Posts Tagged ‘Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’

 

 

In Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the new Sanaa is spicing up Disney restaurant fare with hints of India.

From the Swahili word meaning “work of art” Sanaa carries the theme throughout the restaurant, beginning with the stylized acacia trees which spread their branches and leaves over the ceiling.  The acacia leaf is often used as a base to display artworks in Africa.  Glowing wall niches showcase African handworks and the room is filled with colorful details and unique lighting fixtures that reflect both African and Indian influences.

 

The beautiful arched windows that grace many areas of the resort have found their way into this lovely space, bringing the savannah, which is on the same level, right into the room.

 

Perhaps not as spicy as might be expected but with more of a zing than some American palates may be used to, the menu features curries made with traditional spice blends that include cardamom, chilies, cinnamon, cloves, saffron, coriander, nutmeg, fennel seed, cumin, tamarind, and turmeric.  There are selections from the restaurant’s two tandoor ovens, Indian-style breads, and the ubiquitous sustainable fish. Guests can select a trio from five interesting salads, there is a vegetarian option, and several American favorites including steak and pork chops.  Specialty cocktails, as well as some interesting wines and beers from Africa and India, are available from the bar.

 

Dinner service opens with African entertainment and an attractive lounge adjacent to the dining area seats 24 guests.

 

 

Review: Indian food is not high on my list of favorites, so I was surprised and delighted when lunch at Sanaa turned out to be the best and most interesting meal I had during a recent visit to Walt Disney World.

Although periodically slow, my server was cheerful and friendly and I could see that every table seemed to be receiving the same helpful and enthusiastic, if somewhat sporadic, service.

Not wanting heavy meat for lunch, I opted for – yes kids – the oft-maligned (at least by me) sustainable fish!  It was truly outstanding, served with crisp vegetables in a lightly curried broth.  I could eat this three times a week; it was that good.  Three unusual salads were a pleasant change from the usual lettuce, and an excellent and beautifully-presented dessert was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.

While there are still some service kinks to be worked out, this is a great choice for a memorable meal; well worth the travel time for those staying at a different location.  Kidani Village is a charming resort, peaceful and inviting with a spectacular savannah.

Menus

Lunch

Dinner

Dessert

Wine

 

Sanaa

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dinner 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

It’s the beautiful lamps, strung like pearls down the length of the bar, that make Victoria Falls such an inviting place.  Down a curving staircase off the main lobby of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, past gently flowing water, the intricately-themed space is the perfect choice for a drink before or after a wonderful dinner at Jiko or Boma.

As the sun begins to set in the late afternoon, this cozy lounge welcomes patrons, serving cocktails and light snacks.  In addition to cheese and fruit, crisp breads and dips, and nuts with African spices, guests can enjoy a taste of South Africa with wines by the glass from Jiko’s outstanding cellar, or sample teas and coffees.  Those on Disney’s Wine and Dine Plan can redeem wine entitlements at this location.

Since it is open to Boma restaurant, it can seem a bit noisy during dining hours or when entertainment is being featured in the small lobby below, but it becomes peaceful and intimate later in the evening.  With its comfortable seating, it’s also a pleasant retreat during the day before it opens for service.

 

Victoria Falls Lounge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; Jambo House

Daily 4:00 p.m. to midnight

 

The Wanyama Safari has changed a bit since I last participated a few years ago; which strikes me as the perfect excuse to sign up for a third time.  Once available only to guests staying at the concierge level of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, it is now open to all guests of the Lodge and Villas, although it is more expensive for those in non-concierge rooms.

The safari takes place in the three private savannahs of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge rather than at Animal Kingdom Park, and allows participants into areas which are otherwise off-limits to the public.  Every effort has been made to duplicate an actual African safari, drawing on the advice of experienced safari-goers amongst the cast members.

Meeting in front of the hotel, a maximum of twelve guests board a vehicle and head for the savannahs surrounding the Lodge. It’s a wonderful safari truck with a roof which raises to allow passengers to stand up and look outside.

Quite a lot of time is spent driving around the different areas behind the resort. A bit in front of the vehicle, handlers put out special food (browse) to attract the more than 200 animals that call these savannahs home. Consequently, guests are surrounded by animals during the entire excursion. It is an amazing experience.  Many animals are  close enough to touch; looking in the truck, walking around and in front of it, pecking at the tires.

During my first safari, one ostrich was particularly enamored of our truck and began exhibiting mating behavior on the road in front of us, ultimately lying down in front of the vehicle. We were told this is what they do when they’re really infatuated.  Be sure to bring cameras along.  No matter how many photos may have been taken from a balcony or along the route of the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride, this is an opportunity to see both animals and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge from a totally new perspective. The guides accompany the guests in the vehicle, allowing for lots of questions about the lives of the animals; their care, feeding, training, and day-to-day routines.  With such a tiny group, it is an astounding, intimate experience.

Finally, as the sun begins to set, just as on an African safari it is time to stop and have sundowners. Although these beverages aren’t alcoholic, it gives a very real sense of a true safari. The vehicle pulls up near a small table waiting in a clearing and fruit drinks are ceremoniously poured and passed around. There are also traditional safari foods on offer: dried meat, fruits, and nuts, served from containers that I know as “tiffins,” which are stacked, metal dishes with a wire carry handle, designed to keep out insects and animals.

Meanwhile, one guide has gone behind the bushes to offer some special treats to the giraffes which have been trained to come up close to the location behind a high fence. This allows everyone to have their pictures taken with giraffe backdrop!

Then, it’s on to dinner at Jiko, where guests are immediately greeted and seated together before the Chef appears to introduce the upcoming “culinary safari.”  As each course is served, the Chef returns to describe the different dishes and answer questions. The wonderful thing about this meal, served family-style, is that so many choices are available. Rather than just choosing one appetizer, entree, dessert, etc., platters arrive with six types of appetizers, three or four of their most popular entrees, a half a dozen different desserts. The meal also includes several different South African wines from Jiko’s impressive cellar. For those unfamiliar with this restaurant which specializes in the cuisines of continental Africa, it also boasts the largest collection of South African wines in North America

I cannot say enough about this wonderful activity. Much like Cirque du Soleil, it is worth giving up the cost of a day or two in the parks to participate in this unique program.

Wanyama Safari

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday – late afternoon

3 hours

Concierge guests: adults $160.00, children 8-9 $80.00

Non-Concierge guests: adults $210.00, children 8-9 $105.00

Participants must be 8 years of age or older

48-hour cancellation policy; Business Casual dress code for Jiko

What’s beautiful coming and going and, on September 1^st, will be roaming the new Pembe Savannah at Kidani Village?  It’s the okapi, only living relative of the giraffe.

 

The okapi has a velvety coat with distinctive striped markings on its hindquarters and front legs, reminiscent of a zebra.  But its pretty face with large liquid eyes, upright ears, and a long, prehensile tongue, reveal its true kinship.

 

Individuals from many disciplines including Disney Animal Programs, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Horticulture, have worked together to conceive and build the habitat which will feature a number of other animals in addition to the okapis.  This multiple-species area is an unusual and very special environment for the okapi in captivity.  Their shy and solitary nature, excellent hearing, and nocturnal habits make them difficult to observe in the wild.  Native to the Ituri Rainforest in central Africa, the okapi was known to the ancient Egyptians, but not classified as a species by Europeans until the early 1900’s.

 

Housed in their new specially-designed barn, the okapis will share their six-acre savannah with a variety of neighbors including geese and cranes, impalas, nyalas, Red River hogs, and yellow-backed duikers.

 

The Pembe Savannah will not connect to the main savannahs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge so guests hoping to get a glimpse of the retiring okapi must visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.  Those not staying in one of the savannah-view villas can take advantage of viewing opportunities from hallway windows and the Samawati Springs pool deck.