AKV 2BDR: Kidani or Jambo? AAARRRGGGHH!!!

[ashleypmo]

I keep telling myself, there really isn't any way to get it wrong. It's DISNEY WORLD, and it's AKV--- the worst day at WDW is better than the best day washing dishes at home!

We'll be staying at AKV for the first time in Spring of 2013, 2BDR. I'm thinking we'll have to do standard view. Please help me decide between Kidani and Jambo!

We stayed at VWL a couple of years ago, and while we loved sitting in the rocking chairs in the quiet lobby, I really regretted that we didn't get to spend more time soaking in the impressive feel of the main lobby. So.... will I feel that way about Kidani? From the pics I've seen, the Kidani lobby still looks interesting...but not grand. Opinions?

We have 5 children, and will be traveling with another family who also have 5 children. Jambo seems to have more of the programs going on, but Kidani has Samwati springs. Truthfully, if we're going to BB one day, I don't know how important Samwati will be...and it might be a pain if the grown ups just want to veg in the pool, but have to chase the littles around the splash zone (the 4 youngest children have Down syndrome, so there will be a lot of chasin' going on anyway!). But still, it looks pretty neat. Have your kids enjoyed Samwati more, or the programs?

Value 2 BDR: This alone almost sways me toward Jambo, but I can't seem to find any real info on what "value" really means. I know the rooms are smaller, right? But still the same basic configuration? And how much smaller--- smaller living area, bedrooms, and with 7 people are we going to notice? A standard 2BDR is pretty roomy, so I would think a value would be fine, but I'd like feedback from someone with the 411.

AND... do any of the Value 2BDRs have Savannah view? Would it be possible to save on points by booking a value 2BDR and still get a savannah view? I read that some of the value studios do-- it would be pretty cool if the 2BDRs did, too. But that might just be me wishing for the stars. It is Disney, after all.

I think that might be all of my questions... for now. Thanks!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Kidani has far more good cultural offerings for the kids and the whole family than Jambo. Add to that the great water play area at Kidani, the extra bathroom, and it's a no-brainer in my book. I'd choose Kidani every time over Jambo.

 

[tinx35124]

We stayed Jambo in March this year. Our 1st DVC stay ever Yay. We walked over to Kidani and found the lobby small and it just didn't feel as warm as Jambo did. It was very crowded feeling even with minimal check in line. Idk it just didn't appeal to us at all. With all the children I personally would stay in Jambo where all the food is. The pool area is also great. And like you said activities galore. Seems like I saw play area too. Didn't go over that way as our youngest is 15.

<a href="http://distickers.com/ticker/"><img src="http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers/rg965orlgj2yx6hn.png" alt="DIStickers.com Ticker" border="0"/></a>

 

[tinx35124]

I see you are from Minnesota. We are great friends with the Walters. P.J. is doing great with the Twins. I really hope he keeps up the work. The Walters are great great people

 

[tinx35124]

Twins

 

[robinb]

We are staying in a standard view 1BR on our next trip and we picked Jambo House. Jambo standard views (NOT value view) are all pool views. Plus, Jambo has Mara for a quick bite. The Kidani standard views are mostly of the parking lot. Kidani has a better pool (IMO) and you will have a 2nd bathroom and a fold-out chair over at Kidani.

Value rooms are shorter. They are made from the original size AKL rooms and not the deluxe AKL rooms. It looks like a regular 2BR is 1075 sq feet and a value 2BR is 945 square ft. Value rooms can be ANY view: savannah, pool or parking lot. They are the only rooms at Jambo that overlook the parking lot.

A map can be found here: http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5-large.html

"Bottom left" (5129-5135) are the parking lot, "upper right" (5004-5030) are pool and "upper left" (5110-5136) are savannah.

 

[DebbieB]

I keep telling myself, there really isn't any way to get it wrong. It's DISNEY WORLD, and it's AKV--- the worst day at WDW is better than the best day washing dishes at home!

We'll be staying at AKV for the first time in Spring of 2013, 2BDR. I'm thinking we'll have to do standard view. Please help me decide between Kidani and Jambo!

We stayed at VWL a couple of years ago, and while we loved sitting in the rocking chairs in the quiet lobby, I really regretted that we didn't get to spend more time soaking in the impressive feel of the main lobby. So.... will I feel that way about Kidani? From the pics I've seen, the Kidani lobby still looks interesting...but not grand. Opinions?

We have 5 children, and will be traveling with another family who also have 5 children. Jambo seems to have more of the programs going on, but Kidani has Samwati springs. Truthfully, if we're going to BB one day, I don't know how important Samwati will be...and it might be a pain if the grown ups just want to veg in the pool, but have to chase the littles around the splash zone (the 4 youngest children have Down syndrome, so there will be a lot of chasin' going on anyway!). But still, it looks pretty neat. Have your kids enjoyed Samwati more, or the programs?

Value 2 BDR: This alone almost sways me toward Jambo, but I can't seem to find any real info on what "value" really means. I know the rooms are smaller, right? But still the same basic configuration? And how much smaller--- smaller living area, bedrooms, and with 7 people are we going to notice? A standard 2BDR is pretty roomy, so I would think a value would be fine, but I'd like feedback from someone with the 411.

AND... do any of the Value 2BDRs have Savannah view? Would it be possible to save on points by booking a value 2BDR and still get a savannah view? I read that some of the value studios do-- it would be pretty cool if the 2BDRs did, too. But that might just be me wishing for the stars. It is Disney, after all.

I think that might be all of my questions... for now. Thanks!!!

Are you getting 2 two bedrooms? Sounds like you have too many people for 1.

 

[Deb & Bill]

All the two bedroom villas at Jambo House are lockoffs. Meaning a one bedroom combined with a studio. So there are two entrances into the villa. You'll probably want a dedicated two bedroom so go with Kidani Village. Plus you'll get the extra bathroom.

There are no value villas at KV, only JH.

 

[robinb]

This (from LisaS) should help too:
The Value rooms are in the area marked in lime green and have a view of the pool, the Sunset Savanna or the parking lot. The Standard View rooms are marked in yellow. The handful of Concierge rooms are marked in bright pink, the six Grand Villas are marked in orange and everything else not marked with "spray paint" are Savanna View rooms.

 

[DizDays]

Here's another vote for Kidani. Besides the extra bathroom and the larger rooms, there is also covered parking (which is a must if you're driving), the community hall (which my family loved), and the chance to ask for a lower floor level which brings you closer to the animals. At Jambo, you would be on the 5th or 6th floor. Yes, the lobby is quieter, but you are a short walk from Jambo if you'd like and I'd trade that for the extra bathroom and extra space.

 

[drusba]

Difficult decision. Jambo has the larger pool with lots of areas to find shade, three restaurants including a counter service, and the much larger lobby and store and it definitely sounds like you would prefer that building.

Nevertheless, if the room means anything, Kidani has 2BRs that are noticeably much larger than Jambo, have an extra bathroom, and have dedicated rooms with two queens in the second bedroom if you want that. Also if you are considering value, those 2BR are noticeably much smaller than the other Jambo rooms and seem like closets in comparison to Kidani. They also do not have the sleeper chair that gives you the ability to have bedding for 9 rather than 8. Personally, I would not even want more than 6 in a value 2BR and even that would be a tight fit. Though 40% of the values face a savanna you cannot request view for them and it is purely luck of the draw to get savanna view.

Kidani also has ideal parking under the building with elevators along the wings that allow you to be able to park fairly close to your room. Its pool has the much longer slide and the elaborate kids water play area but majority of chairs are in the sun.

As far as buildings go we prefer Jambo but when getting 2BR we much more highly prefer the huge space and extra bathroom of Kidani. Nevertheless, with 5 kids, having the counter service may be a deciding factor in favor of Jambo although I would not go with a value.

 

[wdrl]

I assume you are a DVC member whose home resort is AKV. If you aren't, then you might not be able to book AKV's Value accommodations at the 7-month window. AKV's Value Vacation Homes are quite popular and are usually snapped up by AKV owners during the Home Resort booking window.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about choosing between Jambo and Kidani. Each has good points that you'll enjoy. And its not like you can't visit one if you are staying in the other. Its a short walk and there are shuttles and Disney buses that run regularly between Jambo and Kidani.

Another thing to consider: AKV's DVC leasehold runs until January 31, 2057. That means that you have over 44 years to try out both Jambo and Kidani. Book one for this trip and book the other one for your next trip.

Deb & Bill bring out a good point about Jambo having only lock-off two-bedroom villas. Do you prefer a bed and a sleeper sofa in the second bedroom, or would you rather have a dedicated two-bedroom villa that has two beds in the second bedroom? Also, you might find that having a third bathroom in your villa will help everyone get ready in the mornings. If that is the case, then you might want to stay at Kidani.

Like you say, the worst day at Disney is better than the best day of washing dishes at home. Good luck!!

 

[ashleypmo]

All good info, thanks!

Until it was mentioned here, I had never really processed the logistics of the "lock-off" units at Jambo. My 6 year old son is very compulsive/OCD, and we struggle with his self-control. I can see that we'd have to make sure that the 2nd bedroom door to the hall was bolted all the time--- but then if he managed to slip into that room without someone else in there, he could lock us out. I can totally see him locking us out & going out onto the balcony by himself. SO if next April you see a news report about a 7 year old with Down syndrome jumping off a balcony at AKV, you'll know we ended up at Jambo.... But seriously, if we go that route, we'll just have to get extra towels and throw towels over the doortops. We'd have to do that for any of the locking bedroom / bathroom doors, anyway. Thanks!