Jambo vs Kidani

[JayLew5695]

Staying at AK this Winter, and wondering which building to book for a 1 bedroom- Kidani or Jambo? And can you get Savannah view rooms at Kidani?

 

[erionm]

The Kidani Village 1-bedrooms are larger than those in Jambo House (by 85 or more sq feet) and will have 2 full bathrooms (Jambo House 1-bedrooms only have 1 bathroom).

At Jambo House, 1-bedrooms are available in the following booking categories: Value (smaller), Standard View, Savanna View, Concierge Level
At Kidani Village, 1-bedrooms are available in the following booking categories: Standard View, Savanna View

 

[JayLew5695]

The Kidani Village 1-bedrooms are larger than those in Jambo House (by 85 or more sq feet) and will have 2 full bathrooms (Jambo House 1-bedrooms only have 1 bathroom).

At Jambo House, 1-bedrooms are available in the following booking categories: Value (smaller), Standard View, Savanna View, Concierge Level
At Kidani Village, 1-bedrooms are available in the following booking categories: Standard View, Savanna View

Is the extra sq footage mostly tied up in the bathroom? do you think the general quality of the rooms are on par with each other? We're getting a Savanna View 1-bedroom

 

[aoconnor]

Is the extra sq footage mostly tied up in the bathroom? do you think the general quality of the rooms are on par with each other? We're getting a Savanna View 1-bedroom

A decent amount of the extra square footage it is in the bathroom, but the living room is a little wider as well which makes it feel more spacious. The quality of the rooms is the same- both had soft goods refurbishment in 2016.

Two other differences:

-The master bathroom at Jambo only has a tub/shower combo while Kidani has a separate jacuzzi tub and glassed in shower.
-All DVC rooms at Jambo are on the 5th floor. For Savanna view, I think it's nicer to have a lower floor.

 

[jarestel]

I place more value on being in the "main" building with that awesome lobby, great restaurants, decent QS, gift shop and other amenities. Granted, it's not far to travel between Kidani and Jambo House but given a choice, I will choose Jambo House. Having said that, if Kidani was all that was available, I'd be just as happy staying there.

 

[Debbie Jean]

A decent amount of the extra square footage it is in the bathroom, but the living room is a little wider as well which makes it feel more spacious. The quality of the rooms is the same- both had soft goods refurbishment in 2016.

Two other differences:

-The master bathroom at Jambo only has a tub/shower combo while Kidani has a separate jacuzzi tub and glassed in shower.
-All DVC rooms at Jambo are on the 5th floor. For Savanna view, I think it's nicer to have a lower floor.

While I love the convenience of the facilities at Jambo, when I do a 1 bedroom Savannah, it's definitely Kidani. As you point out, more spacious, extra bathroom, split shower and tub and lower floor for better animal viewing.

 

[BillPA]

Depends on if it 2, 3, 4 or more. Kidani has more space, a 2nd bathroom, a very large masterbath and parking under the unit. Jambo is smaller, 1 bathroom, parking is not so close but they do have a nicer lobby and a counter service and more to see and do. The usable space at least feels much larger at Kidani even if is close to being the same. Unless it's just 2 of you I would go with Kidani.

 

[drusba]

See my post on the 1BRs and the two buildings here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/akl-kidani-or-jambo.3672091/

 

[JayLew5695]

Confirming ... so with 3 little kids (4,2,1), a 1-bedroom sunset savannah view in Kidani is going to serve us better than a 1-bedroom savannah view in Jambo?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you get a one bedroom at JH, you'll be taking your shower in the tub, just like in most of the studios. No separate stand alone shower. KV has a marvelously large master bathroom with large standalone shower and very large jetted tub. Plus the aforementioned separate bathroom for the guests sleeping in the living room. JH is renovated hotel rooms, so your master bathroom isn't in the master bedroom.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Seriously one of your little ones could sleep in the bathroom at Kidani!

 

[rg35]

With three little kids, I would pick Kidani. One of the reasons I would do that is because the splash area by the pool is great for kids that age...although I re-read and see that you're going in the winter so it might not be warm enough for that.

The Community Hall is also off of the Kidani Lobby. It's an oft-overlooked feature but if you're just hanging around the hotel and the kids (mostly the 4 year old) want to do some coloring or other activity, it's a great place to hang out.

When we stayed at OKW, we missed the second bathroom that the Kidani 1 BRs offer. Two bathrooms comes in handy for a family of 5 (even if two are still in diapers).

The main thing going in favor of Jambo is that it has The Mara, which is the only QS restaurant at AKV. If you feel like you want or need easy access to quick service dining, that's something to consider.

It's only about a 10 minute walk between buildings (or there is a shuttle) so even if you pick one or the other it's easy to get back and forth.

 

[DenLo]

This year they are remodeling hotel rooms at Jambo House it might still be going on this winter. You could have construction noise at Jambo House. Otherwise, decide how important being near a QS is for your family. There is a QS breakfast at Sanaa until 10:00 am, but otherwise you have to eat at the pool and shuttle or walk over to Jambo House. With young children some prefer to be in Jambo House. To me, breakfast and lunch can easily be served in the 1BR just order in some groceries.

 

[jerseygal]

Have been to both, like both, BUT the convenience of Mara puts me over. Also, love the Jambo lobby! ENJOY whatever you choose.

 

[ZerasPride]

Just back from a lovely stay at Kidani in a one bedroom villa and cannot recommend it highly enough! While I can see the draw of Jambo with the grand lobby and the main store nothing beats being first on the buses and the quite of eating at Sanna and the beauty and surprise of seeing the animals as you enjoy a less expensive breakfast than Boma.

Also with two women we enjoyed having our own separate baths to get ready in the mornings. Our unit was so spotless and clean it seemed as if no one had stayed in the unit before us! Can’t say the same about our one bedroom at Jambo last year.

 

[gillep]

We prefer Jambo in general but for a 1 bedroom we would always book Kidani. The set up of the Kidani 1 bedrooms is, in my opinion, significantly better. Having two bathrooms is fantastic, and the master bath in Kidani is so nice. The distance between the two isn't so much that it bothers me to go to Jambo for food or the pool if I am staying at Kidani. Also, I really like the cs breakfast at Sanaa, it doesn't have as many options as The Mara but I think that the food is less mass produced and comes out fresher.