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

[dgbg100106]

My understanding of the Sunrise is that it is a more in-depth version of KS but includes breakfast... Is that about right or is there more to it?

I have pictures from the sunrise safari I took last year on Page 12, post 179 here...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2433034&page=12

yes it is KS in depth but it is a lot different too.

 

[OhThePain]

I have pictures from the sunrise safari I took last year on Page 12, post 179 here...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2433034&page=12

yes it is KS in depth but it is a lot different too.

We read through your TR a little while back. It's actually one of the reasons why we started thinking about doing both the Sunrise and Sunset... PS Your F&W pics got my girlfriend totally hyped up for our trip.

 

[mom_rules]

Hi everyone.

I love this thread! After many changes in housing, we will be at AKV Kidani in a one bedroom savannah view our first night (5 of us) and a 2 bedroom savannah view the next 2 nights (5 plus my mom and sis). Mom has a difficult time walking and I am wondering, does anyone know how many 2 bedroom savannah views there are and whether they are concentrated in one particular area of the resort (for example close to lobby or farthest away on the ends)?

Thanks

We're in exactly the same situation-2brd SV with Mum who has difficulty walking. Would love to know your experience and any advise anyone can offer. She was thinking of canceling because she didn't want to hold us back!

 

[dgbg100106]

We read through your TR a little while back. It's actually one of the reasons why we started thinking about doing both the Sunrise and Sunset... PS Your F&W pics got my girlfriend totally hyped up for our trip.

I enjoyed doing the sunrise safari and so did my DH. I would say that we would not do it again for a couple of years but it has sparked a real interest to do the sunset.

Jiko is an amazing restaurant and I have pictures in the TR of our dinner there. My DH still talks about our dinner there and we have made reservations there for our May trip!

 

[drusba]

We're in exactly the same situation-2brd SV with Mum who has difficulty walking. Would love to know your experience and any advise anyone can offer. She was thinking of canceling because she didn't want to hold us back!

2BR savanna views, both dedicateds (can only be a 2BR) and lock-offs (combined 1BR and studio) run throughout Kidani (in fact more than 80% of all rooms are 2BRs, dedicated and lock-offs). The only request you need to make is for a room close to the lobby and inform them that you have someone who needs to do only short walks. Close to the lobby puts you close to everything -- pool, restaurant, community hall, bus stops-- and the savanna view is of Sunset savanna which has giraffes (the smaller one to the north, Pembe, for which rooms are far from lobby does not) and regardless of which side of the lobby you are on (south wing or north wing) you will be near a feeding area for the animals to which they will gather.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My understanding of the Sunrise is that it is a more in-depth version of KS but includes breakfast... Is that about right or is there more to it?

You ride in the same vehicles and follow the same path as the the KS ride. The difference is an animal keeper rides with you and can tell you MUCH more about the animals. The vehicle also stops frequently so you can take photos. The breakfast afterwards is nice.

 

[OhThePain]

I enjoyed doing the sunrise safari and so did my DH. I would say that we would not do it again for a couple of years but it has sparked a real interest to do the sunset.

Jiko is an amazing restaurant and I have pictures in the TR of our dinner there. My DH still talks about our dinner there and we have made reservations there for our May trip!

We are huge fans of Jiko (I miss that ostrich appitizer). We were figuring that between the experience of the safari, the ability to relax that day and not rush to any of the parks and dinner at Jiko, the Sunset was a homerun for a first night. I'm starting to lean more towards skipping the sunrise this time around and save it for another visit but I am not 100% sure yet.

 

[GetGlowing]

Can someone tell me about the pool at Kidani? Are there showers nearby? We're considering some pool time in the afternoon on the day we check out. Thanks!!

 

[mom_rules]

2BR savanna views, both dedicateds (can only be a 2BR) and lock-offs (combined 1BR and studio) run throughout Kidani (in fact more than 80% of all rooms are 2BRs, dedicated and lock-offs). The only request you need to make is for a room close to the lobby and inform them that you have someone who needs to do only short walks. Close to the lobby puts you close to everything -- pool, restaurant, community hall, bus stops-- and the savanna view is of Sunset savanna which has giraffes (the smaller one to the north, Pembe, for which rooms are far from lobby does not) and regardless of which side of the lobby you are on (south wing or north wing) you will be near a feeding area for the animals to which they will gather.

Thanks-I'll be sure to do that! All help is appreciated.

 

[KigerKat]

I have skimmed through a few pages of this thread, but I'm honestly just too lazy to read all 236 pages of it to find the answer to my probably already asked question:

We do not have a Savannah view room, but are we still able to leave our room and see the Savannahs? Are there public viewing areas around the resort? I would think there would be, but I just want to know for sure.

We do have a DVC standard room booked through my step brother. I don't know if having a DVC room will make a difference, but I do know he told me it was a standard view.

Thanks for your help!

 

[JLR]

I have skimmed through a few pages of this thread, but I'm honestly just too lazy to read all 236 pages of it to find the answer to my probably already asked question:

We do not have a Savannah view room, but are we still able to leave our room and see the Savannahs? Are there public viewing areas around the resort? I would think there would be, but I just want to know for sure.

We do have a DVC standard room booked through my step brother. I don't know if having a DVC room will make a difference, but I do know he told me it was a standard view.

Thanks for your help!

Yes - there are several public viewing areas with nice chairs at both Jambo and Kidani. I had tried to book a value room knowing that, but none were available for our dates, so we do have a savannah view after all.

 

[JLR]

We're in exactly the same situation-2brd SV with Mum who has difficulty walking. Would love to know your experience and any advise anyone can offer. She was thinking of canceling because she didn't want to hold us back!

Oh what a shame if she doesn't come! Have you thought of renting a wheelchair? One of the lightweight foldable ones she can have for the whole trip. Then she can walk when she wants to, and use the wheelchair when she gets tired or slows down. Then you'll get an upper body workout to match the lower body endurance training Disney gives you.

 

[ajjollie23]

Kidani pool is really cute, my kids loved it. They have a slide and zero entry pool. They also have a little soft water play area for younger kids with squirting water and stuff. There is a little bar area with snacks and drinks and a bathroom area with showers. Have fun

 

[michellelovesthemous]

We are staying for one night at the AKL w/a savanna view for Mom and she would dessperately love to see giraffes from our balcony in mid-august I was wondering what area to request in the hopes that she will be able to see the long-necks? Also this is a surprise for DD13 too and I know she would really enjoy the story time around the fire what time will that be at in the late summer as we should arrive around 7pm to check in? TYIA for any help!

 

[Barnhill9586]

Okay Domers! I don't know where I've been but I just read about tours of Boma and Jiko on Lines. It sounded pretty cool. Anyone know how to sign up? Can you do it in advance? Anyone done this and recommend it or think it wasn't worth it? TIA!

 

[GetGlowing]

Kidani pool is really cute, my kids loved it. They have a slide and zero entry pool. They also have a little soft water play area for younger kids with squirting water and stuff. There is a little bar area with snacks and drinks and a bathroom area with showers. Have fun

Thanks!!


@Barnhill9586 - We are on Lines too.

 

[mguilford1]

We are staying for one night at the AKL w/a savanna view for Mom and she would dessperately love to see giraffes from our balcony in mid-august I was wondering what area to request in the hopes that she will be able to see the long-necks? Also this is a surprise for DD13 too and I know she would really enjoy the story time around the fire what time will that be at in the late summer as we should arrive around 7pm to check in? TYIA for any help!

We just got back and we were in a DVC 5th floor Kudu trail room 5230 for 5 nights. we saw lots of giraffes, zebra, ostrich, birds and antelope the first 3 days but saw no animals the last 2 days. I'm not sure how it works? One of the days it was 11:30 pm when we saw 5 zebra, 4 giraffe, 3 birds and 1 ostrich right outside the balcony. How cool!!!

 

[mguilford1]

Okay Domers! I don't know where I've been but I just read about tours of Boma and Jiko on Lines. It sounded pretty cool. Anyone know how to sign up? Can you do it in advance? Anyone done this and recommend it or think it wasn't worth it? TIA!

We didn't have time to do this but it was listed on the daily activities list. When the list comes out for the month it will tell you when it is available. There are lots of things to do on the activity list, but we just didnt have time and we were there for 7 days.

 

[mguilford1]

I have skimmed through a few pages of this thread, but I'm honestly just too lazy to read all 236 pages of it to find the answer to my probably already asked question:

We do not have a Savannah view room, but are we still able to leave our room and see the Savannahs? Are there public viewing areas around the resort? I would think there would be, but I just want to know for sure.

We do have a DVC standard room booked through my step brother. I don't know if having a DVC room will make a difference, but I do know he told me it was a standard view.

Thanks for your help!

Yes you can see animals everywhere at certain times. Maybe you can request Kudu trail. It seemed like all rooms had Savannah view on that trail. we also had standard view, but saw lots of animals from our room on certain days. Also there is free laundry on 5th floor for DVC (nice surprise)

 

[RachaelA]

We are huge fans of Jiko (I miss that ostrich appitizer). We were figuring that between the experience of the safari, the ability to relax that day and not rush to any of the parks and dinner at Jiko, the Sunset was a homerun for a first night. I'm starting to lean more towards skipping the sunrise this time around and save it for another visit but I am not 100% sure yet.

We did both safaris on our honeymoon in 09. I just wasn't impressed with the Sunrise Safari. We did the Wanyama Safari first and we had such a great time that I don't think the Sunrise Safari ever really had a chance So when we went back last May we decided to skip it because we can eat breakfast in the lounge for free and just go on KS at AK for free and it was good enough for us.