Advice on AKV please...

[DVCJones]

It is almost time to schedule our next DVC trip and we are thinking of giving AKV a try. This would be our first stay there. I understand that there are two locations. (?) Which section do you like and why? What would you suggest for a location?

We are a family of four (kids will be 10 and 8) staying in a studio.

Thanks so much for taking the time to give me your opinions.

 

[sweetdana]

To start with a value 1 bedroom is about the price of a studio in most resorts (only in Jambo), if available I'd for sure get that.

2nd to that,
I'd go with Kidani:
Gives you parking under your resort, and a much better pool.

Jambo gives you a QS rest and is still walking dis to kids pool.


They are no further apart then different sections of SSR. Though officially different resorts they are 10000% walking distance for non-handicapped people.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I prefer studios at Jambo, because they have 2 sinks in the dressing area, & The Mara is convenient. When I want to go to Kidani, for the pool (although i like Jambo's better) or a cultural activity, I use the resort shuttle.

The 1 bedroom value, as mentioned above, would be acceptable, too, & I've booked one of those a few times, but couldn't at 7 months for my January 2013 stay with 2 friends.

 

[lugnut33]

If you have girls, then do a 1 bedroom at Kidani, it has an extra bathroom. Greatest thing EVER!

Kidani is awesome.

 

[dianeschlicht]

First off, don't even consider a studio unless your two children can sleep together comfortably in a full size pull out sofa bed. For sure don't think about a value studio, since they are the smallest DVC studios around. Since they are both part of the same resort, I don't think there is a huge advantage to Jambo over Kidani if getting to Mara is your goal. It's accessible from either, but will take a little longer from Kidani unless you happen to be out on the end of the Sunset savanna in Jambo, and then it will take less time to get to Mara from Kidani than it will Jambo.

I much prefer Kidani savanna views to Jambo. The reason is that the DVC units at Jambo are all on the 5th and 6th floors. At Kidani, you are closer to the animals and usually have a better view of them. I prefer Sunset savanna as well. If you ask for Sunset savanna and near the pool, you will likely be to the left of the lobby, which has great viewing.

 

[mybabesuz]

We always stay at Jambo for Studios.
Since we don't eat in studios we go to Mara more.
The layout of the studios in Jambo are better.
It just feels bigger to us.

There are four of us.
We are still comfortable in a studio when we need to be.
They allow us to squeeze just one more trip in.
Gotta love those APs...

 

[DVCJones]

Thank you!!!

I think I will do Jambo savannah view this time. We have two DDs, so them sharing a bed is not an issue. I like the idea of being close to the CS restaurant and two sinks in the room.

BUT, Kidani is tempting with the parking close to the building. We will have our car.

 

[tb1972]

We did a Jambo savannah view with two kids ages 7 & 9 - no problems with space. And the view was fantastic!

 

[smidgy]

no kids here. but I'll give my opinions, such as they are. we like the pool at Jambo better, but the slide at kidani better. (i'm a slide nut, the slide at jambo is too much for little kids). for kids, there is a cool looking water splash area at kidani.

but we love the look of the jambo lobby. if you stay at kidani, how often will you experience that? we like being close to mara.

another but: the buses!!! yuck!!!! they go to kidani first. coming hiome from the park, you pass by the entrance to jambo. then it seems to take forever to go over to kidani, pick people up etc. and then go back to jambo.

we opted for a studio at jambo, standard, which is pretty much pool view. value was unavailable, which are a crapshoot between pool savannah and parking lot view.

it is a tough choice. we loved our pool view. but then, we don't have kids with us.

 

[moredisneyplease]

as a mother with two kiddos i'm going to have to go with Kidani. We are the kind of folks that enjoy the parks but also like to spend a good bit of time at the resort. With two kids Kidani is going to have the most stuff happening for the kiddos: community room, awesome slide in the pool, etc. but if you can get a value room up in Jambo there is lots going on up there and kidani is a short walk or bus ride away

 

[bbn1122]

We only stayed at 1 bedroom Kidani...we loved it...quieter...Jambo lobby is stunning,but super busy with all the guest coming over to use the restaurants...Kidani is much more private. The lobby is smaller but pretty. Pool was beautiful, Dh over gym, and community room was really nice. The savannah was gorgeous. We has a standard which wind up being a savannah view...we had all the animals come by except the giraffes and zebras. Our room was in the front past the pool...in believe we were Timon parking. The underground parking was great. We found it a quick walk to Jambo and the bus was fine....good luck.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We only stayed at 1 bedroom Kidani...we loved it...quieter...Jambo lobby is stunning,but super busy with all the guest coming over to use the restaurants...Kidani is much more private. The lobby is smaller but pretty. Pool was beautiful, Dh over gym, and community room was really nice. The savannah was gorgeous. We has a standard which wind up being a savannah view...we had all the animals come by except the giraffes and zebras. Our room was in the front past the pool...in believe we were Timon parking. The underground parking was great. We found it a quick walk to Jambo and the bus was fine....good luck.

Did you see okapi?