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

[alexcturner]

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!

Hi mmmears! Did you know that you can get the African Soups in Mara? Usually a choice of two (or get both)! They are from Boma's. However, Boma has 6 soups on any night. Yummy!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

anyone know the size difference of the standard rooms vs. the studios?

 

[BridetobeDisney]

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!

Hi, thanks so much for this information. Yes, I knew it would be short and sweet based on the fact that it's free. LOL But it does sound like something I'd like to do. I thought that since we have a toddler my husband and I could switch off days to go do the tour on our own. Just something a little extra that I can surprise him with. This is our first time back at AKL since our honeymoon.

Does anyone know if there are pool view king bed rooms that have a regular tub? We have a toddler and need a tub instead of the handicap shower. Just wondering, thanks!

 

[Flossbolna]

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!

My favourite dish at Jiko is the maize-crusted sturgeon (or another fish, it seems to vary) with butter sauce and vegetables of the moment:

I am not a fish lover, but this was fantastic. The fish is very light and all the different tastes really complement each other. It is very mild, not really overly exotic. The first time we ate at Jiko, I could hear how our server (Shellie, she was fantastic!) recommended this dish to someone on the table next to ours as a dish for a picky eater and he really loved it.

 

[Flossbolna]

Does anyone know if there are pool view king bed rooms that have a regular tub? We have a toddler and need a tub instead of the handicap shower. Just wondering, thanks!

I think not all king bed rooms are also accessible rooms, so you should be able to get what you need, but I am not sure. I just seem to remember to have seen pictures of king bed rooms with normal bathrooms. I would recommend stating exactly what you want as your request: "king bed room with tub" Have a great trip!

 

[BCV23]

anyone know the size difference of the standard rooms vs. the studios?

I don't know the square footage offhand but the studios (other than value) are larger. They are the size of the old deluxe rooms.

Does anyone know if there are pool view king bed rooms that have a regular tub? We have a toddler and need a tub instead of the handicap shower. Just wondering, thanks!

Not pool view but I had a king room with tub on Uzima my very first AKL stay. It actually may have been an accessible room as the tub had grab bars but I'm not sure at all.

We're at AKL right now. The new guard shack is really coming along. On Tuesday am, electricians were working on it. Later in the day, a carpenter was there. Yesterday afternoon, they were testing the exit gates which I don't think were even there in the morning.

AKL is as beautiful and special as always.

 

[johnsonet]

Flossbolna Beautiful pic! I love that dish too. Yummy!

BCV23 This is the first I've heard about the new guard shack. Is it in a new spot? Thanks for the update and have a great time!

 

[BCV23]

Hi johnsonet! Yes, it is in a new place. It's some distance before the right turn into AKL. Just speculation on my part but I imagine that guests will be directed toward Kidani or Jambo House at that point. I wonder if the current one will be removed?

 

[ProudMommyof2]

BCV23 - any pics of the pool area at Kidani? I am dying to see some and noone seems to have gotten any yet.

 

[PNO4TE]

We're at AKL right now. The new guard shack is really coming along. On Tuesday am, electricians were working on it. Later in the day, a carpenter was there. Yesterday afternoon, they were testing the exit gates which I don't think were even there in the morning.

BCV23 This is the first I've heard about the new guard shack. Is it in a new spot? Thanks for the update and have a great time!

Hi johnsonet! Yes, it is in a new place. It's some distance before the right turn into AKL. Just speculation on my part but I imagine that guests will be directed toward Kidani or Jambo House at that point. I wonder if the current one will be removed?

Ah hah! That is what we saw in the beginning stages of construction at Christmas! Thanks for the update, BCV23. And have a great vacation!

 

[BridetobeDisney]

I think not all king bed rooms are also accessible rooms, so you should be able to get what you need, but I am not sure. I just seem to remember to have seen pictures of king bed rooms with normal bathrooms. I would recommend stating exactly what you want as your request: "king bed room with tub" Have a great trip!

Thank you I'll call and request it.

I don't know the square footage offhand but the studios (other than value) are larger. They are the size of the old deluxe rooms.



Not pool view but I had a king room with tub on Uzima my very first AKL stay. It actually may have been an accessible room as the tub had grab bars but I'm not sure at all.

We're at AKL right now. The new guard shack is really coming along. On Tuesday am, electricians were working on it. Later in the day, a carpenter was there. Yesterday afternoon, they were testing the exit gates which I don't think were even there in the morning.

AKL is as beautiful and special as always.

Thank you. Have fun!

 

[BCV23]

BCV23 - any pics of the pool area at Kidani? I am dying to see some and noone seems to have gotten any yet.

Sorry, no. The pool area is blocked from view from Jambo House by Kidani itself. And you can't drive back to see it as the road is marked "Construction vehicles only " or something like that. Pretty sure those weren't the actual words but it was something to that effect.

But a DVC CM at the stand in the lobby showed me a very cool aerial picture and you could see the pool areas in that photo.

Ah hah! That is what we saw in the beginning stages of construction at Christmas! Thanks for the update, BCV23. And have a great vacation!

Thank you I'll call and request it.



Thank you. Have fun!

Thank you both for the good wishes.

A little more on the new guard shack...that doesn't sound dignified enough, does it? Does anyone know the proper term?

Anyway, this morning they're working on the keyed entry gate. I noticed you can actually see the new booth from the intersection with Sherbeth Rd. On my odometer, it was .3 miles from the booth to the stop sign for AKL....enough winding road to give you that feeling of being in a different place. The keyed entry at the Jambo House is blocked right now. I asked the guard when the new one would be operational and she said next week. I asked her if the original one would be not be used any longer and she said yes, it will be demolished.

So those of you going next week will have a new experience.

 

[kadee_29]

I missed this thread. I was a part of it for a very small time last summer while planning a trip I ultimately had to cancel. I am happy to say that DH and I talked it over and it looks like we will be able to go this September. He is going to talk vacation time over with his boss tomorrow and I will call Disney and book our trip. We are looking at being there 9-27 to 10-3. I am just so excited I can hardly stand it. And of course we aren't telling the kids because having to explain to them last time why we weren't going was the worst and I don't want to go through that again.

I know that we are going to try for a savannah view room because our kids (11, 5 and 2) love animals and would love to wake up to that every morning while we are there. My question is which savannah do I want to ask for? I tried to go back and look but I can't remember where I saw all the info for it before.

TIA!!

 

[BCV23]

I missed this thread. I was a part of it for a very small time last summer while planning a trip I ultimately had to cancel. I am happy to say that DH and I talked it over and it looks like we will be able to go this September. He is going to talk vacation time over with his boss tomorrow and I will call Disney and book our trip. We are looking at being there 9-27 to 10-3. I am just so excited I can hardly stand it. And of course we aren't telling the kids because having to explain to them last time why we weren't going was the worst and I don't want to go through that again.

I know that we are going to try for a savannah view room because our kids (11, 5 and 2) love animals and would love to wake up to that every morning while we are there. My question is which savannah do I want to ask for? I tried to go back and look but I can't remember where I saw all the info for it before.

TIA!!

How exciting.

I'll put in my vote for Uzima Savannah. According to our guide on the Wanyama Safari, it has the most animals. Of the savannah views I've had (only three), it was my favorite.

Happy planning!

 

[mmmears]

I missed this thread. I was a part of it for a very small time last summer while planning a trip I ultimately had to cancel. I am happy to say that DH and I talked it over and it looks like we will be able to go this September. He is going to talk vacation time over with his boss tomorrow and I will call Disney and book our trip. We are looking at being there 9-27 to 10-3. I am just so excited I can hardly stand it. And of course we aren't telling the kids because having to explain to them last time why we weren't going was the worst and I don't want to go through that again.

I know that we are going to try for a savannah view room because our kids (11, 5 and 2) love animals and would love to wake up to that every morning while we are there. My question is which savannah do I want to ask for? I tried to go back and look but I can't remember where I saw all the info for it before.

TIA!!

Welcome Back!!! I'm glad you're getting to plan for a new trip. We had to cancel a trip a few years back, and I know how hard that can be for everyone, especially the kids.

Most people have said to ask for Arusha Savannah (that's the main one in the middle of the hotel), Zebra Trail side (closer to pool & Mara). Some say to ask for 3rd or 4th floor, some say it doesn't matter).

Good luck with your planning! Are you going to keep the trip a secret from the kids?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

i need some optimism....please...

we leave in 2 1/2 weeks for akl. all i could get was standard view i've been stalking the website, hoping a pool or savanna view would open up for us, but nothing yet. i really don't want a view of the parking lot! we will be in the room a good bit with the baby napping and going to bed early. it would be nice to relax on the balcony with a bottle of wine at night...but not to look at cars.

so does anyone have an opinion on whether to change resorts or stick with my standard view? it will by my bday when we are there, so my last hope is to be upgraded on arrival...but that is just a gamble...

please make me feel better!

 

[mmmears]

AKL is such a gorgeous hotel that I would try it out in any room.

We visited for dinner once and walked all around the place. There are so many places to watch the animals besides your balcony. There are so many kids activities (and adult ones, like the culinary tour) to keep you busy there. And the pool area looks beautiful.

I would keep checking, then ask again upon arrival. Hopefully something will turn up, but if not, they may be able to give you a Sunset Savannah view (which is standard view right now) instead of the parking lot.

Things really do change daily, so dont give up yet -- keep trying! But I think that AKL would be nice no matter the room view.

 

[Carlyzmom]

Do all of the savannas have giraffes? I HAVE to see giraffes from my balcony!!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Do all of the savannas have giraffes? I HAVE to see giraffes from my balcony!!

I'm pretty sure that giraffes are some of the only animals found on every savanna

 

[mmmears]

Do all of the savannas have giraffes? I HAVE to see giraffes from my balcony!!

I actually almost made that a room request! I want giraffes, too!