Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[RachelTori]

Getting to the park at peak times, they have been separate this week, but every bus back to resort has gone to Kidani first, then Jambo.

Thanks for the update! Good to know! It's a help anyway that they are running separately when the masses are trying to get to/from the parks!

 

[TeeterTots]

Just booked a girls weekend for my 35th birthday Jan8-11 club level! Yay

Question? When do holiday decorations come down? Will I get to see the Christmas tree at AKL?

 

[BadgerBruce]

Please add us for December 8-15. Looking forward to another great stay at AKL!

 

[Best Aunt]

Quick question... In the past you have had to scan your KttW on the elevators in order for them to be able to take you up to the 6th Floor. Now with MBs, is there a scan in the elevators for MBs? Do they still give KttW to CL guests to do this?

Yes if you have club level access you scan your magic band in the elevator. Note that when you are in the elevator, there is a place to scan on the left and right sides of the doors. One might be easier than the other depending on how you wear your magic band.

 

[msmama]

Looking into AKL for a late April trip and have a few questions -

Do I understand correctly that 1 BR's in Jambo house have 1 bathroom, but 1 BR's in Kidani have 2 bathrooms?

OK, I guess that was just one question for now, lol. I'm sure I'll be back with more!

 

[MainMom]

If I book AKL on the WDW site, am I getting Kidani or Jambo? Looking at the pool view room with bunk beds.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If I book AKL on the WDW site, am I getting Kidani or Jambo? Looking at the pool view room with bunk beds.

Jambo.

 

[MainMom]

Jambo.

Thank you!

 

[eeyore70]

Have heard rooms are fairly dark, do you need to bring extra lighting to get ready?

 

[tarak]

Looking into AKL for a late April trip and have a few questions -

Do I understand correctly that 1 BR's in Jambo house have 1 bathroom, but 1 BR's in Kidani have 2 bathrooms?

OK, I guess that was just one question for now, lol. I'm sure I'll be back with more!

Yes, this is true. We've stayed in a 1BR villa at Kidani twice now and we went with Kidani over Jambo House specifically because of that second bathroom. Well, the first time, anyway. We found we prefer Kidani to Jambo. We have a 2BR villa in Kidani booked for January. Can't wait - made my FP+ reservations this morning!

 

[RachelTori]

Looking into AKL for a late April trip and have a few questions -

Do I understand correctly that 1 BR's in Jambo house have 1 bathroom, but 1 BR's in Kidani have 2 bathrooms?

OK, I guess that was just one question for now, lol. I'm sure I'll be back with more!

There's really no comparison -- Kidani rooms win hands-down! The reason is very simple: Jambo was retro-fitted to accommodate DVC villas (and I want to add, they did a great job!) BUT...... Kidani was specifically built as a DVC property and the rooms were very well planned and constructed!

 

[AUbaseballfan]

Excited for my 2 night stay at AKL! We are checking in on Thanksgiving Day with dinner at Jiko that night!

 

[deannaf87]

Christmas decorations are up as of this morning.

 

[cassie58]

Need help from AKL veterans. We stayed here for the 1st time last trip for a few nts, buying some pts from a friend, and surprising the kids, especially DD who wants to be a vet, and has been begging to stay here. Needless to say we fell in love, and have rented points for a few nts again on upcoming trip in Dec. My question is about my room request. We will again be in Jambo studio Savannah View room, and loved the view we had. I know these rooms are on the fifth floor, and I looked up our room number(5256), and used the charts listed here on the thread to locate it on the map. I had thought we were on Arusha, which we requested because it was supposed to have both giraffes and zebras, which we saw tons of from our balcony! But in looking at the chart, the U shaped part that we were in seems to face Sunset, and I just wanted to verify that, and if so, do they always have zebras there? It looks like we were on Kudu trail so I figured I could request that and Sunset if I am correct. I wanted to request our exact room on the reservation, but based on advice on the boards, thought maybe should give room plus general location so they know what we want if that room is already taken. Any info. and advice is appreciated! Sorry that was so long!

 

[sndral]

Yes, looks like you were Kudu trail, Sunset savannah view.
They do move animals around, but Sunset savannah has had a herd of zebras for quite some time. However, Arusha and Uzima usually have a pair of zebras as well (generally a different species than those on Sunset.) All three savannahs also have giraffes. So no matter which savannah you are on you should see both zebras and giraffes. Sunset is the largest of the savannahs (18 acres?) Arusha and Uzima are both 11 acres, but their layouts are very different so they don't 'feel' the same size.
When I did online check in for my trip in 2 weeks they didn't ask which savvanah I wanted (unlike last year.)
If your DD is very interested in being a vet & @ least 8 yr.s old you might think about doing the lunch with an animal specialist. When we did it last year we had 2 lovely young ladies who were animal keepers @ AKL (one in training) and we learned so much about the animals @ AKL and about careers with animals in general - it was well worth the $50 or so each and included lunch at Sanaa in Kidani.

 

[PatsGirl]

I know these rooms are on the fifth floor, and I looked up our room number(5256), and used the charts listed here on the thread to locate it on the map.

How long before you arrive do they post room numbers and where can I find this information?

 

[eeyoreandtink]

How long before you arrive do they post room numbers and where can I find this information?

They won't post your room number. You won't get it until checkin. If you do online checkin, you can get a text with your room number when it is ready. You can make a room request, but it's never a guarantee. I think the PP is saying that she looked it up when she got back, and is requesting the same room for an upcoming stay.

 

[PatsGirl]

Ok, thank you for responding, I hadn't read about it until now and this makes sense of course.

 

[happymommy]

Do they still sell African wines at either gift shop (Jambo or Kidani)?

Going for Easter & booked a one bedroom villa at Kidani (rented from an owner via redweek).

Just wondering if they still sell any, and if anyone knows prices? A few years ago, I recall buying some nice reds & they were pretty reasonably priced!

We have standard view, so I am guessing it's pretty much parking lot view. Any better areas to request with standard view? DD has mobility issues, so I was going to request closer to the walkway to Jambo (we'll have a wheelchair - we don't need a handicapped accessible room, she can walk, just not the several miles a day at Disney!). If she's feeling up to it, we'll walk to The Mara a couple times I'm sure for a snack.

 

[cassie58]

They won't post your room number. You won't get it until checkin. If you do online checkin, you can get a text with your room number when it is ready. You can make a room request, but it's never a guarantee. I think the PP is saying that she looked it up when she got back, and is requesting the same room for an upcoming stay.

Yes, that is what I meant, that I checked my printed receipt from last trip to find the number. Sorry for the confusion!