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

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

We will be staying in a STANDARD room this August .
Booked through Disney UK.

Can I ask for a specific view ? How can I ask ? By FAX to the room assigner ?

Thank you , laura

 

[joelp]

You can telephone the resort about 3 days ahead of time and make your request ...

But for a few $$ more, it's worth it to upgrade to a Pool View to avoid a "parking lot" view ... If you do that, request Zebra Trail ...

 

[shordiebecka]

Hello! I am staying at AKL next saturday for 8 nights! Woo hoo!! I requested Arusha Savannah, and I am going to specifically request the 3rd floor.

I saw something about getting zebra domes delivered to your room with writing in chocolate. I really want to do this, but is it only for concierge level? thanks!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hello!


We will be staying at the AKL in 31 days...



My ? -Has anyone had a cake relatively recently at the Lodge? DS will be celebrating his 7th BD a week before we arrive at AKL and I'd really like to have a cake for him...

I know I've read somewhere about people having cakes, I don't know if anyone has gotten one recently though...at AKL...

I remember seeing a really gorgeous tray that had cookies and chocolate animals but then read that it was no longer offered...& since he's a little guy a cake would be more special to him than a tray of zds-although I wouldn't say no to them...

I know-I've reat that the Bakery at the Grand Floridian can do pretty much anything...but I don't know about AKL...

I'd want it delivered either to our room the first night or the 2nd night we have a ressie at Jiko-and we could have it there- only since we have the DDP-we'd be getting dessert but since we'd be there (the Lodge) it would be easy to take back to the room...

suggestions? experiences?

(I also posted this on the other AKL board-I'm really hoping someone has experience with this...)

Thanks in advance...

 

[mmmears]

Hello! I am staying at AKL next saturday for 8 nights! Woo hoo!! I requested Arusha Savannah, and I am going to specifically request the 3rd floor.

I saw something about getting zebra domes delivered to your room with writing in chocolate. I really want to do this, but is it only for concierge level? thanks!

I believe that it's an option in the Private Dining menu... Zebra Domes are a better deal if you buy them at the Mara QS place, but then they won't come on the nice platter with the writing. I don't think that it's only on CL, just that it's been easier to order them that way. See ya at AKL!

Hello!


My ? -Has anyone had a cake relatively recently at the Lodge? DS will be celebrating his 7th BD a week before we arrive at AKL and I'd really like to have a cake for him...

I know I've read somewhere about people having cakes, I don't know if anyone has gotten one recently though...at AKL...

I remember seeing a really gorgeous tray that had cookies and chocolate animals but then read that it was no longer offered...& since he's a little guy a cake would be more special to him than a tray of zds-although I wouldn't say no to them...

I know-I've reat that the Bakery at the Grand Floridian can do pretty much anything...but I don't know about AKL...

I'd want it delivered either to our room the first night or the 2nd night we have a ressie at Jiko-and we could have it there- only since we have the DDP-we'd be getting dessert but since we'd be there (the Lodge) it would be easy to take back to the room...

suggestions? experiences?

(I also posted this on the other AKL board-I'm really hoping someone has experience with this...)

Thanks in advance...

There are specific cakes that are made at each resort. I believe the choices (I was given this list back in March from the IPO office) were: regular 8" cake, mickey-mouse shaped cake, or a zebra-striped cake (really pretty, and you can only get this at AKL). I've seen photos of all of these on the cake thread on the dining board.

IPO sent us a small cake for DD's brithday. It was waiting in our room one night when we returned from dinner. It was really yummy!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

There are specific cakes that are made at each resort. I believe the choices (I was given this list back in March from the IPO office) were: regular 8" cake, mickey-mouse shaped cake, or a zebra-striped cake (really pretty, and you can only get this at AKL). I've seen photos of all of these on the cake thread on the dining board.

IPO sent us a small cake for DD's brithday. It was waiting in our room one night when we returned from dinner. It was really yummy!

Thanks for this info......I will do a search on the cakes thread for a zebra cake-that sounds really cool since it is resort specific...I have seen the Mickey Head Cake and that is also really cute...

 

[PolyAddict]

Is the Jambo 1 bedroom club level available for non-dvc'ers?

Where would i find $'s for this?

Thanks so much.

edited to add...found answer at disneyworld.com (of all places)

 

[YensidRocks]

I called AKL today and found out we are Not allowed to decorate the exterior doors. Decorating inside is fine though. Just a heads up to any who were wondering.

 

[Janed]

I just confirmed a 2 bedroom, Savannah View Villa for early January, 2010. Then I read this thread (whew, my DH wondered when I would get back to taking care of my ususal things!). Now I am thanking all the posters for the incredible information you take the time to provide.

Hopefully I can do the same when we return. Lots of decisions to make now, and lots more to read. Have a great day!

 

[KP's Mom]

Is Bush Camp still available at AKL? Also, any info on Camp Kidani???? Thanks.

 

[anbouk]

There are no savanna rooms on the first floor -- only 2nd & up. 4th floor Arusha Savanna is where the CL rooms are. If you're not staying CL, I would think that 3rd floor would be great, since it's on the same level as the lobby. That would save you waiting for the elevators over and over.

The "pods" are the buildings (they are really all one building, but there are "breaks" between sets of rooms with hallways with windows. Hard to explain, but if you look at a map of AKL you'll probably see what I mean. The first "pods" are closest to the lobby, so very convenient, but the views seem to better the farther out you go. So for the best view, you may have a longer walk.

Zebra trail is convenient to the elevators down to the pool and the Mara QS place, so I like that location. But we actually saw more animals from our room on the Kudu side of the trail (both Arusha savanna). There are different animals out on different savannas, so that may make a difference to you, too.

If I request third floor Savannah View, near Zebra Trail....would that make sense. We would like to be on the lobby floor, yet near Mara, for CS Thanks for your help! Have fun on your trip!

 

[anbouk]

I asked this question on another thread, and I haven't received any thoughts on this yet. Just wondering if some experts here can help me. We have a choice of booking either a value room and extend our vacation by a day or a Savannah view. What would you recommend. Of course, my concern is the location/ or lack of view with value. Should I be so concerned? Anyone exerience value, space is not such an issue for us. Any pics? Thanks

 

[joelp]

Have you considered a Pool View room?

... and an extra day at WDW is certainly better than a day anywhere else!!

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

We are planning a 10 day WDW trip for June 2010... I am having a hard time choosing where to stay (too many fabulous options). I am torn between the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom....

How is the pool at AK ? Does it have a slide?

Also would it be possible to split a 10 day stay between two resorts? I wonder if we could still do the dining plan as part of our package this way?

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[joelp]

We are planning a 10 day WDW trip for June 2010... I am having a hard time choosing where to stay (too many fabulous options). I am torn between the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom....

How is the pool at AK ? Nice ... Does it have a slide? Yes ...

Also would it be possible to split a 10 day stay between two resorts? Sure - but remember that you'll use up about 1/2 a day repacking, moving, and unpacking ...

I wonder if we could still do the dining plan as part of our package this way?

If you change resorts, unless I'm mistaken, you have to book it as two separate reservations. So, if you want to get the Dining Plan to go with the 2nd resort/reservation period, you have to buy at least a one-day MYW ticket for everyone in the party for the 2nd reservation (in addition to the MYW ticket for the 1st resort/reservation) - so it will cost a bit more person.. Not sure how it would work if you bought an AP instead ... and the AP dining discount thingy may be a better deal than the Dining Plan...

Thanks for your feedback!

Here's a picture of (part of) the pool:

It's a tough call between WL and AKL - we've never stayed at WL, but are going back to AKL ffor a second time (in less than a year!) in September. To quote my wife, about 1/2-hour after we had arrived at AKL: "OK - I'm spoiled. I don't think I can stay anywhere else again!"

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Thanks for the feedback... Very helpful... AKL and WL both sound amazing... I think we are leaning toward WL, mostly because it's not as far out as AKL, and it sounds like the transportation might be a little better for us with small children (ages 4 and 7)...

 

[caribear]

We are planning a 10 day WDW trip for June 2010... I am having a hard time choosing where to stay (too many fabulous options). I am torn between the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom....

How is the pool at AK ? Does it have a slide?

Also would it be possible to split a 10 day stay between two resorts? I wonder if we could still do the dining plan as part of our package this way?

Thanks for your feedback!

I have found that there is alot more to do at AKL than WL as far as activities at the resort. Plus the new pool over at Kidani Village is great! The water play area was so much fun for both my 2 year old and 7 year old. The pool at WL seems smaller to me...and the slide is not as long (as the one over at Kidani...not sure about the one at Jambo as it is probably about the same size). AKL has a nicer playground and the animal viewing. I definitely give WL a plus for the transportation via boat, electric water parade and closeness to Ft. Wilderness. I would do a split stay...maybe planning for more park days while at WL....and more relaxation days at AKL.

 

[Promomx2]

How far is the two pools? We're staying at akl for 2 nights and just hanging out at the resort. So of course we want to hit both pools.

 

[dmccarty]

Thanks for the feedback... Very helpful... AKL and WL both sound amazing... I think we are leaning toward WL, mostly because it's not as far out as AKL, and it sounds like the transportation might be a little better for us with small children (ages 4 and 7)...

My kids have been 6 and 9 lor 5 and 8 when staying at AKL. Transportation was not an issue with them. Getting to AK is fast. Going to EPCOT or HS is just a bit longer. MK takes the longest but I don't think its more than 15-20 minutes. Going to the parks the trip just builds the anticipation. Returning they sleep. There is quite a bit of kids stuff to do at AKL. We have not done them all yet. They have Art and Crafts which cost money but free things like story telling around the fire and the evening "music" performed by the kids.

We bought into DVC at AKV sight unseen for one reason. The animals. Our kids our very focused on animals. We figured they would like to just sit on the balcony and watch the animals. We were right. They and we sit out there watching the animals as much as possible. Our next trip this fall we will not have as many ADRs to save money but more importantly to free up time to spend in the resort. Last trip we simply did not spend enough time at AKL. We stayed once at CBR which was nice but there is not alot to do there compared to AKL.

If you kids like horses there is a pony ride over at Fort Wilderness. We caught a boat from MK one afternoon over to Fort Wilderness to ride the ponies. Nice calm cool trip. Kids slept on the way over and back to MK.

We get up early to hit the parks as early as possible. We pick morning EMH parks, go at rope drop, and when the kids get tired around noonish we head back to the resort. We take a nap and go to the pool. Much easier on us and the kids. Next trip we think the kids are old enough to head back to the parks in the evening. We shall see....

Later,
Dan

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

WOW -- sounds amazing... I think I am sold. DH really wants to stay at AKL, and I think it will be a nice experience for the kids. Thanks for all of your feedback!