Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[sndral]

Thanks so much! This is exactly what I wanted to know. I was wavering between Kudu and Zebra, and this seals the deal. Word is that Zebra renovations are finished, so hopefully we also get a renovated room. Fingers crossed we get what we ask for!

Zebra trail is more convenient for access to the pool & Mara (the quick service restaurant) as well. Zebra trail Arusha savanna view is a popular request. I’ve been on Arusha, Uzima, and Sunset savannas and my favorite for animal viewing was Uzima savanna - but it was further down Zebra trail (beyond the pool view rooms) than many Arusha view rooms.

 

[stace1214]

Just back from our first stay at AKL Jambo House! It was sooooo amazing! We were the very first people to stay in our room on the Zebra trail after the refurbishment. It was gorgeous! We had booked a standard view and were hopeful for a bit of a savanna view and got it! We didn't see a ton of animals, but could see a few as well as the flamingo area. We had a partial pool view as well. We were the very last room on the wing, which was a little bit of a hike from the lobby, but a very short walk to pool and Mara. I can't say enough good things about our stay. The kids loved the activities and earning beads for each one they completed. One afternoon walking through the lobby Pooh, Tigger, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip and Dale walked in for photos! Tarzan came in too! Buses were great, we waited only a few minutes each time. I can't wait to go back!

 

[melissa723]

Here now at Kidani and we’re thoroughly enjoying our first stay at this beautiful resort.

Just a note about Touring Plan room requests, without knowing about the new request process I submitted my room view request on the website last week. The request was still not sent to Disney until 5 days before check in.

Once again it worked perfectly. The cast member at check in quoted the exact words of our Touring Plans request, lower floor/close to lobby, and she commented what a great room location it was! I’m pretty sure we are in the closest Savannah view studio to the lobby, on the 3rd floor.

We are also staying on rented DVC points. I’ve seen many people saying DVC room assigners don’t acknowledge Touring Plan requests, but we are 2 for 2 getting our requests for DVC stays. 1st year at the Poly and now at Kidani.

Did you also do online check-in as well? The only reason I ask is because we used Touring Plans for our BC trip in July and I’m wondering if our online check-in requests negated our Touring Plans request. We’re staying at Kidani in October and just want to be close to the lobby. Thinking I should clear my online check in now.

 

[meggers628]

Did you also do online check-in as well? The only reason I ask is because we used Touring Plans for our BC trip in July and I’m wondering if our online check-in requests negated our Touring Plans request. We’re staying at Kidani in October and just want to be close to the lobby. Thinking I should clear my online check in now.

I DID do online check in as well, and I was also worried it would negate my TP requests. On my online check-in I requested 1) close to lobby and 2) close to transportation. I was particularly worried about the transportation request, but it does seem like they used my TP request since the specifically mentioned me requesting a lower floor.

I’m sure luck plays into it. For my next trip I will not request anything via online check in just to be sure.

 

[CarolinaBlue99]

Just back from our first day at AKL Jambo House! It was sooooo amazing! We were the very first people to stay in our room on the Zebra trail after the refurbishment. It was gorgeous! We had booked a standard view and were hopeful for a bit of a savanna view and got it! We didn't see a ton of animals, but could see a few as well as the flamingo area. We had a partial pool view as well. We were the very last room on the wing, which was a little bit of a hike from the lobby, but a very short walk to pool and Mara. I can't say enough good things about our stay. The kids loved the activities and earning beads for each one they completed. One afternoon walking through the lobby Pooh, Tigger, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip and Dale walked in for photos! Tarzan came in too! Buses were great, we waited only a few minutes each time. I can't wait to go back!

Awesome! Does it look like all Zebra room renovations are completed? Just wondering since a few weeks ago word was that part of Zebra past the elevators was blocked off to refurbish those rooms, but I read elsewhere that now Zebra had been completed. Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your visit! Can't wait to be there myself ...

 

[stace1214]

Awesome! Does it look like all Zebra room renovations are completed? Just wondering since a few weeks ago word was that part of Zebra past the elevators was blocked off to refurbish those rooms, but I read elsewhere that now Zebra had been completed. Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your visit! Can't wait to be there myself ...

There were two others they were working on when we left. Should be done soon I would assume.

 

[dancemom1]

Oh my gosh @dancemom1 Huge Congratulations; you'll be blown away from the moment you walk into the foyer, it's sooo beautiful! And when you hear your first "Welcome Home" your excitement will build and keep on building. Have a wonderful holiday.
Be sure to tell the cast member at the desk that it's your first ever stay and if anyone in your party is celebrating anything whilst you're there, mention that too and they will give you pins. Who knows, maybe you'll get some extra pixie dust sprinkled throughout your stay

Thank you so very much!! We are beyond excited and can't wait for our trip (although it seems so far away right now)!! We will for sure mention that we have special celebrations of my mom's 65th, my 45th, and my daughter's 20th bdays that all fall in that month!!
Thank you for the great awesome words of wisdom!!

 

[wdw4rfam]

Awesome! Does it look like all Zebra room renovations are completed? Just wondering since a few weeks ago word was that part of Zebra past the elevators was blocked off to refurbish those rooms, but I read elsewhere that now Zebra had been completed. Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your visit! Can't wait to be there myself ...

I’m in zebra now on 2end floor and most of the wing is still blocked off.

 

[ThinkBelieveDream&Dare]

Thank you so very much!! We are beyond excited and can't wait for our trip (although it seems so far away right now)!! We will for sure mention that we have special celebrations of my mom's 65th, my 45th, and my daughter's 20th bdays that all fall in that month!!
Thank you for the great awesome words of wisdom!!

Wow! lots of celebrations, and lots of pins to wear lol We celebrated my Grandson's 21st birthday and his first ever visit to Disneyworld in January. We were shocked to come back to our room midway through our stay to find a delicious Mickey dome cake from Amorette's sitting on our Grandson's bed, It was laid out on a tray complete with 3 porcelain plates and a knife. Not to mention the dozens of Welcome Home and Happy Birthday greetings from cast members everywhere we went; plus birthday cupcakes at most table meals. True pixie dust and memories that will last a lifetime for us all.

 

[Minnie1222]

Anyone at AKL right now? Do you still see construction vehicles on the Savanna? Room renovations?

Thank you so much!

 

[BabyFu18]

Question for online check-in, I’ve done it before at other resorts (BC, GF, Poly) but this year when I booked AKL the lady I spoke with on the phone told me to make sure I did not use the online check in, I was so thrown off by that I repeated back to her that I should not use online check in and she said in my circumstance they ask you not to do online check-in but to check-in at the desk upon arrival. I couldn’t get a clear answer out of her as to why that was, so I’m going to go with it, I just thought it was so odd.

Has anyone ever been told to not do online check-in at AKL? Could it be because of the type of room I booked, I did book a handicap accessible room (though this is the type of room I book everywhere) or maybe the discount I used to book (military rate)?

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Question for online check-in, I’ve done it before at other resorts (BC, GF, Poly) but this year when I booked AKL the lady I spoke with on the phone told me to make sure I did not use the online check in, I was so thrown off by that I repeated back to her that I should not use online check in and she said in my circumstance they ask you not to do online check-in but to check-in at the desk upon arrival. I couldn’t get a clear answer out of her as to why that was, so I’m going to go with it, I just thought it was so odd.

Has anyone ever been told to not do online check-in at AKL? Could it be because of the type of room I booked, I did book a handicap accessible room (though this is the type of room I book everywhere) or maybe the discount I used to book (military rate)?

That is odd that the CM said that. It could be due to you requesting a handicap accessible room. I book military discount and I do phone requests, online check-in , and I check in at the desk.

 

[bigskip]

Please add me to the list, we check in Club Level on 9/14 for 14 nights.

 

[dgbg100106]

Please add me to the list, we check in Club Level on 9/14 for 14 nights.

September
8/30 - 9/2 e_yerger AKL Jambo
9/2 - 9/7 DanielleRhymesWithBelle - AKL
9/2 - 9/10 sethschroeder AKL
9/3 - 9/10 Micharlotte AKL
9/3 - 9/17 Welsh_Dragon AKL
9/5 - 9/10 TinkerBelle_325 AKL CL
9/6 - 9/15 SealedSeven - AKL
9/7 - 9/13 Jennasis - AKL
9/7 - 9/14 TangledHairDon'tCare AKV Jambo
9/9 - 9/19 BabyFu18 - AKL
9/14 - 9/28 bigskip - AKL CL
9/14 - 9/16 ShayBells - AKL
9/22 - 10/2 SaraJR - AKL Disneymoon
9/23 - 9/28 DGBG100106 - Aulani

 

[rangerxenos]

Here is what the announcement says:

"We’ve made some changes to how room requests are handled on the site.
Last week, Disney contacted us to ask that we switch over from sending faxes, to sending emails. They gave us a special, private email address to use.
Disney also said that they’ll accept room requests up to 30 days in advance.
We converted over to this new process on August 16, sending all requests for the next 30 days in one batch. Disney has confirmed receipt of all requests.
Going forward, all new room requests will be sent via email, 30 days prior to check-in.
We’re in the process of updating the site’s checklists and content to reflect these changes. In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions."

So is this only if you're putting the request through Touring Plans? If you're putting the request in yourself, still fax 5 days out?

 

[CastAStone]

So is this only if you're putting the request through Touring Plans? If you're putting the request in yourself, still fax 5 days out?

I take this to mean that they’re not taking faxes anymore, full stop.

 

[rangerxenos]

I take this to mean that they’re not taking faxes anymore, full stop.

Is there a dedicated email for room requests that people can use for AKL then? I don't belong to TP, so always request it myself 5 days out. TIA

 

[dgbg100106]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2019 & 2020
If you have any updates please let me know…
2019
August
8/22 - 8/30 Jennie2003 - AKL
8/22 - 9/3 donnaf516 - AKL
8/25 - 9/1 Princess Michele - AKL
September
8/30 - 9/2 e_yerger AKL Jambo
9/2 - 9/7 DanielleRhymesWithBelle - AKL
9/2 - 9/10 sethschroeder AKL
9/3 - 9/10 Micharlotte AKL
9/3 - 9/17 Welsh_Dragon AKL
9/5 - 9/10 TinkerBelle_325 AKL CL
9/6 - 9/15 SealedSeven - AKL
9/7 - 9/13 Jennasis - AKL
9/7 - 9/14 TangledHairDon'tCare AKV Jambo
9/9 - 9/19 BabyFu18 - AKL
9/14 - 9/28 bigskip - AKL CL
9/14 - 9/16 ShayBells - AKL
9/22 - 10/2 SaraJR - AKL Disneymoon
9/23 - 9/28 DGBG100106 - Aulani
October
10/1 - 10/10 wifey - AKL
10/4 - 10/6 CarolinaBlue99 - AKL
10/20 - 10/26 Ali Carlson - AKL
10/26 - 11/1 melana - AKL-Jambo
10/27 - 10/30 P'colaBeachBum - AKL
November
10/31 - 11/7 Kc0912 - AKL
11/7 - 11/10 DisneyDiana - Kidani
11/7 - 11/16 Rowlf the Dog - AKL
11/12 - 11/17 minie_meese - AKL Jambo
11/16 - 11/18 RADOPT - AKL CL
11/16 - 11/24 rubysparkles - AKL
11/20 - 11/26 carlythecat - AKL
11/23 - 11/28 Shelleyfs - AKV
11/24 - 12/1 Jon84 - AKL
11/25 - 11/29 SarahC97 - AKL
December
11/30 - 12/14 - Ashleylvsgoofy - AKL
11/30 - 12/10 crazycatstacy - AKL
12/1 TammyLynn33 - AKL Jambo
12/3 - 12/6 Disneyhanna - AKL
12/4 - 12/12 rangerxenos - AKL
12/5 - 12/8 MemphisVanessa - AKL CL
12/5 - 12/12 ZOOMAMA - AKL
12/7 - 12/14 NMPensFan - AKL
12/8 - 12/24 Scoobie - AKL Kidani
12/21 - 12/26 TinkerBelle_325 AKL CL
12/21 - 12/28 jcthompson2AKL
12/26 - 12/30 elsbit - AKL CL
2020
January
12/29 - 1/4 ChanellF - AKL Jambo
1/8 - 1/13 lahobbs4 - AKV-Jambo
1/8-1/15 gillep - ALK CL (DVC)
1/17 - 1/18 ThinkBelieveDream&Dare - AKL
1/25 - 1/27 KimBean - AKL
1/25 - 2/2 maranara - AKL
February
2/4 - 2/12 Mollygirl21 - AKV
2/14 - 2/20 MadMadamMim1 - Kidani
March
3/22-3/26 jennf - AKL Jambo
April
4/14 - 4/25 cincystamper - AKL Jambo
May
5/24 - 5/29 karen4546 - AKV Jambo
June
6/60-06/12 malissa90 - AKL
6/28 - 7/4 DisneyDiana - AKV
July
August

 

[sjones88]

Hi all!

Staying at Kidani for the first time!

If you had to choose- Jiko or Sanaa??

 

[MemphisVanessa]

Hi all!

Staying at Kidani for the first time!

If you had to choose- Jiko or Sanaa??

I've never tried Sanaa but Jiko is really wonderful! I have two reservations for my upcoming trip.

I have heard some fantastic reviews for Sanaa, though. I'm thinking you can't go wrong!