AKV Kidani to Jambo

[AdamsMum]

Hi all of you brilliant people!
Quick question - Have some points to use up at 7 months and considering adding a couple of days to my next trip in Jan 2024. At AKV I prefer Jambo for the restaurant access, but better views at Kidani and extra bathroom in the 2 bed. If we stay at Kidani can we take bus transport over to Jambo? Or is walking the only way?

ETA: Just answered on another thread. Thanks anyway.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

You obviously got your answer already, but something we like to do is request a room at Kidani, Savannah view, near Jambo House - I think it's the Zazu elevator/side of the resort. Then, if you're ok with it, it's a very simple walk to the entrance at Jambo and the restaurants. Enjoy! We also like Kidani rooms and Jambo dining!

 

[Simba's Mom]

You obviously got your answer already, but something we like to do is request a room at Kidani, Savannah view, near Jambo House - I think it's the Zazu elevator/side of the resort. Then, if you're ok with it, it's a very simple walk to the entrance at Jambo and the restaurants. Enjoy! We also like Kidani rooms and Jambo dining!

Yes, the Zazu elevator is the one that is closest to Jambo. But, be aware that some of those rooms near the Zazu elevator are way, way out there. Last time I stayed at Kidani, I asked for and got a room near the Zazu elevator (so I have no one to blame for any complaints but myself). But I was in the last pod-a very long trek from Sanaa, the lobby, or the bus stop. Next time I'm tempted to ask for a room closer to mid-way out-is that Timon elevator?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Yes, the Zazu elevator is the one that is closest to Jambo. But, be aware that some of those rooms near the Zazu elevator are way, way out there. Last time I stayed at Kidani, I asked for and got a room near the Zazu elevator (so I have no one to blame for any complaints but myself). But I was in the last pod-a very long trek from Sanaa, the lobby, or the bus stop. Next time I'm tempted to ask for a room closer to mid-way out-is that Timon elevator?

I seem to remember them being alphabetical, with Pumba and Rafiki near the pool and Simone and Zazu near Jambo. And you're right - I can see a Zazu room potentially being far from the lobby and the bus.

 

[sndral]

Hi all of you brilliant people!
Quick question - Have some points to use up at 7 months and considering adding a couple of days to my next trip in Jan 2024. At AKV I prefer Jambo for the restaurant access, but better views at Kidani and extra bathroom in the 2 bed. If we stay at Kidani can we take bus transport over to Jambo? Or is walking the only way?

ETA: Just answered on another thread. Thanks anyway.

I assume the answer on the other thread was that there’s a shuttle running non stop between the two lobbies? The bell services guys will tell you where to wait for it since it drops off/picks up much nearer the lobbies than the regular buses.

 

[AdamsMum]

I assume the answer on the other thread was that there’s a shuttle running non stop between the two lobbies? The bell services guys will tell you where to wait for it since it drops off/picks up much nearer the lobbies than the regular buses.

Oh, okay. I understood it was just the park buses, and wondered which ones would pick up at Kidani and then stop at Jambo or if they went the other way around. Thanks.

 

[CarolynFH]

Oh, okay. I understood it was just the park buses, and wondered which ones would pick up at Kidani and then stop at Jambo or if they went the other way around. Thanks.

Yes, the shuttle runs continuously. I’m not sure about accommodating an ECV - I remember a large passenger van, can’t remember whether it had ECV capability or not. Bell Services will know, I’m sure.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, the shuttle runs continuously. I’m not sure about accommodating an ECV - I remember a large passenger van, can’t remember whether it had ECV capability or not. Bell Services will know, I’m sure.

I'd be interested to know that. When I stayed at Kidani last year, I assumed that the van wasn't able to take ECVs, and it seemed to take about the same amount of time to ride my ECV from the Zazu elevator, so it was OK. But if it started raining, I'll bet that van would be the better option.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'd be interested to know that. When I stayed at Kidani last year, I assumed that the van wasn't able to take ECVs, and it seemed to take about the same amount of time to ride my ECV from the Zazu elevator, so it was OK. But if it started raining, I'll bet that van would be the better option.

Hopefully someone here will know the answer. I'd like to know too, for future reference - although the size and capabilities of the van might change in the furture, of course.

 

[Minniesgal]

You obviously got your answer already, but something we like to do is request a room at Kidani, Savannah view, near Jambo House - I think it's the Zazu elevator/side of the resort. Then, if you're ok with it, it's a very simple walk to the entrance at Jambo and the restaurants. Enjoy! We also like Kidani rooms and Jambo dining!

This

It is such and easy walk you get the best of both resorts

 

[sethschroeder]

This

It is such and easy walk you get the best of both resorts

Easy walk is up for debate. You will be walking well over a mile back and forth from Kidani rooms to Jambo and then back.

Further than around the World Showcase or walking from VGF to the Castle in Magic Kingdom.

With how much walking there is at Disney its nice to avoid it where possible.

 

[sndral]

I remember a white van from the past - but more recently it’s been what I’d call a small bus, but from looking at the photo that I found on Touring plans I don’t think it would accommodate an ECV. See photo at the end of this article https://touringplans.com/blog/animal-kingdom-lodge-room-review-a-piece-of-paradise/.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Easy walk is up for debate. You will be walking well over a mile back and forth from Kidani rooms to Jambo and then back.

Further than around the World Showcase or walking from VGF to the Castle in Magic Kingdom.

With how much walking there is at Disney its nice to avoid it where possible.

I cannot disagree with the fact that there's a lot of walking at Disney. I also know it can be a good distance from Kidani to Jambo, which is why we always recommend the end of Kidani near Jambo to make the walk to restaurants easier. But I've measured the walk from Kidani lobby to Jambo lobby, and it's almost exactly 1/3rd of a mile. I run some mornings at the resort, and have measured outdoor distances is many areas of the resort. The only way you get to a mile round trip is if you are extremely unlucky and have a room at the very far end of Kidani, and walk to Boma or the pool at Jambo. Room location is very important at AKL for those concerned about walking.

That being said, having the van, or taking the bus transportation between buildings can be extremely helpful to many.

 

[sethschroeder]

we always recommend the end of Kidani near Jambo to make the walk to restaurants easier.

Where do you get to book your specific room like a cruise?

Sorry being sort of spunky as your requests mean nothing and you could end up in the farthest reaches of Kidani.

But I've measured the walk from Kidani lobby to Jambo lobby, and it's almost exactly 1/3rd of a mile.

Were you using a measure wheel? My measurements are based on mapping GIS.

Also lobby to lobby means nothing as AKV is the largest spanning single building at Disney.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'm not disagreeing with you that there can be a lot of walking at AKV. It's spread out, especially on Kidani side. Just like any other reservation, we make room requests that sometimes are honored and sometimes are not. Kidani has enough rooms that 75% of the time our request for a room on the Jambo side is honored. We don't request a specific room, just a section, and we do it through Member Services when we make the reservation. As for how did I measure it - the GPS/mileage app on my phone/watch shows me how far I've gone when walking or running. I was using 'lobby to lobby' as a guide between 2 distinct points that people know. It's also essentially where the vans or buses drop off and pick up - so it's only walking that's available to and from those points.

Ironic to this conversation, I run a few days while on vacation. AKV is our favorite resort, but it's the one resort where I have trouble finding an area where I can run 3-4 miles - I actually have to loop around the resort and parking lot many times. It's how I know it's 1/3rd of a mile between lobby entrances. But again, I don't disagree with you that if you get the wrong room or section, there can be a lot of walking. But it's much longer to walk around the World Showcase lake! That's about 1.25 miles around.......

 

[AdamsMum]

you could end up in the farthest reaches of Kidani.

Which is exactly where I was located the last time I stayed there. At the time I was signing closing docs for my house, which should have been done before vacation, but you know how those things go. I was back and forth to the lobby several times faxing to my realtor. I like to walk, but come on! When I contacted housekeeping to bring something to the room (I can't remember what), they said "As soon as we have a runner available." I thought it was a curious way to refer to a staff member, but I figured it out over my stay.

 

[DannysMom]

I'd be interested to know that. When I stayed at Kidani last year, I assumed that the van wasn't able to take ECVs, and it seemed to take about the same amount of time to ride my ECV from the Zazu elevator, so it was OK. But if it started raining, I'll bet that van would be the better option.

Pretty sure the shuttle is not ECV or wheelchair accessible. We asked a few years back when my son was still using a wheelchair when we stayed there. After he turned 18, we bought him an ECV to use at Disney. So we just walk / roll between the two.

 

[sethschroeder]

I was using 'lobby to lobby' as a guide between 2 distinct points that people know.

Its similar to talking about OKW Lobby to Main Pool its not very useful for everyone spread around the resort.

But it's much longer to walk around the World Showcase lake! That's about 1.25 miles around.......

Furthest reaches of Kidani to Jambo and back (since you need to go there and come back) is a good bit further than taking a lap around the World Showcase.

it's the one resort where I have trouble finding an area where I can run 3-4 miles

Its in part that the hallways are super long and that walk between the is just okay as you are walking through a hotel parking lot since they can't let you walk through the savanna for obvious reasons. It would be cool though if they had added a walking bridge between Jambo and Kidani over the savanna. Heck even if they connected the wings together inside the hallways it would be a good step up but not really plausible at this point.

Wilderness Lodge has issues now though where the walking path over to the Fort area is closed since the construction had started at the stalled Reflections.

 

[Minniesgal]

Easy walk is up for debate. You will be walking well over a mile back and forth from Kidani rooms to Jambo and then back.

Further than around the World Showcase or walking from VGF to the Castle in Magic Kingdom.

With how much walking there is at Disney its nice to avoid it where possible.

Ok we find it a nice short easy walk

 

[WEDcryoHEAD]

Yes, the Zazu elevator is the one that is closest to Jambo. But, be aware that some of those rooms near the Zazu elevator are way, way out there. Last time I stayed at Kidani, I asked for and got a room near the Zazu elevator (so I have no one to blame for any complaints but myself). But I was in the last pod-a very long trek from Sanaa, the lobby, or the bus stop. Next time I'm tempted to ask for a room closer to mid-way out-is that Timon elevator?

Not sure of the elevator but the one closest to the lobby is great. Not too far from poll or Sanaa and the walk to Jambo isn't too bad. The shuttle from just in front of Kidani runs pretty regularly as well. Very convenient IMO. If the Savanna views are important to you than stay at Kidani.