Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[jmasgat]

I was able to book 4 nights under the anemic 2018 discount during marathon weekend. I haven't stayed here for quite a while (since it was $154/nt discounted, if that tells you something!) Looking forward to it. I did not put in any special requests in my reservation. I never seem to see that box.

So it seems that "Standard" encompasses all the bed types, which is interesting unlike the values/moderates, etc. I don't really care about bed type--I'm going solo. But I would like a partial Savannah view. And I actually like being far from the lobby, etc, (read: noise!) so I think I will request Kudu Trail.

Other than calling (massive ugh, since the hold times are totally ridiculous--how does this company survive with customer service like this? Even Comcast has a callback feature!), I can't find any other way to add my preferences. Am I stuck until I do online check-in? Are faxes still a thing--are they useful?

 

[bwbuddy5]

I was able to book 4 nights under the anemic 2018 discount during marathon weekend. I haven't stayed here for quite a while (since it was $154/nt discounted, if that tells you something!) Looking forward to it. I did not put in any special requests in my reservation. I never seem to see that box.

So it seems that "Standard" encompasses all the bed types, which is interesting unlike the values/moderates, etc. I don't really care about bed type--I'm going solo. But I would like a partial Savannah view. And I actually like being far from the lobby, etc, (read: noise!) so I think I will request Kudu Trail.

Other than calling (massive ugh, since the hold times are totally ridiculous--how does this company survive with customer service like this? Even Comcast has a callback feature!), I can't find any other way to add my preferences. Am I stuck until I do online check-in? Are faxes still a thing--are they useful?

Wow - things are sure to get better. Enjoy your run and your stay.

 

[Christiaan]

Has anyone used the Minnie Van service from AKL?

 

[monica9]

Totally new to this resort ...we have a split stay with the first 6 nights at GF under the visa promo ... we were going to stick with Port Orleans rack rate for the last three nights until I found out today that I could get the animal Kingdom Lodge for only $200 more for a savanna view (visa promo) ... so here we are, I have tons of reading to do!

The one thing I really want to know about is what to request to be relatively near the pool and the quick service restaurant.

What’s the visa promo? I have a Disney visa but haven’t gotten any offers

 

[dansdad]

What’s the visa promo? I have a Disney visa but haven’t gotten any offers

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/visa-room-booking/

 

[LuckyAshley]

I read somewhere that someone was able to get Sanaa bread service as room service at Kidani Village. Does anyone know if this is available if staying at Jambo?

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Has anyone used the Minnie Van service from AKL?

Same question. We will be going to DS and I don't mind getting the bus there but don't want to wait for it going back to the Lodge.

 

[patster734]

Has anyone used the Minnie Van service from AKL?

Yes, we used it last week when we did the High In The Sky Dine Around. My wife was booking it as we left our room at AKL, and the Minnie Van was waiting outside when we exited.

However, the return wasn’t as quick. After watching the MK fireworks at CR, we had trouble getting the app to work because it was overwhelmed by other customers. It took 3 attempts before finally getting through, and because we hadn’t realized that our first attempts had failed, we lost 20 minutes before the 3rd attempt succeeded. However, after that third attempt a Minnie car was there to pick us up within 5 minutes.

 

[Christiaan]

Yes, we used it last week when we did the High In The Sky Dine Around. My wife was booking it as we left our room at AKL, and the Minnie Van was waiting outside when we exited.

However, the return wasn’t as quick. After watching the MK fireworks at CR, we had trouble getting the app to work because it was overwhelmed by other customers. It took 3 attempts before finally getting through, and because we hadn’t realized that our first attempts had failed, we lost 20 minutes before the 3rd attempt succeeded. However, after that third attempt a Minnie car was there to pick us up within 5 minutes.

Thank you!
Will they travel to DS or just resorts and parks?

 

[dansdad]

Thank you!
Will they travel to DS or just resorts and parks?

Anywhere on property.

 

[Christiaan]

Anywhere on property.

Awesome thanks!

 

[patster734]

Awesome thanks!

Also, the app used for the Minnie Vans is LYFT.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Also, the app used for the Minnie Vans is LYFT.

Thank you!

 

[Lvsdisney]

I was able to book 4 nights under the anemic 2018 discount during marathon weekend. I haven't stayed here for quite a while (since it was $154/nt discounted, if that tells you something!) Looking forward to it. I did not put in any special requests in my reservation. I never seem to see that box.

So it seems that "Standard" encompasses all the bed types, which is interesting unlike the values/moderates, etc. I don't really care about bed type--I'm going solo. But I would like a partial Savannah view. And I actually like being far from the lobby, etc, (read: noise!) so I think I will request Kudu Trail.

Other than calling (massive ugh, since the hold times are totally ridiculous--how does this company survive with customer service like this? Even Comcast has a callback feature!), I can't find any other way to add my preferences. Am I stuck until I do online check-in? Are faxes still a thing--are they useful?

I think you can fax, but I wouldn't worry about requests until you check-in online. I read somewhere that start room assignments maybe 3-4 days in advance. As long as it's noted on reservation before that, you should be fine.

 

[jmasgat]

Yes, we used it last week when we did the High In The Sky Dine Around.

This sounds like it involves cannabis comestibles!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

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!

 

[rmw1313]

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

 

[monica9]

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?

 

[TheHulamuffins]

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.

 

[patster734]

This sounds like it involves cannabis comestibles!

You’ll know the monorail used by the peace signs attached and the shaded windows.