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

[pilferk]

I think the price is currently $160.00 per person if you're a concierge (club) level guest, and $210.00 per person if you're not.
Reservations open for this 180 days out.

Yeah, I think you're right.

I remember they quoted us somewhere AROUND $150 when we looked into it....and I saw the $150 price point on allears.net and just assumed it was correct.

 

[angiepangie8]

The Sunrise Safari, at AK, is ONLY available to concierge guests. You board a bus at the resort, and they take you to AK. You get a personalized, before the park opens, SLOW ride through Kilimanjaro Safari at AK. Cost is $55 per person, and you get breakfast.

http://www.allears.net/acc/faq_aksunrise.htm

The Wanyama (Sunset) Safari is open to anyone, but capacity is VERY limited (8 to 10 people a day, I think). It takes place AT the lodge, itself, and you're riding in the lodge's savannas. It's also $150 per person, which includes dinner at Jiko's, and you MUST be over the age of 8. THAT'S the one Samantha Brown did.

http://www.allears.net/acc/faq_aklsunset.htm

Thanks hopefully we will make another trip in the future and make plans to stay at Conciere level for night so we can add the Sunrise Safari to our trip or the Wanyama Safarit at a less expensive rate.

 

[BaBeeCee14]

That is correct. I know we paid a lot less as concierge guests. I remember the price difference for two of us being enough to cover a few nights of popping to stay concierge vs. savanna view. I highly suggest the Wanyama Safari. It was a dream come true. The safari, the meal at Jiko. All of it was just amazing. Here are a few pictures from when we did it last September. I wish I was doing it again right now!
Some of the delicious food served as part of the meal at Jiko that is included afterward.

Thanks so much for posting pictures. I do have a quick question about the Jiko meal included with Wanyama Safari though. Is it a pre selected menu or do you still get to chose what you would like off the regular Jiko menu? Do you get appetizer, entree and dessert? And is gratuity included? Thanks so much!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I just wanted to thank everyone that gave me helpful tips on the smoking area bypassing. I was almost tempted to just cancel our vacation there and realized it is something we are just going to have to deal with as best as we can no matter where we go. There is just so many things we now have to worry about that I felt very overwhelmed and wanting to keep us safe inside the house where I can control everything. Not a likely thing since my son is 16 right? His medications are working great and I am hoping that we don't have such a scary episode again for a long, long time or better than that, never.

 

[GoofyTraci]

SUBSCRIBING

 

[pilferk]

Thanks so much for posting pictures. I do have a quick question about the Jiko meal included with Wanyama Safari though. Is it a pre selected menu or do you still get to chose what you would like off the regular Jiko menu? Do you get appetizer, entree and dessert? And is gratuity included? Thanks so much!

If I remember right:

Dinner is served "family style" with the rest of the participants in the Safari on your night.

You get a little bit of everything, but it IS a chef's selection. The appys and dessert selection change a LOT, from experience to experience (I'm going from reading various trip reports, here), but are pretty much always from those listed on the menu. The main course is usually the filet, the chicken, and the fish (enough for you to have some of each...again, served family style).

I'm pretty sure they'll make you something "special" if you have a dietary restriction, though.

 

[BaBeeCee14]

Thanks so much Pilferk!

 

[aripantaloon]

We booked with the visa hopper/water parks deal and the only savanna available was a bunk. 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.

Bumping this question up since I think it was lost in a lengthy post.

 

[pilferk]

Bumping this question up since I think it was lost in a lengthy post.

The bunk beds are actually at a premium...and "cost" more, I think....so getting someone else to take one as an "upgrade" would be easy for the front desk to do.

I'm not sure of your chances of being "downgraded", though. Ask at check in. It will largely depend on availability, but I'd say chances are good since 2 Q, savannah view rooms are THE most prevalent room type. The limiting factor here is going to be location.

I can't, exactly, remember where the bunk bed rooms are, but if memory serves, they are ALL on Kudo and Zebra trail. They overlook all 4 savannas, too (as well, I think, as some with pool views).

Here's the skinny:

Talk to the front desk at check in. Trying to figure out the "odds", given all your factors, is tough....and will also depend on variables like : How full the resort is, when you check in, etc.

I know that's not a TON of help, but.....hopefully it helps a little.

 

[aripantaloon]

[snip for length]
Here's the skinny:

Talk to the front desk at check in. Trying to figure out the "odds", given all your factors, is tough....and will also depend on variables like : How full the resort is, when you check in, etc.

I know that's not a TON of help, but.....hopefully it helps a little.

Thanks!! That does help. Especially knowing that the bunks are at least on the zebra trail (that we want). I think my plan is to have Zebra trail; Arusha Savanna noted on our reservation and then talk to them at check-in. We'll be getting there early since we are staying at the All Star Movies the night before so we can get an early start in the parks. We have to to to AKL to get our park tickets. I can let the person at the desk know our room location desires and let them know that if that means going to a 2 queen room, that's ok.

 

[RachelTori]

I just wanted to thank everyone that gave me helpful tips on the smoking area bypassing. I was almost tempted to just cancel our vacation there and realized it is something we are just going to have to deal with as best as we can no matter where we go. There is just so many things we now have to worry about that I felt very overwhelmed and wanting to keep us safe inside the house where I can control everything. Not a likely thing since my son is 16 right? His medications are working great and I am hoping that we don't have such a scary episode again for a long, long time or better than that, never.

I have a happy update to report regarding the smoking section at AKL. Must have been plenty of complaints because the bench and ashtray are no longer sitting along the walkway between Zawadi and the lobby entrance. They moved it a few feet away, so it's still convenient for the smokers, but out of the path of the rest of us! It was positively joyful last week walking from the bus stop to the lobby!

Now supposedly there's a smoking area back behind the pool next to the children's playground. (we weren't back there so I didn't see it for myself) But if true, that's not good.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I have a happy update to report regarding the smoking section at AKL. Must have been plenty of complaints because the bench and ashtray are no longer sitting along the walkway between Zawadi and the lobby entrance. They moved it a few feet away, so it's still convenient for the smokers, but out of the path of the rest of us! It was positively joyful last week walking from the bus stop to the lobby!

Now supposedly there's a smoking area back behind the pool next to the children's playground. (we weren't back there so I didn't see it for myself) But if true, that's not good.

That is wonderful news to hear. I am not a smoker basher by any means... I smoked myself for 14 years before quitting and know first hand how difficult it is even when you truly want to quit. A happy medium would be a wonderful thing.

 

[BaBeeCee14]

I was planning to ship some boxes to AKL prior to my trip. Has anyone done this before and what would be the correct way of going about this?

Can someone also confirm that I have the correct address for AKL?

2901 Osceola Parkway
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Thanks so much!

 

[pixie08]

That is wonderful news to hear. I am not a smoker basher by any means... I smoked myself for 14 years before quitting and know first hand how difficult it is even when you truly want to quit. A happy medium would be a wonderful thing.

I used to smoke so I realize it is a real addiction and not something people always like to do, however I no longer smoke and do not like second hand smoke so a happy medium is always best!

 

[LilGMom]

I can't, exactly, remember where the bunk bed rooms are, but if memory serves, they are ALL on Kudo and Zebra trail. They overlook all 4 savannas, too (as well, I think, as some with pool views).

We booked a bunk bed room pool view so I'm guessing that is in the Zebra trail? It has been more than a few years since we've been to AKL so I have to get requainted with the resort. Can't wait!!!!!

We will be there at the same time as aripantaloon.

 

[aripantaloon]

We will be there at the same time as aripantaloon.

Awesome!!! Maybe we'll be near each other.

 

[pilferk]

We booked a bunk bed room pool view so I'm guessing that is in the Zebra trail? It has been more than a few years since we've been to AKL so I have to get requainted with the resort. Can't wait!!!!!

Yup, I believe so.

 

[aripantaloon]

Another minor question I just thought of: are their alarm clocks in the rooms or do you have to get a wake-up call?

We leave 3 weeks from today!!!!

 

[LilGMom]

Another minor question I just thought of: are their alarm clocks in the rooms or do you have to get a wake-up call?

We leave 3 weeks from today!!!!

I can't speak for AKL (since it has been so long) but in all of the WDW resorts we've stayed at there have been little alarm clocks in the rooms. I seem to remember reading on the DIS that a few of the resorts have put in iPod docking station alarm clocks and it would thrill me if the AKL has them.

 

[crk1971]

So is it worth going the concierge level for AKV or not, my wife and I are in a civil debate over this and we are at a quagmire. We have come to some what of an agreement. If we get waitlisted for a 1br savanna view in Oct, she said take standard view and save the points, but we will loose the Savannah View for my DS which he loves. I say then go concierge and try and get the sunset savannah view but it is not guaranteed and she feels it is somewhat worth the points, but when you break it down it is better to go DDP.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.