Jambo vs. Kidani and BLT

[Disneykidder]

Hey all!! Just some quick questions.

What is the difference between staying at Jambo vs. Kidani Village? Seems one is more kid friendlier than the other on paper but I haven't stayed at either yet. Plus do they both have a Savanna view room?

We are staying at BLT next summer with a MK view room but curious what view the standard room has. Is it the pool view?

Thanks so much!!

 

[ScoutN]

Both are kid friendly.

Both have Savannah View.

Jambo has quickservice with a larger quantity of cash room vs NEARLY all DVC at Kidani.

I prefer AKL over BLT easily. BLT's room design, bridge to get to main tower, shaded pool, etc are all major turnoffs for me. I just did a walk through two weeks ago when I was there and I was rather shocked to see what I declare as poor aging with wear and tear. I do not know the different views. The two nights I spent in it were Lake.

 

[ScoutN]

Both are kid friendly.

Both have Savannah View.

Jambo has quickservice with a larger quantity of cash room vs NEARLY all DVC at Kidani.

I prefer AKL over BLT easily. BLT's room design, bridge to get to main tower, shaded pool, etc are all major turnoffs for me. AKL does not feel as cramped in as the other. The theme is more immersive. (as a disclosure I love staying main tower) I just did a walk through two weeks ago when I was there and I was rather shocked to see what I declare as poor aging with wear and tear. I do not know the different views. The two nights I spent in it were Lake.

 

[journ116]

AKLV are our "home' resorts, and we've stayed at both. When we travel with a large group, we prefer Kidani; but, when's it's just my little family of four, we'll take a studio at Jambo House any day. Here are some glaring differences between the resorts:

1.JH: has an on-site quick-service restaurant, Mara. KV does not.

2. KV: 1 & 2-bedrooms have an extra bathroom off the living room (right by the entry way.

3. JH: the villas are converted resort rooms, located on the 5th floor, so they're a bit smaller than the ones at KV.

4. JH: more on-site activities, because it has to accommodate regular resort guests as well.

Both have savanna view rooms, along with standard view rooms, which typically are of the parking lot and pool.

Like I mentioned before, when it's just me and my little family, we prefer the convience of JH. However, when accommodating larger parties, don't underestimate the extra room and full bath at KV!

As for BLT, we stayed there in Oct. 2011 and had a Lake View, which wasn't that bad. We could actually see MK if we looked to our left from out on the balcony. Standard view rooms there are usually facing the CT. If you decide to change your minds about "the view," you can always go to the roof deck to a spectacular view! We actually watched Hallowishes up there on Halloween (no way were we going to MNSSHP that night!)!

 

[GoofGoof]

Hey all!! Just some quick questions.

What is the difference between staying at Jambo vs. Kidani Village? Seems one is more kid friendlier than the other on paper but I haven't stayed at either yet. Plus do they both have a Savanna view room?

We are staying at BLT next summer with a MK view room but curious what view the standard room has. Is it the pool view?

Thanks so much!!

The standard view at BLT is the bottom few floors. Here is a chart that shows exactly which rooms are each view.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

We stayed at a MK view room in June. It was on the 3rd floor which kinda sucked. The views were still cool and we could see the castle and fireworks, but we were pretty much on top of the overhang from the front door. The 2nd floor (1 below us)was standard view which was a lot less points. I begged the guy at the checkin desk for a higher floor, but everything was full. My opinion is that anything below 5 (the floor with the bridge to CR) should be standard view. If I knew how to post pictures on here I would post some from our room. The link above has tons of pictures from all of the rooms.

 

[captainkidd]

I've done walk throughs of both. While AKL is out of the way, the building and rooms are gorgeous. I found BLT to be even more sterile than the Contemporary itself. Held zero appeal for me.

 

[dvcnut]

Here's my opinion...

- AKL Jambo House - My DH and my favorite resort. We love the pool and hot tubs at this resort since they have a more organic shape with areas of shade. Boma and Jiko are both amazing restaurants as well. The bus service at AKL is top notch as well.

- AKL Kidani Village - I haven't stayed here, but did walk through when we stayed at Jambo House. I've heard that Sanaa is very good. The hotel looks very similarly decorated to Jambo House. Both hotels have savannah views available. The pool at Kidani Village was poorly designed for adults imo. There is lots for kids to do at the pool, but it is smaller than Jambo House's and has no shaded areas. The 1 and 2 bedroom rooms do have an extra bathroom and a 2 bedroom villa has 2 beds in the 2nd bedroom (where as JH has one bedroom and a pullout). I can't imagine staying here simply because of the pool...I found it very disappointing.

- BLT - We've tried both the lake and MK views. I prefer the lake view...it's absolutely breathaking and gives you a view of the electical parade on Bay Lake. My only qualm about the MK view is that while you can see Space Mountain and the castle, you also see a whole lot of parking lot space.

A lot of people complain about the decor at BLT, but I love the modern take. If you're a DVC member, you get access to the Observation Deck...which is a great vantage point for the Wishes fireworks show. The monorail is very convenient, but it is a bit of a hike from the BLT building. The bus service wasn't anything to write home about.

 

[Disneykidder]

Hmmm. Great info, everyone. We became DVC members just 9 days ago. We were buying in Aulani but switched to BLT. The monorail is our main reason for wanting to stay there next summer due to us spending a lot of time at MK. I can't wait to see the point values for GF when it is completed so we can stay there, too.
I asked about AKL because that will be where we stay in 2014. I just wanted some heads up on that. We have three kids so having at least a one bedroom is a must for us.
Anyone have a favorite resort?

 

[captainkidd]

Anyone have a favorite resort?

Not a DVC member, but I have stayed at Old Key West, Wilderness Lodge Villas and Boardwalk Villas. Will be staying at Beach Club Villas next July.

It's a toss up between WL and Boardwalk. They're both awesome. I definitely prefer the room decor of the WL, and the food options I prefer at the Lodge as well. But the Boardwalk has a wonderful atmosphere and great location. I like the WL pool and lobby better. But Boardwalk is wonderful in the evening with the performers. Plus, the bakery is awesome. And you've got so many food options with the different resorts and Epcot.

I didn't care much for Old Key West.

 

[Phonedave]

.
Anyone have a favorite resort?

Ones I have stayed at, in order of prefrence

VWL(toss up for first with BWV, love theme of both, one has EPCOT, the other MK)
BWV (toss up for firs with VWLt, love theme of both, one has EPCOT, the other MK)
BCV - Nice resort, proximity to EPCOT. Stormalong Bay really does nothing for me - that is a minority opinion I know
SSR - My home resort, and a short walk to DTD if you get a good room.
AKL-Jambo - Far from all execpt AK, poor point value (in my opinion). Savanna is really not that big of a draw (at least to me)
AKL - Kidani - All of the drawbacks of Jambo plus the lack of a Quick Service F&B (yes you can go to Jambo, I know) and if you get a poor room selection, enjoy your mile long trek to the lobby.

-dave

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

We stay at Jambo house We like the dining options there and really like the secluded feel the resort has that I find very relaxing after being in the crowded parks all day.

 

[toolsnspools]

Own at BLT. Spent the first trip at AKL-KV and I like the resort, but Dave hit the negatives accurately. It was a 10 minute walk to the lobby from our room. I found the bus service to be slow there too. The pool was VERY nice there though and if you like quiet and out of the way, that's the resort to be at.

We've stayed one night at BLT, and loved the location. We didn't go to the parks, but watched the MK fireworks from the bridge to the Contemporary, and spent the evening checking out the monorail loop. Can't wait to stay there again for the 4th of July next year.

I also used points on the Disney Dream. Not the most efficient way to use points, but none of the villas park at Castaway Cay for the day either!

 

[Disneykidder]

What's the difference in the value room at AK and a standard besides almost 20 points a week.

 

[dreamfinder]

What's the difference in the value room at AK and a standard besides almost 20 points a week.

A value room is about 3 feet shorter. Basically you lose the sleeper chair in the 1/2 bdrms. The kitchen and bathroom areas should be the same size.

The values seem a smidgen smaller, but not terrible. If you are trying to put a party of 4 in a studio you might find it cramped, but just a couple is fine.

 

[Disneykidder]

Ok. I hate to be a pain but has anyone stayed at Club level at AKL? It really seems worth it. Thoughts? Do they have it at BLT?

 

[tjkraz]

The values seem a smidgen smaller, but not terrible. If you are trying to put a party of 4 in a studio you might find it cramped, but just a couple is fine.

For the most part, I agree. The AKV Value rooms are moderate sized. Disney lists AKV Value at 316 sq ft. Coronado Springs rooms are 314 sq ft. POFQ are 315 sq ft. Four people would definitely be a tight fit--even more so to folks who are accustomed to extra breathing room in DVC accommodations.

As to the original question of which is better, my take always is that if I'm staying in a Studio I would pick Jambo. Studios at Jambo (NOT Value) and Kidani are pretty much the same so you might as well be closer to the good restaurants, walk through the massive lobby, etc.

If I'm staying in a One or Two Bedroom, I'd go with Kidani. At Kidani you get the extra bathroom, more square footage and room layouts which are not jerry-rigged from combining 2-3 guest rooms. Don't think Jambo even has the separate tub/shower in the master bath. Those extra in-room enhancements justify the extra travel time to-and-from Jambo, IMO.

 

[tjkraz]

Ok. I hate to be a pain but has anyone stayed at Club level at AKL? It really seems worth it. Thoughts? Do they have it at BLT?

Some people love staying Concierge. It's a pricey add-on (more points) so you need to figure out whether or not you will get your money's worth. They offer some intangibles like trip planning and ADR assistance but most of the value comes in the food offerings.

There are only 5 villas in that concierge category so it's something which really has to be booked 11 months out. Non-owners have almost no chance of getting a club level booking.

AKV is the only DVC which offers concierge rooms. Every once in a while I'll see a report from a DVC owner who was able to purchase concierge access while staying on points at other resorts. But it's very expensive ($50-60 per person, per day comes to mind) and you're still relegated to staying in a DVC villa located quite a distance from the actual concierge lounge.

 

[Disneykidder]

Thanks for the info. We want to stay at AKL during a split stay next summer and was very curious.

 

[DisneyJoe]

We love BLT/Contemporary for the ability to walk to MK! I've done split stays between BLT and other resorts just for that convenience.

 

[Disneykidder]

That's the plan. BLT MK view for half and somewhere else the other. I gotta get moving and book already. Probably will be BLT MK view and AKL Savanna. (Maybe...lol)