weighing out kidani/jambo, opinions please

[DeeCee735]

Okay, I've been posting mostly the same comments on other threads that are about either Kidani or Jambo, I figured I should just post a separate thread, and ask for your opinions outright.

I have a trip coming up with two of my cousins. DH's and kids are staying home

My cousins specifically requested we stay at AKV (we own at both AKV and BWV) because they really want to have the savannah view and the experience of this one of a kind resort, with animals right outside the rooms.

So, my dilema.....Jambo - the pro's of this is that I know it (stayed there DVC), and it's proximity to Mara, Boma, Jiko, the pool, the gorgeous lobby, the lobby store (my fav on property), the main area with the valet section and cabs right outside the door (will we be able to hail a cab from Kidani check in area, or will we have to walk over to Jambo to grab a cab?)

cons: rooms are smaller, (or so is reported), only one bathroom in the one bedroom, and the savannah views start at the 5th floor (I think that's too high for optimal animal viewing but can someone comment on that, I had a beautiful pool view so don't know whether or not 5th floor is too high for best savannah viewing??)

Kidani Village: pro's - 1 bedroom has two bathrooms, rooms are larger, and it's got the sleeper chair so we can each have our own beds (does Jambo have sleeper chair?). I can request a 2nd or 3rd floor savannah view, giving us a closer look at the animals (please correct me if I'm wrong).

cons: long walk to Jambo's restaurants (where we will be dining), smaller more remote savannahs??? (I read on another post it seems CM's let the animals out for feeding at Jambo in the a.m. and don't get to Kidani early in the day??? - this won't work for us). Coffee and pastry in the morning? Not much shade at the pool (I stayed at JAMBO and we found a really nice shady spot at the pool, not far from the open viewing area)

I really don't know what to do! One of my cousins is interested in AKV DVC and I'm afraid this trip will disappoint instead of impress? Any opinions on what you would do would be greatly appreciated.

Please help a fellow DISer, DVCer decide

Thanks,

 

[TSMIII]

You could always split your stay between both Jambo and Kidani and get a chance to try them both!

 

[erionm]

The Sunset Savanna was expanded with the addition of Kidani Village so the savanna is not smaller. The Pembe Savanna will be small and have it's own animals (Ocapi) when it opens in September.

According to the square footage posted on the member website, yes the Jambo House rooms are smaller than those in Kidani Village. The standard and savanna view 1-bedroom and larger villas at Jambo House also have the sleeper sofa.

As for getting between Jambo House and Kidani Village you can take a bus. To from from Kidani Village to Jambo House get on any theme park bus. To get from Jambo House to Kidani Village get on the Downtown Disney bus.

 

[El&Asmom]

We just visited Kidani on Saturday while on vacation. I loved the Sunset savannah. There were 4 giraffes, some wildibeasts, ostrich and those red cattle. It was beautiful.
Our issue would be with the size of the resort, and the distance from Mara. Only having a TS and a pool bar would not work well for us.
We were considering staying there in Jan. if we could get in, but are reconsidering for a variety of other reasons. (One being I'll be going to a conference and it would be much farther away than if we stayed at OKW).

Good luck deciding. Both are beautiful.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The animals will be gone from the savannahs only for 1-3 hours total! They bring the animals in to feed, do health checks, and they do alternate some of the animals, day on/off savannah. Also during that time the savannahs are cleaned up.

I've seen plenty of animals from the 5th floor, but I do think the lower floors would offer premium views. I've had a stay with 3 adults, my DSis and DCuz in a Jambo value 1 bedroom with a pool view and there was no time that we felt crowded, so although I do think Kidani, since it's newer will be "nicer" in some ways, if you want the convenience of the restaurants and the lobby/store at Jambo, I don't think you're missing anything by staying at Jambo. As far as sleeping arrangements, I slept with DSis in the king, DCuz had the pull out in the living room. However, the other-than-value 1 bedrooms in Jambo also have the sleeper chair, so you can still each have your own bed.

Bobbi

PS. When we take our DGC, there's no question that we'll stay in Kidani, but for adults I lean toward Jambo.

 

[drusba]

Okay, I've been posting mostly the same comments on other threads that are about either Kidani or Jambo, I figured I should just post a separate thread, and ask for your opinions outright.

I have a trip coming up with two of my cousins. DH's and kids are staying home

My cousins specifically requested we stay at AKV (we own at both AKV and BWV) because they really want to have the savannah view and the experience of this one of a kind resort, with animals right outside the rooms.

So, my dilema.....Jambo - the pro's of this is that I know it (stayed there DVC), and it's proximity to Mara, Boma, Jiko, the pool, the gorgeous lobby, the lobby store (my fav on property), the main area with the valet section and cabs right outside the door (will we be able to hail a cab from Kidani check in area, or will we have to walk over to Jambo to grab a cab?)

cons: rooms are smaller, (or so is reported), only one bathroom in the one bedroom, and the savannah views start at the 5th floor (I think that's too high for optimal animal viewing but can someone comment on that, I had a beautiful pool view so don't know whether or not 5th floor is too high for best savannah viewing??)

Kidani Village: pro's - 1 bedroom has two bathrooms, rooms are larger, and it's got the sleeper chair so we can each have our own beds (does Jambo have sleeper chair?). I can request a 2nd or 3rd floor savannah view, giving us a closer look at the animals (please correct me if I'm wrong).

cons: long walk to Jambo's restaurants (where we will be dining), smaller more remote savannahs??? (I read on another post it seems CM's let the animals out for feeding at Jambo in the a.m. and don't get to Kidani early in the day??? - this won't work for us). Coffee and pastry in the morning? Not much shade at the pool (I stayed at JAMBO and we found a really nice shady spot at the pool, not far from the open viewing area)

I really don't know what to do! One of my cousins is interested in AKV DVC and I'm afraid this trip will disappoint instead of impress? Any opinions on what you would do would be greatly appreciated.

Please help a fellow DISer, DVCer decide

Thanks,

1. Each building has its own valet and cabs can be had at both.

2. 5th floor savanna view at Jambo is fine. This is really a matter of personal preference. Many like the direct sight line that you get with lower floor but then many like the more panoramic view you get from high floor.

3. Jambo has sleeper chair in all 1BRs except "value" rooms. Other than values which are small: the studios at Jambo and Kidani are about the same size, Kidani 1BR and thus 2BR is about 100 sq ft larger than Jambo.

4. Closeness to Jambo: reports say walk from Kidani front door to Jambo front door is about 10 minutes (makes sense since it is about 1/2 mile). Others have noted that there are two sets of elevators along each Kidani wing (and a central elevator at lobby) from which you can get to outside and thus if you actually request (and get) room far from lobby in south wing, you will likely be 5 minute walk or less from Jambo.

5. I have also seen those reports of animal times on the Sunset savanna and I do not know their accuracy and it was unclear exactly what was meant (e.g., possibly not there after 8:30 and until noon). There are times of day when animals are gone (feeding and care) but pre-Kidani, there were animals roaming in Sunset savannah very early morning (when we had Sunset view they were there just after sunrise in the morning and at least until 7:30; can't say for between 8:30 and noon because I cannot recall ever being in the room during that time).

6. Pool: all I can say is that we already know what Jambo has and it is hard to have better particularly because you can find lots of places to sit and be in shade.

 

[jodifla]

We're doing Jambo in September. I normally stay at OKW, but I'm looking for more of a hotel feel this time. We'll just be closer to everything...the restaurants, kids club, pool... and when we want to try out the Kidani pool, we'll just hike over, I suppose.

 

[AKV707]

I am happy to hear about the 1/2 mile walk between the two. Prior to that, there as no place to take a walk at AKV.

I agree that you can't go wrong with either. We will be at Kidani in June so we will be able to compare it to last year's Jambo stay. Can't wait!

 

[bookwormde]

For a studio I pick Jambo, for a 1 or 2br I pick Kidani

bookwormde