This is a huge hotel. Well, 2 hotels really. Let’s start with the original AKL (Animal Kingdom Lodge) resort – Jambo House.
Jambo house is the larger of the 2 resorts and contians both hotel rooms and DVC suites. The room are spacious and well furnished, no matter if you choose the DVC rout or not. The prices are in line with other Deluxe resorts (meaning expensive), but in this case you also get alot.
So what do you get?
First, the lobby is amazing, it is huge, high ceilinged, and open. The African theming is superb and the views of the lobby and out the massive front (back?) window from the suspension bridge over the lobby are not to be missed.
Second, the restuarants, from the quick serve Mara to the traditional Boma and Jiko are excellent. Mara is affordable (in the Disney sense of the word) and the dishes on the varied menu are all excellent. Boma is priced similar to a character meal, and while this is a buffet style experience, the service is great and the food is some of the best I have eaten in any resort or restaurant. the cuisine is ranges from tradtional South African to a fusion of sorts and it is simply delicious. Jiko offer the full high end eating experience, with prices to match. The food, wine and service have never let me down.
In addition to these restaurants, the hotel bar is well sotcked and the bartenders are absolutly great. If you have a special request, don’t hesitate to ask – they will do their bet to help you out.
Next, the hotel staff are fast, efficient, friendly and warm. They really do have the DVC “Welcome Home” service down pat. They are there to help you with whatever your needs may be.
Fourth, the pool area, Uzima Springs, is large and full of fun. The amenities around this area include hot tubs and a playground. Also, the children’s slide into the pool is well themed and just the right size for the younger crowd. The poolside bar is also offers good service, the only caveat being that Disney in its wisdom has “standardized” the offerings at all the pool bars. This has resulted in a somewhat bland and monotonous series of the same drinks being served at all the poolside bars, from the Boardwalk to AKL. Not good. Thankfully, the staff will venture away from this menu if you ask – in fact they will thank you for asking for somehting different.
OK, that’s it for the alcohol, I promise. Remember, don’t drink and dive!
Finally, and really the reasn why you would come to AKL – get a savannah view room! Seriously, its is the most fantastic thing to have your morning coffee on your patio while watching the zebras and giraffe’s! It is an amazing experience and makes this resort unique.
Well, almost unique…….Kidani is the second resort of this complex, and it too is huge. It offers only DVC accomodations, and the rooms are incredibly well themed and comfortable.
How does Kidani compare to Jambo you ask? Well, you know I was going to tell you – after all, why else would I write this…………..
First lets talk about the pool. The pool itself is nowhere the size of the Jambo house pool, and seems to follow the trend of the other newer resorts in having a pretty small pool. That being said, the play area at this resort is much more inventive and is almost a mini-waterpark, making it a favorite for kids. For adults, refreshment services are the same at either pool area, but there is alot less deck space here. Another thing to not is that the pool area is not within the friendly confines of the resort, in fact you have to exit through the lobby and cross the main entranceway to get to the pool area. (this always felt weird to me, in alot of ways)
The lobby at Kidani cannot really be compared with the lobby at Jambo. (but I’m going to do it anyway!) While Kidani’s lobby is well themed and has the same level of excellence when it comes to staff, its comparitively tiny. If you don’t go to Jambo you will find the Kidani lobby warm and inviting, If you went to Jambo first, you will wonder why Disney themed a closet. Well, that may be an exaggeration, but you get the picture.
Also, the eating experience at Kidani is a little limited. Sanaa is the only restaurant in the hotel, and although it is on the same level with Jiko, there is a void. I recommend that you avail of the shutte between the resorts to widen the food playing field, but this isn’t very convenient sometimes.
Another point of comparison is the actual retail services at both Kidani and Jambo. While Jambo has a large, varied retail space, the space at Kidanin is very small, but you can get groceries there. In either case, if you have a DVC room and want to take advantage of the kitchen equipment, your best bet is to rent a car and drive to any of the nearby off property grocery stores (there is a shortcut the lobby staff will tell you about!)
It sounds like Kidani doesn’t compare will to Jambo, well, except in a few very important areas. One, the staffs at both resorts are excellent. This does alot to make the guest feel welcome. Second, Kidani does have the nicer and more spacious rooms. Even though the rooms at Jambo house are great, they aren’t as great as the Kidani rooms. Finally, Kidani offers the same insane views from the Savannah view rooms. I cannot describe how fantastic this experience is….it is something not to be missed. Finally, Kidani offers the full Disney experience, without the crowds – it is a great place ot get away from all the bustle of the parks while still enjoying all the advntages a Disney resort can offer.
So you can probably gather that I have injoyed staying at both these resorts and that I think they are a wonderful family option. However (you knew it was coming, don’t lie) there are some issues about these resorts that need to be reported. The first issue is the bus transportation. These are huge resorts and we have lived the experience that there are simply not enough buses sent to these resorts. The busses are tasked with picking up and dropping off at both resorts, and in the mornings you better be at the first stop, and in line early, or you are ging to have a very frustrating wait (don’t forget long!). The other avice about the busses is again leave early, very early – other than the Animal Kingdom, you are a good hike from any of thre other parks – and Downtown Disney is the better part of a half hour’s bus trip away.
Secondly, as I have noted before, things are not close bye, this means that getting groceries or meals can be a bit of a hike… This is great if you like hiking, not so good if your 5 year old doesn’t……. Also, this means that affordable eating over a period of time is best accomplished by the previously mentioned rental car strategy. Finally, it means accepting longer bus rides that are usually very crowded.
Even with these negatives, all it takes is a little planning and you will have a wonderful stay in one of the most unique resorts in Disneyworld. It is one of the most enjoyable places in Disney to spend some time. Say hello to the zebras for me!