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

[gkrykewy]

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.

Agreed 100%.

 

[goofyfordisney]

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.

We are planning on staying in a 1 bedroom unit...we have 2 sons (22 & 17). Were the sofa chair beds comfortable?

How did they like the pool? Did you go to both pools at AKL?

Thanks!

 

[JenniJ]

Has anyone gone to Disney at the end of November being of Dec? How is the weather generally? Are the pools at AKL heated during this time, if at all? How are the buses traveling during that time? Is the resort crowded ussually? I am hoping it's not. We have always gone to Disney during August and it was super hot and VERY crowded. Hoping this time of year will not be so. Hoping to have a more laid back vacay with just enough of excitment to not make it boring.

 

[Sea Turtles]

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?

I don't know if this is the norm for every room but in May we had a lighted vanity mirror where the hair dryer normally would be.

 

[sjs314]

I don't know if this is the norm for every room but in May we had a lighted vanity mirror where the hair dryer normally would be.

Do you mean there is no longer a hair dryer in the room?

 

[Sea Turtles]

Do you mean there is no longer a hair dryer in the room?

There defnitely wasn't one on the wall. But because DW always packs her own, we didn't even think to look to see if maybe there was one stowed in the closet.

This was Kudu Trail, room # 4237.

Hopefully others can comment and help verify this.

 

[WDWKOOK]

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?

Here are some photos I took a couple of weeks ago of our bathroom. We were in Jambo: Kudo Trail/Sunset Savanna.

 

[WDWKOOK]

There defnitely wasn't one on the wall. But because DW always packs her own, we didn't even think to look to see if maybe there was one stowed in the closet.

This was Kudu Trail, room # 4237.

Hopefully others can comment and help verify this.

We just stayed in Jambo: Kudo Trail/Sunset Savanna and we had a hair dryer on the wall to the left (not pictured) of the sinks in my photo in post #2927.

 

[sjs314]

We just stayed in Jambo: Kudo Trail/Sunset Savanna and we had a hair dryer on the wall to the left (not pictured) of the sinks in my photo in post #2927.

I sure hope there is one in the room when I visit in November,We are staying in a value 1 Bdrm in Jambo. I stopped taking my hair dryer the past few years and would rather not have to pack one, if there is not one in the room hopefully mousekeeping will have them or else I will be looking like the wild woman of Borneo

 

[WDWKOOK]

I sure hope there is one in the room when I visit in November,We are staying in a value 1 Bdrm in Jambo. I stopped taking my hair dryer the past few years and would rather not have to pack one, if there is not one in the room hopefully mousekeeping will have them or else I will be looking like the wild woman of Borneo

Housekeeping will have one, don't worry.

If not, watch out for those animals on the savanna who might start getting overly friendly with you if you do resemble the wild woman of Borneo

 

[JenniJ]

Housekeeping will have one, don't worry.

If not, watch out for those animals on the savanna who might start getting overly friendly with you if you do resemble the wild woman of Borneo

 

[jjohnson]

We are planning on staying in a 1 bedroom unit...we have 2 sons (22 & 17). Were the sofa chair beds comfortable?

How did they like the pool? Did you go to both pools at AKL?

Thanks!

This trip we were in a value room so no sofa chair but we did stay in a 1 brm savannah view in 2008 and my DD thought the chair was very comfortable. Everyone enjoyed the pool but my teens would have preferred a bigger slide.

 

[lissiesmum]

Welcome back, WDWKook! How did you like the Sunset Savannah? Will you be posting any pictures (or have you already) of your view?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Welcome back, WDWKook! How did you like the Sunset Savannah? Will you be posting any pictures (or have you already) of your view?

Thank you! I have only posted a couple of bathroom photos. Here are some photos of our view (looking off to the right of our balcony) from room 2302, Sunset Savanna/Kudo Trail:

I had to post the last photo for good measure!

A quick review:

This was our first stay at the AKL as we usually stay at a MK resort (usually the CR.) My DH never wanted to stay "way out at the AKL" so since he's currently deployed to Afghanistan, my DD and I stayed a few nights. (We also stayed this trip at the YC/CL and CR/CL).

I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with the resort. Having stayed at WL, I kept imagining that it would be quite similar. However, the AKL is MUCH larger. We were able to get into our room at noon, but got lost on the way. For a first-timer, it's a very confusing resort, even with maps. I wished that they would post more directional signs throughout the resort.

Our view was spectacular as there were always animals within view of our balcony. I had requested a high floor and thought I would be disappointed with only the 2nd floor, but I actually preferred being closer to the animals and seeing them in more detail, rather than being high above them.

Our room was very clean and I'm a stickler for cleanliness. I have no complaints about the room or the lighting. In comparison, it was much brighter (and fresher and cleaner) than the Poly. New DVD players were installed during our stay.

Since we were only staying 3 nights, we were only going to AK and TL (I drove). We did have one bad bus experience returning from AK mid-day. The bus line stretched into 2 other resort bus lines and we probably waited 20-30 mins. to get back to the resort which is a 5 min. drive. The other resort bus lines only had maybe a dozen people at most waiting in them.

We really enjoyed the food at The Mara, Boma and Sanaa. I can post "phood photos" if anyone wants to see them. I did find the menus difficult to read at The Mara. When you stand in line, it's difficult to read the video menu that is mounted above the serving line. It also changes constantly, like a TV commercial, so you have to time it just right.

I loved the health club, especially since they have fans everywhere! The paint-your-own pottery was fun, too. Just make sure you arrive with enough time to finish since they really do shut-down the place promptly at 1. The pool area is wonderful as they have many nicely shaded spots. I loved the hot tub that is nestled under some trees away some from the pool. I never saw anyone else in it.

In summary, I felt the AKL was perfect for us for 3 nights, but only to go to AKL or to drive elsewhere. We're not really "bus people" (though my DD loves them) and prefer being able to walk or monorail to the parks. AKL is a resort that everyone should experience at least once, though I can't imagine not having a savanna view. I have nothing negative to report, other than its location (for us) is not ideal. As I mentioned, we prefer to be able to walk or monorail to the MK and Epcot since we are usually there on a daily basis.

If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them

 

[lissiesmum]

WDWKook, Thanks for the pictures and your great trip report Did you get to see any zebras or ostriches close by? I"m glad you liked the second floor...I was wondering what the perspective was like that low to the ground...the giraffes were so close!

Did you eat anything that really stood out at Sanaa that you would recommend?

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKook, Thanks for the pictures and your great trip report Did you get to see any zebras or ostriches close by? I"m glad you liked the second floor...I was wondering what the perspective was like that low to the ground...the giraffes were so close!

Did you eat anything that really stood out at Sanaa that you would recommend?

Oh yes, there were many ostriches, zebra, elands, cranes and storks.

At Sanaa, my DD11 and I really enjoyed the Indian Style Bread Service appetizer:

Here is the AllEars description:

Choice of 3 breads and 3 accompaniments

Serves Two $8.99

Breads - Naan, Onion Kulcha, Paratha, Paneer Paratha

Accompaniments - Red Chile Sambal, Cucumber Raita, Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Green Mango Pickle, Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Tamarind Chutney.



On to desserts:

I loved the vanilla coconut rice pudding and my DD, the chocoholic, got the chocolate cake. The manager came to our table during dessert and asked my DD what she thought was missing from the cake. She guessed flour, but was wrong. They make the cake without eggs. DD thought it wasn't as moist and said she preferred mine


And the view from our window table that I requested:

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I sure hope there is one in the room when I visit in November,We are staying in a value 1 Bdrm in Jambo. I stopped taking my hair dryer the past few years and would rather not have to pack one, if there is not one in the room hopefully mousekeeping will have them or else I will be looking like the wild woman of Borneo

The villas have hair dryers in a little cloth bag in the armoire in the bedroom. You have to know where to look, and know what you are looking for.

I will say this about the villa hair dryers: They get EXTREMELY hot, but they do not put out a lot of air. If you are picky about hairdryers you might want to bring your own. I didn't love the one in our villa last year, and I didn't love it this year, either, so it wasn't just something with the first one. I actually preferred the wall mounted one we had the nights we stayed in a room vs. a villa.

 

[sjs314]

The villas have hair dryers in a little cloth bag in the armoire in the bedroom. You have to know where to look, and know what you are looking for.

I will say this about the villa hair dryers: They get EXTREMELY hot, but they do not put out a lot of air. If you are picky about hairdryers you might want to bring your own. I didn't love the one in our villa last year, and I didn't love it this year, either, so it wasn't just something with the first one. I actually preferred the wall mounted one we had the nights we stayed in a room vs. a villa.

Thanks for the info , now I know where to look for it,I wonder why they stopped hanging them in the bathroom , that was so much more convienent.

I will think about taking mine but I doubt I will, just take my chances it the one in the room

 

[Harmonysmomma]

Im so sad we can't afford to upgrade to the animal view.

I hope we still enjoy AKL.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Im so sad we can't afford to upgrade to the animal view.

I hope we still enjoy AKL.

Don't be sad! You can view the animals from many public viewing areas, complete with comfy rockers. Just do a little exploring around the resort; the viewing areas are all over. They even have animals close to the pool area in Jambo and there are flamingos right next to the pool. And from 9-11 there is night vision viewing on Uzima Overlook.

You will have a great time no matter where you stay and you never know, you might be lucky and receive a magical upgrade.