Difference between Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Villas?

[jmc56]

Hello,
i will be looking into the "special" offer that Disney Plus is having on January 3 for hotel discounts.
After doing some research the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Villas look of interest to me.Can anyone tell me if there is much difference between the 2 resorts.Also how is the bus transportation from there going to the parks other then Animal Kingdom?
Thanks joyce dreaming of our next vacation in Orlando.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

In general, AKL has 2 sister resorts, Jambo House and Kidani. Kidani is made up of DVC villas (studios, 1BR, 2BR, and 3BR grand villas). Jambo House used to be a hotel/resort, but they redid the 4th and 5th floors (I believe it's those 2 floors), and the 6th floor club level above the main lobby - and made them DVC villa. The remaining rooms are 'regular' resort rooms. This resort (either side) is probably our favorite resort anywhere - not just at WDW. The resort dining options are amazing. If you stay there, you'll have access to both the Jambo and Kidani pools.

Bus transportation? That's going to be a controversial topic! Some people will have you believe staying at AKL is 'way remote'. In reality, the only park that is a really long bus ride from AKL is Magic Kingdom. But the bus ride is the same distance traveling from a monorail resort to the Animal Kingdom park. The bus ride from AKL to AK is very short. The bus ride to EPCOT and HS is also very easy. But I will admit, staying at AKL, you only have the buses or car transportation (personal car or ride share). There's no monorail or boat or skyliner, or even walking. If you're splitting your time among the 4 parks, it's a great place to stay. If you're planning multiple days at MK, you'll need to allow for a 15-25 minute bus ride each way.

There are also room designations of 'standard' and 'savanna'. Savanna offers views of the animals living at the resort and are really an amazing part of the experience. If you do not have animal viewing from your room, there are many spots around the resort (both Jambo and Kidani) where you can walk and see the animals.

Hope some of this helps.... Truly hope you get the opportunity to experience AKL for yourself.

 

[jmc56]

In general, AKL has 2 sister resorts, Jambo House and Kidani. Kidani is made up of DVC villas (studios, 1BR, 2BR, and 3BR grand villas). Jambo House used to be a hotel/resort, but they redid the 4th and 5th floors (I believe it's those 2 floors), and the 6th floor club level above the main lobby - and made them DVC villa. The remaining rooms are 'regular' resort rooms. This resort (either side) is probably our favorite resort anywhere - not just at WDW. The resort dining options are amazing. If you stay there, you'll have access to both the Jambo and Kidani pools.

Bus transportation? That's going to be a controversial topic! Some people will have you believe staying at AKL is 'way remote'. In reality, the only park that is a really long bus ride from AKL is Magic Kingdom. But the bus ride is the same distance traveling from a monorail resort to the Animal Kingdom park. The bus ride from AKL to AK is very short. The bus ride to EPCOT and HS is also very easy. But I will admit, staying at AKL, you only have the buses or car transportation (personal car or ride share). There's no monorail or boat or skyliner, or even walking. If you're splitting your time among the 4 parks, it's a great place to stay. If you're planning multiple days at MK, you'll need to allow for a 15-25 minute bus ride each way.

There are also room designations of 'standard' and 'savanna'. Savanna offers views of the animals living at the resort and are really an amazing part of the experience. If you do not have animal viewing from your room, there are many spots around the resort (both Jambo and Kidani) where you can walk and see the animals.

Hope some of this helps.... Truly hope you get the opportunity to experience AKL for yourself.

Thanks i appreciate all the detailed info you gave me it will help with my hotel choices that fit my budget.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Thanks i appreciate all the detailed info you gave me it will help with my hotel choices that fit my budget.

Oh, you never mentioned there was a budget....!!

Just kidding! I understand completely. Enjoy your trip, no matter where you stay!

 

[Peaseblossom36]

We stayed at both in September and preferred Jambo House! The room at Kidani was more spacious but was kind of beat up in comparison. It also had a really strong cleaning chemical smell (gave us adults really bad headaches) that wasn’t present at Jambo. The quick service is at Jambo house, so you would need to go there to have quick service meals. We booked at standard view room at Jambo and I called and made a request for a partial or obstructed savanna view and we got one! It was amazing and was better than the savanna view we paid for at Kidani!

I was nervous at the bus transportation after seeing all the complaints about it here but we never had an issue with getting to any parks. The longest bus ride we had was 25 minutes to Magic Kingdom and that was due to a car accident.

I will say that our room at Jambo didn’t have a bath tub, I don’t know if all of the rooms are like that but that was the one thing that was better at Kidani. Overall, we wouldn’t stay at Kidani again but would go back to Jambo.

 

[Suger Mag]

I think in Jambo it is just the 5th floor that is DVC with the 6th floor being Club level for DVC. Never stayed at Kindani, always Jambo... Jambo has the bigger store, and also the quick service restaurant.

All of the Jambo DVC villas 1 bedroom and up will have a washer/dryer and a full kitchen. The DVC studio rooms have a kitchenette with a small fridge, coffee maker microwave/toaster.

I believe another difference is that in Jambo at least the hotel studio rooms have 2 queen beds while the DVC studios have a queen and a sleeper sofa.

1 bedrooms have a separate living room with kitchen/dining area with sleeper sofa and sleeper chair (chair is not in value) and a bedroom with a king bed. 2 bedrooms are a combo of adjoining studio and 1 bedroom. In Kidani you can get a singular 2 bedroom unit (dedicated).

One of the things I love owning at AKV are there are many room options... view... size etc.

 

[loves to dive]

For me, the biggest difference in two is that the pool at Jambo is a tad bigger, the QS is at Jambo, the lobby at Jambo is incredible.

The buses are the buses are the buses are the buses. You might hear how the service is better at x resort than at y and that just isn't so. I've stayed at just about every resort on property from value to deluxe and have had good and bad service at every single one of them. AKL/AKV isn't that far from any of the parks except MK, which every resort except the monorail, WL and the Fort is also far from. If you have ever stayed at a value resort, they are in the AK resort "area".

Just my opinion, but if I couldn't get a Savannah view, I wouldn't stay there. Yes, you might get lucky and book a standard room and request a limited Savannah view and get one, but it is just luck. Yes, there are viewing areas throughout the resort to see the animals but if I'm staying in a bus only resort I don't want to risk looking at a parking lot. I like to sit out on my balcony in the morning with my cup of coffee or in the evening with a refreshing adult beverage so some sort of view is nice. Notice I said a bus only resort. I will book a standard view at the Epcot resorts and have had a view of the parking lot at YC and of the canal/woods at YC and that was fine since I could walk to two parks from there. I'll also say, the parking lot view at YC might have been one of the best balconies I've ever had. It looked out over the check in area and was huge.

 

[DaveNan]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a hotel. All of the rooms are located in the Jambo House building. It has std hotel rooms and maybe even some suites. 100% of the rooms are booked through the Disney reservation system. Animal Kingdom Villas are part of the Disney time share system (DVC). On the same property there are two building with DVC "villas". There are some in Jambo House along with the hotel rooms and some in a separate building that is 100% DVC, Kidani Village. The DVC villa are studios, 1BR, and 2BR. Most of the rooms are booked by a DVC member on points. Disney does own some points and acquires additional points from DVC owners when they use points for cruises and such. Disney can use these points to "reserve" villas (take them out of DVC inventory) and then book those villas for cash reservations. Studios have a small kitchenette, but only have 1 fixed bed and a pull out couch. The same busses serve guests in both buildings, making stops at both. There is also a small shuttle bus that continually runs between them. They are a 5-10 minute walk apart from each other. There each have table service restaurants, pools and giftshops. Most folks seem to prefer Jambo house. But based on your specific situation, Kidani might be preferred. If staying in a DVC on cash, you get daily maid service. If staying there on points, you do not, it is treated like a timeshare.

 

[DVCjj]

Have stayed at both several times. Like both very much. Never had a problem with the busses even though many have.

Enjoyable stays.

WHAT SPECIAL OFFER WITH DISNEY +? I can't get into the parks on the 3rd due to my AP blocking me but I'm just curious.

 

[Crescent_Lake]

I've never stayed at animal kingdom lodge and I'm still confused after reading this thread. Are there 2 or 3 separate lodging choices? Is it Animal Kingdom Lodge, plus Kidani, plus Jambo? Or are the Lodge and Jambo the same building? Is it similar to WL turning half the rooms into CCV and then BRV connected by a walkway?

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I've never stayed at animal kingdom lodge and I'm still confused after reading this thread. Are there 2 or 3 separate lodging choices? Is it Animal Kingdom Lodge, plus Kidani, plus Jambo? Or are the Lodge and Jambo the same building? Is it similar to WL turning half the rooms into CCV and then BRV connected by a walkway?

Animal Kingdom Lodge the resort is Jambo house, it is resort and some DVC. Animal Kingdom Villas is Kidani is a separate building and is all DVC. They are next to each other within walking distance and there’s also a shuttle between the two. They share quick service and you can use either pool.

 

[Crescent_Lake]

Animal Kingdom Lodge the resort is Jambo house, it is resort and some DVC. Kidani is a separate building and is all DVC. They are next to each other within walking distance and there’s also a shuttle between the two. They share quick service and you can use either pool.

Since it's a deluxe resort, I assume it has a club level lounge. I've also heard the DVC at AK has a club level lounge. Are they one and the same, or are there two different ones?

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Since it's a deluxe resort, I assume it has a club level lounge. I've also heard the DVC at AK has a club level lounge. Are they one and the same, or are there two different ones?

Looking at the resort page it says there are club level access DVC rooms at Jambo but it’s a booking category so not all DVC rooms have access. There are also regular resort club level rooms.

 

[peabody58]

We are getting ready for our 4th DVC stay at the AK Resorts.

1 - Jambo House Value Studios. So-So experience.
2 - Kidani Standard Studio. So-So experience, but better than Jambo.
3 - Kidani Savanna Studio. Awesome!! Will never do Standard again at AKK.
4 - In Jan 2024 with our 2 DDs/SILs: Kidani Savanna 2BR.

We had BLT a 2BR Standard reserved, but gave the kids an option to stay at AKK Savanna View. Obviously they picked the animals.

Busses are fine and sometimes faster than what we used at other resorts (boats, monorails).

I did not like the parking at Jambo. At Kidani the parking is under the building and close to elevators.

Having access to both resort buildings is a win-win. Short healthy walk, or use the shuttle. So much to see and do at the resorts, I have no firm opinion on the pools, both are fine for us.

The QS is in the Jambo bldg. Not to big a deal unless you plan on using it all the time and you;re staying at the Kidani bldg.

What makes the AK resorts special are the Savannah view rooms. Coffee in the morning never tasted so good than with a giraffe or two. The animals roam all day long so you will see them just about all the time. Yes there are open viewing areas at both bldgs, and I encourage you to check them out. A different kind of vibe with the Cast Members and other guests.

 

[DaveNan]

Since it's a deluxe resort, I assume it has a club level lounge. I've also heard the DVC at AK has a club level lounge. Are they one and the same, or are there two different ones?

The DVC villas with club access, have access to the exact same lounge as the AKL club rooms. But there are only 10 DVC villas (5 Lock-off 2 BR, that can be either booked as a 2BR or booked as a studio and 1BR) with club access. They are almost always booked at exactly 11 months and very difficult to get into.

 

[DaveNan]

Jambo House is a mix of DVC and Hotel (AKL) room. I believe most of the 5th floor is DVC Sav and Std view. The sixth floor above the lobby (blue rooms) is the DVC club rooms and the 5th floor on the wings at the very bottom of the map (just 18 rooms) are the DVC value rooms.


Kidani is 100% DVC.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I've never stayed at animal kingdom lodge and I'm still confused after reading this thread. Are there 2 or 3 separate lodging choices? Is it Animal Kingdom Lodge, plus Kidani, plus Jambo? Or are the Lodge and Jambo the same building? Is it similar to WL turning half the rooms into CCV and then BRV connected by a walkway?

There really is some mixed information in this thread. Animal Kingdom Lodge is the name of the entire resort. The resort has 2 sections, the original Jambo House and the newer Kidani Village. Together, they make up Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jambo House is a mixture of 'regular' hotel rooms and some DVC timeshare villas. It's also where the AKL Club Level is located, on the 6th floor of the main Jambo House building above the main lobby. There are a very limited number of DVC units located on the 6th floor, which members can reserve with points. There are also cash club level rooms available for non-timeshare guests. The Club lounge is the same for all. Kidani Village was built later and is made up of DVC timeshare villas, available for members to reserve - and I believe also some available for cash.

The original Jambo House hosts many of the amenities, including Boma, Jiko, The Mara (counter service), Victoria Falls bar, and Zawadi (an awesome gift shop where you can also purchase food/drink items). The lobby is also incredible. Kidani Village has a smaller lobby for guests checking in/out, and is home to the restaurant Sanaa. They also have a smaller store. Whether you stay at Jambo or Kidani, you're entitled to use the facilities on either side of the resort, including either pool. It's very walkable between Jambo and Kidani. Or, if you prefer, you can take a bus/van between. Animal Kingdom Lodge is much more spread out than CCV/BRV.

Both Jambo and Kidani have a large percentage of rooms overlooking the savanna, the home to many animals (giraffe, zebra, ostrich, antelope, etc). There are also rooms with a more standard view (pool, gardens, parking lot) - but if you stay in those rooms, there are still many observation areas around both sides of the resort to get close to the animals. Hope this helps some. I know I've repeated some things folks have already said, but I've also tried correcting some confusing information that's not correct.

 

[Mle8308]

There really is some mixed information in this thread. Animal Kingdom Lodge is the name of the entire resort. The resort has 2 sections, the original Jambo House and the newer Kidani Village. Together, they make up Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jambo House is a mixture of 'regular' hotel rooms and some DVC timeshare villas. It's also where the AKL Club Level is located, on the 6th floor of the main Jambo House building above the main lobby. There are a very limited number of DVC units located on the 6th floor, which members can reserve with points. There are also cash club level rooms available for non-timeshare guests. The Club lounge is the same for all. Kidani Village was built later and is made up of DVC timeshare villas, available for members to reserve - and I believe also some available for cash.

The original Jambo House hosts many of the amenities, including Boma, Jiko, The Mara (counter service), Victoria Falls bar, and Zawadi (an awesome gift shop where you can also purchase food/drink items). The lobby is also incredible. Kidani Village has a smaller lobby for guests checking in/out, and is home to the restaurant Sanaa. They also have a smaller store. Whether you stay at Jambo or Kidani, you're entitled to use the facilities on either side of the resort, including either pool. It's very walkable between Jambo and Kidani. Or, if you prefer, you can take a bus/van between. Animal Kingdom Lodge is much more spread out than CCV/BRV.

Both Jambo and Kidani have a large percentage of rooms overlooking the savanna, the home to many animals (giraffe, zebra, ostrich, antelope, etc). There are also rooms with a more standard view (pool, gardens, parking lot) - but if you stay in those rooms, there are still many observation areas around both sides of the resort to get close to the animals. Hope this helps some. I know I've repeated some things folks have already said, but I've also tried correcting some confusing information that's not correct.

This is perfectly stated!

 

[Mle8308]

Have stayed at both several times. Like both very much. Never had a problem with the busses even though many have.

Enjoyable stays.

WHAT SPECIAL OFFER WITH DISNEY +? I can't get into the parks on the 3rd due to my AP blocking me but I'm just curious.

The Disney+ offer that is supposed to come out on January 3rd is a room discount, for current Disney+ subscribers. No one knows what the discounts will be or for what resorts they will be offered. It has nothing do with your AP.

 

[Crescent_Lake]

There really is some mixed information in this thread. Animal Kingdom Lodge is the name of the entire resort. The resort has 2 sections, the original Jambo House and the newer Kidani Village. Together, they make up Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jambo House is a mixture of 'regular' hotel rooms and some DVC timeshare villas. It's also where the AKL Club Level is located, on the 6th floor of the main Jambo House building above the main lobby. There are a very limited number of DVC units located on the 6th floor, which members can reserve with points. There are also cash club level rooms available for non-timeshare guests. The Club lounge is the same for all. Kidani Village was built later and is made up of DVC timeshare villas, available for members to reserve - and I believe also some available for cash.

The original Jambo House hosts many of the amenities, including Boma, Jiko, The Mara (counter service), Victoria Falls bar, and Zawadi (an awesome gift shop where you can also purchase food/drink items). The lobby is also incredible. Kidani Village has a smaller lobby for guests checking in/out, and is home to the restaurant Sanaa. They also have a smaller store. Whether you stay at Jambo or Kidani, you're entitled to use the facilities on either side of the resort, including either pool. It's very walkable between Jambo and Kidani. Or, if you prefer, you can take a bus/van between. Animal Kingdom Lodge is much more spread out than CCV/BRV.

Both Jambo and Kidani have a large percentage of rooms overlooking the savanna, the home to many animals (giraffe, zebra, ostrich, antelope, etc). There are also rooms with a more standard view (pool, gardens, parking lot) - but if you stay in those rooms, there are still many observation areas around both sides of the resort to get close to the animals. Hope this helps some. I know I've repeated some things folks have already said, but I've also tried correcting some confusing information that's not correct.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Great clarifications!