Kidani vs. Jambo

[amandamcallister]

We will be a party of 13. I want to request a studio and a 2 bedroom both savannah view. 7 adults, 6 children ages 13,7,7,6,4,4. We will not be spending much time at the hotel except nights and the day we will leave. I have read other posts re: this issue what i understand so far...
1. Both are great
2. Jambo has more options for food (I know my husband will need drinks often)
3. Kidani buses drop off first from the parks
4. Kidani rooms bigger for the 2 bedroom

??? Where do you fill your refillable mugs?
Anything else I should keep in mind?
Are there different animals to view from each villa?
I have stayed AKL Jambo prior to DVC and was upgraded to savannah view with a great view
thanks in advance

 

[hellerjw]

A few other items for comparison:

Kidani 1BR or larger units also have an extra full bathroom, so you get 2 in a 1BR, 3 in a 2BR, etc. That might be important with a large group.

The buses pick up first at Kidani and I believe drop off first at Jambo (that may have changed sine we last stayed there). AKV has a dedicated bus route so you aren't picking up/dropping off folks from other resorts.

There is no counter-service restaurant at Kidani, only 1 table service (Sanaa) . Jambo house has 1 counter-service (The Mara) and 2 table service restaurants (Jiko & Boma)

Kidani has the better pool for kids (splash-play area, 100'+ water slide, etc).

Kidani has a Community Hall (free video games, pool table, activities, etc), I don't believe Jambo House does.

Jambo House has the child care center (Simba's Clubhouse) but Kidani guests can utilize it.

At Kidani you can refill your mugs in the gift shop or at the pool bar. I believe its the same at Jambo.

Jambo is the only location to have value and concierge units.

 

[erionm]

The order of stops within AKL/AKV will depend on where that bus is going once is leaves the resort. Theme Park buses stop at Kidani Village then Jambo House. The Downtown Disney bus stops at Jambo House first, then Kidani Village.

 

[Pakey]

With that many people, the extra bathroom would be the deal breaker for me. And it's a good sized bathroom too. I was very impressed with the space in the 2BR at Kidani.

The walk from lobby to lobby is 10 minutes at a leisurely pace. I didn't think it was that bad to walk over to Mara for CS options at Jambo. There is also a smaller selection at the pool at Kidani. You could also catch the first park bus at Kidani and ride to Jambo and then walk back (or catch a DTD bus).

 

[amandamcallister]

thanks u guys r making this a lot easier

 

[Mtnman44]

I vote for Kidanni as well. The savanah backyard is awesome as well (quiet, peaceful). Great water play area. Best bus pickup/dropoff schedule.

 

[akl-fan]

I prefer Jambo because of the dining options and lobby but you can't go wrong with either.

 

[drusba]

If room space is important, Kidani is definitely the choice. Its 2BR is about 100 sq ft larger than Jambo's regular 2BRs and has a third bathroom; studios are about the same size at each building.

Animals can differ a little from savanna to savanna but the big difference is between Pembe savanna which is a smaller one N/NW of Kidani and all other savannas. It does not have any giraffes. all others do. Pembe has okapi, a small animal from the same family as giraffes but with no long neck; none of the others have okapi; giraffes are better to look at. If you are getting savanna view, request close to lobby at Kidani which gives you view of Sunset savanna with giraffes, or Zebra Trail at Jambo (good views of Arusha savanna in middle of building). Also, it is important to ask for close to lobby at Kidani if you want to avoid getting rooms far from lobby and far from lobby at Kidani means the longest walk you will ever take in a hotel down a seemingly neverending hallway to your room. Close to lobby gets you close to all amenities including pool and bus service.

Kidani pool including its longer slide and elaborate water play area for the kids is likely preferable to kids. Jambo pool, which is larger, has many shaded areas, and hot tubs in secluded, shaded areas, is one often preferred by adults.

Jambo gives you two very good restaurants, Jiko (table service) and Boma (buffet), and a good counter service (Mara). Only restaurant at Kidani is Sanna, table service (no breakfast), but personal view it is one of best on site.

If you have cars, Kidani is ideal because you park right under building and can always get a space that is near an elevator along the wings that is not far from your room regardless of where it is

 

[DonnaL]

We're at Kidani now with our 9 year old grandson who absolutely loves the pool area.......told us yesterday he doesn't want to stay anywhere but here in the future! We walked thru very soon after completion and really weren't that impressed with it, however, I have to say it's been a very pleasurable experience this week.....all castmembers have been very friendly and helpful, our room was very clean on check-in. We will definitely stay here again....possibly on a trip with just DH and I and very little park time. We're coming for F & W in October and just made our ressies for BWV 1 bdrm at 7 months last week (yeah....got it....pool/garden view....which is my favorite since I request high floor with good view of canal....gorgeous early morning views) and actually considered for a few minutes changing to Kidani......but, since we're coming primarily for F & W and haven't been able to get BWV for two years now.....quickly decided against it. So, especially with all those little kids I would definitely consider Kidani for the pool area and community room.
Also, for OP who commented about the giraffes not being on the savannah at Kidani.....must have changed.....because I viewed giraffe yesterday and today from the Outlook area and the Community Room......also saw the cutest baby Okapi today.......the guide told me the baby is about a month old.....it was very funny watching baby venture away from mommy and then hurry back.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

My kids vote hands down with Kindani. They like the pool better, and want to be close to the community hall. There is a bar in Sanna and at the pool for those adult drinks. I have never missed Mara, and we rarely ate there even when we stayed there. We also have groceries delivered, so no need for quick service. They do have some food at the Kindani pool. The lobby is no where near as impressive at Kinani, but the other things make up for that. We have seen the best animals on the deck of community hall.

 

[becca-becca]

Question about 2 BR units at Kidani:

If you have a dedicated 2 BR unit there is a third bathroom. But, if you get a 2 bedroom lockout at Kidani, there is not a thrid bathroom. Is this right? I know they have lockout units for 2 BR at Jambo House. However, wanted to make sure they have 2 BR lockouts at Kidani. We booked one last week and I wanted to make sure I understood correctly both about Kidani having lockouts and about there not being a third bathroom in them.

 

[hellerjw]

Yes, you will still have 3 full bathrooms at Kidani with a 2BR lock-off, the Kidani 1BR units have 2 full baths - one right as you enter the door and one in the bedroom.