by members and there is usually a long waitlist.

Thus, if you were trying to book with points and they didn't have them, I'm not surprised because they probably were booked within the first week (if not the first day) of the 11-month window. And, if you were trying to book with cash they probably didn't know what you were talking about because they (CRO) NEVER see those rooms in their system.

I think that AKL has a couple of larger suites though too. You might try asking about them because I think they all come with concierge access.

The 1BR Jambo Villas CL do sometimes become available through CRO,,For example there is one available right now from Dec 24th till the 27th Also the Deluxe Studio CL are available too...Remember that when u are checking through CRO u have to request "Jambo"

 

[DisKimberly]

We are staying at Kidani this november, Im so excited!
We have stayed at Jambo before and LOVED It, Im excited to go back and try the new pool area!



My son will be 19 months this November, we got a savanna view I think he will love it!

 

[hematite153]

We also did the QSDP this time around because there are only 2 adr's we want to do. Does the mara sell pizza? I know the food court is a bit limited like WL. But I can't remeber if they had pizza.

I'm pretty sure Mara has flatbreads. Mara is generally considered to be one of the best QS places in the world.

 

[nemofans]

Yes, Mara has flatbread pizzas.

 

[John's Mom]

Do they have a hairwrap stand near the Pool? My dd wants to get this done again. But I'm sure my youngest will want it done this time also.

We got a pool view room should I put a request in for a upper floor? I just don't want to be on the bottom floor. We also did the QSDP this time around because there are only 2 adr's we want to do. Does the mara sell pizza? I know the food court is a bit limited like WL. But I can't remeber if they had pizza.

From Mara's March 2010 menu:

Chicken Flatbread - corn, mozzarella and zough drizzle $8.29
Cheese Flatbread $6.99
Vegetable Flatbread - olives, cheese, pesto $7.99