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

[Atotty]

Hi everyone! We are staying for the first time at AKV in October. We are staying in a value villa and I was wondering if anyone has pictures of a value villa studio. I read they are smaller so I am wondering what they are lacking because of the space issue. Also, I *think* I read that about half have savannah views. Does anyone know if there is any truth to that? And should I just hope I get one at check-in? Last question, we are arriving at 8am~is that too early to check-in? I totally understand if the room won't be ready but just to leave our bags and head off at 8am. Thanks in advance!!!

Here's a thread that talks about standard studios, but if you scroll through it there's two maps that will show you where the values are located and Lisa's will show you how many values there are and where.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1651379&page=2

 

[alwayslisad]

gosh I wish my trip was next week and not 20 months away!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

We do that when we stay at a Mod or Value. It's fun and really helps you find your room.

The doors at AKL have wooden shields on them though, though, so magnetic signs won't work.

Thank you for that information. I guess I won't worry about it then. My son's 17th birthday will happen the week we are there and I will just think of something else to bring in the occasion.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Stayed at AKL for our honeymoon in January and LOVED it!!! Now we are looking at renting points from a DVC member and staying in a studio at AKV - Savannah View - when we go in April/May 2009 and take my parents for their first trip ever!! I really hope this works out and we can stay here again!!

 

[Atotty]

Thank you for that information. I guess I won't worry about it then. My son's 17th birthday will happen the week we are there and I will just think of something else to bring in the occasion.

You could print out something and just tape it on the door. We did that for my dd's bday at POR. We actually had a sign and crepe paper streamers around the door.

When we were going in and out, people would tell her Happy Birthday.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

You could print out something and just tape it on the door. We did that for my dd's bday at POR. We actually had a sign and crepe paper streamers around the door.

When we were going in and out, people would tell her Happy Birthday.

That is a good idea. I am also going to do something at whatever restaurant we are dining in that night. He is very easy going and won't expect anything more than the trip. I guess that is why I want to do more. What a lucky mom I am.`

 

[jeni16]

We're going to be staying at the AKL in April. I've got a few questions for you veterans.

1) What are the pool hours?
2) Tell me about the Animal Viewing w/Night Vision.
3) Tell me about the African Storytelling

Thanks for your help!

 

[pilferk]

That is a good idea. I am also going to do something at whatever restaurant we are dining in that night. He is very easy going and won't expect anything more than the trip. I guess that is why I want to do more. What a lucky mom I am.`

Also, those suction cup hooks work very well on the door shields. We've used them before.

 

[danielmorgan03]

Can the Concierge have a cake in the room upon arrival if I order one?

Thanks

 

[yaksack]

Is there a fee for the inet at the AKL???

 

[pilferk]

Is there a fee for the inet at the AKL???

$9.95 per 24 hour period.

If you are a DVC member staying there on points, at some point this spring that will change, and the fee will be eliminated.

 

[Sysyphus]

We're going to be staying at the AKL in April. I've got a few questions for you veterans.

1) What are the pool hours?
2) Tell me about the Animal Viewing w/Night Vision.
3) Tell me about the African Storytelling

Thanks for your help!

Pool is open 24 hours - lifeguards on duty to 10pm... hot-tubs posted hours were until midnight, but there were people in them well after that a couple of nights when I was just wandering around.

 

[thatgirl23]

Sysyphus - how was your club level stay?

 

[aripantaloon]

Really dumb AKL question, but...how are the hair dryers in the rooms? Are they strong enough to actually dry thick, long hair or should I just bring my own? :lol:

 

[Sysyphus]

Sysyphus - how was your club level stay?

There were a couple of things that didn't work quite as well as they should have...

I commented before leaving on the difficulties I had getting hold of the Planning Office

the buses from AKL for morning EMH's were really horrible... going for the AK EMH on Monday, got to the bus stop at 7:15am and waited until 8am for a bus, while watching three empty buses pull up and leave for Epcot... almost the same story Thursday morning for MK EMH, except the empty buses were going to the Studios - For our early CP breakfast on Friday and Epcot EMH on Saturday we used taxis.

Also some of the CS/cart type food stops had trouble accepting the
Platinum plan... CM at AKL front desk admitted that Disney were "giving the Platinum Plan guests some difficulties" - I commented that giving customers spending $10k+ a week difficulties probably wasn't the best way of going about things, and will be raising some of my concerns with guest relations.

All-in-all, whilst I did get quite accustomed to the luxury aspect, the hotel room itself was more Hampton Inn than Four Seasons, and we really could have had almost as much fun staying at a value on the DxDP as we did on this trip, and had enough money left over to go back twice more

That said, the resort was very cool, we did have some fabulous meals and the trip was sprinkled with magical moments, some planned meticulously, others that just happened... the few downs definitely did not spoil the whole vacation.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Really dumb AKL question, but...how are the hair dryers in the rooms? Are they strong enough to actually dry thick, long hair or should I just bring my own? :lol:

No question is a dumb question!!! We were just at AKL in January and I didn't take my hairdryer, I used the one there. My hair *was* really long and it's very thick and it dried my hair pretty quickly. It took a little longer than mine at home, but it got the job done and saved my suitcase some room

 

[MomsOf2boys]

You could print out something and just tape it on the door. We did that for my dd's bday at POR. We actually had a sign and crepe paper streamers around the door.

When we were going in and out, people would tell her Happy Birthday.

That is a great idea. I did see a picture of the doors at AKL somewhere and a Happy Birthday banner might work out fine.

Also, those suction cup hooks work very well on the door shields. We've used them before.

So then I could hang a Happy Birthday door sign on it as well. Thank you all for your ideas.

 

[Va-bear]

I am new to this thread and know this must be covered but couldnt find it....

Do all of the villas have views of the animals? Specifically, do the studios? If not, is there a certain size villa that does guantee a view?
Thanks so much!!!

 

[Donald is #1]

I am new to this thread and know this must be covered but couldnt find it....

Do all of the villas have views of the animals? Specifically, do the studios? If not, is there a certain size villa that does guantee a view?
Thanks so much!!!

If you book a savanna view room (studio, 1 br, 2 br, or an AKL room) then you will have a view of the animals. The size of the room doesn't guarantee an animal view, it is the "type" of room that does. Besides Savanna View, the other types/views available are: value, standard, concierge.

 

[Va-bear]

If you book a savanna view room (studio, 1 br, 2 br, or an AKL room) then you will have a view of the animals. The size of the room doesn't guarantee an animal view, it is the "type" of room that does. Besides Savanna View, the other types/views available are: value, standard, concierge.

Thanks so much for the reply. I did some more hunting after I asked the question and found the room types. I originally thought from the WDW site that all of the villas had animal views....bummer that that's not the case. (I am familiar w/ the "regular" AK room catergories and know that std. rooms there can be a parking lot view....so what the heck do you see from a "value" room...the dumpsters?! )

Thanks again!