Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[Debbie Jean]

For those who are excited about breakfast at the Mara, have you actually looked at the menu? It’s one hot sandwich and some cold items. If they would open now for dinner hours, I would expect something similar.

I am in the camp that says there will be nothing of substance to improve the food options at Jambo until the resort is open.

Hey, I was there last week and will be there again in July. I’d love to be proved wrong!

 

[Drew729]

For those who are excited about breakfast at the Mara, have you actually looked at the menu? It’s one hot sandwich and some cold items. If they would open now for dinner hours, I would expect something similar.

I am in the camp that says there will be nothing of substance to improve the food options at Jambo until the resort is open.

Hey, I was there last week and will be there again in July. I’d love to be proved wrong!

I saw on a FB group this info, not confirmed but still hopeful

 

[Runnsally]

Anyone else worried Jiko is headed toward the same fate as Artist Point? Seems like a lot of similarities - fantastic food and a loyal following, but in a lower traffic/less accessible hotel and no view to draw more guests.

 

[Leight19]

Anyone else worried Jiko is headed toward the same fate as Artist Point? Seems like a lot of similarities - fantastic food and a loyal following, but in a lower traffic/less accessible hotel and no view to draw more guests.

I somewhat share your concern but not familiar with parallels to Artist point. I think it’s remote location and themeing has historically forced animal kingdom lodge to be top notch dining since it can’t rely simply on convenience or location. My concern is how will the 1 yr shutdown effect the restaurants when they finally reopen.

Will the restaurants here (jiko boma and Mara) have issues with losing key chefs/staff over the shut down? Have they placed the key employees in other areas to retain them for eventual reopening or will they need to essentially restart training from scratch when they do finally reopen? It would be a bummer if akl takes a long term slide in quality as result of this extended shutdown (I actually own at akv with food being major reason I enjoy it so much).

 

[Christine42566]

We're booked October 19 - 27th at Jambo House. Really hoping Boma, Jiko, and Victoria Falls Lounge will be open by then.

 

[ktink]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2021 & 2022
If you have any updates please let me know…
2021
March
3/4 - 3/10 Wosmama6 - AKL
3/9 - 3/11 patclairesmom - AKL
3/13 - 3/15 TikiRob - AKL Jambo
3/20 - 3/27 AvidDisReader - AKL
3/21 - 3/26 karen4546 - AKL
April
4/4 - 4/10 mom23guys2 - Jambo
4/10 - 4/17 montreid - Jambo
4/11 - 4/17 kayteekt - AKL
4/21 - 4/28 GrandMum - Kidani
May
5/2 - 5/6 Tinkerbelle83 - AKV
5/10 - 5/21 steg - Jambo
5/25 - 5/29 MickeyT - AKL
June
5/29 - 6/5 AliceIn Kidani
5/31 - 6/8 Bluegoat - Jambo
6/7 - 6/10 Kerr84 - Kidani
6/23 - 6/25 Tinkerbelle83 - Kidani
6/23 - 6/27 Calminthestorm - Jambo
6/25 - 7/1 DisneyDiana - Jambo
6/27 - 7/2 sabrecmc - AKL
July
7/11 - 7/19 preemiemama - AKV Jambo
August
8/5 - 8/19 ThinkBelieveDream&Dare Jambo
8/15 - 8/22 GinnyBear's_mom - AKL
8/17 - 8/21 Wayland10 - Kidani
8/18 - 8/25 myth2001 AKL
8/27 - 8/30 myth2001 - AKL
8/30 - 9/3 Naglejen - Kidani
September
9/25 - 10/02 KT0191 - Kidani
9/26 - 9/30 DgBg100106 - BCV
October
10/10 - 10/15 karen4546 - AKV Jambo
10/11 - 10/17 Meglen - Jambo
November
December
12/10 - 12/20 sndral - AKL
12/12 - 12/19 Brook~n~Matt - AKL
2022
January
February

Kidani 9/5-9/11/21

 

[dgbg100106]

I just booked DVC for Jambo 5/16-5/22!

May
5/2 - 5/6 Tinkerbelle83 - AKV
5/10 - 5/21 steg - Jambo
5/16 - 5/22 Kari2684 - AKV Jambo
5/25 - 5/29 MickeyT - AKL

 

[dgbg100106]

We're booked October 19 - 27th at Jambo House. Really hoping Boma, Jiko, and Victoria Falls Lounge will be open by then.

October
10/10 - 10/15 karen4546 - AKV Jambo
10/11 - 10/17 Meglen - Jambo
10/19 - 10/27 Christine42566 - Jambo

 

[dgbg100106]

Kidani 9/5-9/11/21

September
9/5 - 9/11 ktink - Kidani
9/25 - 10/02 KT0191 - Kidani
9/26 - 9/30 DgBg100106 - BCV

 

[dgbg100106]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2021 & 2022
If you have any updates please let me know…
2021

April
4/4 - 4/10 mom23guys2 - Jambo
4/10 - 4/17 montreid - Jambo
4/11 - 4/17 kayteekt - AKL
4/21 - 4/28 GrandMum - Kidani
May
5/2 - 5/6 Tinkerbelle83 - AKV
5/10 - 5/21 steg - Jambo
5/16 - 5/22 Kari2684 - AKV Jambo
5/25 - 5/29 MickeyT - AKL
June
5/29 - 6/5 AliceIn Kidani
5/31 - 6/8 Bluegoat - Jambo
6/7 - 6/10 Kerr84 - Kidani
6/23 - 6/25 Tinkerbelle83 - Kidani
6/23 - 6/27 Calminthestorm - Jambo
6/25 - 7/1 DisneyDiana - Jambo
6/27 - 7/2 sabrecmc - AKL
July
7/11 - 7/19 preemiemama - AKV Jambo
August
8/5 - 8/19 ThinkBelieveDream&Dare Jambo
8/15 - 8/22 GinnyBear's_mom - AKL
8/17 - 8/21 Wayland10 - Kidani
8/18 - 8/25 myth2001 AKL
8/27 - 8/30 myth2001 - AKL
8/30 - 9/3 Naglejen - Kidani
September
9/5 - 9/11 ktink - Kidani
9/25 - 10/02 KT0191 - Kidani
9/26 - 9/30 DgBg100106 - BCV
October
10/10 - 10/15 karen4546 - AKV Jambo
10/11 - 10/17 Meglen - Jambo
10/19 - 10/27 Christine42566 - Jambo
November
December
12/10 - 12/20 sndral - AKL
12/12 - 12/19 Brook~n~Matt - AKL
2022
January
February
March

 

[Mlchiranky]

Kidani 9/5-9/11/21

Kidani 11/14 - 11/19!

 

[dgbg100106]

Kidani 11/14 - 11/19!

November
11/14 - 11/19 Mlchiranky - Kidani

 

[karen4546]

I’ve read elsewhere that you are not allowed to make a value studio request, is that accurate? Kind of hoping it’s true - once less thing to worry about!

Technically, no. But, when we checked in, I asked if the partial savannah was available and it was. We had 2 value studios booked and the odds were sort of in our favor for at least one of them to be pool or savannah view.

 

[karen4546]

If anyone is at Jambo on recent weekends I would love to know if Uzima Springs pool bar is reopened. I know it was open on weekends for awhile and then in February closed again. I am really hoping it reopens again at least on weekends.

It was open on Sunday 3/21 and open until 10pm I think on 3/24. We were at the pool until 9:30 ish and it was still open.

 

[karen4546]

Staying at Jambo soon. For anyone who has recently spent time there in the evening. Are they still lighting the lobby fireplace & playing the African music. Have always looked forwarded to both to end the evening.

no fires in the lobby or out back as of 3.26.21 The driveway torches/pits are not lit either. I think they had music in the lobby. I miss the Zawadi marketplace. I would cut through there every day getting off the bus.

 

[AvidDisReader]

Was at Jumbo 3/20 to 3/27, this has always been my wifes favorite resort. To say the least it was a major disappointment. There was not the usual vibrant vibe one usually gets when entering the lobby. Too much closed. Not enough food choices. The best resort gift shop still closed. Just a big let down. Will not go back here until they open it back up.

 

[Tbone17701]

I’m guessing this has been asked at some point here, but is there any speculation or guesstimating going on as to when AKL might re-open in full? Just wondering if I’m needlessly stalking it for this Nov.

 

[HiStitch626]

The hotel section of Jambo has not yet had a reopening date listed. The Boardwalk Inn did have a reopening date of Oct 1, but that has been removed from the list. I would guess Disney is waiting to see how the summer goes to see if there is need for more deluxe rooms. To be honest I do not think Jambo would have opened at all if they were not obligated to open the DVC rooms.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I’m guessing this has been asked at some point here, but is there any speculation or guesstimating going on as to when AKL might re-open in full? Just wondering if I’m needlessly stalking it for this Nov.

Anything is possible I guess, however unlikely, just be sure you have a plan B.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Was at Jumbo 3/20 to 3/27, this has always been my wifes favorite resort. To say the least it was a major disappointment. There was not the usual vibrant vibe one usually gets when entering the lobby. Too much closed. Not enough food choices. The best resort gift shop still closed. Just a big let down. Will not go back here until they open it back up.

Yours should serve as a cautionary tale to anyone who is thinking of booking Jambo. It is what it is. I have been twice since reopening and will return in July. While I miss much of what you mention, I appreciate the grandeur of the resort and the quiet.

I think folks just need to be absolutely realistic about what is there at least for the foreseeable future. For example, people are saying “the Mara is open for breakfast”. This is one premade, nuked, sandwich and some fridge items. It isn’t the full Mara breakfast that folks know. If they open for dinner, I expect something similar.

I’m waiting for an announcement of the reopening of the full resort... that’s when things will change. Until then, know what you are booking!