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

[lissiesmum]

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:

Great photos...that rice pudding sounds delish! And the Naan bread with sauces also looks right up my alley THanks for posting and I will be sure to request a window table...I'm looking forward to seeing the animals over dinner!

 

[Harmonysmomma]

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.

thanks! I guess that sounded kinda bratty.

I didn't mean it like that and really shouldn't be feeling sorry for myself. At least we still get to go.

 

[Angel16]

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?

We have stayed at AKL several times, have never found the lighting in the bathroom to be bad. I do bring my 2 sided make-up mirror and usually sit at the desk to do my make-up and hair. Not because of the lighting, but to leave the bathroom sink and area open for other family members.

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.

Welcome back. Glad you had a great trip. Do you have any thoughts or pictures you would like to share? What was your BEST meal on your vacation?


WDWKOOK, Thank you for posting all the GREAT pictures. We love AKL and look forward to our visit this year. You view was super great. I have always heard that the lower floors had a better view of the animals. We will be on the fourth floor this year, so I am looking forward to compare.

We have a couple meals reserved at Sanaa so I have been checking over the menu. What 3 accompaniments did you choose? And what did you think of them? Do you remember what your ordered for your main dish? Your desserts both look wonderful.

Finally and most important. Thank you for your husbands service to our country. And for your service keeping the home front going alone. I know that is a very difficult job and more so with children. You all are in our prayers for this deployment.




Angel16

 

[sjs314]

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

I hope we still enjoy AKL.

Believe me you will enjoy it, the first time I stayed AKL I had a standard room, yes the balcony was small and yes it looked out over the entrance of the lodge, but like others have said there are places to view the animals and the lodge itself is so beautiful and so interesting with all the various displays of African Art around the lobby not to mention what I consider the best TS and CS restaurants in all of Disney You will most definately have a very Magical time. I Spent my last day last time just walking around outside taking pictures while I waited for it to be time for ME

 

[sjs314]

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:

Thank you for posting the pics from Sanaa, I made a ressie for there and have been going back and forth as whether to keep it or not for our Nov trip, the breads look good as does that vanilla coconut rice pudding which I know my DS will go crazy over

 

[John's Mom]

We've eaten at Sanaa twice. Cat, one of the bartenders, recommended the following:

Slow Cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well Seasoned
Choice of two served with Basmati Rice or Five-grain pilaf
$18.99

Chicken with Red Curry Sauce
Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce
Beef Short Ribs

I had the chicken and shrimp; my DH and DD had the shrimp and beef short ribs. We all loved our meals--very tasty, not too spicy.

Kathy

 

[John's Mom]

Indian Style Bread Service
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

My DD and I had the Naan and Paneer Paratha on our first visit. The Naan was the best. Our favorite accompaniments were the tamarind chutney and cucumber raita; we didn't like the mango chutney.

We stopped by the bar one day for a mid-afternoon snack and had the naan bread service and the potato and pea samosas. DD liked the samosas; I didn't (not much taste).

Kathy

 

[athenna]

We've eaten at Sanaa twice. Cat, one of the bartenders, recommended the following:

Slow Cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well Seasoned
Choice of two served with Basmati Rice or Five-grain pilaf
$18.99

Chicken with Red Curry Sauce
Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce
Beef Short Ribs

I had the chicken and shrimp; my DH and DD had the shrimp and beef short ribs. We all loved our meals--very tasty, not too spicy.

Kathy

Cat, is my fav bartender, she's awesome

 

[WDWKOOK]

SNIP


WDWKOOK, Thank you for posting all the GREAT pictures. We love AKL and look forward to our visit this year. You view was super great. I have always heard that the lower floors had a better view of the animals. We will be on the fourth floor this year, so I am looking forward to compare.

We have a couple meals reserved at Sanaa so I have been checking over the menu. What 3 accompaniments did you choose? And what did you think of them? Do you remember what your ordered for your main dish? Your desserts both look wonderful.

Finally and most important. Thank you for your husbands service to our country. And for your service keeping the home front going alone. I know that is a very difficult job and more so with children. You all are in our prayers for this deployment.

Angel16

Thank you so much for your kind words of support; you are very thoughtful, Angel16

The entrées didn't stand-out to me as much as the appetizer and dessert. I had the "sustainable fish" which was salmon and scallops in a curry broth with vegetables. It was tasty, but the vegetables were soggy from being in the curry broth which made it more like a stew since everything was placed on top of the broth.

We chose the Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus, the Cucumber Raita and the Red Chile Sambal. We both loved the cucumber and I loved the spiciness of the red chili. The hummus, was well, like hummus that we eat at home.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation

Thank you for posting the pics from Sanaa, I made a ressie for there and have been going back and forth as whether to keep it or not for our Nov trip, the breads look good as does that vanilla coconut rice pudding which I know my DS will go crazy over

You're welcome, sjs314. I think you should keep your ressie at Sanaa. I think everyone should try it once, if for no other reason, the wonderful view and décor. Make sure you request a window seat when you check-in. Of course, there's no guarantee, but it's worth asking for one. We were told at Sanaa, Tokyo Dining and Coral Reef that they would "see" if it was possible; they never sounded encouraging at all. But, as it turned-out, we received window seats at all three restaurants.

Have a fantastic trip!

 

[jeanylaser]

AKL is awesome! I really wanted to stay there!

 

[jjohnson]

I have a bunch of pics to share. We were in rooms 5024 & 5026 2 brm value.
Balcony (5024)

view from balcony:

 

[jjohnson]

5024:

 

[jjohnson]

5026 (studio)

 

[Bets19]

We've eaten at Sanaa twice. Cat, one of the bartenders, recommended the following:

Slow Cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well Seasoned
Choice of two served with Basmati Rice or Five-grain pilaf
$18.99

Chicken with Red Curry Sauce
Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce
Beef Short Ribs

I had the chicken and shrimp; my DH and DD had the shrimp and beef short ribs. We all loved our meals--very tasty, not too spicy.

Kathy

My cousin and I had that July 2009. I had the shrimp and she had the chicken and both of us had the beef... We enjoyed our meals very much. And I agree not too spicy. Can't wait to go back.

 

[jeanylaser]

that pics of AKL looks awesome to stay!

 

[maefly]

I've used garden grocer each time I've stayed at WDW and never had a problem, clicked the resort when I ordered and done deal. First at ASMu then at POP> This time we're staying at AKL.
When I completed the form, the drop down list did not list AKL "alone" the only option was AKL/Jambo house...and I didn't know if they were 2 different places or what so I called GG today and they said no they are 2 very different places you better make sure where you are staying. I repeated that I was staying at AKL and that I did not have that option when I placed my order, and asked if they deliver to AKL. They said yes. So I asked to change me to AKL and the woman was like so you want me to cross off Jambo house and just leave it as AKL, like I was asking her to do something out of the ordinary

Can someone confirm is Jambo house different than AKL? I wonder if I will ever get my groceries. The person at GG seemed to be clueless about what I was asking her and she said she doens't work at Disney I should take it up with them...got a bad vibe....anyone have any input to this?

 

[snykymom]

I've used garden grocer each time I've stayed at WDW and never had a problem, clicked the resort when I ordered and done deal. First at ASMu then at POP> This time we're staying at AKL.
When I completed the form, the drop down list did not list AKL "alone" the only option was AKL/Jambo house...and I didn't know if they were 2 different places or what so I called GG today and they said no they are 2 very different places you better make sure where you are staying. I repeated that I was staying at AKL and that I did not have that option when I placed my order, and asked if they deliver to AKL. They said yes. So I asked to change me to AKL and the woman was like so you want me to cross off Jambo house and just leave it as AKL, like I was asking her to do something out of the ordinary

Can someone confirm is Jambo house different than AKL? I wonder if I will ever get my groceries. The person at GG seemed to be clueless about what I was asking her and she said she doens't work at Disney I should take it up with them...got a bad vibe....anyone have any input to this?

There are now two "parts" to AKL - Jambo House, the original AKL, and Kidani Village. If you're staying in a normal room and not a DVC suite, you should be in Jambo House.

 

[sjs314]

I've used garden grocer each time I've stayed at WDW and never had a problem, clicked the resort when I ordered and done deal. First at ASMu then at POP> This time we're staying at AKL.
When I completed the form, the drop down list did not list AKL "alone" the only option was AKL/Jambo house...and I didn't know if they were 2 different places or what so I called GG today and they said no they are 2 very different places you better make sure where you are staying. I repeated that I was staying at AKL and that I did not have that option when I placed my order, and asked if they deliver to AKL. They said yes. So I asked to change me to AKL and the woman was like so you want me to cross off Jambo house and just leave it as AKL, like I was asking her to do something out of the ordinary

Can someone confirm is Jambo house different than AKL? I wonder if I will ever get my groceries. The person at GG seemed to be clueless about what I was asking her and she said she doens't work at Disney I should take it up with them...got a bad vibe....anyone have any input to this?

AKL consists of the original building and Kidani. The original building was named Jambo House after the DVC Kidani Village was built

 

[joelp]

Has anyone gone to Disney at the end of November being of Dec? I have - I have!!

How is the weather generally? Nice - low 80's mostly - but it can be a bit chilly first thing in the morning (see below ...) and at night, so bring some sweatshirts and light jackets ...

Are the pools at AKL heated during this time, if at all? Yep - in the morning you can see the steam rising off the water ... Which is somewhat disheartenting when you've promised your DD-5 that you'll take her swimming that morning and it's only 70 degrees ... (but I wasn't the only Dad that had made that promise ... )

How are the buses traveling during that time? No problems - except that it seems to take awhile to get to the MK ... and be prepared for a wait back to the AKL when the parks close ...

Is the resort crowded ussually? AKL never seems crowded to me ...

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.

... WDW boring??? ... Make sure to spend some time at AKL and check out the daily activities at the resort.

 

[joelp]

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

I hope we still enjoy AKL.

AKL is wonderful!!

There is so much to do and see - and smell (just hang out in the lobby around dinner time ....)

There are lots of places to view the animals without having a Savannah room ... activities every day ... a nice pool ... great restaurants (Boma! Boma! Boma!) ... very friendly CMs ...

You may want to consider a Pool View room - only about $10 more a night compared to a standard ...