Sanaa Restaurant at Kidani Village

[bgartz]

Since there is no Counter Service dining at Kidani, I think you can count on there being a fountain dispenser either at the pool bar or around the gift shop. They will probably have pre-made sandwiches and salads in the gift shop as well, along with the usual assortment of grocery items.

I have been reading about no CS at Kidani, but does anyone know this to be a fact. Seems like a big oversight not to offer one, even if it was limited in selection. Having the ability to grab some snacks or late night burger is a big plus for me, and I would like to know for sure what the answer is. I might need to move my plans from Kidani to Jambo is that

Brad

 

[tjkraz]

I have been reading about no CS at Kidani, but does anyone know this to be a fact. Seems like a big oversight not to offer one, even if it was limited in selection. Having the ability to grab some snacks or late night burger is a big plus for me, and I would like to know for sure what the answer is. I might need to move my plans from Kidani to Jambo is that

Brad

All of the promotional materials from DVC list Sanaa as the only dining offered at Kidani Village (with only breakfast and dinner being served.)

Guides have verbally confirmed that this is the only restaurant planned for Kidani.

 

[jbrowna]

All of the promotional materials from DVC list Sanaa as the only dining offered at Kidani Village (with only breakfast and dinner being served.)

Guides have verbally confirmed that this is the only restaurant planned for Kidani.

I believe that's how it will be on opening, but remember that Artist's Palette was the only eatery planned for SSR originally. Guest demand caused them to open Turf Club. I wouldn't be surprised to see something similar happen at Kidani Village: if enough guests complain about the lack of a CS restaurant, they will add one.

I suspect that BLT will also face that kind of demand: all those people in the tower won't want to have to go all the way over to the CR Concourse to fill up their mugs or buy some food items for their villas. I expect that within a year or so of opening BLT will have some sort of gift shop (like the BC Marketplace with some food items) and perhaps a CS eatery as well.

Now where did I put that crystal ball of mine?

 

[kenman]

I been hearing from a friend that is going to work at Kidani that the pool bar is going to offer some cs items, burges and snacks, like the one at storm a long bay!

 

[tjkraz]

I believe that's how it will be on opening, but remember that Artist's Palette was the only eatery planned for SSR originally. Guest demand caused them to open Turf Club. I wouldn't be surprised to see something similar happen at Kidani Village: if enough guests complain about the lack of a CS restaurant, they will add one.

That's true--The Turf Club as a full-service restaurant was a late addition. But most of the infrastructure was already in place. The Turf Club began as a lounge so some of the space and furnishings were already allocated. I understand that most kitchen facilities are shared between The Turf Club and Artist's Palette. The space which ultimately became the dining room and patio was already available. The capital investment required to create the restaurant was pretty small in the grand scheme of things.

Since Kidani is all new construction, I have my doubts as to whether they would be so willing to invest in structural modifications necessary for a second restaurant. In the end probably the best folks can hope for is a cappuccino cart serving pastries in the morning and a sandwich cooler for lunch/dinner items.

Serving food at the pool bar would also make sense, but I'll be curious to see the hours and what is offered. I know they serve food at the BWV pool bar, yet the lack of CS is one of the frequent complaints for that resort. I don't think many consider offering poolside burgers and tuna sandwiches to be much in the way of CS dining.

I suspect that BLT will also face that kind of demand: all those people in the tower won't want to have to go all the way over to the CR Concourse to fill up their mugs or buy some food items for their villas. I expect that within a year or so of opening BLT will have some sort of gift shop (like the BC Marketplace with some food items) and perhaps a CS eatery as well.

Now where did I put that crystal ball of mine?

FWIW, my Magic 8-Ball says "Don't bet on it" when it comes to additional Contemporary dining. I don't think the Disney beancounters are going to have much sympathy for BLT owners who can't stomach the 3-4 minute trek from their guest room to the Tower for refreshments.

 

[bgartz]

All of the promotional materials from DVC list Sanaa as the only dining offered at Kidani Village (with only breakfast and dinner being served.)

Guides have verbally confirmed that this is the only restaurant planned for Kidani.

Thank you. I will be disappointed in that, but I will just need to get a bigger grocery delivery to satisfy my late cravings.. The rest of Kidani village is what made me buy there, and I can't let one thing bring me down.

Brad

 

[tjkraz]

Thank you. I will be disappointed in that, but I will just need to get a bigger grocery delivery to satisfy my late cravings.. The rest of Kidani village is what made me buy there, and I can't let one thing bring me down.

Brad

A very healthy outlook.

No resort is perfect. Do your best to roll with the punches.

 

[LisaS]

We are certainly hoping for a more Indian flavor with curries etc

Claire

DH and I are hoping for this too! We'll be staying at Kidani in early May so I hope it will be open by then so we can try it out.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We will try Kidani out as well.........but if we miss Mara too much, or there is no quick service at the pool.....we will probably be booking at Jambo most of the time. We want to try Kidani though to make an objective decision on this. Wondering if the rooms at Kidani will be that much nicer to give up a CS convenience.

 

[glennbo123]

DH and I are hoping for this too! We'll be staying at Kidani in early May so I hope it will be open by then so we can try it out.

Those of us going in June are hoping you May folks quickly post to give us the lowdown before we arrive! I can't wait to try it -- we're huge Boma fans.

 

[kenman]

I think the big reason why there is no counter service is because you have a kitchen! Isn't that the point of a vacation club to have a home and make your own meals. I think thats why they are called vacation homes not hotel rooms. When you think about the villas at WL have no dining at all, and a way to small pool. If I rented a dvc I would make my own meals to save money esp breakfast, $16.00 for a breakfast is just crazy!

 

[KirstenB]

I think the big reason why there is no counter service is because you have a kitchen! Isn't that the point of a vacation club to have a home and make your own meals. I think thats why they are called vacation homes not hotel rooms. When you think about the villas at WL have no dining at all, and a way to small pool. If I rented a dvc I would make my own meals to save money esp breakfast, $16.00 for a breakfast is just crazy!

Perhaps you're not the cook at your home! I cook 51 weeks of the year for our family. We rarely go out to eat here at home, like maybe order pizza once a month. We do use the kitchen in the villa to store breakfast foods, but no way am I cooking full meals there! Again, if you have small children, sometimes table service is more hassle than it's worth. It's nice to have a counter service option to grab a quick dinner at the resort.

 

[LisaS]

We usually have a simple breakfast in our room, cereal, toast, fresh fruit, etc. But we like to have a hot breakfast a couple of mornings during our stay and the CS restaurants at the resorts are a great place to go for that. We enjoyed having breakfast at Roaring Fork on our VWL stay in December. We have eaten breakfast at The Mara a couple of times too. It's nice to have a CS option.

 

[kenman]

I don't really like to talk back to people but I just don't think it would pay Disney to build,staff,and all the other expense to have 2 dining options in a resort with only 400 rooms, since most will be cooking their own meals. As working for a travel agent for some yers I also find most people drive to time share resorts rather then fly, so most have to option to drive to a store. I myself am not a DVC member but I am thinking about going to kidani this year on renting points or through Disney reservations, and getting a grocery delivery since I am flying down. I'm not really sure it would pay since there is going to be a pool bar, a sit down, plus i'm sure they will have some staples in the store as well. That would be 3 sitdows, 2 pool bars and 2 shops that sell goods and then another counter service for something like 2,300 rooms. It is not that far to walk to the lodge, in fact I heard they are thinking about a goulf cart type of think to take guests to the lodge like they do at coronado springs. I was wondering do they have room service at a DVC resort? And if you compare the # of rooms to other resorts of the same size some don't even have a sit down and only a food court and pizza delivery. I do agree it would seem like they should offer some type of cs, I think if you dvc members complain enough they might get something even if it is a better selection at the pool bar. I was wondering how many people will grill on the grills at kidani?

 

[LisaS]

I don't really like to talk back to people but I just don't think it would pay Disney to build,staff,and all the other expense to have 2 dining options in a resort with only 400 rooms, since most will be cooking their own meals. As working for a travel agent for some yers I also find most people drive to time share resorts rather then fly, so most have to option to drive to a store. I myself am not a DVC member but I am thinking about going to kidani this year on renting points or through Disney reservations, and getting a grocery delivery since I am flying down. I'm not really sure it would pay since there is going to be a pool bar, a sit down, plus i'm sure they will have some staples in the store as well. That would be 3 sitdows, 2 pool bars and 2 shops that sell goods and then another counter service for something like 2,300 rooms. It is not that far to walk to the lodge, in fact I heard they are thinking about a goulf cart type of think to take guests to the lodge like they do at coronado springs. I was wondering do they have room service at a DVC resort? And if you compare the # of rooms to other resorts of the same size some don't even have a sit down and only a food court and pizza delivery. I do agree it would seem like they should offer some type of cs, I think if you dvc members complain enough they might get something even if it is a better selection at the pool bar. I was wondering how many people will grill on the grills at kidani?

I was addressing your point that DVC members use their kitchens instead of eating out at breakfast. Having a kitchen (or kitchenette) is great and we do use it, especially at breakfast. But we like to eat out some mornings as well. We'll be OK eating at Sanaa, provided it is open for breakfast. Depending on where you look, DVC has stated it will be open for "breakfast and dinner" or for "lunch and dinner".

 

[kenman]

I saw to different thinks, breakfast/dinner and lunch/dinner. I would think the breakfast one would be a better option for Disney.

 

[KirstenB]

Kenman, I hope you get to go visit Kidani this year. We stayed at Jambo last year for the first time, and were totally hooked. I'm not sure what highway it is, but I took a back road out of AKV, drove about 1/2 mile, and was on a major roadway, with groceries, fast food, etc. We can always go that path if need be. The swimming pool looks like it's gonna be fabulous.

 

[pilferk]

Just out of curiosity sake, where would you fill your mug at kidani if you were on the Dx or Cs dining plan? Having to go all the way to Mara seems silly. From what I read it doesn't sound like the pool bar will have a drink refill station either.

I've heard (from my guide and then from another DVC CM) that the pool bar area and the gift shop will both feature some grab and go items. I asked, specifically, about refillable mugs and was told there were plans to have a refill station at one of those two spots (I'm thinking the pool bar).

We'll see, I guess.

 

[pilferk]

Quote from the DVC web site...
"Sanaa
Indulge your senses! Sanaa, meaning "work of art," defines the atmosphere and the cuisine at this restaurant — with beautifully prepared food and an atmosphere simmering with style. Relax in the comfortable lounge that is adjacent to the spacious dining room. Savor lunch and dinner here."

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortDetail?id=ProspectsDAKVDiningPage

That bolded part is interesting because, unless I'm misremembering (and I could very well be), it was originally going to be like Boma's: BREAKFAST and dinner.

I'm sorta glad to see a sit down lunch place added to the mix....

 

[pilferk]

I have been reading about no CS at Kidani, but does anyone know this to be a fact. Seems like a big oversight not to offer one, even if it was limited in selection. Having the ability to grab some snacks or late night burger is a big plus for me, and I would like to know for sure what the answer is. I might need to move my plans from Kidani to Jambo is that

Brad

There has been no ANNOUNCED CS for the resort and given the filed plans, construction notices, etc.....nobody has noticed any changes that would incorporate one into the new building.

Of course, that's not to say it would be impossible for there to be one. But, so far, all signs point to there NOT being one.