Kidani Village or Jambo House?

[mercydisney]

I have never stayed at AKL. Which one would you prefer? The good the bad and the ugly? It will be a standard view studio. Or is it worth it to get Savanah view?

 

[geffric]

we have only stayed at Jambo House..it is the main lodge and has so many things to do and see..I love it..
A std view is fine IMHO..you can walk out on the Savanah anytime, sit in the rockers and watch the animals, go to story telling by the savanah/pit..lots to do plus it smells so wonderful..from Boma..yum!

 

[Denamac]

We have stayed at both and prefer Jambo House. We were in a value studio, so the view was the luck of the draw. We totally lucked out and got a Savannah view. Now we are hooked! We are going again in June, staying at Jambo House and didn't take a chance this time; booked Savannah view. Kidani just didn't wow us like Jambo did. It's nice, but...

Transportation was never a problem from either. Couldn't complain. All in all, you will enjoy your stay at either one. Our personal preference is Jambo.

 

[jhryb]

I believe that Kidani has a bit more of an exclusive feel - it is quieter. I know that my DH prefers Kidani for this reason. I personally prefer a bit more action so I would choose Jambo house. There is no CS dining at Kidani. If you are a couple travelling without kids then I would say that either option is fine. If you are a family with kids then I would definitely suggest Jambo house.

 

[3happydancers]

I have never stayed at AKL. Which one would you prefer? The good the bad and the ugly? It will be a standard view studio. Or is it worth it to get Savanah view?

We've stayed at both. For our family, Jambo House, fit our needs best. We enjoy the counter service and restaurants right there. The Jambo House also has a much large store in which to shop for most of your needs. If you stay at Kidani, you have a bit of a walk to the main building (Jambo), or you could take Disney Transportation. I believe they also offer a van that runs back and forth. We found this a bit inconvenient. Both offer a savannah to enjoy but we did not have a savannah view. We took advantage of the viewing areas where you can enjoy the animals and take great pics! If you like the convenience of a food court, restaurants and shopping, I'd go with the Jambo House. We found the Jambo House larger and livelier and Kidani more intimate. Both resorts are beautiful.

 

[singastory]

Recently confirmed my 1-bed value view. Was willing to upgrade to standard view, but I got Jambo. I'm a little disappointed with the lack of a separate shower stall and one less bathroom in general... Tuning in to hopefully be reassured of Jambo!

 

[3pletprincesses]

We like Kidani. I have noticed that it's a bit more quiet and I think the rooms are a bit bigger then Jambo. That being said, all the food is at Jambo but there's a shuttle between both places.

 

[spiceycat]

I have never stayed at AKL. Which one would you prefer? The good the bad and the ugly? It will be a standard view studio. Or is it worth it to get Savanah view?

are you using DVC points or cash with CRO?

with DVC points - standard view is the pool or rooms that were savannah and now are standard at Jambo House.

with CRO - standard view in both places is parking lot - you might get luck with Kidani and get a garden or swimming pool view.

oh if you get a standard room at Jambo house that was a savannah room - expect a long walk.

with a studio would go with Jambo house

 

[spiceycat]

Recently confirmed my 1-bed value view. Was willing to upgrade to standard view, but I got Jambo. I'm a little disappointed with the lack of a separate shower stall and one less bathroom in general... Tuning in to hopefully be reassured of Jambo!

Jambo house is great - you can only get Jambo with a value view. standard view is at both Jambo house and Kidani

for a 1-bedroom and up - would go with Kidani - the extra room is worth it.

but again there is no value rooms at Kidani

you must ask for standard or savannah view at Kidani.

 

[mickeyncldkd]

I have to say the savanah view is real nice. My kids and I have a great time looking at the animals. If I had to pick I choose the savanah view any time. I enjoy watching my kids get excited about the animals from the morning to the night.

 

[singastory]

Jambo house is great - you can only get Jambo with a value view. standard view is at both Jambo house and Kidani

for a 1-bedroom and up - would go with Kidani - the extra room is worth it.

but again there is no value rooms at Kidani

you must ask for standard or savannah view at Kidani.

Thanks! I indeed found that out after the fact. I rented points and when I saw "Jambo" on my reservation, I realized my error. You'd think months and months of research would have prevented such a mistake but it's non-refundable so I can't change now! It's gonna be great either way and I shouldn't stress out about it when I don't have a large family. I'm excited to be closer to the action. I'm sure once I get there I'll stop caring so much.

 

[mercydisney]

Thank You ALL!!

I am renting DVC so because of all your great sugestions I have decided to stay at Jambo standard studio. It is me and my 2 girls and we like a livelier crowd on vacation.

I have stayed in all the Disney value and moderate hotels. This will be my
1st time in staying in a Deluxe. I did not realize I would be so nervous about it.

 

[AshleeH]

We stayed in Kidani and it was very peaceful and quiet. We had a long walk to get to our room (literally had the very last room in the hotel) but it was an enjoyable stay. I wouldn't turn down a stay in Jambo house, but there was definitely more going on there than in Kidani.

 

[phi2012]

So have I got this right, if you choose standard view studio at jambo house you will get either pool view or the reclassified savannah views? No parking lot?

We are trying to choose between kidani and jambo also and the points options, either standard or value (if still available, prob not knowing my luck).
But we really don't want a parking lot view if we can help it.

Hope someone can clarify and suggest what we should try and get.

Thanks

 

[AshleeH]

So have I got this right, if you choose standard view studio at jambo house you will get either pool view or the reclassified savannah views? No parking lot?

We are trying to choose between kidani and jambo also and the points options, either standard or value (if still available, prob not knowing my luck).
But we really don't want a parking lot view if we can help it.

Hope someone can clarify and suggest what we should try and get.

Thanks

I've always understood standard view as being you get what you get. Mainly the parking area, but I'm sure there are a few other standard rooms that don't face the lot and instead face other more scenic areas (but probably are outnumbered by the lot views). Unless they've changed this wording for it.

In general, you really can't make a bad choice between Jambo and Kidani - we liked Kidani and would stay there again, but I would stay in Jambo as well (I wouldn't say that about all the resorts).

 

[phi2012]

are you using DVC points or cash with CRO?

with DVC points - standard view is the pool or rooms that were savannah and now are standard at Jambo House.

with CRO - standard view in both places is parking lot - you might get luck with Kidani and get a garden or swimming pool view.

oh if you get a standard room at Jambo house that was a savannah room - expect a long walk.

with a studio would go with Jambo house

It was this info I was looking at when I said about whether standard view rooms at jambo house are either the pool and savannah views only and not parking lot. Sorry I should have quoted it before . This is what I was wondering about as I will be booking with dvc points.

But thanks for the info on the two resorts, it's nice to know they are both nice so either will suit, it's just which one we have a better chance of a better view and preferably not a parking lot view.

 

[Brave teacher]

It was this info I was looking at when I said about whether standard view rooms at jambo house are either the pool and savannah views only and not parking lot. Sorry I should have quoted it before . This is what I was wondering about as I will be booking with dvc points.

But thanks for the info on the two resorts, it's nice to know they are both nice so either will suit, it's just which one we have a better chance of a better view and preferably not a parking lot view.

With DVC at AKL...

-Value rooms are at Jambo only and will either be of the parking lot or savannah.
-Standard rooms at Jambo will have a pool view (possibly obstructed) or a reclassified savannah room.
-Standard rooms at Kidani will overlook the bus pickup, driveways, basketball courts, overflow parking, and possibly the pool.
-Savannah rooms will overlook one of the savannahs of the resort.

Hope this helps.

 

[mmmears]

I like the feel of Jambo personally, but if you have little kids I think the water splash play area at Kidani could be a draw to stay over there. AKL is wonderful!

 

[phi2012]

Thanks so much.

Think we are going to try and get jambo house standard view as at least we won't get a parking lot view .

It's a shame the pool is better at kidani as I do have my two little ones with us, but im sure the pool at jambo is great too. Either way the animal kingdom villas look great, I can't wait for my stay.

Thanks for the info guys .

 

[Darkside]

First I want to say that I am a fan of Jambo House, however, this is why I would pick Kidani over Jambo. Kidani is way less crowded(or in appearances it seems that it is?), Easy access to my vehicle which is parked under our room, nicer pool (again, just our opinion?), 1st to pick up on the buses and first to drop off, and Kidani as a certain sense or serenity and after a long day at the park, this is really nice, not sure if it is the lighting, the music, or layout?