Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[disnmooner2013]

I think I mentioned Touring Plans so that's probably why you assumed I had it. I have the basic account which is free but it's not letting me request. I did however see that there are only 4 rooms in Jambo House that are Standard rooms that have the King bed and day bed. So I called Disney yesterday and requested we definitely have the king bed/day bed since we need room for a pack n play and requested to be on the Kudu Trail. That leaves us with 2 room choices and they both have a partial savannah view. I really hope this works! I didn't request a partial savannah view due to the fact that the two on Kudu Trail are views but maybe I should add that to the note to ensure we get it? I can't see them putting us in a 2 queen room when we will need to set up the pack n play and the rooms at AKL are small to begin with. I'm so excited. 87 more days until FP+ 147 more days until take off!

Monica9 let us know iwhat room# you get and if it has a partial savannah view and king bedroom. Also, let us know if you see animals from your room.

 

[SafariFan1984]

Has anyone received their room earlier than the check-in time of 4:00pm? We are taking a red eye from Los Angeles and arriving at 6:30am at Orlando. Taking the magical express, I think we should arrive at the resort around 9:00am-9:30am. Of course I am not expecting to get the room at time, just wanted an idea from other that have arrived early to the resort.

Thanks

I probably got ridiculously lucky, but my room in May was ready by 7am. I did online check-in and notated that I would be arriving around that time. My guess is that this is probably not normal, but it can happen.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I probably got ridiculously lucky, but my room in May was ready by 7am. I did online check-in and notated that I would be arriving around that time. My guess is that this is probably not normal, but it can happen.

I'm hoping for a little early, but have a back up plan in case we're not lucky. We are in a 1 bedroom for 1 night then move to a studio savanna view for 5 more. So I'm hoping to not be "homeless" for 5 hours. But I do have a plan if we are. I know every time I have stated my arrival time early at poly I have got my room early, but I know it's the luck of the draw.

 

[monica9]

Monica9 let us know iwhat room# you get and if it has a partial savannah view and king bedroom. Also, let us know if you see animals from your room.

I will but you will be waiting a while since we don't head there for another 146 days boohoo. Putting the countdown on my phone just made the time go by even slower

 

[monica9]

I probably got ridiculously lucky, but my room in May was ready by 7am. I did online check-in and notated that I would be arriving around that time. My guess is that this is probably not normal, but it can happen.

I'm wondering if early online check in effects your room preferences. We will be arriving around 9am and hoping it won't mess with my hooves or at least they hopefully tell me they can give me a better room if I wait.

 

[monica9]

I'm hoping for a little early, but have a back up plan in case we're not lucky. We are in a 1 bedroom for 1 night then move to a studio savanna view for 5 more. So I'm hoping to not be "homeless" for 5 hours. But I do have a plan if we are. I know every time I have stated my arrival time early at poly I have got my room early, but I know it's the luck of the draw.

I've never had a problem with early check in and have done so every vacation. A lot of people take morning flights home so they are out of the room at the crack of dawn. Even the early afternoon flights have to leave for the airport 4 hours before the flight so you should be good. Will you get the room preferences? That's another question I'm curious of!

 

[John's Mom]

I am a little worried about something so hopefully you guys can help me out. Does the animals nearby affect air quality at all? For ex smell or maybe dirt being kicked up or anything else? Someone in my group has a lung issue so we need to avoid anywhere thats going to cause problems. Thanks in advance!

I have stayed at the AKL since the resort opened and have never smelled any odors coming from the savannahs. The animal droppings are picked up on a regular schedule. The animals roam around on a grassy area so there is no dust blowing around.

Kathy

 

[kimmar067]

I have stayed at the AKL since the resort opened and have never smelled any odors coming from the savannahs. The animal droppings are picked up on a regular schedule. The animals roam around on a grassy area so there is no dust blowing around.

Kathy

....I agree....if you are still concerned about it, I suggest requesting [or getting] a Pool View room.....

 

[disnmooner2013]

I will but you will be waiting a while since we don't head there for another 146 days boohoo. Putting the countdown on my phone just made the time go by even slower

Hope the time goes by faster I know you said it was going to be a whilt til you go.

 

[moesy4]

We will be in a pickle if our bonus kids are still here. They will not be allowed to travel to FL.

I would never "plan" on anything with the foster care system, you are setting yourself up for regret! We had a placement that was supposed to go home in a month, he ended up staying 11 months even though parents did everything they were supposed to. At one point, he was doing 5 overnights a week and I went to a meeting with all his belongings in the car a's I was told they would rule to put him there permanently. His parents decided they didn't think their new apartent was safe and I brought him and his clothes back home. Then 2 weeks later, a false allegation was filed and it took them a month to clear them. Yeah...not predictable.
Our adoption was supposed to take 4 months after tpr..dad had been defaulted on, mom loved us and signed the papers as soon as she was able. It took the state another 18 MONTHS after they claimed it would be final, almost 2 years total.
Can you bring them with permission frim bios? I would either work on a plan b if they come or start finding respite care now to have lined up just in case.

 

[leebee]

We've rented DVC points for a studio for 2 nights at Jambo. I understand that there are different animals on different savannas, but how different are the trails, and does it really matter which trail we ask for? I understand that there are different animals on different savannas, but how do the trails differ?

Also, talk to me about the zebras. Are they really now on the Sunset Savanna, or still just on Arusha? I think I want to request Arusha, though... which brings me back to the trail question. How does Zebra differ from Kudu?

 

[sndral]

We've rented DVC points for a studio for 2 nights at Jambo. I understand that there are different animals on different savannas, but how different are the trails, and does it really matter which trail we ask for? I understand that there are different animals on different savannas, but how do the trails differ?

Also, talk to me about the zebras. Are they really now on the Sunset Savanna, or still just on Arusha? I think I want to request Arusha, though... which brings me back to the trail question. How does Zebra differ from Kudu?

The difference between Kudu & Zebra trail are:
Zebra is on the same side of the lobby as the Mara and the pool thus a quick elevator ride down to them. Standard view DVC villas on Zebra trail will have pool views and obstructed (people pen) views of Uzima savanna. Savanna view DVC villas will have Uzima or Arusha savanna view. Uzima views will be further down the hall as they are beyond the pool view villas. Arusha view can be anywhere along the hall.
Kudu trail is on the side of the lobby closer to Kidani. To get to the pool or quick service restaurant you will have to travel across the lobby, so a bit more walking to get to those venues. Standard view DVC villas will have limited/partial views of Sunset savanna. Savanna view villas will have Sunset or Arusha savanna view.
Note value villas are different & are located on the other 2 trails.
Sunset savanna has had a herd of Hartman's zebras for several years, husbandry at Disney has been part of a breeding program for the species. They've also housed some of those zebras on a section of Pemba recently. Arusha has had two zebras of a different species. It wouldn't surprise me to see Hartman's on Arusha once the other zebras have lived their lives - it's always interesting to me to see which animals are were when I return & to learn why they've been moved.
The savanna least likely to have zebras, IMO, is Uzima, although it had a pair of zebras in transit to elsewhere the only time I had an Uzima savanna view.

 

[leebee]

The difference between Kudu & Zebra trail are:
Zebra is on the same side of the lobby as the Mara and the pool thus a quick elevator ride down to them. Standard view DVC villas on Zebra trail will have pool views and obstructed (people pen) views of Uzima savanna. Savanna view DVC villas will have Uzima or Arusha savanna view. Uzima views will be further down the hall as they are beyond the pool view villas. Arusha view can be anywhere along the hall.
Kudu trail is on the side of the lobby closer to Kidani. To get to the pool or quick service restaurant you will have to travel across the lobby, so a bit more walking to get to those venues. Standard view DVC villas will have limited/partial views of Sunset savanna. Savanna view villas will have Sunset or Arusha savanna view.
Note value villas are different & are located on the other 2 trails.
Sunset savanna has had a herd of Hartman's zebras for several years, husbandry at Disney has been part of a breeding program for the species. They've also housed some of those zebras on a section of Pemba recently. Arusha has had two zebras of a different species. It wouldn't surprise me to see Hartman's on Arusha once the other zebras have lived their lives - it's always interesting to me to see which animals are were when I return & to learn why they've been moved.
The savanna least likely to have zebras, IMO, is Uzima, although it had a pair of zebras in transit to elsewhere the only time I had an Uzima savanna view.

Thanks... I think I get it. Savannas are mostly about the animals, whereas trails refer to the location of the rooms... kind-of? We have a savanna view DVC studio, so I think I'll ask for Arusha... I'm not sure I'm worried about the trail location as we are only there 2 nights. I can see how this would be of concern if we were there for a week.

 

[Tonyz]

What's the best way to request a Savanna view? The early check-in doesn't give me many options.

 

[Gracie09]

What's the best way to request a Savanna view? The early check-in doesn't give me many options.

Savanna view is a bookable category. did you book a Savanna view room? Are you asking which Savanna?

 

[Tonyz]

Savanna view is a bookable category. did you book a Savanna view room? Are you asking which Savanna?

I booked standard view but I thought there was an option of requesting a Savanna view during on-line check in. I might be wrong... but I know last time I booked standard, requested a Savanna, and got it.

 

[kayteekt]

One week from today, we'll be on our way!

 

[pepperandchips]

I booked standard view but I thought there was an option of requesting a Savanna view during on-line check in. I might be wrong... but I know last time I booked standard, requested a Savanna, and got it.

If you have a touring plans subscription you can set up a trip on your dashboard and configure a "room request fax" with your requests.

If you booked through disney directly you can call and ask that they make a note of your room request. If you booked through a travel agent (including discount sources such as Orbitz) the travel agent can make the request for you (unless you have Touring Plans, it's probably easier to do it yourself through touring plans).

More than likely you will be asking for a partial savanna view or one of the "less desirable" savanna view locations, such as those overlooking the "people pens" or all the way at the end of the hall overlooking the animal barns (which is actually a super cool location if you like watching the animals gather there).

 

[Tonyz]

If you booked through disney directly you can call and ask that they make a note of your room request.

More than likely you will be asking for a partial savanna view or one of the "less desirable" savanna view locations, such as those overlooking the "people pens" or all the way at the end of the hall overlooking the animal barns (which is actually a super cool location if you like watching the animals gather there).

Thanks so much... now I remember that I made the request over the phone not online. Yeah and I loved the view I had last time and would be thrilled to have it again!

 

[wedway71]

Kidani question...my mother strongly dislikes elevators. We have never stayed at Kidani and were curious about stairs. Are their open staircases available? Any suggestions for room requests to avoid using elevators? Thanks for your assistance!