Kidani vs. Jambo - Pros and Cons

[Cheloconnell]

Last week we bought an add on for AKV. We have only stayed in the main hotel when we were not DVC Members and never stayed at Kidani or Jambo. I know Kidani recently opened, but I wanted to know from those that have stayed there the good and the bad of each, the differences in the rooms, and which one (Kidani vs. Jambo) or which rooms have the best savannah views. Giraffes are my person favorite, so I would love to be able to sit and watch them from my room Also, considering Concierge, but I heard you are not guaranteed a savannah view. Any help deciding would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[disneynutz]

Don't book concierge for the view, Kidani rooms are larger, Jambo has more food choices.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

We have stayed in a 1br at both buildings, savanna at Jambo last August and standard at Kidani last week

We will only stay at Kidani from now on. We prefer the layout of the kitchen at Kidani, the second bathroom in a 1br is a gift with two teenagers, the pool and slide were fabulous, the animals were closer for viewing, the balconies off the lobby were great for us standard view-ers, all 3 kids enjoyed the accessibility and activities at the Community Hall, the parking right by an elevator was so helpful, and all-in-all Kidani was just calmer and more relaxed

The lack of quick service food options is not a big deal to us. We ate b'fast in our villa each day. Some days we'd have a quick dinner in the room before heading back to the parks after swimming, other days we'd eat out in a park.

When we walked over to Jambo (dd9 needed to visit the shop there...), we were shocked at how BUSY Jambo was---------so many people going in and out, so many people in the lobby, so many people down in Mara (hey, she wanted zebra domes too!). Quiet mellow Kidani wins for this family.

 

[dd08]

When we walked over to Jambo (dd9 needed to visit the shop there...), we were shocked at how BUSY Jambo was---------so many people going in and out, so many people in the lobby, so many people down in Mara (hey, she wanted zebra domes too!). Quiet mellow Kidani wins for this family.

Not to be a party pooper, but Kidani won't be as mellow in the future once it's completely opened.

That said, we love Jambo House and look forward to staying in Kidani next January.

 

[momx2]

I'm worried about Kidani once it all opens. We are to stay there during Easter next year and that pool will be swamped. I think I might try staying somewhere else due to that. I think that pool should have been much bigger.

 

[Cheloconnell]

Thank you all for your feedback. We have calculated it out and have enough add on points to stay October 2010 and October 2011 in a 1 bedroom. We may just have to try them both out.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

I really don't think that Kidani will feel as busy as Jambo if only because at Jambo, everyone must go in and out of the lobby. At Kidani, you do have the option to go down the elevators to the parking level to (1) get to your car, (2) walk to the pool from the Rafiki (?) elevator (the elevator two "beads" north of the lobby), or (3) to access the pathway to Jambo. You can also access the bus stop area w/o going through the lobby as there is an exit right by the Community Hall/gameroom/library area.