Jambo House or Kidani Village?

chilly2336

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
We have the opportunity to stay in a studio at either JH or KV and have not stayed in either resort before. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to one over the other?

Thanks for any info you are able to provide!
 
The studios are about the same, Jambo has a fast food location, Mara's, where Kidani has only the pool bar. The lobby at Jambo is great, Kidani is not so much. The bus will stop at Kidani then Jambo, so you may end up standing if you go to a park from Jambo at a high demand time.
 
As to the rooms themselves, the studios at the two resorts are about the same size, except for the small number of "value" studios at Jambo that are smaller than any others. One difference of some significance is that the studio at Jambo has the combined tub and shower in the room with the toilet, while at Kidani, the toilet is in its own room but the tub/shower is in the open area where the sink is, right by the sink. As to differences between Jambo and Kidani, see my post, #3, here https://www.disboards.com/threads/akl-kidani-or-jambo.3672091/
 
I found the walk from the room to the lobby to be MUCH longer at Kidani than at Jambo. Also, I do prefer that Jambo has the QS, Mara, right there.
 


You didn't mention if you were staying standard or savanna view, but one advantage of Kidani is you can request a lower floor which gives you a better view of the animals. As mentioned the other advantage for Kidani is being the first bus stop for the parks.
 
I LOVE the lobby of Jambo House; however, I would probably choose Kidani if staying in a 1-BR or larger (due to the extra bathrooms). But when staying in a studio, I prefer Jambo House. You get the great lobby, plus with standards, you get either a pool-view or a partial savanna view; whereas, at Kidani, standard usually means parking lot view.
 
You didn't mention if you were staying standard or savanna view, but one advantage of Kidani is you can request a lower floor which gives you a better view of the animals. As mentioned the other advantage for Kidani is being the first bus stop for the parks.

Assuming you get your request. My first time at Kidani, my first request was lower floor (for the reason you said-better views of the animals). but when I got there that's not at all what I had.
 


We have stayed at both. I DREAM about the shower in the 1br at Kidani, but the walk from our room at the butt end of the hall every day was awful. The pool is also awkwardly placed (and small). It was odd having to go out through the lobby and into the parking lot to access the pool.

Jambo has that awesome lobby and pool and easy access to QS and TS places as well as the super gift shop. Plus we check in there tomorrow!
 
If I had to choose, I would say Jambo. The great thing about AK though, is the ability to use the amenities at both resorts. The times I have stayed there, I have enjoyed the pool at both and the restaurants. You can walk between the resorts or take a small bus. Either is great. The only suggestion I consistently make for AK is Savanna View. Have fun!
 
We own there and stay every year.
Love Kidani. Its quieter than Jambo House, and not as busy.
Still has a really good restaurant and lounge and the full Savannah.
Its only a 5 minute walk to Jambo House for the their restaurants and lounge.
Also like the underground parking lot.
Adore the 1 BR at Kidani, its HUGE and 2 BRs.
 
I make my decision based on if I am using the dining plan. Kidani if no and Jambo if yes
 
So this is just my humble opinion...if you want a WOW factor go to Jambo. There is now comparing the two. But I’m biased. My wedding and honeymoon stay was at Jambo in 2004 and then we bought DVC in 2005. We added akv in 2011. Jambo will always be special to us and nothing beats boma’s breakfast
 
As to the rooms themselves, the studios at the two resorts are about the same size, except for the small number of "value" studios at Jambo that are smaller than any others. One difference of some significance is that the studio at Jambo has the combined tub and shower in the room with the toilet, while at Kidani, the toilet is in its own room but the tub/shower is in the open area where the sink is, right by the sink. As to differences between Jambo and Kidani, see my post, #3, here https://www.disboards.com/threads/akl-kidani-or-jambo.3672091/
Oh, dear, we have rented points (first time) for a Standard Studio Jambo (first time AKL) stay over marathon weekend (my first half!), and this description of the tub and shower in the same room with the toilet is truly disappointing to me and is going to be a real problem for us (husband, son, and myself) in getting ready in the morning! At least only one of us has to blow-dry our hair :-)

But, I am happy to read that my "standard" room will likely not end up with a parking lot view--that's encouraging, as I don't really have an expectation of seeing the animals, but I REALLY did not want a parking lot view!!
I LOVE the lobby of Jambo House; however, I would probably choose Kidani if staying in a 1-BR or larger (due to the extra bathrooms). But when staying in a studio, I prefer Jambo House. You get the great lobby, plus with standards, you get either a pool-view or a partial savanna view; whereas, at Kidani, standard usually means parking lot view.

Thanks to the OP/responders for this informational thread!
 

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