Kidani or Jambo (dvc)?

[Chrislovesdisney]

which would you choose from a convenience point of view with young children, a studio at Kidani or a studio at Jambo? Is it true there is NO opportunity to grab food on the go (ie a muffin for breakfast) at Kidani? Things that are important to us: ease of getting on/off Disney transportation, access to some food, minimal walking to room, enough room for suitcases/unpacking in room. It’s a quick trip and we will be in the parks most of the time (ie pool, other resort amenities a moot point for this trip). Tia!

 

[CanadianAli]

We liked Kidani better ourselves. The pool area including the splash area was fantastic when my twins were 2. In fact, they have asked to return to AKV for this year's trip, as they liked the animals much better. But, for us in a 1 BR villa, the 2nd bathroom was key due to our 3 adults/2 kids set up. In a studio that doesn't matter. And, if the pool is less important, than I would recommend Jambo for you, just for ease of grab and go. Both are lovely and at Jambo you get the big lobby welcome, rather than Kidani which is less impressive in that way too.

 

[gillep]

which would you choose from a convenience point of view with young children, a studio at Kidani or a studio at Jambo? Is it true there is NO opportunity to grab food on the go (ie a muffin for breakfast) at Kidani? Things that are important to us: ease of getting on/off Disney transportation, access to some food, minimal walking to room, enough room for suitcases/unpacking in room. It’s a quick trip and we will be in the parks most of the time (ie pool, other resort amenities a moot point for this trip). Tia!

Sanaa has breakfast, it is QS and they have grab and go items as well as cooked items. You can either eat in the restaurant or get it to go back to the room and they will package it up for you. A description is on the WDW website.

If a studio, I would say Jambo is more convenient, for a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom always Kidani for the extra bathroom and better (in my opinion) set up of the room.

 

[sndral]

Park buses pick up & drop off at Kidani first, so you'll more likely get a seat going to the parks (although I've not had much of an issue getting a seat going to the parks from Jambo either.)
Jambo villas are on the 5th floor (6th floor for concierge.) Kidani villas are on all floors, lower floor savanna view villas may thus have a more eye level view of the animals. Jambo savanna view villas will overlook Uzima, Arusha or Sunset savannas. Kidani savanna view villas will overlook Sunset savanna or the very small Pembe savanna.
Jambo standard view villas have pool or partial savanna view, Kidani standard view & Jambo value villas may be parking lot view.
Kidani studios are easier to get because there are more of them & they are slightly larger than Jambo's studios.
Both Jambo & Kidani have long hallways.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Thank you for the thorough comparison - very helpful

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Sanaa has breakfast, it is QS and they have grab and go items as well as cooked items. You can either eat in the restaurant or get it to go back to the room and they will package it up for you. A description is on the WDW website.

If a studio, I would say Jambo is more convenient, for a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom always Kidani for the extra bathroom and better (in my opinion) set up of the room.

Thank you - I thought originally I saw about Sanaa to-go food, then I couldn’t find it again (not sure how I missed it right there on the menu), and heard others complain about this lack of option so I got worried.

 

[NKHarris329]

I didn't find the Mara (?) particularly continent from our room at Jambo on our last trip, though it was nice to be able to pop in when needed. We were at the far end of the hotel and it was a long walk across hotel every time we wanted a snack or drink. We tended to keep a lot of snacks in room so we didn't have to walk over more than once (sometimes twice) a day. It was a trek to get anywhere from that room TBH...

With either option I think the most important thing is room location. You definitely want something near the lobby for both.

You may also consider having grocery delivery if that interests you at all.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Thanks. Yes, we will have some snacks for the park and some quick breakfast items delivered (I’m used to a one-bedroom so obviously I’ll have to be selective!) but being that we are on vacation, I’d like to make sure we can treat ourselves at least some of the time with a muffin or slice of quick bread or yogurt parfait or something along those lines!

 

[EllNat11]

Sanaa has breakfast, it is QS and they have grab and go items as well as cooked items. You can either eat in the restaurant or get it to go back to the room and they will package it up for you. A description is on the WDW website.

If a studio, I would say Jambo is more convenient, for a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom always Kidani for the extra bathroom and better (in my opinion) set up of the room.

I didn't know Sanaa had breakfast! We haven't stayed at AK since 2011, but are booked there in May in a 1BR @ Kidani because we LOVED the pool/villas. We make a lot of breakfasts in the room but it's great to know that Sanaa has options!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks. Yes, we will have some snacks for the park and some quick breakfast items delivered (I’m used to a one-bedroom so obviously I’ll have to be selective!) but being that we are on vacation, I’d like to make sure we can treat ourselves at least some of the time with a muffin or slice of quick bread or yogurt parfait or something along those lines!

They should have muffins, yogurt parfaits and such in the store at Kidani in the grocery section. In the past they have had bakery items at the counter.

 

[broadsheet]

When we went in October, Sanaa had cereal, oatmeal, Mickey waffles, delicious breakfast sandwiches, and the best banana bread with Nutella (among other stuff, that’s just what I remember.) Great choices.

 

[maryj11]

I didn't find the Mara (?) particularly continent from our room at Jambo on our last trip, though it was nice to be able to pop in when needed. We were at the far end of the hotel and it was a long walk across hotel every time we wanted a snack or drink. We tended to keep a lot of snacks in room so we didn't have to walk over more than once (sometimes twice) a day. It was a trek to get anywhere from that room TBH...

With either option I think the most important thing is room location. You definitely want something near the lobby for both.

You may also consider having grocery delivery if that interests you at all.

A long trek to food can be a pain! What type of room did you book? We have a standard deluxe studio booked and don't want to have to make a long walk back and forth.

 

[Deb & Bill]

A long trek to food can be a pain! What type of room did you book? We have a standard deluxe studio booked and don't want to have to make a long walk back and forth.

It's about a ten minute walk.

 

[a1tinkfans]

If you get the opportunity... kidani has the night safari.. Amazing experience! You ll find the info online.
Enjoy ur visit. We love AKL/Jambo closely followed by kidani

 

[Scoobie]

Does Sanaa have fountain machines? If we get the dining plan, resort mugs would be included, is there some where at Kidani to refill them?

 

[Hopefully]

A long trek to food can be a pain! What type of room did you book? We have a standard deluxe studio booked and don't want to have to make a long walk back and forth.

Standard Studios are scattered throughout. It could be a long walk to food.

Does Sanaa have fountain machines? If we get the dining plan, resort mugs would be included, is there some where at Kidani to refill them?

By "fountain machine" I am guessing you mean to refill mugs? No Sanaa does not. You can refill mugs in the gift shop at Kidani.

 

[Scoobie]

Standard Studios are scattered throughout. It could be a long walk to food.

Any way to request a studio closer to lobby or food? Thank you!!

 

[Hopefully]

You can call the Main reservation line and ask for "Close to Lobby". But it is a popular request and not everyone can get it fulfilled.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Thanks everyone for all of your feedback!

 

[DeanDoug]

Given your criteria, it seems as though Jambo House is your best option for proximity to restaurants (quick service and sit down). Some people I've worked with think that Kidani is far (it's after Jambo House, so the second bus stop) and doesn't have a quick service option. Kidani has an amazing pool, but it is somewhat in isolation.