Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo or Kidani?

[OHIOVACATIONER]

Thinking about a couple nights with the grands ages 4 and 6 at AK. What is the difference between the Jambo House or Kidani Village? Which room view for the best to see the animals? Can you really see the animals from your room? They would really love that. Are the pools there pretty nice? Splashpads? Thank you

 

[matt and beth]

Thinking about a couple nights with the grands ages 4 and 6 at AK. What is the difference between the Jambo House or Kidani Village? Which room view for the best to see the animals? Can you really see the animals from your room? They would really love that. Are the pools there pretty nice? Splashpads? Thank you

Jambo was the first and larger foyer with most of the popular dining. Kidani was the DVC built resort. Both have animals and Savanna views of the animals. Just book the upgraded rooms and you can see them from your balcony. They also have viewing decks at the hotel and used to have binoculars you could borrow. Kidani has the best pool for what you are looking for. AKL are both very nice

 

[CarolynFH]

As long as you book savanna view, you’ll have a view of the animals from your balcony. We request Low Floor, to be closer to the animals’ level, and you might want to request Sunset Savanna because it has zebras and giraffes. You can use the pools and splash pads at both Jambo and Kidani, no matter which one you stay at. I’ve read that the Kidani splash pad is one of the best at WDW.

Jambo has regular hotel rooms; it also has a few DVC Deluxe Studios and 1 and 2 BR villas. Kidani is all DVC. The primary difference between a regular hotel room and a studio is the kitchenette in the studio, which includes a toaster and microwave oven. Both rooms and studios have a mini fridge or beverage cooler as well as a coffee pot. The 1 and 2 BR villas have full kitchens and in-room laundry.

 

[RanDIZ]

Jambo has better restaurants and more grand of a lobby. Both pools are nice, but I’d say Kidani is more kid friendly. Better slide and splash pad. As far as animals, you can definitely see the animals from the room. This is from Jambo.

 

[FSU Girl]

I like Jambo better. The lobby is more impressive and I like the quick service that’s easy to get to. I’d only do kidani if doing DVC since it’s the whole building and I like the lower floors for a better animal view. In Jambo only DVC rooms are on the high floors

 

[OHIOVACATIONER]

Thank you everyone. They both sound wonderful. My main concern is which one would a 4 and 6 yr. old enjoy the most. Even though I would like Jambo the best sounds like maybe the Kidani would be better for viewing the animals for the little ones. I am sure the splash pad would also be a hit although Jambo has a playground. Love both of them

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you everyone. They both sound wonderful. My main concern is which one would a 4 and 6 yr. old enjoy the most. Even though I would like Jambo the best sounds like maybe the Kidani would be better for viewing the animals for the little ones. I am sure the splash pad would also be a hit although Jambo has a playground. Love both of them

As long as you book savanna view, you have the same chance of seeing animals from Kidani as from Jambo. And you can use the Kidani splash pad and the Jambo playground no matter which building you’re in. It’s all one resort, and there’s a shuttle bus that runs back and forth every few minutes (or you can walk, about 10 minutes from lobby door to lobby door). So pick the building you want - the kids will enjoy it just as much.

 

[winnieforme]

Thinking about a couple nights with the grands ages 4 and 6 at AK. What is the difference between the Jambo House or Kidani Village? Which room view for the best to see the animals? Can you really see the animals from your room? They would really love that. Are the pools there pretty nice? Splashpads? Thank you

we have stayed at both and have had great views...lots of animals at both
both resort pools are nice, but kidani has a great pool for the kids

 

[stinkpickle]

Be aware that some of the rooms at Kidani can be a LONG way from the lobby. It's not a big deal if you have a car, though.

 

[meredetrois2]

Thank you everyone. They both sound wonderful. My main concern is which one would a 4 and 6 yr. old enjoy the most. Even though I would like Jambo the best sounds like maybe the Kidani would be better for viewing the animals for the little ones. I am sure the splash pad would also be a hit although Jambo has a playground. Love both of them

We stayed at Kidani last summer with our adult children and grandsons, 4 & 2. They loved the pool and splash pad! We sat out on the balcony every morning to watch the giraffes, zebras, etc and they were so excited. Make sure you are on the Savanna side.

 

[Anthony1971]

The Pools.
Kidani has a smaller pool with a nice Kids area the slide at Kidani is fast. I do not know your GK or how adventures they are so this is why I mention the slide...
The pool at Jambo is much larger as you mentioned has the playground the pool slide is not at all intimidating for a 4 or 6 YO.
In the past and if or when they bring back the activities Jambo had a parade consisting of the kids every night as well as a story teller in the lobby they also still have the marshmellow roast -although it seems this is no longer free as i heard comments this year? Overall a Kid would like Jambo over Kidani at least mine did.... as they get a little older because of the pool at Kidani they will likely enjoy that side more. Jambo has a lot more going on with more CM in the past they were very engaging with younger children I have had a number of good interactions also a few at Kidani but far more at Jambo.