Kidani Village- First ever stay at this resort

[Divaofdisney]

Hello everyone....my sweet and loving husband just surprised us with a trip to WDW over Christmas-12/21- 12/28. We are staying in 2 BR standard view room. There are 5 of us. Was just wondering what the standard view rooms face?? We have been to disney many times but have never stayed here- but have also been intrigued by this resort. Was wondering how the disney transportation is from here to parks also as it is a bit far removed. Is it slow and would taking a car be better?? Also what are you thoughts on this resort?? Thanks in advance

 

[Ron from Michigan]

You are going to love staying at Kidani. We have stayed there several times and love it. We always use Disney bus transportation and have never had any problems. Normally the buses stop at Kidani first so that helps. Just remember it is going to be really crowded while you are there so the secret is to get to the parks early. The standard rooms are going to look over the parking lot or the pool. Make sure to save a little time to go over and explore Jambo house. You can either walk or they have a shuttle that runs between the two. Have fun.

 

[LadyLuck24]

We have stayed standard view at Kidani twice & loved it. There are so many viewing spots for the animals throughout the hotel that I don't think it is necessary to have a savannah view (although I'm sure it's pretty awesome too). We loved being near the Kidani pool because the kids' splash area was great. The only drawback is the lack of quick service, but the walk to Jambo for the Mara (quick service) was nice & only about 5 min.

In general I never complain about the bus service because I think it's such a great convenience of staying on property. But the fact is, it can take awhile to get to some parks (DTD seemed like the longest ride to us). I would always bus it to the MK because parking & needing to then go through the TTC is annoying. Bus service to AK is easy because it's only a mile away. But I would definitely drive to DTD rather than bus it, and would consider driving to Epcot & HS as well because the parking/walking in is not so bad.

What a great hubby!!!! Have fun!

 

[Divaofdisney]

We have stayed standard view at Kidani twice & loved it. There are so many viewing spots for the animals throughout the hotel that I don't think it is necessary to have a savannah view (although I'm sure it's pretty awesome too). We loved being near the Kidani pool because the kids' splash area was great. The only drawback is the lack of quick service, but the walk to Jambo for the Mara (quick service) was nice & only about 5 min.

In general I never complain about the bus service because I think it's such a great convenience of staying on property. But the fact is, it can take awhile to get to some parks (DTD seemed like the longest ride to us). I would always bus it to the MK because parking & needing to then go through the TTC is annoying. Bus service to AK is easy because it's only a mile away. But I would definitely drive to DTD rather than bus it, and would consider driving to Epcot & HS as well because the parking/walking in is not so bad.

What a great hubby!!!! Have fun!

This is excellent for us to know having never stayed out this far. Thanks for all the help. I am so thrilled and excited to try this unique resort. It was quite a shock for me and our girls- they are over the moon- My oldest daughter is bringing her boyfriend to come - which will be his first ever trip and visit to WDW!! very exciting. Has anyone tried Sanaa restaurant?? The menu looks great I think we will plan to try that one. We will be on the dining plan so that's great for us. Thanks again all

 

[mumto3girls]

This is excellent for us to know having never stayed out this far. Thanks for all the help. I am so thrilled and excited to try this unique resort. It was quite a shock for me and our girls- they are over the moon- My oldest daughter is bringing her boyfriend to come - which will be his first ever trip and visit to WDW!! very exciting. Has anyone tried Sanaa restaurant?? The menu looks great I think we will plan to try that one. We will be on the dining plan so that's great for us. Thanks again all

We just tried Sanaa in July and very much enjoyed our meal. My husband is fairly picky but said it was one of our best Disney meals ever. We got the bread service and loved that. We will return.

 

[Bullseye]

Never had a standard view there, but I think you'll love the resort!! It's such a nice resort... we like the fact that it's bit secluded from the parks. Plus with 5 people in a two bedroom you are going to very comfortable. Hope it's warm enough to swim while your there because Kidani has a great pool area.

 

[hakepb]

Most standard views face the parking / bus stop and some fact the pool. Then there are some partial Pembe savanna views near the pool, and then farther down the hallway, there are some reclassified savanna views along a 40' deep "dog bone" stretch/animal walkway between the 2 Pembe sections.... That's where we stayed in July. Great view since CM's keep putting out food to maintain some animal activity, if you don't mind a loooong walk
(We selected Pembe as the request at online checkin)

 

[Simba's Mom]

I just left Kidani yesterday-my first and last ever stay there. I just couldn't get past the super long walk to the lobby. Although I'd requested "near lobby", I was in the 7th "pod". On the plus side, bus service was great-never waited more than a couple minutes, a few times the bus pulled up as I got there. And coming back from DHS, I remember that the bus stop is the closest one to the park. But I'll return to Jambo in the future (just going to take the shuttle to Kidani for Sanaa).

 

[Divaofdisney]

Ok I guess I am a little confused now....exactly where is the lobby? Is it not in Kidani when you check in?? What is the long walk you are referring to?? If we have a standard villa- what would you suggest us requesting. I personally would like to have the shortest walk possible and close to bus stop. Thanks for all the help. I guess I am confused as to the layout of this resort.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Ok I guess I am a little confused now....exactly where is the lobby? Is it not in Kidani when you check in?? What is the long walk you are referring to?? If we have a standard villa- what would you suggest us requesting. I personally would like to have the shortest walk possible and close to bus stop. Thanks for all the help. I guess I am confused as to the layout of this resort.

Yes, the lobby is at Kidani, right in the center of the building. Think of the #3, with the lobby right in the middle, and the two "arms". One "arm" is closer to Jambo, the other is closer to the pool. If I had my choice, I would have taken the Jambo side. I'm sorry I don't know how to post to a map, but I think there's one on allears.net.

 

[Divaofdisney]

Yes, the lobby is at Kidani, right in the center of the building. Think of the #3, with the lobby right in the middle, and the two "arms". One "arm" is closer to Jambo, the other is closer to the pool. If I had my choice, I would have taken the Jambo side. I'm sorry I don't know how to post to a map, but I think there's one on allears.net.

Ok thank you so much. I will go to All Ears and find the map. What would you suggest then we request as far as standard view is concerned? I would like to have less of a walk and be close to bus. Would really prefer not to face a parking lot- I know I am asking for a lot here. Maybe a bit of pixie dust may help. My hubby would have gone for the savannah view but none were available.

 

[dansamy]

Kidani Village is isolated. Some people do not like it. We love it! The property is quiet and feels very peaceful to us. Because the property is remote, the bus ride takes a while anywhere except AK. Plan for it!

 

[DebbieB]

Ok I guess I am a little confused now....exactly where is the lobby? Is it not in Kidani when you check in?? What is the long walk you are referring to?? If we have a standard villa- what would you suggest us requesting. I personally would like to have the shortest walk possible and close to bus stop. Thanks for all the help. I guess I am confused as to the layout of this resort.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/Kindani_Village_Map.jpg

 

[LadyLuck24]

In my opinion, there are advantages to every possible location along the "3." Both times we went, we were along the Jambo arm of the 3. The first time we were a little closer to the lobby, which was nice, because you can fill up your mug there & go see the savannah viewing areas. The second stat, we were slightly further (by 2 or 3 sections) from the lobby, but the advantage then is that we were right near the elevator so it was a quick walk to the bus stop, parking (right under the rooms), and to Jambo for the quick service restaurant.
If you don't plan to use the pool that much, I would request a non-pool view. That arm of the 3 is convenient to the pool, but just about as far as you can get from Jambo.
The only times I felt annoyed were at the end of a long day when we were going back to the room with an exhausted 18 month old....then that walk from the lobby seemed really long. But otherwise I think there are bonuses to every location!

 

[POTCfan]

We were at Kidani in June and loved it. We were pretty far from the lobby of Kidani, but on the Jambo side. Our walk to Jambo lobby was about the same as our walk to the Kidani lobby - which had it's own benefits. My daughter preferred the Kidani pool to the Jambo pool. We did have a rental car, so it was nice to have the car right under our unit. I made the walk to the lobby many times, and it never bothered me except when our room key did not work when we first checked it. Making the walk several times in a row can be annoying.

We ate at both Sanaa and Boma, and loved them both. I gave the edge to Boma and my wife gave the edge to Sanaa.

I think you will have a fantastic time. Be sure to take advantage of any activities going on at the resort!

 

[Divaofdisney]

Gee thanks everyone so very much. I will simply request to be close to lobby. About how far from the lobby is the bus stop? It looks fairly close on the map. Anyway, thanks for all the great advice. Much appreciated. We are very excited. Now if I could only manage a reservation to Cinderella's Royal Table and Be our Guest- which is my daughter and boyfriends favorite all time movie- they so wanted to eat dinner here! Oh well. We were late in the game getting this reservation and with us staying over Christmas it is next to impossible for us at this point. Oh well. I will keep tyring though

 

[dansamy]

You can still eat there for lunch.

 

[bilzer]

The lobby is very close to the bus stop. We love it there are my girls say they feel like its "home" when we are at Disney. My girls love the slide and I love being able to see them in the smaller pool. I like how you can fill up drinks in the lobby store. The bus is easy because you are the first on and off. The only part we don't like is taking the shuttle to eat at the Mara. We needed to take stuff "to go" and that is a pain hauling it on the shuttle back to kidani and back to the room. Otherwise, we love it there and plan to return again soon. There is also a nice community room with games, coloring and movies. My girls like it there while I did laundry. We only had a studio. If I were putting in a request. I would say a "partial savannah view." You could then end up on Pembe Savanna. We had that view with standard and loved it. It's near the pool side of the "3" but worth it!

 

[NoleFan]

We really enjoyed breakfast @ Boma