Kidani or Jambo

[assisi811]

We just bought a DVC for Animal Kingdom through resale and I am hoping to be in the system soon. My husband and I are planning a short WDW trip with two other families before we take a cruise on the Fantasy in June of 2012. Our plans are to book a two bedroom and and a studio savannah view for our whole party. Should we book at Jambo or Kidani? What are the pros and cons? We have 6 children ranging in age from 10 to two years old.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Kidani's villas are newer and have an extra bathroom, I believe.

 

[sam_001]

i would pick kidani it has a extra bathroom in it and a under ground parking area near elevators if you have a long walk to Disney transportation take the elevator down to parking it is a shorter walk to the bus stop or cut across the pool area and into parking area then to the elevators

 

[magicaldisney]

Another vote for Kidani for the extra bathroom and the villas are a little larger at Kidani.

 

[cvjw]

Another vote for Kidani. The villas are larger, and the extra bathroom is great.

 

[Disneylvr4]

We're waiting for Disney to go through ROFR on our resale AKL...Congrats to you!

I've never stayed at Kidani, but from all that I have read Kidani for most is better. Bigger rooms, extra bath (in 1br's), great pool suitable for all ages with a great slide etc. The only things I've read not so good about Kidani is less food options and depending on where your room is a longer walk to the room.

 

[drusba]

Jambo has a very good table service (Jiko), buffet (Boma), and counter service restaurant (Mara), a larger pool with far more shaded areas for sitting, the larger store and lobby. Kidani has the pool with the elaborate kids playing area, an excellent table service restaurant (Sanaa), and the park busses stop there first when going to parks. All Jambo rooms are on 5th or, for concierge, 6th floor, while Kidani is all DVC and many like lower level savanna rooms at Kidani for direct sight of animals, although others like the more panoramic view from the higher floors.

Personal view is that when choosing the deciding factor is size of room desired. If studio or Grand Villa, I would stay at Jambo. Studios at Jambo and Kidani are about the same size and the single story Grand Villas at Jambo are the best at WDW. If 1BR or 2BR I would pick Kidani. Those are about 100 sq ft larger at Kidani over Jambo, have extra bathroom and separate shower and tub in master bath.

 

[dgaston]

Comparison of Jambo and Kidani

Jambo:
large impressive lobby, larger gift shop
busier atmosphere
larger pool, wimpy slide (IMHO)
steam room in workout area
counter service at Mara
value and concierge rooms
rooms retrofitted from existing hotel rooms
Master bath has shower/jetted tub combo plus toilet in one room (toilet is spilt off)
Parking in lots outdoors
Bus to DTD first stop

Kidani:
smaller, more intimate lobby and gift shop
quieter atmosphere
splash area at pool, and better slide (IMHO)
rooms designed for DVC
extra bath in one and two bedrooms
separate shower and jetted tub in master bath
community hall
Under building parking
Park busses first stop

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I prefer Kidani:

Bigger Villas, built for DVC not remodeled to accomodate DVC. (Makes a big difference in layout and room)

Extra Bathroom in 2 br, we travel (6-8 people) and that 3rd bathroom made such ease of showering and getting all of us out to restaurants and parks on time.

Love the underground parking.

Decor is considerably lighter than Jambo's.

Kinadi master bath is one fo the most fabulous bathrooms in all of DVC!
___________________

Also, we don't care about having a food court, nor do we mind walking to Jiko or Boma from Kidani for dinner! They have a shuttle van now to get you there but we don't mind the short walk.

 

[sunshine1259]

When you call for reservations, can you pick either Kidani or Jambo or is it simply luck of the draw?

 

[DizGirl20]

When you call for reservations, can you pick either Kidani or Jambo or is it simply luck of the draw?

Yes, you can specify Kidani or Jambo when you call to make your reservation.

OP - Kidani is our favorite!

 

[sunshine1259]

Yes, you can specify Kidani or Jambo when you call to make your reservation.

OP - Kidani is our favorite!

Thank you.

 

[JackandSally79]

My vote is also for Kidani.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Okay, although I like Kadani better, I would say take this into account:

The faster-paced Jambo will be more appealing to your kids. If you are planning on doing "resort time", you will find more activities in Jambo (true, you can walk to them from Kadani), and getting a quick bite to eat for the kids is easier with Mara right there.

Due to the number and ages of your kids, I would say go with Jambo, if size of the room isn't that big of a deal and you want more action in the lobby, store, and pool/eating.

 

[DeeCee735]

Kidani is the choice for me. While the only downer is no counter service, you can request a 2nd floor room and be more "eye to eye" with the animals, whereas at Jambo you will be on the 5th or 6th floor. That fact and the extra bathroom clench it for me

Good luck planning and have a great trip!

 

[assisi811]

We decided that if we can, we will try to stay at Kidani. Thank you all so much.

 

[kendzee94]

Make sure you have the kids try out the activities at community hall. My kids LOVED it. We also walked to Jambo to do some of the children's activities there ( decorating cookies in BOMA, which was a lot of fun for them). My kids love Kidani's pool/play area more than Jambo. The counter service issue isn't an issue for us. However, if you don't have a car, buyer beware: request close to lobby, or you'll end up with way more walking than you want.

 

[Disneychix]

Thanks for this thread-made our reservation yesterday for our 1st stay at Kidani-now I'm excited!

 

[DenLo]

Have a great first visit at Kidani!

 

[drusba]

We decided that if we can, we will try to stay at Kidani. Thank you all so much.

If you are going for savanna view then you should add a request for the rooms to be close to the lobby. If you get that you will be close to all amenities and have excellent views. The risk you have at Kidani is getting a room far from the lobby and far from the lobby at the Kidani is about 1/3 mile from lobby to the end rooms.