AKL villas - Kidani or Jambo?? - The DIS Discussion Forums

TxDisFans · 11-20-2009, 03:11 PM

We're throwing together an April '10 trip. My husband wants to try a 1-br villa at AKL - we're seeing Kidani and Jambo available. (previous stay was at GF, never been to AKL before).

Which should we go for?? Is the construction at Kidani all finished? How is the long walk to Jambo from there? Villa comparison? Pool info? Bus problems? I'm concerned about the long bus trips from AKL in the first place, wondering if staying at Kidani makes it better or worse...

Any info at all on Kidani or Jambo villas would be super! Or suggestions of other threads to check out. Thanks in advance!!!

Disneycouple99 · 11-20-2009, 03:25 PM

Construction is done for the building. The big difference is that Kidani has 2 bathrooms to Jambo 1, also Kidani has more sq. feet. Kidani has been described as having a more homey fell to it. Most of the restraunts, including the only CS restraunt, are at Jambo. Kidani has a smaller pool but a better slide. The buses stop at Kidani first then Jambo execpt for DTD bus ( it goes the other way). The walk to Jambo is about 10 minutes. Actual ride time to parks are not real bad, MK being about 17 minutes.

CruznLexi · 11-21-2009, 01:14 AM

I have stayed at KV and JH but we prefer KV. It has a homier feel to it. it is about a 10 min walk to the JH or if you see a park bus hop on them. You can use both places. We prefer the pool at KV better the slide is way better.
Lexi

DebbieB · 11-21-2009, 09:01 AM

One thing I didn't like with the Jambo 1 bedroom is the master bathroom has a combo tub/shower. Kidani has a large separate shower, plus the extra bathroom.

bobbiwoz · 11-21-2009, 09:03 AM

Kidani's people are let off first after the parks, and at night, that's a big plus for me! Personally, I prefer Jambo, but mostly we use studios. When we book 1 or 2 bedrooms at AKV, it's at Kidani! The extended family loved the spacious master bath in Kidani when we stayed there in May.

Bobbi

Desnik · 11-21-2009, 09:57 AM

I am trying to make the same decision!

I thought the better pool area was at Kidani? The extra bathroom is a huge plus. But, I don't like that there is no CS at Kidani. I am also worried about the long walk between Jambo and Kidani.

bobbiwoz · 11-21-2009, 10:38 AM

Kidani has a wonderful pool and when we have children that's where we'll stay. If you don't want the walk to Jambo for counter service, just take any bus going to a park, Jambo will be the first stop.

For just me and DH, we love Jambo, just a sentimental thing...with other guests, I would always pick Kidani.

Bobbi

DVC Grammy · 11-21-2009, 10:53 AM

Like Bobbi, if I want a studio, I usually prefer Jambo. I like having the choice of restaurants in "elevator" reach.

But if I were to go for a 1-br, I would definitely choose Kidani. Having a second bathroom trumps the convenience of the restaurants!

TxDisFans · 11-21-2009, 11:13 AM

Thanks everyone - these comments are so helpful! Right now we've booked at Jambo in a 1 br... we are just 4 of us, with two small kids, so the second bathroom doesn't sway me so much, and we're worried about that long walk (they are small but too big for strollers = whiny walkers at disney!)

But... still considering switching to Kidani!!

Any other thoughts on the buses? I'd heard they were great at AKL in general, but then read that the service has been a nightmare since Kidani opened. We've always stayed in a monorail hotel, so... we're worried about dependence on buses. Any reassuring words????

DebbieB · 11-21-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxDisFans

Thanks everyone - these comments are so helpful! Right now we've booked at Jambo in a 1 br... we are just 4 of us, with two small kids, so the second bathroom doesn't sway me so much, and we're worried about that long walk (they are small but too big for strollers = whiny walkers at disney!)

But... still considering switching to Kidani!!

Any other thoughts on the buses? I'd heard they were great at AKL in general, but then read that the service has been a nightmare since Kidani opened. We've always stayed in a monorail hotel, so... we're worried about dependence on buses. Any reassuring words????

I stayed at Kidani in June. The park busses stop at Kidani first, then Jambo. A couple of times we took early morning busses and the bus filled fast, some people at Jambo were left to wait for the next bus. That was even before all the rooms at Kidani opened, so it might be worse now for people staying at Jambo.

Desnik · 11-21-2009, 01:35 PM

OP, thanks for starting this thread!

Everyone who responded, thank you!!! I have decided to book a 1 bedroom in Kidani Village for our June trip!!

(we are doing a split stay with 4 nights at BWV, 3 nights AKV)

11-20-2009, 03:11 PM	#1
TxDisFans Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22	AKL villas - Kidani or Jambo?? We're throwing together an April '10 trip. My husband wants to try a 1-br villa at AKL - we're seeing Kidani and Jambo available. (previous stay was at GF, never been to AKL before). Which should we go for?? Is the construction at Kidani all finished? How is the long walk to Jambo from there? Villa comparison? Pool info? Bus problems? I'm concerned about the long bus trips from AKL in the first place, wondering if staying at Kidani makes it better or worse... Any info at all on Kidani or Jambo villas would be super! Or suggestions of other threads to check out. Thanks in advance!!!

11-20-2009, 03:25 PM	#2
Disneycouple99 DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 519	Construction is done for the building. The big difference is that Kidani has 2 bathrooms to Jambo 1, also Kidani has more sq. feet. Kidani has been described as having a more homey fell to it. Most of the restraunts, including the only CS restraunt, are at Jambo. Kidani has a smaller pool but a better slide. The buses stop at Kidani first then Jambo execpt for DTD bus ( it goes the other way). The walk to Jambo is about 10 minutes. Actual ride time to parks are not real bad, MK being about 17 minutes. __________________ Me DW DD7 DD3 PODL 6/99 Honeymoon, AsSPORT 4/07, WL & POR 8/08, AKV & SSR 6/09, AKV 7/10, BLT 10/10

11-21-2009, 01:14 AM	#3
CruznLexi DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 627	KV verses jambo I have stayed at KV and JH but we prefer KV. It has a homier feel to it. it is about a 10 min walk to the JH or if you see a park bus hop on them. You can use both places. We prefer the pool at KV better the slide is way better. Lexi

11-21-2009, 09:01 AM	#4
DebbieB DVC Member BWV 99 You have to compare apples to apples Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: PA Posts: 28,863	One thing I didn't like with the Jambo 1 bedroom is the master bathroom has a combo tub/shower. Kidani has a large separate shower, plus the extra bathroom. __________________

11-21-2009, 09:03 AM	#5
bobbiwoz I'm happy to dance with you I have 2 opinions We had tried usual things to keep them away, including something like coyote urine, it is sold in hardware stores by us Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington Township OH and Cape May NJ Posts: 27,825	Kidani's people are let off first after the parks, and at night, that's a big plus for me! Personally, I prefer Jambo, but mostly we use studios. When we book 1 or 2 bedrooms at AKV, it's at Kidani! The extended family loved the spacious master bath in Kidani when we stayed there in May. Bobbi __________________ Thanks Meriweather! Thank you Kitty 34!

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11-21-2009, 09:57 AM	#6
Desnik I actually love packing and planning I'm glad DH and I were friends first then a couple Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: NY, SSR, AKV Posts: 6,128	I am trying to make the same decision! I thought the better pool area was at Kidani? The extra bathroom is a huge plus. But, I don't like that there is no CS at Kidani. I am also worried about the long walk between Jambo and Kidani. __________________ Our Disney Vacations: BWI, AKV June 2010 * GF NOV 2009 * POLY JUNE 2009 * AKV, BCV JAN 2009 * BWV JULY 2008 * OKW APRIL 2008 * AKV, SSR NOV 2007 * CR MK VIEW! OCT 2007 * BWV APRIL 2007 * SSR NOV 2006 * BWV, SSR MAY 2006 * SSR, VERO JUNE 2005 * POR, WL, BWV NOV 2004 * ASMo, BWV NOV 2003 * BWI May 2002 * GF NOV 2001 * CSR, VERO NOV 2000 * Offsite Oct. 1998, July 1997 and 1983 Our Disney Vow Renewal TR

11-21-2009, 10:38 AM	#7
bobbiwoz I'm happy to dance with you I have 2 opinions We had tried usual things to keep them away, including something like coyote urine, it is sold in hardware stores by us Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington Township OH and Cape May NJ Posts: 27,825	Kidani has a wonderful pool and when we have children that's where we'll stay. If you don't want the walk to Jambo for counter service, just take any bus going to a park, Jambo will be the first stop. For just me and DH, we love Jambo, just a sentimental thing...with other guests, I would always pick Kidani. Bobbi __________________ Thanks Meriweather! Thank you Kitty 34!

11-21-2009, 10:53 AM	#8
DVC Grammy DVC AKV Concierge = DVC Veteran Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,856	Like Bobbi, if I want a studio, I usually prefer Jambo. I like having the choice of restaurants in "elevator" reach. But if I were to go for a 1-br, I would definitely choose Kidani. Having a second bathroom trumps the convenience of the restaurants! __________________

11-21-2009, 11:13 AM	#9
TxDisFans Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22	Thanks everyone - these comments are so helpful! Right now we've booked at Jambo in a 1 br... we are just 4 of us, with two small kids, so the second bathroom doesn't sway me so much, and we're worried about that long walk (they are small but too big for strollers = whiny walkers at disney!) But... still considering switching to Kidani!! Any other thoughts on the buses? I'd heard they were great at AKL in general, but then read that the service has been a nightmare since Kidani opened. We've always stayed in a monorail hotel, so... we're worried about dependence on buses. Any reassuring words????

11-21-2009, 01:35 PM	#11
Desnik I actually love packing and planning I'm glad DH and I were friends first then a couple Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: NY, SSR, AKV Posts: 6,128	OP, thanks for starting this thread! Everyone who responded, thank you!!! I have decided to book a 1 bedroom in Kidani Village for our June trip!! (we are doing a split stay with 4 nights at BWV, 3 nights AKV) __________________ Our Disney Vacations: BWI, AKV June 2010 * GF NOV 2009 * POLY JUNE 2009 * AKV, BCV JAN 2009 * BWV JULY 2008 * OKW APRIL 2008 * AKV, SSR NOV 2007 * CR MK VIEW! OCT 2007 * BWV APRIL 2007 * SSR NOV 2006 * BWV, SSR MAY 2006 * SSR, VERO JUNE 2005 * POR, WL, BWV NOV 2004 * ASMo, BWV NOV 2003 * BWI May 2002 * GF NOV 2001 * CSR, VERO NOV 2000 * Offsite Oct. 1998, July 1997 and 1983 Our Disney Vow Renewal TR

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