Where to stay? Kadini or Jambo?

[SoThisIsLove]

Hi Everyone,


I have been reading through these boards about AKV and am wondering if I made a mistake in my resort choice. I am currently booked in a 2 bdrm standard view villa in Kadini for the end of Jan for 4 nights. We are a group of 6 adults and 1 three year old. We have never stayed at AKV and wanted to try it out. When I booked both areas were available and I figured "newer is better" but maybe I was wrong.... What I am wondering is....Did I make a mistake booking Kadini instead of booking the same room in Jambo? Is the distance to the food court really that far? (We will not have a car). Is the distance from the room to the bus stop really that far too? (I mean much further than any other resort? ) Should I change my ressie to the Jambo house since my trip is so short? Please any advice is appreciated. I want this trip to be a nice one for the limited time we have.

Thanks in advance!

 

[drusba]

1/2 mile to Jambo and its counter-service restaurant; Kidani has only table service restaurant. If you plan constant use of counter service Jambo is the likely choice.

Kidani 2BRs are very large, about 100 sq ft larger than those at Jambo, and the 2BRs also have an extra bathroom (for three total). Thus, if having more comfortable space is an issue, you are in the right place.

Trip to bus will not be long (both Kidani and Jambo have a stop); standard rooms are clustered north and south of the lobby at Kidani but only run a portion of the building either way and walk can, if in last standard rooms from lobby to the north, be three minutes or a bit more to the bus stop, but it can also be only a minute. It is the savanna view rooms at Kidani that can be forever and day away from the lobby and bus stop. The view for standard at Kidani can be road or pool; at Jambo all standards are pool view.

 

[Brandis]

We stayed at Jambo House last time and one morning I walked over to Kidani. It's about a 10 min. walk but of course you could use the busses.

To me, Kidani felt more private and intimate than Jambo, which has more of a big hotel feeling. I liked the surrounding landscape at Kidani, which gave it an even more remote feeling.

I'd love to try out Kidani on one of our next stays.

 

[bobbiwoz]

With the make up of your group I would pick Kidani, and I even would try to get a dedicated standard because that would have 2 queens in the second bedroom. For me, studio stays are for 2 people in Jambo, and when I have more I usually pick Kidani.

Bobbi

 

[Reddog1134]

I think that question (Kidani or Jambo?) will go down in history as one of the all-time great debates. Each has some advantages over the other and not everyone will agree which is better.

 

[magicaldisney]

Kidani is the first bus stop to the parks, so if getting a seat on the bus is important, than I would stay with Kidani!!

 

[LimoFam5]

You will be fine.
The bus stop for Kidani is directly out in from of the lobby doors, less then a minute walk straight!!!
To get to Jambo you can walk or take any resort bus.
The walk is about 5 min or so.
If you take a resort bus all themem park buses stop at Kidani first for a pick up then stop at Jambo so you will be there in a snap! Then to get back jump on a DTD bus, this is the only bus that stops at Jambo first then goes to Kidani......easy as PIE!!!
The GREAT thing about Kidani is ALL the theme park buses stop there FIRST, that means you are always first on and always have a seat. I have been on a bus from Kidani to Jambo where the BUS was packed, people from Jambo either had to stand or wait for the next bus.
Kidani is much more cozy feeling, where Jambo is LOUDDDDDDD and NOISY all the time.

 

[CocosMeme]

Another vote for Kidani. We have stayed at both and much prefer the quiet at Kidani. Also the community hall is there. We always hop on any bus when we want to go to Jambo and then either walk back or catch the DTD bus to get back.

 

[ToddyLu]

I agree with the PP. If the child was 6 or 7 they might enjoy Jambo for easy eating and more activity of the lobby......but at three they will not remember that much and at the end of a long day, Kidani will feel like home. THe adults will like Kidani. I could never imagine not having a good time or being non-appreciative (not that your guests are not appreciative) of that setting...it is completely unique. You made a great choice.

 

[irish dancer]

Another vote for Kidani. The rooms are larger than Jambo and they have an extra bathroom which would be good with 6 adults. The walk to Jambo is not bad in my opinion. You can also take the bus if need be. The pool in Kidani is great too with the splash area but in Jan that might not be too much of a selling point.

 

[disneystick]

I prefer Jambo...just because it is more of a hotel/resort feel with the hustle and bustle of all the activities, places to eat.

On a Disney vacation I want to be reminded that I am on vacation with all the excitement that Disney resorts has to offer.

Both are great...just depends what your preferences are.

 

[twinklebug]

Kidani is much more cozy feeling, where Jambo is LOUDDDDDDD and NOISY all the time.

Don't forget how DARK Jambo is. When I'm taking those stairs down to Boma I simply cannot see & I pray there are no little kids hanging out on the stairs. One of these days I'm going to run into one. Ever wonder what it's like to be blind? Go from looking at the savanna out those front windows to Boma.

Kidani's lobby doesn't have that issue - the light level is pretty much equivalent to the VWL lobby.

Also - by booking the Standard view you're guaranteed to be only 4 beads away from the lobby at the most. That's 1/2 way out from the lobby at the very furthest point. Everything further out is Savanna View. The closest rooms to the Bus stops are on the south wing, but I like the North wing a little better since it's closer to the pool (by going down through the garage and back entrance to it)

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just wanted to mention that they also run a van shuttle between the two buildings. We've never used it but have read reports from others saying it was great and we did see it picking up people at Jambo on our stay in May.

With 6 adults I also would stick with Kidani for the extra space.

 

[DebbieB]

Kidani is the first bus stop to the parks, so if getting a seat on the bus is important, than I would stay with Kidani!!

When I stayed at Kidani 2 years ago, some of the early morning park busses left people on the curb at Jambo because they were full.

 

[hbehrman]

I agree with the PP. If the child was 6 or 7 they might enjoy Jambo for easy eating and more activity of the lobby......but at three they will not remember that much and at the end of a long day, Kidani will feel like home. THe adults will like Kidani. I could never imagine not having a good time or being non-appreciative (not that your guests are not appreciative) of that setting...it is completely unique. You made a great choice.

but at three...


We stayed at Kidani last October, and the pool was the major consideration (my kids are fish). IMO, the pool and splash area will be much better suited for the smaller age groups at Kidani than Jambo. We visited Jambo and we have eaten at all but the signature restaurants at the resort. Sanaa in Kidani was by far one of our favorite dining experiences over the others. In fact it was one of our top in all of WDW (including DTD). Also Jambo does offer craft activities during the day(some cost $) at Simba's cubhouse (we did a couple there), but for a free crafty community hall(hands on crafts that do not cost money: drawing, games, kids activities) Kidani is better.

We liked being in Rafikii, 3rd floor

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Jambo House is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.

Been there. Done that. Once. Never again.

We love BLT too, but Kidani is home. Always and forever.