Poll: Jambo or Kidani

[DISNEY FIX]

We plan on making the first three days of our fall trip a 1br. at either Jambo or Kidani. We stayed at Jambo once before, we liked it. Right off the lobby, boy does it get loud at night. What is the name of that Savannah? I read how it was the worst one at the time, it wound up being ok.
So now who has the best and worst savannah? I read about all of the lack of cs and size of pool at Kidani...
Opinions and experiences welcome.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Are you asking which savannah is the worst? I've seen some pretty bad views on the Pembe savannah, not from a room, but from the hall. The building is close to a fence and road and apparently there's just a path there for the animals to go to/from the other part of the savannah. I really wouldn't want that view, but I would like the Pembe savannah because the river hogs and okapi are there. So, I wouldn't know how to answer your poll.

I actually love even just visiting AKV, and have done so on more than one trip to WDW.

Bobbi

PS. Now I see, you're asking where to stay. I would stay at either, no help at all to you!

 

[DebbieB]

How many people do you have? A 1 bedroom at Kidani would be larger and have an extra bathroom.

The Sunset Savannah at Jambo used to be considered the "worst" but now that Kidani is open it is much larger.

 

[parrotheadmom]

We enjoyed the extra bathroom and found that the lack of the cs was not to big of a deal, but if you have little kids it could be a problem. If you have little kids the water play area was fabulous to make up for the small pool. So, as you can see it really could go either way, but the resort is beautiful!

 

[fers31]

The extra bath at Kidani makes it a no brainer. If it was a studio though, I'd go with Jambo as the resort is much more impressive. Kidani is more of the red-headed stepchild of Jambo.

 

[El&Asmom]

Depends what's important to you. If you have the need for the second bath, or space in the living area, I would choose Kidani. The size is markedly larger than most other DVC living rooms. If it's just a party of 2, I would consider Jambo due to the proximity of restaurants even though we loved Sanaa last week. The hike to Jambo wouldn't be that bad unless you had little kids or difficulty walking. If you are basing it only on which SV is best, I think I'd pick KV as the sunset savannah is beautiful now that it is expanded.
Either way, both are great resorts.

I also don't see KV as the lesser resort. It is just quieter. Reminds me of VWL. Still beautiful, just not as loud or big as the main lodge.

 

[DebbieB]

The extra bath at Kidani makes it a no brainer. If it was a studio though, I'd go with Jambo as the resort is much more impressive. Kidani is more of the red-headed stepchild of Jambo.

I disagree with that, I've stayed at both. The only disadvantage with Kidani is the lack of counter service. The advantages are all floors are DVC, parking is more convenient, there is a community hall and member lounge. Park busses stop first at Kidani.

 

[DizGirl20]

Trying to decide the same thing - thanks for posting - subscribing

 

[jodifla]

With an 8-year-old, we really liked Jambo. We liked all the hustle and bustle...and restaurants...being right there.

DS liked the Kids club, so we'd take him down there, and head to Jiko or Boma for dinner, or to the bar, or just walking around the grounds.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My 6 year old DGS was treated royally by two CM's at Kidani. We were staying at BLT earlier this month and we went over to browse and see the animals, and he learned some great African games. I think the CM's at AKV are great! The pool at Kidani was fine, but so was the one at Jambo when we stayed at AKV and swam.

Will you have children with you?

Bobbi

 

[DISNEY FIX]

How many people do you have? A 1 bedroom at Kidani would be larger and have an extra bathroom.
The Sunset Savannah at Jambo used to be considered the "worst" but now that Kidani is open it is much larger.

So now the Sunset Savannah isn't considered so bad?
We may have 5 if we can convince my mom to come.

Trying to decide the same thing - thanks for posting - subscribing

When are ya goin?

DS liked the Kids club, so we'd take him down there, and head to Jiko or Boma for dinner, or to the bar, or just walking around the grounds.

We hope Grandma comes for that as well...... We save the Sandcastle club to go to MVMCP.

Will you have children with you?
Bobbi

2 Kids ages 9+5. Spoiled rotten.


One of the thing that concerns me is the review over on All Ears front page. If we got the savannah view I would freak.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, I looked at the pictures and that's the Pembe savannah...that's the view that I wouldn't choose to have either. However, the fact that they show animals in the savannah actually give me some hope that it really isn't as bad as it could be. I'm going to Kidani with 2 DFs in March, and we have savannah view, 1 bedroom, we'll see what we get. As I said before, the okapi are in that savannah. They are shy, they often just go into the bushes with just their behinds showing, (that's the view I had of them on the day I visited with my DGS) but still, I think that the sight of them would override even that view for me.

VWL doesn't give points back for the dumpster view, and since we often book a studio, and since the dumpster view is at the end of the halls where there are dedicated studios, I have probably had that view more times than many people.

The only way you're not going to get that view for sure is by booking Jambo, but I think there are probably some savannah view rooms there that aren't the best either.

You have my best wishes for a great view/room wherever you book.

Bobbi

 

[twinklebug]

I love both buildings, but vote for Kidani for the space in the rooms and beautiful savannas. (and the hallways always seem quiet!)

However, if having access to a quick food service location is important for more than one meal, Jambo might work out better for you.

 

[hopare]

We booked a 1bdrm at Kidani, savannah view nov 6-13th. There are 5 of us so I really wanted 2 bathrooms. This will be our first trip home, we just joined. Thanks for posting this

 

[marvali]

Stayed in both. I would go with Kidani and if you want savanna view, ask for a room close to the lobby. The CMs, the many and varied views of the savanna, community hall (my kids spent bunches of time there), parking underneath that puts you closer to your room, extra bathroom and the extra space would be the deciding factors there.

 

[ccigliano]

I have never stayed and AKV but just booked a savannah view studio at Kidani and I think Jambo was available too but I picked the newer resort and requested Sunset savannah. I hope I made the right choice as we are staying in a studio so the extra bathroom isn't a factor.

 

[mdinme]

Loved Kidani. We got back on the 11th had Sav. View 6 nights. Lots of animals; we were in Rafiki.

 

[mdinme]

Kidani is far quieter. I didn't think the pool was small, the two hot tubs are very nice and 1 is secluded, anbd the first stop on the bus line is very nice.

If you're a resort person that needs CS you'll want Jambo, but we're parks nuts so the room is mostly for sleeping and late night movies.

 

[ToddyLu]

We LOVED Kidani. Our first trip was last Oct/Nov. We had 2 studios with SV (Sunset). THe accomodations were lovely. If you want a relaxing, cool, homey feel this is your resort. When we went thru the doors at Jambo is was bustling with activity, children....more like the African Marketplace feel. The food was great. We were DH 44, Me 41, MIL 67 and BIL 41. All of us loved the resort. The bus were usually spot on. We had a second floor view at the curse of the building. It was just perfect and assurred us that we made the right choice. You really can't wrong staying at either one.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

I am waffling as I type. You are making a good case for Kidani.
What ever happened to the whole best/worst savannah threads. Has that all passed now that Kidani is open?
It's been replaced by counter service concerns?
I would think the Kidani pool wins over the Jambo pool (big & boring).
More questions will come up for sure, thanks for the posts, votes and replies. Keep em coming!