Jumbo House vs Kidani Village

[NEMO93]

We are looking to go to the animal lodge in September and was wondering which place is better to stay at. We are also looking at a savahna view too. We are going to book a studio. Any pro or cons would be welcomed.

 

[drusba]

If you are going to book a studio I would recommend Jambo and request Arusha Savanna view along Zebra Trail. Studios at Jambo and Kidani are about the same size. Jambo building offers the larger lobby and larger store, the larger pool (although much smaller slide) which has lots of areas to find shade, and three restaurants, Jiko (table service), Boma (buffet), and Mara (counter service). Jiko and Boma are excellent and the counter service restaurnat is very large and seating is always available (and you can choose to sit outside).

Kidani has a smaller pool but a long slide and the elaborate kids play area, only one restaurant, Sanaa (table service), although it is one of the best restaruants there is on site. It also has ideal parking if you have a car under the building. The busses stop there first going and coming from the parks. I would recommend Kidani if you were getting a 1BR or 2BR because those rooms are much larger than ones at Jambo and have an extra bathroom but with a studio I would definitely stick with Jambo.

Note, any guest at one buidling can use everything at the other but distance door to door between the buildings is 1/2 mile.

 

[delilah]

We usually rent a car, and like to stay at Kidani. All of what the above poster says is true about Jambo vs Kidani, but, really, it is very easy to travel between Kidani and Jambo. Any bus will take you from Kidani to Jambo, and it is about a 5 minute walk between the two resorts.

 

[hakepb]

About the only other main point is all Jambo Savanna view category rooms are on the 5th floor. Kidani has DVC Savanna view rooms on floors 2-5 so you might be closer to animals.
Also Kidani has the longest hallway. It doesn't matter for parking but might matter for bus or lobby visits.
Both are good studio options, it just depends on how the amenities fit into your vacation preferences.

 

[Jkarrows]

Having stayed in jumbo house for Christmas I think the fact that your on a higher floor means you get to see more of the animals, when we went to lower floors the view became restricted due to tree line ect, either way your have a great time at either locations

 

[NEMO93]

Thanks for all your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LisaS]

The studios in Jambo House and Kidani are about the same size but the layout is different. In Jambo House the bathroom vanity is in an open area, the tub and toilet are in small room off to the side. This means the vanity is available for use by anyone at any time. In Kidani the vanity and tub are in an enclosed room and the toilet is in a smaller room within that space. If someone is taking a shower, the vanity is not accessible.

In general we stay in a 1BR and prefer Kidani because we can hope for a room on a lower floor to be closer to the animals. We also like the larger rooms and the separate shower stall. If we were staying in a studio however, the layout would give the edge to Jambo House.

 

[Cee]

I love the studios on the Zebra Trail in Jambo House but the walk to the elevators can be long. However, if that doesn't bother you, the savannah views are spectacular.

IMO, Jambo House gives you the convenience and amenities of both DVC and a deluxe resort.

I loved it!

 

[WolfpackFan]

We have stayed at both in Studios and prefer Kidani. To me it is just so much quieter. At Jambo, you have the hotel guests checking in and out each morning while at Kidani people tend to stay longer and do the checking in and out on the weekend. I just feel like Kidani is "ours" (DVC), while we have to share Jambo with all the hotel guests. Plus I love parking under the building.

 

[magicaldisney]

Lower floor will give you a better view of the savannah, which you will find at Kidani. Kidani offers a better kids pool/play area and is the first bus stop to and from the parks.

 

[coup2516]

We have stayed at both as well. Definitely prefer Kidani. If you have a car the parking by itself is well worth it.