Just back from Jambo House and why it was better than Kidani...

[jodifla]

at least for this visit.

Stayed in a Jambo 2 bedroom lockoff. First time staying at the resort. Loved the room, the theming, and the great access to EVERYTHING like restaurants, the pool, the kids' club, and two bars. Ate at Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko. Limited menus at the sit downs, but food was quite good. Glad to have the TIW card to knock down the excessive prices.

We went over to Kidani to swim. Resort on the outside seems cheaply built during the day, very institutional looking...it's nicer at night with all the lanterns. I know the rooms are nicer here, but the lack of amenities is striking.

Pool is nice, but it's going to be too small for that resort when it is full. And it's NO SAB, which I think they sold people on.

But if you had a car, and were looking for a quieter vacation, I'm sure it would be nice.

This vacation, we wanted to be in the action, so Jambo was perfect.

 

[lagunn]

at least for this visit.

Stayed in a Jambo 2 bedroom lockoff. First time staying at the resort. Loved the room, the theming, and the great access to EVERYTHING like restaurants, the pool, the kids' club, and two bars. Ate at Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko. Limited menus at the sit downs, but food was quite good. Glad to have the TIW card to knock down the excessive prices.

We went over to Kidani to swim. Resort on the outside seems cheaply built during the day, very institutional looking...it's nicer at night with all the lanterns. I know the rooms are nicer here, but the lack of amenities is striking.

Pool is nice, but it's going to be too small for that resort when it is full. And it's NO SAB, which I think they sold people on.

But if you had a car, and were looking for a quieter vacation, I'm sure it would be nice.

This vacation, we wanted to be in the action, so Jambo was perfect.

So glad you had a good time..
We loved it at Jambo last year, we are booked to return there in just over a week.
What was the food like at Saana??

 

[MarkLyndaJakeChloe]

Just back from Jambo House staying 2 weeks in a studio. I have to agree with your comments. We had been waitlisted for a savannah view at Kidani, but I'm actually glad we didn't get it!

Kidani just seemed a bit remote and with no quick service I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much!!

We always like to stay in different places, so it's maybe one for the future by which time it may have a quick service and the landscaping a bit more mature!!

 

[jodifla]

So glad you had a good time..
We loved it at Jambo last year, we are booked to return there in just over a week.
What was the food like at Saana??

We really enjoyed Sanaa. We got the bread service and the pickled garlic sauce was great!

I had the tandoori chicken and DH had the tandoori chicken with short ribs. All really tasty, and good service.

 

[lagunn]

We really enjoyed Sanaa. We got the bread service and the pickled garlic sauce was great!

I had the tandoori chicken and DH had the tandoori chicken with short ribs. All really tasty, and good service.

I will look forward to that then. thankyou .
We have an ADR for the 17th.

 

[dwelty]

We have stayed at Jambo before and have to say, after seeing the Models of Kidani, they are substantially better than at Jambo. The extra bathroom and sleeper chair are enough of a difference to keep me at Kidani in the future in a one or two bedroom.

We have stayed in a Jambo Grand Villa and it was spectacular, the only problem we had was REALLY bad water pressure. It literally took 12 minutes to fill up the master bath. I was told by a maintenance guy that that is common with all of the Grand Villas because they are at the end of the building.

Hopefully this is not a problem at Kidani

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

at least for this visit.

Stayed in a Jambo 2 bedroom lockoff. First time staying at the resort. Loved the room, the theming, and the great access to EVERYTHING like restaurants, the pool, the kids' club, and two bars. Ate at Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko. Limited menus at the sit downs, but food was quite good. Glad to have the TIW card to knock down the excessive prices.

We went over to Kidani to swim. Resort on the outside seems cheaply built during the day, very institutional looking...it's nicer at night with all the lanterns. I know the rooms are nicer here, but the lack of amenities is striking.

Pool is nice, but it's going to be too small for that resort when it is full. And it's NO SAB, which I think they sold people on.

But if you had a car, and were looking for a quieter vacation, I'm sure it would be nice.

This vacation, we wanted to be in the action, so Jambo was perfect.

I agree that Disney oversold/hyped the pool at Kidani. I am an owner at Jambo and added on at Kidani. If I had seen Kidani before i purchased I would have opted for BLT. When I see posts like this one, I always think to myself, "I hope someone at Disney is reading this".

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

We stayed at Kidani over the summer. I loved everything about it. Granted the pool wasn't SAB, but it did have a great slide and kid's play area, both of which are better than what you get at Jambo. The only thing that is "missing," would be the quick service. That I agree is a major inconvenience, but it wouldn't stop me from staying there again. We spent a few of our days over at Jambo, and it just felt so busy and crowded. I'm interested to see how Kidani will fare once it is entirely open.

 

[kbeam]

For example...what is SAB and TIW card? Thanks. Sorry..new to all this...

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

SAB = Stormalong Bay. It's the pool at Beach Club Villas (BCV). Voted best Disney pool by my 10 year old.

TIW = Tables in Wonderland. It's a discount dining card available for purchase to FL residents and those who have an annual pass.

 

[DebbieB]

A 1 or 2 bedroom at Kidani has an extra bathroom plus the master bathroom is better at Kidani with a separate walk-in shower.

I have stayed in a studio at both and the rooms are about the same. I loved the easy parking at Kidani with a elevator straight to your room. Jambo does have an edge with quick service.

 

[vbarry]

We stayed at Jambo this summer but spent most of our time at the Kidani pool. My girls loved that pool. I am not fond of the Jambo pool. Kinda looks yucky...think it is that green water. I could keep a much better eye on the kids at Kidani. Everything was so clean and new. I was glad we stayed at Jambo for the quick service...but that is the only reason!

 

[Silver Queen]

We loved our recent stay at Kidani. Our studio was very comfortable and the staff was friendly and accommodating, particularly the cultural representatives from Africa. The lack of a QS restaurant didn't bother us at all (two adults). We really preferred the quieter atmosphere at Kidani to the bustle at Jambo. The pool area at Kidani was perfect and we spent several afternoons there. I also had the question about how well the pool area will be able to accommodate guests once the resort is completely open.

 

[mikeandkarla]

I agree that the Kidani pool is better than Jambo. However I don't get the same overall feel at Kidani that I do at Jambo. Kidani is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.

 

[justcruisin]

Having just returned from 4 nights in a 1 bedroom at Jambo, I can safely say we are in no hurry to return to Jambo.

The 1 bedroom villa was so small, I was shocked. The tub is awkward to step up into --- I can't believe the don't have handles in that shower. It was difficult for my very fit 72 yo mother to get in and out of the shower.

The darkness of the entire resort / room left even DS10 asking when we were going to another resort. I bet the lobby at Jambo is lovely, but the lighting is so bad it's hard to see the details!

We did notice the lighting in the hallways at Kidani was much better than Jambo, even though the they are more narrow. The fixtures are the same, just brighter bulbs.

From the description of the pool at Kidani we were expecting more at the water play area ---- I kept looking for the "levels" LOL.

Loved the animals, Mara and Boma were outstanding. Actually ate at each twice!

I find it amazing how the DVC resorts all have such a different feel and each offers a completely unique experience!

 

[wdrl]

We are thinking of staying at AKV in September 2010 and are considering the pros and cons of Jambo versus Kidani (not that I think there are major negatives about either, but you know what I mean). This past June, we booked a cash room at AKL and were given a room on AKL's Kudu Trail on the third floor. We thought the third floor was great for viewing the animals! The animals were fairly close and the foliage didn't block our views. Here is my question: Are all of Jambo's savanna-view rooms on the fifth floor? I know that Kidani has savanna-view rooms on the second and third floors, and we would prefer to be on a lower floor closer to the animals. I appreciate your insights!

 

[jodifla]

I think the 1 bedrooms are about the size of the BCV/VWL/BWV 1 bedrooms, although not like OKW or Vero, let's say.

I agree that the tub need rails...surprised they weren't there!

Since it was August/Sept., the darkess felt nice and cool to us.

Really, for us, it was about the easy access to the kids club, restaurants and pars...and the Jambo pool. Everything just felt so accessible.

 

[twinklebug]

I agree that the Kidani pool is better than Jambo. However I don't get the same overall feel at Kidani that I do at Jambo. Kidani is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.

Hehe - I'm the opposite. Jambo's a nice place to visit (so much at your fingertips for food & shopping) but I wouldn't want to live there (too busy!) I do like both buildings for very different reasons.

We stayed at Jambo this summer but spent most of our time at the Kidani pool. My girls loved that pool. I am not fond of the Jambo pool. Kinda looks yucky...think it is that green water. I could keep a much better eye on the kids at Kidani. Everything was so clean and new. I was glad we stayed at Jambo for the quick service...but that is the only reason!

The green water at jambo's pool is just the way they painted it (to look more natural). But I do agree - I prefer a nice clear look.