Category — p. News and Changes

This month’s WDW Magazine has hit the stands. Available on iTunes, for Android, and on the web, the issue focuses on Disney World in the fall, especially special fall offerings.

It includes articles on the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), and lots more!

In the first-timer’s corner, I write in it about whether or not MNSSHP is worth the money.

My answer?  Well, you’ll have to get WDW Magazine and read it!

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OVERVIEW: KIDANI VILLAGE AT DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS

Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (a Disney Vacation Club resort) is a wonderful place for returning visitors to Walt Disney World to stay.

For typical first-time visitors, I don’t recommend the Disney Vacation Club resorts.

That said, these “DVC” resorts can be a great choice for first time visitors with large families, needing extra sleeping spaces, or looking for a more comfortable place to stay.

Among the Disney Vacation Club resorts, Kidani Village ranks second or third, depending on room type.

THE DISNEY VACATION CLUB RESORTS

You can have a spectacular visit at any Walt Disney World resort. However, this site recommends that typical first time visitors to Walt Disney World avoid the Disney Vacation Club resorts, while noting that these resorts are wonderful for visits after the first. (You can find extensive detail on the DVC resorts here.)

The recommendation comes from the simple fact that the distinguishing feature of these resorts–extra space and full kitchens–will not be of much value to first-time visitors following one of the itineraries on this site, as they won’t be used much.

That said, the Disney Vacation Club resorts represent more than 10% of Walt Disney World’s total rooms, and are very appropriate for first time visitors with large families, needing extra sleeping spaces, or looking for a more comfortable place to stay.

Because of this, I’m providing a series of up-to-date reviews. I’ve stayed in five different villas and studios in Kidani Village, most recently in November 2016, and this review is based on those stays.

Note: Kidani is undergoing a mild refurb expected to end in early 2017.

KIDANI VILLAGE AT DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS

Resorts are ranked on this site for first time visitors based first on their kid appeal, and then on their convenience.

On this basis, Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas comes in third overall of the Disney Vacation Club resorts.

(See this for resort rankings.)

However, there’s a little variability here depending on room type and family size.  You’ll find more detail on this below, but the upshot is this:

• Studio rooms: third-best, after the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and the Jambo House Villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• One-bedroom Villas: Second best, after the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Two-bedroom Villas: for families that can fit into two two-person beds in one bedroom and a king in a second, third after the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and the Jambo House Villas.  For families that can’t, and thus also need to use the sleeper sofa and/or sleeper chair in the combined living/dining/kitchen space, Kidani Village is the best of the DVC options
• Grand Villas: Second after Jambo House

Kid Appeal. Both of the Disney Vacation Club resorts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge–Kidani Village and Jambo House–have stunning kid appeal based on the views of wild animals available from the balconies of rooms with savanna views, and from many public areas.

In addition, the Jambo House Villas have a jaw-dropping lobby.

Kidani Village has its own lobby.  While lovely and charming for adults, it simply does not compare to the kid impact of  Jambo house. (The image is from one of my holiday visits; your Christmas decorations may vary…There’s a view of the lobby windows at the top right of this page.)

Convenience. Both of the Animal Kingdom Lodge DVC properties are incredibly convenient to the Animal Kingdom theme park.  (You cannot walk there, however–buses or driving are the only options.) They are distant from the other three Walt Disney World theme parks.

Just as Jambo House is more kid-appealing, it is–in general–more convenient for first-time visitors than Kidani Village. Kidani’s basic convenience problem is poor access to quick-service dining.

Kidani Village is a separate set of buildings on the Animal Kingdom Lodge campus, and does not have within it a permanent regular quick service dining establishment.

As of later 2016, Kidnai table service venue Sanaa is offering a quick service breakfast in the morning (apparently as a test)… and there are some options for lunch at the main pool–see menus for each below or go to my review (click menus to enlarge them).

Because of the architectural layout–which is designed to maximize the number of rooms with savanna views–it can be more than a mile’s walk to the quick service eatery in the main Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House facility.

Besides walking, you can take one of the park buses–ask the driver if its next stop is Jambo–or the van shuttle available at the guest drop off outside the lobby.

That said, some unique room features make Kidani Village a better choice than Jambo House for some first time family visitors–see the summary above, or the details to follow.

OTHER DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF KIDANI VILLAGE RESORT

Kidani Village has a number of very strong positives.

• It is one of only a few Disney Vacation Club resorts that can fit 5 people in a One-bedroom villa, or 9 into a Two-Bedroom.
• Along with Jambo House, it uniquely presents savanna views of animals roaming.
• Changes it reflects to the older layouts of the typical Disney Vacation Club villas makes it among the most livable of DVC one bedroom villas.
  • The kitchen/dining/living room area has been both widened and deepened.
  • This space has been used to add both a second full bath to One-Bedroom Villas, and enough living space in the living room that it can be used even if the fold-out sleeper sofa is being used.
  • (These features carry over to two bedroom villas as well.)

Compare the Kidani Village’s One-Bedroom Villa floor plan (above) with that of a similar villa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (below).

(Click the images to enlarge them.)

Kidani Village also has some distinctive negatives, mostly already noted—its distance from theme parks other than the Animal Kingdom, and its limited quick service dining.

BEST AND WORST ROOMS AT KIDANI VILLAGE

For those seeking an Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney Vacation Club experience, for most room types, Jambo House is a better choice than Kidani Village.

• Studio rooms: Prefer Jambo House, because of the stunning lobby and better access to quick service dining
• One-bedroom Villas: Prefer Kidani Village, for a much more livable floor plan, with extra size and a bath for each sleeping space
• Two-bedroom Villas:
  • Families that can fit into two beds in one bedroom, and a king in a second, should prefer Jambo House for its lobby and dining flexibility
  • Families that need to use the sleeper sofa and/or sleeper chair in the combined living/dining/kitchen space should prefer Kidani Village for its extra size and third bath
• Grand Villas: Prefer Jambo House for more square footage, the kid appeal of the lobby, and more convenient dining

If you do reserve Kidani Village, request a savanna view room on the third or fourth floor (these floors provides the best views).

• If quick service dining at Jambo is also an issue for you, ask for a savanna view room near the Jambo House. Specifically, ask for a room near the Zazu elevator.  (The best of these are even numbered rooms 7338-7346 on the third floor, and 7438-7452 on the fourth floor.)
• If quick service dining is not an issue,  request a savanna view room between the lobby and the elevator most convenient to the pool–the Rafiki elevator.  Even numbered rooms 7614-7622 on the third floor, and 7814-7820 on the fourth floor, are the best of these.

The online check-in form will not let you get this specific, so you’ll need to call.

The first map shows all of the Animal Kingdom Lodge complex–Kidani Village in on the left. Note how far the most distant Kidani rooms are from the center of Kidani. I get them as about a quarter mile away. 

The second map is Kidani Village itself. As always on this site, click the images to enlarge them.

BEST FOR:

Larger families, families seeking a bit of extra privacy or more beds, families looking for a more comfortable place to stay, families looking for particularly kid-appealing space.

WORST FOR:

Families on a budget, families looking for a particularly convenient place to stay.

PHOTO TOUR OF A TWO BEDROOM VILLA AT KIDANI VILLAGE

This review continues here!

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Sometime this morning our The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit got its 75th review on Amazon.

This strikes me as a bit of a watershed—a drizzle-shed?—because after all, the Iliad, which has been out a couple of thousand years longer—though not quite that long on Amazon—has in its most-reviewed edition only 520 or so reviews.

Of our 75 reviews, 73 have five stars. That’s 97% for those of you keeping score.

Homer, in contrast, is getting only 66% five stars. Must be enraging…

I can’t tell you how grateful I am (and likely Josh will be, once he gets out of bed) that so many of you have written such kind words about a book that we really put our hearts and souls into!

I have some clear favorites among the reviews you’ve done, but so as to not pick and choose, here’s excerpts from the last ten reviews posted:

• Jilly: “This is an awesome book with tons of information to help not only the first time visitor but the veteran park goer.”
• Paula: “The one and only book you need to plan your Disney World magical vacation!”
• Eric: “I have read a number of WDW Guide books and this may be the best – especially for a first timer.”
• Leann: “Great information even for those of us who have been there multiple times.”
• Jeffrey: “I have read all the guidebooks and this one is the perfect mix of information, traveling tips and reviews. It is a practical and honest guide to a Disney World trip. Nice work Josh and Dave!”
• Holli: “Great guide for those traveling to Walt Disney World.”
• Michelle B: “Great guide to Walt Disney World.”
• C.R.: “We saw every attraction we wanted and were able to get reservations at every eatery on our list–but that, my first-time friends, requires you get (and act on) sound advice well before you land in Orlando. That’s what this book delivers. Read it.”
• Janet: “Great resource.”
• Chloe: “Great guide book. Full of very useful Disney planning advice. Worth every penny.”

But my favorite review still comes from Celebrity SpokesBaby Liam:

The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit: so easy that even Celebrity SpokesBabies give it a thumbs up!

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The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World is the first deluxe-level hotel to open at Disney World since the Animal Kingdom Lodge opened more than 15 years ago, and the first five-star resort ever on property.

Not owned by Disney, it does not share in various Disney hotel guest perks like Magical Express or access to the Dining Plan or FastPass+ booking 60 days out.

It also has its own transportation system and does not use Disney buses for hotel-park transport.

It is supported by some Disney cast members for planning help, but has even less Disney theming than Shades of Green.

I had a chance to stay in it in mid-August, its opening month.  I’ll do a do a much more detailed full review soon, but here’s some quick observations:

OVERALL LOOK AND FEEL OF THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

The main point is that once you arrive on the grounds of The Four Seasons Orlando, you could be almost anywhere. With next to no Disney design or decorating touches, nor any architecturally playful elements, the overall feel is simply that of a lovely high end resort.

That’s good for some–those who have enough Disney in the parks themselves, or those staying for purposes other than playing in Disney World–a convention, a wedding, simply relaxing at a luxurious resort. But it’s not so fun for others.

ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

You could reserve the nine-bedroom suite that’s available here among the more than 60 suites on offer.  For a lot less you could book 20 or so rooms at Pop Century, losing however a certain je ne c’est quoi.  Or you could, like I did, book a standard room.

Standard rooms come in two flavors: a king with a couch that folds out into a queen (see floor plan–I’ll have a much prettier floor plan when I do the full review); or with two full beds–what I had, and what the photographs show.

Either choice yields an enormous room–with 500 square feet they are, according to Four Seasons, the largest in Orlando–a simply huge closet, and a nice, though mostly undivided, bath (the toilet is set off in an opaque glass surround).

But I’m not seeing the why of the full beds–at Disney, even the Caribbean Beach Resort is getting queens. Perhaps these rooms are designed for kids, with the expectation that the parents would be in a connecting king room.

But I can’t recommend a full bed room at these prices, and need to check out the comfort of the fold-out couch in the king rooms before I can recommend those for families, either. So I’ll need to return to try out the king room and its fold-out couch.

THE POOLS AT THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

The pool complex at The Four Seasons is better than the pools at any Disney owned resort–yes, better even than Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Clubs.

There’s four pools here: a lovely adult-only infinity pool…

…and then in the separate “Explorer Island” area  (see the map above) three more pools: a kids pool and splash and play area that itself is bigger than most Disney World main pools…

…a lazy river pool…

…and a large and long family pool. Here’s the middle of the family pool…

…and here’s the far end.

There’s also dual pool slides, one open and one enclosed, that splash down into their own landing zone near the kid’s water play area.  Pool lovers will simply love the offerings at the Four Seasons.

DINING AT THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

When fully open, there will be five restaurants at Four Seasons: PB&G, the pool bar and grill; Cuban-American dining in Plancha at the golf clubhouse; Capa, a 17th-floor Spanish steakhouse; Ravello, with downstairs Italian dining and an upstairs bar (with its own bar menu, but where you can also order off the Ravello main menu). There’s also a grab and go coffee shop, Lickety-Split.

The only one I had a chance to experience was the Ravello bar, where I ordered a ribeye off the main Ravello menu.

Unadventurous, I admit, but I was here to watch on Monday Night Football each of Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer fighting to make the other one the starter, and–at least before the game started–steak seemed to suit.

It was glorious, by the way (the food, I mean, not the game, nor the quarterbacking)–as nicely seasoned a steak as I’ve ever had…

Anyone can book meals at the Four Seasons…and I suspect many will. I’d suggest you dress for dinner at Ravello, Plancha, and Capa–though I saw plenty of people in shorts in Ravello.

PARK TRANSPORTATION AT THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

All parking is valet, and getting your car in and out is very straightforward. For those guests who want to use Four Seasons transport to the parks, there’s two options, neither of which I had a chance to test on this visit.

One option is the free shuttles. There’s two free shuttle routes:

• One leaves on the hour and goes to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), a monorail or ferry ride away from the Magic Kingdom, then the Animal Kingdom, then back to the Four Seasons.
• The second leaves on the half hour and goes to the TTC near MK, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and back to the Four Seasons

The result is twice hourly service to and from the TTC with its easy access to MK (and Epcot), and hourly to the other parks, with some stops in between.

The other option is to pay for town car service, at $16 for Epcot and HS, $18 for MK, and $29 for AK.

THE STAFF AND THE GUESTS AT THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

I have been in a lot of hotels (including more than a hundred different rooms at Disney World itself…), but only have stayed a couple of dozen times at five star resorts–mostly domestic Ritz-Carltons, but also a few InterContinentals and Four Seasons.

People who haven’t stayed in such often have two questions: will the staff treat me like a peon, and how supercilious are the other guests?

I loved, loved, loved the staff here, from the valets through the front desk folk to the pool staff to the Ravello team, and all the other staff I walked by in less structured settings. They were friendly, cheerful, and helpful.  They were a little more formal than Disney cast members–it was always “Hello,” not “Hi!”–but they were most welcoming.

The other guests I was a little less keen on.  Three vignettes:

• A Four Seasons staff member was touring me through Explorer Island. An overly thin guest walked up and simply straight out immediately interrupted us to demand a drink. The staff member told her she would be right with her, and after the guest walked away, I said to the staff member that she should feel free to take care of that guest and that we could return to our chat later, which is how things unfolded
• Most people know how to wait for an elevator, and in what order to board one when it comes, based on where they are standing in proximity to the doors, as balanced out among men my age by gentlemanly factors.  But one tall wiry father with his tall wiry teenage son simply tried to elbow me out of the way to enter the elevator ahead of me. Luckily I’ve spent enough time walking on Oxford Street to know how to tenaciously preserve my little bit of this green Earth
• A short wiry father with his short pre-teen son walked by in matching Speedos…

Now the hotel was not busy during my visit, and on this first visit I did not stay long, so the sample size here of fellow guests encountered is small…but really??

PRICING AT THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

Guest rooms here range from $545 to $2,000 per night. Suites range from $1,050 to $12,000 per night.  Add taxes and valet parking and soon that adds up to real money.

My full-bed room was at the lower end of that scale, putting it 10-25% higher than the least expensive rooms in the monorail resorts the same time I stayed.

However, now through December 19 the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is offering a buy two nights, get the third free deal, which will put it below the cost of three nights in a monorail resort at standard rack rates. (You still may pay less at a Disney deluxe via a deal.)  To book a room at the Four Seasons, start with my friends at Destinations in Florida.

MORE EXTENSIVE REVIEW OF THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO COMING SOON

As noted, I’ll get a more detailed review out later!!  Ok, bye…

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We had a great time at the meet-ups Saturday and Sunday.  Thanks to everyone who came–or couldn’t come, but sent their well-wishes!!

Of all the visitors, I myself was most thrilled at the responses of Liam, Celebrity SpokesBaby.

Here’s his reaction to Chapter 6:

…and this is his overall assessment of The easy Guide:

The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit: so easy that even Celebrity SpokesBabies give it a thumbs up!

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Update 9/11: I drove by CB yesterday.  Aruba is almost done, with only building 56 in construction.  Work has started in Barbados, with Building 11 seeing work.

I had a chance to stay in one of the refurbed five person rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort the last couple of days.  I’ll post a full review soon, but here’s some quick notes:

The change from full to queen beds makes these rooms much more livable for everyone.

The sliding wooden doors isolate noise and light from the bath better than the old fabric curtain that used to separate these spaces–among the moderates, this is a feature found elsewhere only at Coronado Springs.

To my eye, they also add more grace to the room than the former fabric curtains. Or they would if I’d remembered to clean my crap off the bed before I took the photo… On the other hand, internally these are referred to as “barn doors,” so you make the call…

And for many, the key feature of the refurb is the addition of a Murphy Bed, which gives another sleeping spot and a new option for five-person families.

I measured the Murphy Bed mattress as 30″ wide by 64″ long.  The way it is positioned on top of the bedframe and related to the back framing means that, unlike many such beds, it does not sleep much shorter than this. I’d put a five foot tall kid on this and expect great results. The cushion is 5 inches deep.

The only loss that I see is there’s no more Nemo theming–which used to float lightly as a wallpaper border.  But it’s still a Disney-flavored room with that Mickey and Pluto image when the Murphy Bed is down!

Here’s a floor plan–I’ll have a prettier one for the full review!

For comparison, here’s an image of the un-refurbed full bed rooms from my February stay at CB:

Not all rooms get the Murphy Beds.  So far as I could see, king rooms don’t, and there will be some rooms with only two queens–see the floor plan for such a room below:

From my walkaround, more than half of two-queen rooms will get the Murphy Bed.

Pirate rooms are not part of this refurb, and thus will retain their full beds. “They will get their own refurb, at a different time,” I was told.

Jamaica is done, and work has started on Aruba.  As of my mid-August visit, Aruba 51 was done, 52, 53 and 54 were under construction, and 55 and 56 had not started.

The construction schedule is around 11 working days per room, but these are likely staggered in groups of rooms to keep the various subs productive.

I got different answers on when the renovation would be complete–ranging from “November, we hope” to “by the end of this year” to “mid-2015.” Based on the current pace, the end 0f 2014 is likely the best date to plan for. For a stay in August or September, request Jamaica; after September,  Jamaica or Aruba.

By the way, building 54 did not have any barriers, so I didn’t cross any safety line to get the photos of the construction floor plans and schedule!!

More to come later! Ok, bye.

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