Jambo

[Novatrix]

Following along

With all the wonkiness with availability a few nights ago, I decided to change my week after Thanksgiving BCV to a Jambo value studio. I figure in Nov I'll either be ecstatic because I've got a nicely located room in Jambo, or I'll still be happy because I have a super cheap Kidani studio to try for my first stay there. The only thing that would make me unhappy would be needing to spend more points, or if they didn't decorate any of the resorts for Christmas.

 

[keishashadow]

Ok, this has gone back & forth so much...jambo is open, it’s for MLS, no NBA, no it’s closed, now back open - maybe.

What the heck is going on here?

should I bail now on my AKV value studio res (for F&W as well as after thanksgiving) and hope to find other DVC resorts available?

Won’t be thrilled to be told, sorry no room at the inn despite having booked 11 months prior

Okay...so, maybe it was removed from Disney site because it was being confused with AKL?

But seriously, if I was someone staying at AKV, I’d be so confused and irritated!

Yep, i’m Both at this point

Pop is opening and can accommodate so many more guests than AKL. Most other value guests are being moved there.

But there are many rumblings it’s not opening...we have res early august & did get email to confirm, etc.

 

[Nabas]

Ok, this has gone back & forth so much...jambo is open, it’s for MLS, no NBA, no it’s closed, now back open - maybe.

What the heck is going on here?

The DVC members website still reports that Jambo House will open on July 10, although amenities will be unavailable, except for the pool. This means no store, no food, no bar, etc. until the rest of Animal Kingdom Lodge opens to cash Guests.

DVC Members Services is still saying the opening date is July 10. Like everything else in this unprecedented time, that's subject to change.

In the near future, if you stay at Jambo House, you're going to have a room and a pool, not much else.

 

[Sandisw]

The DVC members website still says that Jambo House will open on July 10, although amenities will be closed, except for the pool. That means no store, no food, no bar, etc. until the rest of Animal Kingdom Lodge opens to cash Guests.

DVC Members Services is still saying the opening date is July 10. Like everything else in this unprecedented time, that's subject to change.

In the near future, if you stay at Jambo House, you're going to have a room and a pool, not much else.

But, CMs on the resort side are telling cash guests that Jambo DVC villas are not opening and are moving people who were relocated there somewhere else.

It was removed from opening list from the Disney website too...all other DVC are listed still.

So, the problem is that no one really knows at this point because there are two different messages,

 

[Doingitagain]

DVC MS checked with his manager this morning when I called about it and then said they don’t know when it will open for DVC. He said Walt Disney Travel owns Jambo and DVC has to wait for their decision. I think DVC just hasn’t updated their website yet. It certainly took them long enough to add that piece in the first place.

Why oh why can’t they figure this out? Is it staffing? Security? Cost? I tried to push on it, but all they say is they would be happy to move me so that I have some certainty.

 

[emtgirl4]

I called about this last night. we are supposed to be staying there in September. I was on hold off and on for 20 minutes while she tried to figure it out from the higher ups. She was great but it seemed like no one was positive on what was going on. she got my number and said she will call me back today and let me know.

 

[cmarsh31]

I have Jambo for August, Feb, and April... Going to wait it out a few weeks, probably at least until the 10th unless we hear any real update. I called MS during the first round of Jambogate and couldn't get any info then. They'll put us somewhere. August is only a one-night stay, and we have a value studio - I will not use more points, that's on them to figure out.

 

[keishashadow]

Hmm, let me get this straight, conventional thought here is:

A. if a resort doesn’t open, any attached DVC likely won’t open.

B. Said reservations will be moved ‘somewhere’, TBD

C. Possibly prudent to consider jumping the jambo ship, at least for fall reservations, but only if one can find DVC availability at a resort currently on the stated opening list...which is also subject to change

Bonus points, Wondering if park reservations would move with any reservation changes.

It’s becoming just too much trying to read between the lines.

 

[Sandisw]

Hmm, let me get this straight, conventional thought here is:

A. if a resort doesn’t open, any attached DVC likely won’t open.

B. Said reservations will be moved ‘somewhere’, TBD

C. Possibly prudent to consider jumping the jambo ship, at least for fall reservations, but only if one can find DVC availability at a resort currently on the stated opening list...which is also subject to change

Bonus points, Wondering if park reservations would move with any reservation changes.

It’s becoming just too much trying to read between the lines.

For A, not quite, CCV had to open, even though Disney did not open WL, because it is its own condo association and therefore, could not legally be kept closed,

Jambo is part of the same Condo Association as Kidani and therefore, is really a building, not its own resort. That is why it can be kept closed since Kidani is open. It really is the only one in its situation

I would not yet jump the Jambo ship foe fall if that is where you really want to stay because they will have to open those rooms if they don’t have other DVC rooms to move guests to if the hotel remains closed.

 

[DaveNan]

The weird thing is folks who are checking in at Jambo are getting moved over to Kidani and not getting charged points for any potential difference. But Jambo is still accepting new reservations. Several folks in this thread have stated they are getting bumped and end up in higher point rooms. Either value to STD or SAV, STD to SAV, or studio to 1 BR. The availability on Jambo Val studios is getting low, but not 0, and Jambo value 1BR is open through 7/11. If I had a Kidani or Jambo STD std view villa through July 11, I would move to Jambo Val if it were available. Worst case you end up in the same room for fewer points. I might even move from a Kidani std studio to Jambo std studio for the same points, in hopes I would get bumped to a SAV or 1 BR, for no points.

 

[Beachmom0317]

Just had our waitlist come through: Jambo value for 11/16-11/20. We were originally booked in a Jambo standard studio. I’m excited but also trying not to be emotional because who knows if we’re going lol we live in New England in MA and would have to fly. Also who knows it Jambo will be open...we’ve stayed at kidani before and don’t like the long hallways

 

[Doingitagain]

The DVC Booking Tool still allows us to book Jambo villas, and says they will be opening July 10. Note they have edited it to say that Uzima Pool will open with the villas, but the restaurants and merch won't open until the hotel side opens. It also confirms there will be a shuttle to Kidani.

All Disney Vacation Club Resorts at Walt Disney World are now open with the exception of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House which will open July 10. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village is open and welcoming home Members and Guests. Members with confirmed reservations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House prior to July 10, will be transferred to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village. Upon the reopening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House, Uzima Pool will also open, however, all other amenities such as restaurants and merchandise locations will remain closed until the rest of the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opens. A shuttle from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village will be provided where available merchandise locations and restaurants are located.

 

[marx]

I emailed on Saturday and am waiting on a response.

Keep us posted! It did take me about 10 days to get my last email response but it came!

My June 6th email was never answered

 

[Sandisw]

My June 6th email was never answered

Oh yuck. I am waiting on one from last week...your delay doesn’t give me hope.

 

[marx]

Oh yuck. I am waiting on one from last week...your delay doesn’t give me hope.

I finally received this (non) response today:

Welcome Home Mark,

Thank you for contacting Disney Vacation Club®.
We appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with us and understand your concerns.

Please know that our priority lies in ensuring the safety and health of our Cast Members and Guests.

We are excited to share that select Disney Vacation Club Resorts at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will be reopening to Guests on June 22, 2020.

We invite you to visit DisneyWorld.com and DisneyVacationClub.com for the most up-to-date information on the phased reopening, including the park reservation system, policies, procedures and precautionary measures in place when Resorts and Theme Parks reopen. Please note we are unable to speculate about any additional details that have not been officially communicated. We are also not able to speculate about why certain resorts are opening later.

 

[Doingitagain]

I finally received this (non) response today:

Welcome Home Mark,

Thank you for contacting Disney Vacation Club®.
We appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with us and understand your concerns.

Please know that our priority lies in ensuring the safety and health of our Cast Members and Guests.

We are excited to share that select Disney Vacation Club Resorts at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will be reopening to Guests on June 22, 2020.

We invite you to visit DisneyWorld.com and DisneyVacationClub.com for the most up-to-date information on the phased reopening, including the park reservation system, policies, procedures and precautionary measures in place when Resorts and Theme Parks reopen. Please note we are unable to speculate about any additional details that have not been officially communicated. We are also not able to speculate about why certain resorts are opening later.

Hmmm, wonder if we can hold them to this, then:
All Disney Vacation Club Resorts at Walt Disney World are now open with the exception of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House which will open July 10.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Hmmm, wonder if we can hold them to this, then:
All Disney Vacation Club Resorts at Walt Disney World are now open with the exception of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House which will open July 10.

I read that and also the pool will open.

 

[Doingitagain]

I read that and also the pool will open.

The Uzima Pool at Jambo opens with the villas and they will have an internal shuttle to Kidani since Jambo won't have restaurants until the full resort side opens. They made those edits, but left July 10 as an opening date.

 

[bigskyernurse]

I had a reservation at Jambo from July 24-8/1, and when I asked member services if it would definitely be open, they gave me a cryptic answer. I pushed a bit more for info and they said it didn't look like it would be, and someone would contact me closer to my check in date about moving. I went ahead and switched to Kidani so I don't have to worry about it.

 

[JOLT]

I had a reservation at Jambo from July 24-8/1, and when I asked member services if it would definitely be open, they gave me a cryptic answer. I pushed a bit more for info and they said it didn't look like it would be, and someone would contact me closer to my check in date about moving. I went ahead and switched to Kidani so I don't have to worry about it.

That's interesting everyone at kidani I talked to this weekend said that 7/10 was the date and they had not heard anything different. I talked to front desk and pool staff who said they work both Jambo and kidani.