Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[dgbg100106]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2019 & 2020
If you have any updates please let me know…
2019
December
12/8 - 12/24 Scoobie - AKL Kidani
12/15 - 12/22 ericar - AKL
12/20 - 12/24 Lehuaann - AKV CL
12/20 - 12/30 Shoshana - AKL
12/21 - 12/26 TinkerBelle_325 - AKL CL
12/21 - 12/28 jcthompson2 - AKL
12/24 - 12/29 kimmar067 - AKL
12/26 - 12/30 elsbit - AKL CL
2020
January
12/29 - 1/4 ChanellF - AKL Jambo
1/8 - 1/13 lahobbs4 - AKV-Jambo
1/8-1/15 gillep - ALK CL (DVC)
1/10 - 1/17 BurleyGirl - AKL
1/11 - 1/15 MamaJessie - AKL
1/17 - 1/18 ThinkBelieveDream&Dare - AKL
1/24 - 2/2 shbarrett - AKL
1/24 - 2/3 youngdeb12 - AKL
1/25 - 1/27 KimBean - AKL
1/25 - 2/2 maranara - AKL
1/28 - 2/4 mandis77 - AKL
February
1/31 - 2/14 KaboomBoxer - AKL
2/4 - 2/11 mullysisters - AKL
2/4 - 2/12 Mollygirl21 - AKV
2/13 - 2/15 Mom2Colin - AKL
2/14 - 2/20 MadMadamMim1 - Jambo
2/15 - 2/22 starousse - AKL Jambo
2/16 - 2/23 ursalita - AKL
March
3/1 - 3/6 shakes - AKL
3/4 - 3/14 VicarJT - AKL
3/7 - 3/14 nllmncsu - AKL
3/15 - 3/21 Grumpy by Birth - AKV Jambo
3/22 - 3/26 jennf - AKL Jambo
April
3/29 - 4/4 eeyoreandtink - AKL
3/29 - 4/5 andral - AKL Jambo
4/9 - 4/18 WolfePack811 - AKL
4/13 - 4/18 Pooh12863 - AKL Jambo
4/14 - 4/25 cincystamper - AKL Jambo
4/24 - 4/25 Sajchinook2015 AKL
4/27 - 5/8 lisa12000 - AKL
May
5/3 - 5/7 P'colaBeachBum - AKL
5/5 - 5/10 Lilylogan -AKL
5/21 - 5/28 disprincesspatty - AKL Jambo
5/21 - 5/30 dancemom1 - AKV Jambo
5/24 - 5/29 karen4546 - AKV Jambo
June
6/6 - 6/12 malissa90 - AKL
6/14 - 6/21 amyadams1020 - AKL
6/28 - 7/4 DisneyDiana - AKV
July
7/22 - 7/25 cmarsh31 - AKL
August
8/19 - 8/28 Minnieloves4 - AKL
September
9/8 - 9/12 Gerweniel - AKL Jambo
9/10 - 9/24 atkinstogram - AKL CL
October
10/1 - 10/15 tinkerbell1991 - AKL
November
11/4 - 11/10 goodeats - AKL Kidani
December

 

[Nancyg56]

Wow! Another account of angry CM"S at the front desk! What is going on at AKL? Perhaps construction complaints have them on edge?

I think they are gettting blasted by folks who are not happy with the trek up and down and around. We were greeted very kindly and directed to our room with instructions how to get there. OMG, we finally found the room, but we were totally lost, navigating our way through the construction (not what we were told to do! LOL) I asked to be relocated, and the resort was at 100% but the CM was able to move our room the following day. Well, it pays to bring a set of 3 YO girls becuase they were able to guide two old ladies, so I called to reverse the request.

The CM actually left her post to guide us to our room when we were lost, and by day 2 we say a CM stationed at the elevators assisting guests whose sense of direction mirrored ours, and who did not have the 2 young guides we had along.

The resort was at capacity the length of our stay, and I firmly believe those poor folks at the check in desk are overwhelmed by the construction complaints. Truth be told, once you figure out how to get up and down, it's fine, but not everyone wants ti manage that, and I understand their frustration.

Saw something on FB that those staying in February are getting emails from AKL about exterior painting? We'll be checking out on the 4th but had not received anything

There is exterior painting by the pool. It did nto impact us at all.

I wanted to thank everyone for their help prior to our visit. I requested easy pool access for the girls, and the bonus was easy access to The Mara. Those two sailed up and down for coffee for us and soft drinks and power ade for themselves, and enjoyed a few visits to the pool.

The construction was a minor inconvenience when compared to the beauty and wonder of this glorious resort. The CM's were so kind throughout, and by the end of our stay I felt like we were family due to their interactions with us. The CM who was stationed on our floor to help with finding rooms was so darn sweet! My sister and I had a lovely time, enjoyed the serenity of the resort

 

[Shoshana]

We arrived yesterday and the front desk CMs couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful.

 

[MFL101]

We have a club level king savanna room booked next week. Concerned about construction disruption. Anyone know if our room category is located in the affected area?

 

[dgbg100106]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2019 & 2020
If you have any updates please let me know…
2019
December
12/20 - 12/30 Shoshana - AKL
12/21 - 12/26 TinkerBelle_325 - AKL CL
12/21 - 12/28 jcthompson2 - AKL
12/24 - 12/29 kimmar067 - AKL
12/26 - 12/30 elsbit - AKL CL
2020
January
12/29 - 1/4 ChanellF - AKL Jambo
1/8 - 1/13 lahobbs4 - AKV-Jambo
1/8-1/15 gillep - ALK CL (DVC)
1/10 - 1/17 BurleyGirl - AKL
1/11 - 1/15 MamaJessie - AKL
1/17 - 1/18 ThinkBelieveDream&Dare - AKL
1/24 - 2/2 shbarrett - AKL
1/24 - 2/3 youngdeb12 - AKL
1/25 - 1/27 KimBean - AKL
1/25 - 2/2 maranara - AKL
1/28 - 2/4 mandis77 - AKL
February
1/31 - 2/14 KaboomBoxer - AKL
2/4 - 2/11 mullysisters - AKL
2/4 - 2/12 Mollygirl21 - AKV
2/13 - 2/15 Mom2Colin - AKL
2/14 - 2/20 MadMadamMim1 - Jambo
2/15 - 2/22 starousse - AKL Jambo
2/16 - 2/23 ursalita - AKL
March
3/1 - 3/6 shakes - AKL
3/4 - 3/14 VicarJT - AKL
3/7 - 3/14 nllmncsu - AKL
3/15 - 3/21 Grumpy by Birth - AKV Jambo
3/22 - 3/26 jennf - AKL Jambo
April
3/29 - 4/4 eeyoreandtink - AKL
3/29 - 4/5 andral - AKL Jambo
4/9 - 4/18 WolfePack811 - AKL
4/13 - 4/18 Pooh12863 - AKL Jambo
4/14 - 4/25 cincystamper - AKL Jambo
4/24 - 4/25 Sajchinook2015 AKL
4/27 - 5/8 lisa12000 - AKL
May
5/3 - 5/7 P'colaBeachBum - AKL
5/5 - 5/10 Lilylogan -AKL
5/21 - 5/28 disprincesspatty - AKL Jambo
5/21 - 5/30 dancemom1 - AKV Jambo
5/24 - 5/29 karen4546 - AKV Jambo
June
6/6 - 6/12 malissa90 - AKL
6/14 - 6/21 amyadams1020 - AKL
6/28 - 7/4 DisneyDiana - AKV
July
7/22 - 7/25 cmarsh31 - AKL
August
8/19 - 8/28 Minnieloves4 - AKL
September
9/8 - 9/12 Gerweniel - AKL Jambo
9/10 - 9/24 atkinstogram - AKL CL
October
10/1 - 10/15 tinkerbell1991 - AKL
November
11/4 - 11/10 goodeats - AKL Kidani
December

 

[DigitalOlli]

We are at AKV Jambo May 27 - May 28 ( got a DVC Value Studio at the front of our Trip) and June 5 till June 13 at AKV Jambo in a DVC Studio.

 

[dgbg100106]

We are at AKV Jambo May 27 - May 28 ( got a DVC Value Studio at the front of our Trip) and June 5 till June 13 at AKV Jambo in a DVC Studio.

May
5/3 - 5/7 P'colaBeachBum - AKL
5/5 - 5/10 Lilylogan -AKL
5/21 - 5/28 disprincesspatty - AKL Jambo
5/21 - 5/30 dancemom1 - AKV Jambo
5/24 - 5/29 karen4546 - AKV Jambo
5/27-5/28 DigitalOlli - AKV Jambo
June
6/5 - 6/13 DigitalOlli - AKV Jambo
6/6 - 6/12 malissa90 - AKL
6/14 - 6/21 amyadams1020 - AKL
6/28 - 7/4 DisneyDiana - AKV

 

[tinabina919]

We will be at Jambo Nov 15-20

 

[dgbg100106]

We will be at Jambo Nov 15-20

November
11/4 - 11/10 goodeats - AKL Kidani
11/15 - 11/20 tinabina919 - AKL Jambo

 

[bavarian princess]

Jambo everyone I was just considering to move my Pop century reservation (4/24 - 5/01) to AKL when I read that there is construction going on. Sorry if this has been asked before but is there a timeframe to the construction? From what I understand it is not only the rooms that they are updating but also the public area. AKL is my favorite Disney hotel by far and I don't mind a bit of construction but I also like to know what I get myself into Thanks in advance

 

[KathyTbell]

Jambo! We have a first-time AKL reservation coming up soon. We had heard about some room refurbishment ending fall 2019, so we weren't concerned with a January reservation. Can anyone update us on what type of construction is still going on and where? Thank you so much!

 

[SamFaniam]

Hello all! We have a dinner planned at Boma in March, and we’re hoping to see King Pin during our visit to AKL. Does anyone have information on his schedule?

 

[CT Disney]

Hello all! We have a dinner planned at Boma in March, and we’re hoping to see King Pin during our visit to AKL. Does anyone have information on his schedule?

I just replied over on the pin trading thread on the TPAS board, but figured I would copy here as well:

I tried to Google his schedule and it looks like KingPin has a Twitter Account with the handle @KingPinWorld. From what I could gather his schedule is still Monday thru Friday at 2:00 pm. I know this is what the schedule was when we visited last year. It looks like he updates via Twitter if he has days off or vacation scheduled.

 

[#1eeyoregirl]

Just booked our trip for Nov 21-28 2020 at AKL Jambo!! We stayed there this past summer and we have officially found our new home This will be our first trip during Thanksgiving, how are the crowds as compared to Christmas?

 

[Babsy]

Jambo everyone I was just considering to move my Pop century reservation (4/24 - 5/01) to AKL when I read that there is construction going on. Sorry if this has been asked before but is there a timeframe to the construction? From what I understand it is not only the rooms that they are updating but also the public area. AKL is my favorite Disney hotel by far and I don't mind a bit of construction but I also like to know what I get myself into Thanks in advance

Below are my random thoughts pieced together from tidbits gleaned here and there. None of it is certain or verifiable, just my own considerations as I try to decide what to do myself.........

I haven't been able to get much information on the construction - I don't think that anyone really knows the answer to this. From what I have been able to gather it seems that the construction was originally supposed to be done by fall 2019. Not surprisingly, it wasn't finished by then. It seems that the Ostrich and Giraffe trails are the last on the schedule and, according to the most recent info that I have, are not yet started. The Savanna rooms seem to be finished(?) on The Zebra and Kudu trails. Outside painting near the pool as well as interior of pool view rooms appears to be at least some of the work happening right now, I think. The pool at Jambo has had work completed, and appears to be in use.

It seems to me that there is still considerable work to be finished. (again JMHO) People are impacted to varying degrees, depending upon a mix of where their room is located and their tolerance for some disruption at their resort.
I am anticipating work to continue for months rather than weeks and expect something to still be ongoing for my own trip in early Feb. SO, I am trying to find an alternative place to stay as I do not enjoy staying anywhere with construction. ALSo, I have a pool view room booked, which may be the worst possible choice. Nothing else seems to be available for my dates - another hint that this is where the issues may primarily lie right now.

If anyone has better or more accurate information to share please correct me.

Bavarian Princess: Your April/May time frame may or may not be affected. It depends upon how quickly Disney gets the remaining work done, which is anyone's guess, AFAIK. If I were planning an April /May trip, I would probably still stay at AKL, but keep an eye on what is happening and request a room as far as possible from construction. I would stay Savannah or standard view rather than pool view, as these room categories have the best potential to find a room away from construction.

YMMV. That is just what I would do based on the little that I have read. I am not sure of any of this. But it is the best that I have and I hope that it helps.

Good luck deciding!

 

[dgbg100106]

Just booked our trip for Nov 21-28 2020 at AKL Jambo!! We stayed there this past summer and we have officially found our new home This will be our first trip during Thanksgiving, how are the crowds as compared to Christmas?

November
11/4 - 11/10 goodeats - AKL Kidani
11/15 - 11/20 tinabina919 - AKL Jambo
11/21 - 11/28 #1eeyoregirl - AKL Jambo

 

[lahobbs4]

Just booked our trip for Nov 21-28 2020 at AKL Jambo!! We stayed there this past summer and we have officially found our new home This will be our first trip during Thanksgiving, how are the crowds as compared to Christmas?

Definitely less than Christmas! Thanksgiving week is one of our favorite times to go. Just be aware that it gets gradually busier later in the week. And, as always, try to get any FP or Dining reservations for your must-do's. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Hoop-Dee-Dee Revue last year and it was a great way to have a park break and have a fun dinner together. AKL is GORGEOUS with Christmas decorations, if you haven't seen them!!

 

[Disney Ron]

If someone could please help. If we were to book a stay in August would all the Jambo House rooms be refurbed by then?

TIA!

 

[Starwind]

If someone could please help. If we were to book a stay in August would all the Jambo House rooms be refurbed by then?

TIA!

Nobody knows for sure because Disney hasn't released an official end date, and the project started late and is therefore behind the original announced schedule. That said, it is expected that it will be finished "spring 2020", so by August it should be done or if it isn't it would have just a small amount of stuff left.

Kudu trail is already done or almost all done. Zebra trail is well underway and some of it is already done.

As reported elsewhere on the Disboards, the DVC value studios and villas are not available in early 2020 due to construction work in the surrounding hotel area, which suggests that is when at least parts of the Giraffe and Ostrich trails will be under renovation.

SW

 

[Disney Ron]

Nobody knows for sure because Disney hasn't released an official end date, and the project started late and is therefore behind the original announced schedule. That said, it is expected that it will be finished "spring 2020", so by August it should be done or if it isn't it would have just a small amount of stuff left.

Kudu trail is already done or almost all done. Zebra trail is well underway and some of it is already done.

As reported elsewhere on the Disboards, the DVC value studios and villas are not available in early 2020 due to construction work in the surrounding hotel area, which suggests that is when at least parts of the Giraffe and Ostrich trails will be under renovation.

SW

Thank you very much.