Should we stay at Kidani Village or Jamba house next may?

[jerseygal]

Seems hard to imagine that Samawati Springs Pool will be fully operational by May, but that is reassuring to know that they are reassuring members with concerns about the pool.

 

[Dean]

To confirm, there is no food court for Kidani. Some have speculated that the small store there may serve a few items ala BCV but I've not seen any confirmation.

 

[MiaSRN62]

To confirm, there is no food court for Kidani. Some have speculated that the small store there may serve a few items ala BCV but I've not seen any confirmation.

This is really kind of disappointing Dean. The BCV have a nice little setup with the Marketplace. With a resort so large as AKV, I really feel they should rethink this. We're considering an add-on here...but then the size of the resort and the lack of quick service food pulls us back.

 

[edk35]

Do you think there is a chance of getting a SV room in Kidani and there be no animals out there yet?? WE are planning on staying at our new home in July next year and when I read these posts.....I get a bit worried. I am starting to think maybe we should book Jambo house for our very first stay at AKV. Any thoughts on this???????

 

[timandlesley]

We recently bought into AKL and are very excited about our purchase. After a lot of discussion though we just changed our Kadani reservation to Jamba house because we just want to make sure we have a good first experience. WE can still experience the Kadani pool and go check things out over there, but staying at a property that I know for sure will be finished when we go in June and have a pool ready, fully stocked savannah, restaraunts in working order, etc. that I can be 100% of this just made sense to us. Then the following year we will be equally as excited to stay in KAdani- this is just what our family decided.
Lesley

 

[edk35]

We recently bought into AKL and are very excited about our purchase. After a lot of discussion though we just changed our Kadani reservation to Jamba house because we just want to make sure we have a good first experience. WE can still experience the Kadani pool and go check things out over there, but staying at a property that I know for sure will be finished when we go in June and have a pool ready, fully stocked savannah, restaraunts in working order, etc. that I can be 100% of this just made sense to us. Then the following year we will be equally as excited to stay in KAdani- this is just what our family decided.
Lesley

"fully stocked savannah" that was funny. You know I am so tempted to do this too......that sounds like a great plan. We have never stayed at AKV so just to stay there will be a great experience.

 

[Mississippian]

Hi Lesley!

I had to call member services a few days ago, to change a few things with our Kidani ressie. I asked MS about our concern with the pool, restaurant and bus stop being ready and she said that it would definitely be ready. She told me that the only thing that wouldn't be completed were the new Pembe savannah and those rooms at that end of the property and those that face that savannah, she said that part of Kidani would be ready by Sept. of 09. As you know we share the same guide, and he also confirmed this information for me just yesterday. I hope that makes you feel better. Also, I don't exactly remember what thread it was, but I read that the gift shop will have "food to go items" and a refillable mug station. It also stated the possibility that the pool bar may serve food and have a drink refill station as well.

I know it is Disney's INTENTION to have these things ready by Sept. 09. But what if they don't? They will just say, walk half a mile over to Jambo and eat there and so forth. I'm sure no compensation will be offered. And it won't be possible on arrival to move to Jambo.

I'm not an AKV owner, but my guess is that Jambo will always be much, much, much more popular than Kidani. As such, if given the choice I would book Jambo. One can always change later.

 

[jerseygal]

I think that the new Kidani pool will be AWESOME! Samawati Springs will supposedly have an awesome slide and the Uwanja Camp, children's 4200 square foot interactive play area will be hard to beat! Some AKV owners will undoubtedly want to stay at Kidani just for those features!

 

[hakepb]

I know it is Disney's INTENTION to have these things ready by Sept. 09. But what if they don't? They will just say, walk half a mile over to Jambo and eat there and so forth. I'm sure no compensation will be offered. And it won't be possible on arrival to move to Jambo.

I'm not an AKV owner, but my guess is that Jambo will always be much, much, much more popular than Kidani. As such, if given the choice I would book Jambo. One can always change later.

Kidani 1 and 2br's will have an extra bathroom (with a private Master suite?)and closer to the great new pool, and a unique savannah, so I can certainly see a lot of AKV'ers choosing Kidani.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm one, for right now at least, that is torn about which side I will book. I can't deny, the fact that Mara being on the Jambo side may influence me to book there. I just feel the lack of food options on the Kidani side is kind of a letdown----unless the new pool bar will offer some type of quick food options ? But I can't see myself eating at the new full service restaurant on the Kidani side more than one (maybe two) times during a stay ? I might be siding with Mississipian on the popularity of Jambo. But I don't think it will happen right away. I'm thinking most will be anxious to try out Kidana initially. But a trip or two with hungry cranky toddlers walking a half mile back and forth for food items in the morning or after a day of swimming at the pool, may change people's minds. And is it 1/2 mile from the lobby of Kidani to the lobby of Jambo or from the furthest room at Kidani to Jambo ? I keep looking at that map and thinking.....wow.....get a good pair of walking shoes !

 

[dddisrunner]

We recently bought into AKL and are very excited about our purchase. After a lot of discussion though we just changed our Kadani reservation to Jamba house because we just want to make sure we have a good first experience. WE can still experience the Kadani pool and go check things out over there, but staying at a property that I know for sure will be finished when we go in June and have a pool ready, fully stocked savannah, restaraunts in working order, etc. that I can be 100% of this just made sense to us. Then the following year we will be equally as excited to stay in KAdani- this is just what our family decided.
Lesley

Very valid points! I too am skeptical and hoping that what we are being told will be the reality (pool, bus stop, restaurant). You guys will LOVE Jambo House, they have tons of children's activities and the pool slide is perfect for younger children! That is the great thing about DVC, plenty of time to try ALL of the resorts! Have a GREAT trip!