News Kidani Village and Jambo House Guest Room Refurbishment Dates at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

[nickys]

Great to see they kept the theming of the villas, although there’s less LK touches. I’m glad to see they kept the desk and headboard in the master bedroom. And the table in the dining area. It seems like a better set up for dining than in other villa refurbs, especially for a wheelchair user.

Sad to see the nice sunset mural tiles around the bath gone.

And like Bay Lake and SSR, there’s no storage now in the living room - to make way for the pull down twin bed. The bed doesn’t look big enough for an adult, so a 1-bed won’t work if you need 3 separate beds for adults.

Not 100% sold on the tiles in the kitchen yet, a bit too “busy”

Overall I like it, even though it means we’ll need a 2-bed from now on.

 

[esskay]

And like Bay Lake and SSR, there’s no storage now in the living room - to make way for the pull down twin bed. The bed doesn’t look big enough for an adult, so a 1-bed won’t work if you need 3 separate beds for adults.

Have they used the Pop style single then as the single pull down at BLT absolutely is big enough for an an adult (its a totally different type of bed and supporting frame)

 

[nickys]

Have they used the Pop style single then as the single pull down at BLT absolutely is big enough for an an adult (its a totally different type of bed and supporting frame)

I assume they’ve done the same as at BLT, in which case that’s good to know. Both had the sleeper chairs before so they should have replaced like for like.

At the AKV Condo meeting last week they talked about the Murphy bed and the “child’s bed”, which is why I thought it was small.

 

[Ayla]

The only storage is in the bedroom. Where is all your unrefrigerated food/snacks supposed to go in the kitchen? On the little counter space there is? Where are the people staying in the LR supposed to put all their bags/clothes/stuff?

It's like the people that design these rooms have never stayed in a hotel before.

 

[Disone]

The only storage is in the bedroom. Where is all your unrefrigerated food/snacks supposed to go in the kitchen? On the little counter space there is? Where are the people staying in the LR supposed to put all their bags/clothes/stuff?

It's like the people that design these rooms have never stayed in a hotel before.

There is some storage in the cabinets of the kitchen. And also there is the closet where the washer and dryer is at. It's not much though.. agreed. If you're there for less than a week I think it's just fine. If doing a longer stay.... Hummmmmm . Well you're on Safari. I guess you're roughing it a little bit .

 

[Nottamus]

I couldn’t tell-coffee maker, is it still a drip coffee or a kuerig?

 

[Nottamus]

Never mind- I looked on bigger screen- looks like it’s both - Keurig and drip

 

[Tiki Traveler]

Does anyone know if the refurbishment at Jambo House is for DVC rooms only or are all the rooms at Jambo House being refurbished? Thank you, looking to book a 2026 vacation.

Any updates?

 

[nickys]

Any updates?

Kidani is scheduled to run until May, then work will start at Jambo. Even the WDW website is vague about Jambo plans, so I’m not sure who can answer your question.

The refurb was announced by DVC. My guess is that if the non DVC rooms were being done, Disney would have said so.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Kidani is scheduled to run until May, then work will start at Jambo. Even the WDW website is vague about Jambo plans, so I’m not sure who can answer your question.

The refurb was announced by DVC. My guess is that if the non DVC rooms were being done, Disney would have said so.

Agreed. This is a DVC refurb. Jambo's cash rooms were refurbed not too long ago. I remember this because it really annoyed me that the cash rooms got a refurb when the DVC rooms were already overdue for theirs (I know they are 2 separate "buckets" but it really showed either a lack of foresight or a lack of concern for DVC owners to do that).

 

[mattpeto]

The only storage is in the bedroom. Where is all your unrefrigerated food/snacks supposed to go in the kitchen? On the little counter space there is? Where are the people staying in the LR supposed to put all their bags/clothes/stuff?

It's like the people that design these rooms have never stayed in a hotel before.

It looks great, but lack of storage looks to be a huge oversight I agree. Can they still "do something" about that?

 

[nickys]

It looks great, but lack of storage looks to be a huge oversight I agree. Can they still "do something" about that?

It’s been the same issue with other refurbs where they’ve replaced the big dresser with the pull down twin bed in the living rooms. Such as at Saratoga and Bay Lake.

 

[Nunu]

It’s been the same issue with other refurbs where they’ve replaced the big dresser with the pull down twin bed in the living rooms. Such as at Saratoga and Bay Lake.

Just two of us, so we stay at a Studio most of the time. I was relieved that the BLT Studios didn't lose the big dresser with the renovations.

I'd be really annoyed at the lack of storage space if staying in a 1bdr.

 

[Nottamus]

Just two of us, so we stay at a Studio most of the time. I was relieved that the BLT Studios didn't lose the big dresser with the renovations.

I'd be really annoyed at the lack of storage space if staying in a 1bdr.

Yes, as are super curious on what the AKL studios will be able to fit in the upgrade.

We usually just do studios too. I’m booked for next November in Kidani, so unless someone posts a studio video, I’ll find out then!

 

[nickys]

Yes, as are super curious on what the AKL studios will be able to fit in the upgrade.

We usually just do studios too. I’m booked for next November in Kidani, so unless someone posts a studio video, I’ll find out then!

There are photos here, no video that I can find yet.

First Look: Refurbished Deluxe Studios at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village

Explore the newly refurbished Deluxe Studios at Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, featuring Murphy beds, updated bathrooms, and refreshed décor.

dvcfan.com

 

[Nottamus]

There are photos here, no video that I can find yet.

First Look: Refurbished Deluxe Studios at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village

Explore the newly refurbished Deluxe Studios at Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, featuring Murphy beds, updated bathrooms, and refreshed décor.

dvcfan.com

Well, I’ll wonder no more !

Awesome, thank you for the link.

Smaller Murphy bed was totally expected for room size. Keurig should be ok, although I liked the drip option in 1 br.
I’ll adapt. lol