Jambo Thoughts?

[kes601]

I know that AKV can be an interesting resort when it comes to opinions -- you either love it or probably hate it.

We have somehow lucked into (via stalking) a 7 / 7 split over the summer between a Value Studio and a Value 1 BR. What are your thoughts on 14 day at Jambo? We've stayed once on the hotel side 3 years ago, but I was quite sick and frankly don't remember much.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

For us, you could never stay too long at Jambo!! It's our favorite resort anywhere, not just Disney. The dining options are the best of any resort at Disney (in our opinion, of course - your mileage may vary!). But managing to get 2 weeks in the values, including 1 week in a 1BR value is a pretty good get. People complain sometimes about how remote the resort is. The only trip that's really 'remote' from AKV is the Magic Kingdom and the restaurants around that monorail loop. But if you're not doing MK that much, AK, EP, HS, and DS are a simple bus ride or car ride away. It's no different than staying at Poly and busing to AK! You'll have access to 2 really nice pools, a nice counter service at The Mara, and lots of opportunities to relax watching the animals.

If you were previously on a hotel stay, you were also staying at Jambo House. It's part hotel and part DVC, while the other section (Kidani) is DVC. Having the 1BR for a week has some serious advantages on a 2-week trip - like a washer/dryer right in your room to throw in some laundry and reduce your packing requirements for the trip. You'll also have a kitchen and living area to feel more like 'home'. The Value Studio is pretty small and very much like a regular hotel room. Hope you enjoy the stay and have an amazing trip - and stay healthy this time!

 

[RanDIZ]

AKV will never be a bad choice. But if I were to have a 14 day stay, especially that it’s already a split stay, I would choose a MK resort like CCV or POLY. If you’re doing HS or EP, maybe the boardwalk area is an option. But securing those values is a plus and you’re ahead of the points game there.

I actually love that it’s remote and away from all the crowds. Definitely the best restaurants on property and overall a top resort that can be placed anywhere in the world and satisfy a resort only stay.

 

[kes601]

We’ve stayed at the Boardwalk and MK resorts and love them. We actually had a week in a VGF Studio reserved but when we walked around VGF while staying at poly over Christmas it just didn’t feel like “us”.

We are needing to minimize points this stay so I think the 2 values will work well for both a relaxing and low point stay.

 

[a1tinkfans]

One word …FANTABULOUS!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I LOVE Jambo. It's my favorite Walt Disney World resort by a mile and tied with Grand Cal for my second favorite Disney resort overall, after Aulani. That said, 14 days is a long trip. If it was me, I'd probably do 7 at Jambo and 7 somewhere else, just for the sake of variety.

 

[Dancing Accountant]

Likely in a minority but all my stays at Jambo have been more than two weeks and up four. But it is home away from home. Two adults in a studio works great. May depend on how many in your party and their ages. Since you still have direct access to Kidani you already have variety.

 

[sndral]

The longest I’ve stayed in Jambo was 11 days & always in either a standard or savanna view 1 or 2 br.. The value villas are smaller & are located at the front of the resort. You can’t beat the ‘price’ of values pointwise & if the studio stay is first the move to the 1 br. will be a treat. I think Jambo’s lobby is beautiful, I like Boma & Sanaa @ Kidani, Victoria Falls lounge is nice to visit after a day in the parks as well.
I think longer stays work better at more remote resorts since there’s no need to cram everything into a few days, you have time to watch the animals on the savannas without thinking you need to be rushing to this or that park.

 

[kes601]

Thanks. In looking at touring plans there is a good chance of a pool or savannah view with a couple of each type having parking lot views.

The studio is first and then the 1 br. I remember loving the food at Mara, Sanaa, and Boma. Hoping Jiko will be back open by summer.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

It sounds awesome. For a stay that long, waiting a bit longer for a bus on a day or two probably won’t seem like a big issue. You know you can always go back to that park again! Jambo and Kidani are both lovely in my opinion. One of the best resorts for food, atmosphere, pools, and general relaxation. The lobby always impresses me, no matter how many times I see it.
Moving from studio to one bedroom is smart. The value studios felt a little cramped for my family of 3, but mostly because my kid kept jumping all over the room. Once she grows up and becomes sedentary like her parents, we will be just fine!

 

[Meglen]

I might be a poo poo head here but we stayed 6 nights this last oct in dvc jambo.. and I will never do it again. We got so lucky and got a partial view savanna at a standard rate. The view was great. But.. and this is a HUGE but.. the bed was soooooooo bad. me and my husband had to use our blankets to pad the beds so we could sleep. My hips hurt so bad every night/morning.. Like idk what kinda mattress it was but yikes. My son had a pull out couch and if you weigh more than 50 lbs dont even bother to sleep on it.. just metal in the back.

We have stayed at Baylake,port orleans fq, dolphin in the past without issues.

 

[hhisc16]

I know that AKV can be an interesting resort when it comes to opinions -- you either love it or probably hate it.

We have somehow lucked into (via stalking) a 7 / 7 split over the summer between a Value Studio and a Value 1 BR. What are your thoughts on 14 day at Jambo? We've stayed once on the hotel side 3 years ago, but I was quite sick and frankly don't remember much.

We stayed in the value studio for 2 nights in December with 3 people and loved it! (Lucked up with savannah view!)
Jambo House is a great place to stay!
Savannah, places to eat, pool, etc.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Jambo is my favorite resort too. You are so lucky.