Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[leholcomb]

Hello all! I have rented DVC points for a special trip coming up in 3 weeks. How can I tell if we have a dedicated 2BR or a lock off?

Thanks!

 

[TheHulamuffins]

A couple of things I forgot to mention to monica9: I really like the showers in the master bath at AKL. They are larger than the ones in the villa where we stayed at WL. One major benefit of WL villas: The distances down the hall are much shorter than at AKL. The last time we were at AKL (at Kidani) we had a room that was beyond the last elevator to the parking lot. It was a very loooonnnnng way down the hall. I think the room might have been in Alabama.

In response to a couple of earlier concerns: We have seen many animals during stays in December and January. I don't think the pool noise will bother guests. The heavy partying crowd tends to pick a different resort (at least so far that has been true--we have some relatives in that category and they prefer other locations).

 

[Miss Whimsy]

Thank you @TheHulamuffins !!

 

[monica9]

Hi monica9,

Of the deluxe resorts, we have only stayed at WL and AKL, though our daughter has stayed at BC also. The lobby at Jambo House is stunning--I believe it is by the same architect who designed the lobby at WL, but it is on a slightly grander scale. The viewing areas and the fire pit are quite nice. I like the zero-entry pool at Jambo. The pool at Kidani has a kid's play area with cute water-park features. For myself, I prefer Boma, Jiko, and Sanaa to the restaurants at WL by a slight margin (though service by M. T. Wallet was often a highlight of our breakfast at WL). It's quite convenient to stay at AKL to access Pandora and the Rivers of Light nighttime water parade at AK, though it's a bit of a trip to the other park areas. One feature of AKL that I really appreciate when traveling with family: there are two-bedroom villas with three bathrooms. This gets us into the parks about 30 minutes earlier than would be possible otherwise (maybe even faster). But basically we chose AKL as our home resort because of the animals.

On our most recent trip, we stayed at AKL part of the time and at WL the rest of the time (DVC accommodations both times). I always enjoy the geyser and the walk through the woods to the boat launch. The availability of boat service to the Magic Kingdom is a major plus for WL. The rooms in the Villas are updated and charming. (I actually took a picture of the park-like water faucets--great detail!). I haven't seen the insides of the new cabins along the water, but from the pictures, they look very attractive.

If you like the ambience at WL, I think you will enjoy AKL a lot. I suspect that these resorts have some of the highest level of "guest overlap" at WDW--that is, there are people who stay at both of them, and not so much in the other resorts.

Just my observation, and perhaps not everyone's view: The guests staying at WL are a little more "techno-nerds enjoying the resemblance to a national park" than the guests at AKL. As a techno-nerd myself, I feel a little more at home at WL, actually.

Thank you for the thorough reply. You’re right, a lot of people I spread to that have been to akl have also been to wl

 

[sndral]

I have a few questions but don't get me wrong, I've eaten at Boma so I've been to the resort before and therefore I have picked this resort for more reason's than that it's the cheaper of the deluxes. But I'm curious and want to get other's thoughts.
When the promotions came out I was already booked rack rate at AKL and I couldn't get a promotion but of course I still looked at other resorts but I told myself I was 99% sure I wouldn't switch (unless it was a room at Poly) and I didn't so I really really want to try this resort out.
My question's for those that have stayed AKL before and have stayed other deluxes, truthfully, is this your favorite resort and if so why? Where else have you stayed?
We are staying AKL for first time in 56 days. We have stayed at CBR and CSR and think the moderates are just too big for us. We've stayed BC a couple times and WL and my husband loves BC because of the location. Can't really get better than that. I love WL for location and theme. That's why I think I will like AKL since it's similar to WL with it's rustic theme.
If you take the animal part our of AKL, would you still love it? We are doing standard so not sure we will experience what others experience.
I know a lot of people say they feel like they are away from everything when they go there and it's like another vacation when they get back to the resort. But for me, I personally love being in the Disney theme all week long. I don't necessarily want to feel so far away that it doesn't feel Disney anymore.
I'm babbling but my question's are:
Where have you stayed besides AKL and why is it your favorite?

Of the deluxe's I've stayed at - my order of preference:
GF - because I just love the GF w/ it's soaring lobby and understated elegance and serene vibe. I like being able to hop onto the monorail to/from MK (except at closing when it's overwhelmed w/ the masses going to parking) or hop on the boat to/from MK (love boat rides!)
YC - because Epcot is my favorite park & nothing beats the IG and I can ride a boat to DHS/Epcot (did I mention I love boat rides?) Note, BC isn't particularly attractive to me as I want a full balcony & it's too hectic compared to YC. Plus YC gets the buses first so more chance of snagging a seat.
AKL - because I'm an animal geek and adore sitting on my balcony watching the animals, I love soaring ceilings such as that in AKL's Jambo house (wish they had a boat ride to somewhere...anywhere - am hoping they'll get gondolas some day)
BW - I like the closeness to the IG into Epcot, but given a choice I'll go YC every time. BW is a bit too hectic for me, I dislike the horribly long hallways w/ only 1 central bank of elevators, I don't like that you must go up a set of stairs from the Epcot direction to get into the lobby, and that you have to hike up a small hill from the bus stop up to the resort which is tiring after a day of walking in the parks. I'm also not excited about the theme @ BW although I'm ok w/ the clown pool unlike some. On the plus side it's close to Epcot, most rooms/villas have a nice view & balcony & you can ride a boat to DHS/Epcot.
Poly - old & show's it's age, too many rooms face parking lots in a bad way & too many rooms don't have balconies, to get to the lobby from the rooms you must go outside, and it's underwhelming especially after they removed the waterfall and it's always jammed w/ crowds so you have to jostle/compete w/ the day trippers to use your own lobby plus in the past they haven't adequately policed pool use so you're competing w/ interlopers just to use your own resort's pool or to use the beach to view fireworks etc.. On the plus side, once you fight the crowds to get on the monorail it's a short hop to MK, you can walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail, Captain Cooks CS is very good, there's a boat to MK and I love the landscaping of the grounds.
There you have it, we bought DVC points at AKV a couple of years ago, so we are there quite a bit these days, but of the deluxe resorts I've stayed at the only one I wouldn't go back to is the Poly - which has a cadre of very loyal fans so I doubt that the Poly misses me

 

[vicarrieous]

I booked our first stay for AKL in January. It is a standard room but I see that may include bunkbeds which I think my 7 & 4 year old boys would love. How frequent are these rooms?

 

[DISfirstTimer]

I just upgraded from POP to AKL for our 1st Disney Vacation!! I'm reading up on dining at AKL. Is breakfast at Sanaa a QS credit?

 

[DizDaD7]

Just booked our first ever stay at AKL for April 2018! We're so excited and I can't wait to take in all the great info on this thread!

Congrats!!

 

[DizDaD7]

Surprising my Husband with a 2nd anniversary trip to AKL in 10 days! He thinks we are staying at POP....boy will he be in for a shock

What an AWESOME WIFE!!!! He will be psyched I'm sure.

 

[DizDaD7]

I have a few questions but don't get me wrong, I've eaten at Boma so I've been to the resort before and therefore I have picked this resort for more reason's than that it's the cheaper of the deluxes. But I'm curious and want to get other's thoughts.
When the promotions came out I was already booked rack rate at AKL and I couldn't get a promotion but of course I still looked at other resorts but I told myself I was 99% sure I wouldn't switch (unless it was a room at Poly) and I didn't so I really really want to try this resort out.
My question's for those that have stayed AKL before and have stayed other deluxes, truthfully, is this your favorite resort and if so why? Where else have you stayed?
We are staying AKL for first time in 56 days. We have stayed at CBR and CSR and think the moderates are just too big for us. We've stayed BC a couple times and WL and my husband loves BC because of the location. Can't really get better than that. I love WL for location and theme. That's why I think I will like AKL since it's similar to WL with it's rustic theme.
If you take the animal part our of AKL, would you still love it? We are doing standard so not sure we will experience what others experience.
I know a lot of people say they feel like they are away from everything when they go there and it's like another vacation when they get back to the resort. But for me, I personally love being in the Disney theme all week long. I don't necessarily want to feel so far away that it doesn't feel Disney anymore.
I'm babbling but my question's are:
Where have you stayed besides AKL and why is it your favorite?

OK 1st off....Scratch the idea that it's sooo far away....It's a mere 20 min. ride which is an actually pleasant break from the parks....Remember this though, it's sooo close to AKL, and fairly close to EP & HS.

I've stayed at SSR, BWV GFV & briefly at BCV so maybe not as much as others but here's my view.

True , with the 2 EPCOT resorts, location is undeniable, where you can just get up & walk to anything . Mainly the 2 parks...And both of those 2 have great pool areas as well. & restaurants. GFV which we just tried, really stepped it up a notch, so I'd say this surpassed what I was expecting & therefore passing AKL/V IMHO. But only ever so slightly.

Jambo, just has that WoW factor when you walk in...You're immediately submersed in the culture / architecture here. One of the best Lobby's ( and opening statement to any trip ) Kidani is equally impressive just more subdued...

The fact that it's further away, means you actually get a vacation from a vacation. (If that makes any sense.) And you get to come back and eat at 3 of the top 10 TS (IMHO) here, and the Mara in it's own right mind is excellent as well...@ unique awesome pools, some of the best/knowledgable/eager CM's out of any on property. There's plenty to do & see at this place on resort days as well.

SSR Is nice ( Not a fan of outside corridors ) & is spread out, but is very close to DS which is nice.... Not very much to say..But remember it's Disney, How bad can Bad really be...Right?

 

[monica9]

OK 1st off....Scratch the idea that it's sooo far away....It's a mere 20 min. ride which is an actually pleasant break from the parks....Remember this though, it's sooo close to AKL, and fairly close to EP & HS.

I've stayed at SSR, BWV GFV & briefly at BCV so maybe not as much as others but here's my view.

True , with the 2 EPCOT resorts, location is undeniable, where you can just get up & walk to anything . Mainly the 2 parks...And both of those 2 have great pool areas as well. & restaurants. GFV which we just tried, really stepped it up a notch, so I'd say this surpassed what I was expecting & therefore passing AKL/V IMHO. But only ever so slightly.

Jambo, just has that WoW factor when you walk in...You're immediately submersed in the culture / architecture here. One of the best Lobby's ( and opening statement to any trip ) Kidani is equally impressive just more subdued...

The fact that it's further away, means you actually get a vacation from a vacation. (If that makes any sense.) And you get to come back and eat at 3 of the top 10 TS (IMHO) here, and the Mara in it's own right mind is excellent as well...@ unique awesome pools, some of the best/knowledgable/eager CM's out of any on property. There's plenty to do & see at this place on resort days as well.

SSR Is nice ( Not a fan of outside corridors ) & is spread out, but is very close to DS which is nice.... Not very much to say..But remember it's Disney, How bad can Bad really be...Right?

Very true. Thank you for your view. Now how did gf surpass expectations? Just wondering because I’m assuming they save the best of the best staff for that resort as it’s their most exquisite resort

 

[monica9]

Of the deluxe's I've stayed at - my order of preference:
GF - because I just love the GF w/ it's soaring lobby and understated elegance and serene vibe. I like being able to hop onto the monorail to/from MK (except at closing when it's overwhelmed w/ the masses going to parking) or hop on the boat to/from MK (love boat rides!)
YC - because Epcot is my favorite park & nothing beats the IG and I can ride a boat to DHS/Epcot (did I mention I love boat rides?) Note, BC isn't particularly attractive to me as I want a full balcony & it's too hectic compared to YC. Plus YC gets the buses first so more chance of snagging a seat.
AKL - because I'm an animal geek and adore sitting on my balcony watching the animals, I love soaring ceilings such as that in AKL's Jambo house (wish they had a boat ride to somewhere...anywhere - am hoping they'll get gondolas some day)
BW - I like the closeness to the IG into Epcot, but given a choice I'll go YC every time. BW is a bit too hectic for me, I dislike the horribly long hallways w/ only 1 central bank of elevators, I don't like that you must go up a set of stairs from the Epcot direction to get into the lobby, and that you have to hike up a small hill from the bus stop up to the resort which is tiring after a day of walking in the parks. I'm also not excited about the theme @ BW although I'm ok w/ the clown pool unlike some. On the plus side it's close to Epcot, most rooms/villas have a nice view & balcony & you can ride a boat to DHS/Epcot.
Poly - old & show's it's age, too many rooms face parking lots in a bad way & too many rooms don't have balconies, to get to the lobby from the rooms you must go outside, and it's underwhelming especially after they removed the waterfall and it's always jammed w/ crowds so you have to jostle/compete w/ the day trippers to use your own lobby plus in the past they haven't adequately policed pool use so you're competing w/ interlopers just to use your own resort's pool or to use the beach to view fireworks etc.. On the plus side, once you fight the crowds to get on the monorail it's a short hop to MK, you can walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail, Captain Cooks CS is very good, there's a boat to MK and I love the landscaping of the grounds.
There you have it, we bought DVC points at AKV a couple of years ago, so we are there quite a bit these days, but of the deluxe resorts I've stayed at the only one I wouldn't go back to is the Poly - which has a cadre of very loyal fans so I doubt that the Poly misses me

Thank you for your post. I totally get how you feel about poly. It makes total sense. Over crowded with all of the other resort guests mostly due to ohana. When I was young they only had the three resorts and we stayed every year at contemporary so when we visited poly I was awestruck in the theme and vowed to stay there one time in my life. That’s why it’s in my bucket list but it does seem a bit outdated and not worth the price yet for us to stay

 

[monica9]

I booked our first stay for AKL in January. It is a standard room but I see that may include bunkbeds which I think my 7 & 4 year old boys would love. How frequent are these rooms?

I’m not sure of the frequency but I’d definitely put that as a first request

 

[monica9]

Where Can I find the resort activities for November? Are they up yet?

 

[dansdad]

Where Can I find the resort activities for November? Are they up yet?

Not until November 2nd or 3rd.

 

[Monorail_Man_NJ]

Whats the consensus on the best Savanna? Arusha, Sunset or Uzima?

Since online checkin wasnt working I asked the cast member to request Zebra trail / Arusha savanna view on my reservation. She tried to talk me into Sunset Savanna instead. So that made me unsure which wing to chose. Kudu or Zebra.

 

[Lvsdisney]

Hello all! I have rented DVC points for a special trip coming up in 3 weeks. How can I tell if we have a dedicated 2BR or a lock off?

Thanks!

I believe it's a booking category. If it doesn't indicate on your MDE, I would ask the company/person you rented from.

 

[MainMom]

I have a few questions but don't get me wrong, I've eaten at Boma so I've been to the resort before and therefore I have picked this resort for more reason's than that it's the cheaper of the deluxes. But I'm curious and want to get other's thoughts.
When the promotions came out I was already booked rack rate at AKL and I couldn't get a promotion but of course I still looked at other resorts but I told myself I was 99% sure I wouldn't switch (unless it was a room at Poly) and I didn't so I really really want to try this resort out.
My question's for those that have stayed AKL before and have stayed other deluxes, truthfully, is this your favorite resort and if so why? Where else have you stayed?
We are staying AKL for first time in 56 days. We have stayed at CBR and CSR and think the moderates are just too big for us. We've stayed BC a couple times and WL and my husband loves BC because of the location. Can't really get better than that. I love WL for location and theme. That's why I think I will like AKL since it's similar to WL with it's rustic theme.
If you take the animal part our of AKL, would you still love it? We are doing standard so not sure we will experience what others experience.
I know a lot of people say they feel like they are away from everything when they go there and it's like another vacation when they get back to the resort. But for me, I personally love being in the Disney theme all week long. I don't necessarily want to feel so far away that it doesn't feel Disney anymore.
I'm babbling but my question's are:
Where have you stayed besides AKL and why is it your favorite?

I will admit that AKL is not our favorite resort ONLY because of location. We prefer the Boardwalk area resorts for that reason. However, we love everything else about the resort especially the pool at Jambo. It is our favorite. We have chosen AKL for this trip due to availability with the Visa discount. However, if something with a good price came up at YC I would switch it out in a heartbeat.

All that being said, we are looking forward to AKL and know that we will have a good time. It truly is a relaxing resort.

 

[bwbuddy5]

I keep reading about location being the only bad thing about AKL, but isn't it only about 20-25 minutes longer on the bus? In the grand scheme of the vacation, I don't see how that would bother me much.

 

[dansdad]

I keep reading about location being the only bad thing about AKL, but isn't it only about 20-25 minutes longer on the bus? In the grand scheme of the vacation, I don't see how that would bother me much.

Not 25 minutes longer, 25 minutes total from AKL to MK. So about 10 minutes longer to MK from any of the monorail resorts.