jambo 1 BR value vs. kidani 1 BR standard

[GBPackers]

The difference is only a few points, but I am wondering if someone can tell me the pros and cons for this. We loved Kidani in our first visit. Never did jambo though.

Thanks for feedback.

 

[DebbieB]

The difference is only a few points, but I am wondering if someone can tell me the pros and cons for this. We loved Kidani in our first visit. Never did jambo though.

Thanks for feedback.

Kidani - much larger room (room for 5), sleeper chair, 2 bathrooms.

Jambo value - only room for 4. Quick Service - Mara is in the building.

 

[GBPackers]

Thanks. Kidani it is!

 

[ontheuptick]

I'm curious on other opinions here too, as I'm looking to book a Jambo 1BR Value. I know that being in the same building as Mara is nice for many.

One thing that was appealing for me: if you get a Jambo 1BR Value, you have a chance of getting a Savannah view. Those rooms aren't broken up by view, so you can request Savannah. If you don't pay for Savannah in Kidani you won't be in a Savannah room.

The possibility of paying the smallest amount and still getting Savannah tipped the scales for me. Also, I believe the 1BR Jambo are at the front of thT resort so no long long walks down the hall - which could happen at Kidani.

My family is DH, DW, DS7, DD4, DD1 (in crib)- and we are used to being in studios so we don't need the little bit of extra space at Kidani.

 

[ontheuptick]

Just so you know, to get the real numbers on room size:

Kidani 1BR: 807 sqft
Jambo Val1BR: 710 sqft

Kidani 1BR standard view: approximately 15% more points
Kidani 1BR Savannah view: approximately 44% more points

The points difference was based on my trip dates, but should provide a good estimate.

I decided the room size difference wasn't enough to outweigh other benefits: chance at free Savannah view, saving 15%, and in Jambo with the counter service Mara.

 

[LisaS]

Just so you know, to get the real numbers on room size:

Kidani 1BR: 807 sqft
Jambo Val1BR: 710 sqft

I don't believe that information is correct. The 1BRs at AKV come in three sizes:

The Value 1BR is the smallest (three feet shorter than the other 1BRs in Jambo House) and are 629 sq ft.

The other 1BRs in Jambo House are 710 sq ft.

The 1BRs in Kidani are the largest at 807 sq ft.

The Value 1BRs have one of three views: the pool area, the parking lot, or an alcove of the Sunset Savanna. MS does not accept requests for a particular view since, as you can imagine, most people request a room facing the savanna. Fortunately there are only two Value 1BRs that face the parking lot so you have a good chance of ending up with either a pool view or a savanna view but given that the Value rooms are nearly always fully booked, someone is going to get the parking lot view.

But they are great bargain.

Another option for someone looking for a savanna view room at a discount is to book a Standard View room and request to be assigned one of the rooms that was reclassified from Savanna View to Standard View. I believe there are more of these in Jambo House than in Kidani and MS will accept a view request for these rooms. There is no guarantee but if you book a Standard View at Jambo House, worst case you get a pool view.

Personally, I prefer the Kidani 1BRs. They are larger, laid out better, and have a separate shower stall. The 1BRs in Jambo House have a combo tub/shower. I prefer the separate shower stall. You also get an additional bathroom in the Kidani 1BRs.

 

[redoctober25]

I think the basic difference is that the "value" rooms at Jambo are refurbished hotel rooms whereas the "standard" rooms are newly built. It comes down to size and layout of the rooms. To me, points are points and if I need to save them for a bigger trip later, the value rooms are the way to do that. However, I also think, due to the point value, that these are sometimes the first rooms to go at the 11th month mark and can be hard to find any later.

 

[LisaS]

I think the basic difference is that the "value" rooms at Jambo are refurbished hotel rooms whereas the "standard" rooms are newly built. It comes down to size and layout of the rooms. To me, points are points and if I need to save them for a bigger trip later, the value rooms are the way to do that. However, I also think, due to the point value, that these are sometimes the first rooms to go at the 11th month mark and can be hard to find any later.

All of the DVC rooms in Jambo House were created from hotel rooms. AKL (the hotel) had two different rooms sizes: the standard sized rooms and the deluxe rooms. The deluxe rooms were three feet longer and had larger balconies.

Most of the DVC villas in Jambo House were created from the larger deluxe rooms. The Value rooms were created from the standard sized rooms, so they are three feet shorter and have narrower balconies than the Standard View, Savanna View and Club Level DVC rooms in Jambo House.

But even in the villas created from the deluxe rooms there wasn't enough space to provide a separate tub and shower stall in the master bathroom.

 

[drusba]

As mentioned above some of the values (about 40% of the value rooms) have savanna view but you cannot request view and it is luck of the draw. However, you can put in a request at Kidani for a standard room that could actually get you a savanna view because it has savanna view rooms that were converted to standard. The request to make would be for a standard view room overlooking Pembe savanna or near the standard grand villas.

As the figures by LisaS show, the room size difference is about 180 sq ft.That is a huge difference. You also get the two bathrooms. if you have children, you have the pool with the much longer slide and the elaborate kid's water play area.

Jambo gives you easy access to Mara for counter service, Boma one of the best buffets on site, and Jiko's an expensive but very good table service restaurant. Kidani has only Sanaa, a table service restaurant that is not open for breakfast but I consider it one of the best restaurants at WDW. You can take a bus or shuttle between the buildings and the walk door to door is about 1/2 mile. Jambo has the much larger lobby and the larger and nicer store; also the larger pool with a lot more areas to find shade. My usual rule is: if getting a 1 or 2BR go with Kidani, if studio Jambo (studios are about the same size except the values are smaller). However, if bargain price is key then the values are fine.

 

[ontheuptick]

I don't believe that information is correct. The 1BRs at AKV come in three sizes:

The Value 1BR is the smallest (three feet shorter than the other 1BRs in Jambo House) and are 629 sq ft.

The other 1BRs in Jambo House are 710 sq ft.

The 1BRs in Kidani are the largest at 807 sq ft.

Thanks! My mistake, I was just using info from a touring plans article, but forgot that there would be Jambo non-Value 1BR's too.

 

[ontheuptick]

Has anyone stayed in both the Value 1BR and the Kidani 1BR?

Where do you actually feel the difference in square feet? Obviously you probably feel it in the bathroom. What about in the actual bedroom/living room? Does it feel noticeably smaller?

 

[Minniesgal]

I'm curious on other opinions here too, as I'm looking to book a Jambo 1BR Value. I know that being in the same building as Mara is nice for many. One thing that was appealing for me: if you get a Jambo 1BR Value, you have a chance of getting a Savannah view. Those rooms aren't broken up by view, so you can request Savannah. If you don't pay for Savannah in Kidani you won't be in a Savannah room. The possibility of paying the smallest amount and still getting Savannah tipped the scales for me. Also, I believe the 1BR Jambo are at the front of thT resort so no long long walks down the hall - which could happen at Kidani. My family is DH, DW, DS7, DD4, DD1 (in crib)- and we are used to being in studios so we don't need the little bit of extra space at Kidani.

Actually you can't request Savannah view. You might get one but you can't request it. Disney won't take view requests on the value rooms.

 

[Minniesgal]

I think the basic difference is that the "value" rooms at Jambo are refurbished hotel rooms whereas the "standard" rooms are newly built. It comes down to size and layout of the rooms. To me, points are points and if I need to save them for a bigger trip later, the value rooms are the way to do that. However, I also think, due to the point value, that these are sometimes the first rooms to go at the 11th month mark and can be hard to find any later.

All of the Jambo rooms are refurbished hotels rooms. Kidani were purpose built.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have stayed in value 1 bedrooms with 2 or 3 adults and Kidani 1 bedrooms with the same people.

The size difference is definitely felt in the bedroom. The king bed barely fits in the value, it is not easy to close the door.

If I want to save points, I get a Kidani standard view I bedroom or if I can get away with a studio, then I go with value studio. I have only had a parking lot view once, out of maybe 11 bookings. Savannah and pool about the same, 5 times each.

 

[drusba]

Has anyone stayed in both the Value 1BR and the Kidani 1BR?

Where do you actually feel the difference in square feet? Obviously you probably feel it in the bathroom. What about in the actual bedroom/living room? Does it feel noticeably smaller?

The value is proportionally small in that living room, bedroom, kitchen, etc., are all smaller than the Kidani 1BR (and even the other Jambo 1BRs) Also, they use most of the same bulky, large furniture in the value as the other 1BRs making the space seem even smaller than it is.

Nevertheless, at the point cost, the values are ideal if lower cost is an issue. They are larger than most 1BR suites you would find in any hotel, provide the same things as the other 1BRs, other than a sleeper chair, are all located in the front of the Jambo building, meaning you have an easy walk to all amenities like pool, store, restaurants and busses, and views really are not bad: 40% are savanna view, 40% pool view, and 20% parking lot view which is a misnomer since what you mostly see are trees, grass and bushes from those rooms.

 

[MikeyNS]

Here's my Youtube video of our SV 1BR Value from a few years ago. We loved it!