AKV Studio Savanna View - Jambo vs Kidani

[WonderlandsMostWantd]

Which has a better Savanna view, in general? I know it can vary by location, but which building would you say gives us the best odds of the best view?

Background - We're going for our 3 year anniversary (which is ON Valentine's Day) for the honeymoon we never got to take. My husband's one and only request was that we have a Savanna view - room layout, bathroom configuration etc. are not concerns, we are adapatable, he strictly concerned about his view of the animals from our balcony.

We are currently booked for Jambo house savanna view, since we're staying at Kidani in a standard view in December, I thought it would be intersting to try the other building for comparison sake (we JUST bought DVC, and have never even visited AKL, let alone stayed there!) But, the view is really the most important thing to him for this trip, and I am flexible, so I really want to make sure I give us the best chance at a good view.

That said, for those of you who have stayed savanna view at both or either resort, which do you think is our best bet?

 

[WonderlandsMostWantd]

Any opinions at all?

 

[CocosMeme]

We have stayed in both and they were both good. Keep in mind that the animals are not on the savannah at Kidani in the early morning. They go in for their check-ups before the Jambo ones do. They are great in the afternoon at both places, but better in the morning at Jambo. Request a 2nd or 3rd floor near the lobby for best views at Kidani. You will love AKL!

 

[drusba]

Views are good at both. However, there are reasons you may want to stick with Jambo. When it is just two adults, I consider Jambo the better. You have three restaurants and a pool that is the better for adults (more shaded areas because of many trees, two hot tubs). If you stick with Jambo, you may want to request "Arusha" view (the savanna in the middle of the building) or "Zebra" trail (which are the rooms with Arusha view on one side of the building). We prefer Zebra trail there because most of the rooms along that trail face west, meaning you don't get the sun beating in during the morning and can comfortably watch animals in the morning from your balcony and in evening the sunset is nice and is not blinding like the morning sun.

 

[sleepydog25]

Stayed at both this past fall during Food & Wine Festival and found both equally enjoyable in regards to the savanna view, comments above notwithstanding. I do agree that Jambo House with its on-site restaurants is a tad more convenient in terms of eating, though you can drive between the two in about a minute. Kidani is newer and the parking is better since you park underneath the building with easy access to elevators (and not having the sun beat down on your car all day is nice, too), but those two things are about the only difference I could see--and both are minor. I don't think you can go wrong with either Jambo or Kidani. Have fun!

 

[WonderlandsMostWantd]

Thank you, so much! I know we're going to have a great time either way, just want to make sure I'm well informed... that's why we're all on the DIS, right?

I might have to call MS and ask for Zebra trail, that sounds lovely!

We are thinking about trying Boma for the first time, possibly for breakfast on our last day. I'm certain that the restaurants are all amazing, but the ones at AKL make me a little nervous - I'm alergic to cinnamon, which is in a lot of curry mixes, and in some of the dishes on the menus either say cinnamon, or are incredibly good candidates to have it... I can easily order a dish that's less likely to have cinnamon in it, and even ask the chef to make sure, but cinnamon is a pretty potent thing - and very fragrant... the traces that carry in the air with the fragrance (think steam off a hot, apple pie for example) carry the oils and if I wind up down wind of a dish that's heavily seasoned, I could have breathing issues and well, a less than magical experience. (This is why, after looking at the menu for Cat Cora's restaurant, we're afraid to even go in there ) So, we think starting with breakfast might give us a safer shot of my having more options and less risk, and give us a better feel for the place... (wow, that was a big, off topic diversion I just took, sorry!) lol

 

[wdrl]

Which has a better Savanna view, in general? I know it can vary by location, but which building would you say gives us the best odds of the best view?

My husband's one and only request was that we have a Savanna view - room layout, bathroom configuration etc. are not concerns, we are adapatable, he strictly concerned about his view of the animals from our balcony.

Keep in mind that all the DVC savanna view villas at Jambo are on the 5th floor and the Concierge Level villas are on the 6th floor. At Kidani, you could be as low as the second floor which puts you closer to the animals.

Last year, we stayed in a savanna view cash room at AKL. Our room was on the third floor and our view of the animals was fantastic. For our trip next year, we are booking Kidani rather than Jambo mainly because I think a lower floor might give us a better view of the animals than being on the 5th floor.

Like your husband, my wife and I place great importance on our views of the animals. We figure its an easy walk over to Jambo to enjoy Boma, Jiko, and Mara.

As sleepydog25 said, you can't go wrong with either Jambo or Kidani. Have fun on your trip!!!