Kidani TR 5/3-5/8 WONDERFUL

[bsusanmb]

DH and I just returned from Kidani, along with DS, DDIL and DGS. DH and I stayed in a one bedroom on the 5th floor, standard view, and DS, DDIL, DGS who is 3 stayed in a studio on the 4th floor. The CM's at the check in desk are new and a little mixed up with directions to the rooms, and also over charged us for the meal plan. We were totally lost trying to find our room, but eventually realized we were on the wrong side of the hotel and found our room. The layout of the one bedroom is really different. As you walk in, there is a full bathroom with tub/shower off the hallway, and in the closet on the other side is the washer/dryer. The Kitchen area is not as large as VWL or SSR, but you have the extra bathroom instead. The masterbath has a very large flooring area. What I would change is the whirlpool tub and glass shower stall are side by side, not affording any privacy. Also, the spigot for the whirlpool tub is at the corner of the front of the tub, and there is no way you can rinse your hair if you are in the tub bathing. But I can live with that. The decor is beautiful, handcarved animals in the wood, sheer curtains have animals and the lion king characters woven in them. The carpet throughout the hotel is beautifully themed with animal print. The village is designed to be like a necklace with beads, meaning that each set of rooms is separated by an area that allows viewing from windows, almost like a large necklace with beads. The elevators are conveniently located. The parking is great, under the building, and there are numbers corresponding with the rooms so that you can park near your room area. No sun on the car. The lobby is smaller than Jambo, but just perfect size. The area off the lobby towards the savanna is very much like Jambo. The gift shop is very small. The recreation areas are very nice, the sitting area with the fireplace, game room, activity room.

We especially liked the pool. There is a large area for kids with water play. The big slide is really nice, long and winding. The pool is not deep at all, I don't think more then 3feet, maybe 4 feet at the deepest. I am only 5'4" and I was in the water only up to my chest. The bar area is close, with small selection of snacks/sandwiches.

We did not eat in the restaurant, but ordered room service. The person answering the phone was very nice, but didn't know much about the food. It came quickly and was very good...we had the samosas appetizers and a turkey club sandwich.

We were very impressed with the hotel. I agree with the poster who is a builder and said that the outside is not finished...I found it to be odd looking on the outside, but I just figured it isn't quite finished yet.

I will post pictures later. It would be nice to have a counter service available. I didn't know about the walkway between Jambo and Kidani. I thought it wasn't finished yet. Besides it was in the 90's every day, and we just drove our car over. We did eat at Boma for dinner, and it was wonderful as always.

However, JIKO was TERRIBLE. I was so disappointed. We had eaten there a few years ago and it was so good. We had the African bread appetizer which is good, but then again, how can you mess up bread and hummus? We had the filet mignon and asked to substitute mashed potatoes in place of the mac and cheese, and have the sauce on the side. We both ordered medium rare. The steaks came our medium well and were very very dry. We have never sent anything back, but this time we did. $39 for a piece of meat and two tablespoons of potatoes is ridiculous. So, they came out medium rare this time. The meat was poor quality. Mine was stringy and chewy. DH's was chewy. I had read that Disney quality has gone down, and believe me it has with this restaurant. Our server was Cuban and did not have the demeanor that we had previously experienced in the wait staff at Jiko. He was just there to take our order, no information offered, no time spent with us...oh well. I will NEVER eat there again. Previous visits we had the filet and it was like butter. The manager did ask us if our steaks were ok, but that was about it.

All in all, it was really a beautiful room, view was of the holding pond and some grassy area, but we don't spend time on the balcony...too hot.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. How were the bed mattresses? Were the animals out in the mornings? Looking forward to your pictures.

 

[gkrykewy]

Give Jiko another chance We ate there last August (Wanyama Safari) and it was amazing. Maybe just a bad night.

 

[bsusanmb]

The mattresses were SO SO comfortable. Not pillow top, but luxurious. The animals were abundant at various times, but I didn't keep track to tell you the truth. Lots of giraffes, zebras wildabeasts, ankoli cattle, ostriches...

The king size bed was really high off the ground!

 

[Pennykay]

Thanks for the report! What was your view as a standard room?

 

[TagsMissy]

I am curious about the Std View as well... we are booked in a Std 2BR for August; I requested a Pool View but I am certain most people do so my chances may be smaller to get it heheh

 

[bsusanmb]

The pool view appears to me to be from the side of the Kidani village that isn't finished yet. The rooms that are to the right of the lobby as you enter are the ones that appeared to be occupied, which is where our rooms were. Our view was of a holding pond and a lot of tall grassy area, not a good view. But, we did face the sunset which was nice each evening. I did have a savanna view when I stayed at AKL before DVC was part of it. It was nice, but after a day or two the thrill wore off...it wasn't worth the extra points to me.

 

[LisaS]

I am curious about the Std View as well... we are booked in a Std 2BR for August; I requested a Pool View but I am certain most people do so my chances may be smaller to get it heheh

The first two building segments in the north wing are open. We were in that last open segment but on the lobby end. We could hear people at the pool but we could see just a tiny bit of the pool from our balcony (a tiny bit of blue water through the trees). The view would be better from the far end of that building segment.

I would have preferred a savanna view but our wait list didn't come through. But in the end, we enjoyed our view of the main entrance, especially at night with all the lanturns flickering.

 

[jblrn2b]

Thanks for your TR. Keep it coming!

 

[DisOrBust]

WE are just back as well and also dinned at Jiko. It sucked all around. The service was terrible and food sub par this after eating here for 6 times before. It was always our favorite but I will never go back again after that waste of calories.

 

[famsen]

We spent 4 nights at Kidani. We were in a handicap accessible standard view 1BR. The room was huge but I assume that was due to the room type.
The only things we had trouble with which were no big deal(especially after the roach "incident" at Jambo) was that when we tried to use the microwave, it was broken. Maintenance and housekeeping came very quickly withn a replacement. Also, the dishes and pans were pretty beat up and scratched. I assume Kidani and Jambo share the same dishware and transfered over some of it from Jambo. I can't believe the dishes and bakeware would have already been that beat up after the resort had only been open a few days.

It was so quiet. I am sure that will change when it is fully operational, but it was so peaceful and relaxing and CLEAN. We loved it!
I can see how not have counter service restaurant would be an issue for some. It wasn't a problem for use because we had a car and purchased groceries. I hope they do get counter service though.

 

[VrBchJ]

I have been a big Jiko fan for many years. But after my last dinner there I have to agree that the quality of the food and experience are way below my previous wonderful dinners. There is another new Chef and I wonder if that revolving door is affecting the quality of the food and service. Glad you had a wonder Kidani stay.

 

[bsusanmb]

The folks on the pod cast also have said that the food is sub par with the cutbacks. I was so disappointed in my meal at JIKO. I remember it being just fabulous and the staff so accomodating. This guy could not have cared less about us.

We had all new dishes, pots and pans etc in our room.

I will post pics. Gotta find some time!

 

[jakenjess]

Thanks for the nice review. I'm so sorry to hear about your experience at Jiko. We have yet to try it but it's been on my to-do list. Hopefully things will turn around there!

 

[AKV707]

Thanks for the report. Now I am concerned about our June Jiko dinner on our Kidani trip! And I was so looking forward to it. (the dinner)

 

[jbrowna]

We've eaten a few times at Jiko -- the last in December '08 -- and have had great experiences every time. I'm saddened to hear that things may have fallen off there. However, it seems incredibly harsh for folks to say they'll NEVER go back after one bad experience. Especially the previous poster who had commented on having eaten there 6 times before -- but 1 bad experience and they'll never return! Wow!

I'll admit that our first experience at Mama Melrose's (a few years ago), was less than stellar. We wondered, afterwards, why that place was always so difficult to get into, why there was always such a line. It certainly didn't seem worth it to us! However, a year or so later we gave it another try, and now it's one of our favorites. So restaurants change. Not only that, but personal tastes change. DW and I are now at a stage where we are more open and adventurous about eating. We like trying new things. We don't always like them, but we're usually glad we tried!