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

[erionm]

I have a question, does anyone know where the DVC laundry facility is located at Jambo?

5th floor, Zebra Trail.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

5th floor, Zebra Trail.

Staying Studio CL this time and will have to use the laundry facilities.

Thanks!

.

 

[erionm]

Staying Studio CL this time and will have to use the laundry facilities.

It should be right at the beginning of the Zebra Trail near the lobby overlook.

 

[akw4572]

We bought in AKV in July of last year. We received 160 free bank points for purchasing 160 point, so I originally booked a 1 BR standard view for a week in July of 2014. Since we decided to do the dining plan, I changed it this weekend for an 8 night/9 day stay in a deluxe studio with a savanna view. Really looking forward to staying at our home resort for the first time. We've done Disney the last two years, staying at the Wilderness lodge. Our family loves it there.

 

[Doingitagain]

We are so excited to be staying at AK Jambo house this summer before our Disney Cruise! We only have a day and a half, and our group of 9 adults includes 4 grandparents. I am looking for a Disney "experience" dinner for the group, somewhere easy to get to since we have the grandparents along.

Also, any favorite ideas for things to do at AKV?

TIA!

 

[mumto3girls]

We have eaten at both Boma and Sanaa and loved both. At Boma we have taken kids and there were plenty of choices for even picky eaters. DH and I did Sanaa this past summer just the two of us and both agreed that it was a fantastic option for a couple. We talked about if it would be a good option for our family and while DD13 is a very adventuress eater, our younger 2 might have had some trouble although even they would have LOVED the bread service with the different sauces/dips.

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

We have Jambo house reserved for our up coming trip. Which savanna has the most animal sightings and best views? I am hoping to get some good pictures during our stay and would like to put in a request.

Thanks

 

[hrsewoman]

Bought into (direct) AKV last year 160pts in September on our 5day trip with my sister, etc. Went back again with our "free" points in Nov at Kidani, 2br villa with a couple friends of mine and we had the best trip ever. Well both trips were awesome But to be able to stay in a place like that - we'd NEVER be able to afford to do this every year cash price. Found Kidani to be kind of far away, long walks - although part of htat was likely because we booked a month in advance and Disney reps basically had to dig and get us something. So quiet and peaceful, the pool was amazing. Sanaa was probably the best restaurant I've eat at so far. Staying in Jambo house this fall if we can't move it to BLT.

My only real complaint is how freaking long the Magical Express takes to get to and from the airport particularly from AKV. You literally can waste several hours more than if you rented a car. We are going to look at renting a car or getting a cab or shuttle next time to see if its worth it. It may not be.

And honestly WDW does what they market best - help you make memories. There is no souvenir better then the photos from the attractions or the videos of your little ones meeting a character for the first time in real life I have never been disappointed with their customer service. Not once.

 

[cbtengwife]

Researching and getting ready to book a trip to AKL Kidani, savannah view in December. Feeling a little overwhelmed on deciding what floor, which side off of the lobby, etc. to request.... How many room floors is there? Which floor is best to be able to view the animals? Do you see all types of animals on both sides? Going to be 2 families going. My family in a 2 bedroom and my sister's family in a 1 bedroom. How likely are we to get these close to each other?
All hints, tips or advice is greatly appreciated.....
Thanks

 

[twinklebug]

Researching and getting ready to book a trip to AKL Kidani, savannah view in December. Feeling a little overwhelmed on deciding what floor, which side off of the lobby, etc. to request.... How many room floors is there? Which floor is best to be able to view the animals? Do you see all types of animals on both sides? Going to be 2 families going. My family in a 2 bedroom and my sister's family in a 1 bedroom. How likely are we to get these close to each other?
All hints, tips or advice is greatly appreciated.....
Thanks

Try to think of it as "It's a Disney vacation!"... breathe, relax. Good news is no matter what, You'll all be in the same resort, under the same roof with many common areas in which to meet up, and some wonderful views there-from The fewer and simpler you keep your requests, the more likely they are to work to find you a room you'll like. In your case I'd say being close to friends might be a priority.

The chance that they'll put the two rooms reasonably close...
I really don't have a clue. If I had to put a number on it, I'd say 30% chance? There is a lot for the room assigner to coordinate with folks checking out/checking in/length of stays. That said, they do a pretty good job of trying to fulfill requests, just be sure to put this as your first (and possibly only) request to stress importance.

Room location / floor/ view requests... My suggestions are Sunset savanna, close to lobby (everyone requests this though LOL) Sunset is the savanna on the inside loops, and have the giraffe & zebra. The other savanna is Pembe and although it has unique animals, they're not always viewable and certainly don't stand out as much.

Close to lobby is a very personal preference - take note, there is A LOT more hallway traffic/noise all day and past midnight than you'll find with units even just a few beads out. I sleep like a rock so the noise doesn't bother me much, except when the foot races are on, or pranksters are knocking at doors.

As for floor, I prefer 2nd (lobby level): it's closer to the animals (and I don't like heights LOL) However, the top floor gives quite an impressive distance view.

 

[drusba]

Researching and getting ready to book a trip to AKL Kidani, savannah view in December. Feeling a little overwhelmed on deciding what floor, which side off of the lobby, etc. to request.... How many room floors is there? Which floor is best to be able to view the animals? Do you see all types of animals on both sides? Going to be 2 families going. My family in a 2 bedroom and my sister's family in a 1 bedroom. How likely are we to get these close to each other?
All hints, tips or advice is greatly appreciated.....
Thanks

When making the resevations for two rooms make sure MS puts on them a "traveling with" notation, each referring to the other, and the request that rooms be close to each other. It is not guaranteed but it is one that is possible to achieve since the dedicated 2BRs and lock-off 2BRs (that can be separate studio and 1BR) are intermixed with each other throughout the resort. You should probably make that your top request and suffer the long walks if that is the only way to get close to each other. Otherwise, here are some requests to consider:

1. Close to lobby. It is one of the requests designed to avoid long walks, which can be 1/3 mile from lobby to room on end of north wing (Kidani front entrance faces west, north wing is one pool is along and south wing is one that runs toward the front of Jambo). If you are close to lobby you will be on Sunset Savanna, the very large savanna that serves both Kidani and Jambo and has giraffes. Pembe, the smaller savanna without giraffes is on the northwest and north part of Kidani and is not near the lobby. The restaurant and store, bus stop, and pool are easily accessible from a room close to lobby. Also there are two feeding areas, one north of the lobby and one south, which result in animals often flocking toward the areas closer to the lobby.

2. Close to community hall. That is similar to a close to lobby request since the community hall is fairly close to the lobby but is a request to be in the south wing which puts you very close to the exit that is nearest the bus stop, while giving you a little longer walk to the pool. Note, any request that puts you on the south wing in a savanna view room is, like close to lobby, automatically a request for Sunset savanna view.

3. Close to the Timon elevator. That is a little walk from the lobby but not far and puts you on the south wing very close to the exit that is closest to the bus stop. If you have a car, that is an ideal request because, you not only get close to amenities but you can then park near that elevator.

4. Close to the Rafiki elevator, Sunset savanna view. That elevator is a little down the hall from the lobby on the north wide.Its advantage is that the Rafiki elevator is the closest exit from the building to the pool. You should request Sunsdet savanna also because the Pembe savanna starts not too far from the Rafiki elevator and it is possible that requesting just close to the Rafiki elevator could result in your being on Pembe.

The resort has five floors (almost six if you count the top floor of the GVs. The first floor has no rooms. It has the restaurant and the under-building parking. Another request often suggested is to ask for lower floor. Personally, I like both higher (4 and 5) and lower (2 and 3) view rooms. The higher floor gives you a more panoramic view while the lower floor gives more of a direct sight line toward the animals. Both are fun to have.

 

[maienneh]

We've only stayed at Kidani and loved it, but have heard many prefer Jambo. Any particular reasons?

 

[mumto3girls]

We've only stayed at Kidani and loved it, but have heard many prefer Jambo. Any particular reasons?

I have stayed at both and really enjoyed both. I preferred the room at Kidani and probably preferred the pool there as well. Jambo House has a more impressive lobby and if you like to eat at quick services places, Mara is fantastic. Of course you can eat at Mara no matter where you stay, but it is certainly more convenient to Jambo House. The gift shop at Jambo House is also much larger.

I don't think you can go wrong at either one. I don't think my husband or children have strong preferences. We like Mara, but don't mind walking so it isn't a big deal for us to stay at Kidani and walk over. Because of the extra bathroom in the 1 bedrooms at Kidani, it would always get my vote over Jambo House, but I could see other people not caring about the bathroom and wanting the proximity to more restaurants and the bigger shop and lobby.

 

[maienneh]

Thanks!

I have stayed at both and really enjoyed both. I preferred the room at Kidani and probably preferred the pool there as well. Jambo House has a more impressive lobby and if you like to eat at quick services places, Mara is fantastic. Of course you can eat at Mara no matter where you stay, but it is certainly more convenient to Jambo House. The gift shop at Jambo House is also much larger.

I don't think you can go wrong at either one. I don't think my husband or children have strong preferences. We like Mara, but don't mind walking so it isn't a big deal for us to stay at Kidani and walk over. Because of the extra bathroom in the 1 bedrooms at Kidani, it would always get my vote over Jambo House, but I could see other people not caring about the bathroom and wanting the proximity to more restaurants and the bigger shop and lobby.

 

[dec2901]

I have to tell somebody who will get my excitement . . . Drum roll please . . . Today my husband and I closed on our first DVC purchase which happens to be AKV!!!! I am so excited!!! Now waiting for Disney to give me my number so I can book my first stay at AKV. Now I feel like I am part of the gang

 

[twinklebug]

Home!

I have to tell somebody who will get my excitement . . . Drum roll please . . . Today my husband and I closed on our first DVC purchase which happens to be AKV!!!! I am so excited!!! Now waiting for Disney to give me my number so I can book my first stay at AKV. Now I feel like I am part of the gang

You are going to need one of those little giraffe on your signature... wait... mine seems to have wandered off...

Anyone seen a giraffe around here?

 

[NDQuietman]

I have to tell somebody who will get my excitement . . . Drum roll please . . . Today my husband and I closed on our first DVC purchase which happens to be AKV!!!! I am so excited!!! Now waiting for Disney to give me my number so I can book my first stay at AKV. Now I feel like I am part of the gang

Congrats !

 

[DisneyDiana]

I have to tell somebody who will get my excitement . . . Drum roll please . . . Today my husband and I closed on our first DVC purchase which happens to be AKV!!!! I am so excited!!! Now waiting for Disney to give me my number so I can book my first stay at AKV. Now I feel like I am part of the gang

Congratulations! I love AKV!

 

[3pletprincesses]

Does any have pictures of the 2 bedrooms? As a family of 6, we are thinking or more like are buying at some point soon into DVC but I've only seen a 1bedroom at Kidani and studio at Jambo. What are the 2 bedrooms like at AKV? Are the 2 bedrooms in essence those 2 connected together? What about the kitchen table, could it fit 6 people because the one in the 1 bedroom seems little .

 

[RobynPrincess]

Woohoo just booked 3 nights next month std view jambo