Posts Tagged ‘Kidani Village’

With the lure and excitement of the theme parks, it’s easy to forget that the Walt Disney World resort hotels are, in and of themselves, vacation destinations.  Guests can step outside their room to view an African savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or lose themselves in the tropics at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; escape to the piney woods at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or frolic on the sandy beaches of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs.  The color and fun of Mardi Gras, the tranquil beauty of the American Southwest, the Caribbean, even Andy’s Room:  with such wide range of styles, settings and décor, there’s something to suit every taste.  Although each has its own ambience, they all include the hallmark of the Disney experience – outstanding service.

Disney resorts fall into four “categories” – Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa.  While each property is unique, those sharing the same category will have many similar characteristics.

The Value resorts typically reflect the lowest prices of the four categories.  We say “typically” because sometimes a special offer can result in a normally higher-priced category costing less.  Your travel concierge will always be on the lookout for the best value during your vacation dates.

The standard room at a Value resort has the smallest square-footage with two double beds and exterior corridors.  The resorts themselves are very large and spread out with attractive, albeit basic, landscaping and a nice pool but one without a slide or extensive theming.  All four have amazing oversized structures around the property which highlight elements of the resort’s specific theme.  So, you’ll find giant memorabilia from the different decades at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, or enormous characters from the movies at Disney’s All Star Movies Resort.

Since there are no table-service restaurants at the Value resorts, the food courts are particularly expansive with many more options than those found elsewhere.  Bus service is available to all destinations within the Walt Disney World complex.

Moderate resorts, a bit more expensive, feature slightly larger rooms although they do retain the exterior corridors.  There are both “theme” and “quiet” pools, and the lovely grounds are an outstanding feature.  Perhaps because, unlike the Deluxe Resorts, they are not built on the limited land closer to the parks, the Moderate resorts boast extravagant landscaping, arguably more beautiful than any other resort category.  With the exception of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, the Moderate resorts are enormous and very spread out over the spectacular landscapes.  Plantings, design elements, and architecture are all chosen to enhance the sense that guests have truly escaped to the bayou, the desert, the Caribbean, or New Orleans.

Some Moderate resorts feature a table-service restaurant, and two have boat service to Downtown Disney, but otherwise, bus transportation is provided.

At the Deluxe Resorts, expect extensive theming and extraordinary public spaces with imaginative touches at every turn.  There are generally numerous activities and amenities coupled with at least one exceptional dining venue.

The standard rooms are the largest, although they do vary in size from one property to another, generally have two queen-sized beds and often include a daybed, as well.   Interior hallways give these resorts more of a “hotel” atmosphere and large lobbies and seating areas are invitations to linger.  All except Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have multiple transportation options which may include bus, boat, monorail, and pedestrian walkways to other locations.  Bell services and room service are more comprehensive.  The grounds are meticulously groomed and the theme pools are especially elaborate.  Most also feature a lovely “quiet” pool.

Deluxe resorts also offer suites and concierge or club-level accommodations making them the most luxurious of the Disney properties.

Deluxe Villa resort accommodations are rooms allocated to retail sales from the Disney Vacation Club properties.   Room configurations include studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom Grand Villas.  The studio is somewhat comparable to a standard deluxe-property room with the addition of a small kitchenette.  The other units include a full kitchen, washer and dryer, two- or three-room master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers, and plentiful storage.  The Grand Villas add a dining room for family dinners and are wonderfully spacious.

Several of the Deluxe Villa properties are connected to existing hotels: Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Guests staying in these villas have full access to all the amenities of their sister hotel including the themed pools.  Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa are dedicated villa properties without any standard hotel space connected.

Of course, each Walt Disney World Resort hotel has features that are uniquely theirs!  Your travel concierge will be happy to provide in-depth information about each resort to assist you in making the perfect choice.

Art is one of the recurring themes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidana Village.  From the moment guests enter, they are surrounded by the beauty of African handwork.  The lobby, restaurant, and public rooms all serve as showcases for art pieces. There are lighted niches displaying sculpture, statuary, and jewelry; paintings glow from the walls.

African cultures elevated the items of daily living to art forms and the resort’s collections of pottery and currencies reflect the people’s pleasure and pride in everyday objects.   A water vessel was part of a family’s wealth; a well-crafted tool might be bartered for a bride.  These pieces, lovingly made and cherished as valued possessions, become part of the special ambiance of Kidana Village.

The Library…even its name is welcoming.  Cushy sofas with high, carved backs invite conversation or quiet repose.  There’s a warm terra cotta hearth with sculpted niches showcasing native artworks in a flickering light, and joyful figures dance before the flames.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village is a world apart, beyond the bustle of Jambo House, and this quiet location infuses the property with a sense of seclusion and peace.  The calm atmosphere permeates the lobby and lingers in the corridors, settling comfortably in the warm tones and cozy corners of The Library.

Walls of glass look out over an expansive verandah and the savannah beyond.  The Kidani butterfly, found throughout the property, flutters across the walls here too, leaving its trace – words of wisdom and kindness.

It’s the perfect location for Story Time, nightly at 7:30 p.m., and offers a variety of other activities throughout the day, as well as an opportunity to enjoy the many beautiful examples of African art that grace this serene room.

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.

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.