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

[adisneynut]

Thank you! Does any one have any pics?

you can try this website www.allearsnet.com. click on accomadations then on the ledf side of page you can scroll down to Animal Kingdom villia then click on photos text click on the next page if you scroll down you will see photos of hte pool.

 

[anjalee6]

We think the Kidani pool is the second best on property. It has a great slide and zero entry. The kids water play area is the best on property.

We agree. The pool is awesome. The kids love the slide and the water play area. We actually prefer this over Stormalong Bay simply because it's not as jam packed with people. I find it much harder to watch the kids over at BC. Kidani's pool makes me feel more relaxed.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

you can try this website www.allearsnet.com. click on accomadations then on the ledf side of page you can scroll down to Animal Kingdom villia then click on photos text click on the next page if you scroll down you will see photos of hte pool.

We agree. The pool is awesome. The kids love the slide and the water play area. We actually prefer this over Stormalong Bay simply because it's not as jam packed with people. I find it much harder to watch the kids over at BC. Kidani's pool makes me feel more relaxed.

Thank you! We will definitely take the time to head over there. Is there an internal bus from/to Jambo House or is it easier to walk over and take any bus back (assuming all buses stop at Kidani first)?

 

[nemofans]

Can all AKL guests use Kidani pool or just DVC?

 

[mommy2mrb]

Can all AKL guests use Kidani pool or just DVC?

all guests can use both pools, its the same resort!

 

[Donald is #1]

Can anyone confirm if the CL floor 1bedroom suites (non-dvc) so 4th. floor all have a restricted view? I am trying to google it but I am not sure all the information I need is there.

We want to book a 1 bedroom CL savannah view but if they are restricted (the pictures I could find had a thatch roof in them) I will change our room. That leads me to is there a CL savannah room with bunk beds and can teenagers sleep in the bunk beds. I have one boy/one girl, so sharing the pull out wouldn't work.

Thanks for any replies.

I'm not positive, but I didn't think that there were any CL 1BRs that weren't DVC. Since DVC rooms can be booked for cash (i.e. like a normal reservation) is it possible that you are seeing one of the DVC rooms? If so, then they are on the 6th floor and will have either a pool view or savanna view (not so great). Also if it is one of the DVC rooms, then the view is not guaranteed.

 

[hematite153]

There are non-DVC CL suites at AKL. I don't know anything about their views, but, given that they are located reasonably close to the CL lounge they likely don't have the best views available at the resort.

The CL DVC 1bdrm villas don't have a guaranteed view of the savannah at all. There are 5 of them and I think 3 are a fairly poor quality savannah view.

 

[haleofafamily]

Thank you! We will definitely take the time to head over there. Is there an internal bus from/to Jambo House or is it easier to walk over and take any bus back (assuming all buses stop at Kidani first)?

When we were there in Dec, there was a van that would drive in between the 2 resorts. But it took forever for it to pick us up at Jambo the one time we used it.

You can take the Downtown Disney bus from Jambo to Kidani and then any other bus from Kidani to Jambo. A lot of people walk between the two but after all the walking we do in the parks we like to take advantage of the buses any time we can.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Don't know anything about the suites.

There are bunk bed CL rooms but those are a request only not a booking category for CL rooms. I have read that they give priority to families with boy/girl teens. They are regular sized twin bunk beds so I'm sure your teens would be fine in them.

I'm not positive, but I didn't think that there were any CL 1BRs that weren't DVC. Since DVC rooms can be booked for cash (i.e. like a normal reservation) is it possible that you are seeing one of the DVC rooms? If so, then they are on the 6th floor and will have either a pool view or savanna view (not so great). Also if it is one of the DVC rooms, then the view is not guaranteed.

There are non-DVC CL suites at AKL. I don't know anything about their views, but, given that they are located reasonably close to the CL lounge they likely don't have the best views available at the resort.

The CL DVC 1bdrm villas don't have a guaranteed view of the savannah at all. There are 5 of them and I think 3 are a fairly poor quality savannah view.

Thank you to all three, your answers helped with us making a decision as a family. So we are going to forego the suite and would like to book the following:

Kilimanjaro Club Level with Concierge Service - Standard Room. This room has 3 actual bedding types: King with daybed, 2 queens, or one queen with bunk beds.

We would have to get the queen with bunk beds to make this work. Do you think if we strongly made our point re: the need for the bunk that we would get a chance at it, and does anyone know if there is handicap (just the high commode and extra hand rails in the bathroom, usually still has a tub) exists at AKL in the CL area with my bunk-bed request. I am sure they will like this after I call trying to make my reservation.

 

[RachaelA]

Thank you to all three, your answers helped with us making a decision as a family. So we are going to forego the suite and would like to book the following:

Kilimanjaro Club Level with Concierge Service - Standard Room. This room has 3 actual bedding types: King with daybed, 2 queens, or one queen with bunk beds.

We would have to get the queen with bunk beds to make this work. Do you think if we strongly made our point re: the need for the bunk that we would get a chance at it, and does anyone know if there is handicap (just the high commode and extra hand rails in the bathroom, usually still has a tub) exists at AKL in the CL area with my bunk-bed request. I am sure they will like this after I call trying to make my reservation.

I'm pretty sure all the CL handicap accessible rooms (and maybe all the handicap accessible rooms in all room categories) are king bed only.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

When we were there in Dec, there was a van that would drive in between the 2 resorts. But it took forever for it to pick us up at Jambo the one time we used it.

You can take the Downtown Disney bus from Jambo to Kidani and then any other bus from Kidani to Jambo. A lot of people walk between the two but after all the walking we do in the parks we like to take advantage of the buses any time we can.

Thank you! DS and I usually walk everywhere, but my dad will be with us and can't walk too much. Good to know there's an easier way to get around.

 

[hematite153]

does anyone know if there is handicap (just the high commode and extra hand rails in the bathroom, usually still has a tub) exists at AKL in the CL area with my bunk-bed request. I am sure they will like this after I call trying to make my reservation.

I don't know whether this room combination is available.

However, I know that if you need to reserve an accessible room then you need to make your reservation through special services. They will actually book out a room specifically for your stay and either guarantee that they can meet your needs or say that they cannot and suggest a different reservation.

I don't think that it's recommended to make reservations online in this instance. There is a lot more specific information on the disABILITIES forum.

 

[dgbg100106]

Thank you to all three, your answers helped with us making a decision as a family. So we are going to forego the suite and would like to book the following:

Kilimanjaro Club Level with Concierge Service - Standard Room. This room has 3 actual bedding types: King with daybed, 2 queens, or one queen with bunk beds.

We would have to get the queen with bunk beds to make this work. Do you think if we strongly made our point re: the need for the bunk that we would get a chance at it, and does anyone know if there is handicap (just the high commode and extra hand rails in the bathroom, usually still has a tub) exists at AKL in the CL area with my bunk-bed request. I am sure they will like this after I call trying to make my reservation.

Yes there are handicapped CL rooms AKL, I have stayed in one twice now.

 

[thefigueroas]

Good Afternoon everybody! I tried searching through the thread for my question but I couldn't find an answer to what I am needing to ask. My family and I are staying at AKL-Jambo House for the 1st time in August. We have reserved a standard view and know somewhat what to expect. Can you give me a little bit of help as to what to request? We would like something close to the lobby with a decent view (I know I am not getting much with a standard view). What should I request? We are usually WL fans but decided to try something new. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Good Afternoon everybody! I tried searching through the thread for my question but I couldn't find an answer to what I am needing to ask. My family and I are staying at AKL-Jambo House for the 1st time in August. We have reserved a standard view and know somewhat what to expect. Can you give me a little bit of help as to what to request? We would like something close to the lobby with a decent view (I know I am not getting much with a standard view). What should I request? We are usually WL fans but decided to try something new. Thanks for any and all help.

I would worry less about the view and more about being higher than ground level. There are rooms literally ON THE SIDEWALK where thousands of people tromp back and forth from the bus stops. I always figured they didn't really put people in those rooms, then I saw pool towels on the patio during one of our stays. The one time we had standard view we were on the 4th floor overlooking the taxis. The view wasn't good, but it also wasn't noisy.

 

[thefigueroas]

I would worry less about the view and more about being higher than ground level. There are rooms literally ON THE SIDEWALK where thousands of people tromp back and forth from the bus stops. I always figured they didn't really put people in those rooms, then I saw pool towels on the patio during one of our stays. The one time we had standard view we were on the 4th floor overlooking the taxis. The view wasn't good, but it also wasn't noisy.

THANKS! I didn't know that. This is exactly the kind of information I was interested in. I haven't stayed here so I am unaware of all this. So high floor is preferable-got it.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Do they still accept room requests? I thought with the new system, computers were assigning the rooms. I wasn't going to make a request this time...but I really don't want a ground-level savannah view!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Do they still accept room requests? I thought with the new system, computers were assigning the rooms. I wasn't going to make a request this time...but I really don't want a ground-level savannah view!

you can make requests, they just not guaranteed....when you check in look to see where you are in the bldg on their map and ask to be switched if possible if you don't like where they put you!!

 

[SondraC]

Does anyone know how difficult it is to get a king bed? Is standard view or pool view easier to get a king bed?

We are picking between YC/BC & AKL. We have stayed at both YC & BC, but are thinking of trying AKL, but really want a king bed. View is not important to us.

Thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

From “Delicious Disney Just for Kids:”

African Fruit Fool
Boma – Flavors of Africa
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Walt Disney World Resort

Serves 6

1 cup diced fresh pineapple
1 green apple, peeled and diced
1 small, ripe mango, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
1 cup diced fresh papaya
2 cups red seedless grapes
3 bananas, peeled and sliced
1 cup shredded coconut
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream, well chilled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine pineapple, apple, mango, papaya, grapes, bananas, and coconut in a large bowl. Gently stir to combine. Stir in sweetened condensed milk.
Whip cream until soft peaks form. Add vanilla and continue to beat just until stiff peaks form. Working in batches, gently fold whipped cream into fruit mixture.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until cold, approximately 30 minutes.

‘Delicious Disney Just for Kids’ by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog