Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[pepperandchips]

We have a 4 night stay coming up at Kidani, and with minimal quick service available are we able to drive to another resort to eat at a quick service? I know normally you can if you have a table service reservation, but under these circumstances I was kind of hoping maybe they would make an exception. I know we can take a bus to AK and then go to another resort and vise versa back, but I was hoping to save a bit of time.

I’m seeing mixed reports. Think you may have worse luck at the monorail resorts, especially GF if NBA has not vacated Grand Floridian by the time you arrive. For the monorail resorts though, you could park at the TTC. I don’t think it hurts to ask at the others.

We got pizza delivery (at Riviera) in July and it was very easy. Saved us a lot of trouble that night. The other nights we mainly went to Disney springs, which has a lot of great QS open now. FWIW, I didn’t find any resort QS menu very appealing right now. They are all pared down.

I hope you find a bunch of yummy things to eat and have a great stay!!

 

[osufeth24]

Are the only bar/lounges that are open the pool bar?

Staying at jambo next month and have a dinner res for Sanaa aleady, but looking for something after dinner to grab a drink without going to springs or another resort

 

[Bozni]

Are the only bar/lounge open the pool bar?

Staying at jambo next month and have a dinner res for Sanaa aleady, but looking for something after dinner to grab a drink without going to springs or another resort

The Maji pool bar at Kidani is open from 11A-7P, but closes during bad weather (rain).
The Sanaa Lounge is open from 11:30A-11:00P, though I'm not sure if seating is available.

 

[osufeth24]

The Maji pool bar at Kidani is open from 11A-7P, but closes during bad weather (rain).
The Sanaa Lounge is open from 11:30A-11:00P, though I'm not sure if seating is available.

Do you know if the Lounge allows us to take the drinks to go? Mostly just looking to be able to bring a drink to the pool or back to the room

 

[Ariel 1715]

Just back after 2 nights at Kidani. I will echo what everyone else said the lack of food options is crazy. I know the Mara is away from Kidani but I feel they should at least open that for lunch and dinner or just open the pool bar at Jambo. Kidani was fairly quiet the pool was a little busy for these times so we did shuttle over to Jambo to use the pool there and it was much more comfortable spacing wise. However the no food at Jambo is a hinder so make sure you bring snacks and drinks if heading over. We amazon primed frozen pizzas and bagels and stuff cause we knew about the food situation so that helped. The busses were fine never packed and didn’t wait too too long. Only went to DAK and MK and went around opening and had only a handful of people on bus with us. All in all a great resort as always but they do need to figure out food options for guests.

Thanks for all the info. Do you know if they are still selling the refillable mugs and where you can buy them?

 

[pepperandchips]

Do you know if the Lounge allows us to take the drinks to go? Mostly just looking to be able to bring a drink to the pool or back to the room

In the pre-COVID times you definitely could. Not sure why that would be different now but hopefully someone who has been recently can confirm. The gift shop also usually sells some interesting African wines if your group is into that. I know it’s not the same as getting a mango margarita or African starr mojito but you can also usually request a blender from housekeeping if you feel like mixing something up in your villa!

 

[JPM4]

Thanks for all the info. Do you know if they are still selling the refillable mugs and where you can buy them?

You can buy them in the gift shop at Kidani. They have a refill station there as well as at the pool bar at Kidani

 

[wdw4rfam]

You can buy them in the gift shop at Kidani. They have a refill station there as well as at the pool bar at Kidani

What does the current mug look like? Any new ones since reopening?

 

[JPM4]

What does the current mug look like? Any new ones since reopening?

I believe same as before the buzz one and the Mickey one. I asked my wife if they’re just handing you a paper cup what’s stopping people from bringing the mugs back from previous trips. They don’t use the censor thing anymore. People could easily scam this

 

[wdw4rfam]

I believe same as before the buzz one and the Mickey one. I asked my wife if they’re just handing you a paper cup what’s stopping people from bringing the mugs back from previous trips. They don’t use the censor thing anymore. People could easily scam this

Exactly why they need a new design. I don’t like the design of those, I gave them all to goodwill. Really don’t want to buy more. I did see someone say that they scanned the cup at one of the resorts, but can’t recall where I heard that. I was really hoping for Halloween ones like last 2 years.

 

[♥ Mandi ♥]

Hi all. We are considering adding a few nights onto our November-December trip and renting DVC points to stay in a studio at AKL.
Can anyone tell me if the club level lounge is open right now?
Also, any preferences on Jambo vs. Kidani studios - I have a 2 and 6 year old.

 

[SamFaniam]

Hi all. We are considering adding a few nights onto our November-December trip and renting DVC points to stay in a studio at AKL.
Can anyone tell me if the club level lounge is open right now?
Also, any preferences on Jambo vs. Kidani studios - I have a 2 and 6 year old.

No club lounge yet, although that could change before your trip. The Jambo studios have two sinks while Kidani only has one. If you book a savanna room, they’ll be similar, but if you book a standard at Jambo you’re likely to it least get a partial savanna view while at Kidani yiu are less likely to see animals in a standard. currently, as the hotel side is still closed the Jambo pool is likely to be less crowded. This of course could also change, but it’s important to be aware that currently at Jambo there are no services available. None of the restaurants are open and the shop is not open either. So there is no food service available on site. You have to go to Kidani or elsewhere to eat, unless you have food in your room.

 

[osufeth24]

Does anyone know if the zebra domes that are found in the gift shop gluten free? Apparently when they were at Mara the ones in fridge section weren't, but if you asked them they could get ones that were.

 

[momandmousefan]

Does anyone know if the zebra domes that are found in the gift shop gluten free? Apparently when they were at Mara the ones in fridge section weren't, but if you asked them they could get ones that were.

You could get ones from the Mara that were gluten free. They had gluten free mini cupcakes in the cooler too. We are checking in tomorrow so I’m definitely going to be looking to see if they have some at the gift shop. (I’m not getting my hopes too high though because it’s such a teeny shop)

 

[osufeth24]

You could get ones from the Mara that were gluten free. They had gluten free mini cupcakes in the cooler too. We are checking in tomorrow so I’m definitely going to be looking to see if they have some at the gift shop. (I’m not getting my hopes too high though because it’s such a teeny shop)

please let me no what you find out, thanks!

 

[TangledHairDon'tCare]

We’re staying at Kidani on rented points and I have a question...is the “towel service” really just a trashbag of towels dropped inside the room? I was a little surprised they didn’t at least take the used towels.

 

[crazymomof4]

Since the reopening what should I expect as far as the amenties related to the kitchenette in a Deluxe Studio?
For example: Paper plates/bowls and cups? Coffee/filters. Can you get more? Fee? or should I just pack extra to bring?

 

[SamFaniam]

Since the reopening what should I expect as far as the amenties related to the kitchenette in a Deluxe Studio?
For example: Paper plates/bowls and cups? Coffee/filters. Can you get more? Fee? or should I just pack extra to bring?

Paper plates, paper bowls, paper coffee cups and sets of cutlery for 4. 2 regular and 2 decaf prepared coffee packets that you can just put right in the coffee maker. Paper towels and a small bottle of dish soap. If you need more, request through housekeeping. They are complimentary.

 

[momandmousefan]

please let me no what you find out, thanks!

No luck!! Just the regular ones (unless we happened to be there and they were all gone) The coolers there are so much smaller than Mara that there isn’t a ton of variety. (Def pack yourself some snacks!)

***editing to update. Found them! They’re in a different spot further down the coolers. Ask for help if you can’t find them like silly us couldn’t!***

 

[vital]

This may be a dumb question, but here it goes....are the animals still out on the savannas? I'm planning my big 5-0 trip in December and am thinking of splurging on a savanna room (renting points) vs staying at another resort if the animals aren't out.