Savanna View Studio: Kidani or Jambo?

[BelleChick]

We are planning a 3 night, resort only trip in early June of 2026 at AKL villas in a studio with a savanna view. Our travel party will include our 7 year old. We could do Jambo or Kidani, but are having trouble choosing between the two. We like being in the main building, but we also love the Kidani pool. On another note, the Kidani rooms are set to be finished with their refurbishment while Jambo will just be starting theirs. Which would you choose? Thank you in advance!

 

[JackosinDIS]

With a 7 year old, I would choose Kidani for the pool and splash pad. Request a room close to the pool so you don’t have a long walk.

Still easy to hop on the resort bus or walk over the Jambo to enjoy the restaurants and lobby!

 

[Wedgeout]

If booking “savanna” my answer switches to Kidani, having multiple floor levels for better viewing options. Otherwise it’s resort category,,Kudu trail.. every other time at Jambo, to get savannah for the reduced points.

 

[oswald1927]

Concur with the above Kidani is the way to go!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I forgot about the renovation timing, but I voted for Jambo. I prefer the dining choices, as well as the gift shop. And I love the Sunset Savannah lounge-the little lounge just past the check-in desk before the DVC sales desk. I like Sanaa's breakfast, but it's a short walk (a shorter scooter drive for me). But I'll admit that Kidani's much less difficult to get into, so that's where I usually stay. But given a choice, I'd choose Jambo.

 

[sndral]

If booking “savanna” my answer switches to Kidani, having multiple floor levels for better viewing options. Otherwise it’s resort category,,Kudu trail.. every other time at Jambo, to get savannah for the reduced points.

Shhh…stop telling people about that .

 

[Wedgeout]

Shhh…stop telling people about that .

Oops..you are correct…We don’t talk about Bruno’s favorite…I’m zipped

 

[zackiedawg]

As a long-time DVCer (since 1996), I have tried to stay at every DVC resort at least once and generally have done so with the sole exception currently being Riviera, which I haven't stayed at. But I may need to throw an asterisk in for AK Lodge, because I've never stayed at Kidani, only Jambo. That gets my vote - mostly because I just love the grandeur and atmosphere of the main building and lobby, and definitely prefer the restaurants and bars there. The savannah view rooms are the only ones I've stayed in so far - the only thing I dislike about AK Lodge in general is that it's truly disconnected from everything - busses only. I really prefer DVC resorts that allow me to walk into a park or Disney Springs, or have alternate transportation connections such as boats or Skyliner - AK is the only one that's bus-only. And for some reason, I feel even more cut off at Kidani - while I can walk over to Jambo, I often wouldn't if it's hot, or raining, or I'm just tired. So it just never really drew me in. I still enjoy going there, I've eaten at Sanaa many times, and have walked the grounds to see the animals out back...but I don't know if I'll ever stay there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

"grandeur"-that's a good description. Just a caveat-some people like the fact that it's so disconnected. One reason DH prefers OKW or Fort Wilderness is that they're disconnected-at the end of the day he can get out of the "Disney HubBub"(the parks) and truly relax.

 

[WinterSolider]

Normally I would say Jambo because The Mara is my favorite QS F&B at Walt Disney World, but I would always choose to avoid a resort with active refurbishment going on.

 

[Girlstar30]

Normally jambo buy those rooms badly need a refurbishment and I would choose the new room!