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

[joelp]

If you are going to have time to actually spend at the AKL and walk around, use the pool, etc. - YES!!

If not - although it is a beautiful resort - IMHO it's a bit expensive for just a place to sleep!! (But then - once you walk into the lobby - you may change whatever touring plans you had ... )

... and go for the Pool View Room ...

 

[MinnieMom]

If staying AKL CL, is it still worthwhile to make special room requests? I think I read (though I'm experiencing a bit of brain overload at the moment, so I could be wrong) that all CL rooms have savanna views. Are they all good views?

Unfortunately we had to cut back on our upcoming trip some and decided to stay offsite in a condo for a week and only be at AKL for two nights . . . Stinks, but hey - at least we'll still be at WDW and get to experience AKL too! Since we're only going to be there two nights I'm not really planning much park touring those days so we can really just enjoy the resort. I would like to make it as magical as possible, so would you recommend I request any special rooms or just leave it up to Tink and her pixie dust?

 

[flickwizard]

Hello!

I'll admit I didn't read every single page of this thread to see if my question was asked/answered or not already.

I am wanting to stay at AKL next month on a last minute trip. There are no savanna view rooms available. There are pool and standard.

Is it still worth staying at AKL if I can't get a savanna view? I would get the pool view versus the standard view.

Thank you!

Worth it relative to what? It really depends on a whole bunch of factors. How many people are you? Is more space and larger beds important to you? If yes, AKL pool view is a not-as-expensive deluxe alternative to a moderate resort. Is theming important? The theming is wonderful regardless of your room, and there are plenty of places to see animals all around the resort.

If you supply a bit more information, I am certain you'll get advice that pertains to your situation.

Thanks!

 

[2manypets]

Hello!

I'll admit I didn't read every single page of this thread to see if my question was asked/answered or not already.

I am wanting to stay at AKL next month on a last minute trip. There are no savanna view rooms available. There are pool and standard.

Is it still worth staying at AKL if I can't get a savanna view? I would get the pool view versus the standard view.

Thank you!

Yes, no matter how many people are with you. The rooms are the same sized whether savannah or pool view. (Except for the deluxe rooms, of course) There are lots of viewing areas around the resort to see the animals. And the seating area out back is spectacular and very relaxing.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Hello!

I'll admit I didn't read every single page of this thread to see if my question was asked/answered or not already.

I am wanting to stay at AKL next month on a last minute trip. There are no savanna view rooms available. There are pool and standard.

Is it still worth staying at AKL if I can't get a savanna view? I would get the pool view versus the standard view.

Thank you!

Congrats on the last minute trip! The cost between pool/std rooms is so minimal, so good choice. I have seen some pool views with a small view of savanna actually, it was an AKV room, although AKL rooms below it would have same view.
While we have enjoyed the SV...if you really want to enjoy all this resort has to offer, keep in mind there are many public viewing areas!
I had a SV last Sept, didnt see much..other stay I did...
Good luck with your decision!

 

[mmmears]

I think it's worth staying there no matter what view your room has. We dont spend all that much time in our room anyway. The resort itself is so beautifully themed, so nicely designed and decorated, that we were really impressed by it when we visited to go to dinner at Boma. The lobby is immense and gorgeous, the pool area is so natural-looking, and the savannas made us feel like we were in Africa.

After our dinner we toured the resort. There were so many opportunities to view the animals from areas open to everyone. At Arusha Rock, there was even a CM there to answer all our questions about the animals and their care.

Have a great time there -- it's an amazing resort and the photos I've seen just dont do the place justice.

 

[mirlow]

Can anyone tell me where the one bedroom CL suites are located (not DVC)?
I'm debating between that or two club level rooms. Location could help influence my decision.
Thanks!

 

[itchin2go]

Can anyone tell me where the one bedroom CL suites are located (not DVC)?
I'm debating between that or two club level rooms. Location could help influence my decision.
Thanks!

3 are on the Sunset Savannah, 1 is in the Uzima area - overlooking a hot tub.

 

[candeeapril]

HI just wanting to collect as much info as possible for next trip. We are hoping for sv w/ bunk beds. We have a trip booked for june 22-29 but if codes come out for the fall I want to switch to Nov.

 

[mmmears]

HI just wanting to collect as much info as possible for next trip. We are hoping for sv w/ bunk beds. We have a trip booked for june 22-29 but if codes come out for the fall I want to switch to Nov.

to the AKL thread.

 

[MnMomW3Boys]

Does anyone know if the savannah that would be visable from Kidani is scheduled to open the first of May with the rest of Kidani? I saw on another board that the scheduled date for the Savannah opening is Sept 2009 not May. I asked when I scheduled my stay, and all MS would tell me is that if the Savannah is not open they will refund the differnce between a Savannah view and a Standard room. I don't want to be disappointed if the savannah is not open. I have looked on the DVC board and did not see any info, so I though someone here may know.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Donald is #1]

Does anyone know if the savannah that would be visable from Kidani is scheduled to open the first of May with the rest of Kidani? I saw on another board that the scheduled date for the Savannah opening is Sept 2009 not May. I asked when I scheduled my stay, and all MS would tell me is that if the Savannah is not open they will refund the differnce between a Savannah view and a Standard room. I don't want to be disappointed if the savannah is not open. I have looked on the DVC board and did not see any info, so I though someone here may know.

Thanks in advance.

I *think* that the new Savanna ins't opening until September. But I believe that the sunset savanna will be open in May. Again, I believe that all of the rooms opening in May are the ones that are on the Sunset Savanna and the rooms on the new savanna won't be opening until September.

 

[MnMomW3Boys]

I *think* that the new Savanna ins't opening until September. But I believe that the sunset savanna will be open in May. Again, I believe that all of the rooms opening in May are the ones that are on the Sunset Savanna and the rooms on the new savanna won't be opening until September.

Thank you, MS was very vague so I was bit concerned. Do you think there will still be a lot of animals out and about?

 

[Donald is #1]

Thank you, MS was very vague so I was bit concerned. Do you think there will still be a lot of animals out and about?

I would assume so. The reason that the sunset savanna is currently closed (or at least reported to be closed) is so that the new animals can acclimate to it.

 

[Miffy]

I posted this as a separate thread, then realized it should really be here on this thread.

These may also be the channels at other WDW resorts, but they're definitely the channels at AKL. Not knowing what channel was what drove me nuts, so I made a partial list. Important channels listed in bold type. Sorry I don't have all the channels, but here are most of them:

2 NBC
3 ABC Family
4 ABC News Now
5 Headline News (HLN)
6 CBS
7 Lifetime
8 Lifetime Real Women
9 ABC
10 ESPN
11 ESPN Classic
12 ESPN2
13 ESPN News
14 Radio Disney
15 Disney XD (currently Toon Disney--they're changing their name shortly)
16 Disney Channel
17 What's On (the scrolling guide to all the channels)
18 Disney Top Attractions (I'm pretty sure that's what's on this channel--sorry if I have the name wrong)
19 WDW Today (park times and info)
20 AKL Information (maybe this is the channel where every resort has their specific info?)
21 AKV - DVC information
22 Your Next Disney Vacation
23 Company Clips
24 WMFE-24 (PBS)
25 ?
26 Fox 35 (local)
27 local channel 27
28 Independent (?)
29 Independent (?)
30 ION
31 Independent (?)
32 Good Life (45)
33 Disney conventions
34 Soap
35 BET
37 Weather
38 CNBC
39 MSNBC
40 CNN
41 Golf
42 NBC (local affiliate)
43 CBS (local affiliate)
44 ABC (local affiliate)
45 CNN
46 CNN Headline News
49 ESPNU
53-54-55-56 Spanish-language channels
57 German-language channel
58 ESPN Deportes
59 TV Japan
60 CCTV 9 (China)


I missed a lot of the channels, but at least there's something here to get you started.

As other people have noted, the remote controls for the TVs at AKL don't work very well, especially to directly access a 2-digit channel. We asked for new batteries for our remote, thinking this was the problem, however, it wasn't.

A person doesn't go to WDW to watch TV, but there are times when one does have it on, especially to check the weather, park hours, or catch up on sports scores, the news, etc.

Perhaps someone else will be able to complete and/or add to this list.

 

[mmmears]

Miffy,

Thanks for posting the list! It'll be good to use as a reference when we're there!

 

[Debs Hill]

Can someone tell me what a 'standard' view at Kidani could look out over?!!! Is it the pool or a car park or both?!!!
Debsx

 

[hematite153]

Can someone tell me what a 'standard' view at Kidani could look out over?!!! Is it the pool or a car park or both?!!!
Debsx

Both.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Quick question: I keep reading the farthest rooms are quite a hike from the lobby and pool area -- how long a hike are we talking about??? Thanks!

 

[momtotwoteens]

I posted this as a separate thread, then realized it should really be here on this thread.

These may also be the channels at other WDW resorts, but they're definitely the channels at AKL. Not knowing what channel was what drove me nuts, so I made a partial list. Important channels listed in bold type. Sorry I don't have all the channels, but here are most of them:

2 NBC
3 ABC Family
4 ABC News Now
5 Headline News (HLN)
6 CBS
7 Lifetime
8 Lifetime Real Women
9 ABC
10 ESPN
11 ESPN Classic
12 ESPN2
13 ESPN News
14 Radio Disney
15 Disney XD (currently Toon Disney--they're changing their name shortly)
16 Disney Channel
17 What's On (the scrolling guide to all the channels)
18 Disney Top Attractions (I'm pretty sure that's what's on this channel--sorry if I have the name wrong)
19 WDW Today (park times and info)
20 AKL Information (maybe this is the channel where every resort has their specific info?)
21 AKV - DVC information
22 Your Next Disney Vacation
23 Company Clips
24 WMFE-24 (PBS)
25 ?
26 Fox 35 (local)
27 local channel 27
28 Independent (?)
29 Independent (?)
30 ION
31 Independent (?)
32 Good Life (45)
33 Disney conventions
34 Soap
35 BET
37 Weather
38 CNBC
39 MSNBC
40 CNN
41 Golf
42 NBC (local affiliate)
43 CBS (local affiliate)
44 ABC (local affiliate)
45 CNN
46 CNN Headline News
49 ESPNU
53-54-55-56 Spanish-language channels
57 German-language channel
58 ESPN Deportes
59 TV Japan
60 CCTV 9 (China)


I missed a lot of the channels, but at least there's something here to get you started.

As other people have noted, the remote controls for the TVs at AKL don't work very well, especially to directly access a 2-digit channel. We asked for new batteries for our remote, thinking this was the problem, however, it wasn't.

A person doesn't go to WDW to watch TV, but there are times when one does have it on, especially to check the weather, park hours, or catch up on sports scores, the news, etc.

Perhaps someone else will be able to complete and/or add to this list.

My DH was so glad to get home to our tv!