Just back from Kidani here are our thoughts

[jamie&Greg]

Thanks for responding. I know while I was Jambo last week, I took the DTD bus to get to Kidani. Just to make sure I'm reading you correctly, while I'm staying at Kidani, I can grab any bus beside the DTD one and it will take me to Jambo first? That sounds great. Do you have anymore tips?

I still might drive at times at just drop my family off at the door to Jambo when we eat at Boma. Because my mom is going to be 79 years old this December and I want to lessen her load as much as possible. I figure I can then park the minivan or whatever and do the small walk. Hell, I might even valet park if the mood strikes me.

Yup you understood correct about the busses!

Any more tips – I didn’t catch if you were traveling with kids but if you are check out the community hall. We have never gone to any of the community halls before but I thought it was very neat. They had tables set up for coloring and other crafts that were free and they had some crafts you could do that cost $$. We spent about 2 hours in there one morning. They also set up the WII in the many Kidani lobby in the evening and tons of kids were playing there. They had two guides playing drums in the ‘Library’ in the early evening too – that was fun! The guides are really good there.

We didn’t eat at the restaurant, but did have some drinks at the lounge. Very family friendly and good drinks! This is one of the reasons I LOVE DISNEY – I love being able to bring my 3 YO with us for an evening cocktail!

Here is my biggest tip (this is for any DVC stay), if you are a coffee drinker bring your own coffee and make it in your room. I didn’t see any place that served coffee at Kidani  so for us bringing coffee is a must!

You will have a great time – make sure to sechdule some time at the pool.

What parks are you going to?? Are you looking for any specific tips for any parks ect.?

Hope this helps!

 

[jamie&Greg]

I'd say that 25 exclamation points, means a GLOWING report of Kidani!!!!! Loved it! I'm a fan of the exclamation point too. Wasn't there a Seinfeld episode w/ Elaine and someone about that? Thanks for the review! Can't wait for our first trip home, there, to Kidani!

That was awesome!!! Yes I do use the exclamation point to excess. It was just a really good trip! A period just didn’t get my point across

 

[jamie&Greg]

Oh Disney fan 67 - If you are going to request a room I would ask for one near the lobby. You can get a room pretty far out there – especially if you plan on using the pool you could end up on the complete other side. We didn’t request a room but were on the 3rd floor (which is actually the second) in room 7713 – it wasn’t really close to the lobby but it worked out great and we were near the pool!

 

[kaelarad]

Glad to hear everyone's thoughts. We will be staying at Kidani next week and are really looking forward to our stay. We have never stayed at AK.

Will add our thoughts upon our return!

Thanks everyone

 

[disneyfan67]

Yup you understood correct about the busses!

Any more tips – I didn’t catch if you were traveling with kids but if you are check out the community hall. We have never gone to any of the community halls before but I thought it was very neat. They had tables set up for coloring and other crafts that were free and they had some crafts you could do that cost $$. We spent about 2 hours in there one morning. They also set up the WII in the many Kidani lobby in the evening and tons of kids were playing there. They had two guides playing drums in the ‘Library’ in the early evening too – that was fun! The guides are really good there.

We didn’t eat at the restaurant, but did have some drinks at the lounge. Very family friendly and good drinks! This is one of the reasons I LOVE DISNEY – I love being able to bring my 3 YO with us for an evening cocktail!

Here is my biggest tip (this is for any DVC stay), if you are a coffee drinker bring your own coffee and make it in your room. I didn’t see any place that served coffee at Kidani  so for us bringing coffee is a must!

You will have a great time – make sure to schedule some time at the pool.

What parks are you going to?? Are you looking for any specific tips for any parks etc.?

Hope this helps!

Thanks for giving me the rundown of the resort. Being a WDW veteran of many trips, my upcoming trip in December will be the first as a DVC member. I'm taking my entire family and since I got a big chunk of points when I bought in, I had enough to book a GV for 4 nights. I'm hoping my mom and dad will be blown away when they see the accommodations and it's my Christmas gift to them. I did request it to be as close to the main area/lobby as possible and it's noted in the reservation. I hope the kids will be able to swim in the middle of December because the pool area looks fantastic. I'm looking forward to going and it should be a great vacation.

Thanks for everything and your response was much appreciated.

 

[miprender]

Thanks for posting. We just stayed at Jambo House and loved it but this next trip we are spending 4 nights at Kidani and I am afraid that we won't like it as much.

But then again I didn't think I was really going to love AKL as much as we did.

 

[bookwormde]

I allways let the bus drive know that I am getting off at the other resort stop so they hold the boarders so you can get out easily (an there is no chance of heading to the parks without stopping)

bookwormde

 

[sskem96]

We were at Kidani in a 1 BR Savannah View over Thanksgiving. Our room was in the 3rd bead down to the right, past Community Hall and the Arcade. The kids spent time in both of those places almost every night after returning from the parks. It was a bit of a distance from the pool, but we didn't spend much time there anyway since the weather was so cool that week. We didn't miss the counter service restaurant much since there is a drink refill station in the gift shop off the lobby. We buy groceries and cook most of our meals in the room.

Next March there will be 13 of us in 2-2 BR Standard Views. I requested a room closer to the pool since it will be warmer and we'll have 5 kids with us ranging from 3-14 yrs. I think they'll enjoy spending more time in the pool area.

I really didn't know if I'd like Kidani since I normally don't like dark wood and prefer everything very light and airy, but it turned out to be very calming after being over stimulated from a busy day in the parks. As soon as I walk into the lobby, my headache just melts away!

 

[mmmagic7754]

We love Kidani. The lobby is not as grand as Jambo but so many more places to view the animals and the community hall was great!! The covered parking may not be pretty but sure was nice getting into a car that had not been sitting out in the hot Florida sun.

Bus service has never been a problem for us.We have stayed at several resorts and Kidani and Jambo have always been great.Sometimes you miss a bus that just pulled away and the next may take awhile(it's the same at any resort or park)everyone remembers the long wait but never mentions all the ones they didn't have to wait for

 

[dgaston]

Just back from an AKV stay at Jambo, and we took some time to visit the Kidani pool again. The CM staff was terrific with pool games, and I prefer the Kidani pool to Jambo. We had a lovely afternoon there.

We were able to catch a club car over to Kidani from the porte cochere, and took a resort bus back to Jambo.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I was there from May 2 to May 8 and I loved it. Stayed at Kidani in a studio SV. Room 7908. Top floor right off the elevator. Great views.

Going back in August. Staying in a 2br dedicated SV. Requested close to lobby again.

BTW, they have a golf cart that shuttles people back and forth from Kidani and Jambo. No charge.

 

[bobbiwoz]

..
BTW, they have a golf cart that shuttles people back and forth from Kidani and Jambo. No charge.

If we are staying at Jambo, where do we pick up the shuttle? Where do we get it to go back?

Thanks, and that's a great idea!!!

Bobbi

 

[Harlemgirl720]

If we are staying at Jambo, where do we pick up the shuttle? Where do we get it to go back?

Thanks, and that's a great idea!!!

Bobbi

You go to the front entrance of each hotel and ask any CM member standing out there to call for the golf cart. They may be out there already so look towards the left and see if the cart is there.

 

[riu girl]

To OP or anyone else who just got back: How is the lovebug situation currently at Kidani and Jambo?

We are staying at Kidani later this month. 3 years ago we stayed (off-site) during the same time frame and at our offsite resort the lovebugs were everywhere. On disney property they weren't near as noticeable.

Any info. would be really appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Donut23]

We just returned a few weeks ago from our 2 BR Kidani stay....a couple of comments.

Our first building reaction was how completely horrible the parking garage looks....specifically the overhead with all the plumbing. I'm sure everyone is going to LOVE the garage in the hot summer months and it's convenient to be so close to the rooms...but....my gosh, did they have to have is be so UGLY. What a sad early impression for such lovely rooms.

Rooms are beautiful. We especially appreciate the new designs with the 3rd bathroom. Our first stay with the 3rd bathroom was the Grand Cali a few months ago. The Grand Cali (hotel and villas) remain our most favorite Disney resort...hands down. too bad, of course, we live in Maryland.

Golf Carts - what's all that about. We never found the walk a struggle at all. We walk all over the parks...we found the ALV stroll was quite easy.....and we were in PUMBA! Even our 70 year old friend was all over walking vs. the carts. <--she IS a pistol!!! I am sure they are useful for handicapped or perhaps families with small children.....and we always had cart drivers trying to give us rides as we were walking......just were not necessary. No bigie for us.

Although we have always loved our stays at Animal Kingdom Lodge and now villa...it's simply too far away for us. That's only our opinion so no need to become defensive. We prefer EPCOT resorts for access. It's not the bus issue because we always use a rental car....far more convenient and pleasant. At AKL and AKV you simply are not close to the things we enjoy. Good news for all you AKV folks - we will not be in your way.

We will continue to visit the property for meals....but stay elsewhere.

You have to admit, however, you cannot match the animal experience anywhere else. It is a beautiful resort ---- and now Villa.

 

[cogero]

OH GREAT info here. we just booked a trip home for Christmas this year. Can't wait

 

[cseca]

To OP or anyone else who just got back: How is the lovebug situation currently at Kidani and Jambo?

We are staying at Kidani later this month. 3 years ago we stayed (off-site) during the same time frame and at our offsite resort the lovebugs were everywhere. On disney property they weren't near as noticeable.

Any info. would be really appreciated.

Thank you

Just got back on sunday from Jambo. Lovebug was unnoticeable this time around. I see some flying around but nothing excessive at all.
Have fun!