Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[leebee]

I'M SO EXCITED!!! DH and I are taking our first vacation together in 24 years this summer. It's a 10 day vacation; 6 nights in Washington, DC and then off to Florida for 4 nights. This isn't a Disney trip- we are actually visiting a friend in Cocoa Beach for the last two nights, so we were going to stay in the Orlando area for the first 2 Florida nights. I got a killer rate at Fairfield Inn at Marriott Village, and we thought we'd bum around Disney Springs, with an ADR at California Grill for my birthday dinner (YES... I'll be there ON my birthday!!). Well, DH just got a summer contract for a stupid amount of money for 20 days of work, so guess what? NO Fairfield Inn, YES Animal Kingdom Lodge- Jambo House- SAVANNA VIEW!!! I rented DVC points so we will be staying in a DVC Deluxe Studio Savanna View for two nights, July 25-27, 2017, for my 61st birthday!! I love AKL- we hit Boma and/or Jiko on every Disney trip. I've wandered around the resort and have always dreamed of staying at AKL, but cannot justify the expense as we stay in the parks from morning until they throw us out at night, LOL. However, as we won't have park tickets this trip, and it's only 2 nights, we are going to spend our days enjoying AKL and the animals, and relaxing.

I have some questions: Does anyone have suggestions as to what savanna/trail I should be looking for? I really love giraffes!! I read somewhere that the DVC studios at Jambo actually have partial-views; is this true? I am NOT going to be happy if I have a partial view of the savanna!! In the room, will we have a fridge and coffeemaker? Anyone know what kind of coffeemaker (i.e., should I bring K-cups, filters/ground coffee, pods)? Are pool towels available? What kinds of "special activities" are available at AKL?

Can someone add my name to the AKL list for July 2017? This is really a dream come true; I am going to wake up in Animal Kingdom Lodge on my 61st birthday!!

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

I'M SO EXCITED!!! DH and I are taking our first vacation together in 24 years this summer. It's a 10 day vacation; 6 nights in Washington, DC and then off to Florida for 4 nights. This isn't a Disney trip- we are actually visiting a friend in Cocoa Beach for the last two nights, so we were going to stay in the Orlando area for the first 2 Florida nights. I got a killer rate at Fairfield Inn at Marriott Village, and we thought we'd bum around Disney Springs, with an ADR at California Grill for my birthday dinner (YES... I'll be there ON my birthday!!). Well, DH just got a summer contract for a stupid amount of money for 20 days of work, so guess what? NO Fairfield Inn, YES Animal Kingdom Lodge- Jambo House- SAVANNA VIEW!!! I rented DVC points so we will be staying in a DVC Deluxe Studio Savanna View for two nights, July 25-27, 2017, for my 61st birthday!! I love AKL- we hit Boma and/or Jiko on every Disney trip. I've wandered around the resort and have always dreamed of staying at AKL, but cannot justify the expense as we stay in the parks from morning until they throw us out at night, LOL. However, as we won't have park tickets this trip, and it's only 2 nights, we are going to spend our days enjoying AKL and the animals, and relaxing.

I have some questions: Does anyone have suggestions as to what savanna/trail I should be looking for? I really love giraffes!! I read somewhere that the DVC studios at Jambo actually have partial-views; is this true? I am NOT going to be happy if I have a partial view of the savanna!! In the room, will we have a fridge and coffeemaker? Anyone know what kind of coffeemaker (i.e., should I bring K-cups, filters/ground coffee, pods)? Are pool towels available? What kinds of "special activities" are available at AKL?

Can someone add my name to the AKL list for July 2017? This is really a dream come true; I am going to wake up in Animal Kingdom Lodge on my 61st birthday!!

I can't answer all of your questions because we've only stayed in the 1 bedroom villas, but there's a lot to do at the resort. You can do a tour and tastings at Boma and Jiko, movies by the pool, night time safari (for a fee), animal watching with night vision binoculars, ping pong, wine tasting (fee), dine with an animal specialist (fee), etc. Here's a good spot for finding the recreation possibilities:

http://www.kennythepirate.com/resor...animal-kingdom-lodge-resort-recreation-guide/

It's my understanding that the partial savanna views are in the standard villa view category. We only book standard and have had excellent partial views. I think with a savanna view category, you'll be fine. Of course, someone with more experience here should hopefully weigh in.


Enjoy your birthday!

 

[iona]

I have some questions: Does anyone have suggestions as to what savanna/trail I should be looking for? I really love giraffes!! I read somewhere that the DVC studios at Jambo actually have partial-views; is this true? I am NOT going to be happy if I have a partial view of the savanna!! In the room, will we have a fridge and coffeemaker? Anyone know what kind of coffeemaker (i.e., should I bring K-cups, filters/ground coffee, pods)? Are pool towels available? What kinds of "special activities" are available at AKL?

Congratulations and Happy Birthday for July!

We like Zebra Trail with a view of the Arusha Savannah - it's convenient for the pool, bar and restaraunts and we've had good giraffe sightings. There's no partial savannah views (if you've booked a savannah view studio) so hopefully that's good news.

There will be a fridge and coffeemaker in the room. We haven't used the coffeemaker but unless they've changed it recently you'll need filters & ground coffee.

There are plenty of pool towels available at the pool.

I'd second the recommendation for the free tour of Boma & Jiko in the afternoons and there's also (for a cost) wine tasting at Jikos on a Wednesday afternoon.

 

[summerlvr]

If budget was an issue, would you rather spend a week at AKL in a standard view, or do a split stay with another hotel and a savannah view?

I would spend a week at AKL in a standard view room. I just spent 5 nights there and my standard view room had a Savannah view because there was a "people pen" directly below me. Room number was 4528. It was in a sort of corner with a wing that jutted out perpendicular to where I was, so there was no privacy on the balcony but I didn't spend much time out there anyway.

 

[earfulofmagic]

I really love giraffes!! I read somewhere that the DVC studios at Jambo actually have partial-views; is this true?

Just to reiterate what someone above said - yeah, that's just the standard view category. You're all set in a savannah view as for where the giraffes are... I *thought* I'd read many times that giraffes are the only animal found on all three savannahs, but I could be wrong.

My house spouse and I are also going in November and getting ourselves (okay, it's just me ha) worked up over which side of Jambo to request -- but that's because I booked us in standard view. Angling for a partial savannah view

You could use this to do a room finder to get a feel for the kinds of views available: https://touringplans.com/hotel_maps/disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge

Hope your birthday is everything and more!! Be sure to let us know where your room ends up and any tips after you're back!

 

[leebee]

Congratulations and Happy Birthday for July! We like Zebra Trail with a view of the Arusha Savannah - it's convenient for the pool, bar and restaurants and we've had good giraffe sightings. There's no partial savannah views (if you've booked a savannah view studio) so hopefully that's good news. It is!! There will be a fridge and coffeemaker in the room. We haven't used the coffeemaker but unless they've changed it recently you'll need filters & ground coffee. There are plenty of pool towels available at the pool. I'd second the recommendation for the free tour of Boma & Jiko in the afternoons and there's also (for a cost) wine tasting at Jikos on a Wednesday afternoon.

Thanks for all the information! Boma is one of our favorite restaurants ANYWHERE so we'll definitely look into the tour. Also... my birthday is on Wednesday, so it looks like the wine tasting is on the schedule! WAHOO!!

Honestly, I never understood how people could go to Disney and not go to the theme parks. I never would have imagine I'd be planning a resort-only visit, but I am so psyched about this!!

 

[summerlvr]

Make sure you book the wine tasting in advance, it does sell out.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

It's been a few years since we stayed at AKL and will be staying Oct 30-Nov. 2. Had to be flexible due to military rates not available at other dates we wanted.

I was looking at the refurb pictures for the Yacht Club resort and noticed they now have the Keurig coffee machines. Do the rooms at AKL now have them? We have been bringing our Keurig mini, but if the rooms now include Keurig that would be awesome!

 

[brocktoon11]

We did not have a Keurig when we went in January.

 

[Momtwofour]

We did not have a Keurig when we went in January.

Are there regular coffee pots? I don't drink coffee but my mom does

 

[AngiTN]

Are there regular coffee pots? I don't drink coffee but my mom does

In what rooms? Regular or DVC? Regular is pod type. They provide them

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

We did not have a Keurig when we went in January.

Thanks. Guess I'll check back later in the year. It's a pain bringing my mini Keurig but better than the pods coffee makers.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

space for rent

 

[kimmar067]

I'M SO EXCITED!!! DH and I are taking our first vacation together in 24 years this summer. It's a 10 day vacation; 6 nights in Washington, DC and then off to Florida for 4 nights. This isn't a Disney trip- we are actually visiting a friend in Cocoa Beach for the last two nights, so we were going to stay in the Orlando area for the first 2 Florida nights. I got a killer rate at Fairfield Inn at Marriott Village, and we thought we'd bum around Disney Springs, with an ADR at California Grill for my birthday dinner (YES... I'll be there ON my birthday!!). Well, DH just got a summer contract for a stupid amount of money for 20 days of work, so guess what? NO Fairfield Inn, YES Animal Kingdom Lodge- Jambo House- SAVANNA VIEW!!! I rented DVC points so we will be staying in a DVC Deluxe Studio Savanna View for two nights, July 25-27, 2017, for my 61st birthday!! I love AKL- we hit Boma and/or Jiko on every Disney trip. I've wandered around the resort and have always dreamed of staying at AKL, but cannot justify the expense as we stay in the parks from morning until they throw us out at night, LOL. However, as we won't have park tickets this trip, and it's only 2 nights, we are going to spend our days enjoying AKL and the animals, and relaxing.

I have some questions: Does anyone have suggestions as to what savanna/trail I should be looking for? I really love giraffes!! I read somewhere that the DVC studios at Jambo actually have partial-views; is this true? I am NOT going to be happy if I have a partial view of the savanna!! In the room, will we have a fridge and coffeemaker? Anyone know what kind of coffeemaker (i.e., should I bring K-cups, filters/ground coffee, pods)? Are pool towels available? What kinds of "special activities" are available at AKL?

Can someone add my name to the AKL list for July 2017? This is really a dream come true; I am going to wake up in Animal Kingdom Lodge on my 61st birthday!

....GOOD for YOU! We've always had great luck viewing giraffes on Zebra Trail....

 

[kimmar067]

Are there regular coffee pots? I don't drink coffee but my mom does

....personally, I just found it way easier to go down the elevators at the beginning of Zebra Trail to make my way to the Mara every morning, using my refillable mug, but that's just me...

 

[kimmar067]

Honestly, I never understood how people could go to Disney and not go to the theme parks. I never would have imagine I'd be planning a resort-only visit, but I am so psyched about this!!

....that's the great thing about this unique resort....

 

[kimmar067]

I have a 6:40 Boma reservation on the same night as a 8pm Headless Horseman movie thing at Fort Wilderness campsites. Is this doable?

....I suppose it IS doable, but it's really cutting it kinda close.

 

[kimmar067]

Does anyone have thoughts on when Christmas decorations generally go up at AKL Jambo? We'll be there mid-November (before Thanksgiving), and while I'm game to see Christmas decor, it's our first time there and I'd love to see its "normal" appearance without the holiday garb!

....the Christmas decorations WILL be up...

 

[kimmar067]

Just a quickie -- is AKL walking distance to AK?

Thanks!

....it actually isn't too far. However, you will NOT be allowed to walk from AKL to AK, or vice-versa....

 

[Splashboat]

l What kinds of "special activities" are available at AKL?

Can someone add my name to the AKL list for July 2017? This is really a dream come true; I am going to wake up in Animal Kingdom Lodge on my 61st birthday!!





This is the current activity schedule. You can go to this site when you get into July for the current schedule but wait until it gets into mi-July or you will probably find June still up. Have fun.
http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/resorts/wdw/pdf/AKLCalendar.pdf