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

[hematite153]

I think we would prefer the Jambo, since ... the walk to catch the bus/pick up our car is more important to me at the end of a long day in the parks.

The busses will be stopping at both Jambo and Kidani.

And, from the diagrams I've seen your car will be a LOT closer to your room at Kidani than it is at Jambo. (Of course, if you're a DVC member you can get free valet parking, too.)

 

[Donald is #1]

How many standard rooms are there on CL? How many of those are held for DVC? When I called DVC they told me there were only 10 rooms and I don't know if that means total or DVC only.

The 10 rooms are for the DVC portion only. The AKL portion has separate rooms but I don't know how many.

 

[jblrn2b]

I cancelled our June Trip last week. I rebooked for Sept. and wasn't able to get Kidani Studio SV only Jambo Studio SV and I am waitlisted for Kidani - either way we will have fun.

I don't know about availability for 1 br. After just visiting the resort to go to Jiko in Feb., we can't wait to stay there. Our 2nd trip home and 1st to our home resort!!!! Thanks everyone for all this information.

 

[ang38]

Yes, zebra trail, arusha rock as far out as you can get. We were in the next to last section and had a watering hole in front of our room. There were always animals there. This last trip we didn't request and were on the other side of the resort closer to the lobby and saw a lot less animals plus the trees blocked most of our views! If it was our first visit I would have asked to be moved!

I am sure this has been asked and answered...can someone tell me if there is a more desirable location for standard CL rooms? Just curious if I should put in a request. THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[SharonLovesMickey]

Hi There! I just returned from AKL and had a GREAT time!

Just as a note...they are doing photopass photos for free in the lobby just like you would get in the park in front of the castle, for example. It is not a photopass session that you pay for, but they will take some nice photos of you in the lodge.

We had a newer TV in our room (we were just there in Oct) that also had the appropriate output jacks for a portable DVD player.

As a note...if you have not taken advantage of the Hidden Mickey list you can get from the front desk you should! It gives clues to locations instead of just telling you exactly where to find everything.

I would also add that if you are wary of eating at Jiko or Boma take the culinary tour they offer for free. They explain all the food and you will get to try a few things and after the Jiko tour we were convinced to make reservations.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi There! I just returned from AKL and had a GREAT time!

Thanks for the update - good to hear you had a great trip! It's good to see that AKL is getting upgrades, even if it is only TVs. I think all other deluxe resorts have gotten room rehabs recently, I wonder if and when AKL will get one. I love the decor, but I would really prefer the new bedding they got at the BC and BWI.

 

[BigDogHU75]

I was at AKV in Feb. and was so glad that I pre-ordered the Disney Photopass CD. My family took advantage of the Disney Photopass photographers being in the lobby. When I was there, the photographer told me that this was a new thing that they were doing at certain hotels. She said they would be in the lobby from 4:30 - 9:00 each evening. We had pictures taken with different family members every night, except for one.

 

[MinnieMom]

Hi There! I just returned from AKL and had a GREAT time!

Just as a note...they are doing photopass photos for free in the lobby just like you would get in the park in front of the castle, for example. It is not a photopass session that you pay for, but they will take some nice photos of you in the lodge.

We had a newer TV in our room (we were just there in Oct) that also had the appropriate output jacks for a portable DVD player.

As a note...if you have not taken advantage of the Hidden Mickey list you can get from the front desk you should! It gives clues to locations instead of just telling you exactly where to find everything.

I would also add that if you are wary of eating at Jiko or Boma take the culinary tour they offer for free. They explain all the food and you will get to try a few things and after the Jiko tour we were convinced to make reservations.

Do you know if kids can tag along for the culinary tour? Thanks!

 

[mmmears]

Do you know if kids can tag along for the culinary tour? Thanks!

Great question -- I'm wondering about that as well (although my DD is technically an "adult" in the Disney restaurants so I guess she can come along!

 

[candeeapril]

how much does the culinary tour cost?

 

[mmmears]

It's free for resort guests -- if you look at the "Daily Activities" offered at AKL, it's listed there.

 

[Flossbolna]

Do you know if kids can tag along for the culinary tour? Thanks!

I think it is considered to be more adult oriented, but I have never heard that kids are not allowed. I guess it depends on how old your child is and how easily he or she would be bored by a tour in a restaurant. If you think they will enjoy it, I see no problem.

 

[BridetobeDisney]

How do I find out more about the culinary tour? Like what time and when it is offered? Also, how long is the tour?

Thanks

 

[BridetobeDisney]

I have one more question.

Are there any pool view king bed rooms that have a regular tub? I have a toddler and need a tub instead of the handicap shower.

I'll probably still be fine if there are only showers because he likes to take a shower with me but I'm not always going to be bathing him at the same time that I need a shower. So it does cause a problem. Does that make sense? LOL

 

[RachelTori]

How do I find out more about the culinary tour? Like what time and when it is offered? Also, how long is the tour?

Thanks

I'm a little concerned that this culinary tour is getting a big build up...... It's very nice, but I don't want to see anyone disappointed. It is offered daily, either 3:45 or 4pm (time is posted on the Activities Board). It starts off with a Jiko tour - although it depends on the chef and their schedule as to how informative that portion of the tour will be. I've been on days where the chef had about 15 minutes to talk about the food prep and the ovens used, answer questions, and give us samples of the breads; but there were a couple times when the Jiko portion was a very quick talk and no sample!

Then the group waits on the benches outside Boma as they're setting up for dinner. A chef will take you by the Pods, explaining the different dishes and you will get to choose a soup to sample.

I would absolutely recommend the tour for anyone with Boma reservations who has never eaten there. Just knowing what's at all the different Pods will definitely enhance your dining experience!

It is really a wonderful little tour, just that some days are better than others; it really depends on what's going on in the kitchen that day!

 

[KELLY]

I can't wait for our first time at AKL.

 

[mmmears]

I can't wait for our first time at AKL.

Yay! When are you going?

 

[mmmears]

I have a question for you AKL experts --

Do you have a "can't miss" thing to eat at Mara and Jiko? Not dessert, but a good thing to order for a meal?

We'll be eating at both for the first time on our upcoming trip and I'm gathering some dining information for out trip. We've already been to Boma (loved it!) and since it's a buffet, I'm not asking about it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[johnsonet]

I have a question for you AKL experts --

Do you have a "can't miss" thing to eat at Mara and Jiko? Not dessert, but a good thing to order for a meal?

We'll be eating at both for the first time on our upcoming trip and I'm gathering some dining information for out trip. We've already been to Boma (loved it!) and since it's a buffet, I'm not asking about it.

Thanks in advance!

mmmears We love the Taste of Africa

The BBQ chicken flatbread is SO yummy. I've ordered a flatbread to go for my dinner a couple of times. They are so good.

I love everything I've ever had at Jiko and I've been there many, many times. The Chermoula Chicken is probably my favorite Not the best pic... but it's flavored with Harissa which is an incredible blend of spices as well as preserved lemons.

And try not to miss Lamb Patis. OMG - incredible! They are the phyllo-rolled items at 3 o'clock in this photo

Mara has a nice African Salad and a nice variety.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for the ideas and the photos, too! We're having a special dinner at Jiko and it's nice to see what's good over there! Glad to know about the chicken, too, since I've only heard about the filet (and I like chicken!)