Reviews of Animal Kingdom Lodge KIDANI Village (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed 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 Anonymous Review Date: 10/04/2021
Rating: (8) Not Recommended
A friend and I stayed here from 9/20 to 9/25 in a 2 bedroom/3 bath Villa on the 3rd floor. We were actually expecting my son and his family to join us, which is the reason that I booked the larger Villa, but unfortunately due to work obligations, they weren\\'t able to join us. We are not DVC owners, but we were able to rent the points for a fantastic deal!! I felt bad that my son couldn\\'t join us because this was his dream resort. As many people have stated, the lobby is gorgeous, but much smaller and more personal than Animal Kingdom Jambo.
On my past trips to Disney we have stayed at Fort Wilderness Cabins a few times with my husband and when my 4 children were younger (Loved, Loved, Loved the cabins!!!), came back again in 2017 for the first time in many years with my son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren and stayed at Art of Animation 3 separate times in a family suite and got very spoiled with the 2 bathrooms and since I had become an annual pass holder, I came back one Fall with a friend and stayed at All Star Movies. Was a little hesitant on that Value resort, but for $798 for 7 days at the end of September, it was a steal!! And I actually very much enjoyed my stay there. Many pools available to swim in, as well as the fact that I could refill my refillable cup all night long at the food court stations. When I am at Disneyworld, I am so excited that I sleep very few hours, so being able to refill my cup at any time was very nice. I also was able to do that at AoA. There was another year our family came down and stayed at a gorgeous golf resort outside of Disney, and although it was an amazing resort and our room was like a mansion, I very much Ed missed being in that Disney bubble, I missed chitchatting with other Disney fans in the pool/bar areas and so I would never suggest anyone to stay off property because it is just not the same...no matter how fancy of a place. Absolutely not the same experience as staying on Disney property. So don\\'t do it!!!
I mention all of the above so that I can be helpful on giving you my perspective on staying at this deluxe Disney resort. So that you realize that I have mostly stayed value resort, although FW cabins are considered moderate and AoA suites are really more than just Value resorts. And I may have tempted fate when I told my friend that we should have no problem getting right into our room although we arrived at 11am. I was wrong. This was the first time I have ever arrived at Disney and had to wait for room. And in the past, when we drove down, we would arrive at 5 or 6 in the morning and our room was always ready! Even with a 3pm check in. I also didn\\'t feel the excitement from the people working at the front desk as I normally feel, but I realize these are different times with Covid and they probably had a shortage of staff, so they weren\\'t super perky and helpful, but they were very nice, but I get it!! And I did my best to understand that that they were probably tired and putting in long hours. But I had gotten off a plane from Ohio, wearing long sleeves,and I was ready to change clothes! But we walked around the resort as we waited for room to be ready, found the pool area, found an amazing pool bartender that suggested a drink that wasn\\'t on the menu( Hakuna Colava), walked back to Savannah area to watch the animals and a very helpful young man answered all of our questions about the animals, back to air conditioned lobby, just waiting for room to be ready. I went up to front desk around 3:30 to inquire about room, mentioned I was a bit disappointed that we only found 1 not very large pool( I am used to numerous pools at other resorts), she was helpful, got on phone, our room was almost ready, being inspected. So we waited...
About 15 minutes later I received text that our room was ready, we were very excited! On 3rd floor, room 7746. Well.......that Trek to our room once we got off elevator took FOREVER!!! I mean FOREVER!!! I timed it one night. It was a 4 minute Trek....and we both walk fast, so that was a bit disturbing.
As for the room.....it was amazing! And HUGE!! So much closer space! Dresser space! Plenty of hook ups for phones, etc....Bathrooms were amazing! We only used 2 out of the 3 bathrooms. So much space in the bathrooms!!! Nice to have the washer and dryer. Kitchen was fully stocked with what we needed. We bought bagels and cream cheese from gift shop for late night snacks. Coffee was a Mr coffee with plenty of supplies( not Keurig). Balcony was AMAZING!!!! 3 lengths long ( master bedroom, living area, 2nd bedroom), plenty of animals outside at all times. That part was pretty impressive!!! Loved just watching the animals! At night, it was hard to really see, but you could hear them clashing their horns together, etc..... Very nice experience.
I notice that alot of people don\\'t seem to like time spent on the buses. But to me, that is all a part of the Disneyworld experience, so for me, transportation is just a part of the experience. Whether it\\'s a chance to get to know people, fellow Disney Lovers, I have never actually timed how long it gets from here to there because I enjoy the experience so much...and the people that I meet. You are not always going to be able to meet people, some people just like to stay quiet on the voyage to whatever park we are going to, but if you just ask questions, people open up. We are on this adventure together. And we all love Disney, so the transportation is all a part of my excitement. It doesn\\'t matter to me how long it gets from here to there.
Now....with all that being said, you probably want to know my actual take on Animal Kingdom Kidani.
Honestly, I met some amazing other Disney lovers around pool areas( both Kidani and Jambo), but as I told my son, I never want to go back there. If you are looking for a nice large room, this is a good place. But if you have walked the parks all day long and dread getting dropped off at your resort because you know it will be a quarter if a mile hike down long boring corridors/hallways, this isn\\'t your place The value resorts may be large, but at least the hike back to you room isnt boring.
And need I mention the gift shop that closes early? ( Can\\'t refill your refillable cup). Even by the Pool I waited one morning to be able to fill my cup but they didn\\'t open the drink station until 10am!I will still be on the lookout for other deluxe 2 bedroom/2 bathroom resorts at Disney to stay at. I am looking more towards Boardwalk or Beach Club since they are in the middle of Epcot and HS. I am really happy that I was able to at least experience Animal Kingdom Kidani. Met some wonderful people, mist DVC owners so I was able to hear their thoughts, which was helpful, but I will probably never stay here again unless it is close to FREE. my son will be disappointed, he actually Already bus because I have already told him I don\\'t plan on going back to Kidani
Pros:
Savannah view, many animalsCons:
Longggggghh Trek to room after spending all day in parks, forget trying to refill your refillable mugs because small gift shop never opens early enough and is closed once you get \\'home\\'.Reviewed 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 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 hystericalbender Review Date: 04/24/2019
Rating: (8) Not Recommended
We stayed at Kidani in January 2019 with a savanna view room. We really loved the room and the ability to see the animals at any time. Kidani was the first bus pick-up and drop-off (vs. Jambo), which gave us better transportation options to the parks. It was rather limiting, though, not having a quick service location on-site. The gift shop carries very limited snacks and drinks. While the African food on-site is delicious, it can become tedious if staying for several days. Also, the animal views of the savanna made us feel a little guilty leaving to go to the parks each day. If staying here, I would recommend paying for the savanna view. Otherwise, I don't think I would have felt our stay was worth the cost. In the future, we will likely return to view the animals or grab a bite to eat during our trip, but we would not choose this property as our hotel for future visits.
Pros:
Unique atmosphere, friendly staff, access to animal viewing, efficient bus serviceCons:
very limited food options, difficult to travel to Jambo for amenitiesReviewed 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 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.
