First time at AKL: Jambo or Kidani?

[mattw0640]

Hello! We're hoping to stay at AKL in the fall and definitely want a savanna view. Should we stay at Jambo, Kidani, or is this a situation where we can't go wrong?

Thank you !

Update: I forgot to mention, we're DVC members and are hoping to get a studio with savanna view.

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

I will start by saying I’ve never stayed at Kidani. We did stay at Jambo House in a partial savanna view room and we loved it so much we decided to buy into DVC.

We were on the Kudu Trail and close to the lobby. It was amazing!

Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy your time there!

 

[Skippyboo]

I would go with Jambo since there are more dining options with Jiko, Boma, Mara QS, Victoria Falls lounge plus it feels more like a hotel with its huge lobby area versus Kidani which it’s more DVC with smaller public areas.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Are you staying in a villa or a regular Deluxe resort room? All regular rooms are in Jambo. Kidani rooms are all freshly refurbished. Jambo will be a mix of non-refurbished and under construction rooms. For those reasons I would choose Kidani. You get access to both resorts’ amenities regardless. A short walk between the two and there is a constantly running shuttle bus as well.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Are you staying in a villa or a regular Deluxe resort room? All regular rooms are in Jambo. Kidani rooms are all freshly refurbished. Jambo will be a mix of non-refurbished and under construction rooms. For those reasons I would choose Kidani. You get access to both resorts’ amenities regardless. A short walk between the two and there is a constantly running shuttle bus as well.

To clarify, the villas are undergoing refurbishment. The regular rooms were already refurbished.

 

[mattw0640]

Are you staying in a villa or a regular Deluxe resort room? All regular rooms are in Jambo. Kidani rooms are all freshly refurbished. Jambo will be a mix of non-refurbished and under construction rooms. For those reasons I would choose Kidani. You get access to both resorts’ amenities regardless. A short walk between the two and there is a constantly running shuttle bus as well.

We're hoping to get a studio room with savanna view using our DVC points.

 

[Dis_Ohana5]

We enjoyed both and there is a quick shuttle or walk between buildings. Jambo has an amazing lobby and more dining options but I do think Kidani has the better animal views and is less chaotic if you're looking for a more relaxed vibe.

 

[juxtapose]

Jambo is currently harder to get due to the refurbishment so pending on if you can book at 11 vs 7 months, if 7 months there might not be a lot of availability at Jambo. I know Jambo is mostly booked the days I am looking at 8 months out. We stayed at Kidani last time and really liked it, the pool was more relaxing, and we walked between the 2 several times and it wasn't' an issue for us. If you want more going on, Jambo is for you, if you want more relaxing Kidani is better.

 

[Brian Noble]

This is all about vibes. Jambo is a little more energetic, and more "resort like". Kidani is more of a respite, but has less infrasturcture in the buliding itself.

Both are great. I happen to like Jambo just a titch more, but would be happy at either.

 

[Simba's Mom]

That's the dilemma I have right now. I was really looking forward to staying at Jambo since I've stayed at Kidani, and while it's OK, Jambo's lobby, the gift shop, Mara's food offerings, all appeal to me more. But I need a HA villa, and I love the savannah view, but sadly Jambo has no savannah view HA studios. So my dilemma is-2 days in a HA 1 BR at Jambo (standard view isn't an option for me-want to wake up to the animals) or 3 days in a HA studio at Kidani.

 

[sndral]

Kidani 1 br.s have 2 bathrooms v. one at Jambo & the 2 br.s have 3 bathrooms v. 2 at Jambo. The Jambo DVC villas are on the 5th floor (& 6th for club,) Kidani is all DVC so you have a decent chance at getting a lower floor & thus more of an eye level view of the animals. You’re far more likely to overlook a savanna in a resort view booking at Jambo.
At Jambo you could be overlooking 1 of 3 savannas - Sunset (the largest,) Uzima, & Arusha - I’ve been on all 3 and like them all. At Kidani in a savanna view you’ll overlook Sunset savanna or the very small/no giraffes Pembe savanna - I’d be very disappointed if I spent savanna view points & ended up on Pembe savanna.
Kidani has a lot more villas than Jambo, so even when a refurb. isn’t happening you’re more likely to find availability at 7 months at Kidani.
The park buses stop at Kidani first (park opening they’ll sometimes send separate buses to Jambo/Kidani,) so you’re more likely to get a seat/EV slot at Kidani & coming back from the parks you’ll be off the bus quicker if you’re staying at Kidani. DS buses stop at Jambo first.
Kidani has a great children’s splash play area, Jambo’s pool is larger.
So, there’s lots to like w/ Kidani - that said, I prefer Jambo .