What is the difference AKV Kidani & Jambo?

[disneyfanbcv]

We have never stayed at the AKV. We are dvc members and this will be a first. What is the difference between the 2? Kidani & Jambo. THANK YOU!

 

[tjkraz]

Jambo is the original Animal Kingdom Lodge building with 1200+ rooms. The fifth and sixth floors were taken over by DVC about 5 years ago and converted to villas.

Jambo is home to most of the noteworthy restaurants (Boma, Jiko, Mara) and most seem to agree that the lobby and other public areas are more impressive. However all of the rooms are 5th floor (except concierge on the 6th) so you're fairly high up. Also since the villas are converted hotel rooms many of them have their own idiosyncrasies (i.e. wardrobe instead of a clothes closet, no stand-alone shower.)

Kidani was all new construction and consists entirely of villas. IMO the lobby isn't as impressive as Jambo. It only has one restaurant--a table service location--which only serves lunch and dinner.

The rooms themselves are much nicer. Larger square footage than most older DVC resorts. The One and Two Bedroom villas have an extra bathroom.

Both have nice pools but Kidani is probably better suited for families with young children. Kidani has a good sized water play area with forts, water guns, etc. If you have kids 10 and under, they will probably like it. If older kids or no kids, the water play area isn't of much value to you.

 

[Disneypapa]

About a 100 yards, ha ha ha

 

[CruznLexi]

The lack of counter service seems to be a the big factor for some families. There is no counter service at KV. The buses pick up and drop off at KV unless going to DD. larger pool at JH, best hot tub at JH. Pool games at KV much better slide .

 

[MinneyME]

We like KV better because of the extra bathroom in the 1 & 2 bedrooms, the pool area, and access to the DVC game room. Besides the DD bus that runs from KV to JH, there is also an internal shuttle. We have only tried the shuttle once, it was fine, we only had to wait about 5min. Most of the time we walk between the two, it only takes 10min and lets face it you can always use an excuse to burn off calories at Disney

 

[erionm]

We have never stayed at the AKV. We are dvc members and this will be a first. What is the difference between the 2? Kidani & Jambo. THANK YOU!

AKV is unique among the DVC resorts in that you will check-in at the building you are staying at. They appear (and really could function) as separate resorts, but it's one resort with two buildings. Since it is a single resort, you have full access to the amenities at both buildings.