AKL-Jambo House

[MtGreenwood]

We are thinking about buying at AKL, but I think we would prefer to stay at the Jambo house. Are the Jambo house Villas difficult to book? Do they have the value Villas at Jambo House? For those of you that own at AKL, are you happy that you purchased your points there?

 

[DizBub]

We are thinking about buying at AKL, but I think we would prefer to stay at the Jambo house. Are the Jambo house Villas difficult to book? Do they have the value Villas at Jambo House? For those of you that own at AKL, are you happy that you purchased your points there?

All the value villas are at Jambo House. Obviously there are more rooms at Kidani than Jambo so it stands to reason it should be easier to book for that reason alone. I know that some people prefer Jambo House but I'm not sure you need the home resort advantage to book there. You certainly need the home resort advantage to book value villas.
Other people may have better advice for you.

 

[Big Kid]

We bought AKL in 2009 and have loved staying at Jambo House. I don't have any trouble booking value rooms 11 months out, but it's been hit or miss to get them when I've waited too long or tried spur-of-the-moment trips. Haven't had trouble reserving other room types at Jambo House, but we don't travel at peak times.

We have stayed at most of the other resorts, but keep coming back to AKL for the exotic theme, and don't find transportation to be less convenient than other resorts over a week's worth of trips to all four parks. Bay Lake is a wonderfully quick walk to the Magic Kingdom, for example, but the shared buses make getting to the other parks less convenient. Ditto for Boardwalk and Beach Club, except Epcot is the easy walk.

 

[disneynutz]

We own AKV as one of our home resorts. For us the novelty of AKV has worn off. The animals are nice but scarce and it depends where your room is. The resort is remote and away from other resorts and activity.

Bill

 

[MtGreenwood]

Thank you for the replies. Is there a difference in the value accommodation rooms and the standard view other than the view? What is the view from the value accommodation? Are these rooms that you would not want to stay in?

 

[drusba]

Value rooms are value because they are smaller than other rooms. Values are all in the front part of the Jambo building and can have pool, savanna or parking lot view and you cannot request view for those, it is luck of the draw. Most standard rooms at Jambo face the pool although a few have partial savanna view. Value rooms are fine to stay in as long as you don't mind the smaller size.

Club level followed by values are rooms that often disappear quickly after the 11 month window opens and are most often unavailable at 7 months out. There are times, such as first two weeks of Dec, when getting value may require booking exactly 11 months out on-line at 8 a.m. to be able to get it.

Savanna and standard view rooms at both buildings are usually available even at 7 months out. When we first purchased there, we also thought we would likely stay only in Jambo. However, we have found that Kidani is our preference now when getting a 1 or 2BR becuase the Kidani rooms are signicantly larger than Jambo's, have a separate tub and shower in the master bath (Jambo's is a combined), have an extra bathroom, and more closet space. Kidani also has ideal under-building parking and one of the best restaurants, Sanaa, on site. On the other hand, Jambo has the better lobby, three restaurants including a counter service and Boma one of the best buffets on site, the better and larger store, and the best grand villas on site.

One thing we have also found at AKV is that its bus system is usually better than others, with only two stops at the resort and no sharing with another resort. Then of course being able to watch animals is an ideal pastime. The design and decor of both buildings is excellent and offers an experience different from other resorts, including creating the feeling that your are on a savanna in some other country.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Based on my booking experience, it seems that Jambo House villas book quicker than Kidani Village villas. Aside from value villas, you will certainly have your choice of either resort during your 7 to 11 month booking window. However, less than 7 months out, particularly during busier seasons, Kidani tends to have greater availability.

 

[JustTinking]

Savanna and standard view rooms at both buildings are usually available even at 7 months out. When we first purchased there, we also thought we would likely stay only in Jambo. However, we have found that Kidani is our preference now when getting a 1 or 2BR becuase the Kidani rooms are signicantly larger than Jambo's, have a separate tub and shower in the master bath (Jambo's is a combined), have an extra bathroom, and more closet space. Kidani also has ideal under-building parking and one of the best restaurants, Sanaa, on site. On the other hand, Jambo has the better lobby, three restaurants including a counter service and Boma one of the best buffets on site, the better and larger store, and the best grand villas on site.

Curious, what makes Jambo's grand villas better than elsewhere? We've stayed in Kidani's grand villa but haven't tried Jambo....

 

[JustTinking]

Actually I don't think Jambo has grand villas ? I guess I read your comments wrong. The Kidani GVs are nice, haven't stayed at others to make a comparison.

 

[DizBub]

Thank you for the replies. Is there a difference in the value accommodation rooms and the standard view other than the view? What is the view from the value accommodation? Are these rooms that you would not want to stay in?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-villas-jambo/rates-rooms/

I think the only real difference in the value rooms are that they a slightly smaller. For instance there isn't a sleeper chair in the living rooms of the value 1 and 2 bedrooms. According to these pictures it looks like the the positions of the bed and the sofa are switched in the value studios vs the regular standard/savanna views. No reason to not want to stay in these rooms in my opinion. Great value!

 

[disneynutz]

Actually I don't think Jambo has grand villas ? I guess I read your comments wrong. The Kidani GVs are nice, haven't stayed at others to make a comparison.

There are 6 GV's at Jambo and 16 at Kidani.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

JH GVs have pool tables. No other GV has a pool table.

JH villas are all converted hotel rooms. KV villas are all new construction.

 

[LauraLea]

Not sure about Kidani, but the Jambo GVs have large awesome balconies.

Laura

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

JH GVs have pool tables. No other GV has a pool table.

JH villas are all converted hotel rooms. KV villas are all new construction.

That's true for Florida but VGC GV's also have pool tables.

 

[jambo5564]

They have 3 spectacular balconies for each gv at jambo. Biggest on site. Starting your day stretched out with a cup of coffee animal watching .. Pool table is a nice touch too

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's true for Florida but VGC GV's also have pool tables.

Thanks for clarifying that, Kat. Appreciate it.