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

[krmlaw]

I just booked us a one bedroom condo! YEAH!

We have stayed at WLV before, but its been a dream to stay here!

This thread is SO long, Im a little lost!

Im wondering if there are easy links to the cool things to do here when staying? or an updated page like the 1at one (but that one is from 2007).

PLUS - we are going for check in oct 9, so we will be there for epcot food and wine and mickeys halloween party!!!

Its me, DH, and Dbaby (then 26 months). It will be his 4th trip!

 

[RachaelA]

So I've been trying to get the elusive 40% off deluxe code for our September trip and haven't had any luck. I'm going to book later today with just the GP 30% off deal, but I'm stuck on what room to book (if we got the 40% off we would have booked club level again).

Our options are:
-Standard view with the deluxe dining plan
-Savannah view with the regular dining plan

We've only stayed club level before so we've always had a savannah view. DH votes for standard view with deluxe dining plan, but he has never used the balcony. I sat on it every morning and afternoon on both our stays at AKL. So now we can't decide.

what do you guys think?

 

[krmlaw]

can we do sunrise safari if we are DVC members (or RCI trade), but not concierge?

 

[mommy2mrb]

can we do sunrise safari if we are DVC members (or RCI trade), but not concierge?

If you are staying at AKL at all, you can do both the safari's they offer!!!

 

[TinkermomX2]

Hi Everyone,
Can someone please tell me what the views are for a studio club level at Kidani and a studio club level at Jambo? I know you cant request a savannah view, so i wanted to see if i should just book savannah view or do club level.
Also which one to you prefer, studio at Kidani or Jambo CL?
TIA

 

[krmlaw]

yes, we are staying in a DVC unit at AKV, but thought we could only do the sunrise if we were concerige, which we arent ...

and DS will be too little for the other tour ...

 

[RachaelA]

yes, we are staying in a DVC unit at AKV, but thought we could only do the sunrise if we were concerige, which we arent ...

and DS will be too little for the other tour ...

Unless something has changed in the past couple months, Sunrise Safari is still only for CL guests. I don't know where the other poster got their info.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Unless something has changed in the past couple months, Sunrise Safari is still only for CL guests. I don't know where the other poster got their info.

You are correct. The Sunrise Safari is only available to those guests staying Club Level at the AKL:


Sunrise Safari: This tour is exclusively offered to guests staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kilimanjaro Club Level. The Sunrise Safari provides an in depth look at the daily operation of the Animal Kingdom theme park. Included in the tour is a 30 minutes safari ride and breakfast at the Pizzafari restaurant. Transportation will be provided from the Animal Kingdom resort. Upon completion, regular Disney motor coach transportation is used. This can be booked 180 days in advance and must be booked through the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Itinerary Planning Office at 407-938-4755

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm#sunrise

 

[krmlaw]

oh bummer, looks so awesome.

 

[TinkermomX2]

Hi Everyone,
Can someone please tell me what the views are for a studio club level at Kidani and a studio club level at Jambo? I know you cant request a savannah view, so i wanted to see if i should just book savannah view or do club level.
Also which one to you prefer, studio at Kidani or Jambo CL?
TIA

Anybody?

 

[mommy2mrb]

Unless something has changed in the past couple months, Sunrise Safari is still only for CL guests. I don't know where the other poster got their info.

Sorry, that was me.....I thought it was open for all guests staying at the resort....when I made my ressies for the Wanamaya safari, they asked me which one I wanted and we aren't staying CL....sorry for the confusion.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php

I have a question. Our waitlist came through for a 2 bedroom standard at Jambo house. Which view will this be. I used the map at the link above. So I guess it could be any blue/pink combo room. Our room is not a Dedicated but a Lock Off. Thanks for any help. Are we able to request a certain view and is this the same set up on Floor 4 and Floor 5.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Anybody?

There are no club level villas at Kidani. There are only a handful of club level villas at Jambo. The club level villas at Jambo are all on the 6th floor. Some have a not-that-great savanna view, some have pool view. They will not guarantee the view - it is just luck of the draw.

At Kidani you book the view you want - either standard or savanna.

We have never stayed at Kidani, though we do think it is very nice. We LOVE the club level villas at Jambo but the views are NOT very good. You just need to decide what things are most important and book accordingly.

http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php

I have a question. Our waitlist came through for a 2 bedroom standard at Jambo house. Which view will this be. I used the map at the link above. So I guess it could be any blue/pink combo room. Our room is not a Dedicated but a Lock Off. Thanks for any help. Are we able to request a certain view and is this the same set up on Floor 4 and Floor 5.

All standard view villas at Jambo overlook the pool. All DVC villas at Jambo (with the exception of club level) are on the 5th floor.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Please tell me if this is correct. That most views are overlooking the pool but SOME are parking lot??? Look at the map I posted someone said those 2 rooms face the parking lot?? Is there only 10 to 12 Standard rooms at the Jambo house...???

Now for a new questions.. if that is the standard rooms.. then where are the VALUE rooms? I am waitlisted for those but not sure I should keep my waitlist!

Thanks in advance!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The terms can be confusing. I am talking ONLY about DVC villas here, not about resort rooms. The resort room categories do not have the same meaning as the villa categories.

VALUE villas can have a savanna, pool, or parking lot view. We had a 1 bedroom savanna view VALUE villa last year that was awesome. You may NOT reserve a particular view - it is luck of the draw for Value villas. The Value villas are about 3 feet shorter than the others, so you lose some sq. footage but it was more than enough room for our family of 3. And yes, there are not very many Value villas. On the map the Value villas are along Ostrich trail.

STANDARD view villas will all have POOL view at Jambo. This is a booking category, so you will not end up with a different view. On the map these villas will be the ones overlooking Uzima Pool.

All of the DVC villas at Jambo are 5th floor.

Hope that helped!

 

[Disneywedding2010]

My fiance, myself, and two best friends are all going to be staying at AKV in September on DVC points. I have to book a room in a little over two weeks and I'm not sure what to ask the member services for other then I know I have enough points for a 2 bedroom standard view.

Suggestion or help would be appreciated..

 

[TinkermomX2]

There are no club level villas at Kidani. There are only a handful of club level villas at Jambo. The club level villas at Jambo are all on the 6th floor. Some have a not-that-great savanna view, some have pool view. They will not guarantee the view - it is just luck of the draw.

At Kidani you book the view you want - either standard or savanna.

We have never stayed at Kidani, though we do think it is very nice. We LOVE the club level villas at Jambo but the views are NOT very good. You just need to decide what things are most important and book accordingly.



All standard view villas at Jambo overlook the pool. All DVC villas at Jambo (with the exception of club level) are on the 5th floor.

Thanks for the answer. Also can anybody tell me which resort they like better, for those that have been to both Kidani an Jambo? I am trying to make a decision on Kidani studio savanna or Jambo Club Level studio, TIA for any help you can give me. Also i have never been or even visited either of these resorts, usually stay at Beach Club but renting point, thanks

 

[dmccarty]

We bought into DVC without ever visiting AKV/AKL so do not worry about never visiting the resort. We stayed at AKL for a few trips since AKV was not open. Last trip was our first to AKV.

We prefer AKV.

Good things about AKV:
- The buses stop at AKV first the go to AKL. I have seen the bus fill up at AKL and people being left for the next bus.
- AKV is quieter.
- There is parking UNDER AKV so getting to and from the car is easier if you can get a parking spot. AKL's parking is not very convenient. AKV parking is most likely the best resort parking at WDW.
- We and the kids liked the pool at AKV better. Younger kids have more to do at AKV vs AKL.

AKL is better:
- You have Mara for CS and Jiko's and Boma for eats. AKV only has Saana so there are more choices at AKL
- Going to Mara for lunch/dinner with kids after a long day can be more tiresome. It is easy to catch a bus but and it only takes maybe 30 minutes round trip but after a day in the parks and pools that 30 minutes can be too much for kids.
- Simba's club house is at AKL.

Either AKL or AKV is great. We just think AKV is a tad better for us. We talk often of staying at another resort but AKV/AKL always wins to choice.

We looked at CL years ago but for the price it is not worth it for us. Especially not being able to see the critters. Sitting on the balcony critter watching is a big part of our visit. I like to get up before dawn, make coffee, and eat breakfast on the balcony as the sun rises and the critters start to stir. Everything is so quiet and peaceful. Quiet and peaceful usually are not two words used to describe WDW.

Later,
Dan

 

[TinkermomX2]

We bought into DVC without ever visiting AKV/AKL so do not worry about never visiting the resort. We stayed at AKL for a few trips since AKV was not open. Last trip was our first to AKV.

We prefer AKV.

Good things about AKV:
- The buses stop at AKV first the go to AKL. I have seen the bus fill up at AKL and people being left for the next bus.
- AKV is quieter.
- There is parking UNDER AKV so getting to and from the car is easier if you can get a parking spot. AKL's parking is not very convenient. AKV parking is most likely the best resort parking at WDW.
- We and the kids liked the pool at AKV better. Younger kids have more to do at AKV vs AKL.

AKL is better:
- You have Mara for CS and Jiko's and Boma for eats. AKV only has Saana so there are more choices at AKL
- Going to Mara for lunch/dinner with kids after a long day can be more tiresome. It is easy to catch a bus but and it only takes maybe 30 minutes round trip but after a day in the parks and pools that 30 minutes can be too much for kids.
- Simba's club house is at AKL.

Either AKL or AKV is great. We just think AKV is a tad better for us. We talk often of staying at another resort but AKV/AKL always wins to choice.

We looked at CL years ago but for the price it is not worth it for us. Especially not being able to see the critters. Sitting on the balcony critter watching is a big part of our visit. I like to get up before dawn, make coffee, and eat breakfast on the balcony as the sun rises and the critters start to stir. Everything is so quiet and peaceful. Quiet and peaceful usually are not two words used to describe WDW.

Later,
Dan

Dan,
Thanks for all the info. Sounds like Kidani would be a best fit for us

 

[TinkermomX2]

We bought into DVC without ever visiting AKV/AKL so do not worry about never visiting the resort. We stayed at AKL for a few trips since AKV was not open. Last trip was our first to AKV.

We prefer AKV.

Good things about AKV:
- The buses stop at AKV first the go to AKL. I have seen the bus fill up at AKL and people being left for the next bus.
- AKV is quieter.
- There is parking UNDER AKV so getting to and from the car is easier if you can get a parking spot. AKL's parking is not very convenient. AKV parking is most likely the best resort parking at WDW.
- We and the kids liked the pool at AKV better. Younger kids have more to do at AKV vs AKL.

AKL is better:
- You have Mara for CS and Jiko's and Boma for eats. AKV only has Saana so there are more choices at AKL
- Going to Mara for lunch/dinner with kids after a long day can be more tiresome. It is easy to catch a bus but and it only takes maybe 30 minutes round trip but after a day in the parks and pools that 30 minutes can be too much for kids.
- Simba's club house is at AKL.

Either AKL or AKV is great. We just think AKV is a tad better for us. We talk often of staying at another resort but AKV/AKL always wins to choice.

We looked at CL years ago but for the price it is not worth it for us. Especially not being able to see the critters. Sitting on the balcony critter watching is a big part of our visit. I like to get up before dawn, make coffee, and eat breakfast on the balcony as the sun rises and the critters start to stir. Everything is so quiet and peaceful. Quiet and peaceful usually are not two words used to describe WDW.

Later,
Dan

Dan,
Thanks for your response and all the info . Sounds like Kidani would be the best fit for us. Can't wait!

Jen