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

[candeeapril]

The chicken flatbread pizza is delicious!! In fact we got it 3 times on our last trip there

 

[Sewobsessed]

Sewobsessed
Earning My Ears

Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1

What room to request in Kidani Village????
I give up...I cannot figure out what to request based on my priorities and the available maps...
1-Staying in a 2 bdr with a Savannah View

In order of priority-
1-Close to pool
2-Close to my car
3-Best possible view of savannah (with giraffes-I really got confused when I realized there were multiple savannahs with different animals)
4-Close to lobby

I still haven't figured out what floor is the best idea or even what people mean when they reference an animal (zebra) as part of their location description. Someone help me...I am drowning in Disney information....

 

[CarpeDisney]

Sewobsessed-

A "close to the lobby" request will probably be the best one for you. This will give you a good, central location in Kidani (close to the pool, and easy access to some of the elevators that go down to the parking garages) As I'm sure you've been told, requests are noted, but are never guaranteed. A Savannah view request, however, is a booking category, and will be honored.

As for the best view of the animals, this is a personal preference. Another request category is lower v. upper floors. A lower floor (2 or 3) will place you at more of an eye-level with the animals, and an upper floor (4 or 5) will give you more of a bird's eye view of the entire savannah. I've stayed on floors 2 and 4, and have enjoyed both views. One factor to consider is that, as you go up in floors, there is more of a chance that your views will be partially obstructed by the tree top canopies. This is all dependant on the location of the room.

I hope this information helps. Enjoy Kidani! It's my family's favorite!

 

[thumper*]

Anyone able to provide more deatils on the massage services offered at AKL? Are there couples' massages available? Are the facilities nice or are they more like a small Dr.'s office room? DW & I are planning on doing a massage during our stay in December and are trying to decide on which location and since we're staying at AKL I wanted to at least check it out and see if it would work - not have to leave the hotel that day, etc. If they aren't really a nice destination type spa then we'd just as soon head over to Saratoga Springs or the Grand Floridian. Thanks.

While researching our upcoming trip it appears that these massages are performed in the gym area......so I'm thinking it is a small room off from that area and not a designated spa. But I have no personal experience to confirm or deny. Enjoy

 

[Sewobsessed]

Can you get daily newspaper delivery at Kidani Village if you are not on a concierge level? If so, what paper?

 

[Kathy Z]

I've just started reading this thread. We've just booked our first visit to AKL! Animal Kingdom is my favorite park. Is it correct that the Sunset Safari is available daily at 3:45? Yes, I know that it costs a lot of money but includes dinner at Jiko. Does the Safari fee cover the tax & tip at dinner?

 

[LovinmyDisneylife]

I've just started reading this thread. We've just booked our first visit to AKL! Animal Kingdom is my favorite park. Is it correct that the Sunset Safari is available daily at 3:45? Yes, I know that it costs a lot of money but includes dinner at Jiko. Does the Safari fee cover the tax & tip at dinner?

DH and I did the Wanyama Safari last Thursday for our anniversary and it was amazing! The price of $170 per person included everything, even gratuity. Definitely recommend!

 

[hematite153]

DH and I did the Wanyama Safari last Thursday for our anniversary and it was amazing! The price of $170 per person included everything, even gratuity. Definitely recommend!

Okay--I have some questions, if you're willing.

We've looked at that price and thought it was too much, but, we'd also really like to do some different things and we love the animals. How much time do you spend out there and how much do they tell you? What do they serve for dinner? Is the dinner really family style with people you don't know? (I.e. all of the people who were on the safari with you.) How much choice/discussion is available in terms of what you eat? (I have some unusual food allergies and some that make food options difficult and I'm worried that the pre-planned meal would essentially leave me hungry.)

 

[jjohnson]

The 1BR Jambo Villas CL do sometimes become available through CRO,,For example there is one available right now from Dec 24th till the 27th Also the Deluxe Studio CL are available too...Remember that when u are checking through CRO u have to request "Jambo"

It doesn't surprise me that the 24th & 25th are available. fri & sat night in Premier Season

Just had to pull out my book...76 points per night!

 

[jlcd]

Do they have a hairwrap stand near the Pool? My dd wants to get this done again. But I'm sure my youngest will want it done this time also.

We got a pool view room should I put a request in for a upper floor? I just don't want to be on the bottom floor. We also did the QSDP this time around because there are only 2 adr's we want to do. Does the mara sell pizza? I know the food court is a bit limited like WL. But I can't remeber if they had pizza.

Hi. We were at AKL in April. No hair wrap station. DD got hers done at MK outside of the gift shop at Pirates of the Carribean. I saw a stand at AK as well.

We also had a pool view. Requested upper floor, non obstructed view and got a nice room on the 4th floor of Zebra trail. There are lots of trees that seem like they would block the view of the pool from many rooms.

Have a great trip!

 

[Kathy Z]

LovinmyDisneylife - thanks for the information. We're going to book it.

hematite153 - I hope that you are able to get the answers to your questions. I'm sorry that I can't help since we have yet to do the safari.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Hematite153 - How did you miss my rant about the availability of concierge villas through CRO? Both concierge AND Value size villas are available through CRO, even though there are only 5 one bedroom concierge and (I think) 10 Value one bedrooms. I would LOVE to hear DVC's justification of taking TWENTY PERCENT (1 out of 5) of the concierge villas out of inventory for points guests.

Yes, there are also a couple of "suites" at AKL that have different descriptions than the villas.

Haven't done the Wanyama safari, but my friend did it with her family and said it was FABULOUS. I just couldn't choke down the cost for the 3 of us to do it. I am sure if you speak with IPO they can make arrangements at Jiko for your dietary restrictions.

 

[Disbug1]

It doesn't surprise me that the 24th & 25th are available. fri & sat night in Premier Season

Just had to pull out my book...76 points per night!

that is A "Ton" of points & per night PHEW,,But then they want $970 a night through CRO I guess it must be "WORTH" $970 a night Would be "Cool" to book it for a special occasion Especially if it was a "One Off" But then the Deluxe Studio CL Jambo is ONLY $720 a night Still i think i would want the Villa at $970 a night IF i was having to choose

 

[hematite153]

Hematite153 - How did you miss my rant about the availability of concierge villas through CRO? Both concierge AND Value size villas are available through CRO, even though there are only 5 one bedroom concierge and (I think) 10 Value one bedrooms. I would LOVE to hear DVC's justification of taking TWENTY PERCENT (1 out of 5) of the concierge villas out of inventory for points guests.

Yep, I totally missed that rant! Is there really one available through CRO at ALL times? If so, I agree completely. That is WAY more than the 3% that is supposed to be available for CRO bookings. Just confirms my belief that I'll never get to stay in one of the concierge rooms unless I break down and buy AKV points. (P.S. do you know where your rant is?)

Haven't done the Wanyama safari, but my friend did it with her family and said it was FABULOUS. I just couldn't choke down the cost for the 3 of us to do it. I am sure if you speak with IPO they can make arrangements at Jiko for your dietary restrictions.

I generally believe that IPO and Jiko can deal with my dietary restrictions (although Jiko has been one of the more difficult places to get through to a chef at), but, the whole family style with people I don't know terrifies me a bit. Last week my DFIL cross-contaminated a dish and didn't even understand what he had done. Had I not been watching at the time I'd likely have ended up quite ill. If he can't quite get it, how will strangers?

 

[jjohnson]

that is A "Ton" of points & per night PHEW,,But then they want $970 a night through CRO I guess it must be "WORTH" $970 a night Would be "Cool" to book it for a special occasion Especially if it was a "One Off" But then the Deluxe Studio CL Jambo is ONLY $720 a night Still i think i would want the Villa at $970 a night IF i was having to choose

I only have a measly 150 points so it'll never happen

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Yep, I totally missed that rant! Is there really one available through CRO at ALL times? If so, I agree completely. That is WAY more than the 3% that is supposed to be available for CRO bookings. Just confirms my belief that I'll never get to stay in one of the concierge rooms unless I break down and buy AKV points. (P.S. do you know where your rant is?)

I generally believe that IPO and Jiko can deal with my dietary restrictions (although Jiko has been one of the more difficult places to get through to a chef at), but, the whole family style with people I don't know terrifies me a bit. Last week my DFIL cross-contaminated a dish and didn't even understand what he had done. Had I not been watching at the time I'd likely have ended up quite ill. If he can't quite get it, how will strangers?

I don't know if it is always available through CRO or not. I know there was a guy on the DVC board who said he had a villa booked through CRO and everybody told him he was mistaken. He copied the wording from his confirmation, and what do you know! Concierge villa through CRO!

The Value villa was something I stumbled across because our first 2 nights this year are in a pool view room, then we move to the value one bedroom (on points). I was just playing with availability on the Disney site and they had the unit up for cash. It was more than I wanted to pay (the pool view room is already paid in full, so I decided to leave it alone) BUT there it was! Not to mention they are running 40% off specials, which is a much more generous discount than the 25% off DVC members get on cash rooms through Member Services!

I have ranted about this on the DVC forum as well as in my pre-trip report. It bothers me enough that I rant about it frequently.

Good luck deciding on the safari. I would hope they could keep your plates separate from everyone else's if you wanted to try the dinner. It's worth talking to them.

 

[Kathy Z]

I generally believe that IPO and Jiko can deal with my dietary restrictions (although Jiko has been one of the more difficult places to get through to a chef at), but, the whole family style with people I don't know terrifies me a bit. Last week my DFIL cross-contaminated a dish and didn't even understand what he had done. Had I not been watching at the time I'd likely have ended up quite ill. If he can't quite get it, how will strangers?

OK, I finally get the severity of your dietary restrictions. I would expect that when explained to the chef that the other 11 people would be served family style and that you would be served separately just as though you were dining at Jiko and ordering off the menu. I certainly understand your desire/need to verify this ahead of time. Good luck!

 

[hematite153]

I don't know if it is always available through CRO or not. ...

The Value villa was something I stumbled across ... there it was! Not to mention they are running 40% off specials, which is a much more generous discount than the 25% off DVC members get on cash rooms through Member Services!

Wow, I must just have not been paying attention. I'm generally okay with the fact that unbooked rooms end up moving to CRO when it's close to the travel date and I'm generally okay with DVC being semi-selective about which nights they rent out to CRO, when members trade-out, in order to maximize profit and keep maintenance fees low. But, if they are renting the room through CRO for LESS than they are selling the room for cash to DVC members, then, that gets me angry too. Argh! Maybe one of us will need to actually attend the annual meeting one year.

OK, I finally get the severity of your dietary restrictions. I would expect that when explained to the chef that the other 11 people would be served family style and that you would be served separately just as though you were dining at Jiko and ordering off the menu. I certainly understand your desire/need to verify this ahead of time. Good luck!

Yeah. I'd like to do it, but, I'm also wary enough to be uncertain I'm ready to commit to spending $170 per person. Like JSG, that just sounds like a LOT of money for one evening. After all, I can go to Cirque for less...maybe we'll do that this time. I'll have to keep thinking about it.

If anyone who's done the Safari dinner can give me info on how it normally runs, I'm still interested. Thanks!

 

[Burnt Toast]

There are 9 (I think) 2 bedroom lock-offs on the 6th floor. Those 9 Two Bedroom lock-offs can be broken up into up to 9 Studios and 9 One-Bedrooms in all sorts of combinations.

Value Studios are ones with no guarantees of view and even if you get one with a Savanna View, it's going to be partially obstructed (corners or over the bomas outside). I believe they are also a little bit smaller as well.

There are plenty of DVC villas that are booked through CRO. All unsold rooms on the DVC side are released to CRO to sell after a certain point of time as they do need to run as full as possible and should have been disclosed in your DVC membership paperwork. Having lots of of empty villas all the time is bad.

 

[hematite153]

There are 9 (I think) 2 bedroom lock-offs on the 6th floor. Those 9 Two Bedroom lock-offs can be broken up into up to 9 Studios and 9 One-Bedrooms in all sorts of combinations.

Value Studios are ones with no guarantees of view and even if you get one with a Savanna View, it's going to be partially obstructed (corners or over the bomas outside). I believe they are also a little bit smaller as well.

There are plenty of DVC villas that are booked through CRO. All unsold rooms on the DVC side are released to CRO to sell after a certain point of time as they do need to run as full as possible and should have been disclosed in your DVC membership paperwork. Having lots of of empty villas all the time is bad.

There are only 5 2bdrm lockoffs on the 6th floor.

We aren't complaining about the fact that DVC villas are released to CRO after a certain point of time in order to run at expected capacity. We are complaining about villas being in CRO inventory at 8 months out when owners are told that there is no inventory available. Especially when its at a rate higher than that actually owned by DVD. (To be clear, I have no problem with the availability of CRO villas at 2 weeks with owners being unable to book on points. It's the preemptive transfer we object to.)