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

[kadee_29]

While it has been reported here that many people do receive upgrades from std AKL, I would think that "most" guests dont get upgraded. If you really care about the view, I would recommend booking the category of room you really want. Then it's guaranteed and there's nothing to worry about. Plus, if you then get an upgrade, it's great but not necessary!

Happy planning!

Thanks for all your help. This is our first trip and I just feel so clueless sometimes. DH was out of town when I did the original upgrade so we didn't really get a chance to talk about what we wanted but he really thinks a savannah view would be better. I think I will do some more research tonight and call my TA back tomorrow and see if we can still get into a savannah view room.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for all your help. This is our first trip and I just feel so clueless sometimes. DH was out of town when I did the original upgrade so we didn't really get a chance to talk about what we wanted but he really thinks a savannah view would be better. I think I will do some more research tonight and call my TA back tomorrow and see if we can still get into a savannah view room.

Good luck with getting the savannah view! I've heard that it's really worth it!!! When I was pricing AKL I noticed that the price difference from STD to Savannah was not as big as some resorts from STD to a better view! I hope you have a magical trip! The hardest thing for me the first time was understanding why I had to make my dining reservations so early!

 

[skipper]

Currently booked two STD rooms with a PIN code. Unfortunately Savannah wasn't available which what I was looking for.

Rack rates are as follows (nightly per room)
STD $275+tax (PIN shaves off roughly additional $50/rm/nt)
SAVANNAH $345+tax (shows availability on website)
CLUB $390?+tax (res quoted availability with no code, claims rooms have Savannah view)

First choice was a 2BR villa but no availability. Not really sure STD room stay is worth nearly $500/nite for 2 rooms at this resort and need some opinions.

1) Any opinions on staying in a STD view room? Maybe I should be looking at CSR or WL for better value? I do like the AKL atmosphere and service.
2) Can I book Savannah room at the website and then call in to get a 10% AAA discount? Club is too expensive.
3) If I stick with STD rooms, I can go with a Magic package with 1 day pp tix and dining plan for an addon of $1600 (get dining for 5 nite stay and 1 day tix for 6 people). Already have tickets left from previous stay.

Thanks

 

[ang38]

If you can go with a savanah view I would or even a pool view would be better than standard. Whatever you do make sure to request to atleast have an unobstructed balcony in the standard or one not near the bus stops.I saw many standard view/parking lot views that were down on the end near the bus stops and the walls of the balconies were very high so when you stepped outside you saw a wall!

Thanks for all your help. This is our first trip and I just feel so clueless sometimes. DH was out of town when I did the original upgrade so we didn't really get a chance to talk about what we wanted but he really thinks a savannah view would be better. I think I will do some more research tonight and call my TA back tomorrow and see if we can still get into a savannah view room.

 

[kadee_29]

I just talked to my TA and changed it to the savannah view. We took the hoppers off so we just have 7 day base tickets. It helped offset some of the cost.

Either way I am happy and I know DH is happy. And the kids will be happy once we get there and realize where we are staying.

 

[Debs Hill]

Hi Guys! We are hoping to get a 7 mnth ressie at Kidani for August 2009..........can anyone tell me when the villas are scheduled to open and whether everything will be up and running by August (pool, play area, restaurants etc!)
What restaurants are planned for Kidani?
Thanks
Debsx

 

[tink&herboys]

I read somewhere that a coffee maker and a refigerator are avail at no cost...does that mean that they come standard in each room? Or do you have to request those? (We are staying in a Pool View Bunkbed room) I just wanted to make sure before I pack the Starbucks and have the water shipped!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I read somewhere that a coffee maker and a refigerator are avail at no cost...does that mean that they come standard in each room? Or do you have to request those? (We are staying in a Pool View Bunkbed room) I just wanted to make sure before I pack the Starbucks and have the water shipped!

From what I understand, they come standard in the room and you shouldn't have to request them.

 

[RachaelA]

Currently booked two STD rooms with a PIN code. Unfortunately Savannah wasn't available which what I was looking for.

Rack rates are as follows (nightly per room)
STD $275+tax (PIN shaves off roughly additional $50/rm/nt)
SAVANNAH $345+tax (shows availability on website)
CLUB $390?+tax (res quoted availability with no code, claims rooms have Savannah view)

First choice was a 2BR villa but no availability. Not really sure STD room stay is worth nearly $500/nite for 2 rooms at this resort and need some opinions.

1) Any opinions on staying in a STD view room? Maybe I should be looking at CSR or WL for better value? I do like the AKL atmosphere and service.
2) Can I book Savannah room at the website and then call in to get a 10% AAA discount? Club is too expensive.
3) If I stick with STD rooms, I can go with a Magic package with 1 day pp tix and dining plan for an addon of $1600 (get dining for 5 nite stay and 1 day tix for 6 people). Already have tickets left from previous stay.

Thanks

There has to be AAA room availability to get the discount. Most AAA is booked for the year (and though a lot of next year already). I don't think there would be a AAA rate for AKL for this year unless someone who has it cancels. You can call and check though.

 

[mmmears]

I just talked to my TA and changed it to the savannah view. We took the hoppers off so we just have 7 day base tickets. It helped offset some of the cost.

Either way I am happy and I know DH is happy. And the kids will be happy once we get there and realize where we are staying.

Yay! Hope you like viewing the animals! We're looking forward to that on our next trip! AKL is so beautiful -- hope you all have a fantastic time there!

 

[Jschlich]

I was looking for a route from Osceola Pkwy to Irlo Bronson. I've been down Sherbeth, but there looks to be a faster route on a road closer to AKV. It's the first right, before you get to Sherbeth, and it connects to Black Lake.

Looking at it on Google maps doesn't really indicate if it's a private road or not. There is no name on it. Anyone familiar with this road?

Give it a good run. Let us all know if it is a secret passage to the rest of WDW.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Hi Guys! We are hoping to get a 7 mnth ressie at Kidani for August 2009..........can anyone tell me when the villas are scheduled to open and whether everything will be up and running by August (pool, play area, restaurants etc!)

"Members who call Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas "home" may...make vacation reservations for stays beginning on May 1, 2009, at the resort's Kidani Village accommodations"

What restaurants are planned for Kidani?
Thanks
Debsx

"Dining at Kidani Village (scheduled to open early 2009)

Sanaa
Indulge your senses! Sanaa, meaning "work of art," defines the atmosphere and the cuisine at this restaurant — with beautifully prepared food and an atmosphere simmering with style. Wait for your table in the comfortable 24-seat lounge that is adjacent to the spacious dining room. Savor breakfast and dinner here.

Maji Pool Bar
Maji means "water" — water, water everywhere! If you're looking for something cool to drink to revive you from the heat, whether it's water or something more unusual, look no further than this bar located near Samawati Springs Pool."


I just changed our June '09 res from Jambo to Kidani and was told that there may still be construction going on, but the pool will be open. There doesn't appear to be a quick service place like Mara, unfortunately, but I don't know what they'll be serving at the pool bar.

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks! Now keeping fingers crossed for a 7 mnth ressie!!! Sounds as though it will still be a work in progress in the summer............but hopefully not too much construction noise etc!
Debsx

 

[nicolepdonnelly]

Does anyone have recent photos of how the construction is coming along. I tried a site with photobucket pics and they are all deleted already. We have Jambo booked for June and I hope we can visit the pool and lobby over at Kidani.

 

[Donald is #1]

I have seen people post in the past that they have had a chocolate covered strawberry plate or a cookie plate delivered to their room as a surprise to their family. Does anyone know how you arrange this and what the options are? I would like to get something like this delivered to surprise my nephew and niece when I take them in November.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Does anyone have recent photos of how the construction is coming along. I tried a site with photobucket pics and they are all deleted already. We have Jambo booked for June and I hope we can visit the pool and lobby over at Kidani.

Here is a picture I took about a week and a half ago from one of the windows from the Kudu Trail on the 4th floor.

 

[joelp]

If you can go with a savanah view I would or even a pool view would be better than standard. Whatever you do make sure to request to atleast have an unobstructed balcony in the standard or one not near the bus stops.I saw many standard view/parking lot views that were down on the end near the bus stops and the walls of the balconies were very high so when you stepped outside you saw a wall!

That's why I booked a Pool View - only $10 a night more vs. Standard, an "inner view", and no chance of just seeing a wall or parking lot when we open the curtains every morning ...

Anyone have any suggestions on what floor(s), trails to request for a Pool View room? We'll be coming back to AKL just about every afternoon for a nap (me!! ), swimming (DW and DD ...), or just relaxing - so we would prefer a quieter area of the resort ...

Thanks!

 

[Disney1976]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway! I know when AKV are finished, they will have their "own" pool. Obviously, I know AKV members can use the AKL pool, but could guests of the AKL use the AKV pool if they wanted to?

 

[mmmears]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway! I know when AKV are finished, they will have their "own" pool. Obviously, I know AKV members can use the AKL pool, but could guests of the AKL use the AKV pool if they wanted to?

I was wondering that myself just a few minutes ago but was afraid to ask! So glad you did, now I'll get my answer!

 

[Donald is #1]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway! I know when AKV are finished, they will have their "own" pool. Obviously, I know AKV members can use the AKL pool, but could guests of the AKL use the AKV pool if they wanted to?

This question has been up for debate on a few different threads. The answer is ...... we don't know. Some people have been told that anyone at AKL/AKV will be able to use it while others have been told that it will only be for Kidani. My quess is that we won't really know until next May and Kidani opens.