Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[kimmar067]

Checking in to Kidani in 3 days!

....I'm jealous....

 

[Sophie_inBflo]

Checking in to Kidani in 3 days!

Us, too! (but 3 days from today....)

 

[Disneymom1126]

Us, too! (but 3 days from today....)

Yeah!!! It's actually now tomorrow for us! SO EXCITED!!!!

 

[RunningAriel]

Wanyama Safari was wonderful! There were 11 people total on our Safari and we had great, close-up views of the animals on all the savannas, including Kidani. There was a little reception beforehand with some delicious finger foods, and a cultural representative from Nairobi (I think) who talked to us about her homeland and her experiences here. After the Safari we had dinner at Jiko, all at one long table. We enjoyed getting to know the people we sat closest to, and trying foods and wines from the multi-course meal. I wish the Safari was available without dinner though, because I would do it every time. I think the food from Jiko is probably a little too adventurous for us and I assume it's responsible for most of the cost. We each received a pin and some chocolate, presented nicely in AKL gift bags stuffed with giraffe-print tissue. It was a great experience and I'm glad we did it, although it's not one of those things we want to do every time.

Was there enough food for everyone? I read a recent trip report commenting that they felt like the dinner portion of the evening was more like heavy hors d'oeuvre.

 

[nursejackie]

My mum always used to say 'don't wish your life away' and yet I am constantly wishing it away when I'm waiting to go to Disney. 59 days and counting until AKL and Christmas in Disney

 

[Disneymom1126]

My mum always used to say 'don't wish your life away' and yet I am constantly wishing it away when I'm waiting to go to Disney. 59 days and counting until AKL and Christmas in Disney

Trust me! It will go by quickly!! I don't know where the last 59 days went for us, that's for sure!!

 

[nursejackie]

So we have a dinner reservation at 5PM for Sanaa and also want to see Fantasmic at 7:30 that night. I know riding the buses would make it impossible most likely, but do you think taking a taxi over will work?

You will need to be at Fantasmic about an hour early at least as it's so popular, unless you have saved a fastpass for it? You need to leave time for transport, security, entry and walking to theatre. If you have one course at Sanaa you'll be okay, but you may spend the meal worrying about timing which could overshadow your signature meal.

 

[nursejackie]

I have asked this question before on Disboards but didn't get any replies. So I will ask again in case anyone who's been is reading it now - has anyone eaten at the QS Sanaa breakfast? We are going in December and wondered if the banana bread with chocolate hazelnut spread tastes as good as it looks online.

 

[Princess Minnie321]

3 more weeks! Magic bands came this week! I have been planning this trip for over a year and cannot believe it is almost here!

 

[DisneyMama21]

Checking in Sunday! Can't wait!! AKL is my HOME away from home!

 

[Angeliki19]

Can anyone comment on construction going on around Kidani? Received a letter in the mail about it a few weeks ago. We are checking in on Nov 4! Thanks!

 

[mster425]

Just booked! March 7th-13, Kidani Studio Standard View.

So excited to go back! And just in time for Sanaa QS

Rented points took a while to come through so I was getting nervous but it went through this afternoon

 

[DizDaD7]

3 more weeks! Magic bands came this week! I have been planning this trip for over a year and cannot believe it is almost here!

3 weeks here as well.....Wooohooo

 

[KNovacovschi]

I also have the same question (but we arrive in a month!). We'll have a car, and with the exception of Magic Kingdom, I'm thinking it might be easier to just drive to the parks every day...thoughts?

Just an update, we drove to every park and were happy we did. On our arrival night we went to Disney Springs and decided to take the bus after already driving many hours and it took 30 mins to get there by bus. It is far from everything but AK.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

The excitement of the past several posts is contagious. Wishing our 3 months would hurry by. We'll be checking in to Jambo House 1/21. I can't wait to hear the drums and "Welcome Home".

 

[KNovacovschi]

So we've been home for 5 days and now have to say our 1st stay at AKL was amazing. We were originally booked ar CBR but were upgraded as they overbooked our week. We stayed in Jambo House on Kudu trail, room 2380 on the 2nd floor(which is 1 floor down from the lobby). The room was beautiful. We had 2 Queen beds, double sinks which we aren't used to as we normally stay at POP and balcony with table and chairs. One thing I like was the tub and how comfortable it was to soak in. We loved waking up to animals outside every morning and at night.

We drove so we took our car to the parks every day. We found it easier after taking the bus to Disney Springs the first night and it took 30 mins.

Loved the QS and the ability to get jungle juice for breakfast. I only ordered food besides breakfast once and it was their chicken flatbread and it was good.

We loved the pool and I think I went down the slide about 5-6 times in a row, lol.

I believe AKL has ruined me for POP, lol.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

So we've been home for 5 days and now have to say our 1st stay at AKL was amazing. We were originally booked ar CBR but were upgraded as they overbooked our week. We stayed in Jambo House on Kudu trail, room 2380 on the 2nd floor(which is 1 floor down from the lobby). The room was beautiful. We had 2 Queen beds, double sinks which we aren't used to as we normally stay at POP and balcony with table and chairs. One thing I like was the tub and how comfortable it was to soak in. We loved waking up to animals outside every morning and at night.

We drove so we took our car to the parks every day. We found it easier after taking the bus to Disney Springs the first night and it took 30 mins.

Loved the QS and the ability to get jungle juice for breakfast. I only ordered food besides breakfast once and it was their chicken flatbread and it was good.

We loved the pool and I think I went down the slide about 5-6 times in a row, lol.

I believe AKL has ruined me for POP, lol.

What a great upgrade! We stayed at AKL Jambo for our first trip last year, and will be there again this coming Jan. I sometimes entertain the idea of staying in the cabins at Ft. Wilderness, Art of Animation, or even WL but fear we might also be spoiled by AKL.

 

[Sammie]

Can anyone comment on construction going on around Kidani? Received a letter in the mail about it a few weeks ago. We are checking in on Nov 4! Thanks!

They are doing room rehabs and some floors will be closed for this work. It will only be during the day that they are working.

I was hoping someone that has been recently could update on the progress.

A number of floors of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village are currently closed for renovation. To minimize any inconvenience to our Guests, we will try to restrict work noise to the hours between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

 

[Sammie]

Checking in to Kidani in 3 days!

Please share an update on the room rehab progress. Thanks

 

[nicolebridget22]

Was there enough food for everyone? I read a recent trip report commenting that they felt like the dinner portion of the evening was more like heavy hors d'oeuvre.

Oh, golly, that's disappointing to hear. It's a very expensive experience altogether, so no one should leave hungry. Yes, at our meal there definitely seemed to be enough to go around. I know my husband and I both got enough of what we liked, and the people we sat closest to remarked how stuffed they felt as well. I guess it must depend on how hungry the group is, and how adventurous their palette's are? There were leftovers in at least half the bowls/platters that went back to the kitchen at the end of our meal, which makes me think there was enough for all. And despite the fact that the food wasn't entirely to my taste I still left the meal feeling satisfied, just not gluttonous. You know that feeling you sometimes get when you don't even want to stand up and walk to your car after a huge meal? We didn't have that going on. But we certainly weren't ringing room service afterwards either. It was just right. In my experience I feel confident saying there was plenty of food for the group. Everything was presented so beautifully as well, and with the chef coming out to describe the components of each course, and with our waitress presenting each wine pairing, it was a great dinner experience. I would definitely recommend trying it at least once, if not only for a tasting of what Jiko has to offer, but for the Safari itself which was the best part! Also, this being such a premium Disney experience, I'm sure if you ran out of something that you wanted more of, they would be glad to fetch it. In fact, I believe I read that when I was researching reviews for this event myself. I remember reading that seconds were happily provided, I just don't think that came up with my group.