Reviews of Animal Kingdom Lodge KIDANI Village (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 05/31/2023
Rating: (9) Recommended
Loved this hotel. It's beautiful and has great pools. It feels calm and relaxing. Boma breakfast was awesome!
Pros:
Views of the animals and overall calm feelCons:
LocationReviewed 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 PixieDust6 Review Date: 08/18/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed in a 2 bedroom for 4 nights end of June before my wedding. I asked for a partial Savannah view room staying on standard points and was granted my wish. The room overlooks the pool area and part of the Savannah where we saw many animals each day. The rooms are spacious and easily fit my wedding party including those that slept on the living room couch and sleeper chair. Having three bathrooms, full kitchen and laundry in the room felt luxurious and very beneficial for all. Requests for extra blankets, towels and laundry detergent . was always granted. We had no trouble catching the shuttle back and forth to Jambo house for a meal or just a change of scenery. The pool is large and there is a great water slide and play area for the younger kids. There is a bar, restrooms and work out room also near the pool. This is a beautiful resort both inside and out. We enjoyed the many viewing areas around the Savannah and the DVC room offered activities for the kids as well as a large viewing area with seats to watch the animals. This is a a beautiful resort and we had a wonderful stay.
Pros:
Relaxing on the rocking chairs watching the animals on the Savannah. Great pools, close to Animal Kingdom. access to two resorts, with great food choices at Jambo House.Cons:
If you do not like buses this is your only means of transportation to the parks. Long hallways stemming from the middle of the lobby. No quick service in lobby, only full service restaurants.Reviewed by lauren94 Review Date: 08/16/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
I stayed here in February of 2022 and absolutely loved it!! This resort is gorgeous. There are amazing food options. 20/10 recommend getting a Savannah view room so you can see the animals off your balcony. The only reason I rated this a 9 and not a 10 is because I like the Jambo House building slightly better. If I could've given it a 9.5, I would. Overall, I definitely recommend staying here.
Pros:
Beautiful resort, scenery. Great food. Savannah view rooms. Great pools.Cons:
Far from all parks but Animal Kingdom. Bus only transportation.Reviewed by TeacherManJoe Review Date: 05/31/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
We were gifted a stay at Kidani Village by a family member who is part of DVC, and holy moley.
Wowowowowow, Animal Kingdom Lodge is breathtaking in a host of ways.
Our room here in Kidani Village was just fantastic. We got a Savannah view, with sights of Zebras and Okapi outside our balcony. The bathroom was immaculate, with a beautiful huge bathtub, an excellent shower, and high quality kitchen and living area as well. As for the resort itself, we largely could NOT have been happier!
Firstly, the obvious: Having a full-on Savannah on property is just mind-blowing. With many of the animals you get to see on the Kilimanjaro Safari in the park, BUT AT A FREAKING RESORT, you’re in for a treat whether you are staying here or just visiting. Add the fact that you have the option (if you’ve got the moolah) to have a Savannah-view room and wake up to Giraffes (my favorite) hanging out near your window and you’ve got a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. (We don’t personally have the moolah for this, but were given a VERY nice wedding gift of a stay here, and it was breathtaking). Pro-tip: There is a nighttime safari offered here at AKL that is AWESOME if you get the chance. We were gifted this by a cousin during our stay and you get to go around the Savannahs at the lodge with night vision goggles and learn more about the animals up close and personal in a safari vehicle and it was just DOPE!
Next, as if you needed more, the actual theming here is beautiful. From the insanely beautiful lobby, with African art, carvings, and cultural representations throughout (and that bridge!), to the theming inside of the rooms, the theming here is top-notch and up there as the best on property.
Then there is the dining! With two of the better restaurants in all of Disney World (Jiko and Sanaa), as well as a delicious option in Boma as well, the dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge is arguably unrivaled by most other resorts. Whether just coming here to dine at one of these or dining at one as part of a stay at the resort, you get lots of the greatest parts of the resort included in your dining experience.
Now, the ONE reason why I review AKL as a 9 instead of a 10 out of 10 is because of distance. When we stayed here, we were in a room that was quite far from the lobby. As such, to get to the buses each day and back to our room involved quite a long walk. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but after a long day of Disney walking, it definitely was not ideal. Additionally, AKL is pretty far from most of the parks, with the exception of Animal Kingdom of course, and so bud rides to and from the parks were typically 30 minutes or more. Again, not necessarily deal-breaking. However, this was a bit of a bother as people who like to spend as much time in the parks as possible.
All in all though, AKL is a resort that I would consider one of the most unique in Disney, and arguably one of the most unique you will find ANYWHERE. Between the top-notch amenities, the excellent dining, and the beautiful theming throughout, this is a resort well worth the Deluxe price tag if you can afford it (again, even though we cannot normally). The distance, both walking and transportation, does affect the experience just a bit. However, it is not enough to completely ruin what is otherwise a near-perfect resort experience.
As a sidebar: I experienced one of the most beautiful Cast Member “magic moments” in the gift shop here that I have ever seen in Disney or my life in general. I know that these happen every day and all around the parks and resorts, but the fact that I saw it here will always stick with me.
Pros:
Simply breathtaking in theming, dining, and the inclusion of a Savannah AT THE RESORT Well worth the premium price tag Top-notch serviceCons:
Distance from everything, both walking to the lobby, and bussing to the parks While worth it, this is an expensive resortReviewed by Hodsonfamilyof5 Review Date: 03/17/2022
Rating: (10) Recommended
Our home and absolute favorite resort! The staff is amazing and so helpful and I almost cry every time we arrive and I see those lanterns up front. The rooms are beautiful and spacious and you can't beat the extra toilet in a 1 bedroom villa. The master bathroom is HUGE with a water closet. Sana'a is right downstairs. The resort is off the beaten path so you don't have the large crowds in your resort like you do at resorts right by the parks. The animals are amazing to watch in the morning with your coffee. I have offered our family to stay at other resorts and Kindani is always their #1 pick.
Pros:
The animals, staff, and food is amazing. Low crowds from the parks. The African artifacts around the resort are interesting and educational. The parking below the resort is the best: a short walk and elevator ride and you're at your room. The pool was just refurbished. The transportation was reliable (bus only).Cons:
It takes a little longer to get to the parks.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 magicallymorgan Review Date: 02/21/2022
Rating: (10) Recommended
Stayed here for the first time on our last trip and wow, this resort is beautiful! Love the theming throughout the hotel - the lobby is breathtaking, even in comparison to the grandeur of Jambo House. So many great places to sit and watch the animals in the savannas and just relax. Also, all of the food here is amazing!
Pros:
Beautiful theming, great view of animals, many good food options nearby at Jambo HouseCons:
Far away from everything but DAKReviewed by OrangeFigment Review Date: 02/07/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
I surprised my wife for her 30th birthday with a stay in a 1 bedroom savannah view room. I had requested a room close to the lobby, which pro tip, really cut down on our walk back from the bus stop at the end of the day. The room was gorgeous. We both loved the small Lion King touches in the room. Much better than the unfortunate Incredibles explosion that happened to the Contemporary. Also, the jacuzzi tub you get in the 1 bedroom is a great thing to take advantage of after a long park day. Compared to other resorts we have stayed at Kidani village felt like a much calmer and quieter experience. It feels like a museum compared to something like the main tower at the Contemporary when Chef Mickey's is open.
If you have the money to stay in a savannah view room, DO IT! There is nothing quite like waking up on a resort day, sitting on your balcony, and watching zebras, giraffes, and so many more animals walk right by you to have their breakfast. Another thing people might not take advantage of are the cast members. They were a wealth of knowledge on the animals and we were able to learn so much from them.
Unfortunately, Kidani is a bit of a hike from Jambo House, which is where most of your dining and shopping options are at Animal Kingdom Lodge. There is a complementary shuttle that picks up in front of Kidani's lobby to take you to Jambo House, but if you are in a rush to make a reservation at Boma or Jiko that can still impact your day. Johari Treasures at Kidani is small, but if you are looking for your zebra dome fix they can fulfill that for you. Zawadi Marketplace is much larger and will have more AKL specific merch if that is what you are looking for. You should also try to fit Sanaa and their bread service into your day. It is a great place to eat and you are able to see the animals on the savannah while you eat. The biggest downside is probably that you are limited to just buses out at AKL, so just be aware of that. Don't show up expecting to jump on the monorail or skyliner.
Pros:
ANIMALS, quieter than other choicesCons:
Distance from Jambo House, transportationReviewed 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.
