Akv

[ChefDisneyLu]

I am in the process of trying to rent DVC points for the first time and I while I would like to stay at BWV or BCV it seems as if those two resorts are not available during my travel time!

I have been doing research on AK both Jambo and Kidani and would like to hear first hand any pros/cons or suggestions.

I want a savannah view studio for myself, DH and DS7.

Can I request to be closer to the Lobby?

I know AKL is the farthest away from the parks (sans AK) but how is the bus service really?

Is one place better than another to stay between Jambo and Kidani?

I have only visited AKL once (To eat at Boma...yummmmmmm) and I only remember going straight to the restaurant and then leaving...we did not explore like we should have!

Thanks everyone for your help!

Lisa

 

[ToddyLu]

We own points at AKV and love it. It is just DH and I with no children.

Kidani is much more quiet and sedate in atmosphere. The lobby is much smaller as well as the giftshop. The pool is very nice and comparable to Jambo. The gift shop is much smaller at Kidani. Their purpose (I think)for the smaller scale was made to make DVC owners fill more at home and it does give you that friendly warm felling when you enter the lobby. There is a Community Cneter that your DS will enjoy at Kidani--with crafts and videos and a large TV, board games, etc. THer is usually a friendly CM there and last trip I checked out a book. There are not any restaurants at Kidani except for Sanaa and the pool bar. You have to travel or walk to Jambo for Mara, Boma and Jiko, as well as the bar inside the resort.

DH and I prefer Kidani and I really can only see ever staying at Jambo to conserve points since all the value rooms are there. We like the quiet homey vibe. Kidani 1 bedrooms also have two bathrooms.

Jambo is vibrant, noisey and makes me think of an African Marketplace when we enter the doors. The lobby is awe inspiring. There is activity everywhere.
More places to eat, the pool area has more mature landscaping and there is just the overall feeling of a resort that is complete. Kidani is still maturing but is lovely and each trip we enjoy it more and more.

Kidani gets picked up first on all buses, except for DTD. Jambo gets first dibbs on that. So Kidani folks are more apt to get a seat and sometimes the Jambo folks are left standing. Transporation between resorts is very easy. You can take the first park bus that pulls up and get off at Jambo--then take the DTD bus back to Kidani. The CM out under the drive can also get you a shuttle to Jambo which arrives every 10 minutes or so. The bus system is very good IMHO. It is never as crowded as the value resorts and I the service seems faster. Folks complain about it being far out but it is no further from MK than CSR and AllStars which are in the same area. THe buses have never been a problem for us.


To me it would matter if I wanted full on Disney or did I want a relaxing "at home" feel. That is really the only difference. If you have done Disney several times and really think this is going to be less parks and more swimming then Kidani may be best. If you are celebrating something specil with your son or think this may be your only time to stay at AKV, then Jambo will be good-especially having a child.

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[drusba]

You can request to be close to lobby. However, do you want to. That is an ideal request for Kidani as it puts you close to all amenities and gives excellent view. That is not necessarily a good request at Jambo. Our personal preference and request is overlooking Arusha savanna in a room along Zebra Trail that is at least somewhat away from the lobby.

Bus service is usualy good and better than most others. Park busses stop at Kidani first then Jambo, DD bus Jambo first then Kidani. Can sometimes have issue of standing room only when at Jambo during rush hour in the morning although usually it is OK.

As to which building. If staying in studio I recommend Jambo and make the requests I mentioned above. Jambo gives you three good restaurants, table service (Jiko), buffet (Boma) and counter service (Mara). Pool is larger than Kidani and you can find lots more shade than Kidani, lobby and store are much larger than Kidani.

If staying in 1BR or 2BR, I recommend Kidani because the rooms are huge in comparison to Jambo (studios are the same size), and request close to lobby. Pool though smaller has longer slide than Jambo and has the elaborate water play area for kids. Though it has only one restaurant, sit down, Sanaa, it is a fantastic restaurant. Kidani has a community hall for DVC and Jambo does not.

 

[BeagleMom]

We will be leaving for 2 standard studios at Jambo house in 3 days. We love Jambo house because we like the busier hotel feeling. We have tried Savannah view but we seem to prefer the standard view because these are pool view rooms and they have excellent locations convenient to pool, Mara, lounge, gift shop and lobby. Maybe when our kids choose not o vacation with us we'll try Kidani, we've toured it and swam and ate there but they prefer Jambo.

 

[JWG]

We will be leaving for 2 standard studios at Jambo house in 3 days. We love Jambo house because we like the busier hotel feeling. We have tried Savannah view but we seem to prefer the standard view because these are pool view rooms and they have excellent locations convenient to pool, Mara, lounge, gift shop and lobby. Maybe when our kids choose not o vacation with us we'll try Kidani, we've toured it and swam and ate there but they prefer Jambo.

. 100% agree. Though we've only done savannah view due to booking late. Quite the walk. But, having stayed at Jambo and toured Kidani, we too prefer Jambo. Though, if more than just my family of three, the extra bath in a 1/2 bedroom at Kidanimwould be nice.

 

[majortom1981]

Sanaa Does have a bar that you can go to without needing reservations.

Also I think jambo is in walking distance to kidani. You can also take any park bus to kidani.

The park buses stop at kidani first and alot of times fill up so people at jambo end up standing. IF your standing on a bus from akv it can stink since its like a 15 min to 20 min drive. If you have small kids this would be a HUGE factor.

Though the akv buses from the parks themselves are pretty quick. I have stayed at a lot of the dvc hotels and akv have always been reliable for pickups at the parks.

Kidani is more peacefull while jambo house is always busy due to it also being a regular hotel. Jambo has boma ,jiko and the quick service while kidani only has sanaa. I dont find this a con for kidani because for me and my wife jambo house is in walking distance.

ID rather have the peace and quiet if kidani and have to walk to jambo for quick service.