***The Official AKV Owners And Lovers Thread***. Come And Chat

[JasonDVC]

lol...wrong thread...lol

Hello AKV neighbors!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi all....I am in a studio (7854) right now. I had requested "close to lobby" as only request about 4 months ago. I couldn't be further away....lol Parking in Pumba portion of garage at end. I had checked in at 9:30 am and didn't get my room until 3:10 pm so thought maybe my request was granted. No such luck. Oh well.......still having a great time ! Room in good condition except my phone is not working in room---no way to contact lobby ! I walked over there this morning because I needed to request a few things from housekeeping (liquid dish soap missing, a few more plates and an extra blanket). This was around noon and they told me computer system was down. It's after 5 pm and still no phone or item requests. It's a 5 min walk from my room to lobby. So this has been the main frustration so far. Otherwise, love this resort.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I started a thread about the following topic somewhere else, and then found this thread and realized that THIS thread would be the perfect place to ask---so many experts to lend a first-time AKV visitor some help! TIA!!! See below.....

AKV Question---Jambo 2bdr or Kidani 2bdr (standard view)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay....I need help! I have a 2-bedroom (Standard view) villa booked for a trip we are taking in JULY (7/22-7/31) and can't seem to make up my mind on which area to stay.

I originally requested Jambo because I just LOVE the atmosphere and the restaurants in that main section of the resort, but now I am concerned....here are my issues:

1. Is it necessary to stay at Kidani to get on a bus in the morning? Since we are traveling during a crowded time, I don't want to waste most of my morning waiting at the bus stop as full buses pass us by at Jambo. Should I be concerned?

2. Since we are staying in a Standard View this time, which has the best chances of getting a "good" view--Jambo or Kidani? Where should I request my room to be? Any suggestions?

3. We have four adults and two kids traveling with us.....should we stay at Kidani to ensure the 2 queen beds in the 2nd bedroom, or will we be fine in Jambo?

I am so confused right now, and would appreciate ANY help you can offer since this will be our first stay at AKV. Thanks!
__________________

#3. You will only have the 2 queens in the second bedroom IF you have a dedicated 2 bedroom in Kidani. Otherwise, you'll have a lock off and that will have 1 Q and 1 double sofa bed in that second bedroom.

#2. In Kidani, you will have parking lot or pool view and in Jambo you'll have pool view, with a slight chance that you could have one of the savannah views that have been reassigned to standard view.

#1. I was at Jambo during a busy spring break time and I never had to wait for another bus to a park because the first was full. However, I don't get up for rope drop.

Best wishes. There are good and less good points to both buildings. I like Jambo just a tad more than Kidani. However, I love the spaciousness of Kidani's master bath area!!!!

Bobbi

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi all....I am in a studio (7854) right now. I had requested "close to lobby" as only request about 4 months ago. I couldn't be further away....lol Parking in Pumba portion of garage at end. I had checked in at 9:30 am and didn't get my room until 3:10 pm so thought maybe my request was granted. No such luck. Oh well.......still having a great time ! Room in good condition except my phone is not working in room---no way to contact lobby ! I walked over there this morning because I needed to request a few things from housekeeping (liquid dish soap missing, a few more plates and an extra blanket). This was around noon and they told me computer system was down. It's after 5 pm and still no phone or item requests. It's a 5 min walk from my room to lobby. So this has been the main frustration so far. Otherwise, love this resort.

I hope their systems get fixed. Jambo's computers were down in December when I was there. Having no phone connectiion is quite an inconvenience....if you don't need anything, not a big deal, but you do need something. It would be nice if they helped you out a bit for your troubles.

Bobbi

 

[gabriellyn]

#3. You will only have the 2 queens in the second bedroom IF you have a dedicated 2 bedroom in Kidani. Otherwise, you'll have a lock off and that will have 1 Q and 1 double sofa bed in that second bedroom.

#2. In Kidani, you will have parking lot or pool view and in Jambo you'll have pool view, with a slight chance that you could have one of the savannah views that have been reassigned to standard view.

#1. I was at Jambo during a busy spring break time and I never had to wait for another bus to a park because the first was full. However, I don't get up for rope drop.

Best wishes. There are good and less good points to both buildings. I like Jambo just a tad more than Kidani. However, I love the spaciousness of Kidani's master bath area!!!!

Bobbi

We'll be there for NYE in a dedicated 2 bedroom at Kidani - I was wondering if they had 2 queens or not. Thanks for the info! They do have the 3rd bathroom, right?

Thanks again!

Can't wait!

 

[LisaS]

They do have the 3rd bathroom, right?

Yes, all of the 1BRs and 2BRs in Kidani have the extra bathroom near the entryway. In a Kidani 2BR (dedicated or not) you will have a total of 3 bathrooms.

 

[gabriellyn]

Yes, all of the 1BRs and 2BRs in Kidani have the extra bathroom near the entryway. In a Kidani 2BR (dedicated or not) you will have a total of 3 bathrooms.

Woohoo! Thanks. We'll be traveling with my two DS's 5 & 10, plus my DD16 and her best friend. We'll definitely NEED that extra bathroom with two teenagers!

 

[supersuperwendy]

How is Mara for breakfast? any good? Similar stuff to Artist Palette at SSR...like ham, egg and cheese on a croissant sandwich kind of stuff? Or do they have some cool african inspired CS stuff?

 

[Jaylin]

Hello all! We are going to our "home" resort for the 1st time in 10 days!! We are staying in a 1BR, savanna view, Kidani. Quick question, I know I need to call to request a room close to the lobby, correct? I've got a 2,6 &8 y/o in tow!

Our flight arrives Friday night at 8:20pm. So realistically it could be 10pm by the time the ME gets us to Kidani. By the time we check in, the kids are going to be starving. Is it going to be too much of a hassle to go over to Mara to get something to eat? Is it even open at that hour? I was also going to let ME pick up our bags for us, is that a good idea? I'll pack PJs and toiletries on our carry ons, so as long as our bags show up before the next morning, I'll be fine.....

 

[twinklebug]

Hello all! We are going to our "home" resort for the 1st time in 10 days!! We are staying in a 1BR, savanna view, Kidani. Quick question, I know I need to call to request a room close to the lobby, correct? I've got a 2,6 &8 y/o in tow!

Our flight arrives Friday night at 8:20pm. So realistically it could be 10pm by the time the ME gets us to Kidani. By the time we check in, the kids are going to be starving. Is it going to be too much of a hassle to go over to Mara to get something to eat? Is it even open at that hour? I was also going to let ME pick up our bags for us, is that a good idea? I'll pack PJs and toiletries on our carry ons, so as long as our bags show up before the next morning, I'll be fine.....

I'd feed the kids at the airport if I were you - I've seen kids ready to eat their parents when they've been made to wait until after check-in.

Myra won't be hard to get TO when going from Kidani - it's the return trip that can take awhile if a DTD bus has recently left.

Be aware, that any time I've left my bags with ME on a later arrival, they've rung my phone around 2-3am to let me know the bags arrived. *sigh* Every time they say they'll just send a message and won't ring the phone, and yet, every time they do it.

 

[twinklebug]

I booked a trip in a standard room for Christmas week. Gotta love DVC, the Disney site is showing the same room for $550+tax per night!

Question for anyone familiar with the usual music @ Kidani: during the holidays, do they change it like they do at WL? Just don't want to walk in expecting the usual sounds to be greeted by something different.

Anyone else going to be at AKV over the holidays?

 

[AKLFan3]

How is Mara for breakfast? any good? Similar stuff to Artist Palette at SSR...like ham, egg and cheese on a croissant sandwich kind of stuff? Or do they have some cool african inspired CS stuff?

Yes, they have the ham, egg and cheese croissant, pancakes, waffles, bacon and sausage. The hot meal items are the standard quick service American breakfast items you can find at any CS restaurants. Here is the menu from last year: http://allears.net/menu/menu_mara.htm

I really like The Mara for breakfast.

 

[RAPstar]

Just wanted to celebrate a little! I used Dave's DVC Reques that's advertised on here, and was able to get a Savannah View Studio at Kidani for my last night on my upcoming trip!! I'm so excited!! I was going to try for Savannah view at AKL but they only had the bunk bed rooms available, so I was going to do water view. So I tried this, and I got it for less than the bunk bed and only slightly more than the water view!! Its only one night but its at one of my dream resorts!!

 

[twinkles]

OMG! So much information my head is spinning. How do you go about booking the villas? Can you book multiple ones (we have a large bunch). We are trying to get our heads around which direction to go into as far as if we should stay off site, get multiple moderate rooms, villas. How do we go about perhaps renting from people? UGH!! I have been out of the disney loop for way to long!! I can spend days reading so much info (but it's so much fun and exciting).

Thanks everyone for any help or direction!!

 

[blossomz]

Hi twinkles! I'm no expert, but I do love my DVC. Yes, you can book more than one villa IF they are available. They will be pricey though unless you rent points. There is a forum to do that if you are interested. I hear the all star music suites are nice for larger groups and less expensive, but you may still need a couple depending on your party size. All star vacation homes is another way to go. But they are off property. An online Disney vacation planner might be very helpful, there is no charge for their services and they can really assist you. I have referred to mouse fan travelers, but there are others. Hope this is helpful. Maybe someone else will have more info! I do love the villas at animal kingdom though!

 

[twinkles]

Blossomz:

Thanks for the info. How do you go about renting points and where do I find this forum. We love the Animal Kingdom and I know the grandboys will to. We have alot of work figuring out our budget, alot of options.

 

[blossomz]

Here is the forum. Just read up on the safety suggestions. Most people have been very happy.
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

 

[twinklebug]

OMG! So much information my head is spinning. How do you go about booking the villas? Can you book multiple ones (we have a large bunch). We are trying to get our heads around which direction to go into as far as if we should stay off site, get multiple moderate rooms, villas. How do we go about perhaps renting from people? UGH!! I have been out of the disney loop for way to long!! I can spend days reading so much info (but it's so much fun and exciting).

Thanks everyone for any help or direction!!

The villas can be booked through a DVC owner willing to rent (see rental board), for a little more, a representative of the owner who wants to rent (such as Dave's DVC Request) or, the most expensive option, through Disney's booking system - they charge a premium for these units.

You can book as many units as you can afford providing: (i) the owner has the points (ii) there's availability and (iii) you're within the booking window for the units: 7 months outside of the owner's home resort, 11 months if at the owner's home resort.

There are threads around on the DIS on what to look for if you're renting through people directly. Experience doesn't mean much - having a good honest owner means everything - look at their past rentals and posts on the DIS & get a feel for who they are. Most owners require a contract to be signed and may not give you a refund if your plans fall through for any one part of your group... which happens often with large gatherings.

Good luck with your selection - quick plug for the home resort: Kidani is amazing : the resort, the rooms and the overall experience can't be beat.

 

[MegansMom]

Hey gang!!! Posted awhile back about doing standard at Jambo or Kidani...Jambo won out with my group---they really just wanted to stay at the main place this first time. (Keeping fingers crossed that we don't regret that decision due to the buses!!)

SO, since we are staying at Jambo in a standard view 2bdrm, are there any specific requests you would suggest I make closer to my trip in July? Should I ask to be in a re-classified savannah room? Should I ask to be close to the lobby? Elevator? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much!!!

 

[ajf1007]

So here is my story, Ill be booking a 2 bdrm unit for our big trip next year. This is our home resort so of course this will be done exactly at the 11 month window (I guess that's really a given right?). There will be 7 people in the 2 bedroom - my DB, my DSIL, my two DN's (4 and 6), my DH and my DM and of course myself. Both my DH and I in the master, my DB and his family in the other bedroom and my DM on the pull-out sofa. Please don't critisize for putting my DM on the pull-out, it was actually her idea since this is all on my dime. I'm also going to reserve a studio for my best friend and her fam.

Originally, I was going to do 4 studios and then the meal plan for everyone BUT my DB's family is a one income family and I really want to save them some money by cooking in the villa a few nights and not doing the meal plan. Everyone is all on board with that and are actually looking at it as more quality time together. (My DB and his family live far away so we don't get to see each other but 1x or 2x per year).

I have enough points for a savannah view 2 bedroom and a standard view studio but was thinking about doing a standard view 2 bedroom to save points as well as $$$. I know everyone is all about the savannah view but...like I said, I'm saving points plus my nieces go to the zoo ALOT and their attention span is also a bit smaller than most. In addition to that, we'll get more family time together.

So here are my questions:

1. Standard or savannah - in Jambo or Kadini
2. Jambo or Kadini.
3. I know what the max occupancy is and we're below that, but is it roomy enough for 7 people?
4. Which is better? Dedicated 2 bedroom or not? What's the difference between the two?
5. Does anyone have any pictures of a 2 bedroom? I am sure there are if I go through the 100+ pages (which I'll do if I have to).
6. Think my plan will work and there are enough 2 bedrooms for Sept time frame?

Thanks!