AKL..Which is better?

[JohnRez]

Just purchased a small contract for AKL. Looking for the best side to stay (and why) for a SV Studio. 2 adults, 1 is in a wheelchair.

Thank you!

 

[Wedgeout]

For the Savanah, I’d say Kidani. The reason being there are multiple floors. Viewing can be better lower under the tree tops. Jambo all on 5th floor.

 

[muppets3d]

You'll want to stay at both eventually as it is entirely personal preference, and it's a short walk/shuttle ride between the two and you can take advantage of both resort's amenities when staying at either.

For a first stay I'd do Jambo House just because it is "the" animal kingdom lodge.

Both resorts are stellar and a jewel in the DVC portfolio, you really can't go wrong.

 

[Cyberc1978]

When staying in a studio I’d select Jambo any day. I like the resort, the shops and restaurants. The lobby is awesome and i like the pool.

If I wanted to stay in a 1br I might go with Kidani due to the extra bathroom.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

If you’re doing a SV kidani is best. Not so great views at jambo. Like previous poster said, DVC rooms on the 5th floor. True about long hallways at kidani. Gotta weigh pros and cons.

 

[CarolynFH]

Just be aware that the hallways at Kidani are truly long - 1/3 mile from lobby to end of each. It makes for a very long walk home at the end of the day, if you’re near the end.

 

[teamsamant]

Just be aware that the hallways at Kidani are truly long - 1/3 mile from lobby to end of each. It makes for a very long walk home at the end of the day, if you’re near the end.

I had to make the trek to the last room in the hallway. Absolutely brutal to do with 3 tired or hungry little kids. It's 10-15 to the bus. Then 20 minutes on a bus after that. Our family was done with AKL after that experience. I wouldn't chance the end of the hallway again and go Jambo all the way.

 

[muppets3d]

Just be aware that the hallways at Kidani are truly long - 1/3 mile from lobby to end of each. It makes for a very long walk home at the end of the day, if you’re near the end.

A big deal if you're walking in from the bus lot, but if you're walking in from your car it's less of a big deal since you can park under a nearby elevator.

 

[CarolynFH]

A big deal if you're walking in from the bus lot, but if you're walking in from your car it's less of a big deal since you can park under a nearby elevator.

Oh yes, definitely! That’s one of the reasons we prefer Kidani to Jambo, because we usually have a car. (The bathtub situation in the Jambo 1BR is the main reason.)

 

[NVDISFamily]

A big deal if you're walking in from the bus lot, but if you're walking in from your car it's less of a big deal since you can park under a nearby elevator.

If the thread's poster has a car I would agree Kidani would be a good pick as there is likely a better chance they can park closer to the room.

As a wheelchair was mentioned I'd also consider the slope of the walking path from the bus to the lobby. At Jambo it's not too much but there is a fair incline from the bus area to the lobby. I forget what this is like at Kidani but I think it s bit more flat?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just purchased a small contract for AKL. Looking for the best side to stay (and why) for a SV Studio. 2 adults, 1 is in a wheelchair.

Thank you!

If one of you is in a wheelchair, you'll probably want a HA room I'm assuming. Fortunately at Kidani, the HA rooms aren't far out. I've been in a HA room at Kidani, but not at Jambo yet, so I can't compare. For views, check Touring Plans. One advantage at Kidani is that if you have a refillable mug, the refill station is right in the lobby, making it an easy stop as you're headed to/from the bus stop. Refilling your mug at Jambo necessitates going out of your way. However, Jambo has a much nicer gift shop and a great CS, Mara, but Mara can get very busy at meal time, it seems the lines move slowly (at least when I'm there). Kidani has a great breakfast, served in Sanaa. You order at the counter in the lounge, and they bring you your food. Think Banana Brûlée French Toast!
You can order a meal to go at Sanaa, but last time I was there, they had a weird quirk. You couldn't preorder-to-go the vegetarian curry (and several other offerings). However, they told me that you could get it to go just by coming to the restaurant, ordering it at the hostess stand, then waiting. So the only difference is that some things you have to wait for (they're not on the to-go menu).

 

[muppets3d]

If the thread's poster has a car I would agree Kidani would be a good pick as there is likely a better chance they can park closer to the room.

As a wheelchair was mentioned I'd also consider the slope of the walking path from the bus to the lobby. At Jambo it's not too much but there is a fair incline from the bus area to the lobby. I forget what this is like at Kidani but I think it s bit more flat?

At Kidani, there is an entrance to the resort building to the right as you exit the bus lot - you don't need to go uphill to the lobby. I recommend folks that are relying on bus transportation at Kidani request a room near the Timon elevators, which are the elevators nearest that entrance.