I have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, both Kidani and Jumbo House. The views from both can be quite good. Some times there will be plenty of animal present and other times the animals will be hiding in the very large savannahs. One advantage that Jumbo House has as apposed to Kidani for animal sightings is, at the end of most of the branches of the hotel, their are outdoor staircases. These can be GREAT for animal sightings and pictures. Both Jumbo House and Kidnai have main view areas behind the lobby as well as near the pool. They also have windowed areas on the upper floors where you can look down on the savannah.
Though you don't get a view on the main floor on the stairwells, the other floors you can overlook huge areas of the savannahs and see several animals. The very first time I stayed there I didn't know about the stairwells. Also at Jumbo House if you want to see the Flamingos you should head behind the pool as that is the only place they are at. usually the Pink backed Pelicans are at Aruza Rock behind the Main Lobby of Jumbo House
The Red River Hogs are at the end of one of the main branches of Jumbo House in an area specifically built for them as it's fenced in and all. Some of the vultures can be pretty far out from the hotels and they can be a bit hard to see. Sunrise is a cool time to see the Savannahs as you usually can see the animals even through fog and all.
At Kidani the stair wells are not exposed, so they aren't as helpful, but there main viewing area sits in the dead center of a large savannah with Zebras, Giraffes, Wildebeest, Roan Antelope, Ostrich, Ankole Watusi cattle, and Elands. The Kidani only savannah features Nyala, Spur Winged Geese, Abyssian Ground Hornbills, Red River Hogs, Thomson's Gazelle, Blue Cranes, Yellow Backed Duikers, and the headliner Okapis.
I don't remember Jumbo House's locations for all the animals, but many of the staff can direct you as to where to go and all.
Other then the animals aspect of the resorts, Kidani's parking situation is GREAT as you park under the hotel and take elevators down very close to your cars (it's important to know which area you are parked in, either Timon, Pumba, Zazu, or Rafiki), Jumbo Houses parking lot is in front of the resort and can be quite a walk. Kidani's pool is also very neat for the kids, Jumbo House is more a tropical mirage type pool.
Jumbo House however has more food options. One thing my dad preferred, as he is more into American cuisine is that he wished Kidani had a place you could get a simple hamburger and not have to go to a sit down dining restaurant. Several times we had to take the long walk (not long in young people's terms, but he's a cardiac) to Jumbo House just to have a simple burger and fries at the Mara. Mara is really conveniant and important as you can get basic and snack foods there. Also the store at Jumbo is much larger then Kidani's and both have similar situations for transportation. You can take a bus from Kidani too Jumbo, but sometimes the busses are so full, as we go at Christmas, it's better to just walk.
Both are beautiful resorts though.
I hope this helps.
