AKL - Kidani vs Jambo Studio

[maxiv]

We are using points that we have originally rented for a stay last year for our upcoming trip in May 2022 - YAY, EU-citizens can finally enter the US again

We are deciding between staying at a Studio in Kidani vs Jambo for 6 nights.
I am aware of the difference in amenities (Jambo with bigger lobby, better dining, etc.), but I wanted your view on the current state/decor of the rooms.

I've read somewhere that Jambo has refurbished rooms vs. Kidani's rooms being a little older?
Are there recent detailed pictures of both somewhere?

Also what do you think of the pool area at Kidani vs Jambo?

Oh, in regards to transportation: We will be renting a car and likely travelling everywhere with it.

Thanks for your input in advance!

 

[erionm]

Both Jambo House and Kidani Village received a soft goods refurbishment in 2016. Both are due for a full refurbishment around 2023.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

And you have access to both pools. AKV share pools.

 

[chalee94]

Oh, in regards to transportation: We will be renting a car and likely travelling everywhere with it.

It's a good idea to have your own car in general. Remember that for MK, you would have to park at the TTC and take the monorail or ferry...so taking the bus to MK might be better since it drops you at the entrance. (It can feel like a long trip but as long as there is not a long wait for the bus, it's not so bad.)

 

[maxiv]

Both Jambo House and Kidani Village received a soft goods refurbishment in 2016. Both are due for a full refurbishment around 2023.

Ah, I see! So how do the two rooms currently compare to each other?

And you have access to both pools. AKV share pools.

I'm aware - but I think having the better pool right at where we're staying will be more convenient than having to pack our things and making the journey over to the other part of the hotel - just in terms of convenience.

 

[Best Aunt]

OP, any kids in your group? If yes, what ages? That might impact pool advice.

 

[JETSDAD]

The rooms are the same as far as updates/decor go. For Jambo it was the hotel side that had more recent updates, not the DVC rooms. If you have a car then Kidani is nice for parking.

 

[robinb]

Are you looking at a standard view or a savannah view? A standard view at Jambo is guaranteed to be either a pool view or a poor savannah view (of the people pens). A standard view at Kidani is primarily of the parking lot.

I own at AKV and I always choose Jambo, but we are all adults. I prefer the larger lobby and the variety of restaurants at Jambo and there is no CS restaurant at Kidani. If I had smaller non-swimming children, I would consider Kidani for the pool The splash pad is really one of the best on property.

You will have to decide if you want to stay at Kidani and travel to Jambo to eat the The Mara CS restaurant or if you want to stay at Jambo and travel to Kidani for the splash pad.

 

[han22735]

Kidani studios have a door to the bathroom sink/vanity area and Jambo does not. So for us when ones getting ready in the morning while others may be sleeping it allows the room to be dark and quieter during that time.

 

[drusba]

I've read somewhere that Jambo has refurbished rooms vs. Kidani's rooms being a little older?
Are there recent detailed pictures of both somewhere?

Also what do you think of the pool area at Kidani vs Jambo?

Oh, in regards to transportation: We will be renting a car and likely travelling everywhere with it.

Thanks for your input in advance!

As noted, Jambo DVC and Kidani were both refurbed in 2016.. What you likely read about, which occurred later, was that the Jambo hotel rooms were refurbed.

As to to the DVC rooms since 2016, YouTube has several walk-throughs of both Jambo and Kidani rooms.

In relation to the pools, be aware that Kidani's pool will be undergoing a refurb starting in Jan, which will close the pool. DVC has said that will last until April, but there is no specific end date and April was given as more of a approximation and not a definite. Thus, there might be some risk that the pool may still be closed part of May.

As to renting a car, there are two issues today to be aware of and whether they will still exist in May is an unknown. The first is that rental cars are now outregeously priced, e.g., what you could get for $300 a week pre-pandemic can can now cost $1,000. The rental companies sold off a lot of their cars during the pandemic and what has now become clear is that they cannot get all the needed replacements. Thus, there is a shortage causing the high prices. Whether it will be better by the time you rent one is an unknown.

The second issue is that currently there are no trolleys working the theme parks' parking lots. Thus, you must walk to the park (or to the boat or monorail at MK) from wherever you park. That can be a long distance and forever at MK. Net effect, using buses is currently the much better option for going to a park.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Having stayed at both, I definitely prefer Jambo, primarily because Kidani defines "far from lobby". Some of their rooms are SOO far out there! However, since you have your own car, I'd recommend Kidani for you. At Kidani, parking is underneath the hotel, and you can get from your room to the parking garage via elevator, without having to go to the lobby. MUCH quicker to get to the parking garage-there are at least 5 elevators throughout the resort which will take you down to the garage.

 

[SL6827]

Stay at Jambo, use the pool at Kidani.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

And you have access to both pools. AKV share pools.

Kidani's pool is going down for refurb, currently scheduled January through April 2022. I would avoid it in May 2022 for fear of it running long.

 

[js]

Thank you for this post.

Is either Kidani or Jambo easier to get a studio with a WL? I will be stalking but just wondering.
Thank you.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Thank you for this post.

Is either Kidani or Jambo easier to get a studio with a WL? I will be stalking but just wondering.
Thank you.

KIdani is much larger and will be easier to get a studio.

 

[js]

KIdani is much larger and will be easier to get a studio.

Thank you. I see that the Kidani pool is undergoing refurb in January, which is when I am looking to go so
maybe people will cancel or try to go to Jambo. I don't mind the walk and my mom will be in a scooter
so that won't be a problem and it may be too cold to hang by the pool anyway.

Thank you.

 

[erionm]

Thank you for this post.

Is either Kidani or Jambo easier to get a studio with a WL? I will be stalking but just wondering.
Thank you.

Kidani Savanna View is the largest single studio booking category at AKV with 105 rooms. KV Standard View has 64 room. All are part of 2-bed lock-offs.

 

[drusba]

Thank you for this post.

Is either Kidani or Jambo easier to get a studio with a WL? I will be stalking but just wondering.
Thank you.

Chances likely better at Kidani since it has a possible 168 studios and Jambo 105, not counting value and club level which are usually impossible to get. Also, Jambo typically mostly fills well before Kidani, likely indicating Jambo has longer wait-lists

 

[js]

Kidani Savanna View is the largest single studio booking category at AKV with 105 rooms. KV Standard View has 64 room. All are part of 2-bed lock-offs.

Thank you. I think with this information you gave me, I need to stick with SSR and OKW since they have many more studios. I really appreciate the help, it made my decision on what I needed to do.

Chances likely better at Kidani since it has a possible 168 studios and Jambo 105, not counting value and club level which are usually impossible to get. Also, Jambo typically mostly fills well before Kidani, likely indicating Jambo has longer wait-lists

Thank you very much. And, with Kidani, I see that the pool will be getting a refurb in January, which is when I am going. With this information, perhaps I will see it open up a little. However, I learned that Poly, SSR and OKW have many more studios over ALK. This will be my third trip planned using my points and borrowing with 50 pct, so need a studio this time and Poly will give me less than a week and I want at least a week.
This all said, I booked two consecutive days at SSR standard studio, and have a WL in for full week. I also put a WL in for OKW (which can give me 8 nights if I find it opens). I'll watch Kidani too but guess I need to focus on SSR, OKW and SSR in that order.

Thank you so much!

 

[Lorana]

When it comes to taking a bus to the parks, an important thing to consider is that Kidani and Jambo share a bus, and Kidani is picked up first. During busy times, Jambo may be standing room only when the bus gets to you.