Kidani Village? Never again... (now with pics!)

[La2kw]

...will I hesitate to stay there! We fell in love with this resort last week. We always try the new resorts even though we love our home resorts of OKW and SSR. We decided to try Kidani even though we had already stayed at Jambo house previously and really didn't enjoy it. As the trip got closer, DW and I were really not looking forward to staying at Kidani. We took DME from the airport and after a nightmarish trip (we were on a full bus and we were the fifth and last stop) we felt very welcomed pulling up to the resort. The lanterns and the lobby were so impressive. Why did we like this resort?
1. The resort is very quiet and relaxing. That's important to us and why we prefer OKW and SSR over most of the other hotel type resorts.
2. The view of the animals from the lobby is impressive. Much more impressive than Jambo's lobby where you really can't see the animals without walking outside.
3. Sanaa. We weren't sure we would even like this restaurant and we gave it a try and felt it was one of our better meals ever at WDW (and we are veterans with over 25 trips under our belts).
4. Lack counter service restaurant was a non-issue for us. We rarely use a QS at our resort because we prefer to have food in our unit for any meals at the resort.
5. Having the soda refills in the lobby is very, very convenient.
6. Parking under the building is fantastic, and will be especially appreciated in the summer. I didn't feel it detracted from the themeing at all.
7. Sunset Savannah is now the happening Savannah. The views from Kidani are excellent.

Wanna see some pictures?

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Wanna see some pictures?

YES!! I love, love, love my home resort! Pictures will tide me over till November...

 

[es45]

...will I hesitate to stay there! We fell in love with this resort last week. We always try the new resorts even though we love our home resorts of OKW and SSR. We decided to try Kidani even though we had already stayed at Jambo house previously and really didn't enjoy it. As the trip got closer, DW and I were really not looking forward to staying at Kidani. We took DME from the airport and after a nightmarish trip (we were on a full bus and we were the fifth and last stop) we felt very welcomed pulling up to the resort. The lanterns and the lobby were so impressive. Why did we like this resort?
1. The resort is very quiet and relaxing. That's important to us and why we prefer OKW and SSR over most of the other hotel type resorts.
2. The view of the animals from the lobby is impressive. Much more impressive than Jambo's lobby where you really can't see the animals without walking outside.
3. Sanaa. We weren't sure we would even like this restaurant and we gave it a try and felt it was one of our better meals ever at WDW (and we are veterans with over 25 trips under our belts).
4. Lack counter service restaurant was a non-issue for us. We rarely use a QS at our resort because we prefer to have food in our unit for any meals at the resort.
5. Having the soda refills in the lobby is very, very convenient.
6. Parking under the building is fantastic, and will be especially appreciated in the summer. I didn't feel it detracted from the themeing at all.
7. Sunset Savannah is now the happening Savannah. The views from Kidani are excellent.

Wanna see some pictures?

Of course we want pictures! Thanks for the perspective on Kidani.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you had such a good time! Yes, please post some pictures!

I was with friends in Kidani 2 weeks ago, and I think the CM's there were very well prepared with explanations and interesting stories. Haven't given Sanaa a try yet.

Bobbi

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

We would love to see some pictures!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cogero]

would definately love pictures

 

[Brave teacher]

I would love some pics! We'll be back there in 44 days, so we are getting a little excited. I'm glad to hear you liked it so much.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Ooh you little devil you. You had me going for a minute. I am glad you loved the resort. Will be staying there for the first time in a few weeks.

 

[La2kw]

More things we liked about Kidani-
8. The lobby is much more comfortable to us than the one at Jambo. Jambo just seems over the top to us. Remember, we love the low key aspects of OKW and SSR, so this lobby suited us much better. Jambo's lobby is very detailed, yet also feels very dark and way, way too busy. You can't even see the animals from Jambo's lobby. At Kidani, I was able to linger in the lobby and look out those huge windows and see the giraffes and wildebeasts strolling by.
9. The remoteness of the resort actually works for this resort. Yes, it's far from most everything, but that's okay for this resort. You feel like you are heading to a destination, not a hotel and we found ourselves looking forward to arriving back at the hotel to check on our giraffes every day.
10. Bus service was very good, more on par with OKW and SSR. Getting on the bus at Kidani was a breeze, with usually just a few other parties joining us. Once we got to Jambo, the bus often got packed. Kidani has the advantage in that respect.

Animal viewing from the lobby. Very handy on those hot or rainy days.

More to come...

 

[podsnel]

ITA...I think Kidani is nice and quiet,really low-key & sooooo relaxing on vacation- we love it! Thanks for the pics, can't wait to see some more, please!

 

[La2kw]

 

[ccigliano]

So glad you enjoyed it. We stayed at Kidani last month for the first time and we really like it too. Sunset savannah was perfect with giraffes, zebras, ankole cattle and ostriches. We too liked the quieter side of the resort and relaxed by the fire in the evening. I have never stayed at Jambo but I may try it once to compare but I think we will still like Kidani better.

 

[La2kw]

Our room. A standard studio.

Looking from entrance towards balcony.

Kitchenette.

Not too fond of the mini closet and armoire, but I suppose it works. Really like the keyless safe in the closet.

I laugh at the pointless flat screen television. Pointless because there's nothing to watch except Disney programming and whole lot of religious programming (which I never remember ever seeing the past 25 years we have been going to WDW).

Our balcony views.

Cool zebra chair. Balcony furniture seems nicer than it used to be. We also stayed at SSR and those chairs had an "SSR" logo on the back of them.

 

[El&Asmom]

Thanks for the pics. Glad you loved it. We love it too.

 

[stopher1]

Thanks for sharing the pics! We love our home resort. Jambo is nice, but Kidani is our preference.

 

[daisyduck123]

We've stayed at both Jambo & Kidani....Kidani is our favorite of the two.!

 

[arthur06]

we have only stayed at Jambo, but hope to switch to Kidani for our Dec trip at 7 months! Glad to see pics and hear that you enjoyed it!

 

[ToddyLu]

Thanks so much for providing my Kidani fix tonight...we loved it, too and for the same exact reasons. I love the fact that it is more remote. We do not have public transportation where we live and for some reason it fascinates me and seems like an attraction in and of itself. So I loved the bus system while there.

 

[CruznLexi]

We love Kidani and can't wait to go home on Oct 19th. My Mom is comming for just 1 night prior to our cruise. I like the fact that you can refill your mugs at the pool or the shop. I am thinking of switching to BWV for Jan but I so love KV! I am afraid I will be disapointed!
Lexi

 

[dbs1228]

we are on a mission to try all resorts and this is on top of our list! We visited the property when looking into dvc and it was what pushed me from nea to yea! It is not our home resort (teens who want easy access to parks) but I know we will be spending many vacations there! Loved everything about it!