I approach this with a completely open mind regarding AKV...

[com_op_2000]

We have found something to like about every DVC resort.
We stay at a resort based on more of what we want to do that particular stay.

 

[Tksolomom]

Have never felt isolated or bored. We've stayed at AKL-Jambo three times (for 6, 9, & 11 nights).
Never felt bored. Nice pool, lots of dining options, & some nice activities around the resort.
We always rely on Disney transportation and haven't had any problems at AKL.

I agree 100% We have stayed twice for 9 days and are going again in December. I love the resort and haven’t had any problems with transportation. MK is the furthest at about 20 minutes. Beautiful with great restaurants and pools. I love the atmosphere there.

 

[disneynutz]

AKV is one of our resorts, we have sold most of our contracts there. The resorts are beautifully themed but after a few visits the novelty wore off for us. We kinda ignored the animals, and found that we preferred the resorts with more going on close by. Epcot resorts you can walk or take a boat to DHS and Epcot. Visit 6 resorts, their restaurants and activates and visit the boardwalk, it's activities and restaurants.

MK resorts, same thing, boat, monorail or bus to the parks, 7 resorts to visit along with their activities and restaurants.

Bill

 

[GeneralTso]

It has a lot of pop and wow for us. It's gorgeous there. We prefer Jambo to Kidani. We like to be where the action is. Kidani is what feels isolated and like a "knock off" lobby and building.
It's not our favorite DVC resort, but we definitely love it. Savannah view rooms are so fantastic.

 

[zavandor]

My first DVC stay has been in AKL, in a value room (it was a different time, when getting them at 7 months was actually possible) for two weeks. And I'll be back this September. It's the first time I'll stay in a resort twice as I want to try them all first. But I really love the resort, and not for the animals. I had a pool view and in 2 weeks I maybe went on the deck to watch the animals one or twice max. There are so many other reasons to love it:
- the decor: I think it's the best themed resort in Orlando among those I've tried (VGF might make change my mind after this September). The lobby is outstanding
- Food: Boma is a must do for me. Even when not staying at AKL I alway book at least one meal there, possibly two. Sanaa is almost as good, Mara is very good as a quick service goes and I have yet to try Jiko but I read only good things about it
- the pool at Jambo is very nice with lots of shaded areas
- AKV is 5 minutes away and it's my favorite park
- Jambo is basically a museum with loads of interesting artifacts and people coming from Africa you can interact with
- standard rooms are a bargain and not difficult to book at 7 months.
- and have I told you about Boma?

 

[kydisneyfans]

We've owned there since 2013 and it still has a wow factor, but we moved over to OKW for the last several trips due to some Mousekeeping/maintenance issues with our Kidani visit last time. We are going back to Kidani 2 months from today.

I agree that it takes very little time to get to 3 of the 4 parks. MK is a bit longer. DS seems much longer but that was due to construction which should be calming down at some point.

We prefer the remoteness, even though it really isn't. You essentially have 2 resorts in 1. Don't like the food offerings at Kidani-head over to Jambo or vice versa. The amount of programs and things to do at both Jambo and Kidani are enough to keep one busy without going to a park at all.

I could see getting "bored" after a week or so, but I would anywhere.

 

[Matty B13]

I'll second that Boma is by far the best Buffet at WDW.

 

[Geomom]

AKV was actually our first choice for our Feb. 2019 stay. Our passes expire that Tuesday--so we'll have 4 park days, and then 2 1/2 resort days. AKV has the most to offer for activities--and the fact that it's not next to a park will keep us from missing the parks those days!

 

[1911]

sorry for my ignorance but...
what are the differences between kidani and jambo? if you own at AK do you own at one or the other? do both have the same types of rooms?

 

[Matty B13]

sorry for my ignorance but...
what are the differences between kidani and jambo? if you own at AK do you own at one or the other? do both have the same types of rooms?

You technically own at the resort that is stated in your contract, but this doesn't matter because you have 11 month booking window at both Kidani and Jambo.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

We have our first stay there, this September.

We love to visit the lobby area, especially when we take time to slow down and smell the roses, when we go to Boma or Sanaa. So we hope that carries over to our stay.

 

[a1tinkfans]

-especially since I have NEVER stayed there as a guest and not even visited exceptt for a 'drive by' on one of th Disney buses past Jambo. I have to say the resort looked very pretty as we drove by but for those of you who HAVE stayed there a question: While I hear it is great to see the animals, does it get a bit boring if you are there for over a week? I mean transportation wise unlike most DVC resorts except for 2, you only have the bus option. No monorail, no boats. So my question is; Do you feel a bit isolated and even bored after a while?
Opinions welcomed!
Thanks

Nope,never.. love it!! Love animals!

 

[Geomom]

sorry for my ignorance but...
what are the differences between kidani and jambo? if you own at AK do you own at one or the other? do both have the same types of rooms?

Jambo is the original Animal Kingdom Lodge--so it has the hotel rooms in it, and the top 2? floors are DVC. It has more restaurants (Jiko, Boma, and the quick service Mara), bigger shop, more impressive lobby, etc.

Both of them have a pool with a slide, pool bar/snacks, savannas/animals, cultural activities, other activities, etc.

Kidani is only DVC rooms. It has 1 restaurant: Sanaa. It has a smaller shop. It also has the Community Hall and a water play area for the kids (in addition to the pool).

We actually prefer Kidani--it's quieter and had more activities for my family.

 

[DenLo]

AKV is a quiet resort compared to the Boardwalk at night. Besides the animal viewing areas, there are lots of activities and you can initiate conversations with the cultural representatives that are at several places around the resort. They love to talk about their home countries and interests. We have had great conversations with them. DH also learned a lot about rugby one time when he found out the cultural representative who was from South Africa loved to play it. And it is a interesting to hear their reactions to the places they have been in the United States. Plus at Kidani Village there is a Community Hall and the there is water play areas for the kids for toddlers to older children at the Samawati Springs Pool. Often I see a dad there shooting the water canon at his kids. Also you can learn to play a African Drum and the kids have a drum parade some evenings. It will all be on the daily activities flyer and it will list the activities at Kidani and Jambo House.

Since we often stay at Jambo House for 7 - 10 nights, I find it hard to believe you would get bored in only a week.

 

[SuzGM84]

We stayed at Kidani for the first time on our last trip. While the resort was nice and the animals incredible, we weren't impressed with other aspects of the resort - super long walk to the room; no quick service for lunch - the pool bar menu wasn't that great; and probably the biggest factor to me was that everything funneled through the main lobby. I enjoy being able to walk between buildings, outside. That wasn't really possible at Kidani.

When we did travel over to Jambo we liked the ambiance better. I think if we were ever to try AKL again, it would have to be Jambo.

 

[disneynutz]

As you can see, everyone has different likes and dislikes. The only thing you can do is decide for yourself.

Bill

 

[sndral]

sorry for my ignorance but...
what are the differences between kidani and jambo? if you own at AK do you own at one or the other? do both have the same types of rooms?

In addition to the differences mentioned by others Jambo & Kidani both have standard view (less points) and savanna view (more points) but only Jambo has value villas (lowest point cost) and club villas (highest point cost.) Jambo and Kidani both have lock off 2 br. villas (a 1 br. + a studio w/ a connecting door) but only Kidani has dedicated 2 br.s (the second bedroom has 2 real beds rather than the bed + hida-bed that the lock offs have.) Finally, the Kidani villas have more square feet per villa than Jambo and an additional bathroom in the 1 & 2 br.s.
I think for seasoned WDW visitors, especially those w/ an interest in animals and conservation and/or an interest in other cultures AKV/AKL is a favorite.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We have found something to like about every DVC resort.

I totally agree with this 100%. OP, you made me laugh, you seem apprehensive, you’re going on vacation, not being thrown to the lions (giraffes & zebras, in this case) Kidani has become one of our top 3. Arrival day, the "Welcome Home" never fails to boost my excitement. Catching a peak at the various animals walking to and from the parks, the restaurants, lobby etc. is always fun and exciting. No, for us it doesn’t get old and FYI, you’re not actually in the African Bush, isolation is not a factor, you’re only a short bus ride (someone else is doing the driving, works for me) from the parks ,a door way, or an elevator floor away from more great Disney African theming, some of the best restaurants on property, pools, and fun resort activities (marshmellow roasts). Some prefer Jambo, sure the lobby is superb but I prefer Kidani, covered parking, 2nd bathroom in the 2bd and we don’t really do QS(we take advantage of the cute kitchens) We have an upcoming October stay, and we chose to stay here during Food & Wine, not a BWV fan, but to each his own. We love AKV, hope you will too, good luck and let us know how it went!

 

[com_op_2000]

... Finally, the Kidani villas have more square feet per villa than Kidani...

Did you want to say:
"Finally, the Kidani villas have more square feet per villa than Jambo"
?

 

[Tar_Heels_Love_WDW]

Definitely wouldn't use the word "bored" to describe our most recent 7-night trip to AKV-Jambo.

However, I do not believe that I'll be staying this long at AKV again. As a different poster mentioned, I prefer resorts that 1) have water access in or around them; and 2) have transportation options other than bus.

We had a car with us on this stay and utilized it more often than we rode the bus because the first couple buses we took were pretty unbearable. That being said, seeing animals from your balcony never gets old. The Jambo house lobby never gets old, especially if you take the time to explore the fire pits, the water features, and the artifact exhibitions.

Jiko is my personal favorite restaurant on property and the AKL-Jambo pool is lovely.

All in all, I would never recommend against somebody staying at AKL. But personally, unless I'm bringing a guest who really wants to stay at AKL, we will be using our points to stay at other resorts.