Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas is located in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area, adjacent to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – is an African lodge-style Resort boasting spacious accommodations that include kitchenettes/kitchens and multi-bedroom units. Featuring over 30 species of wildlife that roam free amidst 4 lush, tropical savannas, the Villas offer you the unique opportunity to observe exotic animals in their natural habitat from special viewing areas throughout the Resort –and from the balconies of select Guest rooms.
The Villas are located on the 5th and 6th floors in the main building—called the Jambo House—of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, which also includes Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village. Set amidst an expansive wildlife preserve, the Resort features authentic African-inspired architecture and the kraal African-village landscape design—a semi-circle design popular in Africa which offers expansive views of the surrounding savannah and its many animal inhabitants. Thatched ceilings, large beams, a woven ceiling, hand-carved golden-tone furnishings, real African artifacts and a vast mud fireplace in the main lobby surround you in the inimitable spirit of Africa.
Resort
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village is an African lodge-style resort with accommodations that include kitchenettes or kitchens and multi-bedroom units. Featuring over 30 species of wildlife that roam free on the savannas of a 21-acre wildlife preserve, Kidani Village offers guests the unique opportunity to observe exotic animals in their natural habitat from viewing areas throughout the resort and from the balconies of select guest rooms.
The lobby and the villas of Kidani Village extend outwards and resemble the curlicue shape of a water buffalo's horns. This string of buildings can also be viewed as a piece of native African jewelry, a "necklace" with Villas forming the beads, garden-like walkways creating the "knots" in between, and the main lobby building as the ornament or jewel at its center.
Inside, the resort features authentic African-inspired architecture and decorations, including hand-carved columns, intricate patterns adorning the golden-tone furnishings, tall floor lamps, ornate hanging fixtures, thatched and woven ceilings, and other real African artifacts. An arched window in the main lobby reveals the adjacent savanna.
Exciting Animal Encounters
Featuring over 30 species of wildlife that roam amidst 4 lush, tropical savannas, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge offers the unique opportunity to observe exotic animals from special alcoves with glass windows throughout the Resort-and from the balconies of select Guest rooms. Each savanna features a unique look and feel, and is home to different animals.
Among the animals you may see are Ankole Cattle, Bontebok, Eland, Zebra, Greater Kudu, Impala, Okapi, Red River Hog, Nyala, Reticulated Giraffe, Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, Thompson's Gazelle, Waterbuck, White-Bearded Wildebeest, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Blue Crane, East African Crowned Crane, Greater Flamingo, Marabou Stork, Ostrich, Pink-Backed Pelican, Spur Winged Geese, Guinea Fowl and Ruppel's Griffon Vulture!
For a truly unforgettable experience, make reservations for the Wanyama Safari. Enjoy up-close encounters with the Resort's wildlife, followed by a delectable South African feast at Jiko - The Cooking Place. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has been designated by the Florida Green Lodging Program, recognizing the Resort's environmentally responsible practices.
Dining
Savor authentic African cuisine at 2 award-winning restaurants, Jiko - The Cooking Place and Boma - Flavors of Africa. Enjoy unique animal-themed programs for the whole family and relax in the Uzima pool, an 11,000-square-foot zero-depth entry pool that offers a 67-foot-long slide. There are several dining locations at the Villas. Authentic African cuisine is offered at three award-winning restaurants: Sanaa, and next door at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House, Jiko – The Cooking Place and Boma - Flavors of Africa.
Dining
- Jiko: The Cooking Place - Features African-style cooking with influences from the Mediterranean coast, India and Europe. Jiko also features South African vintage wines. The restaurant was designed by designer Jeffrey Beers and emulates an African lodge with a color palette in earth tones. The dining room surrounds an open kitchen which includes twin wood-burning stoves. The private Cape Town Wine Room seats up to forty guests and showcases a collection of wine-based sculptures. Jiko means "a cooking place" in Swahili, thus the restaurant's subtitle "The Cooking Place".
- Boma: Flavors of Africa - Features African-style cooking in a buffet setting. The selection features items from fifty different African countries. The restaurant was designed to resemble an open African marketplace. Food is prepared in view of diners in open cooking areas which allows for interaction between chefs, cooks, and patrons. Boma is a word in Swahili and several other African languages, meaning an enclosure, such as a fort or a livestock pen.
- The Mara - Counter service restaurant serving American food.
- Victoria Falls - Order your favorite libation with an African twist and listen to soothing sounds of cascading water in this intimate lounge and bar.
- Sanaa - Located in Kidani Village, this restaurant specializes in African Cuisine with Indian flavors and overlooks the savannah. Sanaa means "works of art" in Swahili.
Touring Tips
- The most popular activity at this Lake Buena Vista resort is observing the exotic animals who wander the savannah-like grounds. Guests can stop by viewing areas to catch glimpses of giraffes, ostriches, impalas, and zebras. The large zero-entry pool offers a gently sloping entrance accessible to young children and guests without full mobility, while a 67-foot-long slide zips swimmers into the center with a splash. There is also a children's pool, 24-hour playground, game arcade, and two spa tubs on site.
- Supervised children's activities for ages 4-12 are offered at Simba's Clubhouse, and include Disney movies, computer games, and dinner (surcharges apply). Guests of all ages can venture on a safari or watch the animals roaming about the savannah from the resort public viewing spaces. Complimentary programs include flamingo and pelican feedings, games with savannah guides, storytelling, night-vision tracking, and a horticulture show-and-tell.
- The Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center provides treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, and complimentary use of a sauna and steam room. Guests can also receive a variety of spa treatments (surcharge).
- Resort Airline Check-In Service allows guests to check luggage and receive boarding passes at the hotel. This service accepts one bag per passenger on JetBlue. Guests wishing to check multiple bags on JetBlue or any bags on AirTran, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, or US Airways must call 407-284-1231 (5 AM - 11 PM) to pay luggage fees prior to check-in, or guests can check bags at the airport. Guests must pre-book Disney's Magical Express, a complimentary transfer from the Orlando airport to the hotel. Visit www.disneysmagicalexpress.com/USA for registration. This service picks up and delivers luggage directly to guestrooms for those arriving between 5 AM - 10 PM.
- Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
History
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas is the eighth Disney Vacation Club timeshare resort, and the fifth located at the Walt Disney World Resort. The first phase opened in summer 2007 and included 134 remodeled units on the fifth and sixth floors of the existing Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, which opened in 2001. Later construction added 324 units in a new building, Kidani Village, which opened in phases and was expected to be completed in 2009. The development was announced in October 2006.