WWYD? Re: Jambo vs. Kidani

[kristenrice]

I think I have posted my dilemma before, but the more I think about it, the more my head spins. I need help...in more ways than one .

Here's the basic info:
1) Travel Party
Our family (Me, DH, DD6 and DD4 at time of travel)
My parents (ages 62 and 59); They haven't been to WDW since 2001 and they've never seen the AKL/AKV. Mom is a lymphoma survivor, but the chemo (years ago) left her with some pulmonary problems. She is VERY sensitive to smoke and fumes and she can get winded when she walks a long distance. She is able to walk a 9-hole round of golf without too much difficulty though .
2) Travel Dates: April 4-10, 2010. That's spring break for the kiddos. We plan on driving (all of us in the Suburban) but not straight through from Michigan. We'll leave Friday afternoon when the girls get out of school. We plan on arriving late morning on Sunday and then departing in the morning on Friday.

So, here's my dilemma...

I have enough points (and ONLY enough points) to book a standard 2BR at AKV. The choice of AKV is not debatable. That IS where we will stay. Now, the decision: Kidani or Jambo? Here are my thoughts...

Pros of Jambo: Standard room is a guaranteed pool view; rooms are close to the front of the resort so shorter walks for mom; LOVE Boma and Mara
Cons of Jambo: Smaller room; no third bathroom; it's not Kidani!

Pros of Kidani: Larger room with extra bathroom; nicer (maybe?) pool and water play area; possibly closer parking (since we will have a car); nice way to "show off" our new "home"
Cons of Kidani: Uncertain on room view (don't want to risk any fumes from a parking area/bus route); no counter-service restaurant= LONG hike to Mara

So, if you were taking your parents to see AKV for the first time, which would you choose, Jambo or Kidani? A couple other tidbits: this trip will be me and DD's 3rd trip to AKV and DH's 2nd. Also, since I'll have to make the reservation 3 days after Kidani opens, I can't wait for opinions based on actual experiences at Kidani. Oh, the choices!

 

[castleri]

You could book Kidani and then after there is some time to get reports of the sstandard view 2BRs there if you think it will not be the best choice you could try to change to Jambo. I think it has been said that there will be parking under the buildings at Kidani which might be a factor for you. I think the new pool area might be the deciding factor for me if I had children the ages of yours. Good luck with your decision - we were there in Sept and loved the relaxed laid back feel of the place.

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

I thought Kidani was not open until May???? Oh, never mind I just re-read and saw you said 2010! Duh to me!

 

[kristenrice]

You could book Kidani and then after there is some time to get reports of the sstandard view 2BRs there if you think it will not be the best choice you could try to change to Jambo. I think it has been said that there will be parking under the buildings at Kidani which might be a factor for you. I think the new pool area might be the deciding factor for me if I had children the ages of yours. Good luck with your decision - we were there in Sept and loved the relaxed laid back feel of the place.

I like your idea. My only concern is that since we are going during spring break, we might only get one shot at booking what we want. Our spring break falls over Easter week in 2010 so I am sure it will be busy.

I stayed at AKV in October for the first time and I loved it. I snuck an extra trip into our plans and now we're going back in June. DH has never stayed there so it will be his first trip. I'm hoping to take advantage of the amenities at the resort this time. Kidani will be open so we'll be able to go and check out that new pool area.

I think I am going to discuss it with my parents and see what they think. I'm sure that they won't have much of an opinion (like DH ) but at least I can offer them a choice.

I am also wondering, since we will have a vehicle, will it be easier to drive from Kidani to Jambo (to eat at Mara or Boma) or just to walk? If we lucked out and got a pool view at Kidani, that would be a LONG walk. Will we be able to valet park at both buildings? If that is the case, I am really starting to lean towards Kidani.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I am trying to decide the same exact dilemma!!!

In pictures it looks like the whirlpool tub in the master bedroom is also the shower in Jambo House..is that right?

 

[kristenrice]

I am trying to decide the same exact dilemma!!!

In pictures it looks like the whirlpool tub in the master bedroom is also the shower in Jambo House..is that right?

Yes, they are one unit in Jambo and separate entities in Kidani. Our kids like to take "shower tubbies"...they stand in under the shower with the drain plugged until the water is at their desired level, then they take a "swim". So for us, there isn't really a major difference in the bathroom setups. The only difference is the extra bathroom at Kidani.