Okapi settling into Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas

[JaxFLBear]

Found this posted on the member website:

As development work continues on Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, Disney's Animal Care team has reached a key milestone, welcoming okapi to the resort's animal population. The new animals are becoming acclimated to their new surroundings and will be visible to Members and Guests when the new Pembe Savanna opens as part of the second phase of Kidani Village (currently scheduled for September 2009).

Native to the rain forests of the northern Congo, these herbivores are members of the giraffe family and grow as tall as five-and-a-half feet at the shoulder. While okapi have been Guest favorites at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, this marks the first time the species will call Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge "home."

You can learn more about this species online at www.theokapi.org.

 

[LisaS]

That's great news! I also heard there will be one or more hornbills on that savanna.

 

[4 Little Bears]

Thanks for posting. I didn't realize there would be "new" animals at AKV/AKL.

 

[AKV707]

Great news! We are going to have a great savanna.

 

[LisaS]

Thanks for posting. I didn't realize there would be "new" animals at AKV/AKL.

Yes there will be new animals in that small savanna that is at the very top end of Kidani. So now we know the name of the new savanna, too! Pembe!

 

[huey578]

Does that mean more rooms will open up with the second phase?

 

[AKV707]

Does that mean more rooms will open up with the second phase?

It certainly sounds that way. I imagine that Kidani will open in phases as construction is completed and rooms are declared into DVC inventory. It sounds like the sections closest to the lodge will open first, with the lobby, pool, and restaurant open. (I hope)

 

[Claire L]

From all the press releases I thought KV was due to be complete by May 2009

Good news about the new animals and unique savanna though

Claire

 

[LisaS]

From all the press releases I thought KV was due to be complete by May 2009

I don't think they ever said it would be completed by May 2009, only that it will be possible to stay there beginning on May 1, 2009. We know that the first rooms sold have an occupancy date of May 1, 2009 but they haven't published any information about how many rooms will be open on that date or how much of the resort will be open. People have reported that their guide has told them the pool will be open but I don't think they have published that information. With Jambo they published a map showing the construction phases and when they rearranged the schedule, they published an update. They've really kept us in the dark on Kidani.

 

[jbrowna]

As I recall, early on they had information about Kidani opening in phases, beginning in spring of 2009. Since they settled on the date of May, 2009, I've not seen any mention of "phases" until now. I guess I'd presumed the May 2009 opening meant the whole thing -- especially given how the pace of construction has been going. Perhaps they will publish some sort of phase timetable as we get closer to 2009.

 

[AKV707]

I guess we will all get a better idea once we hit August 10 and reservations begin.

 

[Claire L]

I have seen several press releases on different sites and they all said the same in October 2006.

Allears has the release at the bottom of the page as completion planned for Spring 2009.

Here is the original Official WDW press release.

Have they decided on a phased opening now due to a downturn in the economy??

Claire

 

[LisaS]

Here is the original Official WDW press release.

Have they decided on a phased opening now due to a downturn in the economy??

Just took a look at that official press release and it does say "completion" in spring 2009! I could see the economy and the price of gas and airfare affecting those plans.

 

[Doc CW]

Cool thanks for the post

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks for posting this info - the okapi is one of our FAVORITE animals at AK!!

 

[kenman]

Is there going to be any other new animals?
THANKS!

 

[DisneyDreamers2007]

We just went in May and saw more animals at AK and AKL then on any other trip!

 

[dgaston]

All this is whetting my whistle for the AKV Concierge portion of our trip next week. We're doing both Sunset and Sunrise Safaris (can't be certain of another Concierge stay) and looking forward to all info we can glean from the CMs.

Somewhat if DH retires (after 38 years of HS teaching) in June I hope to plan a family gathering at Kidani for his brother's 60th birthday in Sept 09. Now will he retire? I'm going to book the rooms when I can.