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

[JanineandMike]

Have a wonderful trip. My recommendations would be the culinary tour at Jiko and Boma (started at 3;45 pm when we were staying there) and the culture talk in the evening. There used to be an arts tour, but it was not offered when I was staying there, but it might be worth to ask about it. Besides that I would suggest to talk to the cast members at the savanna outlooks. They are all from Africa and love to tell you about their home countries.

is there a charge for the culinary tour or culture talk? they sound like things we would like to do on our trip. is there information about these types of offerings in the lobby?

 

[John's Mom]

is there a charge for the culinary tour or culture talk? they sound like things we would like to do on our trip. is there information about these types of offerings in the lobby?

There is no charge for the tours. There is an activities board in the lobby next to bell services.

 

[eddieras]

is there a charge for the culinary tour or culture talk? they sound like things we would like to do on our trip. is there information about these types of offerings in the lobby?

the tours are free--

we just got back from AKL on sunday nite- when we checked in they gave us a folder and in it had a list of activities. you can also pick up a copy of the activity list from bell services.

 

[Soccer Princess]

Does anyone know the actual times for the Sunset Safari? Does it vary depending on the time of year? Just trying to get an idea of when we will need to be back at the resort and ready for this. Thanks!

 

[eeyoresnr]

Does anyone know the actual times for the Sunset Safari? Does it vary depending on the time of year? Just trying to get an idea of when we will need to be back at the resort and ready for this. Thanks!

our itinerary that they emailed us says 4pm...it says to check-in at the Jiko podium 15 minutes prior to departure and that is for Dec, so I don't know if they do it later other months of the year

 

[JanineandMike]

thanks for the info john's mom and eddieras we are really looking forward to staying at AKL and want to get the most out of the experience, so any activities like those sound great.

 

[JanineandMike]

we'll be staying at AKL for the first time in december and we paid for a standard view. the resort map makes it look like most of the rooms are savannah view and i read somewhere that some savannah view rooms are considered standard view because they have a "poor" savannah view. does anyone know if this is true or have an idea of how many standard view rooms are actually savannah views? we are hoping for a view better than the parking lot but arent getting our hopes up too high. i just figured if 80% of the rooms are savannah view (even if it's poor) maybe we'd get lucky.

 

[Northern_Julie]

we'll be staying at AKL for the first time in december and we paid for a standard view. the resort map makes it look like most of the rooms are savannah view and i read somewhere that some savannah view rooms are considered standard view because they have a "poor" savannah view. does anyone know if this is true or have an idea of how many standard view rooms are actually savannah views? we are hoping for a view better than the parking lot but arent getting our hopes up too high. i just figured if 80% of the rooms are savannah view (even if it's poor) maybe we'd get lucky.

I just got back and had booked a standard room. We were on the ground level floor and had a view of Kudo Savannah. We looked at the construction (noise was not an issue) and I more often than not saw animals as many of the feeding stations were in the area. They actually appeared to like to check up on the progress. I liked the ground level because it felt like we were close to them.

 

[JanineandMike]

I just got back and had booked a standard room. We were on the ground level floor and had a view of Kudo Savannah. We looked at the construction (noise was not an issue) and I more often than not saw animals as many of the feeding stations were in the area. They actually appeared to like to check up on the progress. I liked the ground level because it felt like we were close to them.

thanks for the response. since you were on the ground level this may not apply to you, but did it seem like there weren't enough elevators in the resort or does it just look that way on the map? thanks again.

 

[Northern_Julie]

thanks for the response. since you were on the ground level this may not apply to you, but did it seem like there weren't enough elevators in the resort or does it just look that way on the map? thanks again.

We never had to wait to long and it was never crowded. We were actually a floor below the lobby so we used the elevator when we were lazy or dealing with luggage.

 

[heatherbabydoll1]

Any advice would be wonderful! I have never stayed at AKL before. We have booked a pool room because there where no savannah rooms available with the code I got. We have saved all year for this. Any room suggestions to make it real magical? I will be celebrateing my 30th and my son's 10th.

http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1hZ2ljYWxraW5nZG9tcy5jb20vdGltZXJzLw==

 

[eddieras]

Any advice would be wonderful! I have never stayed at AKL before. We have booked a pool room because there where no savannah rooms available with the code I got. We have saved all year for this. Any room suggestions to make it real magical? I will be celebrateing my 30th and my son's 10th.

http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1hZ2ljYWxraW5nZG9tcy5jb20vdGltZXJzLw==

we just got back from our 3rd AKL visit- first time with a non-savannah - had a pool view- unfortunatley we had a first floor - no view at all - nothing but the foliage - good for some privacy tho we never used the deck (not a balcony on the 1st floor!). i'd recommend a higher floor - we were on the part off the zebra trail that juts out- on the second floor of this wing is a overlook with chairs, so that's an option. otherwise i'd go for a 3rd or 4th floor where the view may better. one good thing is that in this wing you are close to the restaurants, pool of course and a bit closer to the bus. remember- the lobby, resort exit is on the 3rd floor - so keep that in mind also--

 

[2manypets]

Hi everyone,

AKL is one of four resorts we're thinking of staying at next Sept (the others are YC/BC, CSR, or 2 rooms at Pop). I was wondering about the bus situation. In Sept how often would one have to stand up on the bus. I only have one functioning arm and it would be very awkward to try to balance for 20 minutes. TIA

 

[eddieras]

Hi everyone,

AKL is one of four resorts we're thinking of staying at next Sept (the others are YC/BC, CSR, or 2 rooms at Pop). I was wondering about the bus situation. In Sept how often would one have to stand up on the bus. I only have one functioning arm and it would be very awkward to try to balance for 20 minutes. TIA

we've stayed at AKL 3x, once in sept, once may and last week - the only time we saw standing room was last week - and i would hope someone would offer their seat in the event that occurred. btw - i clocked the travel times - MK was the furthest and it was less than 20- it was 15' the other parks were less than that with AK being only about 5 - not that you should have to stand for any of them!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Heading to AKL next month - going to a conference at the Swan/Dolphin, but am staying at AKL by choice. I really enjoy the artwork, theming, Boma, the aroma. Last time I stayed at AKL was 3 years ago with the family (although I have made it to Jiko and Boma once more each when I was in town for business).

Since this is a solo adult trip, what should I be sure not to miss? One plan is to walk the halls and truly look at all the artwork.

Just returned from our first stay at AKL (and first trip to the World in 15 years). The AKL was amazing.

One thing I would make sure you take time to do (which will be easy even with your conference at S/D) is the night viewing of the animals.

In the evening, until 10pm I think, there are CMs down by the savannah near the pool with night-vision binoculars. They help you locate the animals and you would swear there is nothing there. You then look through the night-vision glasses and see so many animals right there! It was really a memorable experience for me. How many places will you stay in your life where you can look at an antelope at 9pm at night from your hotel?

Enjoy!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Hi everyone,

AKL is one of four resorts we're thinking of staying at next Sept (the others are YC/BC, CSR, or 2 rooms at Pop). I was wondering about the bus situation. In Sept how often would one have to stand up on the bus. I only have one functioning arm and it would be very awkward to try to balance for 20 minutes. TIA

We had some standing room only busses coming back to the resort after park closing, never in the middle of the day. We never made rope drop so I can't comment then.

We also had standing room only EVERY night coming back to the Yacht Club on the boats (after park closing).

- Dreams

 

[Mrs Hobbes]

We have our first trip home to AKV in Feb next year.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the activities they have for children at the hotel. I know about the night vision, the stories around the fire and feeding the Flaminoes but I also read somewhere ages ago about African craft activities such as making bracelets and so on. Does anyone have any more information on these crafts, are they daily, where are they located, cost etc

Thanks

 

[2manypets]

OK, I'm sold I just spent 20 minutes on the line with Disney and changed to AKL Savannah view room. All the pictures are absolutely beautiful and I love the idea of a dedicated buss! Now to keep from spoiling the secret surprise upgrade from DH & DD for the next 10 months.

 

[Disney Dreams]

OK, I'm sold I just spent 20 minutes on the line with Disney and changed to AKL Savannah view room. All the pictures are absolutely beautiful and I love the idea of a dedicated buss! Now to keep from spoiling the secret surprise upgrade from DH & DD for the next 10 months.

Oh, you are going to LOVE it! (Can I come?) hehe Excited for you!

 

[2manypets]

Oh yeah, one more of many questions. Do the tubs have a ledge at the end of them. The kind you can put your shampoo or rear end on to shave legs? I've booked a disabled room because it ain't fun shaving your legs left handed while balanced on one leg If the tub does have a ledge, then I can save the Disabled room for someone who needs it more.