We were gifted 2 nights at Jambo House... What should I expect?

[LovesTimone]

DH and I are locals, and AP holders, some friends gifted us 2 nights.

We have never stayed at a DVC... we have stayed at all levels at the regular resorts.

So what should I know?

Everyone is like it's so different... What's so different?

Do you have to pay for parking? I really could not find anything on it... I might have just overlooked it...

Any thoughts, or suggestions are appreciated...

Thanks so much...

 

[GBRforWDW]

DH and I are locals, and AP holders, some friends gifted us 2 nights.

We have never stayed at a DVC... we have stayed at all levels at the regular resorts.

So what should I know?

Everyone is like it's so different... What's so different?

Do you have to pay for parking? I really could not find anything on it... I might have just overlooked it...

Any thoughts, or suggestions are appreciated...

Thanks so much...

We just spent 2 nights at Jambo 2 weeks ago. It’s really a beautiful resort. The main thing that makes it standout is the myriad of African animals roaming freely around the grounds. You can sit on your balcony and watch animals all day long.

things you should know.
Dining: very little is open at the Jambo house. This is currently only open for DVC, which is a small portion of Jambo rooms, so the only food you’ll find here is Mara in the morning and it’s mainly cold breakfast items. If any reservations are available for dinner at Sanaa in Kidani Village, definitely grab one. The food is amazing here.

to get between kidani and Jambo, they have a shuttle bus that goes back and forth. If you let a Cast Member know you’re waiting on the shuttle, they’ll call the driver, just in case the driver was sitting and waiting for passengers from the other location.

pool and playground I believe are still open. We didn’t use either, but I think I saw a sign their pool opens at 10am.

parking is free for DVC rooms. Doesn’t matter if you’re the dvc member or not. It’s kind of a long uphill walk from the parking lot though, so when you drop off bags, drive up to the front door. The bell boy is very friendly and eager to help. I didn’t use him, but did chat a bit with him. He’ll point you in the direction of things yo Looking for.

check in - I’m used to Disney sending a text when the room is ready. I didn’t get this for my Jambo room, so we stayed at the Animal Kingdom park til just after 3, then decided to leave and see if the room was ready. When we got there, they got us right in. So, just go when you’re ready and see if it’s ready. If not, maybe go hang by the pool orat the big animal viewing area at the back of the hotel lobby. They have several open viewing spots, but the balcony in your room is the best as it’s secluded, in a way.

back to food, there is a full or half kitchen in all the rooms, so feel free to take your own groceries as well.

that’s about all I have for now, feel free to ask additional questions.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

You will not get daily housekeeping like you do in the regular rooms.

 

[LSchrow]

You will not get daily housekeeping like you do in the regular rooms.

Resort Housekeeping is only every other day now.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Resort Housekeeping is only every other day now.

Which is still more than DVC gets, so it's good to have that expectation.

Another difference in the unit will be that in a studio, you will have a queen and a sofa bed. It's not two real beds.

All DVC units in Jambo (save 5 lockoffs I shan't mention) are on 5th floor.

 

[GrtDisGuy]

Really nice of your friends! You will really enjoy - its like staying at a zoo! Not smelly though (lol).

We stayed at Kidani during the summer (you can drive or walk between Kidani and Jambo easily - Kidani will have a different pool to try, a gift shop, and some other food options). Parking is very easy at either resort. Jambo had very little traffic and we would go to the pool occasionally (which had about 10 people or so). I think it is more active now. Limited food options at both - but you will have your car, and there if plenty of food around. We had no problem in this area since we rented a car.

Consider reservations at Saana at Kidani. You may be able to see the animals as you enjoy an amazing meal.

 

[LovesTimone]

Really nice of your friends! You will really enjoy - its like staying at a zoo! Not smelly though (lol).

We stayed at Kidani during the summer (you can drive or walk between Kidani and Jambo easily - Kidani will have a different pool to try, a gift shop, and some other food options). Parking is very easy at either resort. Jambo had very little traffic and we would go to the pool occasionally (which had about 10 people or so). I think it is more active now. Limited food options at both - but you will have your car, and there if plenty of food around. We had no problem in this area since we rented a car.

Consider reservations at Saana at Kidani. You may be able to see the animals as you enjoy an amazing meal.

Yes it is very nice of them, they have alot of points that they are really unable to use...

I made ADR's for dinner. Since its a short trip, I'm going to just bring some coffee, snacks, and drinks for in room, I think we might check out the pool..

Really going to relax and chill out... looking forward to it...

 

[lawgator]

We just returned today from 2 nights in a 1 BR Savanna view at Jambo. It was different from the moment we drove up. There was only one person at Bell Services standing there and they let us use one of the luggage carts to take our luggage to our room. (They never used to let guests use those carts and you had to use Bell Services if you wanted one). It was really super quiet and empty since there are no cash rooms being rented. It was exactly want we wanted to be safe in a pandemic, though. We ordered takeout (the bread service) from Saana with the tasty dipping sauces. Saw lots of animals from our balcony and enjoyed the African artwork and music that plays in the lobby. The pool was open, but it was chilly out and no one was in it. I felt sorry for the 3 lifeguards that were sitting there as they must have been cold and bored. It's fun to go watch the flamingos at the end of the Jambo pool and there is also another animal viewing area nearby. The pool bar is open only on Fri., Sat. and Sunday. We brought a lot of our own food and drinks since we only live a couple of hours away and drove. There were a few folks in the outdoor hottub, but I did noticed the little playground was closed. I don't think the gym was open and not many, if any resort activities due to the pandemic. I enjoyed the jetted tub in our 1 BR villa and used it 3-4 times. The tv screens are really large with nice pictures and the internet works well. The remotes for them were wrapped in plastic with notes on them that they were "sanitized" and there was a note in the room that the room had been carefully sanitized and cleaned. There were no throw pillows now and no animal viewing guide as I think they are trying to cut down on things that guests could touch.
It will be a low key and quiet experience at Jambo just now, but it was exactly what we wanted. We also have annual passes and did go to EPCOT yesterday, but weren't really that impressed with the Festival of the Arts. Today we went to the AK park and just walked around outside to see the animals and really enjoyed that. Don't forget to bring masks which you will need to wear around the resort and parks and I know you'll have a wonderful time.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Beautiful resort, great animal viewing, totally relaxing with only dvc open right now. Have a wonderful time. If ur there in the future, the night Safari we did was Amazing and worth it... something to keep in mind for a return visit... you ll want to return.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Beautiful resort, great animal viewing, totally relaxing with only dvc open right now. Have a wonderful time. If ur there in the future, the night Safari we did was Amazing and worth it... something to keep in mind for a return visit... you ll want to return.

I personally was looking forward to the possibility of doing the night safari when I booked our trip pre-pandemic. I then had thoughts of buying night vision binoculars, but ended up skipping that. Either way, the resort is wonderful and very relaxing

 

[keishashadow]

I think we might check out the pool..

One of our favorite pools onsite.

enjoy

 

[GoingSince1990]

Ooh, what wonderful friends! Enjoy!

 

[MBTigger]

Another vote for both Sanaa and Night Safari if you decide to return.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Thank your friends profusely! Jambo House is one of our favorites. I bet you're going to love it! Totally different experience than any other resort.