Simply ENTHRALLED with Kidani Village1

[alldiz]

Thanks for your great review....I can't wait to stay there

Please forward your thoughts to the powers that be....I think if they get enough feedback they might put a CS there
Kerri

 

[DisneyBK]

I have been reading different reviews of the accommodations at AKL - Kidani Village, and it seems very exciting.

We are on our way there in September. This will be our first trip back to WDW as DVC members. Looking forward to it.

I had a quick question about the AKL Whirlpool Tubs: How would you describe them? Do they have jets or were they just oversized bath tubs.

Just curious. Thanks.

 

[CaskPeg]

I wouldn't like to see them convert the library space into a restaurant. It's such a relaxing, quiet space. Turning it into a restaurant, even if just at breakfast would be a shame and probably make a mess of the furniture.

They are still working on the north wing so I would rather see them put a CS on the ground level of the north wing with windows overlooking the savanna as they have done with Sanaa. It would mean losing some parking spaces from the under-building garage but it seems the most logical place to put another restaurant. Guests in the north wing will have the longest walk to The Mara and to the Kidani bus stop if they prefer to take a bus to Jambo House so having the CS in the north wing would be very convenient. The loss of north wing parking would be a problem however since they won't have any outside parking once you get past the pool area.

LisaS

I concur with your suggestions for a CS on the ground level. We enjoyed the library section so much when there the first opening week...that it is essential it stay "as is". CaskPeg

 

[Bekky2]

You are all making it sound so great! We arrive in October and can not wait!

 

[ToddyLu]

I knew we made the right decision in June. Our first trip is in Oct too. We are staying in 2 studios with SV.

 

[Donald is #1]

I have been reading different reviews of the accommodations at AKL - Kidani Village, and it seems very exciting.

We are on our way there in September. This will be our first trip back to WDW as DVC members. Looking forward to it.

I had a quick question about the AKL Whirlpool Tubs: How would you describe them? Do they have jets or were they just oversized bath tubs.

Just curious. Thanks.

I believe that they are jetted tubs (at least they are at the other resorts).

 

[Sammie]

OK, in full disclosure mode here ... you can indeed visit the little shop in the lobby (Johari Treasures?), and you can get breakfast fixin's, if you're so inclined.

I will say that the Mara provides a good CS breakfast. They have a "bounty platter", which includes bacon, sausage, potatoes, eggs, a biscuit, and a Mickey waffle. You can just about skip lunch. It's on the DDP, so I got this for each person in our party, schlepped it back to the villa, and they could eat what they wanted from it.

What just cracked me up is that we bought some Toaster Strudel at Publix on our way in. My family scarfs those bad boys down.

I love the bounty platter, they have it at SSR also. Thanks for the review, seems all DVC resorts have at least one area where there is room for improvement. They really need to include all of us in the planning.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...From all reports, DVC did a wonderful job developing this resort. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Not from all reports. We thought it was awful. But that's what is nice about DVC, it has something for everyone. And if there are a bunch of you that love it, that's wonderful.

 

[gkrykewy]

Not from all reports. We thought it was awful. But that's what is nice about DVC, it has something for everyone. And if there are a bunch of you that love it, that's wonderful.

As you've said in probably 500 posts of your posts so far . Again, I really think you should add something to your signature.

FWIW, yesterday I sent a few comments to dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com ... can't hurt!

Dear DVC staff --

Our family are DVC members at Animal Kingdom Villas (we own 220 points, member number XXXX) and since we recently completed our first stay at Kidani Village, I thought I would offer our feedback. First, a few constructive suggestions, since we know that the resort is not yet complete:

1. It would be very helpful if a quick-service/counter-service dining option could be added to Kidani Village. I found myself walking to Mara in Jambo House every morning, which was not the end of the world at all, except that the walk itself was not designed in a very pleasant way.

2. On that walk, it's a shame that very little has been done so far to add the sorts of theming touches that would make Kidani Village feel properly connected to Jambo House, and a part of the broader Animal Kingdom Lodge/Villas. From the inside (the savannas), the resort complex very much feels like a cohesive whole, but the walk between the two resorts takes guests past parking areas and backstage maintenance areas, with very little done to keep the AK theming - there's only a very little bit of landscaping. It would be nice to make this more of a "Disney" walk, and to make the Kidani facade more attractive.

3. Along similar lines, it was surprising and somewhat jarring to have to walk out the resort's front door and past the drop-off loop to reach the pool. The sidewalk is right along the driveway, with no landscaping at all. Very weird, and sort of breaks the theming. I hope that the work finishing up Pembe savanna will provide an opportunity to better connect the pool with the rooms.

4. Also in terms of the theming being broken, the stairwells transport me from an African lodge into a 1960s-era junior high school.

Now, a few compliments:

1. The lobby and overlook areas are delightful. There is a lovely viewing platform to the right of the lobby with a row of outdoor wooden rocking chairs. Great!

2. Staff were very friendly. The front desk was very patient with finding us a 2nd floor room when we were disappointed with our initial 5th floor assignment. Everyone really wanted to know whether we enjoyed our stay and would be back.

Overall we really loved Kidani Village and will be delighted to stay there in the future -- we hope that a few minor tweaks can be made to outdoor theming to help the resort shine from all angles.

Thanks for listening,

 

[toniosmom]

Loved your letter to member satisfaction. I hope they consider your criticisms. We are going next March -- I can only hope that these items are resolved/tweaked before then.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Loved your letter to member satisfaction. I hope they consider your criticisms. ...

Me too. I've talked to Member Satisfaction about some of the same concerns.

I also will say that the whole bunch of us, family and friends loved Kidani Village, (and Jambo house) during our very short stay in May. I'll be booking Kidani for the whole family before our next DCL cruise, which is in about 15 months...so long to wait, but I have 5 nights at Jambo (value or concierge) planned before then for myself or DH.

Bobbi

 

[AKV707]

Anyone know how construction is going on with the rest of the resort? IS it on schedule for a September opening? Any news on the Pembe savana?

 

[gkrykewy]

Anyone know how construction is going on with the rest of the resort? IS it on schedule for a September opening? Any news on the Pembe savana?

We checked out Pembe savanna from windows along the 5th Floor hallway last week. Honestly, the savanna looked complete. There were some new animals out there, including a hornbill-type bird (very intelligent!) and some antelope-type things that we hadn't seen elsewhere at AKL. My wife saw an Okapi's head poke up from a backstage enclosure at the rear of the savanna... a keeper at AK park told us that 2 or 3 Okapi had already been relocated to AKL.

 

[AKV707]

We checked out Pembe savanna from windows along the 5th Floor hallway last week. Honestly, the savanna looked complete. There were some new animals out there, including a hornbill-type bird (very intelligent!) and some antelope-type things that we hadn't seen elsewhere at AKL. My wife saw an Okapi's head poke up from a backstage enclosure at the rear of the savanna... a keeper at AK park told us that 2 or 3 Okapi had already been relocated to AKL.

Thanks! We will be back in Jam and can't wait to see the new savanna!

 

[Deb & Bill]

As you've said in probably 500 posts of your posts so far . Again, I really think you should add something to your signature.

FWIW, yesterday I sent a few comments to dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com ... can't hurt!

Nice letter. I'm still not sure I agree with needing a counter service at Kidani, but I agree that they need to improve the walk over to Jambo.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We checked out Pembe savanna from windows along the 5th Floor hallway last week. Honestly, the savanna looked complete. There were some new animals out there, including a hornbill-type bird (very intelligent!) and some antelope-type things that we hadn't seen elsewhere at AKL. My wife saw an Okapi's head poke up from a backstage enclosure at the rear of the savanna... a keeper at AK park told us that 2 or 3 Okapi had already been relocated to AKL.

This is exciting to know! We'll be in Jambo for a night in September, and I'll definitely spend some time going to look at the Pembe savannah! I'm assuming there will be windows, an area to view it from.

Bobbi

 

[LisaS]

There were some new animals out there, including a hornbill-type bird (very intelligent!) and some antelope-type things that we hadn't seen elsewhere at AKL.

Excellent news! I had heard from one of the animal care team CMs last year that they hoped to put the hornbills on the Pembe Savanna. They used to be on the Sunset Savanna and I loved watching them.

 

[kristenrice]

... a keeper at AK park told us that 2 or 3 Okapi had already been relocated to AKL.

When we did the Wanyama Safari in June, we were introduced to the new okapi. They are currently in "quarantine" until they can be acclimated to the new savanna. They are two females named Zelda and Zoey. One of them is pregnant so there should be new baby okapi soon too!

 

[gkrykewy]

When we did the Wanyama Safari in June, we were introduced to the new okapi. They are currently in "quarantine" until they can be acclimated to the new savanna. They are two females named Zelda and Zoey. One of them is pregnant so there should be new baby okapi soon too!

That's right, he said there were three, one being a baby... so I guess (s)he was born . Father is the "mean old goat" in the AK park enclosure.

 

[gkrykewy]

FWIW, I got a call from member satisfaction thanking me for my comments and saying they were forwarding them to the resort. Not sure what that gets us, but it can't hurt.