Explain differences AKL

[LGithens]

Since so much seems to be opening up during our Sept stay. We are thinking of switching from OKW to AKL. We've been watching a few videos of Kidani Village. Looks really nice. I've peeked at a few threads saying they like the Jambo House better. So...as I understand it, Kidani is newer, self contained building and Jambo is reverb'd AKL rooms to DVC? What is the advantages with one over another?

We have stayed at AKL in 2007, so we are somewhat familiar with the resort.

Thanks! (I'm losing computer patience cause I spent all morning getting our park reservations!)
Now I know we're going, I'm excited!!

 

[BillPA]

What size unit are you looking for? If a studio, they are basically the same. For a 1 BR or larger, Kidani is much better.

 

[LGithens]

one bedroom...is there any reason why someone would prefer Jambo? Especially since we've stayed at AKL before it went DVC.

 

[BillPA]

Kidani will have much more space, and a 2nd full bath. Better pool, and 1st stop on the bus, so seats are easier to get. If you have a car, parking at Kidani is under the building protected from the heat and rain, at Jambo you are a long way off in a lot.
Dining is better at Jambo. The lobby is impressive at Jambo, at Kidani not so much. Both have long halls. Both have good savana views... You will enjoy with either. Just remember you are giving up the largest 1 BR with OKW, and the graet balcony.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Coincidently, OKW and Kidani are the 2 resorts we've taken our DS and his family to. He said that he'd liked OKW better and our DGDs seemed to. After the first couple of days of seeing the animals at Kidani, the thrill wore off. But they loved sitting out on the big balcony at OKW every morning for breakfast. Being the first stop at the bus stop may be an advantage for some at Kidani-we were fortunate that we were the first bus to at OKW also.
But Kidani vs Jambo-I love Jambo MUCH better-I've never been in such long hallways (and yes, I've stayed at BWV too) as at Kidani. I enjoy eating at Mara. I prefer Jambo's gift shop and lobby area too.

 

[LGithens]

Kidani will have much more space, and a 2nd full bath. Better pool, and 1st stop on the bus, so seats are easier to get. If you have a car, parking at Kidani is under the building protected from the heat and rain, at Jambo you are a long way off in a lot.
Dining is better at Jambo. The lobby is impressive at Jambo, at Kidani not so much. Both have long halls. Both have good savana views... You will enjoy with either. Just remember you are giving up the largest 1 BR with OKW, and the graet balcony.

1st stop on the bus sounds great. We stay at OKW probably the most. Our kids (actually grown) groan when we say OKW, they call it the DVC old folks home. We love it, but we enjoy staying at other resorts occasionally. Is the walk over to Jambo to eat terrible?

 

[moericus]

The 1BR Kidani Master bathroom was bigger than my college dorm. I couldn't believe it. We could have fit a 2 more kids in there.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Depending on dates, the Jambo dining may be a nonfactor.

 

[LGithens]

Depending on dates, the Jambo dining may be a nonfactor.

We're not big table service eaters. We prefer counter service and a few park table service restaurants. It's nice having a good choice on property, but usually we eat in the parks or fix our own in the room

 

[BillPA]

The walk could be long, just to get to the lobby at Kidani. They do run a shuttle between both, it runs about every 10 minutes or so. Jambo has a good fast food location, Mara, Kidani does not have one, just sandwiches at the pool bar.

 

[Minniesgal]

We prefer Kidani as the 1 bedrooms are so much nicer. We always request near Zazu elevator and mostly get it. That way Jambo is less than 5 mins walk so you have the best of both worlds.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The problem is that Disney is opening Jambo DVC before opening the hotel at Jambo, by quite a lot. So it's somewhat predictable that the Jambo dining won't open with Jambo DVC.

AKV Jambo is opening July 10, but they haven't put ANY kind of date on AKL. And they have other joint properties opening dates up (GF/VGF, Poly, YC/BC), but not AKL or Wilderness Lodge hotel side.

So if one wants access to dining anytime between now and fall, Kidani is actually the safer bet. AKL is not scheduled to open before September, and they are unlikely to open Mara for full service for just the DVC units. They are expanding options at Kidani in the meantime, likely with Mara staff.

 

[SteffyLou]

Ok so we do not think the restaurant open July 10? What about the Jambo pool on the 10th?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Ok so we do not think the restaurant open July 10? What about the Jambo pool on the 10th?

Neither is listed as an open amenity, so I would not count on either. It feels like they're opening Jambo units because they feel they legally HAVE to, but they are not legally required to open anything else.

AKL is one of the hotels without any set open dates, along with Wilderness Lodge, both PO resorts, and the All Stars. Copper Creek and BRV both explicitly list the food in the "main" building as opening. Same with PVB. But not for Kidani, and nothing is listed for Jambo.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/resorts/
Maybe, maybe when they update the page for the resorts opening in later phases, they might add the Jambo facilities. But if they don't, all of a sudden you're in a minimally operational Jambo.

I'd either drag my feet until July 10 to find out for sure before booking, or have high willingness to modify to what's available if it turns out they're only opening the villas and basically squat else, putting Jambo into the position that Kidani normally holds (where many amenities are at Jambo and require moving between buildings).

 

[LGithens]

We are really leaning toward Kidani. We loved the look of the room and the Kidani building. We've stayed at AKL, so we've experienced that. Though I do like the food court there.

 

[bumbershoot]

I prefer Kidani.

But so far AKL is my least fave resort of all I’ve stayed at.

Just remember you are giving up the largest 1 BR with OKW, and the graet balcony.

Yep.

Our kids (actually grown) groan when we say OKW, they call it the DVC old folks home.

Strange. They are seeing and experiencing something I don’t at OKW!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I prefer Kidani.

But so far AKL is my least fave resort of all I’ve stayed at.

Just to confuse you, my experiences are just the opposite. Kidani is my least favorite. but I LOVE Jambo.

 

[Deb & Bill]

1st stop on the bus sounds great. We stay at OKW probably the most. Our kids (actually grown) groan when we say OKW, they call it the DVC old folks home. We love it, but we enjoy staying at other resorts occasionally. Is the walk over to Jambo to eat terrible?

Ten minutes, even for old feeble people.

The bathroom in the Jambo one bedroom isn't in the bedroom, but outside the bedroom. Because of the conversion from hotel rooms to villas. At KV, the master bath is luxurious. Very large standalone shower with very large tub. Separate toilet room in the bathroom. With the second bathroom right at the entrance to the villa at KV, any guests sleeping in the living have an entire bathroom to themselves. And those in the master don't have to share either.

 

[drusba]

See for differences between the two resorts, see my post #10 here https://www.disboards.com/threads/akl-or.3805475/#post-62055054

 

[La2kw]

We prefer Kidani over Jambo because it is a bit quieter and feels more intimate. Way easier to see animals from the lobby and public spaces. Also, it was designed as DVC and is not a retrofit so the larger units are better. That extra bathroom in the 1BR is great.

That said, OKW is our home resort and our favorite out of all of them- especially the 1BR there.