AK Jambo or OKW

[AZMermaid]

Hi friends! Tomorrow I’m at 7 months for our after Christmas stay. I’ve been planning on booking OKW 1 bedroom but today saw a standard view at AK Jambo also available. If it’s there tomorrow... what should I do? About us- family of 4, second WDW visit as a family, kids will be 9 and 11. We stayed at Kidani last time and the kids absolutely loved it! Our plans for this part of the split stay (with BWV) are MK, AK, resort day and Kennedy Space Center. I’m interested in trying OKW, but not passionately so. We’ve stayed at AKK, BLT and BWV (just adults) in the past. But if Jambo doesn’t fully reopen, going to Kidani for services feels a lot like managing the size of OKW, so that comes as a wash. So, what do you guys think? Thanks!

 

[chalee94]

OKW has more space (about 1000 sq ft).

AKV-Jambo House has giraffes and zebras.

AKV-Kidani Village 1BRs have an extra bathroom but neither OKW nor AKV-JH does.

 

[mort1331]

So we are 4,10&14, and our girls like okw. We let them do some of the planning now and for them if they are not savana view, Then okw or ssr. They like the different pools xlose to the springs. I like the larger rooms, bigger balconies.
Your doing AK one day, but its not far from okw. Why not try something you have not yet. That way you will know.

 

[maytagatjc]

We were just at AKV-Kidani and it was great. Walked over to Jambo and it was like a ghoast town. Only one floor had signs of life on it. The store, bar and main restaurant were closed. It was way too quiet for us.

 

[sndral]

Jambo’s lobby does have a wonderful multistory Christmas tree. I’m staying there in Dec. and hope things will be open again by then. The standard views will be partial savanna or pool, or pool w/ roof & will be on the 5th floor. You’d be super close to AK, but further away from MK.
This was taken from the sky bridge across the lobby on the 5th floor - it’s a really tall tree

 

[kinkin201]

I would pick AK. I have stayed at both AK, Jambo in particular, and OKW- without a doubt I would pick Jambo everyday. The resorts are obviously very different styles but I was not a fan of they layout of OKW. I understand that is a big benefit to a lot of people who enjoy it, but our room was at the very back of the property. It's a hike to the main pool and quick service from there. I think there was a resort shuttle but it was 3 yrs ago so I'm not sure if it's still there.
So with that being said, I would go with Jambo because of the easy access to the large pool. The lobby is incredible. There is the viewing area of the animals so you can still see them if you don't have a savanna view. And I also enjoy the food (not that there's anything wrong with OKW's) but they have zebra domes and OKW doesn't.

 

[vinmar4]

Jambo’s lobby does have a wonderful multistory Christmas tree. I’m staying there in Dec. and hope things will be open again by then. The standard views will be partial savanna or pool, or pool w/ roof & will be on the 5th floor. You’d be super close to AK, but further away from MK.
This was taken from the sky bridge across the lobby on the 5th floor - it’s a really tall tree
View attachment 577510

Another vote for Jambo house!

We have a reservation for New Years Day for a week, also hoping that everything is open at that time !

Just love the ambiance during Christmas time !

 

[chalee94]

Jambo’s lobby does have a wonderful multistory Christmas tree. I’m staying there in Dec. and hope things will be open again by then.

Yep - AKV-J has much more impressive decorations. I enjoy OKW's casual island-Christmas vibe but Jambo House is really stunning.

I was there last Christmas season in the ghost town atmosphere - very different - just me and the tree sometimes, listening to the African versions of the Christmas carols.

But food was a little bit of a nuisance. I went to the Kidani pool for a sandwich once but did feel like the options were limited close to the resort. I'm definitely looking forward to Boma and Jiko returning...

(Not nearly as high on my list as Boma reopening, but OKW is also better when the boat to DS is running.)

 

[AZMermaid]

Thanks everyone! All this and AK isn’t available now! Oh well! That majes my decision easier!

 

[vinmar4]

Thanks everyone! All this and AK isn’t available now! Oh well! That majes my decision easier!

Keep checking if you really want to stay there, availability changes constantly and you still have a lot of time.

I was even able to get some concierge nights for our New Years week , hoping concierge will return by that time.

 

[AZMermaid]

So this morning the first 4 nights were open
near HH at OKW, so I snagged those and I’m pretty happy about that. There’s a little risk... 12/30 wasn’t available, but that’s the day I’m also hoping to get at BWV standard 1 BR (unicorn maybe... but I’ve got 12/31-1/4) so we can switch on the 30 vs the 31. So.... I’ll be waitlisting both those rooms. OKW not near HH is open now so I’m hoping I can get that for the 30 as a back up. I’m really hoping one of those waitlists will come through though!

 

[Halle]

Just returned from a 3 bedroom GV at Jambo House 2 weeks ago. Loved the animals but couldn't sit on the balcony the last two nights because the bugs were feasting on us. Still have welts.