Jambo vs Kidani

[Raenstoirm]

2 christmases ago we rented a Jambo grand villa. Debating trying Kidani this year. What are the differences? I have only ever entered kidani once and that was many years ago. Do they have the same kid activities in the evenings? (My nephew loved the art projects at jambo). Where do you have breakfast (we ate at Boma half the mornings that trip)? Can you walk back and forth between the two buildings with kids in tow or is the shuttle required? The group will include 3 nearly 3 year olds (1 girl and my b/g twins) and one 7 year old boy plus 5 or 6 adults. We are a roughly commando family, but my sister and her kids are very "resort" based. I should point out that the jambo pool was closed during our trip so my sister used the kidani pool.

 

[marx]

Jambo has the wonderful Mara for QS, while Kidani is much more limited (Sana has QS at breakfast and there is limited food options at the pool). There are many activities at both locations, but my family prefers those at Jambo (there are copies of the activity guides online so you could compare for yourself). Community Hall is in Kidani and there is much to do there for kids your ages too. IMO, the better restaurants and lounges are at Jambo. The walk can be moderate to very long depending on where you are in Kidani. I would shuttle or drive.

 

[thebigman65]

IMO they both have pros and cons....Kidani is much quieter and laid back.....you also have an advantage with the buses as they stop there first.....except for the Disney Springs bus.....the food and grocery are more limited......the activities are about the same. Walking with 3 x 3year Olds could be an issue.....I would stick with the shuttle .....I prefer the Kidani pool to Jambo....hope this helps!

 

[hakepb]

On the Grand villas, Jambo have the wonderful 1 story villas with the bonus pool table room, huge dining table and oversized balconys.

Kidani GV's are 2 story, with living, kitchen and master downstairs and the 2 bedrooms upstairs. They also have a 2nd living area upstairs that can be nice to give kids a 2nd tv area (not sure if you'd leave 3 yo's upstairs by themselves, though.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Jambo has a grander lobby-some (including me) feel it has a real "Wow!" factor when you walk in. I've never been to any other resort that defines "long walk to your room" like Kidani can. That said, we'll be staying at Kidani next trip-the 2 BRs have an extra bath, and we can still go see Jambo's lobby.

 

[Best Aunt]

Kennythepirate has the recreation guides for the hotels, so you can check out what activities are at Jambo and what activities are at Kidani:
http://www.kennythepirate.com/resorts/walt-disney-world-resort-recreation-guides/

Allears has the hotel restaurant menus:
http://allears.net/dining/locations

There is a van which goes between Kidani and Jambo, if you don't want to walk. Or you can take a bus, and get off at the next stop; just make sure you get on the right bus. I think the buses going to theme parks stop at Kidani first, then Jambo, then on to the theme parks. But the buses going to Disney Springs stop at Jambo first, the Kidani, then Disney Springs. But that might have changed, so ask before you get on a bus!

 

[Simba's Mom]

There is a van which goes between Kidani and Jambo, if you don't want to walk. Or you can take a bus, and get off at the next stop; just make sure you get on the right bus. I think the buses going to theme parks stop at Kidani first, then Jambo, then on to the theme parks. But the buses going to Disney Springs stop at Jambo first, the Kidani, then Disney Springs. But that might have changed, so ask before you get on a bus!

I was under the impression that Kidani and Jambo don't share buses anymore, that when you get on at Kidani you'll go directly to the theme park. Also, when you get on at Jambo, there won't be anyone else on the bus.
Regarding the vans, just be aware that they're 12 passenger vans. Often, there may be 1 or 2 other people on the van. However, if there's a huge party in front of you, as happened to me once, you may have to wait for the next van (which is really that same van after it returns).

 

[Best Aunt]

I was under the impression that Kidani and Jambo don't share buses anymore, that when you get on at Kidani you'll go directly to the theme park. Also, when you get on at Jambo, there won't be anyone else on the bus.
Regarding the vans, just be aware that they're 12 passenger vans. Often, there may be 1 or 2 other people on the van. However, if there's a huge party in front of you, as happened to me once, you may have to wait for the next van (which is really that same van after it returns).

You could be right about the bus situation - I haven't stayed there in a few years. (I think I did say to ask first because it might have changed.)

 

[Vijoge]

I was under the impression that Kidani and Jambo don't share buses anymore, that when you get on at Kidani you'll go directly to the theme park. Also, when you get on at Jambo, there won't be anyone else on the bus.
Regarding the vans, just be aware that they're 12 passenger vans. Often, there may be 1 or 2 other people on the van. However, if there's a huge party in front of you, as happened to me once, you may have to wait for the next van (which is really that same van after it returns).

Returning from the parks, our bus always stopped at Kidani first, then Jambo. However, our bus to the park always went directly from Jambo to the park and was always empty when it picked us up.

 

[mdelano4]

IMO they both have pros and cons....Kidani is much quieter and laid back.....you also have an advantage with the buses as they stop there first.....except for the Disney Springs bus.....the food and grocery are more limited......the activities are about the same. Walking with 3 x 3year Olds could be an issue.....I would stick with the shuttle .....I prefer the Kidani pool to Jambo....hope this helps!

I think thebigman65 said it perfectly. I agree completely. That said, we prefer Kidani. Between the more quiet pool and the bus stop, that's where we like to stay.

 

[Nie0214]

We've stayed at Kidani twice (near lobby) and love that it's a little quieter, the kid's pool is nicer for littles, the community room is awesome, etc. They had daily activities for kids, a movie at night, and a campfire on weekends.

We always had breakfast in our room, and it was never a big deal to walk (10 min?) to Jambo or take the shuttle if we wanted lunch/dinner there. If you're wayyy on the other side it would be a long walk though.

We were there the first week of Feb and the buses were still Kidani -> Jambo -> Theme Park and Jambo -> Kidani -> Disney Springs. They really should be more clear about it on the bus, I helped quite a few people who were trying to get to Boma and who were about to disembark at Kidani.

 

[mousestruck]

Both resorts are spectacular, but we prefer Jambo - unless we're staying in a 1 bedroom because it has an extra bathroom. (Worth a lot to my family!) We prefer the grand lobby of Jambo, as well as the food options, the gift shop and the overall vibe. Kidani is more relaxing. In my opinion, savannah views are generally better at Kidani. We prefer the pool there, too... but HATE having to walk across the parking lot to get there. Also, bus situation is better. Last time we stayed at Kidani, we were picked up and dropped off before Jambo... and it's nice to have seat when you're tired! It's really a matter of preference. Either way, I'm sure you'll have an awesome stay!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Kidani and Jambi share buses...not only that, but we were on several last month that bounces between the two more than once...lots of stops at Jambo

 

[momtwoboys]

Kidani and Jambi share buses...not only that, but we were on several last month that bounces between the two more than once...lots of stops at Jambo

meaning the bus goes between each more than once before heading out to a park? I dont understand?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

meaning the bus goes between each more than once before heading out to a park? I dont understand?

It was slow...as far as things go with the insanity of crowds there the last few years...and we got on at Jambo twice that went to kidani and then back to Jambo before heading out...I noticed the bus drivers seem to be being routed more real time than they hadn't in the past. I wondered if they are using cameras to reroute for stragglers than they would have before? You can do that when it's low occupancy.

 

[momtwoboys]

It was slow...as far as things go with the insanity of crowds there the last few years...and we got on at Jambo twice that went to kidani and then back to Jambo before heading out...I noticed the bus drivers seem to be being routed more real time than they hadn't in the past. I wondered if they are using cameras to reroute for stragglers than they would have before? You can do that when it's low occupancy.

thanks! Hope this isnt the norm or we will be very car sick by the time we reach a park We have stayed at Jambo house 4xbefore and it was decent bus service..all trips have been April

 

[DenLo]

Your kids can enjoy the activities at either resort, it's only a 10 walk or a shuttle van away. However in the evening that van really fills up so you might that two trips to get on so it might be quicker to walk.

A big difference will be there GVs themselves. The Kidani one is two stories. Instead of a pool room, it has a loft with a pullout couch that gives you more sleeping options. The Kidani GV still sleeps 12 but has beds for 14.

Jambo House may not be an option at the 7 month mark for a GV. They often go fast for Christmas and New Years.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Kidani and Jambi share buses...not only that, but we were on several last month that bounces between the two more than once...lots of stops at Jambo

Rats! But thanks for letting me know. Someone had told me otherwise, but at least I won't be surprised!

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

We personally prefer to stay at Kidani over Jambo, but we still love to visit Jambo while we are there to eat at the Mara (which would be one of your choices for breakfast), the other choice is Sanaa which is in Kidani. Both are great.

As others have said, Kidani tends to be the more quiet of the two resorts as it's all DVC etc.

As far as the bus situation, it depends on what time of the year you are there. We have had the buses go from Kidani to Jambo and then to the Parks, and then Park, Jambo, Kidani. And then we've had them go straight back and forth between Kidani and the Parks. It varies and is kind of a crapshoot to say the least, but they have the ETA boards at the bus stops to show you when the next bus for various parks will arrive.

I don't think it would be a huge feat to travel between resorts on foot (it's about a ten minute walk) but if you don't feel like the 3 yo's could do it then theres always the shuttle bt resorts.

Also, there are cultural/art things for the kids to do at Kidani just like at Jambo. They also have the Community hall where there are games etc for the whole family to partake in.

Have fun. AKL is my fave resort and our "home."

 

[Lvdisfan]

Rats! But thanks for letting me know. Someone had told me otherwise, but at least I won't be surprised!

I believe that the sharing of the buses depends on the crowd level. (There's probably a computer algorithm involved). We stayed at Kidani the last week of Oct last year and never shared a bus going to a park. These were were all morning buses maybe it's different later in the day. We never stopped at Jambo coming back either tho.