Tips on a Day Visit to AKL

[ginny65]

We might take a mid-day break from AK and go to AKL for lunch. Any tips on what to view while we are there? We've never stayed there before, so this is our first visit. We thought we might eat lunch at the pool bar if there are shaded tables. Otherwise what restaurant inside would have a nice window view?

 

[tobikaye]

The only restaurant with a view is Sanaa.

Check out the various savannahs and the lobby if you visit AKL. Also, chat with the various CMs.

 

[DisBuckMan]

The only restaurant at AKL with a "window" view of the animals is Sanaa, which is a TS restaurant. And, quite frankly, only a few of the tables there are window tables. It would almost be a pure stroke of luck to get one.

None of the other restaurants have any kind of desired view. The Mara has somewhat of a view of the pool, but nothing to get excited about at all. Jiko and Boma also have limited pool views, but neither are open for lunch.

There are some good public viewing areas at both Jambo and Kidani for animal viewing maybe after your meal.

 

[Meg5348]

We loved Sanaa on our trip a two weekend ago! If you don’t get a table with a view, the savanna overlook is right next to the restaurant. Both pool bars have shaded areas. We ate at both on our trip as well m

 

[Deb & Bill]

Isn't the pool bar inside the gated area at Jambo House? I'm trying to remember. If it is, unless you are staying there, you won't be permitted into the pool bar area.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Non-AKL guests can visit the Uzima Springs pool bar, but the pool is for AKL guests only.

I think (but could be mistaken) that non-guests have to access the backside of the US pool bar all the way at the end of the walkway past the arcade. I don't believe there is much (if any) view of the pool from there.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Non-AKL guests can visit the Uzima Springs pool bar, but the pool is for AKL guests only.

I think (but could be mistaken) that non-guests have to access the backside of the US pool bar all the way at the end of the walkway past the arcade. I don't believe there is much (if any) view of the pool from there.

You are correct, non guests can get to the pool bar, in fact we were there this past march and to get into all the little sub sections of the pool at Jambo, you don't need a MB so there should be no issue getting into the pool bar.

 

[ginny65]

Okay. Thank you all. We weren't wanting to swim. Just check out the hotel and relax before heading back to the park. It's the only resort we haven't personally seen.

 

[happymommy]

To me, it's not worth leaving DAK to go to AKL for a visit. I'd relax at DAK personally. That being said, I've stayed at AKL and Kidani several times. Last two times, I was underwhelmed (last time, Kidani, we rented from an owner and even though it was super cheap like $300/night for a one bedroom 2 bathroom, I didn't quite care for it. There is no CS at Kidani, and it's a pain to get to Jambo House).

If you want to do so, I'd go to the Mara for a bite then walk around I guess. Not worth the bus ride to me though.

 

[Deb & Bill]

To me, it's not worth leaving DAK to go to AKL for a visit. I'd relax at DAK personally. That being said, I've stayed at AKL and Kidani several times. Last two times, I was underwhelmed (last time, Kidani, we rented from an owner and even though it was super cheap like $300/night for a one bedroom 2 bathroom, I didn't quite care for it. There is no CS at Kidani, and it's a pain to get to Jambo House).

If you want to do so, I'd go to the Mara for a bite then walk around I guess. Not worth the bus ride to me though.

It's about a ten minute walk from Kidani Village to Jambo House. Or you can ride the shuttle between the two. Both locations have really nice viewing areas where you can sit and watch the animals in Air conditioned luxury. Or you can watch them from the outdoor areas off the lobby.

 

[happymommy]

It's about a ten minute walk from Kidani Village to Jambo House. Or you can ride the shuttle between the two. Both locations have really nice viewing areas where you can sit and watch the animals in Air conditioned luxury. Or you can watch them from the outdoor areas off the lobby.

It was a pain staying at Kidani though. And the bus service sucked royally, so I won't stay there again at any cost (even though it was super cheap that trip).

If I were to visit I'd say to go to Jambo House. We had dinner there in 2003 which prompted me to take may first solo trip with my kids there (they were 4 and 6) that same year. Fun times, short 4 night trip. But we enjoy counter service so the Mara was good back then (last trip my oldest and husband liked the stew).

 

[Deb & Bill]

It was a pain staying at Kidani though. And the bus service sucked royally, so I won't stay there again at any cost (even though it was super cheap that trip).

If I were to visit I'd say to go to Jambo House. We had dinner there in 2003 which prompted me to take may first solo trip with my kids there (they were 4 and 6) that same year. Fun times, short 4 night trip. But we enjoy counter service so the Mara was good back then (last trip my oldest and husband liked the stew).

Every time we stayed at JH or KV, we didn't have any problems with the buses. It took about 13 minutes to get to Epcot from KV.

 

[Shanti]

I personally wouldn't bother going to AKL (or any resort) unless I was either staying there or had a dining reservation. It's a great place to stay, but is nothing spectacular just to visit.

 

[Marionnette]

We might take a mid-day break from AK and go to AKL for lunch. Any tips on what to view while we are there? We've never stayed there before, so this is our first visit. We thought we might eat lunch at the pool bar if there are shaded tables. Otherwise what restaurant inside would have a nice window view?

For the most part, the food at the pool bar is just your average fast food fare. Nothing special and not worthy of a special trip to AKL. Even with shade, I find the area near the pool bar to be a little warm and the air doesn't seem to circulate well.

However, if you go there with the mindset that you're there to relax and take in the atmosphere, there's nothing that beats sitting in a rocking chair on one of the viewing decks (I actually prefer Kidani's to Jambo's). If you can find a CM who is free to talk, they often have a lot that they can tell you about the resort and the animals that inhabit the savannas. I've stayed at a lot of the resorts and I have found the AKL CMs to be the friendliest that I've encountered.

 

[ginny65]

Thank you for all the information!

 

[Sue M]

The Mara has a nice shady outside seating area.

 

[sjrec]

We stayed at Kidani last week and didn’t have any issues with the bus service. We honestly did not wait longer than 5 minutes for any bus-

 

[MonorailNate]

It’s a beautiful resort to just walk around and explore. We have always enjoyed the food at the Mara for a QS meal.

 

[DisBuckMan]

We've always had as good or better bus service at AKL than at any other resort, and we stay there at least a couple of nights every trip. It's our son's favorite resort...a big reason we bought some points there.