Suggestions for first AKV visit - which side?

[kniquy]

For our first trip to AKV --which side should we choose? We will be bringing my in laws w/ us to stay in a 2BR. I have heard the the lobby in Jambo is very impressive - while the kidani side has the community hall and a better pool ( iam not sure what makes it better but that is something i have read). We are pretty active people so to walk between resorts for dinner is not a problem. I am just wondering for a first time visit which side would you choose and why?. I am guessing that there isn't an actual difference in a 2Bedroom from one side or another besides a different savanna view


If it helps at all we will be 4 adults (2 parents, 2 grandparents- 2 boys that will be 12 and 1 daughter who will be 5. We usually enjoy going to pools that are not too crowded and crazy. I am thinking that the boys will like going to the community hall. We will want to try a couple of the restaurants at the resort.

Are the day/evening activities the same at each resort? I have heard about night vision for animal viewing as well as campfires and movies.

If there is a thread that gives a good explanation of each side please let me know. I searched but not having much luck.

If you get the dining plan and have the mugs -- is there is no counter service at Kidani do you have to go over to Jambo counter service if you wanted coffee or soda for your dining plan mugs?

 

[erionm]

I am guessing that there isn't an actual difference in a 2Bedroom from one side or another besides a different savanna view

The 2-bedroom Villas in Kidani Village are approx. 100 square feet larger than those in Jambo House (Values in Jambo are even smaller). The KV 2-bedrooms have 3 bath rooms, while the ones in JH only have 2. JV only has lock-off 2-bedrooms (studio & 1-bedroom w/interior connecting door), KV has both lock-off & dedicated 2-bedroom villas.

Are the day/evening activities the same at each resort? I have heard about night vision for animal viewing as well as campfires and movies.

It's technically one resort with two buildings. The listed activities are for the entire AKL/AKV resort.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We prefer Kidani over Jambo. It has a more laid back resort feel in our opinion. The only advantage of staying at Jambo is the access to the food court. If you use that frequently, you might prefer to stay there.

 

[vinmar4]

We own at AKV and only the first time we stayed at Kidani, at that time our kids were 7 and 13 and only the 7th y/o enjoyed the community hall. We did not like having to either walk thru the lobby or the enclosed parking garage to go to the pool at Kidani . We like Jambo better because we love the lobby area with the huge store and the counter service plus we just take the elevator down to the pool area. Now we stay either 1-2 nights at a studio concierge before going to a regular floor and the kids love it.

 

[Anal Annie]

We prefer Jambo House over Kidani (but we use studios and the bathroom layouts are better IMO at Jambo and the kitchenettes are bigger). The lobby and store at Kidani are underwhelming to say the least. And the exterior of the Kidani building looks like a warehouse. We LOVE eating at both Boma (TS buffet) and The Mara (CS) which are both at Jambo. I didn't like having to schelp over to Jambo from Kidani to go to The Mara. We also prefer the larger store at Jambo and the lobby is jaw dropping gorgeous. The wonderful smells wafting up from Boma and Jiko are an added bonus. We personally didn't feel that the pool at Kidani was all that (but we have no need for the splash play area). The walk to get to it was odd (we crossed the front parking drop off area). It should have been centered more within the resort.

 

[ldo]

we prefer Jambo--Mara quick service food, good for popping down for breakfast, late night snack, etc. Pool is much larger and doesn't seem nearly as crowded. Spa service + good (free) sauna in locker rooms. Lobby is larger with Victoria Falls bar and more activity. Standard views are of pool and very nice.
Pros to K: can park under room, could be shorter walk. Community hall (CH) is great (we just bus/shuttle over with kids, so no big deal). There is coffee/drinks at gift shop at K for refill mugs. at K you can get dedicated 2Br with 2Q beds in 2nd. at K, all will be Q and pull out sofa. K pool is much smaller and seems more crowded, but better slide and good waterplay area not in a pool. Your 12 yr olds should be able to stay at CH without a parent (I think it is under 12 needs a parent). If you go with them and get them situated and talk to the cast member and give them a designated pick up time, they should be fine. There is a bathroom down the hall--I tell mine they have to use the buddy system. The CH is awesome. It also has a nice balcony overlooking the savanna. I have spent many hours there reading/working while my kids were enjoying the CH. There are games, crafts, pool table, PS3 players with 100 Disney/Pixar games.
The kitchen layout is a bit different, as well. J has an island, K is U shaped. K has a separate shower, J has a combo bath. K will have 3 full bathrooms.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I much prefer the 2 bedrooms at Kidani. The master bath with the shower apart from the tub is just easier for me to use. In Jambo the main bath has a wide rimmed jacuzzi tub with the shower inside.

I do enjoy the CM's at both resorts, but the night time talk by a CM in Kidani is given by a more experienced CM who talks about a topic of his/ her own choosing. At Jambo the talks are about the big 5 animals.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

For 2BR's - Kidani. 3 bathrooms, dedicated 2BR's with 2 real beds in the second bedroom vs a bed and sofa sleeper in the second bedroom at Jambo.

 

[Brancaneve]

I think the third bathroom is key. If your parents want their own dedicated space and their own bathroom, then Kidani is the way to go. We are going soon and will have 9 in our villa! Since it's so packed, a third bathroom is a necessity and why we chose Kidani. If we only had 6 for example, the choice would be tough to make. Both are amazing!

 

[kniquy]

I think the third bathroom is key. If your parents want their own dedicated space and their own bathroom, then Kidani is the way to go. We are going soon and will have 9 in our villa! Since it's so packed, a third bathroom is a necessity and why we chose Kidani. If we only had 6 for example, the choice would be tough to make. Both are amazing!

Thank you for this input -- this is a major deciding factor -- so 3 Bathrooms will be essential when we are trying to get 7 people out and ready for dinner or the parks. Some how we manage at home with 5 people and one bathroom -- so we will be spoiled on vacation - which is what it is all about.

I do enjoy the CM's at both resorts, but the night time talk by a CM in Kidani is given by a more experienced CM who talks about a topic of his/ her own choosing. At Jambo the talks are about the big 5 animals.

Thanks for this tid bit -- i would have imagined that both sides would have their own night time activity, but it is interesting to hear that the talks can actually be different. Our last trip was a park marathon so we are looking forward to having some down time at the resort and enjoying what it has to offer.

 

[jodifla]

I like Jambo. Love the lobby! Pool is also a lot bigger, and it has the food court. My son is now a teen and I can see leaving him in the room to go out for drinks or dinner while we are in the same resort.

 

[mort1331]

Thank you for this input -- this is a major deciding factor -- so 3 Bathrooms will be essential when we are trying to get 7 people out and ready for dinner or the parks. Some how we manage at home with 5 people and one bathroom -- so we will be spoiled on vacation - which is what it is all about.


Thanks for this tid bit -- i would have imagined that both sides would have their own night time activity, but it is interesting to hear that the talks can actually be different. Our last trip was a park marathon so we are looking forward to having some down time at the resort and enjoying what it has to offer.

I believe the night vision goggles are only at Jambo, but really its not a far walk,or van ride. The other tip is if you are going K to J for dinner,activities etc. any of the park buses stop at K first then go to J. So if you did not want to walk, and the vans are not available, jump on the next bus.
For the Lobby yes J is great, but I walk in a lobby and out, I don't book my room on the lobby. I can visit the lobby anytime from any resort.

 

[kristenrice]

Yes, the lobby at Jambo is beautiful...but the actual 2BR villas at Kidani are better, especially when you are dealing with 6+ people. Since you aren't sleeping or bathing in the lobby (at least I hope not!), I would choose to stay at Kidani. I would definitely visit Jambo, though.

When we stay in a studio, we prefer Jambo. When we opt for a 1BR, it's Kidani all the way.