AK Savannah Studio~ Kidani or Jambo?

[amccu18007]

I have stayed at AK in a standard view studio and would like to go back. I would really like to tack a few days onto our next trip and decided that if we do, we would like to get a savannah room as I am up earlier than everyone in the morning and I can enjoy my coffee out there while watching the animals. My question is what are the differences between the savannahs and are there any differences in the actual studios themselves? Also, if you have a specific room or area that you like, I would love to hear about those too. Thanks so much!

 

[mrswillson]

Personally I love Jambo House! My husband and I got married in room 5241 overlooking the savannah and it will forever be one of my favorite memories. We got to see two savannah areas from where we were, and we were also lucky in the regard that we constantly had animals to watch (giraffes and wildebeest in particular). I have heard that Disney "shuffles" the animals around via sprinklers so that everyone will have an opportunity to see them throughout the day, and our best viewing time happened to be mid-morning.

Kidani Village is wonderful as well, however I was not so lucky in the animal department during my stay and didn't have much to see. The rooms were very similar if my memory serves correct.

 

[Cirlonde]

We stayed in a Savannah-view studio at Kidani (room 7556) for our first ever Disney trip, but I've never stayed at Jambo...so I'm not much help for a direct comparison. But I did love Kidani and would stay there again in a heart beat. We requested (and got) Sunset Savannah as I had read that the Pembe Savannah views/animals were not as good. It was amazing and the entire hotel was so quiet. There were always animals out on the savannah; usually multiple giraffes and zebras, plus some birds and wildebeest(?) and gazelle.

Another bonus for us was the underground parking garage, since we were in our car. We were able to park very close to our room, just a quick elevator ride and short walk down the hallway to our room. And the car was kept out of the rain/sun which was nice.

I'm sure you will be thrilled with either choice though!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've always preferred Jambo for a savannah view studio. For one thing, the proximity of QS (Mara) is a plus. Also, the 2 times I've stayed at Kidani I've requested close to lobby, was even assured on this last trip that the room was close to the lobby (as I told them, I can't walk well at all), yet both times I've been further away than any room I've stayed in at Jambo.

 

[GrammyGee]

We have stayed at both and saw more animals at Kidani than at Jambo

 

[amccu18007]

Thank you all for the replies! Seems like either place will be nice

 

[Simba's Mom]

We have stayed at both and saw more animals at Kidani than at Jambo

And I've had just the opposite experience-seen more animals at Jambo. My point is that yes, either place will be nice and each place has its big fans.

 

[DenLo]

We have stayed in both and like both. They are just in different buildings with different personalities.

Jambo House has more vibrancy with the noise to go with it. Keep in mind that the DVC villas are all on the fifth floor with 10 2BR lock offs on the 6th floor and the rest of the resort are cash rooms. So DVC is a small percentage of the resort. Also with two table service restaurants that attract Disney guests from other resorts, so the lobby can get pretty busy at night. Many like that vibrant night life. The rooms at Jambo House are converted hotel rooms and the studios have two sinks in the vanity area.

Kidani Village is quiet and mainly DVC members are staying there. There is only one table service restaurant which is smaller than the two at Jambo House, so there are less guests visiting the resort for dining. The rooms at Kidani Village begin on the 2nd floor which provides you with the opportunity to see the animals close up.

The room sizes are similar, with Kidani Village studios being 1 square foot larger.

The real difference between the two resorts is that only Jambo House has a quick service restaurant, Mara. Although, the table service restaurant at Kidani Village, serves a quick service breakfast.

 

[GrammyGee]

Good info, DenLo. Basically you will be happy at either place - they both have a very wonderful experience with the animals and it's easy to go back and forth between the two resorts. I've found you see more animals depending on the time you are in your room - they have a feeding schedule and the animals actually follow the trucks around ! I've also seen lots of animals in the evening when they all start to roam over to the areas where they spend the night. Last year we had a second floor at the very end of a hall (long walk to lobby but our car was right below us - Kidani) and there was a pen of warthogs or river hogs right there with babies ! They let them out about 9am and it was so much fun to watch them !

 

[aoconnor]

I think the animal viewing itself is better at Kidani, primarily because all the DVC rooms at Jambo are on the 5th floor (not as close to the animals). That said, I still prefer Jambo overall because I like the pool better and it has a quick service restaurant. Both are great.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I like the layout of the studios at Jambo, and I like the vibe of Jambo! I prefer the Arusha savannah.