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

[mmmears]

I've today upgraded to CL after all the good reviews I've been reading

I can't wait to finally eat at Jiko, so looking forward to that.

The restaurant tour sounds interesting, what does that involve?

Congrats! It's a decision you'll be very happy with. The espresso machine, the ambiance of the lounge, and the Sunrise Safari really make it worth while for us.

We love Jiko, and Boma is fantastic!!!

The restaurant tour was offered at 4pm on the day we took it. It started off at Boma, where they showed everyone around, let us see what would be on the buffet that night, and let us sample some of the soups and a dessert. Then we went to Jiko, where we were shown around, told about the restaurant, and then given the breads & spreads appetizer to sample. It was fun, informative, and yummy!!!

 

[Donald is #1]

Does anyone have pics of the view from AKV concierge rooms? I know that some rooms face the pool and other rooms face the savanna, but I'm curious to see pics.

Sorry but photobucket is not working for me tonight. I think that if you look in my concierge trip report in my signature that you will see some. I had a savanna view studio and to be honest I wasn't as impressed with the view as I have been with my non-CL stays. I think because all of trees blocked some of the view.

OK check out this post in my trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25439582&postcount=22

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Sorry but photobucket is not working for me tonight. I think that if you look in my concierge trip report in my signature that you will see some. I had a savanna view studio and to be honest I wasn't as impressed with the view as I have been with my non-CL stays. I think because all of trees blocked some of the view.

OK check out this post in my trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25439582&postcount=22

Thanks for posting that! I've seen a pic of the view from the pool side, but I was curious to see the view from the savanna side.

The reason I ask is because we're cash guests, but were able to book a night in a concierge 1-bedroom villa for the beginning of December. I was shocked that it was available, but we've wanted to try AKV and we've heard good things about AKL's concierge.

 

[Donald is #1]

Thanks for posting that! I've seen a pic of the view from the pool side, but I was curious to see the view from the savanna side.

The reason I ask is because we're cash guests, but were able to book a night in a concierge 1-bedroom villa for the beginning of December. I was shocked that it was available, but we've wanted to try AKV and we've heard good things about AKL's concierge.

That's awesome that you were able to book an AKV CL room for cash.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for posting that! I've seen a pic of the view from the pool side, but I was curious to see the view from the savanna side.

The reason I ask is because we're cash guests, but were able to book a night in a concierge 1-bedroom villa for the beginning of December. I was shocked that it was available, but we've wanted to try AKV and we've heard good things about AKL's concierge.

I've heard that it's just about impossible to do this -- it's great that you were able to... Either it's a really slow time or you got really, really lucky!

 

[aspen37]

how long is the walk from kidani and Jambo? Are we allowed to use the Kidani pool if we are staying at Jambo?

It's a 1/2 mile from Jambo to Kidani one way, it's a mile round trip.

 

[snykymom]

Do the "generic" AC override instructions work at AKL? The "push the power button & the up/down arrows at the same time" ones? If not, how can we override the motion sensors? We prefer a colder room for sleeping purposes, and since helium balloons aren't permitted, we have to come up with something!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks for posting that! I've seen a pic of the view from the pool side, but I was curious to see the view from the savanna side.

The reason I ask is because we're cash guests, but were able to book a night in a concierge 1-bedroom villa for the beginning of December. I was shocked that it was available, but we've wanted to try AKV and we've heard good things about AKL's concierge.

Is it a club level villa or a club level suite?
I see one bedroom suites listed on the Disney site, but not the villas. They are different things.
If it truly is a one bedroom villa you will be on the 6th floor. If it is a suite then I am not sure where those are located. The view may be different depending on which room category you have reserved. Enjoy your stay!

 

[pyrxtc]

Is it a club level villa or a club level suite?
I see one bedroom suites listed on the Disney site, but not the villas. They are different things.
If it truly is a one bedroom villa you will be on the 6th floor. If it is a suite then I am not sure where those are located. The view may be different depending on which room category you have reserved. Enjoy your stay!

I am assuming that it is a suite and not a villa since those have been booked for 11 months for that time of year. Your room will be on the 4th floor with a Savannh view. To get to the lounge, you will need to take the elevator to the 6th floor (using your room key to get there, it will be yellow instead of blue) or you can use the stairs to get there, use the ones that are right above the concierge desk downstairs and you will still need your room key to open the gate at the 5th floor staircase.

 

[cmesq61]

I am looking for advice from the AKL experts; we are thinking of doing a short (3 nights) trip in November pre-Thanksgiving, just me and the DBF, no kids. We got a great rate at AKL. We have never stayed at AKL and have never even been to AK park mostly becasue of the distance the hassle of using the bus system. Since it will be a short trip, and the budget is tight, we were thinking of not leaving the Animal Kingdom area--just getting a 2 day pass, no hopper, seeing the park, exploring AKL and hanging poolside. I am handicapped and in an ECV (hence the Disney bus phobia), my DBF has a heart condition so we don't ride too many rides, but love just wandering MK and EP, seeing the sights, exploring the shops, and just taking in the Disney magic. Do you experts think we could find enough to do in the Animal Kingdom area? Thanks in advance.

 

[hematite153]

Yes, I think there's plenty to do in the AK area. I would even say there's enough to do without going to the parks at all, or, with a single day at AK.

 

[mmmears]

I am looking for advice from the AKL experts; we are thinking of doing a short (3 nights) trip in November pre-Thanksgiving, just me and the DBF, no kids. We got a great rate at AKL. We have never stayed at AKL and have never even been to AK park mostly becasue of the distance the hassle of using the bus system. Since it will be a short trip, and the budget is tight, we were thinking of not leaving the Animal Kingdom area--just getting a 2 day pass, no hopper, seeing the park, exploring AKL and hanging poolside. I am handicapped and in an ECV (hence the Disney bus phobia), my DBF has a heart condition so we don't ride too many rides, but love just wandering MK and EP, seeing the sights, exploring the shops, and just taking in the Disney magic. Do you experts think we could find enough to do in the Animal Kingdom area? Thanks in advance.

Hi! There is definitely enough to do to keep you happy for a couple of days. AKL is the one resort I could spend a few days at without even going to the parks.

AKL has the animals to look at (we love to just slow down and watch them a bit). The resort itself is really beautiful, both inside and out. There is African artwork along the halls and in the lobby. We enjoy looking at that, too. There are plenty of activities and great restaurants. The pool is lovely and there are 2 secluded jacuzzis...

AK is a gorgeous park -- the prettiest one IMO. It has 2 really nice shows, Legend of the Lion King and Finding Nemo, the Musical. The Maharajah Jungle Trek is a really delightful walk. If you can go on it, the safari ride is really special, too.

I hope this helps and I really hope you like it there!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Is it a club level villa or a club level suite?
I see one bedroom suites listed on the Disney site, but not the villas. They are different things.
If it truly is a one bedroom villa you will be on the 6th floor. If it is a suite then I am not sure where those are located. The view may be different depending on which room category you have reserved. Enjoy your stay!

I am assuming that it is a suite and not a villa since those have been booked for 11 months for that time of year.

Surprisingly, it's a 1-bedroom villa, here's what our confirmation email says:

Resort Name: Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo
Resort Category: Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Room Type 1 Bedroom Concierge, Jambo House

We really liked the AKV 1-bedroom villa model, and everyone says great things about AKL's concierge. So now we can try both!

 

[jerseygal]

Thought that Animal Kingdom Villas would have to be booked through a DVC member???????????

Even for members, Concierge 6th Floor is very very tough to book!

Probably not on Concierge 6th Floor, but enjoy!

Heard fabulous things about Concierge food presentation! Enjoy your trip!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

AKV concierge can definitely be booked with cash like any other room. The availability is really rare, but that doesn't matter if your dates are flexible.

For example, right now, there's availablity for 1 night in a concierge 1-bedroom villa (September 4 - September 5). From September 2 - September 3, a concierge studio is available. These rooms are even available with the current club level discount. For some reason, DVC members haven't booked them, so they're available for cash guests to stay in.

I'm happy with the date we booked in December. We check out on a Sunday morning, so we should be able to do the Sunrise Safari. Also, the Christmas decorations will probably be up.

 

[pyrxtc]

Surprisingly, it's a 1-bedroom villa, here's what our confirmation email says:

Resort Name: Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo
Resort Category: Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Room Type 1 Bedroom Concierge, Jambo House

We really liked the AKV 1-bedroom villa model, and everyone says great things about AKL's concierge. So now we can try both!

I am really surprised. How many nights did you get ? It must be the nights I usually book but i'm not doing December this year.

Can I ask how far out you booked it ?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I am really surprised. How many nights did you get ? It must be the nights I usually book but i'm not doing December this year.

Can I ask how far out you booked it ?

It was only available for 1 night: December 5 - December 6. But we'll be there very early in the morning, and the next day we're leaving for the airport late in the evening, so we'll basically have 2 days of access to the concierge lounge.

We booked it on Tuesday, and even though it's a very short stay, it's long enough for us to sample AKV. We'll spend a lot of time in the lounge, do the Sunrise Safari, and enjoy the space of a 1-bedroom villa.

 

[BCV23]

We've stayed in a concierge villa on a cash reservation. It was for a Friday-Saturday night. We combined it with a five night stay on points.

 

[momtwoboys]

Hello everyone! We stayed at AKL last May and are ready to start planning again! We have decided to return to WDW in April 2010, and know that it will be at AKL again We had a pool view room and LOVED it! We were on the 4th floor and the view was nice, however am interested to see anyone's picture of what a 1st or 2nd floor Pool view room looks like? Thinking the proximity to the Mara/Pool/ laundry would be nice. Thanks for all the helpful information!

 

[joelp]

Hello everyone! We stayed at AKL last May and are ready to start planning again! We have decided to return to WDW in April 2010, and know that it will be at AKL again We had a pool view room and LOVED it! We were on the 4th floor and the view was nice, however am interested to see anyone's picture of what a 1st or 2nd floor Pool view room looks like? Thinking the proximity to the Mara/Pool/ laundry would be nice. Thanks for all the helpful information!

Here you go - 1st Floor, Zebra Trail ... and it was very nice being close to everything!!