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

[Disneywedding2010]

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.

Thank you for making this post. I have a blood clot in my leg and spend most of the trip in a wheelchair because I can't walk long distances. This was vital information to know for when I call and book my 2 bedroom on Monday.

 

[John's Mom]

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!

You'll find the culinary tour listed on the activities board in the lobby. It usually starts around 4 p.m. every day. You just have to show up for it.

At Jiko someone talked about the decor of the restaurant and how it represented things in Africa. Then one of the chefs talked about the menu and gave us samples of some appetizers. Then we went over to Boma. One of the chefs talked about their menu and gave us a sample of one of their delicious soups and a zebra dome.

If you haven't been to either of these restaurants, then the tour would be interesting.

Kathy

 

[RylanzDad]

Hi guys

A question about Saana, we have a few friends in Orlando that want to meet for dinner, but we are not sure which night as of yet. Do I need reservations for 5 adults and 2 kids? Or will we be able to walk up and have a reasonable wait. This will be the first week of March.

Thanks!

 

[mom_rules]

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.

Excellent suggestion-anyone know where to get one? Cost? I'm sure she'd be all in on this idea!

 

[KigerKat]

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.

Thank you! I kind of thought that there would be viewing areas, but just wanted to be sure!

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)

I know we are in the Jambo house, but I don't know which trail we are on. And free laundry sounds like a great perk! It's just DH and I, so we might not need to do any. But it's always nice to know just in case!!

 

[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!

Thanks!!


@Barnhill9586 - We are on Lines too.

Hey there!

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.

Thank you for the response! We'll be on the look out for the daily activity lists!

 

[Barnhill9586]

You'll find the culinary tour listed on the activities board in the lobby. It usually starts around 4 p.m. every day. You just have to show up for it.

At Jiko someone talked about the decor of the restaurant and how it represented things in Africa. Then one of the chefs talked about the menu and gave us samples of some appetizers. Then we went over to Boma. One of the chefs talked about their menu and gave us a sample of one of their delicious soups and a zebra dome.

If you haven't been to either of these restaurants, then the tour would be interesting.

Kathy

Sounds great! Thanks for the information!!

 

[GetGlowing]

What kind of pillows can we expect in a Standard Studio at Kidani? Are feather pillows available?

Thanks! Less than a week!

 

[OhThePain]

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.

That's sort of what I was thinking as far as the Sunrise... We have done the Backstage Safari which included a bit of a more in depth KS, so it is starting to look like the Sunrise Safari doesn't have much more to offer to justify the expence. Thanks to all for the replies.

I also plan on proposing either durring the Sunset Safari at some point or at some point shortly after (which I am sure will cost me a bit extra to have them do something in our room for our return for after I propose). Once I start getting in touch with IPO I am going to see what sort of things can be done to help me out. I have lots of time to figure that out though.

 

[RachaelA]

That's sort of what I was thinking as far as the Sunrise... We have done the Backstage Safari which included a bit of a more in depth KS, so it is starting to look like the Sunrise Safari doesn't have much more to offer to justify the expence. Thanks to all for the replies.

I also plan on proposing either durring the Sunset Safari at some point or at some point shortly after (which I am sure will cost me a bit extra to have them do something in our room for our return for after I propose). Once I start getting in touch with IPO I am going to see what sort of things can be done to help me out. I have lots of time to figure that out though.

I'm sure IPO will have some good suggestions. If you can talk to Don (as in Donald Duck), he's always been pretty amazing answering the million questions I had.

 

[angelaernest]

I believe that virtually all of the savanna view rooms can be 2 BRs. i.e. they are basically all set up as 1 BR/studio combos so that they can be made into 2 brs.

Thank you. That makes me feel better. I called to request a room close to the lobby. I hope it works out for my mom.

 

[dgbg100106]

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 did this tour back in 2009 and we had to show up outside Boma and then they took us on the tour. YES, do it.... It was fun and interesting and they gave you a sample of the Zebra Domes.....

 

[mom_rules]

Thank you. That makes me feel better. I called to request a room close to the lobby. I hope it works out for my mom.

Love to know how it goes-we don't go until later in the year.
Please let me know.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi guys

A question about Saana, we have a few friends in Orlando that want to meet for dinner, but we are not sure which night as of yet. Do I need reservations for 5 adults and 2 kids? Or will we be able to walk up and have a reasonable wait. This will be the first week of March.

Thanks!

I would recommend making an ADR. You have a large group so an ADR will assure you a spot and probably a better table near the window if you have an ADR (you'd need to request this when you check-in and it's not guaranteed).

As long as you have an ADR, I have never encountered issues with showing up early, so there is some flexibility. Better safe than sorry, make an ADR (or two and be sure to cancel the one you don't need).

 

[angelaernest]

Love to know how it goes-we don't go until later in the year.
Please let me know.

No problem. I hope to do a trip report. I tend to write too much, so I generally stay away from writing on the board. If I seem to be taking too long, just remind me.

 

[pperfectmom]

I am preparing to book our first stay at AKL for December. I think we are going for a pool view room, so are there any requests I should make? I want a quieter room so should I ask for an upper floor? Also, is it possible to request a view of the Flamingo Pond? And since I'm in a questioning mood I'll ask a dining question. We have eaten at Boma for dinner before and really enjoyed it. We are planning to fully appreciate this resort since it is our first stay at a deluxe. Right now I'm planning on Jiko for dinner one night and Boma for breakfast. I also want to do either Sanaa or Boma for dinner as well, so which of those two does anyone suggest?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am preparing to book our first stay at AKL for December. I think we are going for a pool view room, so are there any requests I should make? I want a quieter room so should I ask for an upper floor? Also, is it possible to request a view of the Flamingo Pond? And since I'm in a questioning mood I'll ask a dining question. We have eaten at Boma for dinner before and really enjoyed it. We are planning to fully appreciate this resort since it is our first stay at a deluxe. Right now I'm planning on Jiko for dinner one night and Boma for breakfast. I also want to do either Sanaa or Boma for dinner as well, so which of those two does anyone suggest?

I can't answer your PV question, we've only booked SV, but as far as dining, we've done both Sanaa and Boma for dinner and I wish you could do both. I feel they're two different dining experiences:

Boma is a buffet adventure! We loved it (including DD11). If you're a Zebra Dome fan, they're all-you-can-eat and the chefs will very gladly describe every dish to you.

Sanaa has a beautiful savannah view, especially if you get a table right next to the window. The appetizers are wonderful, but I felt the entrées were somewhat limited.

We're booked again at both for July, but if I could only choose one for dinner, I'd choose Boma - there's something for everyone!

Happy booking! (BTW, did you change your mind about the CR and Poly and WL...?)

 

[pperfectmom]

I've changed my mind a hundred times. But...I forgot to run those one hundred changes past my family who are all completely sold on AKL. So I guess that's where we're gonna be. I'm happy with it since I've always wanted to stay there. All those choices make me crazy, though.

We liked Boma for dinner when we were there a couple years ago but it seems like it was so loud and crowded. We will be getting off our Dream cruise the day we eat dinner there or Sanaa. We really can't do both because we are only staying 4 nights. One night Jiko, one night CP package at Epcot and one night at MK. So that only leaves time for one more dinner the first night. We'll most likely have breakfast at Boma on our last morning. I'm leaning toward Sanaa because A)we've never eaten there and B)I want to check out Kidani.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I've changed my mind a hundred times. But...I forgot to run those one hundred changes past my family who are all completely sold on AKL. So I guess that's where we're gonna be. I'm happy with it since I've always wanted to stay there. All those choices make me crazy, though.

We liked Boma for dinner when we were there a couple years ago but it seems like it was so loud and crowded. We will be getting off our Dream cruise the day we eat dinner there or Sanaa. We really can't do both because we are only staying 4 nights. One night Jiko, one night CP package at Epcot and one night at MK. So that only leaves time for one more dinner the first night. We'll most likely have breakfast at Boma on our last morning. I'm leaning toward Sanaa because A)we've never eaten there and B)I want to check out Kidani.

Those are good reasons to try Sanaa and besides, you've already tried Boma and you'll be eating breakfast there. Go ahead and book Sanaa!

 

[dmccarty]

Since you only have one night available try Sanaa. We like the food though it can be spicy. We ate there quite a bit last trip.

You should visit AKV and check it out. We have stayed at AKL a few times and were finally able to stay at AKV. We much prefer AKV. Both are great but AKV we like just a bit more. Less hectic, a bit quieter, better parking, and the buses stop at AKV before AKL.

You do need ADRs. Last trip we tried to get away from the having ADRs a couple of night and planned to go to Mara for dinner. We ended up at Sanaa with a 45 minute wait. We got seated after closing time. The place was packed for a non busy time. The night after we just did room service which still took 45 minutes but at least we were in the room getting ready for bed. The price for room service was not that much more and worth it. Next trip we will do room service a few times so we can be off a schedule for a change.

Later,
Dan