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

[Magic2000]

We stayed at AKL in November and it was WONDERFUL!!! We had a pool view room, and our room overlooked the pool/hot tub area. It was a nice view - shaded by some trees, and we did sit out on the balcony a little.

The room was perfect for us - we had bunk beds, which my DD loved! It was very conveniently located - easy to get to Mara, and the gift shop. We'd cut through the gift shop on the way to/from the buses.

We've never had a savanna view room, so I can't really say if you'd miss seeing the animals. But we really LOVED our pool view room!!! And, especially if you get to stay another night - I'd definitely vote for pool view!!!

Enjoy your trip!!!!!

 

[jjohnson]

We did savannah view last time but the villa was on sunset. Very limited amount of animals; mostly cattle. For us it definitely was not worth the points. This time I have a 2brm value booked & specifically asked for pool view as I've viewed pictures and some are stunning.

The are many other areas to view the savannah. I would definitely do a pool view and gain an extra day.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We stayed at AKL in November and it was WONDERFUL!!! We had a pool view room, and our room overlooked the pool/hot tub area. It was a nice view - shaded by some trees, and we did sit out on the balcony a little.

The room was perfect for us - we had bunk beds, which my DD loved! It was very conveniently located - easy to get to Mara, and the gift shop. We'd cut through the gift shop on the way to/from the buses.

We've never had a savanna view room, so I can't really say if you'd miss seeing the animals. But we really LOVED our pool view room!!! And, especially if you get to stay another night - I'd definitely vote for pool view!!!

Enjoy your trip!!!!!

We did savannah view last time but the villa was on sunset. Very limited amount of animals; mostly cattle. For us it definitely was not worth the points. This time I have a 2brm value booked & specifically asked for pool view as I've viewed pictures and some are stunning.

The are many other areas to view the savannah. I would definitely do a pool view and gain an extra day.

Thanks for the input! That's my fear. With savanna view, you can be anywhere, on any savanna, and I'm afraid we'll see cattle, birds, etc... and nothing really 'exciting.' We also like that the pool view rooms basically give you an automatically centrally located room close to the Mara, busses, lobby, pool, etc... Hmm.......?

 

[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.

figured I'd try again, Anyone????

 

[P&B's Mom]

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.

We stayed at Kidani SV last summer and also had an ECV. We rented from Walker and couldn't have been happier. It was waiting for us when we arrived and we left it with Bell Services when we left on ME. We asked for a room near the lobby and couldn't have been happier. We were on the side nearest to Jambo and right near the bus stop--awesome location and lots of animals.

 

[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.

Sorry I didn't answer you sooner,for some reason I am not getting my e-mail notifications We have used Walker in the past and have been very pleased with their ECV's and service. My DH had a flat tire the our second morning, we called and they were there (in the park) with a new unit within less than 30 minutes.

I am putting a link for you from the Disability boards. It answers many questions regarding ECV's. The break-down and reassembly is very easy, usually just 3-4 pieces and takes less then a minute. As far as the airport and a wheel chair for your mom. The airlines provide wheel chairs for disabled passagers, they are escorted to and from the gate by a airport employee. So you would not need the wheelchair for the airport. The company's that rent ECV's will deliver any where you would like including condo's, homes etc. Hope this helps.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/electric-scooter.htm

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

This has been a concern to us also as we are planning our October trip. We are staying club level for part of our visit at AKL so I spoke to two of the IP CM's recently. They do not feel we will need to rent a car. They told me that AKL has the someone out in the bus area that radio's for additional buses due to demand. The only possible time that may be an issue would be rope drop and when the parks close. However, no one has to get on a bus with standing room only. There is always another bus to come. We have decided not to rent a car from what the CM's have said. And yes, it does take 15-20 minutes to get from AKL to MK.

We stayed at Kidani SV last summer and also had an ECV. We rented from Walker and couldn't have been happier. It was waiting for us when we arrived and we left it with Bell Services when we left on ME. We asked for a room near the lobby and couldn't have been happier. We were on the side nearest to Jambo and right near the bus stop--awesome location and lots of animals.

I was going to add that you may want to talk to the Kidani DVC CM's and let them know your concerns and needs. But, it looks like you have gotten a good suggestion from P&B's mom.



Angel16

 

[miprender]

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

I would change to a Pool View. we had a pool view when we stayed in the Value Studios and it was perfect

 

[SRUAlmn]

I would change to a Pool View. we had a pool view when we stayed in the Value Studios and it was perfect

Thanks! I called Sun, Mon, and today and no pool views are available That's what I get for taking too long to make a decision I guess we'll keep trying!

 

[jjohnson]

If anyone recalls, I had asked if anyone knew the rotation menu at Boma. I found a thread from 2006 but do not know if it is correct:

OK, here goes.

All Days have the same Pods One (Assorted African Breads), Two (fruits), Three (Salad fixings) and Kids' Pod (Chicken, fries, pasta, mac & cheese).

Menu ONE: Tuesday, Friday

Cold Station Pod Four:
Pasta Salad
Watermelon Rind Salad
Kool Slaai
Noodle Salad
Moroccan Seafood Salad

Cold Station Pod Five:
Avacado, Papaya & Grapefruit
Peach and Jicama Salad
Spinach and Quinoa Salad
Fried Plantain Corn Salad

Hot Station Pod Six (SOUPS)
Chicken Pepper Pot
Curried Coconut Seafood Stew
Chicken Corn Porridge
Butternut Squash Soup
Blackeye Pea with Ginger Juice

Hot Station Pod Seven
Coconut Curry Cauliflower
Vegetable Lentil Kofta
Fufu
Potatoes with Afritude
Cous Cous Marakesh
Jollof Rice

Rotisserie
Pap and Sheeba
Whole Spiced Chicken
Roasted Vegetables
Bobotie
Crusted Prime Rib
Seafood Special
African Flank Steak

Choice of Salmon
BBQ Tamarind Salmon
Coconut Curry Salmon
Banana Wrap Salmon
Nut Crusted Salmon
Moroccan Almond Salmon
Banana Curried Salmon

Menu Two: Monday, Thursday
Cold Station Pod Four
Pasta Salad
Watermelon Rind Salad
Kool Slaai
Asparagus and Bean Salad
Melon Salad with Port Wine

Cold Station Pod Five
Cous Cous Salad
Avocado, Papaya & Grapefruit
Carrot, Coconut, Pineapple Salad
Watercress Salad

Hot Station Pod Six (SOUPS)
Potato Bacon
Lamb & Rice Stew
Mulligatawny
Seafood Gumbo
Plantain Corn Chowder

Hot Station Pod Seven
Peanut Rice
Bok Choy
Vegetable Lentil Kofta
FuFu
Potatoes with Afritude
Cous Cous Marakesh

Rotisserie
Pap and Sheeba
Seafood Special
Whole Spiced Chicken
Corn on the Cobb with Honey Butter
Bobotie
Crusted Prime Rib
Lamb Potjie

Choice of Pork Loin
Pepper Pot Pork Loin
Coconut Curry Pork Loin
Coca Cola Pork Loin
Pork with apple and pear chutney

Menu Three: Wednesday, Saturday
Cold Station Pod Four
Pasta Salad
Watermelon Rind Salad
Kool Slaai
Fennel Smoked Fish Salad
Chicken with Chili Cilantro

Cold Station Pod Five
Avocado, Grapefruit, Paw Paw
Roasted Eggplant and Bean Salad
Tunisian Cous Cous Salad
Ethiopian Bread Salad

Hot Station Pod Six (SOUPS)
Carrot & Ginger
Oxtail Barley Soup
Three Bean Gumbo with Sausage
Coconut Curry Chicken Stew
Moroccan Seafood Stew

Hot Station Pod Seven
Peanut Rice
Tofu & Green Bean Curry
Vegetable Lentil Kofta
Fufu
Potatoes with Afritude
Cous Cous Marakesh

Rotisserie
Pap and Sheeba
Seafood Special
Whole Spiced Chicken
Roasted Vegetables
Bobotie
Crusted Prime Rib
Slow Roasted Ribs

 

[hematite153]

If anyone recalls, I had asked if anyone knew the rotation menu at Boma. I found a thread from 2006 but do not know if it is correct:
...

I've seen several threads in the intervening years where people have said that this rotation is no longer valid. But, nobody seems to be able to create a new one. I think it's possible that they no longer have as fixed a rotation and that some different combinations happen.

 

[KELLY]

Can anyone tell me how the mara is?

We went with the QSDP this time as we want to be almost adr free for our 10 day stay. We will probably eat a bit at the mara and a bit at DTD and the rest in the parks.

 

[candeeapril]

We loved Mara. I think it's one of the best counter services on Disney property. Their chicken flatbread pizza is awesome and so is their butternut squash soup, and roasted chicken.....I'm drooling We can't wait to eat their again in Oct.

 

[KELLY]

We loved Mara. I think it's one of the best counter services on Disney property. Their chicken flatbread pizza is awesome and so is their butternut squash soup, and roasted chicken.....I'm drooling We can't wait to eat their again in Oct.

Thanks so much. I love soup even in 90 degree weather.

 

[glo]

We tried to get a two bedroom for our upcoming trip, and they didn't have any. So we have two standard view studios. Where are we most likely to be, and what would we be looking at? The other thing is we get in late thanks to airline changes, and we were hoping to catch the night vision google thing and maybe some pool time the first night. We get into Orlando around 7 pm. Anyone know what time the pool closes in Aug? Is it late? Any help would be great!

 

[KELLY]

Thanks so much for the picture of the pool view room. That is what we got with the bunkbeds. I didn't need the bunkbeds but I'm sure my girls will love them.

 

[conandrob240]

Anyone have a recent Kidani activity schedule? Most especially interested in which nts they do the poolside mives, what has been showing and the times. Also , the kids activities around the pool during the day.

TIA

 

[Lilmattie13]

Hi I asked a while back but never heard any suggestions.

We are travelling in Nov to kidani village, staying in a one bedroom villa. We will be travelling with Mom who we have to use a wheelchair for as she is unable to walk any long distances at all. We have a savanha view booked. Is there a particular building that would be better than others both for location and possible viewing of the animals? We will be pushing her around I think as we are considering an electrical unit but we have always pushed her in the past, so something centrally located would be great.
I tried to look at the room and where they are but really couldnt tell much from there.
Any info would be great, thanks

 

[P&B's Mom]

Hi I asked a while back but never heard any suggestions.

We are travelling in Nov to kidani village, staying in a one bedroom villa. We will be travelling with Mom who we have to use a wheelchair for as she is unable to walk any long distances at all. We have a savanha view booked. Is there a particular building that would be better than others both for location and possible viewing of the animals? We will be pushing her around I think as we are considering an electrical unit but we have always pushed her in the past, so something centrally located would be great.
I tried to look at the room and where they are but really couldnt tell much from there.
Any info would be great, thanks

I stayed in a 1-bedroom with my mom, who also had an ECV, last year at Kidani. Request near the lobby and you should be fine. We had lots of animals all day long outside our room. The giraffes fed outside our room in the morning and the zebras slept right outside our window each night. BTW--Kidani is only one building and I don't know much about staying at Jambo. Good luck!

 

[thumper*]

We tried to get a two bedroom for our upcoming trip, and they didn't have any. So we have two standard view studios. Where are we most likely to be, and what would we be looking at? The other thing is we get in late thanks to airline changes, and we were hoping to catch the night vision google thing and maybe some pool time the first night. We get into Orlando around 7 pm. Anyone know what time the pool closes in Aug? Is it late? Any help would be great!

I'm pretty sure that I read the pool is open 24hr's, but I could be wrong. I tried to research this and could not find where I had read 24 hr's. You'll probably arrive at AKL @ 8pm and sunset should be about 9pm...I'm thinking, so you should be able to catch nt. vision goggles that nt. Come back and update us as I'll be there mid Sept. Thanks

 

[CoffeeCup]

I'm pretty sure that I read the pool is open 24hr's, but I could be wrong. I tried to research this and could not find where I had read 24 hr's. You'll probably arrive at AKL @ 8pm and sunset should be about 9pm...I'm thinking, so you should be able to catch nt. vision goggles that nt. Come back and update us as I'll be there mid Sept. Thanks

The pool is open 24 hrs/day, but there aren't any lifeguards after a certain time....maybe 10:00? You can use night vision goggles from 9:00-11:00. You should have plenty of time to do what you want to your first evening.