Reviews of Animal Kingdom Lodge KIDANI Village (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 02/11/2026
Rating: (9) Recommended
This hotel seemed a little less busy than the Jambo house which was nice while navigating with little ones. I would say either way the Animal Kingdom Lodge should be a visit on every repeat visitor to Disney's list. Even if only once. The distance from the other parks and only having bus's available for free was a downside. and the spread out nature of the hotel was exhausting at times after a 15 hour day at MK. BUT. This place was amazing. The staff, art, themes, pools, etc. Oh and its a zoo. Have coffee while they feed the animals breakfast. Watch the animals at night while the kids fall asleep. If for only once in a lifetime, its worth once for a lifetime.
Pros:
Amenities, style, pools, food, entertainmentCons:
Location, CostReviewed by Reed2015 Review Date: 09/30/2025
Rating: (10) Recommended
Lesser of the AKL houses, but still amazing!
Pros:
Theming, food, and unique selections. THE ANIMALS!Cons:
Bus only transportation but it is a small sacrifice from everything else you get from AKL.Reviewed by 4Stringer Review Date: 09/15/2023
Rating: (8) Recommended
My family and I have stayed a handful of times and it is always been one of our favorites. The savannah view is one of the best views in all of WDW. Waking up and having coffee with the zebras and giraffes is a great way to start the day. The biggest complaint is the distance from all other points of interest in WDW. The walk to the buses are a good 10-15 minutes and the bus rides can be 30-40 minutes to any park. There is also no quick service readily available at Kidani so it can be a pain to plan meals. But Sanaa is an amazing sit down, so that makes up for it.
Pros:
The VIEW!Cons:
Distance from the parks and looonnng walks to the lobby/buses.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
