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

[MegRaeWhay]

Does anyone know the cost of the laundry service (not the do it yourself laundry). Just want to plan ahead. If it is too expensive I will be doing it myslef

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

DH & I just returned this afternoon from 4 days @ AKL & it was great. First time we've ever been able to stay there & it was so special because we were celebrating our anniversary. When we checked in I explained to the CM that we were late because our business had been broken into & we'd been robbed & couldn't leave until everything had been taken care of with police, etc. He was so special - went into the back & checked with someone & we ended up being up-graded to a savanna view in the Sunset Savannah area right off the lobby. The room location couldn't have been any more perfect. There were so many animals in our viewing area that it was perfect. DH & I loved just sitting on the balcony relaxing & taking in all the animals. BOMA was great - enjoyed just about everything that we could while we were there. Bus transportation was great. Never had to wait very long to go or come from a park. However, coming back from DTD one night when there was a huge storm, we waited almost 40 minutes for a bus to come get us. Overall the entire visit was very magical & I can't wait til the next time we can go back!

 

[Flossbolna]

DH & I just returned this afternoon from 4 days @ AKL & it was great. First time we've ever been able to stay there & it was so special because we were celebrating our anniversary. When we checked in I explained to the CM that we were late because our business had been broken into & we'd been robbed & couldn't leave until everything had been taken care of with police, etc. He was so special - went into the back & checked with someone & we ended up being up-graded to a savanna view in the Sunset Savannah area right off the lobby. The room location couldn't have been any more perfect. There were so many animals in our viewing area that it was perfect. DH & I loved just sitting on the balcony relaxing & taking in all the animals. BOMA was great - enjoyed just about everything that we could while we were there. Bus transportation was great. Never had to wait very long to go or come from a park. However, coming back from DTD one night when there was a huge storm, we waited almost 40 minutes for a bus to come get us. Overall the entire visit was very magical & I can't wait til the next time we can go back!

Your trip sounds wonderful. It's so great that you could experience some magic after such a horrible start to your holiday! Hope the damage to your business was not too bad!

 

[eddieras]

after we check out of AKL will we still have access to the changing rooms and showers? our flight isn't till 7pm that day-- i read elsewhere you need a room key for access. can anyone confirm if we can still use the facilities the day we check out?

thanks!

 

[John's Mom]

Bumping!

 

[eddieras]

question on breakfast at Boma's.... what's your experience with ADR's for breakfast there? Our last day - Sunday October 12 - we have a 745am ADR, but we're doing illuminations the nite before and may be tired. I was thinking of canceling the ADR and just going down there when we get up. Any idea on getting a table for 4 for breakfast? Easy, hard, long wait??? no wait?? any experiences would be very helpful! thanks!!

 

[pperfectmom]

Yay! I did it! I booked us a stay on the Club Level for three nights in May! I am so excited. We'll be checking in after a week at Pop with lots of commando touring so it will be a fantastic way to relax. Now...if I can just keep the secret that long. Does anyone know when I can book the Sunrise Safari? I wasn't sure if the 180 day rule applies to it or not. I forgot to ask while I was on the phone with CRO. Also, will I be happy with the view from the 4th floor of the animals? From some of the photos, it looks like it might be hard to see from that high up. Thanks all!

 

[Naisy68]

Hey All!
We are staying at the AKV for the first time in late May and I am wondering how long it takes to get anywhere. I'm assuming, since AKL isn't near any waterways or the monorail that the bus is the only way to go of course. So how far to
MK? Epcot? DHS? Downtown Disney? I'm not too concerned about AK as I know that is close but is there a walkway there by chance?
Also, is the bus service pretty good there? Will we be waiting longer than say 15-20 minutes to get anywhere?

 

[jillianjewels]

I love all the information. Thank you!

 

[eddieras]

anyone have any experience with wait time for breakfast at boma's? can you get by without an ADR? specifically for a sunday...

 

[pilferk]

question on breakfast at Boma's.... what's your experience with ADR's for breakfast there? Our last day - Sunday October 12 - we have a 745am ADR, but we're doing illuminations the nite before and may be tired. I was thinking of canceling the ADR and just going down there when we get up. Any idea on getting a table for 4 for breakfast? Easy, hard, long wait??? no wait?? any experiences would be very helpful! thanks!!

Early and late in the morning, we've been able to do "walk ups" for breakfast...and right around your travel times (late September, early October).

But between about 8 AM and I'd say 10 AM? It's pretty darn busy down there, and I'd say chances for walk up are much slimmer.

 

[pilferk]

Hey All!
We are staying at the AKV for the first time in late May and I am wondering how long it takes to get anywhere. I'm assuming, since AKL isn't near any waterways or the monorail that the bus is the only way to go of course. So how far to
MK? Epcot? DHS? Downtown Disney? I'm not too concerned about AK as I know that is close but is there a walkway there by chance?
Also, is the bus service pretty good there? Will we be waiting longer than say 15-20 minutes to get anywhere?

Keep in mind, I'm not talking about time WAITING for the bus, which can vary from no wait to approx a 20 minute wait. I can say I've been pretty lucky and we've NEVER waited more than 10 minutes for a bus.

That being said, here's what I think the most common travel times are, for us:

AK: 5 min
DHS: 10 - 15 min
Epcot: 10 - 15 min
MK: 20 -25 min

Nothing that unreasonable, IMHO.

No, if you're talking about getting to other resorts? That's a pain, no matter WHERE you stay...because you have to use a theme park (or DTD) as a "hub". I think it's MORE of a pain at AKL, because AK (the nearest park) has more limited hours. So your "hub" is likely going to be Epcot, in the evening hours.

 

[ang38]

Let the IPO know about your upcoming stay. Tell them you want the safari and they will book it for you when the time is right. I would request the zebra trail arusha rock. We stayed on the other side and the trees really blocked our view. We've also stayed zebra trail and the view was fantastic!

Yay! I did it! I booked us a stay on the Club Level for three nights in May! I am so excited. We'll be checking in after a week at Pop with lots of commando touring so it will be a fantastic way to relax. Now...if I can just keep the secret that long. Does anyone know when I can book the Sunrise Safari? I wasn't sure if the 180 day rule applies to it or not. I forgot to ask while I was on the phone with CRO. Also, will I be happy with the view from the 4th floor of the animals? From some of the photos, it looks like it might be hard to see from that high up. Thanks all!

 

[pperfectmom]

Let the IPO know about your upcoming stay. Tell them you want the safari and they will book it for you when the time is right. I would request the zebra trail arusha rock. We stayed on the other side and the trees really blocked our view. We've also stayed zebra trail and the view was fantastic!

Thanks for that info. I'll add that to my room request along with the bunkbeds.

 

[deego]

ttt

 

[LWcalif]

I'm shipping a pkg. to AKL using UPS 3 day (since I procrastinated and didn't get it ready in time for regular mailing). I read a few posts with conflicting information about shipping pkgs. to resorts so I thought I would post here for the AKL experts. Here are my questions:
1. If I'm using UPS, do I list the city as Orlando or Lake Buena Vista?
2. What is the zip code?
3. Is AKL address 2901 Osceola Pkwy?
4. Is resort ph #407-938-3000?
5. Do I list my ressie # in addition to my name and arrival date?

TIA. We're on the Fri. red eye and arriving on Saturday!

 

[Naisy68]

Keep in mind, I'm not talking about time WAITING for the bus, which can vary from no wait to approx a 20 minute wait. I can say I've been pretty lucky and we've NEVER waited more than 10 minutes for a bus.

That being said, here's what I think the most common travel times are, for us:

AK: 5 min
DHS: 10 - 15 min
Epcot: 10 - 15 min
MK: 20 -25 min

Nothing that unreasonable, IMHO.

No, if you're talking about getting to other resorts? That's a pain, no matter WHERE you stay...because you have to use a theme park (or DTD) as a "hub". I think it's MORE of a pain at AKL, because AK (the nearest park) has more limited hours. So your "hub" is likely going to be Epcot, in the evening hours.

Thanks for your information - I know about the resort to resort transportation issue - I know to plan about an hour to get there no matter where I'm at unless I'm at a monorail resort then it's a lot easier. That's ok though, as long as we are aware of this, it makes it manageable.

Also, does anyone here know how much of the AKV (Kidani) will be completed in May?? Is there a timeline of some sort? I'm not asking about the villas themselves but the main lobby, pool, food court and gift shop areas?

 

[pilferk]

Also, does anyone here know how much of the AKV (Kidani) will be completed in May?? Is there a timeline of some sort? I'm not asking about the villas themselves but the main lobby, pool, food court and gift shop areas?

The first "phase" is due to open May 1st. I'm going to assume (though maybe badly" that the lobby and pool will be done. As for the water play area, food court (there isn't one, is there?? Just the pool bar which will do some grab and go, too...Mara would function as the "food court"), and gift shop...no guesses on that front.

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

i have just booked a standard room at akl for september 2009 for 14 nights. now what i was wanting to know is what room numbers are the poor savannah views( i heard that these rooms are sold as standard due to the poor view). i am just trying to work out where i would want my room to get the best view for the price i am paying.

any suggestions of which room to request and when should i make the request?

 

[BCV23]

There will be a table service restaurant in Kidani. I would guess that it will be open when Kidani opens.

I timed MK>AKL bus ride at 15 minutes and was pleasantly surprised.