Mixed view on Kidani

[we"reofftoneverland]

We are at Kidani right now. First dvc stay, but we have stayed at many Disney resorts over the years. This is our first time here at ak. Some feedback in case anyone is interested. I think we will avoid staying at this resort in the future.

Positive:
1. Lots of space in 1 bedroom villa.
2. Two bathrooms in 1 bedroom villa
3. Appears very clean
4. Resort lobbies (both Kidani and Jambo) are beautiful.
5. Air conditioner works great in villa
6. Parking easy and nearby
7. Pool nice
8. Large new tv in living room
9. Huge balcony
10. Buses run frequently/ haven’t had any long waits


Negative:
1. African theme unappealing. We were never particularly interested in this theme but like it even less than we thought we would. Lol.
2. Who put this kitchen together? Plates in bottom cabinet? No place to put our snacks/food? Refrigerator jammed next to stove?
3. Villa seems unfinished/raw. Maybe that is part of theme?
4. Sofa beds in poor condition.
5. Live roach in kitchen. Dh took care of that. But we have never seen any roaches in any room at Disney in the 20 years we have stayed with them. So, yeah, gross.
6. Food situation sucks. We went to mara in the first day. Someone stole our food!! Another first at Disney. The choices were meh. Do not get the pork sandwich. Place was dark and dingy. Turn on some lights down there! One and done. We had seen bad reviews of Mara but thought it was just people complaining. They were right, unfortunately. We are going to sanaa tomorrow, so maybe things will get better. Jiko and Bama do not appeal to us.
7. Employees are nice but seem like they would rather be working at GF. Or any other resort. Lol. No Disney sparkle, not particularly helpful. Everyone seems downtrodden.
8. Kitchen seems worn.
9. Lights connected to a variety of switches that are difficult to figure out.
10. Shower lukewarm
11. Pump bottles are awful and nozzles fall out. Not sure what the point is of these. They are not much bigger than individual sized bottles. No shampoo etc by tub! They are only in shower.

A lot of people complain about the distance to the lobby. Our room is a hike, but this doesn’t bother us. The resort is just too dark and “miserable.” But... we are having a great time. The room really is quite comfortable and no big park crowds.

 

[quandrea]

I had The lukewarm shower issue on my last stay. They were up to fix it, which helped. Not great to hear you’re having that problem. Yikes on the roach. Was it the giant palmetto or an American cockroach? The American ones are smaller. The palmettos are everywhere and I don’t get excited about. The little American guy? Those suckers gross me out. AKL is our home resort and I’m mostly happy with it. The kitchen layout isn’t the best, but I find that true across the fleet. Those new toiletries gross me out. Won’t be using them, so I guess the poor construction won’t be an issue—disappointing though. Sanaa has always been outstanding. We go at least twice per visit. Enjoy!

 

[cruisin5]

DVC might not be the right fit for you; many of the issues you experienced are common on the DVC side - worn sofa beds, perplexing light switches, worn kitchen, pump bottles, kitchen storage (we use the top of the fridge/re-arrange the plates/cups.). It seems DVC stocks the kitchen to put something in each cabinet instead of leaving some empty for storage.

Boma isn't as exotic as it sounds, if you liked Sanaa I think you'll like Boma.

The water issue isn't typical, did you raise the issue at the front desk?

 

[Deb & Bill]

We usually wind up leaving our groceries that don't need refrigeration on the counter. It works for us. But I agree with cruisin5, DVC or AKV might not just be your cup of tea. If you like other DVC resorts and not KV or JH, just don't book there again. We find KV very nice even after we didn't care for the look of the resort when it was first built and thought it looked "prison-like". With the landscaping grown up, it is looking very nice. We enjoy staying there. Now, BWV isn't our favorite, nor is VB (we live on an island with much better beaches).

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Do you have a Savannah view? Those are the best in my opinion. We really love the African decor....hope you find some more things you do like about it. Have fun

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I had The lukewarm shower issue on my last stay. They were up to fix it, which helped. Not great to hear you’re having that problem. Yikes on the roach. Was it the giant palmetto or an American cockroach? The American ones are smaller. The palmettos are everywhere and I don’t get excited about. The little American guy? Those suckers gross me out. AKL is our home resort and I’m mostly happy with it. The kitchen layout isn’t the best, but I find that true across the fleet. Those new toiletries gross me out. Won’t be using them, so I guess the poor construction won’t be an issue—disappointing though. Sanaa has always been outstanding. We go at least twice per visit. Enjoy!

Yes unfortunately American. We did report it this morning and they said they would send someone to our room when we were out for pest control. I did let them know we were not complaining, but just thought they should know!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Just to follow up. We are not unsatisfied, just pointing out things that we notice. Disney went all out on this resort... and there are some things we do like (room size, lobby, places around the resort to sit). I just think it is not for us overall.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Do you have a Savannah view? Those are the best in my opinion. We really love the African decor....hope you find some more things you do like about it. Have fun

Standard view, unfortunately! But our view is quiet nice actually, very peaceful.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I politely decline to trust anyones review who doesn’t like Jiko and Boma

 

[JenboJambo]

Yes unfortunately American. We did report it this morning and they said they would send someone to our room when we were out for pest control. I did let them know we were not complaining, but just thought they should know!

This freaks me out (and bed bugs). I lived with cockroaches in college and it was awful. You have just taken me back to a dark time in my life.... I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. It would have ruined my stay! I'm choosing to believe that this was a palmetto bug and not a cockroach. Kidani is my home and I absolutely LOVE the theme, dining choices, and dark cozy spaces. I could understand how it wouldn't be everyone's favorite though..... For instance, many people love Grand Floridian, but I think it's a total snooze fest.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Ur review reminded me of our years back visit to AKL JAMBO. Simply hated it. The food was not a fit for our family at that time. We found it dark and depressing. We truly disliked the forever walking to our room and the myriad food trays everywhere in the hallways. We still enjoyed our disney trip but felt we d never go back.
Fast forward ... I love akl/Jambo And a close second with Kidani.( including the grand villa at kidani and extended family reunion type trips) We’ve done so many different room types, re-tried foods and def expanded our food choices lol.
What I love most about disney... the Choices...value, mods, dvc, etc etc. something for Everyone at many price points.
As far as Bugs... that’s Unacceptable at Any resort level... and I live in sw fla.. bugs are here ..but imho there’s No reason for it and it’s something
That would ve had me at the front desk asking for a room location change, Gross!
Hope rest of trip better and enjoyable!!!

 

[Eeyore daily]

Not going to lie, had I seen a roach in my room I probably would’ve asked for a different room. I have a huge fear of them and sadly they’re as common as the lizards here.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I also live in SW Florida and occasionally will get a palmetto bug in the bathroom. Usually they are looking for water. If I see one, I get out the little hand vac, vacuum it up and let it go outside. My husband just squishes them and then flushes the smooshed bug. They don't bite, they aren't there because it's dirty. They are there because it's Florida. We have a bimonthly bug service and we still get them once in a while. So they either follow the plumbing up to the water sources (shower, tub, sink) or they fly in open doors or windows. They might even hitchhike on your luggage.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just to follow up. We are not unsatisfied, just pointing out things that we notice. Disney went all out on this resort... and there are some things we do like (room size, lobby, places around the resort to sit). I just think it is not for us overall.

Just pointing out things you noticed? Might as well have said they should tear it down and start over! haha

 

[Deb & Bill]

Not going to lie, had I seen a roach in my room I probably would’ve asked for a different room. I have a huge fear of them and sadly they’re as common as the lizards here.

Mouse or snake, yes. Palmetto bug, no, unless it was infested with them.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are at Kidani right now. First dvc stay, but we have stayed at many Disney resorts over the years. This is our first time here at ak. Some feedback in case anyone is interested. I think we will avoid staying at this resort in the future.

Positive:
...

Negative:
1. African theme unappealing. We were never particularly interested in this theme but like it even less than we thought we would. Lol. This is the only African themed resort.
2. Who put this kitchen together? Plates in bottom cabinet? No place to put our snacks/food? Refrigerator jammed next to stove? Then you don't want to stay at BWV, BVC, SSR, OKW, GFV, BRV, PVB.
3. Villa seems unfinished/raw. Maybe that is part of theme?
4. Sofa beds in poor condition. Again, avoid SSR, BRV, BCV, BWV, PVB. OKW has new, so they are good right now.
5. Live roach in kitchen. Dh took care of that. But we have never seen any roaches in any room at Disney in the 20 years we have stayed with them. So, yeah, gross. It's Florida. They live here.
6. Food situation sucks. We went to mara in the first day. Someone stole our food!! Another first at Disney. The choices were meh. Do not get the pork sandwich. Place was dark and dingy. Turn on some lights down there! One and done. We had seen bad reviews of Mara but thought it was just people complaining. They were right, unfortunately. We are going to sanaa tomorrow, so maybe things will get better. Jiko and Bama do not appeal to us.
7. Employees are nice but seem like they would rather be working at GF. Or any other resort. Lol. No Disney sparkle, not particularly helpful. Everyone seems downtrodden. Seriously? All of them????
8. Kitchen seems worn.
9. Lights connected to a variety of switches that are difficult to figure out. So again, avoid all the other DVC villas. I've stayed at OKW for 22 years and still get puzzled over the light switches in the bedroom. But I'm learning.
10. Shower lukewarm
11. Pump bottles are awful and nozzles fall out. Not sure what the point is of these. They are not much bigger than individual sized bottles. No shampoo etc by tub! They are only in shower. Again, avoid OKW, probably SSR, and others as they change them out.

A lot of people complain about the distance to the lobby. Our room is a hike, but this doesn’t bother us. The resort is just too dark and “miserable.” But... we are having a great time. The room really is quite comfortable and no big park crowds.

See above.

 

[rg35]

I've never had any issues w/ the staff at Kidani at all. Always super friendly - from the cultural ambassadors doing demos in the lobby, to restaurant staff, to Community Hall staff and more.

The food complaint is somewhat amusing since Animal Kingdom is considered to have some of the best resort dining on site.

 

[Pyotr]

Florida resident here. The American Cockroach/Palmetto Bug will occasionally come in your home no matter how much you spray. They live in mulch and decomposing foliage. They’ll enter your home looking for moisture. They live in isolation and I would not be concerned at all if you have seen one in your room.

They can get rather large and terrify people from up north.

Now the German Cockroach (the smaller brown ones), if you one you have a million.

 

[Eeyore daily]

Florida resident here. The American Cockroach/Palmetto Bug will occasionally come in your home no matter how much you spray. They live in mulch and decomposing foliage. They’ll enter your home looking for moisture. They live in isolation and I would not be concerned at all if you have seen one in your room.

They can get rather large and terrify people from up north.

Now the German Cockroach (the smaller brown ones), if you one you have a million.

I live outside of Tampa, I always see the huge one in pairs. Any other pest I'll get over. Those never.

 

[Pyotr]

I live outside of Tampa, I always see the huge one in pairs. Any other pest I'll get over. Those never.

I’m outside of Tampa too.

Palmetto Bugs = the Florida State Bird.

Due to my job, I go in the poorest of neighborhoods and homes in Hillsborough county. I’ve seen homes that are completely infested with roaches. Like walls completely covered in roaches infested.

I’ll take the occasional Palmetto bug any day.