Disney's Kidani Village: Orlando's BEST Animal Kingdom Villas? (You WON'T Believe This!)
Disney's Kidani Village: Orlando's BEST Animal Kingdom Villas? (You WON'T Believe This!) - A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (African spiced) tea on Disney's Kidani Village. Is it the BEST Animal Kingdom Villa? Well, that depends. Are you looking for perfection? Because honey, if that's your game, you're in the WRONG place. But if you're after an authentic, mostly well-managed (and utterly magical) escape, then you might just fall head over heels for this place.
First Impressions - Where the Magic (Sometimes) Fades:
Let's be real, approaching Kidani Village is impressive. You're greeted by this grand, sprawling building that feels like a luxury lodge plucked straight from a National Geographic special. The lobby… oh, the lobby! High ceilings, earthy tones, and that view of the savanna teeming with animals! It's like walking into a real-life Disney movie. But… and there's always a "but," isn't there? The check-in process can be a little… Disney-esque. Meaning, long lines are a common occurrence. I waited for a good 20 minutes (after a transatlantic flight, mind you!), which, let’s be honest, is not fun. But, eventually, you're handed your key card, and the adventure begins!
Accessibility - A Mixed Bag:
Okay, accessibility. Disney is generally pretty good at this, and Kidani is no different, mostly. Lots of elevators (thank goodness!), wheelchair-accessible rooms and pathways. I didn't have any firsthand experience needing it but I did see a fair amount of effort made. Still, I wish there was more emphasis on the ease of navigation on the property's vastness. The distance between certain amenities, especially the pool area from some of the villas, could be a challenge for some.
Rooms - Your Cozy African Hideaway (Minus the Dust Bunnies, Hopefully):
We booked a two-bedroom villa, and it was HUGE. Like, seriously, huge. Plenty of space for our family to spread out, which is a godsend after a long day at the parks. Let's go through the amenities, shall we?
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank GOD, Orlando is a scorcher!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes (very plush!), Bathroom phone, Bathtub (always a bonus for relaxing), Blackout curtains (essential for those early mornings!), Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker (yes!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water (hydration is key!), Hair dryer, High floor (we requested it!), In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar (stocked with overpriced goodies!), Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator (a lifesaver for snacks!), Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (don't look!), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers (nice touch!), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed (thank you, Disney!), Sofa (comfy!), Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella (for those random Orlando downpours!), Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Whew! That's a lot.
- Internet: Okay, the free Wi-Fi is a mixed bag. It's there, but sometimes it's… slow. Like, dial-up slow. Which, in 2024, is just unacceptable. I had to hotspot off my phone a few times. Internet [LAN] is also available, and probably more reliable.
- I spent like five minutes trying to figure out how to work the TV remote. And the "on-demand movies" were mostly old, but hey, it's a small thing.
- Cleanliness: Generally, the rooms were clean. But, and here's where the "messy" comes in, I did notice a stray dust bunny or two. And the occasional spider. Hey, it's Florida! And the animal factor that adds a layer of extra adventure. It's not the Ritz, so don't expect pristine perfection. It's lived-in, in the best way possible.
- Room decorations: Standard Disney decorations. But nothing incredibly exciting. However, it felt really nice to be staying in something that was essentially themed directly to the Animal Kingdom.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Culinary Safari (With Some Stumbles):
This is where Kidani Village gets a little… inconsistent.
- Restaurants: Sanaa is a must-do. The Indian-African fusion is divine, and the view of the savanna while you eat is unforgettable. My personal experience, the bread service is a meal in itself, and you absolutely must try their butter chicken. Must. The flavors! The atmosphere! The sheer joy of it all! I actually got a little emotional thinking about it (okay, a lot emotional). But the service can be slow. And good luck getting a reservation. Plan ahead!
- Poolside bar: Great for a quick cocktail or a beer after a swim. The poolside bar drinks were a bit expensive, but that's pretty much expected with Disney prices.
- Snack bar: Quick service options. Nothing too exciting, but convenient for a quick bite.
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: I love the idea of breakfast in bed. But, honestly, I never pursued the idea. It all seemed like too much hassle.
- Food delivery: Yes! A convenience.
Things to Do - More Than Just Hanging Out with Giraffes:
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The Samawati Springs Pool is fantastic, with a water slide and a splash area for the kids. It’s truly a family-friendly experience! It's a good way to relax.
- Gym/fitness, Fitness center: There's a decent gym if you're a masochist who wants to work out while on vacation.
- The Savanna: Obvious, but amazing. Sit on your balcony (if you have a savanna view room) or head to one of the viewing areas and just watch the animals. It's pure magic. (Speaking of, I got really into trying to identify all the different birds. Don't judge!)
- Kids facilities: Kidani is VERY kid-friendly. Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
Services and Conveniences - The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh":
- Concierge: Helpful for planning park visits.
- Daily housekeeping: Generally good, with well-trained staff.
- Gift/souvenir shop: You'll empty your wallet here.
- Laundry service: Convenient but pricey.
- Cashless payment service: Yep!
- Safety/security feature: There are tons of safety features that help you feel secure.
Cleanliness and Safety - Disney's Got This (Mostly):
- Hand sanitizer: Easily available in common areas.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays: They're putting in a lot of effort.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Yes!
- Fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, and safe dining setup: Disney is exceptionally serious about safety, meaning there should be no major concerns.
The Quirks, the Flaws, and the Ultimately Wonderful:
Look, Kidani Village isn't perfect. It’s got its quirks. The lines. The slow Wi-Fi. The occasional dust bunny. The slightly pricey food. But despite all of that, there's something truly special about the place.
My Personal Recommendation - You GOTTA do the bread service at Sanaa. Seriously. Do it. And book a savanna view room. It's worth the extra money to wake up to giraffes outside your window. You'll be talking about it for years.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Because even with its imperfections, Kidani Village offers an experience you won't find anywhere else. It's a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle, connect with nature (and some amazing animals), and feel like you've truly escaped. And, let's be honest, that's what we all crave, right?
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we’re diving headfirst into the jungle. Or, you know, the Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram travel diary. This is the REAL DEAL. Prepare for a vacation itinerary with more ups and downs than a rollercoaster built by a caffeinated squirrel.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Savannah Stare-Down (And a Pizza Emergency)
- 1:00 PM: ARRIVAL. Okay, first impressions: Kidani Village? Gorgeous. Seriously, that lobby? Makes you feel like you’ve accidentally wandered into a National Geographic special. But let's be honest, my kids? They’re less impressed with the art and more concerned with the potential for immediate snacks.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. Ugh, the line. Why do they make check-in so agonizingly slow? I swear, I aged three years just standing there. Finally, we get the keys, and it's straight to the savanna view room… which, praise the Disney gods, is magnificent. Giraffes, zebras, the whole shebang. My kids are momentarily speechless, which is a minor miracle.
- 2:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance. The villa is spacious, well-appointed, and has two bathrooms. This is key when you have kids, trust me. I promptly start unpacking, while my husband, bless his heart, attempts to figure out the TV situation. The kids, meanwhile, are already plotting their conquest of the balcony.
- 3:00 PM: Pool Time! The Samawati Springs Pool is AMAZING. A water slide, a kids' splash area… pure, distilled joy. We spend the afternoon splashing, sunning (with copious amounts of sunscreen, naturally), and generally pretending we have our lives together.
- 6:00 PM: Pizza Panic! We were supposed to have made dinner reservations, but… life, you know? Now we’re hangry. Pizza from the quick-service spot? A total crapshoot. It’s edible, but let's just say it's not winning any awards for culinary excellence. The kids, however, devoured it like they hadn't eaten in days. It's a parental victory!
- 7:00 PM: Savannah Viewing. Sunset. That view. The animals are out. The air smells magical. I realize I’d been walking around with my shoulders tense since the flight, and I finally loosen them. Okay, I’m officially on vacation.
- 8:00 PM: Bedtime Battle Stations. Kids down! Finally. We collapse on the couch, exhausted but happy.
Day 2: Animal Kingdom Frenzy and the Mystery of the Missing Backpack
- 7:00 AM: "Mom, I'm hungry!" The universal call to action. Breakfast from the in-room kitchen: cereal, fruit, and the inevitable spilled milk situation.
- 8:00 AM: Animal Kingdom Bound! The bus ride is… well, it's a bus ride. We have to deal with a screaming baby and a stressed-out dad trying to catch up on his fantasy football league.
- 9:00 AM: Animal Kingdom. Ah, the magic! Avatar Flight of Passage? Worth the wait! My stomach did a flip. The kids, equally thrilled and terrified. Expedition Everest? Another hit. I might have closed my eyes once or twice…
- 11:00 AM: Lost Backpack Disaster: The backpack with my credit cards, phone, and the kids' snacks vanishes. PANIC. I'm pretty sure a Disney cast member saw the utter terror in my eyes and took pity on me. We eventually found it at the restaurant, but the ordeal left me shaken and questioning my life choices.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at Satu'li Canteen. Oh. My. Goodness. The food is actually amazing! The cheeseburger pods are a revelation. Now that's a good meal.
- 2:00 PM: The Festival of the Lion King. One of the best shows in Disney World. The music, the costumes, and the sheer energy are infectious. My kids were mesmerized, especially during the monkey acrobatics.
- 4:00 PM: Kilimanjaro Safaris. The undisputed highlight of the park. The animals are a little tougher to spot than in the savanna, but it remains an iconic experience. We spotted everything from lions to giraffes. Pure, unadulterated joy.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at Sanaa. The bread service alone is worth the trip. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxing. The kids, miraculously, behave. Maybe the magic's real.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the villa, exhausted but happy. I am so ready for bed.
Day 3: Pool Day, Relaxation (ish) and S'mores Dreams
- 8:00 AM: Sleep. Glorious sleep. The kids, however, are already awake and terrorizing each other.
- 9:00 AM: Pool Day Deux! More pool time. Some more splashing… and a near-drowning of a pool Noodle… A moment of parental panic.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the pool's quick-service restaurant. Very standard, but it gets the job done.
- 1:00 PM: Nap Time (for me!). The kids? Not so much. They're running around, creating chaos, driving me slightly mad.
- 3:00 PM: Activities. They have a kids' club, which is a lifesaver. My husband and I? We sneak into the spa. A little relaxation might actually kill my stress. Then a quick stop at the gift shop for a souvenir.
- 5:00 PM: S'mores on the Balcony. Because every vacation needs s'mores. We buy a kit, but there's a slight issue. The wind. The marshmallows? Gone into the savanna.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the resort's restaurant. Simple, but delicious. Great service.
- 7:00 PM: Relaxing on the balcony, watching the animals. I make a mental note to remember these moments. The pure, simple joy of family.
Day 4: Departure and the Aftermath
- 7:00 AM: Pack. Ugh. The least fun part of any vacation.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast and final Savannah viewing. One last look at the animals, one last breath of African air.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. This time, the line moves faster! Hallelujah!
- 10:00 AM: Heading home. Sad, but also relieved. Vacation is exhausting, but so very, very worth it.
- The Aftermath: Post-vacation blues hit hard. Laundry mountain. The kids are back to normal, which includes pushing all the buttons. But the memories? They're real, and they'll stay with me forever. The good, the bad, and the utterly chaotic. That's the Disney experience, right?
Disney's Kidani Village: Is it REALLY Animal Kingdom's Best? (My Brain is Still Processing This!)
Okay, SERIOUSLY... What *is* Kidani Village? And why the hype?
Alright, imagine this: your Animal Kingdom Lodge experience, but... amplified. Kidani Village is one of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts, *specifically* themed around the African savanna experience. They're right next door to Jambo House, the original AKL. You've got the animals, the stunning views, but with a more... *relaxed* vibe, I think. The hype? The animals, baby! You can wake up, sip your coffee on your balcony, and stare at giraffes eating breakfast. It’s not a cliché; it’s freakin’ *heaven*. I still remember the first time I saw the zebras. I actually gasped. Like, a real, physical *gasp*.
So, is it ACTUALLY better than Jambo House? The ULTIMATE question!
Ah, the million-dollar question! Honestly? It's a *tough* call. It really depends on what you're after. Jambo House feels more grand, more... classic Disney. It's where you'll find the buffet restaurant Boma and more quick service option, and it feels like a classic Disney experience, you know? Kidani, on the other hand, feels a little more... intimate. It's like, a luxurious treehouse. The animal views at Kidani are generally *amazing* from the savannah view rooms. I’d say I prefer Kidani for the *views* alone. I'm a sucker for the extra room of a villa, too. But Jambo House? Don't get me wrong, it's the OG, and it's got its own undeniable charm. I honestly think it depends on what you value.
What kinds of rooms can I expect at Kidani Village? And are they actually worth the points/price?!
This is where Kidani really shines, in my opinion. You've got studios (which are pretty standard and nice), one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas, and *the holy grail*: three-bedroom grand villas! The villas are *huge*, and they've got full kitchens, which is a total game-changer for families (or, you know, someone like me who wants to eat breakfast in their PJs while watching gazelles). Are they worth the points? This is the DVC question! Yes, I think so. Look, a large suite with full kitchen, a balcony, and the convenience of the Disney resort? That is where it's at. I'd trade a stay at Disney's Contemporary for a stay at Kidani village any day.
The Savanna Views: Are they REALLY as good as they say? Do you actually see animals?
OMG, yes. YES. It’s the *whole point*. I mean, you're paying for the animal views, so you better see some animals, right? And you do! Giraffes, zebras, okapis (my personal faves!), gazelles... even the occasional kudu. One morning, I swear, I saw a giraffe just *staring* at me from my balcony. I swear, we made eye contact, and then I choked on my coffee because, honestly, it felt like I was in a freakin’ documentary! Animal sightings are *highly* dependent on room location. Do your research! Ask for the best location! I think I cried when I realized I’d only gotten a parking lot view once. I still twitch a little thinking about it.
What about the food? Any good restaurants there?
Here's the slightly less-than-perfect truth: Kidani Village has *one* main restaurant, Sanaa. And it’s fantastic, don’t get me wrong! The Indian-inspired bread service is legendary, and you can watch the animals while you eat. But if you get tired of it, you have to take the bus to Jambo House for Boma (breakfast and dinner) or the quick-service options there. I'm a big fan of the bread service and a *terrible* planner, so I usually end up getting it again anyway. Plan ahead! Reservations are a MUST! There is a quick-serve option as well (the pool bar is great). I'd love to see more restaurants at Kidani, honestly. That's my one tiny, nit-picky complaint.
The Pools: Are they nice? And what about that splash area? Is it good for kids?
Kidani's pool area is seriously underrated, in my opinion! It's themed perfectly, with a zero-entry pool and a super-fun splash area for the little ones. It's generally less crowded than some of the other Walt Disney World pools, which is a huge win in my book. There's also a hot tub and a poolside bar. The whole area feels very relaxing and chill. Totally recommend it! I've spent many blissful afternoons by that pool, reading a book and sipping a ridiculously overpriced cocktail. Worth every penny!
Getting Around: Buses, Uber/Lyft... How do you *actually* get to the parks from Kidani?
Okay, the transportation situation is... Disney. You got the Disney buses. They're reliable, but they can take a while, especially if you're trying to get to Magic Kingdom. There is a single bus stop for all the parks, and it can be packed during peak times. So, you know, plan for extra time – a *lot* of extra time. I've stood on the bus stop, sweating in the Florida heat for what felt like hours, just waiting to go to Animal Kingdom. I’m pretty sure I aged five years that day. Consider using ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. They're faster, but they can add up, especially if you're constantly park-hopping. If you have your own car... parking fees! Always something!
Any Hidden Gems or Insider Tips for making the most of my Kidani stay?
Oh, yes! My best tip? If you're there during the evening, take the time to go outside and watch the animals just before and after sunset. They're often *most* active during those hours! And seriously, *ask* for a room with a good view. Do not underestimate the power of being in a good location. Also, if you have kids, check out the activities! They have stuff like animal viewing guides and cultural experiences. Finally... shop the gift shops! You can get the cutest plush animals! Especially the ones with the AKL/Kidani Village crest on them. Don't judge. I have a LOT.
Is Kidani Village a good choice for people with mobility issues? Or with small children?Sleep Stop Guide
