AKL Clarification

[Goldfish Are Feral]

Hello!

So I just submitted for a waitlist for Jambo house at AKL. I have never stayed at another resort other than my home SSR. My main question is, what is the difference between Jambo House and Kidani Village? If the waitlist comes through what can I expect staying in a 1 bedroom villa with a savanna view? Will we have the possibility to see animals throughout the day roaming like their bad ol selves? I am literally booking this stay just to use up points that I'm going to lose so I thought I would take the opportunity to explore another resort if available. Thanks for any insight!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The 1BR's have different layouts between the 2 buildings. Jambo was converted from hotel rooms and it has a single bathroom that is shared by the master and the living area. The tub/shower is a combo although the tub is jetted.

At Kidani there are 2 bathrooms in the 1BR - one in the master and it will have a separate jetted tub and a walk in shower and then a second bathroom for the living area.

You'll see animals walking around however they are animals so it's at their leisure and choice how much time they spend in the area that your room might look out at We've never not had animals to watch during some of the time but it's not that they'll be around all the time. They also do animal checks in the barns during the morning so you don't tend to see them much then other than the few that decide not to go in that day. Jambo DVC rooms are on the 5th floor of the building while Kidani is all DVC so you can get a lower room that is closer to the savannah there. We've enjoyed both. Jambo has a great quick service (Mara) and 2 sit down restaurants while Kidani has 1 sit down restaurant that operates as a modified QS for breakfast. Both have pools but you can use the facilities at either building.

Good luck with the waitlist!

 

[ColonialMouse]

I love staying at AKL (we've always been at Kidani) but it's important to have realistic expectations about the animals. If you're doing a rope drop or die vacation you might never actually see them. If you have some relaxing mornings and afternoons in the room, you're much more likely to be able to sit on the deck and watch the cattle and giraffe. But it's entirely up to the animals and your room location what/when you get to see.

@Goldfish Are Feral if you're doing a waitlist do one for Kidani and one for Jambo since they are handled as separate resorts.

BTW, Sanaa is one of my favorite casual table service restaurants in all of WDW. But it's oversubscribed (there is no casual table service at Jambo, so get ADRs if you can.

Bruce

 

[drusba]

For the difference between Jambo and Kidani and the 1BRs, see my post here https://www.disboards.com/threads/kidani-or-jambo.3597578/

 

[Firepath]

We stayed one week at Kidani in a 1 BR Savannah view just before they closed for quarantine. We did no parks, no dining out. We only drove to the grocery once and parked in the garage which was basically just under our villa. The walk to the lobby was very far so we only did it when we wanted exercise. It was so nice and relaxing. I spent hours each day with a book on the balcony. There were always animals of some sort out on the savannah. I could've easily spent two weeks, never leaving our room. There were only 2 of us, but there was plenty of room for 4 or 5 to spread out I think.