Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[sghetrick]

Could anyone staying at the resort share how housekeeping is working lately? Thanks!

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Does anyone know if the Johari Treasures shop sells magic bands? My young niece wants to pick out a band in person after we arrive.

 

[Benoit]

Not sure about Johari Treasures but we bought one at the shop at Jambo house
- Zawadi Marketplace - a couple of weeks ago.

 

[MrsHammer]

Not sure about Johari Treasures but we bought one at the shop at Jambo house
- Zawadi Marketplace - a couple of weeks ago.

Did they have a decent selection? I'm thinking we may buy ours there as well when we arrive due to the very low stock on MDE. Hearing a lot of people are getting their orders cancelled. Plus, the selection on MDE is pretty sparse.

 

[Benoit]

Does anyone know if the Johari Treasures shop sells magic bands? My young niece wants to pick out a band in person after we arrive.

Did they have a decent selection? I'm thinking we may buy ours there as well when we arrive due to the very low stock on MDE. Hearing a lot of people are getting their orders cancelled. Plus, the selection on MDE is pretty sparse.

No there were not many models available, maybe 4 or 5.

(Fortunately there was the model that our daughter had chosen and that we had ordered on MDE, but which had not been delivered to the hotel as expected... Finally it arrived the next day.)

 

[Benoit]

*

 

[Benoit]

Could anyone staying at the resort share how housekeeping is working lately? Thanks!

Cleaning is done every two days.

 

[cwadejr]

Does anyone know if the stainless steel refillable mugs are available at AKL, if so where? I know the regular refillable mugs are, just like at all the other resorts, but I'm curious about the stainless steel ones (Star Wars).

 

[mousedroid]

I'm guessing this question has been addressed many times, but a quick search didn't turn up anything, so I hope you don't mind me asking again... What are AKL's policies regarding non-resort guests visiting?

My sister and b-i-l live in Orlando. If they came to the resort to visit us one day, would they be able to park in the AKL parking lot without a dining reservation? Would they just have to pay the $25 parking fee, or would they be turned away without some sort of reservation?

Also, if they're able to come to the resort to visit us, would they be allowed to come to the pool with us? I checked the resort details on MDE, but I didn't see any policies on non-resort guests.

Thanks!

 

[rangerxenos]

I'm guessing this question has been addressed many times, but a quick search didn't turn up anything, so I hope you don't mind me asking again... What are AKL's policies regarding non-resort guests visiting?

My sister and b-i-l live in Orlando. If they came to the resort to visit us one day, would they be able to park in the AKL parking lot without a dining reservation? Would they just have to pay the $25 parking fee, or would they be turned away without some sort of reservation?

Also, if they're able to come to the resort to visit us, would they be allowed to come to the pool with us? I checked the resort details on MDE, but I didn't see any policies on non-resort guests.

Thanks!

I had a friend visit pre-Covid, and they were allowed to visit, and I was told they could use the pool if they wanted as well (they did not). I had to give the information to someone at AKL so that they would be allowed through security. They did not have to pay to park.

 

[mousedroid]

I had a friend visit pre-Covid, and they were allowed to visit, and I was told they could use the pool if they wanted as well (they did not). I had to give the information to someone at AKL so that they would be allowed through security. They did not have to pay to park.

Thanks!

Barring any post-covid updates I'll just check with the resort upon check-in.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I had a friend visit pre-Covid, and they were allowed to visit, and I was told they could use the pool if they wanted as well (they did not). I had to give the information to someone at AKL so that they would be allowed through security. They did not have to pay to park.

This is our experience as well, at every Disney resort we have stayed at. My mom visits us often and simply gives the guard our name and room #.

No parking charge for day guests and she was invited to join us at the pool if she wanted.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'm guessing this question has been addressed many times, but a quick search didn't turn up anything, so I hope you don't mind me asking again... What are AKL's policies regarding non-resort guests visiting?

My sister and b-i-l live in Orlando. If they came to the resort to visit us one day, would they be able to park in the AKL parking lot without a dining reservation? Would they just have to pay the $25 parking fee, or would they be turned away without some sort of reservation?

Also, if they're able to come to the resort to visit us, would they be allowed to come to the pool with us? I checked the resort details on MDE, but I didn't see any policies on non-resort guests.

Thanks!

We were at AKL in Dec and late January, and there was something new you should be aware of - a big sign at the security shed stating only guests with resort reservations or dining reservations would be allowed to enter. In all our years of staying or eating at AKL, we had not seen a sign like that. I don't know if that is still the policy at this point, but beware. You will definitely want to ask when you check-in to make sure they are not turned away by security. They might be able to make a note on your reservation.

Also, depending when you are visiting, the Kidani pool is closed for refurbishment at least through the end of April. I have to think if they have 1 of their pools closed, they are much less likely to allow outside guests to take up chairs and space at the Jambo pool. But again - make sure you ask (which it sounds like you would anyway!). I also don't think there would be any kind of fee for parking, unless they do valet. They're either going to be allowed in to visit with you, or they're not.

 

[mousedroid]

Thank you for the additional replies!

When I suggested this to my sister, she said that her and my b-i-l stayed at the Yacht and Beach Club in 2020 and her sons had to pay for parking when they came over, but they were allowed pool access because their names were on the reservation, however their sons girlfriends were not allowed pool access.

I guess with things in a near-constant state of flux, we won't know for sure until we get there.

I did change my reservation from 2 guests to 4 guests for lunch at Sanaa on the day they would be coming over, but I'm not sure how they would prove they were on the reservation without me linking them in MDE.

 

[CarolynFH]

I did change my reservation from 2 guests to 4 guests for lunch at Sanaa on the day they would be coming over, but I'm not sure how they would prove they were on the reservation without me linking them in MDE.

They simply need to give the guard at the gate your name and say they're dining with you at Sanaa. The guard may or may not (probably will) want to see a photo ID from one of them.

 

[Leigh123]

Can anyone tell me if they sell cases of water at Zawadi or MARA.? I drink so much water in the middle of the nights and I cannot deal with tapwater. Just deciding if I’ll be able to buy it there or if I need to look at Amazon or GG. Thanks so much I’m advance.

 

[Best Aunt]

Can anyone tell me if they sell cases of water at Zawadi or MARA.? I drink so much water in the middle of the nights and I cannot deal with tapwater. Just deciding if I’ll be able to buy it there or if I need to look at Amazon or GG. Thanks so much I’m advance.

Well a "case" of water normally is 24 bottles.

DVC gift shops usually sell 8-packs of 12 ounce bottles of water. The last pricing I saw shows it at $4.49. Water is sometimes in the back storage room of the gift shops rather than out on the shelf, so you would want to ask a cast member if you don't see it.

The gift shop in Kidani Village is smaller than the gift shop in Jambo House, so might have a smaller selection.

I would not expect to see it in the quick service restaurant, but I haven't been lately so I can't tell you for sure.

 

[Leigh123]

Well a "case" of water normally is 24 bottles.

DVC gift shops usually sell 8-packs of 12 ounce bottles of water. The last pricing I saw shows it at $4.49. Water is sometimes in the back storage room of the gift shops rather than out on the shelf, so you would want to ask a cast member if you don't see it.

The gift shop in Kidani Village is smaller than the gift shop in Jambo House, so might have a smaller selection.

I would not expect to see it in the quick service restaurant, but I haven't been lately so I can't tell you for sure.

Thanks so very much

 

[mousedroid]

They simply need to give the guard at the gate your name and say they're dining with you at Sanaa. The guard may or may not (probably will) want to see a photo ID from one of them.

Thank you.

Different question - do the rooms have mini-fridges? We're in a Savannah View room if that matters.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you.

Different question - do the rooms have mini-fridges? We're in a Savannah View room if that matters.

The DVC studio villas should have mini fridges; the one in our Kidani studio in January even had a little freezer shelf at top. The regular Jambo hotel rooms might have only a beverage cooler, which doesn’t get as cold as a mini fridge would.