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

[chris4disney]

subscribing

 

[laurob]

subscribing

 

[TKDisneylover]

We're back from the AKL and truly fell in love with this resort. I cannot wait to go back! I could just stay there for a vacation and not even visit the parks(of course that would never happen!), but that's how much we enjoyed the atmosphere and staff.

I can answer my own question above, we did get a slight upgrade from standard view to a Savannah view, at least I think this was an upgrade. We were overlooking the Sunset Savannah with Giraffe, Ankole cattle, Gazelle & Ostreich. Unfortunately in front of our balcony door was a roof (I think it was the Jiko restaurant, we smelled food all the time when we went out there), and there was a barrier of some sort so we could only see the top of the giraffes heads. When I would see them I would just head down the hall to the Overlook and take pics.

If you have any questions I will do my best to answer them.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

To all the AKL vets: are there any rooms at AKL that sleep 5. My dad passed away this year and we we go again (2009), my mom is talking about going with us. She would like to stay at AKL, but I need a room that sleeps 5. WL has Jr. Suites and I was wondering if AKL does. Thanks in advance.

 

[pilferk]

To all the AKL vets: are there any rooms at AKL that sleep 5. My dad passed away this year and we we go again (2009), my mom is talking about going with us. She would like to stay at AKL, but I need a room that sleeps 5. WL has Jr. Suites and I was wondering if AKL does. Thanks in advance.

The answer is: Yes, with some caveats.

The new 1BR DVC Villas will sleep 5. You can book one via CRO, directly, or you can rent points and book through a DVC owner. The configuration is 1 King Bed in the MB and 1 pull out queen sleeper sofa and 1 pull out single sleeper chair in the LR.

There are also hotel suites that will sleep 5 (or more).

There are NOT "standard" rooms, though, that sleep 5. There used to be "Deluxe rooms" but those are the rooms that were converted to DVC villas...so they don't exist any more.

 

[MinnieMommy]

subscribing

 

[nemofans]

We are staying in AKL pool view in Feb. using a code. Are there any recommendations on what to request? Either Zebra or Giraffe Trail? This is our 1st time staying at AKL, so suggestions would be appreciated. My DS will be almost 3 & we are taking my mom whose never been to WDW. We have eaten at Jiko & plan to make an ADR again. I was thinking of doing Boma for breakfast on our last day. Will we be able to buy milk to keep in our fridge our our DS?

 

[DznyDreamz]

You can definately buy milk and LOTS of other supplies. We picked up extra half and half for our coffee from the shop.

 

[heartbeeps]

we have an AKL savannah rm "magic your way plus dining" pkg. booked 5/2 - 5/6/08. could we make a separate 2nd reservation for ourselves for the night of 5/1 at the concierge level so we can have the safari option?

 

[CJsMom]

If you're on the DDP you can use snack credits for milk - or anything under $4. I used four snack credits on milk, loaf of bread, box of cereal bars and orange juice. Between that and bringing pb and j in my suitcase we had breakfast for the week.

 

[RachelTori]

we have an AKL savannah rm "magic your way plus dining" pkg. booked 5/2 - 5/6/08. could we make a separate 2nd reservation for ourselves for the night of 5/1 at the concierge level so we can have the safari option?

I don't see why you couldn't, but I wonder how the "timing" would work out. The Safari will be at 7:30 a.m. the morning of 5/1 - your check-in day -- plus you'll have to provide Concierge with park tickets for that day. Will you be able to get there, get checked-in for your room & the safari early enough?

 

[CJsMom]

We are staying in AKL pool view in Feb. using a code. Are there any recommendations on what to request? Either Zebra or Giraffe Trail? This is our 1st time staying at AKL, so suggestions would be appreciated. My DS will be almost 3 & we are taking my mom whose never been to WDW. We have eaten at Jiko & plan to make an ADR again. I was thinking of doing Boma for breakfast on our last day. Will we be able to buy milk to keep in our fridge our our DS?

I think I replied to you on the Jambo thread...but I'll put the info here as well because others may be wondering the same thing:

I would suggest Zebra Trail, close to lobby. This is where we stayed recently. If you get Zebra trail you can look out at the animals on the other side of the hallway! I'd suggest close to lobby because the rooms out on the end of the trail are a long walk - tough for late nights or after a long day at the park.

 

[yaksack]

We have a trip booked for Jul 1 in a savannah view room. I cannot wait.

 

[hematite153]

I don't see why you couldn't, but I wonder how the "timing" would work out. The Safari will be at 7:30 a.m. the morning of 5/1 - your check-in day -- plus you'll have to provide Concierge with park tickets for that day. Will you be able to get there, get checked-in for your room & the safari early enough?

I asked this question once of the concierge people. They said that I could book the safari even if I was scheduled to check in on the day of the early safari but that it would be easier if I already had access to everything the night before.

I think you'd need to commit to an even earlier arrival at AKL/AKV than the safari departure, but, that it is doable.

 

[nemofans]

Thanks CJsMom for the response. I haven't put in a request yet. I like the idea of being on the Zebra Trail so we can see the animals too, as long as we're close to the lobby. But DH wants the Giraffe Trail so we're close to busses & lobby. I may leave it up to chance what we get. I do wonder if we would hear the busses though on the Giraffe Trail,even being on the pool side. Does anyone have any comments on that? Would it be better to request a higher floor then?

 

[nemofans]

Is the construction in the AKL building done yet? We are going in a month & was hoping that part would be completed.

 

[pyrxtc]

No, they will be working on it until Spring of 08 from what I remember. I was just on the phone wiht them this morning and they warned me of the construction noise in and outside of AKL.

 

[livie1205]

i was at AKL in sept and offered the sunrise safari at check in and I was NOT on concierge level...they said it was because it was slow and they were not full, I ended up not doing it but they do allow people not staying concierge to do it from time to time...I am going in dec 08 and i am staying concierge this time and I may do it.They also gave us a tour of the concierge area in case wanted to do it next time and it worked we are

 

[pilferk]

No, they will be working on it until Spring of 08 from what I remember. I was just on the phone wiht them this morning and they warned me of the construction noise in and outside of AKL.

We're there right now.

We shot some pics this morning (which I'll post later).

Honestly, the exterior construction looks like it's VERY close to being "done". By that, I mean the concrete and steel framing looks finished. They'll need to do the cosmetic stuff, windows, doors, etc....but the actual building "footprint" looks pretty much done.

It's REALLY cool, though, again, I don't see any "interior" walkways between building segments. And I looked pretty hard for them, today.

 

[WDW~Lover]

Hello, I just booked a 5 day 4 night trip for Jan 31st. ( I booked it last week) I am staying in Jambo, a studio villa. Can you all tell me anything? views? etc? How far from the lobby?