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

[KimDis]

I"m so happy i found this thread, we will be staying at AKL in december... I just have one question and I just can't seem to find the answer...

what time does the pool/jacuzzi's close at?

I don't think the pool closes, but the lifeguards do go off duty at 10pm and the water slides will close then.

 

[mmmears]

I don't think the pool closes, but the lifeguards do go off duty at 10pm and the water slides will close then.

That's what I recall as well.

 

[michaeldorn1]

Many people recommend asking for Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail. For viewing animals and proximity to the elevator to the restaurants, my favorite was Zebra Trail, Uzima Savannah on the spur by the secondary elevator.
Happy planning!

Aren't those Trails at Jambo and not at Kidani? We're staying @ Kidani w/ a Savanah View and are interested in what everyone thinks is the best Studio rm. location and view there.
Thank you!

 

[BCV23]

Aren't those Trails at Jambo and not at Kidani? We're staying @ Kidani w/ a Savanah View and are interested in what everyone thinks is the best Studio rm. location and view there.
Thank you!

Sorry, I missed Kidani in your post.

If I recall correctly, you wanted to be near the lobby and elevators. Maybe just request near the lobby. there are multiple sets of elevators (I think) but only one lobby. When we did the Sunset Safari last March, it appeared to me that all savannah villas on the Sunset Savannah will have great views of the animals. Pembe was supposed to open this month. I haven't seen reports on it yet but those villas will not be close to the lobby.

There are also DVC forums on the DIS. You may find more Kidani reports over there.

Happy planning!

 

[SharonLovesMickey]

Just a few notes from our most recent trip. We returned yesterday and had a wonderful time at the parks and the resort. Here are some tips:

We requested a pool view, which also meant that we were close to Mara! We loved the "resort" sound of the pool and happy kids. The savanna side tends to be very quiet (except when the ankole are talking to each other!).

We had outstanding service at Jiko and Boma! Cast Members were WONDERFUL and the food was, as always, outstanding. Don't let the Jiko flavors put you off. This was the best food we've ever had at Disney and the highlight of our trip.

A note about the jewelry activity: This is not some cheap plastic bracelet that a kid would make. These are lovely bone or gemstone or wood beads that you can make into a bracelet. It is for those over 13 for a reason! This was a very pleasant 1/2 hour that I spent making something cool for myself and enjoying a little "craft" while on vacation. It is only $1/inch (about 8-9 inches for a bracelet). It was a GREAT souvenir.

Finally, we had a little trouble with buses. I am posting it here just as a courtesy...you will have to judge for yourself whether or not it would be a problem for you. Depending on the time of year you will be traveling the buses can be good...or bad.

In this "off-season" we found that the bus stopped every time at Kidani Village...adding 10 minutes to every bus ride home. Bus pick ups from parks were pretty well timed, but we found that more often than not (EVERY TIME BUT ONE IN FACT!) no one got off at Kidani and everyone on the bus was waiting for the Lodge/Jambo House.

My in-laws had a different experience in June when the bus stopped rarely at Kidani and mostly at Jambo House. It's hard to say if they are adjusting the bus system for the season or if this is a permanent change because of the new villas being opened at Kidani this last week.

Regardless, we have stayed at AKL three times in the last 2 years. I love it there, but this new change has caused us to rethink our plans for our next trip. The new Kidani drop off is a real problem for us (especially when a bus breakdown meant we had to walk from Kidani to Jambo house...not a short walk). We will seriously be considering relocating to either WL (at least you have a boat ride to MK/Monorail access) OR YC which we loved during our previous stays...and the corresponding quick walk to Epcot.

--> I say all this as a BIG BIG FAN of AKL. It is the one place that feels like coming "home" to me on property, so I say it with sadness. You will have to decide whether you care or not about our most recent observation.

 

[mmmears]

Thank you for your review of AKL. We also love it there. In early August, we didn't notice the busses stopping at Kidani (we were pleasantly surprised, actually). I can see how it would affect your feelings towards AKL... When we stayed at the YC the busses stopped at all 5 resorts (seriously) and I vowed never to take a bus from there again. At the Poly in April, the busses stopped at the CR on the way back and we really didn't like that, either. I liked the AKL busses because they were so direct. I was hoping that would continue, but it sounds like it's not.

Thanks for being honest in your report. We all get car/bus/monorail sick, so an extra 5-10 minutes (with lots of stopping and turning around) really affects our trip, probably more than most people.

Good to hear that you liked the pool view, too. It looks like such a pretty views when we look out the windows by the elevators. Haven't tried it yet, maybe we will sometime.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Just back from our first stay at AKV Kidani Village. First of all for all of those who are going here soon be aware that the bus stop for the resort busses are closed and you have to go through the lobby to catch the busses. They are re-doing one of the paths and putting a roof over the Hollywood Studios stop.
We have mixed feelings about the resort. First of all our room was beautiful! It was only the 2nd time we have stayed in a 1 BR and we loved it. The woodwork, tile and granite were beautiful and the room was spacious. It was perfect for 5 people especially since there were 2 bathrooms. We loved looking out on the savannah and seeing all the animals. One night as we were all out there watching the animals we saw a shooting star! We didn't get to use the pool but we did check it out and it is really nice.
There were a couple of bad parts of it though. We had my 80 year old MIL with and although we requested a room near the lobby we got one that was just about as far away from it as you can get! It was quite the walk. Also the bus transportation was terrible. There were times when we had to wait quite some time for a bus. Plus the resort is just so far from most places that it took forever to get there. For us this is an issue so it will probably keep us from staying there in the future.
I'll try to post some pictures in the future.

 

[loveminniemouse]

I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered before but with over 100 pages in the thread, I didn't read all of it.

DH and I are considering AKL for 2010. We have never stayed anywhere other than Pop and CSR. Would AKL still be worth it if we only went with a standard room?

 

[floridascgirl]

Are all the rooms on the 4th floor of Zebra Trail Club Level rooms?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We were at AKL (Jambo) from Aug 1-15. We used the buses every day. Going TO the parks the buses pick up Kidani first, then Jambo. Coming BACK they stop at Kidani first, then Jambo.

The DTD bus is the only one that picks up Jambo first, then Kidani.

The ONLY time we stopped at Jambo first coming back from the parks was a night when the bus was PACKED, and there was a wheelchair and a scooter. Because of the way the wheelchair was loaded the driver had to unload at Jambo first. Again, that was the ONLY time that happened.

We did notice many times that nobody got on or off at Kidani, but if we had been staying in Kidani I certainly would have wanted the bus to come get us!

 

[floridascgirl]

Does anyone know the answer to my question posted above?

 

[John's Mom]

Are all the rooms on the 4th floor of Zebra Trail Club Level rooms?

No. The Club Level rooms are usually located closer to the lobby.

 

[momtwoboys]

I would have to say no. We stayed at AKL in May09 and were given a room on the 4th floor "pool view", we had to switch rooms because of a problem with one of the bunk beds and were given another room on the 4th floor, zebra trail pool view and no it was not club level.

 

[floridascgirl]

I would have to say no. We stayed at AKL in May09 and were given a room on the 4th floor "pool view", we had to switch rooms because of a problem with one of the bunk beds and were given another room on the 4th floor, zebra trail pool view and no it was not club level.

Thanks for your replies. We are going to be in a "Pool View" room with bunks. We would prefer 2 Queens, but that's all that was available. What did you think of a bunkbed room? Did you feel as if you had any more floor space since the bunks are next to the wall?

 

[fantayzya]

Hoping all of you AKL experts might have some insight to help me make a decision.

Tomorrow the window to do the early/online check-in opens for me (YEEE HA!!! we're getting close!) but I'm wondering if I really want to do that or not.

What are the advantages, other than a few minutes of time saved, to checking in ahead of time? What if any, are the disadvantages?

We'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary this trip. Hubby and I met at WDW and honeymooned there too but this process is new to us as it's been a few years since we've been able to go. We booked what we knew would make us happy for our room but know from personal experience that once in awhile a little extra pixie dust is tossed around too and wouldn't want to miss out on even one grain of that. (it's been a tough couple of years for us, so while not expected we'd sure like to give the stars every chance to align IYKWIM lol.) And we've already decided that while we won't be sleeping in, we also want to take time to really enjoy things instead of running from one thing to another so quick isn't really a big deal for us this trip.

So, thoughts? What did you like about it? What did you miss about 'regular' check in?

Thanks for any insight at all!

 

[candeeapril]

I hope you have a magical trip too!!!!

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

Thanks for your replies. We are going to be in a "Pool View" room with bunks. We would prefer 2 Queens, but that's all that was available. What did you think of a bunkbed room? Did you feel as if you had any more floor space since the bunks are next to the wall?

I never stayed in a room w/2 queens, so I can not compare, but, the bunkbed was not right up against the wall.

 

[SharonLovesMickey]

I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered before but with over 100 pages in the thread, I didn't read all of it.

DH and I are considering AKL for 2010. We have never stayed anywhere other than Pop and CSR. Would AKL still be worth it if we only went with a standard room?

YES! First, you can usually get a pretty good deal depending on when you are going.

Second, this is a newer resort and it themed beautifully.

Third...night vision goggles anyone?

Fourth...GREAT food, Mara (quick service) is excellent and the gift shop is great too. You will NOT be disappointed...even with a standard room.

 

[mmmears]

I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered before but with over 100 pages in the thread, I didn't read all of it.

DH and I are considering AKL for 2010. We have never stayed anywhere other than Pop and CSR. Would AKL still be worth it if we only went with a standard room?

Absolutely. AKL is an amazingly themed resort, plus it's all in one building. Even if you don't have a savanna view room, there are plenty of places to watch the animals, like the Arusha Rock and the Sunset Lounge off the lobby.

Even though we chose a SV room, we spent time at all of the overlooks since they offered views of all the different savannas (with a diff selection of animals). Plus, there are tons of activities offered during the day, 3 fantastic restaurants, a wonderful swimming pool area, and tons of atmosphere!!!

If you can give it a try, I think you'll be impressed!!!

 

[rotlex]

Absolutely. AKL is an amazingly themed resort, plus it's all in one building. Even if you don't have a savanna view room, there are plenty of places to watch the animals, like the Arusha Rock and the Sunset Lounge off the lobby.

Even though we chose a SV room, we spent time at all of the overlooks since they offered views of all the different savannas (with a diff selection of animals). Plus, there are tons of activities offered during the day, 3 fantastic restaurants, a wonderful swimming pool area, and tons of atmosphere!!!

If you can give it a try, I think you'll be impressed!!!

I need to stop reading this thread! These types of posts are making the 11 or so month wait until our next trip, and our first stay at AKL, seem unbearable! (In a good way)!