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

[Alicnwondrln]

thanks guys my son has a leg issue so I like to be close to the lounge. I havnt stayed here since the construction. I have also stayed at every other club. I wonder if this might not be the best place for us them. Being on the 4th floor isnt very convienent. ( sp?) For me with the kids. To bad its only DVC now.

 

[pilferk]

thanks guys my son has a leg issue so I like to be close to the lounge. I havnt stayed here since the construction. I have also stayed at every other club. I wonder if this might not be the best place for us them. Being on the 4th floor isnt very convienent. ( sp?) For me with the kids. To bad its only DVC now.

It's not too bad, from what I've seen. You're relatively close to the elevator up to 6, but....if you've got mobility issues within your party, I can see why "close" might not be "close enough".

 

[angiepangie8]

We reserved a room for my parents for a couple of nights and they brought me some coffee filters. The regular whte ones worked just find in the coffee maker. I only made coffee twice. Ended up buying the mug to use down at Mara.

Our room on the DVC floor had a ceiling fan.

thanks I better bring some and order some dunkin doughnuts coffee from wegoshop with my grocery order. I'm also getting the refillable mug so it might be overkill. But I love my coffee.

Alternatively, you could take the bus to one of the resorts that backs up on Epcot and walk through the WS to Norway ...

Thanks that might work better in fact does anyone know if I could catch a ferry to a hotel from DDD? Preferably one that offers convienent transportation to Epcot? (however now we are renting a car! ~so I could just drive! ~duh ) but it might be cool to get around taking a ferry!


I am getting really excited about the AKV and WDW!!!!! Can't wait til our big trip! I am thinking about getting a tour of DVC property on the first day of our arrival since we will be staying offsite and won't be visiting the parks on that day. Anyone know if these tours are fun?

 

[Taterella]

thanks guys my son has a leg issue so I like to be close to the lounge. I havnt stayed here since the construction. I have also stayed at every other club. I wonder if this might not be the best place for us them. Being on the 4th floor isnt very convienent. ( sp?) For me with the kids. To bad its only DVC now.

You could book one of the AK villas with concierge access, if they are available then, they are just renovated suites. Then you could be on the same floor as the lounge.

 

[Tinkaroo]

thanks I better bring some and order some dunkin doughnuts coffee from wegoshop with my grocery order. I'm also getting the refillable mug so it might be overkill. But I love my coffee.


Thanks that might work better in fact does anyone know if I could catch a ferry to a hotel from DDD? Preferably one that offers convienent transportation to Epcot? (however now we are renting a car! ~so I could just drive! ~duh ) but it might be cool to get around taking a ferry!


I am getting really excited about the AKV and WDW!!!!! Can't wait til our big trip! I am thinking about getting a tour of DVC property on the first day of our arrival since we will be staying offsite and won't be visiting the parks on that day. Anyone know if these tours are fun?

You could take one of the boats from the Marketplace to either POFQ/POR, SSR, or OKW. At any of those resorts, you could then take the Epcot bus. Of those mentioned, SSR would be the closest. (You could also do the DVC tour while there!) But, driving yourself to both locations would definitely be MUCH faster. The launches don't run as frequently during the morning hours (sorry, not sure of the exact schedule).

The DVC tour is very informative, and I enjoyed it when we did it (we already knew we were buying, though, so ours might have been a bit different). They do give you some FastPass cards that you can use when next going to the parks for instant FP's for an attraction - you also usually get free ice cream! They do have childcare for young kids, too.

 

[CJsMom]

I know that the rooms have refrigerators in them, but is there a freezer compartment that would freeze one of those cooler packs? I'm thinking of buying some yogurt (among other things) for the baby since she's even pickier than my 4 year-old, but I don't know how else to keep it cold in the park until lunch. If I can get a cooler insert or 2 completely frozen, then I think I can keep things fresh. Anyone try to actually freeze something?

I don't think there was a freezer compartment. I would get some ice from the ice machine and put it in a ziplock bag to use as a cooler pack.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Question for those who have stayed in a queen bed/bunk bed room. We're renting a full-size (52" x 28") crib from A Baby's Best Friend, does anyone know if it will fit between the queen bed and bunk bed, or is there another place since the fridge unit is next to the dresser/TV? Just trying to figure out where to put it and if it will indeed work for us.

My DH and I will take the queen bed, nephew (10) will be on top bunk and my mom on bottom bunk. Our daughter will be 2 and we're renting a full-size crib to help assist with scream-free night. She doesn't sleep well in a pack & play.

Thanks for any input!

 

[erin1998]

Hi everyone...
Just have to share my excitement...we are now booked at AKL from June 26-July 4.. It is just me and my son and we will both be celebrating our birthdays there (DS will be turning 10). We had originally booked at POP, but I decided to upgrade to AKL, but I didn't tell my son. I will surprise him when we get to the resort... I have never stayed at a deluxe before and I am very excited about it!
But I have a few questions....I had my travel agent who booked the room put on my reservation that my son will be having a birthday while we are there. Does AKL do anything special for a birthday?
Also, do they have hair dryers in the room? I'm sure I will have a ton of other questions the closer we get....
Erin

 

[editz]

Can you still get to the concierge lounge from the 5th Floor?

There used to be a set of stairs (on the right side, if facing the front of the resort) which had bars around them, and you put your room key in and it open the door, and you could walk up to the 6th floor.

This was a lot nicer than using the lifts, so I hope its still possible.

 

[pilferk]

Can you still get to the concierge lounge from the 5th Floor?

There used to be a set of stairs (on the right side, if facing the front of the resort) which had bars around them, and you put your room key in and it open the door, and you could walk up to the 6th floor.

This was a lot nicer than using the lifts, so I hope its still possible.

I think so. There is DEFINITELY a gated off stair well on 5, up to 6, still there.

I'm just not sure it's used any more.

It used to be used to service the concierge guests on 5....so they could simply walk up. Well, all of 5 are DVC villas, now...and not concierge. The ONLY DVC concierge rooms are on 6.

And the "regular hotel" concierge rooms are on 4. So for them to use the stairs, they'd need to take the elevator to 5, get off, and then walk to the stairs to get up to 6.

It MAY still function...I've not had occasion to try it since the change over....but I'm not sure. It's definitely still THERE, and configured the way it used to be...or at least it was back in early January when I was walking around 5 taking pictures.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Hope your son is well soon!

He is out of the hospital now, thank you. We now are aware that smoke sets him off on an asthma attack... so now I am doing double time searching as I remember everyone complaining about walking through the smoking section to get to the pools and the busses? Before I figured we could just walk quickly through but now fear it could set him off if we are continually going through it. Arrgh!

 

[aripantaloon]

I don't think there was a freezer compartment. I would get some ice from the ice machine and put it in a ziplock bag to use as a cooler pack.

Thanks! I posted the same question on a mom's board in the Disney thread and someone pointed out the same thing about the ice machine. I don't know how DH or I didn't think of that in the first place.

We booked our room with the free hopper/water fun deal. We originally had a savanna with 2 queens, but the only savanna room that was available with the discount was a bunk room. That *should* be fine since it's me, DH, and DD1 who sleep in a queen at home and DD4 sleeps in a twin. But, sometimes when we are away from home and there are 2 beds, DD4 likes to pick a parent to sleep with her. I know that it would be more comfortable to sleep in another queen than squeeze in a twin with her. SO, what are the chances of them "downgrading" us to a 2 queen savanna view if that's available? I'm also wondering if the bunk bed room will limit us on where we will be. I requested Arusha Savanna, Zebra trail. Will there be fewer bunk room from which the hotel can put us in versus 2 queen rooms in the same area/view? Mainly, I want the area we requested, bunk or 2 queen. If we can get both the area AND 2 queen beds, even better. FWIW, we're traveling May 10-17.

 

[Donald is #1]

He is out of the hospital now, thank you. We now are aware that smoke sets him off on an asthma attack... so now I am doing double time searching as I remember everyone complaining about walking through the smoking section to get to the pools and the busses? Before I figured we could just walk quickly through but now fear it could set him off if we are continually going through it. Arrgh!

I think that you can cut through the gift shop to get to the buses without walking through the smoking section.

 

[angiepangie8]

I just watched part of a special on the Travel Channel about WDW and they mentioned that guests of the AKL get to go on a Saffari. She made it sound like all who stay get to go on one at the resort is that true ~I thought you could only do that if you are Conciere Level. Please let me know if I am missing something. We are staying in a 2 Bedroom AKV and of course we would love to do this if it's available.

Thanks

 

[lilyv]

I just watched part of a special on the Travel Channel about WDW and they mentioned that guests of the AKL get to go on a Saffari. She made it sound like all who stay get to go on one at the resort is that true ~I thought you could only do that if you are Conciere Level. Please let me know if I am missing something. We are staying in a 2 Bedroom AKV and of course we would love to do this if it's available.

Thanks

I think the only the evening Safari (Wanyama) is open to all guests on a space available basis. There are different per person prices for Club level and regular guests.

 

[Donald is #1]

I just watched part of a special on the Travel Channel about WDW and they mentioned that guests of the AKL get to go on a Saffari. She made it sound like all who stay get to go on one at the resort is that true ~I thought you could only do that if you are Conciere Level. Please let me know if I am missing something. We are staying in a 2 Bedroom AKV and of course we would love to do this if it's available.

Thanks

I think the only the evening Safari (Wanyama) is open to all guests on a space available basis. There are different per person prices for Club level and regular guests.

lilyv is correct. For the evening safari which is on the savanas of AKL, anyone staying at AKL/AKV can book it. However, there is a significant price difference if you are not a conceirge guest.

 

[kenziesmom]

Thanks for a great thread!!!

 

[CJsMom]

Question for those who have stayed in a queen bed/bunk bed room. We're renting a full-size (52" x 28") crib from A Baby's Best Friend, does anyone know if it will fit between the queen bed and bunk bed, or is there another place since the fridge unit is next to the dresser/TV? Just trying to figure out where to put it and if it will indeed work for us.

My DH and I will take the queen bed, nephew (10) will be on top bunk and my mom on bottom bunk. Our daughter will be 2 and we're renting a full-size crib to help assist with scream-free night. She doesn't sleep well in a pack & play.

Thanks for any input!

I think it will fit there - but it will be a tight squeeze. There is some space between the queen bed and the sliding glass door. That may be a better spot for it as it will be out of the way.

 

[CJsMom]

He is out of the hospital now, thank you. We now are aware that smoke sets him off on an asthma attack... so now I am doing double time searching as I remember everyone complaining about walking through the smoking section to get to the pools and the busses? Before I figured we could just walk quickly through but now fear it could set him off if we are continually going through it. Arrgh!

You can cut through the gift shop to get to the busses and avoid the smoking section that way. But getting the kiddos through the gift shop quickly can also be a bit of a pain!

 

[stepdisney]

You can cut through the gift shop to get to the busses and avoid the smoking section that way. But getting the kiddos through the gift shop quickly can also be a bit of a pain!

Thank you for this information. My DS(7) has severe Asthma and had pneumonia this winter . We have to take precautions and usually put a notation in our reservation to make sure that we are we are away from any smoking sections and that our room is cleaned and sheets changed often (last time we were there 11 days so we asked for frequent sheet changing. I'll take the scenic route through the gift shop if it means being far away from the smoking. Is there smoking near the pool? What areas should I avoid so that I can stay away from designated smoking areas and still enjoy my balcony?

Thanks for all your help.