AKL question Kidani

[mmcculloch]

I am hoping to switch at my 7 month window to AKL. I am on the fence regarding Jambo or Kidani.

I have not stayed at AKL. We are not doing parks the days we are there. 3 nights. We just want to enjoy the resort. I would like to book a Savannah view 2 bedroom.

So Kidani or Jambo? Which pool is larger or better for 4/6 year old? I read there is no counter service at Kidani...put is there a pool side bar for mommy drinks? If no counter service, where is the closest place you can get food if you plan on being pool side all day?

 

[erionm]

Can't answer the question about the pool for the kids.

Yes, Kidani Village has a pool bar and it has a limited selection of food available.

 

[disney1474]

I would go with Kidani!! The pool, though smaller than Jambo, will be great for your kids. They have 2 slides and the water play area that your kids will really enjoy. The rooms are obviously new and larger than jambo's room.
The gift shop has food items to purchase but if you want already made lunches you will have to trek over to the Mara. It's about a 7-8 minute walk or you can take a bus there. Have fun, you will love it!!

 

[PrincessYessenia]

I just came from a 2-night stay at Kidani for my birthday and we absolutely loved it! It was very quiet, and calm. The pool, although small for a resort that size, was great with a pretty big water slide. We all rode the slide about 30 times...myself, my mom, my cousin & his fiance, and my 9-year-old cousin.

There is no CS at Kidani, but the Maji Pool Bar offers some choices. We ate there the first day while we swam and waiting for our room to be ready (and it was ready by 2), and then on our last day as well. The sandwiches were delicious and I would recommend them.

The pool at Jambo House is about 3 times larger than Kidani's, but with a smaller water slide. My family and I did not like the pool at Jambo House very much at all. The water was murky and there were TONS of people in it and it just seemed so hectic. Jambo House just seemed SO crowded and loud. Before becoming DVC members we had stayed at AKL twice and loved it. But while staying at Kidani and experiencing it's more of a laid back atmosphere it made me realize how loud and busy Jambo House really was.

I honestly don't think I'll ever be staying at Jambo House unless I have to do concierge, in which case I have no choice. And by the way, the walk from our room to Jambo House was no more than 4 minutes, 5 minutes TOPS! We didn't have a problem with it at all, but then again it depends where your room is located. JMHO.

Either way, have a magical trip!

 

[pilferk]

My family and I did not like the pool at Jambo House very much at all. The water was murky and there were TONS of people in it and it just seemed so hectic.

Just an FYI (I'm not sure if it pertains to your experience or not):

The bottom of the Jambo pool is actually colored and supposed to give the appearance that you're swimming in an African Watering hole. I know some people have been really put off by the fact the water doesn't look "pool blue" at the pool and thought it was because the pool was dirty. In fact, the designers were going for a sort of "murky" effect when they designed the pool.

As I said...I don't know if this pertains to your experiences with the water, or not....but I wanted to pass the info along just in case.

 

[PrincessYessenia]

That's what we were told...However, I did swim under water with goggles and it was very difficult to see any further in front of me than about 3 feet. They told me it was supposed to look like that so I thought nothing of it, but then I got in the water and saw the water itself was dirty. I understand the color of the bottom of the pool and everything, but that shouldn't make the water murky when you're actually underwater. The color of the bottom should not effect the actual color of the water since it's just an illusion for when you are outside of the pool looking in.

 

[jodifla]

We're getting ready for our first stay at Jambo House. I understand the rooms are nicer, but i wanted to be in more of a hotel feel this time. I wanted the bars, kids club and restaurant close by.

We can go over to the Kidani pool and check it out, but I didn't want to be hiking from Kidani to Jambo all the time for every service.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our DGC ages 4,5 adn 6 had a great all day experience at Kidani's pool. There were games and dance time by the pool in the PM.

To be fair, they had a great 4 hour expierence at Jambo's pool, playground area by the animals the day we checked in and were waiting for the room to be ready. They did find somthing they liked to eat at the Mara.

Bobbi

 

[daisyduck123]

Kidani gets my vote!

Just stayed there last month (we've also stayed at Jambo twice).

We spent three nights at Kidani after an 8 nights stay at BCV. We also just hung out at the pool each day as our APs expired during our 2nd day there. We loved just hanging out and relaxing there.

Food by the pool is limited, but they do have a nice Club at the Pool Bar.

You can also order "Fine Dining" (it's really Room Service) poolside. There is a phone at the pool bar that you use for this. Please note that a $3.00 charge & 18% gratuity will automatically be added to your Fine Dining order. We didn't mind that and went ahead and ordered DS a kid's pizza each afternoon.

**Kidani also has a great Community Hall located directly across from the arcade. DS11 had a blast in there...everything in there is brand new (Foosball table, Playstation games, Wii, pool table, etc.)

 

[mmcculloch]

Thank you for all the posts. Sorry for the delay. We just returned from a non Disney trip to Deep Creek, Md (amazing!) I will be calling Sept 8th to see if I can switch and my vote is Kidani. Thanks everyone.