WWYD? Jambo or Kidani?

[burnsoc]

I recently booked a stay in January and my first two choices weren't available so I booked at AKV. I completely forgot I would have to choose between Jambo and Kidani and panicked and said Jambo. Now I'm second guessing myself. The weather in January is iffy so the new pool area at Kidani would be nice, however I don't think we'd use it much. We have three kids, two under two. So the closer parking to your room in Kidani is attractive. However I do like being close to the main lobby. I'm leaning towards changing from Jambo Savannah to Kidani Savannah, but I'd love to hear some input from the pro's. TIA

 

[dianeschlicht]

Frankly, I'd stay put. Having little ones, I'd think being near the main lobby and the counter service options is worth it to stay at Jambo.

 

[disneynutz]

Jambo, larger, better food access. Kidani, better parking, smaller, more homey feel.

Bill

 

[PHILCT]

Jambo.

Kidani has no counter service, and their little store hardly has enough items in it.

Jambo has that huge lobby, and a great counter service area.

 

[toniosmom]

I agree -- I stayed at Kidani in March and, while I loved the resort, I would have loved to be closer to the quick service dining and stores. With your small children, I think Jambo is your best bet.

 

[drusba]

What size room are you getting? Studios are about the same size at both. However, for a 1BR Kidani has the advantage in that the 1BR is much larger than Jambo's and has the second bathroom.

As to pools, possibility of some use but you need to hope it is not like much of Jan 2010 when the pools remained closed because the daily high was not getting to 50 and the low was about 26 (longest stretch of continuous cold days that Florida has had).

The parking for Kidani is ideal. However, your room can be as far from the lobby as California is from Florida. Should request close to lobby if you stay there and hope you get it. At Jambo would recommend requesting room along Zebra trail, which gives you a view of Arusha savanna looking west (and thus not getting blinding sun in the room in the morning).

Jambo's large advantage is restaurants, three, all good, Jiko (table service), Boma (buffet), and Mara (counter service). Kidani has only Sanaa, a table service, although it is on my list as one of the best restaurants in WDW (but then so is Jiko and Boma). Lobby and store at Jambo are much larger than Kidani.


Personal view: if you have only a studio I would likely stay put in Jambo because of the restaurant advantage; if you have a 1BR and like larger space, Kidani is the choice.

 

[burnsoc]

Thanks everyone. We are staying in a 2 BR. We do a food shopping run when we first arrive and tend to eat at least 1 - 2 meals in our room so not as worried about being close to CS. I find it more relaxing than a table service in the park and the kids eat healthier. We'll plan on one meal out a day with probably two dinners off site during the week. Parking is a pretty big deal for us as we rent a minivan and use it several times per day. I do like the thought of being close to the outside animal areas near the Jambo Lobby and know my six year old son will want to walk around there quite often. I'm still torn.

 

[Anal Annie]

We really prefer Jambo over Kidani. As others mentioned, there is no CS dining at Kidani and I didn't really consider the pool area to be any more superior than Jambo's plus January may or may not have swim weather while you're there. I also think depending where you are located within Kidani that the pool is in an awkard location. The store / marketplace area is tiny at Kidani so you have to schlep over to Jambo for most shopping...I'd stay put.

 

[El&Asmom]

I think if parking is your main concern, I would pick Kidani. I have stayed at both, and the walk to the parking lot is a bit long, especially if you are at the end of the long halls at Jambo. With Kidani, if you drive everywhere, even if you are at the ends of the hotel, your van will still be a 30sec walk away.
We were at Kidani in Jan in a 2bd, and loved it. We were in the last bead away from Jambo, and used our car many times a day while only using the buses a couple of times. It was very convenient to park under the room.

Have fun. We loved Kidani and can't wait to go back.

 

[emlutz23]

We just got back from Kidani and loved it (2 bed/dedicated)! I never got around to requesting "close to the lobby" , but that is what we ended up with and the same floor as the lobby. It was really convenient. Also, we had a minivan and the proximity of parking was great! We used the car to drive over to Jambo to eat at Mara a couple of times. And we ate at Sanaa and LOVED it!

But at the end of the day, I think you'll be happy at either one! It is AKV after all!

 

[bcvprincesses]

I vote Kindani all the way. We stayed at Jambo and our room was at the very end of the hall. It was a really, really long walk to the lobby and out to the car. At Kindani we walked out of our room to the elevator a few steps away and straight down to our car. It was also nice to have our car parked in a covered area.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you'll have a car, and intend to use it, I would pick Kidani. Parking right under the hotel is very convenient, especially if you get a room at an end. The CMs in both are wonderful, and really have a way with kids!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

We just got back from Kidani and loved it (2 bed/dedicated)! I never got around to requesting "close to the lobby" , but that is what we ended up with and the same floor as the lobby. It was really convenient. Also, we had a minivan and the proximity of parking was great! We used the car to drive over to Jambo to eat at Mara a couple of times. And we ate at Sanaa and LOVED it!

But at the end of the day, I think you'll be happy at either one! It is AKV after all!

We are going on Sunday. We are in a dedicated 2 br. I did request a room close to the lobby. How close were you and do you remember the room number?

 

[drusba]

Thanks everyone. We are staying in a 2 BR. We do a food shopping run when we first arrive and tend to eat at least 1 - 2 meals in our room so not as worried about being close to CS. I find it more relaxing than a table service in the park and the kids eat healthier. We'll plan on one meal out a day with probably two dinners off site during the week. Parking is a pretty big deal for us as we rent a minivan and use it several times per day. I do like the thought of being close to the outside animal areas near the Jambo Lobby and know my six year old son will want to walk around there quite often. I'm still torn.

It sounds like Kidani would be the choice: the 2BRs are huge, parking is very convenient with easy access to car if you are going to use it several times a day, and it does not sound like you a have dire need for a counter service restaurant. Request close to lobby, and if you get it, you will be near its outside viewing area for animals that is off the lobby

You mention food shopping. If you have not done AKL before be aware that there is a Publix about a 5 minute drive from it.

 

[jerseygal]

Room 7735, 3rd Floor Dedicated 2BR..Awesome Room, overlooking pool..3rd Floor, used Rafiki Elevator, BUT FAR FROM LOBBY!

I HAD REQUESTED "CLOSE TO LOBBY"..THIS WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO..

When I return to Kidani, will request 2nd Floor and Close to Lobby....Now that I know the configuration, will know better....Too far from lobby to refill coffee in morning at gift shop with refillable mugs!

BEAUTIFUL RESORT! ENJOY! VERY QUIET LOCATION THOUGH! NO NOISE AT ALL!

ONLY NEGATIVE IS LACK OF COUNTER SERVICE AT RESORT! TRULY NEED A COUNTER SERVICE LIKE MARA! WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT THEN!

NEXT TIME WE CHOOSE AKL, WILL TRY JAMBO! BOTH LOCATIONS ARE AWESOME!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Room 7735, 3rd Floor Dedicated 2BR..Awesome Room, overlooking pool..3rd Floor, used Rafiki Elevator, BUT FAR FROM LOBBY!

I HAD REQUESTED "CLOSE TO LOBBY"..THIS WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO..

When I return to Kidani, will request 2nd Floor and Close to Lobby....Now that I know the configuration, will know better....Too far from lobby to refill coffee in morning at gift shop with refillable mugs!

BEAUTIFUL RESORT! ENJOY! VERY QUIET LOCATION THOUGH! NO NOISE AT ALL!

ONLY NEGATIVE IS LACK OF COUNTER SERVICE AT RESORT! TRULY NEED A COUNTER SERVICE LIKE MARA! WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT THEN!

NEXT TIME WE CHOOSE AKL, WILL TRY JAMBO! BOTH LOCATIONS ARE AWESOME!

LOL, SHHHHHH! Too early in the morning for shouting. I like both resorts, but I do prefer the lobby at Jambo. We don't often need the extra bathroom, because we don't allow people to sleep in the living room, but I did enjoy the parking under the building. Now if Kidani just didn't have those horrendous hallways..... I'm not a counter service person, but if I had little ones, I'd definitely want to be near that. I do agree that cooking in the villa is the best choice with little ones.

 

[CaskPeg]

I stayed at Kadani Village in summer of 2009. The advantage of the parking is a win/win situation if you have small children and go places by car. The parking is HIGHLY ADVANTAGEOUS for access etc. I did not go this past summer but the savannah should be better...the pool is EXCELLENT and only a short walk to the right from the main entrance to the Lodge. It also contains a whole water area for small children off to the side of the main pool. I have not stayed inside of Jambo house and I am sure you will get many opinions of that from those who have. I would vote Kadani based o my visit. CaskPeg

 

[Harlemgirl720]

When I stayed at Kidani in May, I was in a SV Studio, Room 7908. That was right off the elevator on the top floor. I noticed a one and two br on each side of me. Hope I get one of those or in that vicinity. It was so convenient.

 

[DenLo]

Thanks everyone. We are staying in a 2 BR. We do a food shopping run when we first arrive and tend to eat at least 1 - 2 meals in our room so not as worried about being close to CS. I find it more relaxing than a table service in the park and the kids eat healthier. We'll plan on one meal out a day with probably two dinners off site during the week. Parking is a pretty big deal for us as we rent a minivan and use it several times per day. I do like the thought of being close to the outside animal areas near the Jambo Lobby and know my six year old son will want to walk around there quite often. I'm still torn.

If you really enjoy seeing the animals closer, it would make sense to get a Kidani SV 2BR and request a 2nd or 3 floor villa. The villas at Jambo House are all on the 5th floor (6th for concierge). The Kidani villas are about 100 square feet larger and have a third bathroom. And since you prefer to drive the parking under the resort is easy access for multiple trips per day. Then if you decide to try using the Disney bus system, the bus to the parks stops at Kidani first, which is an advantage with small children as you are guaranteed a seat.

 

[forgop]

Given that parking and that you plan on eating a lot of your meals at your room, I would opt for Kidani hands down. As long as you don't plan on utilizing counter service for a lot of your meals or need a large gift shop, there's no reason to select Jambo over Kidani. Throw in the larger rooms at Kidani and if you do use the bus at all (Kidani being first stop ahead of Jambo), it's icing on the cake. If you also look at the viewing area outside of the lobby, Kidani has the bigger savanna.

I stayed twice in Kidani in 2009 and just returned from Jambo and it'll be Kidani from here on out for me.