Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Overview

With its incredible savannas that are home to over 200 animals and its extensive African art collection, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas is one of the best places to stay for a resort-only vacation. Animal Kingdom Villas consists of villas located at Jambo House as well as those at Kidani Village. DVC Members who own points at Animal Kingdom Villas have home resort advantage at both buildings. Jambo House has a mix of hotel rooms and DVC villas whereas Kidani Village only has DVC villas. Guests can easily travel between the two buildings via a walking path or resort shuttle. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas opened in 2007, and DVC contracts there end on January 31, 2057.

The villas were last refreshed in 2016 and are tentatively scheduled for another refurbishment in 2025.

What DVC Fans Have to Say about Kidani Village

Pros

Extra bathroom in 1 [bedroom] and above. Best kids splash area to the pool. First stop on the bus route (which only has 2 stops anyway). If you drive there, parking is under the building. Ability to use amenities at both Kidani and Jambo. IT HAS A FRICKIN’ SAVANNA!!! –Beverly N.

You can stay on a lower floor getting you closer to viewing animals with Savanna view (unlike Jambo), quiet, Sanaa, room to rest before and after flights has a view of the animals, additional restroom in 1 & 2 bedrooms, very clean –Kristina B.

Kidani rooms are pretty easy to get at the 7 month window, which means you get more theming, convenience, and amenities over resorts like SSR [Saratoga Springs Resort] and OKW [Old Key West], which are generally the only other guaranteed options at 7 months. –Greg B.

We loved the laid back atmosphere at Kidani, the great amount of space in the two bedroom villas, as well as three bathrooms, and the view was amazing. We enjoyed it so much, we decided to make it our second home resort. –Rachel R.

Bus stops at Kidani first, so you always get a seat on the bus. Pool and slide are better than Jambo. Easier to navigate than Jambo. Savanna views are great. Typically quieter and much less crowded at pool and bus stop than Jambo. –Adam P.

Cons

The rooms are dark and a little outdated. The biggest con in my opinion is the limited transportation options and distance from the parks- bus only doesn’t work for the way my family does Disney – where we like to go back to the hotel multiple times a day. –Blair E.

The only cons in my opinion is there is no quick service at Kidani and no option to refill mugs if the store is closed. –Paméla C.

Not much in terms of food besides Sanaa. If you’re not in a room close to the lobby (or an elevator that leads to the lobby), you’re going to be walking a good mile to your room. –Kevin W.

Some rooms are one billion steps from the lobby. No quick service. Buses everywhere, and they haven’t been all that reliable since Covid. –Susan P.

My only dislike is that it needs a quick service restaurant, but even with that you can get to Jambo House pretty easily. Other than that I love everything else about the resort. –Aaron C.

Resort Map

Room Details

Room categories at Kidani Village include Standard View and Savanna View. Standard View villas overlook the front driveway, bus stop, parking lot, or pool while Savanna View villas have a view of the Sunset Savanna or Pembe Savanna. A map of the Kidani Village villa numbers can be found on the DISboards.

Villa types at Kidani Village include Deluxe Studios, One-Bedroom Villas, Two-Bedroom Villas, and Three-Bedroom Grand Villas. One-Bedroom Villas and larger have full size kitchens stocked with pots, pans, and kitchenware and washers/dryers. Detergent is provided. Deluxe Studios have kitchenettes with a microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and sink. They also have paper plates, bowls, towels, and cups as well as plastic cutlery and dishwashing liquid.

Deluxe Studios

At 366 square feet, Deluxe Studios accommodate up to 4 guests with a queen-size bed and a queen-size sleeper sofa, and they have 1 bathroom. With 168 Deluxe Studios at Kidani Village, they tend to have decent availability through the 7-month mark.

One-Bedroom Villas

These 807-square-foot villas can accommodate up to 5 guests with a king-size bed, a queen-size sleeper sofa, and a single sleeper chair. There are 2 bathrooms. There are 168 One-Bedroom Villas at Kidani Village, and they tend to have good availability through the 7-month mark.

Two-Bedroom Villas

Kidani Village has Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas as well as Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas. Lock-Off Villas consist of a One-Bedroom Villa and an adjoining Deluxe Studio.

The 1,173-square-foot Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas can accommodate up to 9 guests with a king-size bed, 2 queen-size beds, a queen-size sleeper sofa, and a single sleeper sofa, and there are 3 bathrooms. There are about 140 Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas. They tend to have decent availability at the 7-month mark.

The 1,173-square-foot Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas can accommodate up to 9 guests with a king-size bed, a queen-size bed, 2 double-size sleeper sofas, and a single pull-down bed, and there are 3 bathrooms. There are about 168 Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas. Since these villas partly consist of Deluxe Studios, the availability patterns for Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas follow those of Deluxe Studios.

Three-Bedroom Grand Villas

There are 16 Grand Villas at Kidani Village. Each is about 2,201 square feet and can accommodate up to 12 guests with a king-size bed, 4 queen-size beds, and a queen-size sleeper sofa. There are 4 bathrooms. Note that the Grand Villas have two floors. With relatively few Grand Villas available at Kidani Village, availability can be limited at the 7-month mark and under, especially for the Standard View.

Transportation Options

Magic Kingdom: Bus

Epcot: Bus

Hollywood Studios: Bus

Animal Kingdom: Bus

Disney Springs: Bus

Dining

Quick Service

The Mara (Breakfast platters, flatbreads, sandwiches, salads, and resort mug refills at Jambo House)

Casual Table Service

Boma – Flavors of Africa (Located at Jambo House, this buffet serves breakfast and dinner and has more than enough variety to satisfy adventurous and picky eaters alike.)
Sanaa (Located at Kidani Village, this savanna view restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fan favorites include the bread service and butter chicken.)

Signature

Jiko – The Cooking Place (Indulge in steak, chicken, seafood, and plant-based entrees with fragrant spices inspired by African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine and a variety of South African wines. You’ll find this fine dining establishment at Jambo House.)

Bars and Lounges

Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar (Located near Jiko, this bar specializes in wine from South Africa.)
Maji Pool Bar (At Kidani Village’s Samawati Springs Pool, this bar offers cocktails, beer, wine, sandwiches, salads, and snacks.)
Sanaa Lounge (Adjacent to Sanaa, this lounge serves cocktails, beer, and wine plus favorites from Sanaa like the bread service.)
Uzima Springs Pool Bar (At the Uzima Pool at Jambo House, this bar offers cocktails, beer, wine, sandwiches, salads, and snacks.)
Victoria Falls Lounge (Located at Jambo House near Boma and Jiko, the lounge serves cocktails, beer, wine, and light bites.)

Amenities

Pools

Samawati Springs Pool (This Kidani Village pool has a 128-foot waterslide, 2 whirlpool spas, and a water playground.)
Uzima Pool (This Jambo House pool located near the Uzima savanna has 2 whirlpool spas and a children’s wading pool.)

Shopping