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

[GoofyMoff]

Happy Holidays all,

I have a pretty bizarre question. Is there a TV in the Victoria falls bar/lounge?

I normally stay at wilderness lodge, and I had a drink at the AKL last yr but didnt notice a TV.

I know its a 'bad form' question, but living in the UK its a real treat watching Sunday/Monday night football at a reasonable hour.

Thanks.

 

[ryanmcin]

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.

From what I have read the Savanna will all be operating normally until the 15th, then the Sunset Savanna will be without animals.

 

[Flossbolna]

Happy Holidays all,

I have a pretty bizarre question. Is there a TV in the Victoria falls bar/lounge?

I normally stay at wilderness lodge, and I had a drink at the AKL last yr but didnt notice a TV.

I know its a 'bad form' question, but living in the UK its a real treat watching Sunday/Monday night football at a reasonable hour.

Thanks.

Hi, I am quite sure I read about other people watching games at the Victoria Falls bar at AKL. Even though I have not seen it myself, I am quite confident that you will be able to watch football there.

 

[princess sparkle p]

Hope someone can give me some input on with this...

I got a call from DVC today telling met that our waitlist came through for Feb!!! Yeah!!! I was so excited, BUT the catch....we are in the Sunset Savannah and there will not be any animals. They advised that during our stay the animals are going to be acclimated to the new savannah in Kidani village. She told me that when we checkout we will only be charged for using standard view points since there will not be any animals.

Our original reservation was for SSR. Should we keep the AKL or go back with SSR?

THANKS!

 

[BridetobeDisney]

Hi, I have two questions that I hope someone can answer.

We just changed our resort from Pop to AKL. We honeymooned there in 2006. We are staying from May 9 to 16. I booked a standard room and would like to be near the room we stayed in on our honeymoon. However, I do not remember the number. I wanted to see if you could tell me how to request that part of the hotel. I do remember that we were on the same level as the lobby. You had to pass by the fire pit. We were on the zebra trail and very close to the lobby with a pool view. It was a king bed with a wheel chair accessible shower. After walking down the first part of the zebra trail, you come to a big window on the left looking over the savannah. To the right is some elevators and our room was maybe three or four rooms down on the right side of the hall. Does anyone know?

Second, I saw a picture that someone took of zebra domes that were delivered to the room. Is that through room service? I'd like to do this for DH on our first night as a surprise. I do know that zebra domes are available at Mara but they seemed to be sold out alot and also DH and DS will always be with me so that wouldn't be a surprise. How much are they through room service?


Thanks and Happy New Year!

 

[Iggipolka]

Our original reservation was for SSR. Should we keep the AKL or go back with SSR?

THANKS!

Oohhh..my vote would be to keep ALK. It's an absolutely beautiful resort and you'll be able to see animals in the other savannas than the Sunset Savanna. There are so many activities around the Lodge, plus the scrumptious Boma and Jiko. It really offers so much more than SSR does.

 

[traci]

hello

We are staying at AKL for a couple of nights (first time) in late April. Our kids are 4 and 5. I would love any insight on fun activities to do at the resort - or some not-miss things. We plan on spending Saturday at AK and then relaxing at the resort that evening. We usually stay at the GF but have really wanted to try the AKL for some time now. I booked a Savannah room. We will arrive late on Friday...are there night vision goggles in the rooms? Also, for about $100 we can do the club level. Do you think it's worth switiching to? Since we are there for such a short time and arrive so late on the first night I didn't know.

Thanks so much

 

[chimo2u]

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

I am interested to know if AKL guests will be able to access this new pool as well? Any news or info regarding this?

 

[princess sparkle p]

Oohhh..my vote would be to keep ALK. It's an absolutely beautiful resort and you'll be able to see animals in the other savannas than the Sunset Savanna. There are so many activities around the Lodge, plus the scrumptious Boma and Jiko. It really offers so much more than SSR does.

Thanks for the input. We did decide to keep the AKV. I am on the wiatlist for Club level but not holding my breath! But then again I never imagined that I would get AKV so its worth a shot.


I have some questions I know that someone out there can help me with!!! We have only used our points to cruise, so this will be our first trip “home” since joining DVC!!!

1) are all the AKV renovated? I believe that since they have been converted into studios and such they would have to be…

2) where are the studios located? floors and trails?

3) Is there a starter pack of paper goods ie paper towels and toilet paper? Toiletries?

4) Will we get the package in the mail like you get for booking and paying cash? They include the luggage tags etc…

THANKS!

 

[Donald is #1]

1) are all the AKV renovated? I believe that since they have been converted into studios and such they would have to be…

Yes all of the AKV rooms in Jambo house were re-done to become AKV. Though the room layouts are different than those in Kidani village. For example the 1 BRs only have 1 bathroom and have a combined jetted tub/shower.

2) where are the studios located? floors and trails?

The AKV rooms are on the 5th floor all trails and the 6th floor for concierge level.

3) Is there a starter pack of paper goods ie paper towels and toilet paper? Toiletries?

Yes, each room has paper goods and toiletries including soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc.

4) Will we get the package in the mail like you get for booking and paying cash? They include the luggage tags etc…

No you won't. If you book, ME then you will get ME tags but otherwise all you will get is a confirmation a few weeks after you make the reservation.

 

[jess20k]

Hi, we will be at the lodge soon! I can't wait!!! Does anyone know when the regular rooms were last refurbished? Thanks!

 

[Steffiesunshine]

I was looking to book Kidani Village for late September 2009. The 1 bedroom villas only come up as standard view, while the studios and 2 bedrooms have Savannah views. Are there any 1 bedroom Savannah view rooms at Kidani? Perhaps they are just all booked, but I did check several different weeks and couldn't find a 1 bedroom Savannah view listed.

 

[P&B's Mom]

I was looking to book Kidani Village for late September 2009. The 1 bedroom villas only come up as standard view, while the studios and 2 bedrooms have Savannah views. Are there any 1 bedroom Savannah view rooms at Kidani? Perhaps they are just all booked, but I did check several different weeks and couldn't find a 1 bedroom Savannah view listed.

There are 1-bedroom SV because we are staying at one (on points) in August 2009, our first trip "home" since purchasing DVC.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

To the previous poster. We are not DVC members...just paying cash(although we may be converted after this trip!) and I booked a 1 bedroom savannah view kidani village villa yesterday for october. There was nothing online...but I called disney reservations and it was not a problem at all. They even gave me a AAA discount. If you are a cash customer...I reccomend calling. Good luck!

 

[princess sparkle p]

Yes all of the AKV rooms in Jambo house were re-done to become AKV. Though the room layouts are different than those in Kidani village. For example the 1 BRs only have 1 bathroom and have a combined jetted tub/shower.
The AKV rooms are on the 5th floor all trails and the 6th floor for concierge level.
Yes, each room has paper goods and toiletries including soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc.
No you won't. If you book, ME then you will get ME tags but otherwise all you will get is a confirmation a few weeks after you make the reservation.

Thank you for the help!

 

[buzz1fan]

We are thinking of renting points, and staying in a studio. What is the difference in the value, and standard room? Are the studios all in the same location of the resort? Will we be near the new pool, this will be in June.

 

[hematite153]

We are thinking of renting points, and staying in a studio. What is the difference in the value, and standard room? Are the studios all in the same location of the resort? Will we be near the new pool, this will be in June.

The studios are spread out throughout the resort. There will be some in Jambo House and some in Kidani village by June. Thus, there will be some that are near each of the pools.

The value rooms are smaller than the "regular" studios. I've read that people really enjoyed them, but, tend to recommend against them if you are bringing more than 2 people. Some of the value rooms face savannas so you might luck into a good view. I'm reasonably certain that all of the value studios are in Jambo House.

The standard view studios face the pool or a parking lot, but, should generally be the same size as the savanna view studios.

 

[Flossbolna]

hello

We are staying at AKL for a couple of nights (first time) in late April. Our kids are 4 and 5. I would love any insight on fun activities to do at the resort - or some not-miss things. We plan on spending Saturday at AK and then relaxing at the resort that evening. We usually stay at the GF but have really wanted to try the AKL for some time now. I booked a Savannah room. We will arrive late on Friday...are there night vision goggles in the rooms? Also, for about $100 we can do the club level. Do you think it's worth switiching to? Since we are there for such a short time and arrive so late on the first night I didn't know.

Thanks so much

traci, have a great stay at AKL! There are a number of activities for kids (and for adults) at AKL. The first ones that come to mind is a musical parade for the kids starting at the shop and the African story telling at the fireplace. For exact times it is best to check the boards in the lobby. The night vision goggles are not in the rooms, you have to go to the Uzima savanna lookout (behind the pool) where a cast member has them available.

 

[lirija]

Does anyone have a recommendation or opinion on what are the better standard rooms, or even pool rooms? I have heard some awful stories about views of the truck loading areas, and would like to avoid this, if possible. Savanna view sounds great, but too expensive for this trip, so I'd like to get the next best thing, since we are planning on taking it slow and enjoying the resort as much as park-touring.

Also, it is typically booked to capacity in June, does anyone know?

I'm planning our second trip to WDW for June. First trip was Sep 08 at the Poly, and loved it! We dined at both Boma & Jiko on that trip, so I know we'll love AKL!

 

[Belle's Castle]

Hi All,
My parents are DVC members and just booked a full week in Kidani Village. DH and I are very excited because in 2004 we honeymoon to Disney and stayed at the AKL with a Arusha savannah view (we had a 2nd floor room and it was amazing to be so close to the animals). Anyway we will be in Kidani Village in August 2009 and have a 2 BR savannah view villa. I am assuming this means we will have a view of the sunset savannah because the new savannah is not scheduled to open until 9/2009...does anyone know what animals were on the sunset savannah in the past or currently...THANKS!!!!