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

[AlohaPolynesian]

My friend used the fitness center without having to pay for it in 2008 when we were staying at AKL.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[simba51104]

Does anyone know if the regular (non DVC) rooms have been updated lately? I just read a post on tripadvisor that there are updated rooms but I hadn't heard anything about a rehab. Thanks!

 

[JPN4265]

With the addition of the Villa's, with the Savannah view do you now look into the Villa's as well?

 

[BWVPam]

I have a question. We will be staying at AKV in March (16-20). Unfortunately, this was kind of a last minute trip and all I could get with DVC was a standard view studio. Is there someplace specific we should request? We have never stayed at AKV even though we have been to WDW at least 15 times, so I know nothing about this resort. My son is doing the College program and is working at the AllStars resorts, so we wantd to be close to where he is working.

Any suggestions on requests??? Thanks for the help

 

[BCV23]

With the addition of the Villa's, with the Savannah view do you now look into the Villa's as well?

The villas are visible from rooms on the Sunset Savannah but are pretty far off. I don't think they are visible at all from the other two....for sure not from Uzima.

I have a question. We will be staying at AKV in March (16-20). Unfortunately, this was kind of a last minute trip and all I could get with DVC was a standard view studio. Is there someplace specific we should request? We have never stayed at AKV even though we have been to WDW at least 15 times, so I know nothing about this resort. My son is doing the College program and is working at the AllStars resorts, so we wantd to be close to where he is working.

Any suggestions on requests??? Thanks for the help

I think standard view studios overlook either the pool or front of the resort. I would request pool view of those two...it's really lovely. LisaS on the DVC forums is a real AKV expert. You might try asking over there if someone doesn't come along with more definitive answers. Have fun!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Hello!
I just switched from Poly to AKL, but only standard view is available. We will be spending a good bit of time on our balcony while to baby is napping and in the evenings. I will try to upgrade when we arrive to pool view, but may not be able to so, any suggestions on what trail to request? I would like a decent view of grass or something.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hello!
I just switched from Poly to AKL, but only standard view is available. We will be spending a good bit of time on our balcony while to baby is napping and in the evenings. I will try to upgrade when we arrive to pool view, but may not be able to so, any suggestions on what trail to request? I would like a decent view of grass or something.

that is a bit difficult as standard view has a lot of direct parking lot view. I think the best would perhaps be to just request what you want like balcony with distance from street or so??? I hope you will be able to upgrade to pool view!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

that is a bit difficult as standard view has a lot of direct parking lot view. I think the best would perhaps be to just request what you want like balcony with distance from street or so??? I hope you will be able to upgrade to pool view!!

so are all standard rooms overlooking the parking lot?
i guess i will call and ask for a balcony away from the street like you said. hopefully there will be a pool view room available when we get there. there are some now, just not under the 4/3 deal. keep your fingers crossed for us!

 

[Donald is #1]

Everyone, I saw this information posted on DVCNews.com today.

(This is all para-phased)

Disney has announced the AKL/AKV bus routes for Kidani & Jambo House.

All park buses will stop at Kidani first and then go to Jambo House. So anyone going from Kidani to Jambo can get on any park bus.

DTD buses will stop at Jambo house first and then Kidani. So to go from Jambo to Kidani, take a DTD bus.

 

[candeeapril]

I wonder if they will run more buses then since they will be sharing bus service? What has anyone heard about the new Table service they will have at the Kidani? Is it one or two credits? TIA

 

[Donald is #1]

I wonder if they will run more buses then since they will be sharing bus service? What has anyone heard about the new Table service they will have at the Kidani? Is it one or two credits? TIA

There is a little bit of news on Sanaa on AllEarsNet.

AllEarsNet AKV

 

[Flossbolna]

so are all standard rooms overlooking the parking lot?
i guess i will call and ask for a balcony away from the street like you said. hopefully there will be a pool view room available when we get there. there are some now, just not under the 4/3 deal. keep your fingers crossed for us!

No, there are some standard view rooms that are really bad savannah views or really bad pool views (lots of roof top, obstucted view or so). But I think with the request to be away from the street, these would be covered as possibilities as well I would suggest to let the CM at check in know what you are looking for and why, I guess they will try to find the best room for you. And even if it is a hassle, it might be worth to see if a better room becomes available the next day and change rooms then.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

How often do free upgrades happen? I sound so cheap asking LOL but we are college students and booked standard view and just can't afford an upgrade. We stayed at a mod last time so I guess this is an upgrade from that, right? Haha!

Also, does anyone have pictures of the pool bar or have a menu from there? Thanks!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

No, there are some standard view rooms that are really bad savannah views or really bad pool views (lots of roof top, obstucted view or so). But I think with the request to be away from the street, these would be covered as possibilities as well I would suggest to let the CM at check in know what you are looking for and why, I guess they will try to find the best room for you. And even if it is a hassle, it might be worth to see if a better room becomes available the next day and change rooms then.

I will put in the request now and def ask about upgrading when I get there...or change rooms later. If we have a bad view, then that is the way it goes I guess. Just hoping for pixie dust

 

[mmmears]

I will put in the request now and def ask about upgrading when I get there...or change rooms later. If we have a bad view, then that is the way it goes I guess. Just hoping for pixie dust

You might also want to keep calling to check and see if a pool view or savanna view room opens up. People cancel their reservations all the time and you might get the room you want! Honestly, there are so many lovely viewing areas of the animals all over the resort that a standard view room wouldn't be so bad (but that wont help you while you have a napping baby and cant leave the room).

 

[garnet1240]

Does anyone one what kind of spa services they offer?


Thanks!

 

[johnsonet]

Does anyone one what kind of spa services they offer?


Thanks!

http://www.relaxedyet.com/animal_kingdom_resort.asp

I've had some very nice treatments there and it's SO convenient when you're staying at AKL.

 

[Flossbolna]

How often do free upgrades happen? I sound so cheap asking LOL but we are college students and booked standard view and just can't afford an upgrade. We stayed at a mod last time so I guess this is an upgrade from that, right? Haha!

Also, does anyone have pictures of the pool bar or have a menu from there? Thanks!

It seems that upgrades do happen. I am not sure wether some of these updates from standard to savannah view aren't real updates but you would just get one of the rooms with a bad savannah view that are actually in the system as standard. Also during the Kidani construction it seems like the rooms overlooking the construction were classified standard view.

I think it is always possible to nicely ask at check-in, but don't count on it. You might want to consider a pool view room which really is only a bit more than standard.

 

[Flossbolna]

You might also want to keep calling to check and see if a pool view or savanna view room opens up. People cancel their reservations all the time and you might get the room you want! Honestly, there are so many lovely viewing areas of the animals all over the resort that a standard view room wouldn't be so bad (but that wont help you while you have a napping baby and cant leave the room).

I agree, it might be worth checking if another room category opens up. Around 45 days before your trip is a good time to do that, as this is the time when you have to pay in full and soem people will give up their reservation then.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I agree, it might be worth checking if another room category opens up. Around 45 days before your trip is a good time to do that, as this is the time when you have to pay in full and soem people will give up their reservation then.

unfortunately, our 45 day mark has come and gone. we were originally at poly b/c there were NO AKL rooms for our dates with the 4/3 deal. lo and behold, as soon as I made the final payment, rooms opened up at AKL...but only standards. So, I changed resorts and paid a $10 fee b/c it costs less. I will keep checking back though. They CM who changed my ressie said the next big time to cancel would be 7-10 days out. Keep your fingers crossed!