Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Kidani Village vs Jambo House
Walt Disney World Resort hotels offer beautifully themed experiences from the lobby to the dining options and amenities. Deluxe resorts, the top tier at Disney, have the most detailed theming. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge makes you feel as if you’ve traveled far, far away. Guests can see incredible animals up close and from afar using the various viewing spots at the property. There are also two distinct areas of this resort to compare: Kidani Village vs Jambo House.
Kidani Village vs Jambo House: What’s The Difference?
Comparing these Disney Vacation Club (DVC) options should always start here: there is only one home resort at Animal Kingdom Lodge. While there are DVC rooms to choose from at both Kidani Village and Jambo House, both are part of the same home resort property.
This resort is different than others with more than one section of DVC rooms.
For example, at Wilderness Lodge, there are two different home resorts. Boulder Ridge is the original home resort at Wilderness Lodge. Copper Creek was added in 2017.
When you buy DVC or rent DVC points at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, you can stay at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. It’s a little tricky because while they are both part of the same home resort association, you’ll see identifiers note Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village. They are two separate sections of the same resort but do have different room types.
Jambo House is the main building that hosts the resort’s big lobby, large gift shop, standalone quick service restaurant and more.
Kidani Village has a a smaller gift shop that sells DVC merchandise and villa specific food items and groceries like you see at other DVC resorts.
The two sections are walkable but also connected by bus.
Dining at Kidani Village vs Jambo House
Both parts of this resort hotel have world class dining but Jambo House has more to choose from.
If convenient restaurant access is important to you, this may be a consideration that sets the two apart.
Kidani Village dining includes:
- Sanaa table service lunch and dinner restaurant with savanna views, also quick service breakfast and mobile order
- Maji Pool Bar
Jambo House dining includes:
- The Mara quick service
- Victoria Falls Lounge
- Boma buffet
- Jiko – The Cooking Place signature dining
Watch more dining reviews on DVC Fan’s Youtube channel:
- Boma Dinner Review at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- The Mara Dining Review at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Kidani Village vs Jambo House Pools
When considering Kidani Village vs Jambo House pools, know both have great options and suit different types of guests.
Jambo House has the massive 11,000 square foot Uzima Springs Pool. It has lush landscaping, is surrounded by the themed hotel building and sits next to animal enclosures. Make sure you say hi to the flamingos on your visit to the Uzima Springs Pool. There are also in ground hot tubs, a playground near by and a long water slide.
Kidani Village has a smaller pool but also hosts the Uwanja Camp outdoor water play complex with areas for different ages. There is a pool slide here too. The Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village also has hot tubs and feels secluded.
Both the Uzima Springs Pool and the Samawati Springs Pool have poolside activities like trivia and games. Neither is a quiet pool.
Guests of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge can use both pool areas and other amenities. This provides a wide range of exciting pool and water play opportunities for guests. Not many Disney World resorts have two pools that are detailed in this way.
Savannas at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Both Jambo House and Kidani Village have savannas and savanna view rooms. Only Kidani Village has savanna view dining. That’s at Sanaa. The savannas at Animal Kingdom Lodge are one of the most unique and special amenities at this property but also at Walt Disney World Resort. Spot a zebra, a giraffe, antelopes, cattle or other African wildlife.
Rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World
The rooms is where things really start to differ with Kidani Village vs Jambo House.
Both have savanna view rooms.
On the DVC Animal Kingdom Lodge point chart you’ll see Value Accommodation (V) and Kilimanjaro Club Concierge (C) which are both at Jambo House. This is the only DVC resort that offers club level rooms on the point chart.
More Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas to explore:
- AKL Jambo House – 1 Bedroom Villa
- AKL Kidani Village – Deluxe Studio
- AKL Kidani Village – 2 Bedroom Lock-Off
- AKL Kidani Village – 3 Bedroom Grand Villa
Next Steps on Comparing Kidani Village and Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Get to know each of these distinct areas of the impressive Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge resort hotel in more detail here:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village
Ready to Stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Whether Kidani Village or Jambo House feels like the better fit for your trip, DVC Rental Store can help you find the right stay. Request a free quote with your preferred dates and room type, or browse our Confirmed Reservations for ready-to-book stays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and other Disney Vacation Club Resorts.
Renting DVC points can help you enjoy a Disney Deluxe Resort stay for less than booking comparable accommodations directly through Disney.
