Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[disprincess2213]

Hello everyone! We are headed to AK in only 3 short weeks! Onour last stay January 2017, we were in the lobby ( I am pretty sure it was early evening/evening) and there was an awesome childrens activity in Jambo right where the entrance is. There was a wonderful AKL CM who sat the kids in a circle, shared fun facts about themselves, and chose favorite animals. They then got up and did a little parade around the Jambo lobby! We would LOVE for her to do this again but we dont know if its offered anymore? If anyone knows what Im talking about, is it still done, what is it called, and when is it offered?! Thank you!!

 

[Lehuaann]

I arrive in 2 weeks to celebrate my 30th birthday it’s going to be amazing!!

Random question but does the Mara have Pink Lemonade as one of the fountain drink options? It’s something I love when I’m in the US but I know not every resort does it.

I just checked for you and they do not. Not even in the coolers. Only Minute Maid lemonade.

 

[RachelTori]

Hello everyone! We are headed to AK in only 3 short weeks! Onour last stay January 2017, we were in the lobby ( I am pretty sure it was early evening/evening) and there was an awesome childrens activity in Jambo right where the entrance is. There was a wonderful AKL CM who sat the kids in a circle, shared fun facts about themselves, and chose favorite animals. They then got up and did a little parade around the Jambo lobby! We would LOVE for her to do this again but we dont know if its offered anymore? If anyone knows what Im talking about, is it still done, what is it called, and when is it offered?! Thank you!!

It’s called the “Primal Parade”. In February, it was scheduled for 8:15 pm daily, meet at Zawadi gift shop.

 

[anna0513]

Someone told me that they did a search for the best coffee in Disney World and they learned that it was right in Jambo House lobby. Does anyone know if there is a coffee cart in the lobby and if so what type of coffee they offer?

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

We (2 adults) are spending our final day in AKL (that time may increase, but for now it is just our final night) and since it is where I would have liked to stay for the trip if I wasn’t juggling other family/friends and their opinion, I want to make the most of it. We have a savannah view room.

My plan is to arrive close to check in, do Jiko for dinner and then the night safari. In the morning I’m going to set my alarm and watch the sunrise either from our balcony or one of the viewing areas. We will have breakfast at Boma before we head to the airport.

What else is worth doing, to make the most of the hotel? We will have been at WDW for 4 weeks at this point, so the hotel is our destination for the last 24 hours of our time, and I love animals.

 

[StrwLady]

We will be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the first time in May. We have a standard view. Can anyone suggest a good area to request. Also where are the laundry rooms located. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Shellyb84]

We are officially coming back to AKL this summer! June 22 - 26. We will be doing a split stay - 1 night Pop/4 nights AKL/9 nights BC. We've booked a standard room so I'm really hoping for a partial savanna view. Now to spend the next 72 days dreaming of being by the pool (with a rum runner in hand)!

 

[Natalia0621]

I will be staying here Sept 18-21. Trying to grab one extra day though. I am a solo traveler. I was able to get a standard room. I am so excited.

 

[gillep]

Someone told me that they did a search for the best coffee in Disney World and they learned that it was right in Jambo House lobby. Does anyone know if there is a coffee cart in the lobby and if so what type of coffee they offer?

I have never seen coffee in the lobby, but The Mara has pressed pot coffee that is delicious and much better than the generic coffee served.

 

[Tomed27]

I just checked for you and they do not. Not even in the coolers. Only Minute Maid lemonade.

Thank you for checking.

 

[momto4obkids]

Hello! I just booked a standard view for 2 nights of our trip! We are doing a split stay with CSR. First time staying at either resort.

I am second guessing when exactly to go from CSR to AKL though. We are going July 4th to 10th and I have AKL booked the 4th through the 6th then CSR for the 6th to 10th.

I am thinking I might switch AKL to the end of our stay? I think we would get more time at AKL if I did that, we will be exhausted by then and want some more resort time for the end of our trip. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[Shellyb84]

Hello! I just booked a standard view for 2 nights of our trip! We are doing a split stay with CSR. First time staying at either resort.

I am second guessing when exactly to go from CSR to AKL though. We are going July 4th to 10th and I have AKL booked the 4th through the 6th then CSR for the 6th to 10th.

I am thinking I might switch AKL to the end of our stay? I think we would get more time at AKL if I did that, we will be exhausted by then and want some more resort time for the end of our trip. Any advice? Thanks!

I'm a big fan of split stays, but I think it's a good idea if going from a value/mod to deluxe to have the deluxe stay at the end. Especially if you're going to have more resort time then. While CSR is our favorite mod and a great resort, it's still a moderate and may feel like a bit of a down grade.

 

[pepperandchips]

Is there a way to get the bread service from Sanaa without having an ADR OR eating a whole meal?

Yes, the Sanaa bar/lounge area has the bread service, I believe that it only lists the smaller number of dips but over the years I have yet to see a report of them denying the one with all of the different dips.

The lounge serves the full restaurant menu during restaurant operating hours (last call for kitchen on full menu is usually around 9:30 pm). The lounge also serves additional small plates until midnight (samosa, lamb kefta skewers, salad sampler, etc). We had the full bread service with all breads and all dips after the kitchen was closed on Sunday night (April 8)

 

[Flossbolna]

We (2 adults) are spending our final day in AKL (that time may increase, but for now it is just our final night) and since it is where I would have liked to stay for the trip if I wasn’t juggling other family/friends and their opinion, I want to make the most of it. We have a savannah view room.

My plan is to arrive close to check in, do Jiko for dinner and then the night safari. In the morning I’m going to set my alarm and watch the sunrise either from our balcony or one of the viewing areas. We will have breakfast at Boma before we head to the airport.

What else is worth doing, to make the most of the hotel? We will have been at WDW for 4 weeks at this point, so the hotel is our destination for the last 24 hours of our time, and I love animals.

Have a look at the activity schedule. I like the culinary tour at Jiko/Boma (usually in the afternoon), we once did a guided tour of the design of Kidani. There are plenty of events. I also really love the Jambo House pool. Make sure to tour the different viewing areas over the savannas.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

Have a look at the activity schedule. I like the culinary tour at Jiko/Boma (usually in the afternoon), we once did a guided tour of the design of Kidani. There are plenty of events. I also really love the Jambo House pool. Make sure to tour the different viewing areas over the savannas.

The culinary tour sounds really fun, and I will definitely check the activity schedule, and also make time to explore the resort. Thank you!

 

[kimmar067]

Someone told me that they did a search for the best coffee in Disney World and they learned that it was right in Jambo House lobby. Does anyone know if there is a coffee cart in the lobby and if so what type of coffee they offer?

....unlike the Poly, there is no 'cart' or coffee bar' in the AKL lobby. However, if you go downstairs to the 1st floor, visit the Mara - their coffee is terrific!

 

[kimmar067]

I'm a big fan of split stays, but I think it's a good idea if going from a value/mod to deluxe to have the deluxe stay at the end. Especially if you're going to have more resort time then....

ITA

 

[kimmar067]

We will be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the first time in May. We have a standard view. Can anyone suggest a good area to request. Also where are the laundry rooms located. Thanks in advance for your help.

...since you want to be near the laundry room, I suggest Zebra Trail....

 

[kimmar067]

We (2 adults) are spending our final day in AKL (that time may increase, but for now it is just our final night) and since it is where I would have liked to stay for the trip if I wasn’t juggling other family/friends and their opinion, I want to make the most of it. We have a savannah view room.

My plan is to arrive close to check in, do Jiko for dinner and then the night safari. In the morning I’m going to set my alarm and watch the sunrise either from our balcony or one of the viewing areas. We will have breakfast at Boma before we head to the airport.

What else is worth doing, to make the most of the hotel? We will have been at WDW for 4 weeks at this point, so the hotel is our destination for the last 24 hours of our time, and I love animals.

....if you have enough time between dinner and the night safari, go past the far left corner, past the pool area, where the CMs have night-vision googles to view the animals...BTW, thumbs up on both eateries!

 

[BebopBaloo]

How often does the van run between Jambo and Kidani lobbies? Just back and forth, or only at certain times of the day? Is there more than one?