Kidani vs Jambo house question

[LindaBabe]

People who have stayed in both - can you give me a comparison of your experiences?

The Uzima Pool is closed during my stay in January. For 13 more points, I can move to a standard studio in Kidani. What do you think are the pros and cons of doing so?

Thanks.

 

[SCFIREMAN]

We are staying in Jambo Jan 9-16 and got our letter in the mail yeasterday that we were allowed to use the Kinadi pool during the refurb. So it depends on what you want to be closer to either the Mara or the pool.

 

[twinklebug]

In January, it's cool enough that unless you're close to the Uzima pool, I doubt you'll bother trekking over to use it from Jambo. I don't think you'll miss it either, winter weather in FL is beautiful! I'm betting even my fish of a 12yo will probably skip it for the bulk of the trip when we're there in Feb (and he loves the pool).

That said, I prefer Kidani over Jambo. While Jambo has that "place to be" feel with it's impressiveness, large store, 2 restaurants and the counter service; Kidani is quiet and personal, and, to me, perfect in almost every way. OK, I admit that I would really like the addition of a place for my kids to get counter service here, but it encourages healthy, in-room eating or for us to get our act together and get out.

You really can't go wrong with either.

 

[disneynutz]

In January, it's cool enough that unless you're close to the Uzima pool, I doubt you'll bother trekking over to use it from Jambo. I don't think you'll miss it either, winter weather in FL is beautiful! I'm betting even my fish of a 12yo will probably skip it for the bulk of the trip when we're there in Feb (and he loves the pool).

That said, I prefer Kidani over Jambo. While Jambo has that "place to be" feel with it's impressiveness, large store, 2 restaurants and the counter service; Kidani is quiet and personal, and, to me, perfect in almost every way. OK, I admit that I would really like the addition of a place for my kids to get counter service here, but it encourages healthy, in-room eating or for us to get our act together and get out.

You really can't go wrong with either.

We agree 100%. Jambo is a resort. Kidani is a DVC home away from home.

Bill

 

[LindaBabe]

We are staying in Jambo Jan 9-16 and got our letter in the mail yeasterday that we were allowed to use the Kinadi pool during the refurb. So it depends on what you want to be closer to either the Mara or the pool.

Aren't dvc'ers at AKL Always allowed to use the Kidani pool?


Dizynutz and twinklebug, you have made up my mind. I must try it - tomorrow, I'm switching to Kidani. Thank you.

 

[BigDogHU75]

I agree with the other posters. I stayed in Jambo in Feb. and Kidani in Sept. Both DH & I preferred Kidani. It is quaint, quiet, and did not have that resort feel. The lobby in Jambo house is grander but the rooms in Kidani seemed bigger.

 

[dizney4us]

So...when booking at AKV, we need to request which section we would like? Jambo or Kidani?? If we booked a 1 BDR do they have those in both sections? Just wondering in case we stay there in the future.

 

[helenk]

So...when booking at AKV, we need to request which section we would like? Jambo or Kidani?? If we booked a 1 BDR do they have those in both sections? Just wondering in case we stay there in the future.

Yes when you book you need to request either Jambo or Kidani, there are 1 bedrooms in each section.

 

[dizney4us]

Thank you helenk!

 

[SnowWhite2]

Are all of the rooms in Jambo smaller than Kidani? Or are some in Jambo as large as Kidani?

 

[dzorn]

Kadani is larger and the 1 bedroom have two bathrooms.

Denise in MI

 

[andijean]

I have the same question as the other poster above. Aren't DVCers staying at AKL allowed to use either pool there? We have res's for Jambo and thought we would check out the Kidani area with the kids.

 

[DMKEDM]

Yes, guests at Jambo can always use the Kidani pool, and guests at Kidani can always use the Jambo pool (when they're not down for refurbishing, of course)...

Thus, the letter from Disney noting that Uzima will be closed "for our future enjoyment" and that we can instead take a bus to Kidani pool was a bit of a psychological bummer (which I'm trying hard to ignore)...almost insulting, in fact...a little bit of sympathy for the disruption to our plans would have been nice...oh, well...not the end of the world...

We can also pool hop to any pool except SAB at Beach Club or the pools at the Contemporary...

We'll be at Jambo during the pool closure, and weather permitting plan to pool hop to SSR...seems best given our tastes...

And as someone noted there's a 50-50 chance the weather would prevent us using any pool anyway...altho my kids (who are 22 and 21) really really love hot tubbing after a long day at the parks...they may dredge up the energy to bus over to DTD in order to walk over to the hot tub at the Congress Park pool...they have more energy than I do! In theory, it sounds like a grand plan to me...but knowing me, by 8 p.m. I'll be much too tired to contemplate bussing all the way to DTD and then walking to Congress Park to hot tub! I may or may not have the energy to walk over to Kidani...it's a very short walk, so I might...we'll see...

I do understand that refurbishing has to happen, and it will happen during someone's visit...it's just my turn...but it'd be nice for DVC to acknowledge the disappointment we're feeling...but as other threads have pointed out, Disney is great at an awful lot of things, but pretty well stinks at member/guest communication!

 

[lisareniff]

What are the dates of the Referb? We are going Feb 11 and wanted to make sure we weren't involved.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Just got back from a trip. We stayed in Jambo, but headed over to Kidani everyday to use the pool. Great pool. Slightly inconvenient, but I wouldn't get upset about this at all.

I wonder if the hot tubs at Jambo will also be closed. Those I will admit are better than the ones at Kidani.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Hey Linda How are you!!!!!!????????

We actually ended up at Kidani with a friend and her 2 boys in a 2 bedroom Jan 25-Feb 1. When you are going?? What a small world to be there at the same time!!!!!! Come over the the Kidani side and we'll hang by the 'cool pool'.

 

[LindaBabe]

I wonder if the hot tubs at Jambo will also be closed. Those I will admit are better than the ones at Kidani.

I ended up not moving because my friends had a savannah view and didn't want to move. It will be too bad, but not surprising if the hot tubs are closed too - who in their right mind would want to get out of a hot tub and onto an airconditioned bus for the ride back to Jambo? Not this old babe.

I agree with the poster who thought a bit of sympathy would be nice. The letter didn't have any nor did the woman I spoke with at member services.

Hey Linda How are you!!!!!!????????

We actually ended up at Kidani with a friend and her 2 boys in a 2 bedroom Jan 25-Feb 1. When you are going?? What a small world to be there at the same time!!!!!! Come over the the Kidani side and we'll hang by the 'cool pool'.

Hi Sarah! Unfortunately, I leave for home on the 26th, and by that time, I'll be staying at OKW . DARN I would have LOVED to see you!

 

[LimoFam5]

Currently we are staying at Kidani we are staying in a one bedroom savanna view room. The view is amazing but let me run down my last few days here at hell with a heavenly view.....
Checked in Satuday to our supposed one bedroom savannah view room and were unhapply surprised to find that our room had no more then a view of a few wild pigs....boar if you want to be fancy and a uncovered chain linked fence. Right away I ran five corridors back to the lobby and asked if this room I was given was a REAL actuall factual savanna view, they said yes and I explained my dissapointment. This is NO way worth what I am using in DVC points, so I was moved....good right?????
WRONG, I was moved to a room that is a bit closer to the lobby on the 3rd floor has a GREAT view of the savanna and we walk in and BAMMMMM it hits me, *** is that smell???? OMG it smells like the previous guest spilled something into the carpet and left it ther to die, I once again complained and was told that maybe it was a smell left from housekeeping and I should give the room a chance to air out, OK so I know this was not the smell but WHATEVER I was tired of complaining and I just wanted to change and hit the pool. So SUNDAY morning and the smell is still there so I call housekeeping and they come up to spray the room, housekeeper says OMG what is that smell that is horrible and I say I HAVE NO CLUE?????? She sprays the room and we are on our way. We come back and wouldnt you know it that smell is back, so I call housekeeping again monday morning and they spray once more and again we are on our way, but wait we get back monday night at 10pm and the smell is back, so tired and stressed to my witts end of all this drama I call the front desk and demand to be moved, we get moved and the room location is on the 2nd floor and the view is just as great. So I lay my head down and finally fall asleep at 12am.............then *** is that noice...drilling....is that really a drill, and do I hear hammers????? What time is it.......OMG it is 8am, you have got to be kidding me. I call the front desk and sure enought they are doing some resort upgrades to the uderground garage right under the 2nd floor and they will be working throughout the undergroud parking lot all october from the hours 9am-5pm.......I could scream I cant take this anymore, this resort is really not worth all this. Dont get me wrong the rooms are great and views are one of a kinds but all this other nonsense just takes away from the resort.
I currectly have DVC points in Saratoga and AK and I would love to trade in my AK points for all Saratoga......NO need for home resort priority here as I NEVER was to return..........at least anytime soon.

Besides all that the buses are great here and the pool and kiddie area rock!!!