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

[mmmears]

We were just there the 6th through the 13th and had a great time. There were 8 of us in a 2 bedroom villa (5310) and 4 in a room with bunkbeds on the 4th floor. At first I was disappointed that our rooms overlooked the Kidani Village construction, but it really didn't bother us. With the balcony doors closed you could not hear the noise in the morning and they were done working by the time we got back to the rooms at night. I have several pictures of the rooms, animals and Kidani Village. I'm not sure how to post them though, so I have to figure that out first.

Kara

Wow! You had a lot of people with you! How were the decorations? Good luck with posting the photos -- can't wait to see them!

 

[apr9twins]

The decorations at AKL were beautiful! There is a huge Christmas tree in the lobby and they have a Photopass photographer there in the evening to take pictures, which was really nice. It's funny to look at our pictures from that and we're all in shorts in front of the tree - and here we are now at home and it's 24 degrees and we're going to get at least a foot of snow this afternoon. I'll take the warm temps and no snow!

We really enjoyed all the decorations at all the parks too. Each park has a huge tree with themed decorations - they are all wonderful. We didn't see Epcot at not and I was sad that we weren't able to make it over there to see the tree lighting.

I'll work on posting pics and try and have some up soon!

 

[momtotwoteens]

We have two savannah view rooms booked for our upcoming trip Jan 31-Feb7th. So excited! Just love reading all the reviews and seeing all the pics. Thanks for sharing!

We will be there the exact dates as you. We just have standard view rooms, but that's okay. I can't wait! It will be our first time staying on Disney property. I told my DH that now we'll be spoiled for anything else. My DD has wanted to stay at AKL since she first heard about it! I can't wait until she finds out that's where we're staying. Have a great trip!

 

[aurorafan]

We are staying AKV's 1 BR savannah view from 3/1 to 3/11.
What room/building/trail should we request in our fax to insure a good animal view and location near the lobby???
It will be our fist DVC stay.
Thank you

The animals will be off the Sunset savannah during the first part of the year. I know they won't be there in Jan. (when we're going), and I think they said it would be through March or April, but don't quote me on that .

If they do give you a Sunset Savannah room while the animals are off they will refund you the difference in points between savannah and standard .

 

[Marc A.]

The animals will be off the Sunset savannah during the first part of the year. I know they won't be there in Jan. (when we're going), and I think they said it would be through March or April, but don't quote me on that .

If they do give you a Sunset Savannah room while the animals are off they will refund you the difference in points between savannah and standard .

I was aware of this. If anyone could give me alternatives to request for in my fax I would appreciate it greatly.
Thanks
Happy Holidays

 

[aurorafan]

We have a pool view room booked for our trip in 12 days, which area of the resort is this located? My 10 year old cousin said that she can't be near the animals, she didn't want to be able to look out and see them. I don't know why, she loves animals

I have only been to AKL for one 2 night stay and didn't enjoy it that much, but was advised that for a longer stay we would really love it, so I am counting on that. I am really looking foreward to it and for the savings I got, I think it will be worth it.

Suzanne

If you have a pool view room she won't be able to see the animals . If she changes her mind there are lots of places in the resort to view them .

Check out the list of activities on your t.v. or get one from the front desk (they should include one in your welcome packet). They have activities literally all day long! When we were there 12-6 through 12-12 one of the activities was make your own holiday ornament from an ostrich egg which looked very cool . They have storytelling around the outside firepit at night, music of Africa at 5:00 p.m. in the lobby (area off to the side near the front desk), a parade through the lobby @ 7:50 p.m. where kids and adults bang drums and shake noisemakers, throughout the day CM's will be on the savannah off the lobby feeding the animals and talking about them (my kids loved this!), the gift shop is amazing and worth a visit all by itself, there's night viewing of the animals with night vision goggles--the list goes on .

 

[aurorafan]

We had a 1 bdrm. value on the giraffe trail. It was pool view, but the ones across the hall were savannah view (uzima) so you could ask for that. Reasonably close to the lobby, but it's a big hotel and close is relative . You could also request the arusha savannah--it's the one you see from the main lobby and is very cool!

Here's a link to Lisa's wonderful AKV map that might help:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1358162&page=31

My kids are begging me to get a savannah view room the next time, but we only have points for a value for now--at least if we want to get more than one trip a year, so they'll have to deal .

 

[faery grandmother]

I have booked a 2 BR savannah view for my family of 8 on June 27 prior to a Disney Cruise. Anyone stayed in this room type at Kidani Village yet? Is there a restaurant on site? How is the pool? I heard they would not have animals in the savannahs in the early part of 2009, but I think we should be OK in June. TIA for any information.

 

[aurorafan]

I have booked a 2 BR savannah view for my family of 8 on June 27 prior to a Disney Cruise. Anyone stayed in this room type at Kidani Village yet? Is there a restaurant on site? How is the pool? I heard they would not have animals in the savannahs in the early part of 2009, but I think we should be OK in June. TIA for any information.

Kidani won't start opening until May 2009, so no one has any first-hand experience there yet. They will have at least 1 restaurant, maybe 2, but I'm not sure about a CS/food court option. The pool does look very cool--my kids really want to stay there!

I asked yesterday about the animals in June, and the CM said while they can't guarantee it he was pretty sure they'd be back by then .

 

[Iott Family]

We will be there the exact dates as you. We just have standard view rooms, but that's okay. I can't wait! It will be our first time staying on Disney property. I told my DH that now we'll be spoiled for anything else. My DD has wanted to stay at AKL since she first heard about it! I can't wait until she finds out that's where we're staying. Have a great trip!

That is so cool! We are hoping to be on resort by 1pm. Our plane arrives in Orlando at 11:50 on the 31st. I made ressies at Boma for our first night and we are planning to hit AK our first day for a couple hours as we are so close!! If you see a family of 6 with two young(2 and 4 years) and two older(11 and 13 on trip) wave a big Diser "Hello!".
If it had not been for the 4-3 deal and DH's fat bonus check we would NOT be doing Disney deluxe! That was our pixie dust for 2007

 

[momtotwoteens]

That is so cool! We are hoping to be on resort by 1pm. Our plane arrives in Orlando at 11:50 on the 31st. I made ressies at Boma for our first night and we are planning to hit AK our first day for a couple hours as we are so close!! If you see a family of 6 with two young(2 and 4 years) and two older(11 and 13 on trip) wave a big Diser "Hello!".
If it had not been for the 4-3 deal and DH's fat bonus check we would NOT be doing Disney deluxe! That was our pixie dust for 2007

We are driving. I think we are going to leave Friday and drive to Jacksonville to stay the night so we can get to AKL early and spend some time checking out the place! We might hit a park for a little while. I made ressies at Boma's for Sunday night, but I'm thinking about changing them to Sat. night and just hanging out at AKL and maybe doing the night vision viewing. I absolutely cannot wait!! I'll keep a lookout for you and your family so I can give you a wave! We'll be a group of 4- me, DH, DD (turning 16 on Feb. 6th!), and my DM.

 

[buzz1fan]

Does anyone know if the new pool in the DVC Area will be open for the AKL Resort Guests too?

 

[TheWog]

Anyone have the physical street address for AKL?

 

[2manypets]

according to my Passporter book, its:
Disney 's Animal Kingdom Lodge
2901 Oceola Parkway
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
PH: 407-938-3000
Fax: 407-938-7102

 

[mommyto2girls]

I have a dumb question...I just booked a Savanah View Room for January 11th to the 14th am I going to see any animals? I keep reading about the construction and now I am a bit nervous. I have never been to AKL.

 

[Donald is #1]

I have a dumb question...I just booked a Savanah View Room for January 11th to the 14th am I going to see any animals? I keep reading about the construction and now I am a bit nervous. I have never been to AKL.

Yes, you should. The construction really isn't affecting the savannah's at this point except for the sunset savannah during the first part of next year. In the case of the sunset savannah, I think that they have re-classified the savannah view rooms during that time so that people with savannah view rooms won't be on that savannah.

 

[mommyto2girls]

I feel better but I am a bit confused since I don't really understand all the Savannah's. I am truly a reasonably intelligent person but this hotel is a bit confusing to me. So I will be okay with the Category of room I booked?

 

[TheWog]

according to my Passporter book, its:
Disney 's Animal Kingdom Lodge
2901 Oceola Parkway
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
PH: 407-938-3000
Fax: 407-938-7102

Thank you very much. Merry Christmas.

 

[Donald is #1]

I feel better but I am a bit confused since I don't really understand all the Savannah's. I am truly a reasonably intelligent person but this hotel is a bit confusing to me. So I will be okay with the Category of room I booked?

Yes, I think that you will be fine. By the way, I tend to see more animals from the savannah view room in the afternoons than in the mornings.

 

[mommyto2girls]

Thanks "Donald is #1 I appreciate the quick response