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

[Flossbolna]

Hi, I just booked AKL this morning for 2009. Can we use the pool at the Villa's as well as the main one at the resort? Thanks for any info!

I think, so far nobody knows for sure yet unfortunately. There was some talk about the pool being exclusive for the AKV guests, but as far as I remember that was never really confirmed. We will have to wait until May 2009.

 

[s&k'smom]

Thanks for the info, I'm just guessing we would be able to only because I understand at WL you can use both pools. My kids would love to use both pools!

 

[JHarveyTN]

Whose stayed in a pool view room? Are these rooms in a good location of the hotel? Thanks!

 

[s&k'smom]

We have about 4 years ago and will next October 2009. And we loved it. We were on the 5th floor facing the pool with the coffee shop on the right and playground on left (did that make sense?). I don't remember at all any noise and my kids loved being able to get up in the morning and seeing the pool. We were right around the corner from the elevator and stairs. Did not seem like a long walk to the busses. As a matter of fact my son had a phobia about elevators so being right next to the stairs worked out great for us. The room was slightly larger than the standard rooms and was just beautiful.

 

[Flossbolna]

Whose stayed in a pool view room? Are these rooms in a good location of the hotel? Thanks!

I really liked the pool view room we had. They are all close to the pool and since the restaurants are located on that side of the lodge as well, you are also close to the restaurants as you can see on this map: http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/DAKLMap.pdf

 

[Flossbolna]

We have about 4 years ago and will next October 2009. And we loved it. We were on the 5th floor facing the pool with the coffee shop on the right and playground on left (did that make sense?). I don't remember at all any noise and my kids loved being able to get up in the morning and seeing the pool. We were right around the corner from the elevator and stairs. Did not seem like a long walk to the busses. As a matter of fact my son had a phobia about elevators so being right next to the stairs worked out great for us. The room was slightly larger than the standard rooms and was just beautiful.

I totally agree this is a great location. But unfortunately the rooms on the 5th floor have all been converted into DVC accomodotation. If you just want a hotel room you will have a standard room and be on floors 1 to 4.

 

[s&k'smom]

Wow I didn't know that isn't there a 6th and 7th floor as well?

 

[JHarveyTN]

Thanks for your comments! I was a little bit worried about not getting the savanna view but it sounds like the pool view is a good choice! I think I will request a 4th floor just because we prefer a higher floor.

 

[Donald is #1]

Wow I didn't know that isn't there a 6th and 7th floor as well?

There are 6 floors. The 5th & 6th floor are now DVC plus the concierge lounge for both AKV & AKL is on the 6th floor.

 

[hazlnut]

Looking for current info and pics on the view from the 1-bedroom suites. Non-DVC.

What are the room numbers?

How is the view of the Sunset Savannah?? How much construction??

Thanks

 

[Miffy]

Hi, AKL Experts.

I've been searching and searching and I can't find this info, so I apologize in advance if this is addressed somewhere in this thread.

I've seen info about the AKL construction and the provisions that will be made for "Members" during the January 15-April 15 period when the Sunset Savanna's closed. I assume this info applies to DVC members and not resort guests. However, I don't see any info about booking an s-v room for this period--as a regular resort guest, not as a DVC stay.

Will CRO (is that what Disney reservations is still called?) clearly tell you while you're booking that you definitely have an s-v room or is it more hit-and miss, i.e., you book s-v, but when you get there, you may not get an s-v room (i.e., an s-v room overlooking a savanna with animals on it) and you'll have no way of knowing ahead of time?

Even if they'd give some kind of a discount or other offer if the room turned out not to have a view of animals on a savanna, I'd rather not risk it, since an s-v room at AKL is the main reason we want to go to WDW in either January or March.

Thanks so much for anything you can offer, any site you can point me to, or maybe a page in this thread that I didn't find.

 

[TheWog]

Question about coffee makers in the room. I have seen conflicting reports. Is there a coffee maker in the room or not? Reports that say there are say they use the flat bottom filter. Is this correct as well? Thanks for the info.

 

[eddieras]

Question about coffee makers in the room. I have seen conflicting reports. Is there a coffee maker in the room or not? Reports that say there are say they use the flat bottom filter. Is this correct as well? Thanks for the info.

i just got back from AKL 2 weeks ago - yes, there are coffee makers in the room - they take flat bottom filters. i used 8 cup filters and they worked perfectly. have a cup an a balcony for me!!

 

[TheWog]

i just got back from AKL 2 weeks ago - yes, there are coffee makers in the room - they take flat bottom filters. i used 8 cup filters and they worked perfectly. have a cup an a balcony for me!!

You got it. Thank you very much. DW would much prefer to bring our own coffee and have it first thing in the a.m.

Thanks again.

 

[eddieras]

You got it. Thank you very much. DW would much prefer to bring our own coffee and have it first thing in the a.m.

Thanks again.

that's me too! i have to have a good cup of coffee myself (or two) i had a bag of ground dunkin donuts coffee- even bought my own half and half!

 

[TheWog]

that's me too! i have to have a good cup of coffee myself (or two) i had a bag of ground dunkin donuts coffee- even bought my own half and half!

yeah, that's what she does too. Green Mountain Hazelnut is her vice. Bring it ready to go with the creamer and splenda or whatever it is.

 

[s&k'smom]

Well that's a relief! Nothing I like better than getting up before everyone and having my coffee on the balcony.

 

[eddieras]

Well that's a relief! Nothing I like better than getting up before everyone and having my coffee on the balcony.

ditto! i even set up the coffee the nite before so i didn't disturb anyone in the am - tho after a bit i did want to wake them so we could get to the parks!!

 

[JHarveyTN]

I know AKL is not an old resort but just wandering if any refurbishment had ever been done on the rooms. I read that the top floors recently received refurb when they were converted to DVC. Just curious.

 

[mmmears]

The AKLV rooms were re-done because they added kitchenettes, suites, etc. and so had to basically redo the whole area.

I also have not heard of any rehabs of AKL lately. I haven't stayed there yet (we're staying there next time), but I haven't heard that it was looking bad yet. I hope that's true!