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

[bookwormde]

almost no chance, the only time it happens is of all rooms in a catagory are booked and a room goes out of service for mainitnance, and a "upgrade" room is not booked. since you are not going during a busy time that is highly unlikely.

bookwormde

 

[RylanzDad]

Hi guys,

I just booked a kinda last minute trip during the first week of March in a Studio Sav. View at Kidani. We will be with our 4 yr old and 5 month old. The only thing I am kind of concerned with is the lack of CS food. My oldest can be a bit picky. We may need to bring some staples like mac and cheese just as a back up plan, lol.

Also We will have the car so not worried about the buses. I realize they dont take requests anymore but if I wanted to try "close to lobby" do I call AK or the main Disney booking #? We are planning on visiting the AK park on our second day.

Can I call the day before and request an early check in? If we arrive early can we go hit the pools(if its not freezing) and just explore while we wait?

One last thing, this is kind of a Bday present for me and my wife since we both have them in the beginning of March, do I just let them know when I call on the room that we are celebrating 2 B-days?

Thanks

 

[Singinglizzie]

So excited, I will go back and read more about everything, but I wanted to actually physically type it out and read it...

DH is bringing me to Disney for my birthday. First trip alone in almost 20 years. Last one was our honeymoon...

So we will be spending 3 nights at POFQ's and then on my birthday transferring to AKL Concierge Standard Level for 3 nights... (just looked at my receipts and they have me at POFQ for 8 nights and AKL for 2, and all in the same days - I really need to get it fixed tomorrow!!. Feel bad for DH, he really tried!!)

Do you all think that adding the third night will be okay?? I am really worried now?

I have have never stayed Concierge level any where in my life. Is the standard CL view a Savanah view or could we be looking at the parking lot. I have always had terrible luck, and our room needs to be semi-handicap due to my back injury (I fixed that today and that is why I am now booked so many nights all over Disney)

The breakfast Safari everyone talks about, would that be a nice birthday present. We were suppose to do the Dessert Wishes Party but it is booked?? Do I need tickets to Animal Kindgom for that day to do it? Would it be too late to book Mid February??

Sorry about all the questions, but I am totally out of my mind excited. My husband in the sweetest person in the world, and I am so glad to call him my best friend. I have been horrible in a funk lately and really don't deserve this.

Thanks to anyone who can help or would like to spend some time talking with me re: our stay. I haven't booked anything for Thur, Fri, or Saturday during our AK time, I am just so awestuck that I am really STUCK with the planning.

If you have already booked AKL concierge, contact
them and ask them to help with your wishes or safari reservations. I have found you get a good response if you email, then you have everything in writing. Maybe they can get you into the wishes dessert (which we did when it first opened and loved but we did have a sugar hang-over the next day!) If you go to the club/concierge thread you will find how to contact the concierge. Take advantage of this service!

 

[jeanylaser]

I wonder to stay in AKL for Feb 2011 but I don't know anything about Animal Kingdom Lodge!

 

[hematite153]

I just booked a kinda last minute trip during the first week of March in a Studio Sav. View at Kidani. We will be with our 4 yr old and 5 month old. The only thing I am kind of concerned with is the lack of CS food. My oldest can be a bit picky. We may need to bring some staples like mac and cheese just as a back up plan, lol.

I certainly think that bringing staples is a good idea with a picky eater.

However, they do have things like frozen (heat in microwave in studio) mac & cheese and burritos in Johari Treasures. They also have fruit, cheese and a few other useful basics

Also, Sanaa offers take-out from their bar area and has some fairly basic options on their kids menu.

 

[RylanzDad]

I certainly think that bringing staples is a good idea with a picky eater.

However, they do have things like frozen (heat in microwave in studio) mac & cheese and burritos in Johari Treasures. They also have fruit, cheese and a few other useful basics

Also, Sanaa offers take-out from their bar area and has some fairly basic options on their kids menu.

Thanks! The thought of being stuck in a hotel with only exotic african foods and a hungry cranky 4yr old was a bit unnerving.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

The inlaws decided to go with us and I called DVC today and Boardwalk has no 2 bedrooms available for our dates. The only choice we liked was the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villa's but they only had Standard available. Please let me know your thoughts on the standard view rooms. It is a dedicated 2 bedroom. Thanks!

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

The inlaws decided to go with us and I called DVC today and Boardwalk has no 2 bedrooms available for our dates. The only choice we liked was the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villa's but they only had Standard available. Please let me know your thoughts on the standard view rooms. It is a dedicated 2 bedroom. Thanks!

Just got back from a 1 bedroom Villa at Kidani and we had a standard view room. Ours had a view of some palm trees a bit of parking lot garage (very quiet) and the circle huts surrounding the pool. It was a nice view and a huge balcony (it would be even bigger in a 2 bedroom).

I would say go for it. It didn't take away from our experience at all. We have had Savannah views in the past and loved them. But we actually didnt miss it much. IT kept us going out and exploring the hotel more to find all the different lookout points to find animals and you can also see animals every time you walk down the hallways through windows.

Hope that helps!

 

[dgbg100106]

Thank you for answering my questions. Sounds like you'd definitely return

Yes i would return! it was great! My DH and I LOVE it.

 

[bcnorth]

We are heading to the world in the beginning of May and I see that the 1 bedrooms are available in Jambo at the moment. We have a 6 yr old with us and would love the extra space at night to relax while he has down time and is sleeping, in a regular room we are left with the balcony only, in a 1 bedroom we have the possiblility of the whole livingroom or our separate bedroom. Here is my question:

Would they put a cot in the masterbedroom so he can sleep there? I have no problem with our DS on the fold out couch I just like to have him in our room at night if he wakes up in a strange place.

Has anyone had a cot brought to the room?

Just wondering if the change from CL regular room to 1 bedroom in Jambo (at the moment same price) is the best option for us> The only thing we would give up really is some snacks at certain times and our booked Sunrise Safari. Is the Sunrise Safari like the AK park safari without breakfast? Sorry lots of questions, first timer here. Thanks inadvance

 

[aiken4mickey]

I am so excited about my stay here this summer! What a surprise to be able to get AKL! WOW!!! I have a 1 bedroom....that's all I know right now...and I am in the planning stage of who I will take with me and who I will invite that is non family...I understand that it will hold 5 people? My main question is bathroom? It looks like some will have 2 and some not? I'm wondering if anyone has experience with RCI and where we might tend to be put? It's possible I might have some teenagers traveling with me...and I'd be ALOT more comfortable knowing there is some private bathroom space....

Also, how far in advance will RCI transfer the info so that I can call to maybe find out where my room is? Is that even possible? I don't know who this works...Thanks for any help.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

We are heading to the world in the beginning of May and I see that the 1 bedrooms are available in Jambo at the moment. We have a 6 yr old with us and would love the extra space at night to relax while he has down time and is sleeping, in a regular room we are left with the balcony only, in a 1 bedroom we have the possiblility of the whole livingroom or our separate bedroom. Here is my question:

Would they put a cot in the masterbedroom so he can sleep there? I have no problem with our DS on the fold out couch I just like to have him in our room at night if he wakes up in a strange place.

Has anyone had a cot brought to the room?

Just wondering if the change from CL regular room to 1 bedroom in Jambo (at the moment same price) is the best option for us> The only thing we would give up really is some snacks at certain times and our booked Sunrise Safari. Is the Sunrise Safari like the AK park safari without breakfast? Sorry lots of questions, first timer here. Thanks inadvance

I booked a sunrise safari for 6/26 and what Concierge told me is you meet in the concierge area and they take your park tickets. You go to AK and board the safari like any other time, but they will stop the jeep for you to take pictures and they explain a lot more to you. I've been told breakfast is a buffet at Pizzafari. I also don't think they do the whole "poachers spiel" during the ride. The animals are supposed to be more active at that time in the morning too.

 

[dgbg100106]

We are heading to the world in the beginning of May and I see that the 1 bedrooms are available in Jambo at the moment. We have a 6 yr old with us and would love the extra space at night to relax while he has down time and is sleeping, in a regular room we are left with the balcony only, in a 1 bedroom we have the possiblility of the whole livingroom or our separate bedroom. Here is my question:

Would they put a cot in the masterbedroom so he can sleep there? I have no problem with our DS on the fold out couch I just like to have him in our room at night if he wakes up in a strange place.

Has anyone had a cot brought to the room?

Just wondering if the change from CL regular room to 1 bedroom in Jambo (at the moment same price) is the best option for us> The only thing we would give up really is some snacks at certain times and our booked Sunrise Safari. Is the Sunrise Safari like the AK park safari without breakfast? Sorry lots of questions, first timer here. Thanks inadvance

You can see my pictures from the sunrise safari here about mid way down the page. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2433034&page=12
We had a wonderful time, I was torn between taking it and not and we were so glad that we did. We really like CL there and enjoy the time we have there.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We were in a one bedroom at Jambo last year and there wouldn't have been much room for a cot along with the King bed.

The safari is a nice experience. You ride in the vehicles around the same path as the ride during park hours, but it is MUCH slower paced. An animal care specialist from the Lodge goes with you to answer questions about the animals. They stop numerous times so you can take photos. The breakfast buffet is about on par with other buffets around the parks.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

You can see my pictures from the sunrise safari here about mid way down the page. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2433034&page=12
We had a wonderful time, I was torn between taking it and not and we were so glad that we did. We really like CL there and enjoy the time we have there.

Oh, those F&W pics look heavenly!!! As a Puerto Rican, I would've picked the asopao de pollo. Yummy!!

 

[AppleSister1]

Jiko Mac & Cheese fans: We had a FABULOUS dinner there for NYE, and our waitperson brought us a side of it unrequested because she thought we would love it...and we did!!!! YUM. (FYI...if you have a chance, ask for Stephanie as your server...she rocked it.)

We are staying at AKL for the first time EVER (at CL to boot!) at end of April. Can't wait!! (Just had to share...) This thread is VERY helpful! One question: We know we are guaranteed Savannah view in CL, but any way to know WHICH savannah? Is there one we should request?

Thanks!

 

[John's Mom]

Jiko Mac & Cheese fans: We had a FABULOUS dinner there for NYE, and our waitperson brought us a side of it unrequested because she thought we would love it...and we did!!!! YUM. (FYI...if you have a chance, ask for Stephanie as your server...she rocked it.)

We are staying at AKL for the first time EVER (at CL to boot!) at end of April. Can't wait!! (Just had to share...) This thread is VERY helpful! One question: We know we are guaranteed Savannah view in CL, but any way to know WHICH savannah? Is there one we should request?

Thanks!

The club level rooms face the Arusha Savanna.

Kathy

 

[AppleSister1]

The club level rooms face the Arusha Savanna.

Kathy

Excellent! That's what we were hoping to hear!

Thanks, Kathy!

 

[dgbg100106]

Oh, those F&W pics look heavenly!!! As a Puerto Rican, I would've picked the asopao de pollo. Yummy!!

I love going to F&W.... we eat and drink way too much, but we have a great time, then this time we added the cruise which added several more pounds to my already endangered self....

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

We are staying at AKL for the first time EVER (at CL to boot!) at end of April. Can't wait!! (Just had to share...) This thread is VERY helpful! One question: We know we are guaranteed Savannah view in CL, but any way to know WHICH savannah? Is there one we should request?

Thanks!

I thought you couldn't request the room view in a CL room? From what the guy at DVC told me when we reserved, you get a pool view or savanna view. How did you get your savanna view guaranteed?