AK Lodge or Villa?

[NYMommy80]

Hi there
Make my mind up for me- standard view in the Lodge or standard studio Kidani. We are adding one night on to the end of our trip and will be hanging at the resort (pool etc) all day and then eating at Sanaa around 4 and heading to the park to see Pandora at night. There isn't much of a price difference.

Thanks!

 

[Best Aunt]

How many real beds do you want?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

How many adults and children are in your party?

 

[akfan513]

My family always prefers the Jambo House, but you really can’t make a bad choice. Here are my thoughts on both:

Jambo Pros: Nothing beats the breathtaking lobby at the Jambo House. There are more and a bigger variety of food options - Jiko (Signature), Boma (Great buffet), and Mara (More extensive menu quick service than Kidani). The pool is much bigger so you never feel crowded. My family prefers this Pool.

Jambo Cons: Water slide isn’t big/exciting. (It really depends on the age of your kids. If they aren’t thrill seekers, they might prefer Jambo’s slide). It requires a short bus ride to get to Kidani for Sanaa.

Kidani Pros: Sanaa is there. The water slide is more exciting. There is also a splash pad for little ones.

Kidani Cons: The Pool is much smaller and often feels crowded to my family. The quick service isn’t as good as Jambo. Less food options than Jambo.

Bottom line - you can’t go wrong. AKL is truly incredible and you will love it no matter what you choose!

 

[wdw4rfam]

We were at kidani in September. Not a fan at all. We spent the entire time bussing over to Jambo and by the second day we were regretting our choice. Plus standard views are usually better at Jambo. Almost all kidani standards face the road. Most at Jambo face partial savannah, pool, etc. For us the fact that there was no counter service at kidani was a bigger deal than we thought. We found ourselves back at the resort around dinner time and then having to make our way to Jambo. We are DVC owners and always do studios. I don’t want or need a kitchen on vacation. But most people who do the 1 and 2 bedrooms plan on cooking so the fact that there is no counter service isn’t a big deal. For us it was a deal breaker.

 

[gillep]

Unless it is a 1 or 2 bedroom I much prefer Jambo, so I would go with the regular room personally.

 

[NYMommy80]

How many real beds do you want?

Doesn't really matter too much. Two kids will be used to sharing the pull out at this point of the trip.

 

[NYMommy80]

We were at kidani in September. Not a fan at all. We spent the entire time bussing over to Jambo and by the second day we were regretting our choice. Plus standard views are usually better at Jambo. Almost all kidani standards face the road. Most at Jambo face partial savannah, pool, etc. For us the fact that there was no counter service at kidani was a bigger deal than we thought. We found ourselves back at the resort around dinner time and then having to make our way to Jambo. We are DVC owners and always do studios. I don’t want or need a kitchen on vacation. But most people who do the 1 and 2 bedrooms plan on cooking so the fact that there is no counter service isn’t a big deal. For us it was a deal breaker.

Thank you! Looking at the room finder on touring plans it did seem like the rooms had a glimpse of Savannah. You sold me on Jambo, thank you.

 

[NYMommy80]

My family always prefers the Jambo House, but you really can’t make a bad choice. Here are my thoughts on both:

Jambo Pros: Nothing beats the breathtaking lobby at the Jambo House. There are more and a bigger variety of food options - Jiko (Signature), Boma (Great buffet), and Mara (More extensive menu quick service than Kidani). The pool is much bigger so you never feel crowded. My family prefers this Pool.

Jambo Cons: Water slide isn’t big/exciting. (It really depends on the age of your kids. If they aren’t thrill seekers, they might prefer Jambo’s slide). It requires a short bus ride to get to Kidani for Sanaa.

Kidani Pros: Sanaa is there. The water slide is more exciting. There is also a splash pad for little ones.

Kidani Cons: The Pool is much smaller and often feels crowded to my family. The quick service isn’t as good as Jambo. Less food options than Jambo.

Bottom line - you can’t go wrong. AKL is truly incredible and you will love it no matter what you choose!

Thank you! I think we will stick with Jambo. We will have to bus over to Sanaa but will be going directly to Animal Kingdom park after dinner so it won't be a problem. Thank you for the thoughtful reply!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

[QUOTE="akfan513, post: 58615087, member: 506064]

Jambo Pros: Nothing beats the breathtaking lobby at the Jambo House. There are more and a bigger variety of food options - Jiko (Signature), Boma (Great buffet), and Mara (More extensive menu quick service than Kidani). The pool is much bigger so you never feel crowded. My family prefers this Pool.

Kidani Pros: Sanaa is there. The water slide is more exciting. There is also a splash pad for little ones.

Kidani Cons: The Pool is much smaller and often feels crowded to my family. The quick service isn’t as good as Jambo. Less food options than Jambo.[/QUOTE]

Are you referring to Maji Pool Bar at Kidani, or did they in fact really add a quick service restaurant at Kidani? If so, where is it and what is its name? I can't find a menu for any quick service restaurant at Kidani.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Definitely no counter service, we were just there in September. Sanaa was set up as a quick service for breakfast, maybe that’s what they meant?? There was a couple items at the pool, but wouldn’t consider that either.

 

[akfan513]

Are you referring to Maji Pool Bar at Kidani, or did they in fact really add a quick service restaurant at Kidani? If so, where is it and what is its name? I can't find a menu for any quick service restaurant at Kidani.[/QUOTE]

I was just referring to the Pool Bar. I guess it’s not technically a quick service, I was just referring to the fact that there was a place to get some food fast.