Best Pool at Animal Kingdom??

[njcoach24]

Booked an August, mainly hotel stay, in a 1 Bedroom at ALK Jambo. I have the Value room currently.

I’ve stayed at Jambo before in a studio and loved it. But now there’s an extra kid and adult and we staying a week so wanted the kitchen.

Which resort has the better pool/slides? I know we can use both but I rather just be close to pool/room.

Is it worth the extra points to switch to a regular one bedroom to have the extra twin bed and extra bathroom?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Booked an August, mainly hotel stay, in a 1 Bedroom at ALK Jambo. I have the Value room currently.

I’ve stayed at Jambo before in a studio and loved it. But now there’s an extra kid and adult and we staying a week so wanted the kitchen.

Which resort has the better pool/slides? I know we can use both but I rather just be close to pool/room.

Is it worth the extra points to switch to a regular one bedroom to have the extra twin bed and extra bathroom?

Both pools are really nice, so which is better is subjective. Jambo pool is large and has a slide the kids enjoy. Kidani pool also has the splash pad area, which is very popular with the kids. If you are already in a Value room at Jambo, you're located close to the main lobby, and the main elevators, that will take you directly downstairs to the Jambo pool. If you switch to a regular room, the location of that room might be a longer walk. Also, if you keep the Value room at Jambo, it's a simple 10-minute walk (or short bus ride) to Kidani to use that pool, if perhaps your family might like to experience that for an afternoon. Both pools have animal viewing areas, but the Jambo views are better (in our opinion!). Not sure if that helps.....!

 

[njcoach24]

Both pools are really nice, so which is better is subjective. Jambo pool is large and has a slide the kids enjoy. Kidani pool also has the splash pad area, which is very popular with the kids. If you are already in a Value room at Jambo, you're located close to the main lobby, and the main elevators, that will take you directly downstairs to the Jambo pool. If you switch to a regular room, the location of that room might be a longer walk. Also, if you keep the Value room at Jambo, it's a simple 10-minute walk (or short bus ride) to Kidani to use that pool, if perhaps your family might like to experience that for an afternoon. Both pools have animal viewing areas, but the Jambo views are better (in our opinion!). Not sure if that helps.....!

I guess I’m just trying to determine is which pool we will spend most of our time at having never been to Kidani. The splash pad sounds like they would love it but the pool at Jambo just sounds more robust.

I need an extra kid bed since they aren’t going to share the sofa bed. Do I bring a twin air mattress or stay in the value…the space of the value/one bathroom is really all we need. Or do I use extra points to get the chair that’s a twin bed and not pack it.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

If sleeping arrangements are more important than the pool, then I would seriously consider a regular 'non-value' 1BR with the sleeper chair. Then you have no worries about an extra sleeping surface. And even taking that a step beyond, the 1BRs at Kidani have 2 bathrooms, while those at Jambo have 1 bathroom. So you'll have to weigh your priorities over room type, location, points, and proximity to pools!

 

[CarolynFH]

The bathroom situation in Jambo 1BR is problematic for us. It’s across a hallway from the bedroom, and the hallway is clearly visible from the living room, meaning a lack of privacy. Also, the tub-shower has a high, wide rim around it, making it difficult for some adults and possibly younger kids to get in and out of. With an extra adult and child in your party, the second full bath at Kidani would make the decision for me.

 

[njcoach24]

The bathroom situation in Jambo 1BR is problematic for us. It’s across a hallway from the bedroom, and the hallway is clearly visible from the living room, meaning a lack of privacy. Also, the tub-shower has a high, wide rim around it, making it difficult for some adults and possibly younger kids to get in and out of. With an extra adult and child in your party, the second full bath at Kidani would make the decision for me.

As much as I love saving the points in the Value...I'm starting to want to have that savanna view. If I get some parking lot view I'll probably be pretty bummed for a 6 night, mostly hotel vacation.

Having the second bathroom does sound really nice.

I just keep reading a lot of the hotel activities mainly take place at Jambo house.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

As much as I love saving the points in the Value...I'm starting to want to have that savanna view. If I get some parking lot view I'll probably be pretty bummed for a 6 night, mostly hotel vacation.

Having the second bathroom does sound really nice.

I just keep reading a lot of the hotel activities mainly take place at Jambo house.

There's definitely a bit more going on at Jambo than Kidani, including most of the dining options being at Jambo. For us, the perfect set up is to get a 1BR/2BR Kidani savanna view, in the Zazu section/Sunset savanna area of the resort. It's a request that's been granted much of the time. Then we have a simple trip down the Zazu elevator, outside, and a <10 minute walk to the main lobby at Jambo, if we're going there. But that approach might not be for everyone. Since you'll be spending 1/3rd to 1/2 of your vacation hours in the room, it might be nice to have a room setup that really works for you - and savanna view over parking lot view would really work for you!!

 

[CarolynFH]

As much as I love saving the points in the Value...I'm starting to want to have that savanna view. If I get some parking lot view I'll probably be pretty bummed for a 6 night, mostly hotel vacation.

Having the second bathroom does sound really nice.

I just keep reading a lot of the hotel activities mainly take place at Jambo house.

Savanna view is a requirement for me. And if we don’t want to walk to Jambo for any of the activities or restaurants there, we either catch the shuttle at the lobby entrance (runs continually) or any park bus at the bus stop (from Kidani they go to Jambo first then to park; coming back, the DS bus goes from Jambo to Kidani then to DS).

 

[Princess Merida]

I do prefer the slide at Kidani, but Jambo's pool area is very pretty! Jambo also has many more food options. If it was me I would try to switch to the 1 bedroom savanna view at Jambo (if the extra bathroom isn't needed) for a resort only trip. If I was doing the parks I would probably save the points and stay in the value 1 bedroom since we wouldn't be in the room as often.

 

[njcoach24]

Savanna view is a requirement for me.

I'm about to give up my points for it. I loved it the first time we stayed there, want to wake up and drink my coffee with the animals!!

I do prefer the slide at Kidani

This is what I want to hear! About to give Kidani a shot. We trying to cook and eat as much as possible in the room to save money for other stuff. Especially my kids, they are really basic eaters. I also heard Kidani has some grills so maybe this will be a good switch.

 

[Princess Merida]

This is what I want to hear! About to give Kidani a shot. We trying to cook and eat as much as possible in the room to save money for other stuff. Especially my kids, they are really basic eaters. I also heard Kidani has some grills so maybe this will be a good switch.

Give it a shot! We have stayed at both and were not disappointed with either. Kidani has pool activities as well and both resorts have lots of activities for kids. Make sure you get the recreation calendar. If you eat at Kidani at all, Sanaa has an excellent bread service that you can also get to go. Highly recommended by many! Also, the shuttle over to Jambo is short so if you need to get quick service it won't take long. Let us know what you decide!

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm about to give up my points for it. I loved it the first time we stayed there, want to wake up and drink my coffee with the animals!!

This is what I want to hear! About to give Kidani a shot. We trying to cook and eat as much as possible in the room to save money for other stuff. Especially my kids, they are really basic eaters. I also heard Kidani has some grills so maybe this will be a good switch.

Request “view of Sunset Savanna” - that’s where the zebras and giraffes are. This post might help too: https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...rs-thread-come-and-chat.1815576/post-63866166

 

[DizneyFamof4]

For our family it's a very easy decision and it is totally just based on location Jambo lobby, restuarants, activity etc. is sooo much better than staying at Kidani.

 

[saraheliz]

We loved Kidani with our family of 5. The extra bathroom and calm peacefulness of the resort was awesome. Easy access to Jambo house for the Mara when needed, but the lobby, restaurant, walk to pool area at Jambo was so busy for our quieter family, that we really liked the chill vibe at Kidani. It was generally so quiet out by the rocking chairs, just bliss in the afternoon.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We loved Kidani with our family of 5. The extra bathroom and calm peacefulness of the resort was awesome. Easy access to Jambo house for the Mara when needed, but the lobby, restaurant, walk to pool area at Jambo was so busy for our quieter family, that we really liked the chill vibe at Kidani. It was generally so quiet out by the rocking chairs, just bliss in the afternoon.

Agree - wish I was there this afternoon!

 

[njcoach24]

Request “view of Sunset Savanna” - that’s where the zebras and giraffes are.

Lots of giraffees are a must for our crew.

For our family it's a very easy decision and it is totally just based on location Jambo lobby, restuarants, activity etc. is sooo much better than staying at Kidani.

That lobby, that's why I loved it so much last time.

We loved Kidani with our family of 5. The extra bathroom and calm peacefulness of the resort was awesome. Easy access to Jambo house for the Mara when needed, but the lobby, restaurant, walk to pool area at Jambo was so busy for our quieter family, that we really liked the chill vibe at Kidani. It was generally so quiet out by the rocking chairs, just bliss in the afternoon.

Sounds perfect. The extra bathroom and bed I think will make a big difference for us. And the view, I want to wake up with the animals as I drink my coffee.

 

[MarBee]

I prefer Jambo’s pool (as well as lobby and other amenities). However, my kids prefer the Kidani slide. If I left it up to them, they’d stay in a cardboard box at Kidani rather than a suite at Jambo

 

[CamillaF]

my just turned 9 year old twin daughters spent time in both pools. They needed the time to pick a favorite. The pools were close as far as which one is best but Kidani won as the slide was faster and longer. Jambo slide was just so/so. They did not play in the splash zone. However I believe which ever pool had the most fun "friends" would be the winner.

 

[RoseGold]

For a stay without parks, I would get the savanna view, which probably means Kidani.

 

[njcoach24]

I prefer Jambo’s pool (as well as lobby and other amenities). However, my kids prefer the Kidani slide. If I left it up to them, they’d stay in a cardboard box at Kidani rather than a suite at Jambo

You sound like me but this is really good feedback and I appreciate it.

my just turned 9 year old twin daughters spent time in both pools. They needed the time to pick a favorite. The pools were close as far as which one is best but Kidani won as the slide was faster and longer. Jambo slide was just so/so. They did not play in the splash zone. However I believe which ever pool had the most fun "friends" would be the winner.

I think the better slide + splash pad will be key advantages for our 6 year olds.

For a stay without parks, I would get the savanna view, which probably means Kidani.

I almost tried to save points and go value and after a lot of thought, how could I stay at AKL and not have a savanna view. I suppose if it was mostly park visits it would be okay but even then, I want it to be extra special and I have some extra points.