AKL Jambo and Kidani

[deedisneydream97]

Just returned from a stay at Jambo (standard view studio) and Kidani (savanna view one bedroom). I have to say, the DVC rooms were immaculate! A little wear and tear here and there, but nothing to get crazy about considering the amount of people in and out of these rooms. The studio at Jambo was HUGE compared to other DVC studios (BWV, BLT) and we had a wonderful pool view....but I guess that IS the standard view? Value must be parking lot view? Even a parking lot view with that room size would be great.

The one bedroom at Kidani was also very clean and very roomy...not sure if it is much bigger than BLT...hard to tell since they are shaped and configured very differently.

I did see evidence of slobs leaving their spilled popcorn and towels in the hallways, but the mess was picked up by the late afternoon. I don't understand the mindset of some people...thinking it is okay to leave their wet towels in the hallways or their empty soda cups here and there. And people that leave the pool area without putting their used towels into the "used towels" bins that are everywhere and leaving trash around their pool chairs.

A very nice resort and am glad I stayed there. BLT and BWV are still my favorites (and home resorts)....and just want to add that I have never encountered a filthy, smelly room at either of those resorts.

Oh..and just love the "under the resort" parking at Kidani!!! Lots of nice shade and elevators galore!

 

[drusba]

Glad you liked AKV. The Jambo studios are actually about the same size as they are at BWV (BLTs are smaller) but the lack of any real wall closets at Jambo adds a sense of more room space. The values actually can have parking lot, pool, or savanna view. They are value because of size not view -- they are much smaller than the regular studios, even smaller than the BLT studios. The regular Jambo studios are close to 360 sq ft, likewise BWV, the BLT studios are about 340, and the value Jambo studios are only 315 sq ft. "Standard" view at Jambo is mostly pool view but there also some savanna view rooms that were converted to standard because the views were not that good. The Kidani 1BRs are close to the same size as a BLT 1BR. The Jambo 1BRs are more in line with the size of the smaller BWV 1BRs.

 

[deedisneydream97]

Glad you liked AKV. The Jambo studios are actually about the same size as they are at BWV (BLTs are smaller) but the lack of any real wall closets at Jambo adds a sense of more room space. The values actually can have parking lot, pool, or savanna view. They are value because of size not view -- they are much smaller than the regular studios, even smaller than the BLT studios. The regular Jambo studios are close to 360 sq ft, likewise BWV, the BLT studios are about 340, and the value Jambo studios are only 315 sq ft. "Standard" view at Jambo is mostly pool view but there also some savanna view rooms that were converted to standard because the views were not that good. The Kidani 1BRs are close to the same size as a BLT 1BR. The Jambo 1BRs are more in line with the size of the smaller BWV 1BRs.

Interesting....the BWV studios feel more "cramped" to me when the sofa bed is open. The Jambo studio had a wonderful double sink and that area seemed very spacious....now that I am thinking about it, there is a closet right there at BWV with the sliding doors. DD is going to try for a value studio next year...I'll pass along the size information. Doesn't matter to her right now, she's young and doesn't spend much time in the room. We did the split stay because I need my space! And I have a lot more points than her.

The BLT studios are much nicer now since they put the bathroom sink where it belongs. I'm sure somebody got fired over that bad plan. But yes, they are very small. Still love it there, but usually stay in a one bedroom.

 

[Sparrow624]

Good luck on the value room. We stayed for 2 nights in a value room booked 3 months out. I was SHOCKED that we got it. Most of them are gone 9-11 months out.

 

[hakepb]

The Value category in Jambo is all about the room size, and less about the view.

Value villas were converted from "standard" hotel rooms and are about 3' shorter (from hallway to balcony) than the "deluxe" rooms that were converted into villas.
There are a few value rooms with parking lot view, but most are savanna or pool view. (Most 5th floor parking lot view rooms are cash-only hotel rooms)

In Jambo, it used to be standard view = pool view. But, after complaints, some "partial" savanna view rooms were re-classified as standard, so it's possible to see animals from some standard view rooms at either resort. Still, most Standard view rooms at Jambo are pool view.

In Kidani, standard view can mean parking lot view (most) or pool view and a few partial savanna views, too.