Reviews of Animal Kingdom Lodge KIDANI Village (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 01/10/2021
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
I have never had such a horrible experience at a DVC property. I booked a savanna view studio from 12/30/2020 until 1/11/2021. I was placed in a lock off unit adjacent to a one bedroom with an adjoining door. From the very first night, I had neighbors with two sons who yelled and used profanity and I could hear everything as if it was in my own room. I called twice the first night and asked management to ask them to quiet down. They claim they sent security who heard nothing . I called again the next night when the son was swearing at his brother and parents. Nothing was done. I finally was resigned to hearing yelling and whining in the mornings and evenings. I was so thrilled when I heard them say they were leaving today. However they were replaced by a family with a baby who has been screaming for over two hours and shows no sign of stopping. I called the front desk and asked if they could bring the child into the bedroom and nothing has been done. The parents are making no attempt to soothe the child or respect their neighbors by simply bringing the child into the master bedroom. I’m not sure they are even in the room. While I understand some noise is to be expected, this is ridiculous. I came here for a relaxing vacation and I am exhausted.
Pros:
Beautiful view of the Savannah.Cons:
As set forth above.Reviewed by AKVHutch Review Date: 12/18/2020
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
We actually own points here and have stayed here a couple of times. We have never had a pleasant experience. We find most of the CM with whom we have interacted to be rude and lacking knowledge. Every time we have been in the gift shop we have had something go wrong with a purchase and are consistently treated as if we are stealing when requesting DVC or AP discounts.
Every time we have stayed here (we have had a 2 bedroom and a studio) years apart) we have requested a room close to the lobby area, because we were not driving down at that time. Yet we have been in the furtherest or next to furtherest building. On our last trip, we had a post cruise weekend and Kidani was all that was available, so we got a Savannah room. We saw exactly 1 giraffe for a few minutes over the weekend. Since it was Easter and our DVC pass was blacked out this was our entertainment. That weekend was a horrible end to a great cruise. It was so bad, I still am too angry to write much about it. I complained to the hotel management and it fell on deaf ears.
So we just won't go to Disney World if that is the only DVC location available.
Pros:
It is a very nice building and the extra bathrooms in what not in the 1 and 2 bedrooms are very handy.Cons:
Distances to the main building. Lack of quick service meals (pre pandemic). A tiny gift and sundry shop with a surly staff.Reviewed by rudolphfamily Review Date: 08/13/2015
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We checked in August 1 following a Disney cruise for two nights. We go to Disney often, are ap holders and dvc members. From the moment we checked in we were met with the rudest staff ever. Waited over 5 hours for our villa to be ready and it was so dirty. The one request we had was to be close to main lobby/elevators since I have feet problems. What room did we get, yep clear down at the end of the level 3 pumba hallway. You couldn't go by the hours on the gift shop, the only place other than the pool you could refill your mugs, maybe they would stay open until 11 maybe not. Save your points and money, eat a meal at sanea and enjoy the animals but don't stay here.
Pros:
Savannah animalsCons:
No actual quick service, rude front deskReviewed by Kthhfnr Review Date: 08/19/2013
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
Very disappointed as no fresh foods available for morning snacks like muffins or sandwiches or fresh fruit. Lunch was limited to pool bar and didn't think the variety was good or of the usual Disney quality. Have two teenagers so snacks super limited to all packaged foods unless you want to take the van to Jambo House. Sixth visit to Disney and worst experience so far. Makes me want to use my membership out of Disney for sure next year, if not others also.
Pros:
Nice room, savanna viewCons:
No quick service diningReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 06/21/2021
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
5 star prices for a 2 star motel room
Pros:
cleaner than a 2 star motelCons:
lack of food choices open, rooms are no bigger than a cruise cabin, 7' ceilingsReviewed by mcruss Review Date: 09/19/2013
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
Kidani is our DVC home resort and love the 2brm villa but when we arrived we were given room 7761 on third floor... walking 436 steps from elevator to room is no problem but when you get there you hope that the room is up to date and not rough. Room must have been sitting empty for a long while, the AC was not even on and temperature in the room must have been at least 85+ degrees and stuffy. The view was of part of the savanna even though we were supposed to be in a standard view. Always saw animals but the inside condition of the unit was a shame.
Pros:
viewCons:
condition of roomReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 02/17/2023
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
We just got back from a 4 night/5 day stay (Feb. 12-16). We took advantage of a WDW special offer that allowed us to stay in a deluxe suite standard view. Our room was close to the lobby, Sanaa and public animal viewing area. It was nice being able took at the animals in the morning before we set out for the parks. Our room had plenty of space, but was in need of some updates, especially in the bathroom.
We were disappointed that the resort didn't have a quick service restaurant on site. Sanaa provides a limited QS menu for breakfast and a few grab and go items, but isn't item until 7:30am. If it's just a short walk or internal bus ride to AK's Jamboree House, for their QS restaurant.
The resort store is small with limited items. The store at Jamboree House is a little bigger.
Bus transportation was not an issue. Busses seemed to come regularly and it wasn't too long of a ride to the parks. It was nice being able to get extended hours at MK and Epcot.
Overall, for the price, which we got at a discount, we didn't feel it meet our expectations of a deluxe DVC resort. We've stayed at both Port Orleans resorts, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation and will stay at this again before spending the money at a deluxe resort.
Pros:
Animal viewing. Extended hours at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.Cons:
Expensive for what you get. No quick service restaurant onsite. Needs updates.Reviewed by Bonn Review Date: 03/10/2022
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
Would not stay here again
Pros:
Nice outdoor area, highly rated restaurantCons:
Thin, thin, thin walls. I heard the people in the room next to me. I didn’t pay for the safari view, and heard music and cars a lot in the middle of the night. I have stayed at Grand Floridian, Boardwalk, Caribbean, Coronado Springs, and the campground over the years. Always felt the Disney Magic at those. Not here.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 01/22/2022
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
I wouldn’t stay here again. My partner and I booked a 1BR Savannah View for two nights only because we decided to extend our trip before we had even arrived and that was all that was available. Before arriving we had spent three nights at Wilderness Lodge King Bed Club Level and five nights at Beach Club Water View (unfortunately the club level was closed due to Covid) and I highly recommend both resorts and Beach Club has been my go to resort since I was a child. Upon arriving I was warned by my parents and DFB that kidani was spread out and could be a haul but when we grabbed our bags from bell services we decided to carry them ourselves which was a mistake. We were located on the third floor in room 7763 which is about a half mile from the resort lobby and while I’m not averse to walking it makes everything from refilling your mug to the end of the night walk a burden. And that room wasn’t even the furthest you could be from the lobby. The closest quick service is located in Jambo house and is roughly a mile away from our room and while you could get pool food that wasn’t much better. I know most people choose villas to cook their own food but for my partner and I who prefer eat out on vacation this was a big enough hurdle that it required careful consideration on if it was worth it. The room itself was nice, spread out and good for a family. Appliances were standard, nothing fancy and the large bathroom with jacuzzi tub was a plus. The Savannah view however was severely disappointing. Our room was located next to two Savannah’s so we were looking at a gated fence with a small zoo enclosure to our right and a large fenced in access road running behind it. The view was more fitting a local park zoo and was quite depressing. I’ve always found zoos depressing and appreciated Disney’s efforts to simulate natural environments and go the extra mile in caring for their animals. This view shattered that impression. While I’m sure the road was necessary and the animals are well cared for this view was more fencing than animals and it was offensive they sold this as a Savannah room. The one animal that would appear was one sad Zebra who would eat hay placed on a piece of particle board. Not quite the natural environment touted by Disney unless restrictive Fencing and plywood occurring naturally in Africa and I’m unaware. I know some people next door were thrilled with this view and my loud complaining on the phone to may have put a damper on things but they should demand more of Disney, especially when paying that much. I heard the rooms there are around $900-$1200 depending on season and for the folks who save for years just to take their family on a once in a lifetime trip only to get this view should be upset as well as those who bought into DVC only to get a store brand Jambo house. Side note - the buses never bother me and I feel they’re very quick but the buses didn’t seem as frequent as they are at other resorts, not really a problem just an observation.
Pros:
Clean Space, Large bathroom, Subtle Lion King decorCons:
Long walk to get anywhere, Small mostly cage “savannah”Reviewed by Martygeorge Review Date: 08/28/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
We stayed in a 2 bedroom villa with a sunset savanna view at Kidani. The rooms were much larger than villas we have stayed in the past (at other Disney properties) and were well furnished. The view was amazing - we saw the zebras, giraffes, wildebeast, and other wildlife daily. The kids activities in the lobby were great and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. We ate at both Jiko and Boma, which were fantastic. The kids went to Simba's cubhouse and loved it as well. Kidani also has a fabulous community hall which has a ton of activities for the kids. We used it almost every day just to take a break. They had coloring activities, a pool table, video games (free), movies, books, toys, etc. It was a huge hit with our kids who are 1, 4 and 6.
I have to say, however, that there were a few things about the resort that I found to be very surprising for a higher end Disney property. The pool at Kidani is basically located in the front parking lot. It was quite a hike for us to walk the length of the building to the lobby, and then out through the parking lot to the pool. There was a short cut, but that took us through the underground parking garage which was quite frankly, creepy and dangerous for the kids. I also found it a little surprising that the food service at the pool (which other than Sanna, is the only food option at Kidani) ended at 6pm. We have never had a problem in the past with bus service, but this time it was an issue - there were several times where we waited over 30 minutes for a bus (with the maximum wait being an hour). We usually go this same week every year, and have never experienced quite this much of a delay in the bus service. All in all, the room and view were stellar, but knowing what we know now, we would probably try Jambo house next time, or another resort all together.
