Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

My husband, daughter, 13, and I were lucky to be able to stay here 3 days last weekend. Beautiful resort, lovely cast members, and couldn't believe the animals. Truly wonderful stay. That being said, I was surprised by the amount of people jumping in line in front of us, especially since I'm pretty aware of it and will move to block it, I'm quicker than I look. Checking in, by mistake, at Kidani because I got off the bus too soon, a man does the hopping run to check in before me. Of course, that's when 2 of the 3 cast members go on break. Not a big deal, usually, but then his credit card was denied and spent 10-15 minutes surrounded by his " lovely" family waiting for the next receptionist to return. My husband was jumped in front of by a mom and young daughter waiting for the night vision goggles and a man "helping" another man with his camera and somehow forgot to go back in line. I can forgive kids but adults are frustrating. Did see an awesome bus driver at Animal Kingdom Park helping a woman on a evc. This young guy sprints on behind her, thinking she won't notice or say anything. She calls him out, politely and he's back in line 15 people deep with his friend who he was going to ditch. I understand that you run into rude people everywhere but it seemed so pronounced at AKL. Hopefully just the heat. That being said, it was our favorite resort. Hoping someday to go back.

I wouldn't say it's "just at AKL." People are sometimes just entitled. Especially on vacation when they believe (strongly) that their vacation is more important than everyone else's. I'm glad you still had a great time -- can't let those people get in the way of your fun!
 
I wouldn't say it's "just at AKL." People are sometimes just entitled. Especially on vacation when they believe (strongly) that their vacation is more important than everyone else's. I'm glad you still had a great time -- can't let those people get in the way of your fun!
Thank you. It was difficult to write about because it was so great but it does leave a feeling of frustration. Just wanted to vent, I guess. Thanks again.
 
Some have been told Dec. 2018 but even if that were factual, delays due to weather is always a factor, it's a little iffy in the winter here. One day warm, next day in the 40's and raining. Since the pool and pool bar will be closed I think there would not be hot tub and lounge chairs available. There is a pool and pool bar at Kidini you can use if it's still closed at Jambo.

Thanks for sharing the information,,I appreciate it. Well here in Canada it is predicted (Farmers Almanac) that we will have some days maybe in the -40's this winter.... so ...................... here I come Florida. (Even 40's and raining is good).
Hugs Mel
 
I checked every Wednesday from now until the end of the year and the ONLY available time slot was Oct 17th for the Jiko wine tasting. I was hoping maybe they held out reservations until a month or so prior, like they do for dessert parties and such. Like I said in my original post, I thought maybe this was a "sign up on the day of" sort of thing but I guess I was way off on that one!
i booked my wine tasting about 5 months ago :/
 
i have a question for the experts. what are the value studios in jambo house? i had never seen them before. my trip is 30 days from now, and i just checked again and saw value studios listed and grabbed it and downgraded my stay (since its a split and this is the first two nights of my stay) and its a significant savings. my assumption is that was just a price to move the room, same as a standard studio. but i wasnt sure. anyone know?i arrive at midnight my first night, so im really only in the room one day im not super concerned. just thought it was interesting.
 
i have a question for the experts. what are the value studios in jambo house? i had never seen them before. my trip is 30 days from now, and i just checked again and saw value studios listed and grabbed it and downgraded my stay (since its a split and this is the first two nights of my stay) and its a significant savings. my assumption is that was just a price to move the room, same as a standard studio. but i wasnt sure. anyone know?i arrive at midnight my first night, so im really only in the room one day im not super concerned. just thought it was interesting.

THey are smaller than the standard studios and have less desirable views, including some of them having parking lot views.

Also, I believe the bed and sofa are "flipped" in terms of which is closest to the door via the balcony.
 
i have a question for the experts. what are the value studios in jambo house? i had never seen them before. my trip is 30 days from now, and i just checked again and saw value studios listed and grabbed it and downgraded my stay (since its a split and this is the first two nights of my stay) and its a significant savings. my assumption is that was just a price to move the room, same as a standard studio. but i wasnt sure. anyone know?i arrive at midnight my first night, so im really only in the room one day im not super concerned. just thought it was interesting.
AKV’s value studios are a DVC booking category which is very popular with AKV owners because they are real point savers, they aren’t often available for cash booking - but occasionally they pop up. There are very few value villas.
They are on the 5th floor of Jambo on Ostrich and Giraffe trails. The villas are slightly smaller square footage wise than standard/savanna view studios at Jambo. A few have views out the front of the building, the rest have views of Sunset savanna or the pool.
 
Forgive me for asking, but I don't remember what the refurb dates are. Is the pool closed already? Was supposed to go to New Orleans Wednesday-Sunday, but that's pretty much out of the question now, so thinking of booking last minute trip to WDW for Food and Wine Fest. Thanks!
 
Forgive me for asking, but I don't remember what the refurb dates are. Is the pool closed already? Was supposed to go to New Orleans Wednesday-Sunday, but that's pretty much out of the question now, so thinking of booking last minute trip to WDW for Food and Wine Fest. Thanks!

September 4 - December 4 is the estimated closure dates.
 
Forgive me for asking, but I don't remember what the refurb dates are. Is the pool closed already? Was supposed to go to New Orleans Wednesday-Sunday, but that's pretty much out of the question now, so thinking of booking last minute trip to WDW for Food and Wine Fest. Thanks!
Just got back from a week in NOLA!
 
Arusha Savannah View room on Kudu trail vs Zebra trail. I know Zebra is closer to the dining, but is there a difference in the animals you see? Do the zebra and giraffe tend to be seen more on one side than the other?
 
I got a email reply from Disney re: my Jan 2019 trip


Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort! We are happy to hear you will be visiting!

I have great news! The refurbishments at Uzima, the feature pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, are scheduled to be completed in early December 2018!

So I am good to go,
Hugs Mel
YAY!!! I hope the weather is warm and that y'all have a wonderful time!
 
Been listening to the Animal Kingdom Lodge Music Loop on YouTube all day, brings a smile to my face and makes me feel like I'm "home" at my home resort again.

Been having a really rough time the last 5 or so days with a family member in the hospital and this helps me a lot while I'm at work. Glad I found it. I'd link it, but at work and music is on my phone lol... 99 days till I can hear it in person.
 
Arusha Savannah View room on Kudu trail vs Zebra trail. I know Zebra is closer to the dining, but is there a difference in the animals you see? Do the zebra and giraffe tend to be seen more on one side than the other?
The animals actually move around their savanna during the day/evening. A lot of how many animals you see depends on when you look. If you see the browse/food truck out the animals will most likely wander over to where their food has been left soon after. The trucks place high browse in various trees for the giraffes as well. Having a room that’s near one of the food stations would be a nice location, the feeding station I can recall for Arusha is near Arusha rock on the Kudu trail side. Being near one of the ponds is a good location as many animals stop by for a drink. The one that I know of in Arusha is visible from about midway down Zebra trail, I don’t recall seeing an Arusha pond on the Kudu trail side. Every morning the animals go into their barn and then return to their savanna 1 1/2 hrs or so later, Arusha shares a barn with Uzima, so if you’re towards the end of Zebra trail and watching at the right time you’ll get to see the various species groups leaving or returning to the savanna - it reminded me of Noah’s ark when I watched it :)

On another note - was anyone @ Jambo today & is the pool now officially closed?
 
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I'm planning on making a dining reservation at Sanaa for Sunday, March 24 2019, as soon as I hit 180 days. Has anyone eaten around this time of year who can recommend a time? I've heard close to sunset is a good time, so I may have to look up predicted sunset times for next year.
 

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