Just book Kidani for the first time! What do I need to know?

[SusieBea]

Just changed a short visit from OKW (which I love) to a SV at Kidani. The CM at Member Services told me to request night vision glasses. I know very little about this resort. We've eaten at Jiko, and the CS place. What else do I need to know? It will be me, my DD, and my DGS who is 2. (I didn't think I would be, but I'm very excited!)

 

[drusba]

By SV I assume you mean Savanna View (not standard). Points to be aware of:

1. Call and add request for "close to lobby." That will put you near all amenities, pool, community hall, and bus service. Without that request you are likely to end up far from lobby and at Kidani far from lobby essentially means somewhere in the next county -- the rooms at the end of the north wing are over 1/4 mile from the lobby. Close to lobby will also give you Sunset Savanna view which is the largest savanna and has giraffes (Pembe on the N/NW side of the resort does not have giraffes). Note, if you actually have standard view, then you do not need to make that request as standards are somewhat close to lobby but you may want to request pool view as it is the better of the standard views

2. If you have car, you park right under building on ground floor and with elevators along the wings you can always park close to wherever your room is.

3. Kidani has only table service restaurant, Sanaa, Jambo is a 1/2 mile walk door to door (you can also take bus, or a shuttle when available) and it has sit-down, Jiko, buffett, Boma, and counter service, Mara. Sanaa, Jiko and Boma are all very good. Kidani has small store, Jiko large one. Kidani store (and pool bar) provide refills for mugs.

4. Jambo pool is larger than Kidani but Kidani has longer slide and elaborate kids water play area. Jambo pool has far more shaded areas because vegetation/trees have now fully grown.

5. The night vision glasses are things you can get while there to use for going out on the main viewing areas and looking for animals at night.

6. Busses are generally good and make two stops at resort, Kidani and Jambo. Park busses go to Kidani first and then Jambo, and Downtown Disney to Jambo first and then Kidani.

7. Theming, a hotel on an African savanna, is ideal. However, be aware rooms have modern energy saving bulbs and room is always somewhat dimly lighted even when lights are on.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

At night....go out to the fire pit near the lobby. The animals do come out at night and the fire pit is a nice place to be.

 

[SusieBea]

Good things to know. Thank you both! We have a savanna view.

 

[christa112]

I am going to second asking to be close to the lobby. We were all the way on the other side of the resort with a SV and though it was great. I would gladly give up the SV to be closer to the lobby. After a really long day at the park with 3 children the last thing I wanted to do is walk to the other side of the resort to get to my room.

 

[papertraveller]

Thanks for the advice. We're going to be at Kidani, and just found out that friends will be at the main lodge, so we'll definitely make this request so we're not walking miles!

 

[ChrisAlli]

When we were there in Nov, the Girraffes were fed between 4-5 everyday, right outside the Community Room.

The balcony there is a REALLY good view of this

 

[RylanzDad]

By SV I assume you mean Savanna View (not standard). Points to be aware of:

1. Call and add request for "close to lobby." That will put you near all amenities, pool, community hall, and bus service. Without that request you are likely to end up far from lobby and at Kidani far from lobby essentially means somewhere in the next county -- the rooms at the end of the north wing are over 1/4 mile from the lobby. Close to lobby will also give you Sunset Savanna view which is the largest savanna and has giraffes (Pembe on the N/NW side of the resort does not have giraffes). Note, if you actually have standard view, then you do not need to make that request as standards are somewhat close to lobby but you may want to request pool view as it is the better of the standard views

2. If you have car, you park right under building on ground floor and with elevators along the wings you can always park close to wherever your room is.

3. Kidani has only table service restaurant, Sanaa, Jambo is a 1/2 mile walk door to door (you can also take bus, or a shuttle when available) and it has sit-down, Jiko, buffett, Boma, and counter service, Mara. Sanaa, Jiko and Boma are all very good. Kidani has small store, Jiko large one. Kidani store (and pool bar) provide refills for mugs.

4. Jambo pool is larger than Kidani but Kidani has longer slide and elaborate kids water play area. Jambo pool has far more shaded areas because vegetation/trees have now fully grown.

5. The night vision glasses are things you can get while there to use for going out on the main viewing areas and looking for animals at night.

6. Busses are generally good and make two stops at resort, Kidani and Jambo. Park busses go to Kidani first and then Jambo, and Downtown Disney to Jambo first and then Kidani.

7. Theming, a hotel on an African savanna, is ideal. However, be aware rooms have modern energy saving bulbs and room is always somewhat dimly lighted even when lights are on.

Thanks for that most helpful post. We are staying at Kidani this March in a Savanna view.

 

[dgaston]

CMs running the pool games at Kidani are the best.