Welcome to planDisney, Robert! Did you know that the word
Jambo means hello in Swahili? No wonder why Guests feel so appreciated when they visit
Jambo House at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Originally when Walt Disney World Resort announced its
phased reopening, Jambo House was slated to set to open to Guests on July 10. However, in this ever-changing environment that we currently live in, plans seem to change daily! Unfortunately, Jambo House is not going be reopening just yet, and the Cast Member I spoke to did not have a time frame as to when that date will be. The good news is that
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village is open and welcoming home Members and Guests, so
Hakuna Matata! If you have your heart set on staying here, you'll still get a chance to wave to a giraffe or a kudu from your savanna balcony (this resort is home to more than 30 species of African wildlife and more than 250 animals)! Although Kidani Village is solely Disney Vacation Club style accommodations, ranging from Studios to Three-Bedroom Grand Villas, non-DVC members are able to stay here, too.
Kidani Village is separate from Jambo House, with its own front desk for check-in and additional amenities. The Samawati Springs Pool here is lovely, but I actually prefer Jambo House's Uzima Springs, which is one of the largest pools on property at 11,000 square feet (where else can you swim and have a view of flamingos?!). Guests staying at Kidani Village can still use the Uzima Springs Pool; however, all other Jambo House amenities such as restaurants (The Mara, Jiko, and Boma) and merchandise locations will remain closed until further notice. I highly recommend having lunch or an early dinner at Kidani's
Sanaa so you can watch the animals roam. Make sure to order the Indian-style bread service, and you can thank me later!
Kwa Heri, Robert, or as Mickey likes to say, "See Ya' Real Soon!"
Eean