2 studios or a 2 bedroom? Is the view worth it?

[inkedupmomma]

Hi yall, just wondering your opinion on Kidani or Jambo. We will be 6 people, myelf, DH, my mom, and our 3 children (16,11,3.) We can either 2 studios with a Savana view or a 2 bedroom with a standard view at Kidani or jambo. Is the savana view really worth it? or will be be ok with a standard view and the extra space/amenities?

Some more background info: we will be doing a split stay, with BLT lake view being our second stretch of the trip. So we will have a washer/dryer/kitchen on the second half.

Any and all opinions welcomed!

 

[ktate82]

Personally, I would want the two bedroom. If you get two studios, you can request to be close, but there is still a chance you will end up at opposite ends on different floors. I would like to stay together. I would also book at Kidani. You will get 3 bathrooms in a 2 bedroom where jambo house 2 bedrooms only have 2 bathrooms. There are so many public spaces to see the animals that we never really thought we were missing anything. We have had standard and savanna views, and we will usually save the points.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I am reading that some standard rooms offer a savanna view. is his true of both resorts or just Jambo? So torn on which one to stay at. Lobe the idea of Jambo restaurants, but that third bathroom sounds lovely as well.

 

[Judique]

In your case get the 2 bedroom. You may end up with some animals to view, but you will definitely have more space and privacy. The view will be very close if not from your room.

 

[DenLo]

Well there are not that many standard views that have views if the savanna. The ones at Kidani are parking lot views that have views of Pembe savanna and there are only a few. There are more reclassified standard views that had been savanna views that were changed because of complaints of lack of a savanna view, but still only 10 or so. So you might not get either.

I would go with the 2 BR to have more space and the kitchen, then you can save money for breakfast and some lunches and snacks. There are lots of windows and viewing areas of the savanna.

Or if the savanna view is important for you do less night(s) and do a split stay with cheaper points at another resort.

 

[inkedupmomma]

OK, after looking at lots of videos, I think 2 bedroom will be the way to go. I'd like to think we will sit for coffee in the morning and look at animals, but we likely wont. We are more likely to head out from the lobby and look. Now, I think Kidani is def the way to go, as the parking garage is appealing as is the third bathroom. What is the big difference between a dedicated and a lock off? Is one more advantageous over the other?

 

[Lakegirl]

Lock off has a pull out sofa as the second bed in one of the bedrooms.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Lock off has a pull out sofa as the second bed in one of the bedrooms.

Any other huge differences? Size? 2 queens sounds better, but the additional kitchenette might be advantageous as well

 

[drusba]

Studios at Jambo and Kidani are about the same size, in the 360 sq ft range. The shower and tub in Jambo is in a room with the toilet, at Kidani the shower and tub is next to and can be seen from the bathroom sink area.

The Kidani 2BR is about 1173 sq ft compared to Jambo's 1075, a very noticeable difference in size. The Kidani 2BR has three bathrooms to Jambo's two, has more closest space than Jambo, and has a separate jacuzzi tub and shower in the master bath while Jambo has a combined jacuzzi tub and shower and that tub has high and wide step-over to get into. The Kidani master bath is accessible only throuh the bedroom (a separate bathroom serves the living room area). The Jambo master bath entry can be seen from the living room and assessible from both the bedroom and living room. Jambo has only lock-off 2BRs (combined studio and 1BR) with a queen and pull-out couch double in the second bedroom. The balcony has a wall between the studio and 1BR. Kidani has that same second bedroom and balcony arrangement for its 2BR lock-offs, but it has a lot of dedicated 2BRs (can only be 2BRs) which have two queens in the second bedroom and a balcony without that wall making it one very long balcony.

Most standards at Kidani face parking lot/road, bus station, front entrance, or pool area. However, about 15% of the standard view rooms have a Pembe savanna view because they are savanna view rooms converted to standard. To possibly get one of those you would request a room near the Pumba elevator or near a standard grand villa (those amount to the same request). If request is met be prepared for very long walks to the lobby and bus station.

Jambo standard two bedrooms were originaly just rooms overlooking the pool. However, a number of savanna view rooms were converted to standard and now about 60% of the standard views are prior savanna view rooms, thus odds of getting one with a savanna view at Jambo are much higher than Kidani. Best request to make there for a standard view is for a room "along Kudo Trail" (the left/west side of the U-shaped building, because the only standards along that trail are savanna view rooms converted to standard.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Studios at Jambo and Kidani are about the same size, in the 360 sq ft range. The shower and tub in Jambo is in a room with the toilet, at Kidani the shower and tub is next to and can be seen from the bathroom sink area.

The Kidani 2BR is about 1173 sq ft compared to Jambo's 1075, a very noticeable difference in size. The Kidani 2BR has three bathrooms to Jambo's two, has more closest space than Jambo, and has a separate jacuzzi tub and shower in the master bath while Jambo has a combined jacuzzi tub and shower and that tub has high and wide step-over to get into. The Kidani master bath is accessible only throuh the bedroom (a separate bathroom serves the living room area). The Jambo master bath entry can be seen from the living room and assessible from both the bedroom and living room. Jambo has only lock-off 2BRs (combined studio and 1BR) with a queen and pull-out couch double in the second bedroom. The balcony has a wall between the studio and 1BR. Kidani has that same second bedroom and balcony arrangement for its 2BR lock-offs, but it has a lot of dedicated 2BRs (can only be 2BRs) which have two queens in the second bedroom and a balcony without that wall making it one very long balcony.

Most standards at Kidani face parking lot/road, bus station, front entrance, or pool area. However, about 15% of the standard view rooms have a Pembe savanna view because they are savanna view rooms converted to standard. To possibly get one of those you would request a room near the Pumba elevator or near a standard grand villa (those amount to the same request). If request is met be prepared for very long walks to the lobby and bus station.

Jambo standard two bedrooms were originaly just rooms overlooking the pool. However, a number of savanna view rooms were converted to standard and now about 60% of the standard views are prior savanna view rooms, thus odds of getting one with a savanna view at Jambo are much higher than Kidani. Best request to make there for a standard view is for a room "along Kudo Trail" (the left/west side of the U-shaped building, because the only standards along that trail are savanna view rooms converted to standard.

Amazing and thoughtful response, thank you. I think Kidani will work best for our family!

 

[DenLo]

. . .

Jambo standard two bedrooms were originaly just rooms overlooking the pool. However, a number of savanna view rooms were converted to standard and now about 60% of the standard views are prior savanna view rooms, thus odds of getting one with a savanna view at Jambo are much higher than Kidani. Best request to make there for a standard view is for a room "along Kudo Trail" (the left/west side of the U-shaped building, because the only standards along that trail are savanna view rooms converted to standard.

I have never heard exact figures on the number of savanna rooms than were converted to standard. So how many standard view rooms are there now at Jambo House?

 

[drusba]

I have never heard exact figures on the number of savanna rooms than were converted to standard. So how many standard view rooms are there now at Jambo House?

Figures for Jambo used to be posted on this site when DVCMike was providing the resort information. As to standards at Jambo there are 14 dedicated studios and 24 2BR lock-offs. The original standards overlooking the pool totaled 3 dedicated studios and 10 2BR lock-offs. Meaning 14 savanna view 2BR lock-offs and 11 dedicated studios were converted to standard view. As to locations of the standards, see this map that came from another site: http://i.imgur.com/G2qaSva.png As to savanna view, there are now 24 dedicated studios and 33 2BR lock-offs

 

[DenLo]

Figures for Jambo used to be posted on this site when DVCMike was providing the resort information. As to standards at Jambo there are 14 dedicated studios and 24 2BR lock-offs. The original standards overlooking the pool totaled 3 dedicated studios and 10 2BR lock-offs. Meaning 14 savanna view 2BR lock-offs and 11 dedicated studios were converted to standard view. As to locations of the standards, see this map that came from another site: http://i.imgur.com/G2qaSva.png As to savanna view, there are now 24 dedicated studios and 33 2BR lock-offs

Thank you for this information. I don't remember anyone having come up with the actual figures and I couldn't find it on another website either.

 

[Anal Annie]

We personally have never had a savanna view that was worth the extra points..... JM2C.

 

[inkedupmomma]

We personally have never had a savanna view that was worth the extra points..... JM2C.

I booked a standard. I appreciate everyones input. First time using our points and trying to use them wisely vs. kid in a candy shop style lol! I am feeling very spoiled these days!

 

[Dean]

I agree, do the 2 BR in this situation. If you can figure out a way to do the 2 BR savannah, I would if you'll spend any time at the resort relaxing. We prefer Kidani.

 

[DenLo]

We personally have never had a savanna view that was worth the extra points..... JM2C.

I have to say that we alway prefer a savanna view over a standard view. It was one reason we stopped using value rooms as there is no guarantee views. It really just depends on what is more important to you personally, to stay more nights at less points or to enjoy relaxing at the resort with a room with a view. Views are important to us.

 

[Anal Annie]

I have to say that we alway prefer a savanna view over a standard view. It was one reason we stopped using value rooms as there is no guarantee views. It really just depends on what is more important to you personally, to stay more nights at less points or to enjoy relaxing at the resort with a room with a view. Views are important to us.

We find we just don't spend enough time in the room to be worth the extra points and our points are precious so we have to spend them wisely. All that plus our views have always been iffy.

 

[bumbershoot]

We personally have never had a savanna view that was worth the extra points..... JM2C.

All that plus our views have always been iffy.

Same. I've never had a giraffe out my window or anything that makes me say WOW like that. Yes an ostrich is cool, and no I don't have those in my front yard. I don't have those huge-horned cattle here, either. But those are still birds and cattle. And I rarely even see those. I've been underwhelmed. And the people out on balconies there are just obnoxious, or at least they have been the three times I've been here (always had savannah). Noisy. (no wonder there are no animals lol)

 

[inkedupmomma]

Thanks everyone. Between here and DVC FB groups I havent been sure what to think. With that said, I am being honest with myself, and know I wont really spend a ton of time on our balcony. Sure it would be cool to have it, but extra points for an entire other trip seems even cooler lol!