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

[ajjollie23]

I am not sure that you understood my quick message. If it is incorrect I am sorry, but I believe we are saying the same thing. Not that he doesn't have to wait in line, but simply shorter "fast pass" type lines (I guess he was told about the GAC as you called it). Anyway, I said to call for more info because my friend just spoke to someone 2 days ago and was told this information, he had hip replacement and is not in a wheel chair nor will he be in a wheel chair so the size of the line has nothing to do with what he was told. i didn't speak to anyone myself, so I am not sure if he misunderstood the info, or if it got jumbled up as it was passed along from him to his wife to me. Just thought I would pass around the thought to ask about it and get more info yourself.

 

[BNT]

I am confused by what I read vs. what is posted on Disney website.

Is Kadani only villas and no regular rooms? So all of the regular rooms are in Jambo? Is this true?

I understand Kadani is a real far walk to dining options. Is this true?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ajjollie23]

I am confused by what I read vs. what is posted on Disney website.

Is Kadani only villas and no regular rooms? So all of the regular rooms are in Jambo? Is this true?

I understand Kadani is a real far walk to dining options. Is this true?

Thanks in advance!

Kidani is villas, I thought they had some regular rooms too, but it would make sense to at least be majority villas since it is a DVC resort.
As far as the walk to food you do have to walk to Jambo house to get to main restaurants, which can be far depending on your room location. There is another option of a counter service which is near the pool and there is a poolside cabana thingy that has drinks and some appetizer type food.

 

[John's Mom]

I am confused by what I read vs. what is posted on Disney website.

Is Kadani only villas and no regular rooms? So all of the regular rooms are in Jambo? Is this true?

I understand Kadani is a real far walk to dining options. Is this true?

Thanks in advance!

Kidani is all DVC. The 5th and 6th floors of Jambo are also DVC. All the regular rooms are located in Jambo.

The only restaurant at Kidani is Sanaa, which serves lunch and dinner. The restaurants located in Jambo are Boma (buffet breakfast and buffet dinner), Jiko (dinner) and Mara (counter service).

It is about a ten mnute walk from Jambo to Kidani.

Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

I am not sure that you understood my quick message. If it is incorrect I am sorry, but I believe we are saying the same thing. Not that he doesn't have to wait in line, but simply shorter "fast pass" type lines (I guess he was told about the GAC as you called it). Anyway, I said to call for more info because my friend just spoke to someone 2 days ago and was told this information, he had hip replacement and is not in a wheel chair nor will he be in a wheel chair so the size of the line has nothing to do with what he was told. i didn't speak to anyone myself, so I am not sure if he misunderstood the info, or if it got jumbled up as it was passed along from him to his wife to me. Just thought I would pass around the thought to ask about it and get more info yourself.

What he was told is not correct.
If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread and look in post #6, you will find a whole section about GACs.
Also, for someone who is concerned about the distance walked, a GAC usually doesn't change the distance walked. He could get a GAC that allows him to bypass the parts of lines with stairs, but there are few lines with stairs and some of the distances in lines are very very long. For example, Soarin is 1/4 mile from the time you enter the queue until boarding and an equal distance out.

 

[hematite153]

I am not sure that you understood my quick message. If it is incorrect I am sorry, but I believe we are saying the same thing. Not that he doesn't have to wait in line, but simply shorter "fast pass" type lines (I guess he was told about the GAC as you called it). Anyway, I said to call for more info because my friend just spoke to someone 2 days ago and was told this information, he had hip replacement and is not in a wheel chair nor will he be in a wheel chair so the size of the line has nothing to do with what he was told. i didn't speak to anyone myself, so I am not sure if he misunderstood the info, or if it got jumbled up as it was passed along from him to his wife to me. Just thought I would pass around the thought to ask about it and get more info yourself.

Sorry, I think that I did understand the message, but, that he was given incorrect information. There really is no way to avoid walking other than to use an assistive device of some form or not visit very much of the parks. As Sue said (below), you can get a GAC to help someone bypass stairs, but, they aren't common. My guess is that the person he spoke to was trying to explain the fast pass system and encouraging him to use it. But, even with a fast pass you will still walk the full half mile at Soarin'.

What he was told is not correct.
If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread and look in post #6, you will find a whole section about GACs.
Also, for someone who is concerned about the distance walked, a GAC usually doesn't change the distance walked. He could get a GAC that allows him to bypass the parts of lines with stairs, but there are few lines with stairs and some of the distances in lines are very very long. For example, Soarin is 1/4 mile from the time you enter the queue until boarding and an equal distance out.

Thanks Sue.

 

[BNT]

Kidani is all DVC. The 5th and 6th floors of Jambo are also DVC. All the regular rooms are located in Jambo.

The only restaurant at Kidani is Sanaa, which serves lunch and dinner. The restaurants located in Jambo are Boma (buffet breakfast and buffet dinner), Jiko (dinner) and Mara (counter service).

It is about a ten mnute walk from Jambo to Kidani.

Kathy

Thank you!

 

[DisneyLover83]

Dh and I returned a few nights ago from 6 nights at AKL, it was our first time there and also our first deluxe resort. We just had a standard room and were on the Ostrich trail 3rd floor. It was very close to the lobby, Mara, gift shop, pool, well everything! We had requested a king bed but were given 2 queens, no big deal, it was just a request. We never waited more than 12 minutes for a bus, I timed it after hearing bad reviews on the Dis. We never had to wait for a second bus and only had to stand twice. We loved everything about our stay and are so glad that we booked AKL!!!! Hope we will be back!

 

[NC State]

That's good to know because we're booked for AKL for the first time with a standard view too.

 

[nemofans]

Dh and I returned a few nights ago from 6 nights at AKL, it was our first time there and also our first deluxe resort. We just had a standard room and were on the Ostrich trail 3rd floor. It was very close to the lobby, Mara, gift shop, pool, well everything! We had requested a king bed but were given 2 queens, no big deal, it was just a request. We never waited more than 12 minutes for a bus, I timed it after hearing bad reviews on the Dis. We never had to wait for a second bus and only had to stand twice. We loved everything about our stay and are so glad that we booked AKL!!!! Hope we will be back!

There is a big misconception on Dis about AKL buses taking a long time. We think AKL buses are the fastest anywhere & prefer being at AKL than a monorail resort.

 

[islandtimect]

I hear folks mention the lobby elevator and Rafiki elevator at Kidani - where is the latter? Also, where are stairs located? We'll have a 2br std rm.

 

[DisneyLover83]

There is a big misconception on Dis about AKL buses taking a long time. We think AKL buses are the fastest anywhere & prefer being at AKL than a monorail resort.

Yeah, the first few days I told my Dh that we must be bus "lucky" after reading so many bad bus reviews but the whole trip had wonderful bus service to and from ALK.

 

[candeeapril]

we had good bus service when we were there last Oct.

 

[lissiesmum]

I was wondering if there is a link or post that states what animals are found specifically on each savannah? I know giraffes are on all three, but curious about the other ones as well. We currently have CL booked on Arusha, but if there are no discounts, I may downgrade to just Savannah view. Can any of you share your experience with the Uzima and Sunset savannahs and what animals you saw? Were they as plentiful as Arusha? Anything you loved or hated about that particular savannah? Best floor to view? Or should I just spend the extra for Arusha? If I can see as many animals outside my balcony in either Savannah, I'm just as happy. I know I could see the zebras anytime if I walk out to the viewing areas...we just want to see lots of animals...doesn't really matter what kind! TIA for your help

 

[PNO4TE]

I was wondering if there is a link or post that states what animals are found specifically on each savannah? I know giraffes are on all three, but curious about the other ones as well. We currently have CL booked on Arusha, but if there are no discounts, I may downgrade to just Savannah view. Can any of you share your experience with the Uzima and Sunset savannahs and what animals you saw? Were they as plentiful as Arusha? Anything you loved or hated about that particular savannah? Best floor to view? Or should I just spend the extra for Arusha? If I can see as many animals outside my balcony in either Savannah, I'm just as happy. I know I could see the zebras anytime if I walk out to the viewing areas...we just want to see lots of animals...doesn't really matter what kind! TIA for your help

Hope you found the answer to this on the AKL Lite thread!

 

[thumper*]

I was wondering if there is a link or post that states what animals are found specifically on each savannah? I know giraffes are on all three, but curious about the other ones as well. We currently have CL booked on Arusha, but if there are no discounts, I may downgrade to just Savannah view. Can any of you share your experience with the Uzima and Sunset savannahs and what animals you saw? Were they as plentiful as Arusha? Anything you loved or hated about that particular savannah? Best floor to view? Or should I just spend the extra for Arusha? If I can see as many animals outside my balcony in either Savannah, I'm just as happy. I know I could see the zebras anytime if I walk out to the viewing areas...we just want to see lots of animals...doesn't really matter what kind! TIA for your help

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/aklodge/animals.htm#Where the rooms face:
Where the rooms face

 

[lissiesmum]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/aklodge/animals.htm#Where the rooms face:
Where the rooms face

Thanks thumper!

 

[sitkamom]

I hear that the rooms at AKL are dark--how's it in the bathroom area? I don't wear a lot of makeup during the day at the parks, but would be nice to know the lighting in bath area and at the mirror is adequate. Is there enough to apply makeup if needed?

 

[islandtimect]

room lighting is poor at akv in jambo - haven't stayed at kidani yet. the bathrm lighting is also poor and makes it hard to apply makeup, especially since the mirror over the vanity is set back from where you stand. next trip i'm bringing stronger lightbulbs.

 

[jjohnson]

Hi everyone were back. Loved our stay at AKV & all 3 teens have requested to only stay here from now on. Only negative was the buses to MK. We made 4 trips at various times throughout the day. Coming and going was standing room only. Luckily, this was only the case for MK. Epcot and AK always had available seating. Anyone have any questions? We were in a 2brm value villa.