AKV Kidani Plans, need opinions, input...

[DeeCee735]

Okay, I've been going back and forth on whether or not to stay at Jambo or Kidani for my upcoming Nov trip (just myself and two cousins - no husbands, no kids)

My DH and I stayed at Jambo once so far, and I really loved the idea of being right there with Boma and Jiko. We had a pool view, so the 5th floor wasn't too high, in fact it was a gorgeous view.

However, this trip we wanted Savannah view, so I was thinking a lower floor, 2nd or 3rd would be better. Then I was thinking the second bathroom and slightly larger accommodations (we are going to be in a one bedroom) would be better, so I booked Kidani with a request for close to the lobby and 2nd or 3rd floor.

How far is Sanaa from the lobby area, how far is the pool from the lobby area? Is there a coffee station, or shop where we can get coffee and a muffin or something like that for the mornings in or near the lobby?

My only hesitation with Kidani now is our distance to Boma (plan on booking it for breakfast at least one morning, maybe two) and Jiko, (we'll be doing dinner here the first night). Is the distance so terrible we'll need to bus over, or is it within an easy (not too sweaty) kind of walk?

Any opinions on choosing Kidani over Jambo with this type of travel party?
Thanks everyone!

 

[Chickkypoo]

We had the same dilemma as well. We decided last week to go with the Savanna View Suite at Jambo House. My fiance loves his breakfast, and I'm so not a morning person, so Jambo was nice as the counter service restaurant is right there. We were told with Kidani that it would be best to take the bus back to the hotel to get breakfast.

 

[kato0627]

We just were at Kidani in June. It was my family of 5. For your group, I think the 2nd bathroom might really come in handy. There is no counter service at Kidani, which is prob only the negative part of the whole resort.
Sanaa is not far from the lobby at all. The pool is out of the front of the resort and through the lot a bit. Not a far walk, but it is a walk. We never went to Jambo to eat, but I have heard it is a decent walk.
I just like the 2nd BR too much to trade it off for Mara=)
Good luck in your decision.
You also can get coffee in the lobby shop in the morning. Not sure of muffins

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

We were in a studio savannah view last month. I also requested second or third floor near lobby. We got the third floor and were pretty close to the lobby. The walk to Jambo house is really nothing. We did it in under 10 minutes and that was walking with a 3 and a 5 year old. Sanaa is right below the lobby and the pool is maybe a three minute walk from the lobby. You can get coffee at the store in the lobby but I don't recall seeing muffins or any freshly baked goods. I definitely wouldn't let the distance from Jambo house prevent me from booking Kidani. However, we always ate breakfast in the room so we didn't have to worry about the lack of counter service at Kidani.

 

[DVC Mary]

Just stayed at Kidani & IMHO if I were going for a "girls only trip" I'd rather be at Jambo house w/ the variety of restaurants & a bar w/ South African wines!!

Kidani is great but DVC needs to listen to people & add some sort of counter service restaurant & work out some other issues. Now w/ kids, I'd vote for Kidani for the pool & Community Hall.

Have fun wherever you stay!

 

[bookwormde]

My thoughts are if you are in a studio Jambo is better for the convenience of Mara’s CS, but if you are in a villa and make breakfast and lunch (when you are not in the parks) then Kidani is better. As for floors, there is a negligible difference in distance to the animals at Kidani (maybe 10’) so it is more of an issue of perspective (angle). When the new savanna opens if might be different since if looks like the “fence line” is much close with a walk in between so 3rd floor might be really nice. Walking to Jambo is a nice (if not overly scenic) stroll as long as you do not have to do it every day.

One other factor is that from Kidani you will always get a seat on the bus going to the parks, at Jambo you will often at the busy times be standing and occasionally have to wait for a second bus.

bookwormde

 

[MEK]

Stayed at Kidani last month and my biggest complaint was not being able to get breakfast type food in the gift shop. I was on the dining plan and wanted to use some snack credits for muffins/pastries, ect. The options they had in the gift shop were ridiculous. Seriously - they were these prepackaged pint sized muffins. The offerings were so much better at the Mara. No comparison. If you plan to get coffee in the morning, know that the gift shop does not open until 7:30am!

Other than the lack of CS options, I loved Kidani and have many, many pics posted in my current TR.

 

[DeeCee735]

Thanks for all the input. Part of me thinks(as mentioned in a post above), that Jambo would be better for a girls only with the close proximity to the restaurants and bar, but I think we should go for the 2nd bathroom. We are in a one bedroom and from what I understand the one bedrooms at Jambo only have one bathroom. I want the option of relaxing in a jacquzzi bath while not holding up the other two occupants from having an available bathroom, or being able to blow out my hair without rushing.

I figured after all the food we're going to eat and the alcohol we're going to drink, the walk to and from Jambo will be a good thing

So, I have decided to stick with Kidani, again, thanks for all your input.

 

[bookwormde]

You do have to cross the Jambo entrance portico and and the Kidani garage entrance road so stumble carefully, but have lots of fun.

bookwormde