Difference - AKL vs AK Villas???

[Jaffa]

I'm trying to make head and tails of the 2 places.

Canyou walk to each other easily? would I want/need to?
Can you use each places amenities?
are resturants good?

 

[minnie mum]

I'm trying to make head and tails of the 2 places.

Canyou walk to each other easily? would I want/need to?It's a 5-10 minute walk. Or you can take a bus headed to the other resort. You don't necessarily need to. You might want to.

Can you use each places amenities?Absolutely. This would be the reason you might want to walk/bus to the other resort.

are resturants good? Again: ABSOLUTELY. If you are staying at AKL (Jambo House) then this is probably the reason you would stroll over to Kidani Village- to eat at Sanaa.

If you are staying at Kidani (AKVillas) I think you might be more likely to visit Jambo House for the pool, restaurants, extra activities.

It's easy to make heads and tails of the 2 places: AKL (Jambo House) is primarily a Deluxe Disney resort, with a few DVC rooms. Kidani Village is a Disney DVC resort. Kind of like Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Towers.

 

[Jaffa]

If using the Magical Express do I have to specify which one (Villas or Lodge) I'm going to or is it all one drop off point?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If using the Magical Express do I have to specify which one (Villas or Lodge) I'm going to or is it all one drop off point?

You have a terminology issue. Kidani Village is the new location that is composed solely of DVC villas. Jambo House is the original location that was all hotel rooms until DVC took over the fifth and sixth floors and converted them to DVC villas. So you don't want to refer to the locations as the Lodge and the Villas because there are villas in both locations.

As for Magical Express, I don't really know because I don't fly.

 

[CarpeDisney]

Your reservation should indicate what type of room your in, and the location of that room. As mentioned, if your staying in a standard room and not in a studio, 1 Bedroom villa, 2 Bedroom villa, or grand villa, you will be in Jambo House (the "main" building). If you're staying in a villa, it can be in either Jambo or Kidani.

The main line at the airport for the ME will only say "Animal Kingdom". All guests board the same bus regardless of which building you're staying in. Once at the resort there will be a drop off at each of the locations.

 

[wdw_monster]

kidani's 1 bedroom villas have an extra bathroom, lobby is alot smaller, no quick service. underground parking was great. i think the pool is alot better at kidani. even though jambo's pool is huge i perffer kidani. jambos in the middle of everything. kidani is more secluded and has a little kiddie water paly area. the lobby at jambo is amazing but there was a lot more people then kidani. jambo has a way bigger and better gift shop. if your looking for something quieter then stay at kidani. i don't think u can go wrong eather way

 

[ToddyLu]

Yes there is a path to walk between the two resorts. You can also take any park bus from Kidani to Jambo then get on the DTD bus from Jambo to Kidani. This is posted in the bus area. There is also a shuttle van that helps to transport people back and forth if you aren't going to a park.

At the parks you will get on the Animal Kingdom Lodge bus and the bus goes to both locations--Kidani and Jambo.

Jambo has the Mara, Boma and Jiko restaurants with a bustling busy lobby. Kidani is much smaller more homey and only has Sanaa restaurant and a few things you can get at the pool. This is because all of the rooms at Kidani are villas with a kitchenette or full kitchen. Becasue Jambo has hotel rooms still, there are more places to eat.

Both have the same/similar decor and you can see animals from both areas the same. They just each have their own vibe and are wonderful.

 

[CoolDisneyKitten]

Yes there is a path to walk between the two resorts. There is also a shuttle van that helps to transport people back and forth if you aren't going to a park.

Questions ..

How far is the walk?

I didn't know about the shuttle. Where do you catch it and how often does it run?

 

[ToddyLu]

It is a side walk through the edge of the parking lot, nice easy walk. You would pick it up outside of Jambo lobby--straight out the door and follow the signs. I have seen the shuttle mostly getting people back and forth in the mornings. Just ask the bellman and he can call it up. It runs back and forth as often as they can load and unload passengers (9 passenger van?). So every 10 minutes or so, front door to front door. The walk takes about 10 minutes and my mother and I did it last visit. The walk is not covered at all so you couldn't do it during bad weather.

There are all sorts of viewing options at both resorts to see animals. Both have a very nice patio area off the main lobby at the huge picture windows. Kidani has a Community Hall and sometimes they let the kids make jewelry or badges for a small price. There are also movies and games. The CMs are from Africa and love educating people about their homeland and animals.

There are night vision googles for viewing animals and the drum cafe is fun. SO if you make it there at night--still stuff to do.

 

[ToddyLu]

We really enjoyed Boma on our last visit. Great food and service and the morning crowd dies down after 10 a.m. Mara is the CS dining and located outside Boma at the pool, at the end of the walkway. With ADRs we have always been seated within 10 minutes of arrival or so. So if you want to get a fresh drink or snack that would be the location.

If the kids bring crayons with them they can make rubbings of the large medallions on the floor.

Try the "jungle juice" at Boma, it is very good.

 

[Jaffa]

This is great info everyone!
thanks!

Any more tidbits would be great!

I hope to post a full trip report when we get back mid-march.

I would love to be more active on these boards!