Anyone want to give me their 5 cents on Kidani or Jambo decision?

[babyflo1]

Our family of 3 adults and two older children has a current reservation for Old Key West next October and I am seriously thinking of switching to AKL but which do I choose if we get the one bedroom villa? Kidani with more space?

 

[TaraPA]

I'd definitely go with Kidani - a 1BR there has 2 full bathrooms, Jambo 1BR only has 1.

If you do end up at Jambo be sure you're not in a value 1Br - they do not have the additional sleeper chair, so you'd be short a bed. A 1BR value at Jambo only sleeps 4, the regular 1BR at Jambo & Kidani sleep 5 with the extra sleeper chair.

 

[brettcw23]

Kidani is larger and I think you get an extra bathroom. We LOVED Kidani when we stayed there. It's definitely less hectic there.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We stayed in Kidani this past May and liked it very much. The resort was nice, loved the pool, and good bus service. We spent one afternoon hanging out at Jambo to use their pool and try their counter service, but I still preferred Kidani to stay at.

I had ordered some snacks from Garden Grocer and used the refillable mug at the gift shop (our room wasn't too far) and it was fine without the counter service. One night we got dinner at the lounge (appetizers from Sanaa).

 

[bcrook]

For all the reasons listed above...Kidani! You will love the extra bathroom. Plus, Kidani has Okapis!

 

[raven69david]

We've done both and prefer Jambo house. It feels more like "home" to us. We saw Kidani being built and it's like building a new house a few feet away. Even though you move into a brand new house, the memories remain with the old house as it's become a part of the family. That's how we feel about Jambo house. The lobby experience at Kidani is so much different than the grandeur of the Jambo house lobby.

 

[Tikihula]

Another vote for Kidani due to slightly larger rooms, 2 bathrooms in the 1-BR, the lanterns on the exterior front wall that welcome you home at night, it's where the park buses stop FIRST so you're assured of getting a seat, and the lobby is more intimate and welcoming. I think the savanna at Jambo is a little more worn and not quite as grassy.

However, I wouldn't turn down a chance to stay to Jambo, either.

 

[cvjw]

My family of 4 couldn't wait to be out of the JH 1 bedroom - it was way too small for us. The way the bathroom is set up is a deal breaker for our family. Kidani Village on the other hand, is one of our favorite DVC resorts. Our family can stay comfortably at KV in a 1 bedroom villa, and the extra bathroom makes getting ready in the mornings a breeze.

We will stay at JH again, but only in a 2 bedroom for the 4 of us.

 

[pigletto]

Most people will suggest Kidani for a 1bdrm because of the extra bathroom and the space. We have only stayed in a Studio at AKL. I chose Jambo to be in the main building and really preferred that location. I would sacrifice the location for the space if we were renting a one bedroom though. Kidani location isn't bad, it just isn't ideal for us.

 

[TaraPA]

Ask me again in March. I've stayed in a 1BR at Kidani twice, and have a 1BR at Jambo booked for March. In the 1BR at Kidani each time we had 4 adults (girls trip) and never felt cramped for space. We even joked that we could have added a few more friends on the trip! For that trip having 4 adult ladies, the 2 bathrooms was a must. For March it's the family. I chose Jambo over Kidani just for the location alone. I think with the kids along they'd enjoy the main lobby & all the activities at Jambo. They've stayed at Jambo before & love it. Plus, we eat at Boma several times a trip, so that will be more convenient staying at Jambo. So I'm sacrificing the extra space & extra bathroom for location. Sharing 1 bathroom isn't an issue, they're boys & are literally in & out of showers in 2-3 mintues.

If I absolutely had to choose one, I'd pick Kidani. It's soooo serene there, and I look forward to that after a long day in the parks. But I'd stay at either in a heartbeat. AKL is my favorite resort & I've stayed at most of them!

 

[wiigirl]

Kidani is larger and I think you get an extra bathroom. We LOVED Kidani when we stayed there. It's definitely less hectic there.

Exactly the extra space and extra bathroom make a world of difference!

 

[stormer]

The lobby in Jambo is definately beautiful, but I think for your group the extra space and the extra bathroom would be much more important. Think of the time the extra time you will save getting ready having two bathrooms. I would go for that. It is easy enough to walk over to Jambo to see the lobby or grab dinner.

 

[bcrook]

The lobby in Jambo is definately beautiful, but I think for your group the extra space and the extra bathroom would be much more important. Think of the time the extra time you will save getting ready having two bathrooms. I would go for that. It is easy enough to walk over to Jambo to see the lobby or grab dinner.

Good point. Especially if you request a room on the wing next to Jambo House ( south wing?). The shuttle runs back and forth also. And if you are at Kidani, all the park buses pick up at Kidani first and stop at Jambo second, so you could ride that way. Dtd buses go the opposite direction.

The sidewalk trail isn't very long.

But as people on other threads have shared over and over again. The walk from the north wing of Kidani to anywhere is a looong walk! . I request to stay on the north end because it is more peaceful and the okapis, but it is a hike!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If, when you say two older children, you mean teenagers, I'd go with a two bedroom villa instead of the one bedroom villa. The space will be better and you'll have more real beds. Then you could do either JH or KV.

 

[buzznina]

Split vote Kidani because of bigger room and water area, but for our family the ambiance goes to Jambo hands down. We always were just in aww walking into the main lobby, Kidani was just ok.

 

[pouncingpluto]

For your particular party, definitely Kidani, for the reasons others have listed (also, if you have a car, the garage parking is nice there). But Jambo is nice too -- again for the reasons listed above -- the choice between the two varies for us depending on the circumstances of the trip. We love AKL!

 

[bumbershoot]

Our family of 3 adults and two older children has a current reservation for Old Key West next October and I am seriously thinking of switching to AKL but which do I choose if we get the one bedroom villa? Kidani with more space?

Well, I would stick with OKW.