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

[JanetMom]

Hello AKL fans.

I recently stayed at CSR for a work trip but did spend a few hours at AKL. I'm writing about it (with pictures!) in my trip report, if you are interested.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36750372#post36750372

 

[JenniJ]

As far as requesting a good room for a standard, does anyone have any suggestions?
I would prefer not to have a room in line with the buses. I also would not want to be ground floor in the walk path to the buses. I don't mind ground floor, just not a heavy traffic path.
This is our first time staying deluxe and my DH is a little hesitant in spending so much. This is mine and my DDs fav resort, so my DH is agreeing to have the vacay here as opposed to a mod.

Any advice? besides upgrading to a higher category
TIA

 

[Tiggerrn2]

JenniJ, I see we are there the same time. I requested standard room, Zebra Trail, 3rd floor, near elevator. When you book, put your requests in order of importance to you. It's never gauranteed, but in my past experiences, I haven't been disappointed. Zebra Trail is the side with the busses, (there is another wing of rooms in front of it, though) but it is also closer to the Mara, the pool, and the exits. If you want to be sure to be away from the busses, ask for standard room, Kudu Trail, 3rd floor, near an elevator.

 

[Ronald Duck]

We just got back from a stay in a standard view studio at Kidani, room 7437. It not only has the distinction of being the furthest west of any room on property, it was also the closest Standard view room to Jambo House...to the south of us, all the rooms were on the Savanna side, and the standard side had nothing but windows (you know, the ones you see when you first drive up to the big Kidani sign).

We highly recommend the room to anyone other than pool-hoppers (who should be on the north side of the necklace). Access was great not only to Jambo, but also to Kidani's main lobby and to the Zazu elevator down to covered parking. But enough talk, here are some pics from and near the room:

Here's the view just to the left/south of our corner room, heading towards the southern end of Kidani:

Here are west-facing views from the studio...a great place to watch the Florida summer clouds and storms!

View FROM balcony (south towrds Jambo end of Kidani)

View OF balcony (and me)

 

[JenniJ]

I was searching this site for the activities. The last post was from April and had info about Easter. Does anyone know if these actives change or are altered throughout the year? Any special ones that happen during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season?
Thanks!

 

[JenniJ]

JenniJ, I see we are there the same time. I requested standard room, Zebra Trail, 3rd floor, near elevator. When you book, put your requests in order of importance to you. It's never gauranteed, but in my past experiences, I haven't been disappointed. Zebra Trail is the side with the busses, (there is another wing of rooms in front of it, though) but it is also closer to the Mara, the pool, and the exits. If you want to be sure to be away from the busses, ask for standard room, Kudu Trail, 3rd floor, near an elevator.

Thanks Tiggerrn2! Should I place my request now or closer to the arrival date?

 

[jjohnson]

Does anyone happen to know the current rotation at Boma? I have Tuesday, 8/10 reserved. TIA

 

[PNO4TE]

Does anyone happen to know the current rotation at Boma? I have Tuesday, 8/10 reserved. TIA

I wish I understood what you mean. We go to Boma almost every trip and would love to be able to answer your question.

 

[DCDisney]

Does anyone know if these actives change or are altered throughout the year? Any special ones that happen during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season?
Thanks!

. They seem to use the same general activity slots and ti
es but adjust the specifics of activities to various holidays. For example they have a few craft periods each day near the pool. Sometimes they are akl themes and sometimes holiday themed. They have a number of staff directed talks and activities each day that occasionally adapt to holiday themes like they did African style face painting the weekend of Halloween. We've been a number of times and the schedule is fairly consistent.

 

[Lilmattie13]

Hi everyone. My family of five (with Mom) is staying at Kidani for the first time in Nov. We are booked for a one bedroom villa.

I have visited the resort before and love it but have a few questions.

We are travelling with Mom who is in a wheelchair. While we dont want an accessible room I would like a room that is kind of centrally located. I tried to look at the resort maps and layout but was totally confused.

We have a savanahha view if that makes a difference. Is there a room or area I should try to request? We wont be taking the buses I wouldnt think as we have a car.

We didnt make any requests the year we did CBR and our first year at POR and I ended up having to push Mom up hills and all over the place we were so far out. I know the exercise is good but wow was I exhausted by the end of the trip.
Thanks thoughts and comments.

 

[jjohnson]

I wish I understood what you mean. We go to Boma almost every trip and would love to be able to answer your question.

It is my understanding that they rotate the food. ie; Mon & Wen prime rib Tues & Thurs ribs etc. Maybe this has changed it's our first time.

 

[SRUAlmn]

It is my understanding that they rotate the food. ie; Mon & Wen prime rib Tues & Thurs ribs etc. Maybe this has changed it's our first time.

Oh! I would like to know if this is true then... We're booked for a Wednesday and I guess I never knew there might be different menus on different days. Do you remember what made you think they rotate? Did you read it on the DIS somewhere?

 

[PNO4TE]

It is my understanding that they rotate the food. ie; Mon & Wen prime rib Tues & Thurs ribs etc. Maybe this has changed it's our first time.

Oh! I would like to know if this is true then... We're booked for a Wednesday and I guess I never knew there might be different menus on different days. Do you remember what made you think they rotate? Did you read it on the DIS somewhere?

Oh, OK! Well, they do change the meats offered, but I haven't noticed a set rotation. That doesn't mean there isn't one! But maybe someone else has a better answer for you.

 

[Angel16]

Hi everyone. My family of five (with Mom) is staying at Kidani for the first time in Nov. We are booked for a one bedroom villa.

I have visited the resort before and love it but have a few questions.

We are travelling with Mom who is in a wheelchair. While we dont want an accessible room I would like a room that is kind of centrally located. I tried to look at the resort maps and layout but was totally confused.

We have a savanahha view if that makes a difference. Is there a room or area I should try to request? We wont be taking the buses I wouldnt think as we have a car.

We didnt make any requests the year we did CBR and our first year at POR and I ended up having to push Mom up hills and all over the place we were so far out. I know the exercise is good but wow was I exhausted by the end of the trip.
Thanks thoughts and comments.

Hi, I have not been to AKL since Kidani opened so I can not help you with a room location. But I am sure there will be others on shortly to help shortly.

You did mention that you were exhausted by the end of your trip from pushing your mom in her wheelchair. I don't know if this would be something that would work for you and your family, but you may want to look into renting a ECV from a private company for your stay. My DH has a disablity the makes it difficult to walk long distances. He is fine at home and in our normal daily life, no problem.

However, when it comes to theme parks or zoo's and walking for miles a day, standing and waiting for long periods we just rent from a outside company. They deliver the ECV directly to your hotel, it will be waiting for your mom at the front desk or bell services. The daily cost is less then renting from Disney and the units are much better quality and easier to use. In addition you have use of the ECV for your entire trip, at the resort, DTD, parks, shopping everything. They break down/reassemble quite easy into about 3-4 pieces and fit in most trunks. They are not difficult to put in the bus lifts and the drivers have always been very helpful and considerate. It is so much nicer then pushing him around and he is much happier because he is not dependent on me. We both have more energy and enjoy our trip much more. As I said before, this may not work for you and your mom, just a suggestion that has worked for us. Hope you have a wonderful trip.




Angel16

 

[Kathy Z]

Boma also has a rotation schedule for their soups. Sorry, but I don't know what it is. You can request a soup that is not on the buffet. If there is some left from the previous night your waitstaff will happily bring it to you.

 

[Lilmattie13]

Hi, I have not been to AKL since Kidani opened so I can not help you with a room location. But I am sure there will be others on shortly to help shortly.

You did mention that you were exhausted by the end of your trip from pushing your mom in her wheelchair. I don't know if this would be something that would work for you and your family, but you may want to look into renting a ECV from a private company for your stay. My DH has a disablity the makes it difficult to walk long distances. He is fine at home and in our normal daily life, no problem.

However, when it comes to theme parks or zoo's and walking for miles a day, standing and waiting for long periods we just rent from a outside company. They deliver the ECV directly to your hotel, it will be waiting for your mom at the front desk or bell services. The daily cost is less then renting from Disney and the units are much better quality and easier to use. In addition you have use of the ECV for your entire trip, at the resort, DTD, parks, shopping everything. They break down/reassemble quite easy into about 3-4 pieces and fit in most trunks. They are not difficult to put in the bus lifts and the drivers have always been very helpful and considerate. It is so much nicer then pushing him around and he is much happier because he is not dependent on me. We both have more energy and enjoy our trip much more. As I said before, this may not work for you and your mom, just a suggestion that has worked for us. Hope you have a wonderful trip.




Angel16

Thank you for the info. Is there a better outside company to use than another? My only concern would be where we are using a rental would it be difficult to put in and out of the car. I will have to look into this further. We usually just bring her WC down with us as she uses it to the plane etc. Plus we are doing two nights at our timeshare prior to checking into Disney on the Sunday. So I am not sure how that would work to get the motorized one. Definitely worth finding out more info on though. Thanks so much.

 

[KarBear]

AKL Veterns - please help

WE are considering staying here Aug 20-28 (have never been here before) the thing that concerns me the most is the buses. I have read that it take 18-21 mins to get to MK and the buses are packed!
I am worried about having to stand everytime we get on the buses. ESP with a 8 year old. We have stayed at CBR many times and I realize that the buses stopping at each village and then to the park but we can't remember how long that actually took. Sometimes the buses were so packed I feel other people's skin on mine (yuck).
Can anyone please give me the real deal about the buses here esp during our time frame?

thanks

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Thanks Tiggerrn2! Should I place my request now or closer to the arrival date?

I made my requests when I made my original reservation. You can do this any time. They will put it with your ressie. I usually check in with them occasionally as I am setting up dining plans or calling with questions just to make sure the requests are still there.
I noticed in 2008 when Disney emailed me my final confirmation about a week before we left, my room type had changed from standard to water view (thanks for the pixie dust, Disney), so they must make their room placements about a week out.

 

[DCDisney]

We have never been on a packed akl bus except at a park closing time where they pack up all the buses. It is a 20 min trip to mk though because it is far away the other parks aren't too bad.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Ok AKL vets, please help me decide......

Stay with our savanna view room for 5 nights
Try to switch to pool view and get to add an extra night

Which would you do?????


Details/Thoughts:
*We aren't in our rooms much. It's just the 2 of us, so we spend most of the day in the parks, restaurants, etc...
*Adding the extra night would mean getting to have one more chance for our favorite WDW event, MK PM EMH!!!!
*The savanna view is kind of THE experience, worried we'd be missing out
*We've seen that some of the pool view rooms can have kind of stinky views of rooftops and things