Complete Guide to Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village (w/review)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Kidani Village is a Deluxe Villa Resort that is also a Disney Vacation Club Resort.

You can also find Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House on the same property.

This resort is unique in that you get to see animals walking the grounds, just as if you were on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom. It’s a special resort.

Here’s everything you need to know about Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Dedicated buses, less expensive than most Deluxe Resorts, fun interactive water play area for kids, 1 of the most gorgeous WDW resorts, Savanna View rooms have view of animals, during less busy times upgrades are often possible, rooms slightly larger than those at Jambo House, within walking of Animal Kingdom Lodge

Cons: Not within viewing or walking distance of any theme parks, Standard View could be disappointing, spread out, limited Quick Service dining options,

Overview

Kidani Village is inspired by the traditional “kraal,” which is a horseshoe-curved design that offers views savannas where over 30 species of African wildlife can be seen. There’s also African-themed dining, fun pool areas, a range of room selections, including spacious studios and multi-bedroom villas.  

There’s even another Disney Vacation Club resort on property: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Jambo House. Animal Kingdom Lodge offers regular guest rooms, whereas the “Villas” refer to DVC accommodations available at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. All of the resorts also share the same dining locations.

Because Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House, and Kidani Village are so close to each other, Disney provides an internal shuttle to transport guests between the resorts.

The views are unbeatable and to see African animals roaming, all while staring at a lush savanna is unforgettable. Below is everything you need to know about Kidani Village.

Guest Rooms And Bathrooms

Kidani Village has several room offerings. You can choose from two Deluxe Studio or five types of Villas.

You can even sleep up to 12 people, depending on the type of room you book. There are room layouts below, if you’d like to check them out.

Rooms feature the standard amenities, including a hairdryer, TV, free WiFi, a coffee maker, telephone, in-room safe, and an iron and ironing board. There are also a range of views, including either one of the savannas, the pool, or the parking area.

The rooms also have both standard and USB outlets scattered around, with some near the beds and TV stands. Unfortunately, there isn’t space underneath the beds for storing luggage. But, there are closest and drawers for you to place your items.

What makes Kidani Village rooms great is that they have more amenities than your average Walt Disney World resort, like toasters, microwaves, full-size kitchens or kitchenettes, and some even have a washer, a dryer, and a dishwasher.

As for the bathrooms, each are quite beautiful, spacious, and offer a nice amount of counter space and drawers, cupboards, and cubbies to store belongings. 

Now, let’s take a look at the rooms and their offerings.

Studios

• Deluxe Studio — Savanna View: Views of one of the savannas; 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa; Kitchenette with small fridge and microwave; Balcony

• Deluxe Studio — Standard View: Views of one pool or parking area; 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa; Kitchenette with small fridge and microwave; Balcony

Villas

• 1 Bedroom Villa — Standard View: Views of parking area; 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair; 2 full bathrooms, full kitchen, washer and dryer; Balcony
• 1 Bedroom Villa — Savanna View: Views of one of the savannas; 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair; 2 full bathrooms, full kitchen, washer and dryer; Balcony

• 2 Bedroom Villa — Standard View: Views of parking area; 1 King Bed and 2 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair; 3 full bathrooms, full kitchen, washer and dryer; Balcony
• 2 Bedroom Villa — Savanna View: Views of one of the savannas; 1 King Bed and 2 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair; 3 full bathrooms, full kitchen, washer and dryer; Balcony

• 3 Bedroom Grand Villa — Savanna View: Views of one of the savannas; 1 King Bed and 4 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa; 2 levels; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, full kitchen; Balconies

Note: There are also both wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available that include accessible bathrooms and visual alarms.

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village Room Options

Room type(s)	Bed size	Max people per room	Floor plan
Studio – Value Views of Landscaping or Parking Area	1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa	4
Deluxe Studio – Standard View Views of Savanna	1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa	4
Deluxe Studio – Savanna View Views of the Pool, Courtyard or Parking Area	1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa	4
1 Bedroom Villa – Standard View Views of Landscape or Parking Area	1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair	5
1 Bedroom Villa – Savanna View Views of One of the Savannas	1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair	5
2 Bedroom Grand Villa – Standard View Views of Parking Area	1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair	9
2 Bedroom Grand Villa – Savanna View Views of One of the Savannas	1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair	9
3 Bedroom Grand Villa – Savanna View Views of One of the Savannas	1 King Bed and 4 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa	12

VIDEO: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort tour (rooms, pools, dining

Checking In And Out

When it comes to checking in and out, you have a few options: at the front desk, online through the official Walt Disney World website, or via the My Disney Experience app.

The lobby is located in the main building. Even though the front desk is there to assist guests, especially with checking in and checking out, all Disney World Resort guests are encouraged to check-in online or by using MDE.

• Checking-In: After you check-in online or using the app, you’ll receive a room-ready notification via next. You can then use your MagicBand or MDE’s digital key feature to unlock your room door.
• Checking-Out: Currently, guests will automatically be checked out of their rooms. But, if you have unresolved charges to your hotel folio, you’ll need to visit the front desk.

Note: Guests also have the option of to chat virtually with resort Cast Members via MDE for any assistance. 

In addition to the lobby, you can find much of the main dining and Johari Treasures, the resort’s gift shop.

The pickup and dropoff location for Mears Connect (which is the replacement for Magical Express) and the bus stop are also right outside the main lobby, along with luggage storage for those who have checked out or are waiting to check in.

Note: Resort Airline Check-In and Magical Express are no longer available.

Package Delivery & Pick Up

You can have packages and groceries delivered to your Disney Resort hotel, along with shipping select items home.

Disney used to have a service where you were able to purchase items in the parks and then have them delivered to your resort’s gift shop. However, that service has been unavailable for several years now.

Parking

Although parking at Disney World resort hotels used to cost a nightly fee for resort guests, Disney has changed their policy so that parking is now free for all on-site resort guests. This change was implemented on January 10, 2023.

Valet parking is also available for $33 per night.

Complimentary standard self-parking is available for non-resort guests exploring dining, shopping, entertainment, and other experiences during the day.

We also have a complete Walt Disney World parking guide you can browse.

Important: Valet parking might not always be available.

Resort Map

Amenities And Shops

There are several amenities offered to guests at Kidani Village, including a gift shop, on-site laundry services, and even the chance to watch movies outside on a big screen! 

Important note: Some of the following amenities might not be available at all times.

• Johari Treasures: Find souvenirs, snacks, and plenty of Disney items.
• Laundry Services: There are 24-hour self-service laundry facilities available.
• Dry Cleaning Services: Dry cleaning and valet laundry services are also an option. Villas with one or more bedrooms also feature in-unit washers and dryers.
• Movies Under the Stars: Watch complimentary Disney movies by the Samawati Springs Pool.
• Jambo House Campfire Activities: Roast marshmallows around a campfire.
• Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center: workout facility and sauna with massages and facial treatments.
• Survival of the Fittest Fitness Center: Full-service facility with strength-training and cardio equipment.
• Childcare Services: In-room babysitting for children 6 months to 12 years old.

Pools And Recreation

There’s one main pool at Kidani Village. If you need a non-park day, we recommended spending the day at your hotel and enjoying the Disney Resort pool.

Important note: Some of the pools and recreation options might not be available at all times.

The pool available is:

• Samawati Springs Pool: 128-foot waterslide and zero-depth-entry with a nearby lounge and bar nearby with refreshments and snacks. There’s also a water playground for kids called Uwanja Camp that features 3 distinct zones for kids of all ages. The zones include: the Observation Station (ages 4 and younger), the Departure Zone (5 to 7 years old), and Base Camp (ages 8 and up).

Some other recreational options include:

• Hakuna Matata Playground
• Campfires to roast marshmallows
• Basketball courts
• Tennis
• Pool Tables
• Community Hall (ping-pong, video games, billiards; sign out tennis racquets, basketballs, shuffleboard equipment, and grilling tools; arts and crafts and children’s books)
• Safari So Good Arcade

How to get from Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village to anywhere at Disney World

There is one form of complimentary transportation available at Kidani Village: Walt Disney World buses. You can find the bus stop near the front of the main building.  All of the different ways to get from the resort to anywhere in Disney World is listed below.

Dining options at Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

There are plenty of dining options available at Kidani Village, including bars, lounges, Quick Service spots, and several Table Service choices, like the popular Sanaa (the bread service is a must!). At select locations, Mobile Ordering is also available.

Plus, Sanaa also features Mobile Dine Check-In, meaning you’ll check-in using the My Disney Experience app rather than going to the host stand. When your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specific location.

Sanaa also has Table Service To Go, which allows guests to Mobile Order and take their meal back to their room. You can read more about the dining options below.

Table Service

Sanaa

Sanaa is home to the very popular Bread Service and features African cooking with Indian flavors all with views of the Sunset Savanna.

Location type: Casual Dining
Type of food: African, Indian
Meals served: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credits
• Pros: 1 of the best restaurants at Disney World with great service, fantastic food (be sure to get the bread service!), and savanna views
• Cons:  Getting there can be kind of a chore if you aren’t staying at the resort (driving is fastest, but you can take a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and get off at the Kidani stop)

Everything Else

If you want to grab a beverage to drink by the pool or while you’re hanging at the resort, you may want to try the outdoor bar.

Maji Pool Bar

Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: A pool bar that serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and a small selection of entrees

• On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service Credit
• Pros:  Great place to get a drink and snack while spending time by the pool
• Cons: Service can be slow

Sanaa Lounge

Location type: Lounge
Type of food: Cocktails, wine, and beer plus a handful of appetizers

• On the Disney Dining Plan? No
• Pros:  Nice ambiance, ability to grab a drink and order the super popular bread service that’s also served inside the restaurant
• Cons: Getting there can be kind of a chore if you aren’t staying at the resort (driving is fastest, but you can take a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and get off at the Kidani stop)

Dining options at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge and Kidani Village share a lot of the same dining, since they’re located on the same property.

Quick Service

The Mara

This is a food court-style restaurant with several stations that serve burgers, falafel, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and more.

Location type: Food Court
Type of food: American, African
Meals served: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, & late-night dining

• On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit
• Pros: Wide variety of options on the menu, including the very popular Zebra Domes which make a tasty dessert, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
• Cons:  Gets very busy during peak times

Table Service

Boma – Flavors of Africa

Boma is a popular African themed buffet that features unique African fare in addition to some standard American favorites, plus the popular Zebra Dome dessert.

Location type: Buffet
Type of food: African, Indian
Meals served: Breakfast & dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit
• Pros: Fantastic food and a great way to sample African foods (save room for great desserts though, including the popular Zebra Domes)
• Cons:  Small tables that are often close together

Jiko – The Cooking Place

Jiko features wood-burning ovens, traditional African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine, and an extensive list of African wines.

Location type: Fine/Signature Dining
Type of food: African
Meals served: Dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 2 Table Service credits
• Pros: One of the best restaurants at Disney World with delicious food and great ambiance
• Cons:  Expensive (but to most people, it’s worth every penny)

Everything Else

If you want to grab a beverage to drink by the pool or while you’re hanging at the resort, you may want to try the outdoor bar.

Uzima Springs Pool Bar

Location type: Pool Bar
Type of food: A pool bar that serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• On the Disney Dining Plan? No
• Pros:  Standard bar menu available, as well as some African imports
• Cons: Disney Dining Plan credits not accepted

Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar

Location type: Lounge
Type of food: Cocktails, wine, and beer plus a selection of items from the Jiko menu

• On the Disney Dining Plan? No
• Pros:  Extensive drink list, including a nice wine selection (many of them are from Africa)
• Cons: Limited seating

Victoria Falls Lounge

Location type: Lounge
Type of food: Cocktails, wine, and beer plus a selection of lounge fare

• On the Disney Dining Plan? No
• Pros:  Extensive drink list, including a nice wine selection (many of them are from Africa)
• Cons: Limited seating

Trip reports that included Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge Trip Reports