Kidani vs. Jambo Savanna Studio

[ericaseiler]

I am sorry, I am not sure if it is OK to post on this board or it needs to be moved to a DVC board.

I know everyone has their own opinions/preferences, etc. but having a tough time deciding on a Studio Savanna at either Kidani vs. Jambo.

We have been to both (never stayed) and prefer the size and feel of Jambo. However, we are traveling in June for DD's 10th and are booking a Savanna studio. I have read that Kidani has better views, can anyone give their opinion on that please?

Also, the pool at Kidani seems it would be better for my kids. This is not a deal breaker as we don't mind walking over to Kidani to use the pool or even trying the Jambo pool.

We plan to do EMH mornings the days we are there but are early risers and I know my DD's (5 and will be 10) would love to be on the Savanna.

Any thoughts on which I should choose? Do they allow you to request a certain Savanna? If so, which should I put in a request for?

Thank you!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

You're right-everyone has their own opinions/preferences. I have a strong preference for Jambo. I've stayed on the Sunset Savannah at both resorts-that's the savannah that is supposedly shared by the two resorts. Yet, I saw LOTS more animals on the Jambo side (maybe just the luck of my visits, I confess). Also, I love being able to go just downstairs to Mara and get my much-loved butternut squash soup and cupcakes.

 

[DiscoYeti]

I have stayed in a SV in both Kidani and Jambo multiple times, and personally I felt like we always had a better view of the savannah and saw more animals at Kidani over Jambo.
I also preferred the rooms in Kidani as they feel quieter - the rooms in Jambo seem noisier but that could just have been luck of the draw with the particular people we had staying around us each time.

The lobby at Jambo is amazing but Kidani does have a homely welcoming feel to it which I love also.

You can request particular rooms/areas ahead of time, although they do not guarantee that your request will be honoured.
I find a great tool for this, if you have a subscription, is the Touring Plans website. You can view floor plans for the hotels and select specific rooms to see details on them, and many have photographs of the views from the particular room!

 

[ericaseiler]

Thank you both
Seems to be the way it goes when choosing between the two- everyone has different experiences as far as the Savanna goes so I will just have to "eenie meanie minie moe" and hope for the best!

I DO have a touring plans subscription and have used that feature before- thanks for reminding me about it!

 

[kiford]

A friend of ours came to spend a few days with us at AKL. The first night she had to stay in Kidani because it was a last minute addition to her original planned days and the next few were in Jambo House (both were studio). She prefers Jambo because she prefers the restaurants there and that there are more of them and likes the ambiance of the lobby better (not that you spend a lot of time there but she likes the feel when she returns to the resort during the day). Both are very nice. She said that she preferred the savannah view of Jambo House better than Kidani but who knows if that has just been the luck of the draw for her. She is a DVC member (AKL is her home resort) so she's stayed there many times but typically will try to get Jambo House. I agree that it appears to come down to individual preferences.

 

[addiln]

I have stayed at both and the reason I now prefer Kidani over Jambo is that the bus stops first at Kidani. I thought the savanna view from both resorts were very good and did not have an issue with either of them. I honestly think it is a coin flip for which savanna has a better view.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are in JH, you will be on the fifth floor. At KV, you could be on the second, third, fourth, fifth.

 

[KangaFan]

I have stayed at both and the reason I now prefer Kidani over Jambo is that the bus stops first at Kidani. I thought the savanna view from both resorts were very good and did not have an issue with either of them. I honestly think it is a coin flip for which savanna has a better view.

Not sure if this is still the case, but when we went at the beginning of October, Kindani and Jambo each had their own dedicated buses, so if that is still true, this may not be an issue anymore.

We've stayed at both. If you're planning to eat many of your meals at the resort, than Jambo would probably be more convenient, but if you think you will eat at the parks quite a bit, then either would work. It probably depends on what kind of atmosphere you're looking for. We liked Kindani better because it seemed more peaceful and the lobby made it feel like a small lodge rather than a large hotel. It was very homey. Of all the places we've stayed, (POFQ, POP, BW, BC) Jambo & Kindani have the best kids activities, hands down. My daughter actually got to prepare food for the animals and watch the animal specialists put it out. When we stayed at Jambo, we even drove over to Kindani to do some additional activities that were offered there, so be sure to check both schedules, wherever you stay!

Have a GREAT time!