AKL - Kidani vs. Jambo

[DisDad4Life]

Hello! We've stayed many times at AKL but only at Jambo House. I received a pin with see some very nice prices (Disney-comparatively speaking) at Kidani Village. We can get a 2 bedroom villa for less than the cost of 2 Savanna rooms at Jambo, which would be nice so we could all stay together (5 adults) yet still have plenty of room.

Since we have never stayed at Kidani I really don't know what the pros and cons are when comparing to Jambo and am hoping to get some insights and experiences from those of you familiar with Kidani.

What should we consider when deciding between the two?

Thanks!

 

[clutter]

Kidani is like a little piece of heaven on earth.

That said, be prepared to WALK! The halls are LONG. Because the building is a little shorter, you feel a little be closer to the animals, though.

It is also a quieter, more peaceful resort. You don't have the grand entrance, or all of the activity that you have at AKL. The gift shop is smaller. There isn't a QS food option (the gift shop has the refill stations), although I hear they are doing breakfasts at Sanaa now. It's truly like AKL, but with a totally different feeling.

 

[hakepb]

A 2BR villa will be the size of (3) hotel rooms. The 2BR at Kidani will have (3) full bathrooms.

Parking for Kidani is mostly under the resort (so your car is out of the FL sun and rain) , and there are multiple elevators in the hallway going down to the “garage” so you are closer to your car than Jambo.

Kidani hallways are looooooooong. Much Longer than Jambo.

The pool at Kidani has a better slide (but I guess less room around the pool for lounging)

There is no full QS at Kidani. Sanaa has a QS breakfast, and there is food ordering at the pool bar. (That they deliver to you). Sanaa is a great TS for lunch/dinner.
Kidani is best if you can stock your full kitchen with beverages/snacks to avoid needing Mara as much. Kidani does have drink refills in the gift shop and pool bar.

Kidani villas are on floors 2-5 (Villas in Jambo are only on floor 5 and 6). 80% of the savanna view rooms are on the shared with Jambo sunset savanna. Kidani also has some rooms on the small Pembe savanna. There are Okapi instead of giraffes.

Kidani has a smaller, more intimate lobby. Both still have fireside story telling and night vision viewing.

There’s still walking, bus and a shuttle van to take you to Jambo.

Personally, Id still do Kidani for the great villa.

 

[chalee94]

Kidani 2BRs have 3 bathrooms (vs. 2 at Jambo) and more space and Kidani is the first stop for the park buses before they stop at Jambo House. Jambo House has the more impressive lobby and more restaurants (Boma, Jiko and quickservice Mara vs. Sanaa at Kidani). DVC villas are on the 5th floor at Jambo House and make up the entire building (all floors) at Kidani. Both pools/water play areas are accessible to guests at either building.

more info and discussion is here:

(drusba's post is particularly detailed)

https://disboards.com/threads/akl-kidani-or-jambo.3672091/

https://www.disboards.com/threads/difference-between-kidani-and-jambo.3572259/

https://www.disboards.com/threads/kidani-or-jambo.3597578/

https://www.disboards.com/threads/jambo-house-vs-kidani-village.3631490/

 

[gillep]

I love both resorts but slightly prefer Jambo, that said, I would take a Kidani 2 bedroom happily over two rooms at Jambo, the 2 bedrooms at Kidani are so nice! You can still use all of the amenities at Jambo, as well as Kidani, and it is a short ~10 minute walk between them and there is also a shuttle.

 

[wdw4rfam]

LOVE kidani. So peaceful.

 

[clayfolks]

We were at Kidani last month and tried the QS breakfast at Sanaa. It was a modified QS in that everything seemed to be cooked to order and was delivered to the table on real plates. It was not particularly fast, but it was exceptionally good.

 

[WallE71]

We just came back from a one week stay at Kidani. Biggest thing is maybe request to be near the lobby. The hallways are very looonnnggg. We were at the back end and was a big walk to just get a mug refill. We also were on the opposite side of the pool. If that is important, I would request that side too. All that said, we loved it way more than Jambo. We love the better pool for the kids and a bigger nicer pool bar. We also loved getting the bread service to go and took back to the room. We had other food, but added to it with all the condiments and naan. It was perfect.

 

[DisDad4Life]

Wow! Thanks for all the great info and suggestions everyone!

Quick question - is housekeeping done daily or something less? I thought at some point I had read the villas may not have daily service. It certainly isn't a make or break for us but just want to know what to expect.

 

[NikkiDP]

Wow! Thanks for all the great info and suggestions everyone!

Quick question - is housekeeping done daily or something less? I thought at some point I had read the villas may not have daily service. It certainly isn't a make or break for us but just want to know what to expect.

I believe the villas get a trash service everyday now as part of the resort security checks. I believe housekeeping things are done on the 4th day of your stay.

 

[KjDreessen]

Wow! Thanks for all the great info and suggestions everyone!

Quick question - is housekeeping done daily or something less? I thought at some point I had read the villas may not have daily service. It certainly isn't a make or break for us but just want to know what to expect.

We are staying at AKL-Kidani in July. I remember reading that you could request housekeeping for a day by calling that morning, however you are charged a rate corresponding to your room type. There are pictures on the forums with the rate. I can’t remember off the top of my head.

 

[dansdad]

We are staying at AKL-Kidani in July. I remember reading that you could request housekeeping for a day by calling that morning, however you are charged a rate corresponding to your room type. There are pictures on the forums with the rate. I can’t remember off the top of my head.

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:
Studio - $30.00 for each day requested
One-Bedroom - $45.00 for each day requested
Two-Bedroom - $60.00 for each day requested
Three-Bedroom - $75.00 for each day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:
Studio - $10.00 for each day requested
One-Bedroom - $15.00 for each day requested
Two-Bedroom - $20.00 for each day requested
Three-Bedroom - $30.00 for each day requested

 

[Lynne M]

Wow! Thanks for all the great info and suggestions everyone!

Quick question - is housekeeping done daily or something less? I thought at some point I had read the villas may not have daily service. It certainly isn't a make or break for us but just want to know what to expect.

Since you booked through Disney, you will get daily housekeeping, just as you would at any other Disney resort. The limited housekeeping services are only for reservations made with points, through DVC.

 

[DisDad4Life]

Since you booked through Disney, you will get daily housekeeping, just as you would at any other Disney resort. The limited housekeeping services are only for reservations made with points, through DVC.

Good to hear, thanks!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Have a wonderful visit. We ve stayed at both as well. Grand villa ( and another one) at Kidani which was perfect size for all of us and we enjoyed it. My major remembrances were... quieter, more remote, missed food options, looooong walks.
We just prefer Jambo house, but both are lovely with the Animals!