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

[thanxfornoticin]

Hi! I am planning to visit AKL during end of June for a couple hours with a young kid who still naps. I haven't visited AKL yet and would like to seek some advice from you owners. Questions:

Would the heat make it very hard to see animals? Or should I go to the Animal Kingdom park instead?
Also, any other recommended activities?
In terms of transportation, is there a way to park there other than making a dining reservation?

I expect the animals at both the Lodge and the AK will react similarly if it's hot - they'll be lounging in a cool spot and not moving that much! As for driving to AKL and parking? That's hit or miss. If the AKL is full, it is very possible they will not allow you to enter to park. Over the past several years when we've stayed there, there's been a sign at the security shed saying no entry without a room or dining reservation. However, when we stayed there in March, the sign was not there, so perhaps they're a bit more lenient.

If you can get in to park, I'd recommend parking at Jambo House and walking up to the main lobby. Out the back is a beautiful animal viewing area. They also have several observation decks off the lobby. And don't forget Zawadi - the gift shop - it's unique!

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

I expect the animals at both the Lodge and the AK will react similarly if it's hot - they'll be lounging in a cool spot and not moving that much! As for driving to AKL and parking? That's hit or miss. If the AKL is full, it is very possible they will not allow you to enter to park. Over the past several years when we've stayed there, there's been a sign at the security shed saying no entry without a room or dining reservation. However, when we stayed there in March, the sign was not there, so perhaps they're a bit more lenient.

If you can get in to park, I'd recommend parking at Jambo House and walking up to the main lobby. Out the back is a beautiful animal viewing area. They also have several observation decks off the lobby. And don't forget Zawadi - the gift shop - it's unique!

Thank you! I am leaning towards AKL over AK since there must be more shades when I need them. I guess I will make a dining reservation to secure a parking spot as well as to enjoy the food there.

 

[takemetomickey]

We will be visiting AKV early next year and I could use some advice. I have never stayed here, only visited. We will have three young kids with us and we are booking on points. Grandparents are joining at some point too and prefer booking through Disney (they don’t have Dvc).

Should I reserve Jambo or Kidani for my immediate family? I assume Jambo is all that the grandparents can book through Disney? FIL has trouble with his feet and I have heard Kidani can be a very long walk from your car. We don’t need/want to be right next door to them, just nearby.

Is there a Kidani ‘preferred’ option that will give the proximity closer to Jambo? Can I use the Kidani pool if I’m at Jambo or is that too far to enjoy?

3 kids, including 1 in a crib, leaning toward a studio bc it’s only a few days and it’s the last time we can do a studio here (as my little one will be out of the crib by our next trip). We would get Savannah view. Would prefer a newly redone room.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We will be visiting AKV early next year and I could use some advice. I have never stayed here, only visited. We will have three young kids with us and we are booking on points. Grandparents are joining at some point too and prefer booking through Disney (they don’t have Dvc).

Should I reserve Jambo or Kidani for my immediate family? I assume Jambo is all that the grandparents can book through Disney? FIL has trouble with his feet and I have heard Kidani can be a very long walk from your car. We don’t need/want to be right next door to them, just nearby.

Is there a Kidani ‘preferred’ option that will give the proximity closer to Jambo? Can I use the Kidani pool if I’m at Jambo or is that too far to enjoy?

3 kids, including 1 in a crib, leaning toward a studio bc it’s only a few days and it’s the last time we can do a studio here (as my little one will be out of the crib by our next trip). We would get Savannah view. Would prefer a newly redone room.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I'll take a shot at your questions with some experience and some opinions.

If half your group is booking a cash room, I'd probably recommend Jambo. Although, DVC rooms are on floors 5 and 6 I believe at Jambo, cash rooms on the rest of the floors - so you're probably not going to be on the same floor. But your grandparents can actually book Kidani rooms through Disney - I'm just not sure of which rooms or how expensive (but they can check on the web site).

If you're going early next year, your chances of getting a refurbed room are much better at Kidani, as that refurb seems to be starting in October and will continue until done, and then move over to Jambo, probably next spring.

Kidani can lead to some longer walks, but is actually much better for parking - you can park under the resort and use one of 4 elevators to get to your room. Jambo parking can be much farther to park and walk. We personally prefer Kidani, but always request the 2 sections closest to Jambo, Timone or Zazu sections. Timone might be the best section for you - closer to Jambo but not too far from the main lobby and the Kidani pool. The Pumba and Rafiki sections are farther away from Jambo.

Hope some of this info helps. You can enjoy either pool while staying there. If you're not interested in walking between Jambo and Kidani, there is a courtesy van that runs frequently (several times per hour) that will transport you back and forth.

Have a great trip - sounds fun. And AKL is our favorite resort anywhere - it's amazing and i hope you enjoy the time there!

 

[heynowirv]

Popping in to tell the AKV owners what an amazing resort you have! We just returned from staying in a 2 BR at Kidani. It was a last minute reservation and a property my family never would have selected. It was a wonderful 4 night trip. The Kidani pool is amazing, CMs were wonderful and really a relaxing trip. In terms of refurbishment, I didn’t find the rooms in desperate need like BLT. We left saying we need points at AKV!

CMs implemented wristbands at the pool. Pleasantly surprised to find chairs mid-day. This desperately needs to be implemented throughout all resorts, especially GF.

Wristbands? Could you please explain why?

 

[Girlstar30]

We will be visiting AKV early next year and I could use some advice. I have never stayed here, only visited. We will have three young kids with us and we are booking on points. Grandparents are joining at some point too and prefer booking through Disney (they don’t have Dvc).

Should I reserve Jambo or Kidani for my immediate family? I assume Jambo is all that the grandparents can book through Disney? FIL has trouble with his feet and I have heard Kidani can be a very long walk from your car. We don’t need/want to be right next door to them, just nearby.

Is there a Kidani ‘preferred’ option that will give the proximity closer to Jambo? Can I use the Kidani pool if I’m at Jambo or is that too far to enjoy?

3 kids, including 1 in a crib, leaning toward a studio bc it’s only a few days and it’s the last time we can do a studio here (as my little one will be out of the crib by our next trip). We would get Savannah view. Would prefer a newly redone room.

Thanks in advance for your help!

That's a tough one because Kidani pool seems to be favored for young children, but all of the restaurants and nice lobby and merch store is at Jambo.

Like other poster said you're most likely not going to get a refurbished room at Jambo early next year as Kidanis refurbishment is first and the property is large.

You can use the pool at both no matter where you stay, there is a shuttle that will take you.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Wristbands? Could you please explain why?

There are reports, like this one, that Disney is implementing a scan and wristband system for some of the pools (like they've always done at Stormalong Bay at YC/BC), mostly because of people not staying at the resort but spending time at those pools. If you're a resort guest, you get a wristband to enjoy the pool.... Not clear if it's happening all the time now, or just during the hot weather.

 

[muppets3d]

Hi! I am planning to visit AKL during end of June for a couple hours with a young kid who still naps. I haven't visited AKL yet and would like to seek some advice from you owners. Questions:

Would the heat make it very hard to see animals? Or should I go to the Animal Kingdom park instead?
Also, any other recommended activities?
In terms of transportation, is there a way to park there other than making a dining reservation?

The animals are most active in the morning and late afternoon when they are fed. But you can often see animals at any time of the day, just not as many.

You can go around and talk to the cultural exchange cast members (they have nice edutainment programs and give away beads/necklaces etc), and visit the activity room to complete a coloring page or something, but there isn't much else you can do without being a guest. Sometimes there are characters like Daisy and Chip and Dale in the lobby of Jambo House during the mid afternoon like 3-4PM but nothing like that is guaranteed.

As far as parking, generally they allow guests to park at the resort for free but sometimes they do clamp down and only let hotel guests or dining guests park. So have a plan in case you are turned away (I've never been turned away at AKL).

 

[heynowirv]

There are reports, like this one, that Disney is implementing a scan and wristband system for some of the pools (like they've always done at Stormalong Bay at YC/BC), mostly because of people not staying at the resort but spending time at those pools. If you're a resort guest, you get a wristband to enjoy the pool.... Not clear if it's happening all the time now, or just during the hot weather.

That was my guess as well I was just looking for confirmation.pool hoping it's truly a thing of the past

 

[thanxfornoticin]

That was my guess as well I was just looking for confirmation.pool hoping it's truly a thing of the past

Yea, that's been gone quite a while now, and isn't likely to return.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

There are reports, like this one, that Disney is implementing a scan and wristband system for some of the pools (like they've always done at Stormalong Bay at YC/BC), mostly because of people not staying at the resort but spending time at those pools. If you're a resort guest, you get a wristband to enjoy the pool.... Not clear if it's happening all the time now, or just during the hot weather.

Have they been doing this after Memorial Day? It really should be done all of the time. There are a lot of people who try to use Deluxe feature pools that aren’t staying at the resort. Makes getting a chair a total nightmare.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Have they been doing this after Memorial Day? It really should be done all of the time. There are a lot of people who try to use Deluxe feature pools that aren’t staying at the resort. Makes getting a chair a total nightmare.

I have no first-hand experience with the wrist bands, so I can't actually answer your question. But there are a couple threads out here talking about some of the pools other than SAB (which of course is currently closed, but had required proof of being a guest for many years now) having guests prove they are staying at the resort and giving out wrist bands. I have no issue with the requirement of proving you are a guest with a quick MB scan or MDE app scan, and then being issued a wrist band. People staying at the resorts should not be fighting for chairs with people squatting from other resorts or even local neighborhoods.

 

[Girlstar30]

I have no first-hand experience with the wrist bands, so I can't actually answer your question. But there are a couple threads out here talking about some of the pools other than SAB (which of course is currently closed, but had required proof of being a guest for many years now) having guests prove they are staying at the resort and giving out wrist bands. I have no issue with the requirement of proving you are a guest with a quick MB scan or MDE app scan, and then being issued a wrist band. People staying at the resorts should not be fighting for chairs with people squatting from other resorts or even local neighborhoods.

Although i hate wristbands, I agree that the pros outweigh the cons. I haven't had experience with a busy pool yet but I can only imagine.