Advice for first stay at Kidani

[Guapy]

I am an owner at AKV, but all three times we have stayed there, we have stayed at Jambo house. We stayed there on our honeymoon and we bought at AKV due to how much we fell in love with Jambo house.

We invited our family for a trip, and I am staying for 5 nights in December with my wife and 18 month old son, my mom and dad, and my brother and his wife at AKV. We booked Kidani this time in order to get the extra bathroom. Anyone have suggestions about a floor to request or any other requests to consider. It seems that everyone complains about the length of the hallways. Anyone stay at both Kidani and Jambo and actually prefer Kidani, and if so, why?

Thanks!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

First of all....WELCOME HOME!!!

You will love Kidani. Its more intimate than Jambo but still just as beautiful. If you have a 2br then that great because you will have 3bathrooms.

The walks to the rooms can be long if you are not close to the lobby. If you have a car it may work out for you since they have elevators that go to the garage.

If not, I would try to request a room closer to the lobby but all requests cannot be granted and because you are visiting in December, I will not be surprised if its crowded for the holidays.

There are observation areas like Jambo to view the animals if you don't have a savannah view room. There is a fire pit outside and a quiet place to sit in front of the fire off the lobby. They have a gift shop and items to fill your fridge as well.

By the bathrooms opposite the quiet room is an ATM. The community hall and arcade is right across the hall from each other on the way to the bus stops.

If you don't want to go to Victoria Falls at Jambo for drinks, you can go to Sanaa downstairs. The pool is great for kids. They have a splash zone for the little ones. Unfortunately there is not a counterservice restaurant and you will have to go to Mara at Jambo but they do have some items at the pool bar for purchase. Its limited though.

I will be there for Christmas and I hope you and your family have a wonderful time.

 

[DebbieB]

I am an owner at AKV, but all three times we have stayed there, we have stayed at Jambo house. We stayed there on our honeymoon and we bought at AKV due to how much we fell in love with Jambo house.

We invited our family for a trip, and I am staying for 5 nights in December with my wife and 18 month old son, my mom and dad, and my brother and his wife at AKV. We booked Kidani this time in order to get the extra bathroom. Anyone have suggestions about a floor to request or any other requests to consider. It seems that everyone complains about the length of the hallways. Anyone stay at both Kidani and Jambo and actually prefer Kidani, and if so, why?

Thanks!

I've stayed at both and really liked Kidani. My room was about in the middle of the wing closest to Jambo. One issue was the animals didn't come down that way alot, they stayed closer to the lobby. They would feed the zebras and giraffes late in the afternoon on our end, so we saw them then. It was a quick walk to the bus stop and the lobby. I had a rental car and having parking on the first floor was great.

If I stayed there again, I would request Sunset Savannah, second floor, close to lobby.

 

[twinklebug]

As for location: Some folk have reported that the 'close to lobby' requests have been turned down lately because everyone is asking for it (thanks to us here on the DIS LOL).

I had a room close to the lobby last July and found the ~NOISE~ coming from people walking up and down the hallways all all times of day and night was a bit disturbing.... particularly those families that allow the kids to race to the room/lobby and like to yell ahead. There's something to be said about being away from it all.

If you have a car with you and plan on driving to/from the parks anyway I think you'll find parking more convenient away from the lobby area. I think this next trip I'll ask for the south wing closer to Jambo so there's a shorter walk that way for the kids heading to Myra and back. (those return trip buses can have quite a wait)

Some savanna views on the far north wing (outside of the curve) have views of the okapi and red river hogs, whom I hear are hysterical to watch. I'm sure of all the locations, those are the quietest rooms too.

There are benefits and drawbacks to all areas.

 

[twinklebug]

Between Jambo and Kidani I prefer Kidani. Jambo is so BUSY with the attraction of the lobby, store and restaurants as well as drums all evening long that I just can't relax there. It's also much darker than Kidani - as I mentioned on another thread here it takes my eyes about 10 minutes to adjust to the low light levels and start getting to the point where I can see and not trip on little kids (and I have good vision)

I've stayed at VWL, OKW, BWV, BLT, Jambo and SSR. The Kidani rooms are amazing and I'm going to leave it at that. You really have to experience them to understand why I think they're the best on the property.

The bus situation at Kidani is better than at Jambo too. With a small child in the group I'm positive you'll appreciate being the first stop for pick up and finding a seat for the one holding the baby. It's great for those who can't stand the whole ride too: not only the elderly, but for those who have other medical issues and may not be able to stand for the duration of a ride.

 

[Guapy]

Great info from everyone. Thanks!