The newest, although not for long, resort has opened in the Disney Vacation Club portfolio of resorts. Named Kidani Village, it is a new addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
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Press Release
Adventurous families are surrounded by the wonders of the wild at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Kidani Village serves as phase two of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, a Disney Vacation Club resort and newest addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
“We are entering a new era with Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, as it’s the first of four new properties opening this year,” said Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club. “Disney Vacation Club continues to provide value for the vacation dollar as families desire to spend meaningful time together and to build a lifetime of memories by vacationing in ways they never dreamed possible.”
With studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodations to choose from, members and guests at Kidani Village are able to take advantage of many of the comforts of home, such as kitchens, living areas and more, while also viewing a variety of African animals roaming the savannah from the balconies of many rooms. Each vacation villa features custom-made furnishings and décor that reflect the natural and animal influences of the continent.
Jambo House, which includes 109 remodeled two-bedroom equivalent accommodations on the fifth and sixth floors of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, opened in July 2007, and is considered phase one of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas. The remaining rooms of Kidani Village are scheduled for a fall 2009 opening. Upon its completion, Kidani Village is planned to include 340 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas, for a total of 449 two-bedroom equivalent accommodations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas.
Kidani Village offers convenient transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Because select Disney Deluxe Villas are part of the accommodations mix, Kidani Village joins the 23 other Disney owned-and-operated resorts that may be booked by overnight guests. Guests can call 407/W-DISNEY for general resort reservations.
The opening of Kidani Village includes new additions to the resort, such as Sanaa, a new 150-seat, table-service restaurant. Its unusual name, pronounced “sah-NAH,” is the Swahili word for “artwork.” Facing the resort’s Sunset Savannah, Sanaa features interiors inspired by African art and allows diners to experience “the art of African cooking with Indian flavors.” Open for lunch and dinner, Sanaa may be booked by DVC members and by overnight guests through 407/WDW-DINE. An adjacent 24-seat lounge serves African wines, beer and spirits.
Other highlights included at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge:
- Samawati Springs Pool, a themed pool area, and Uwanja Camp, a themed water-play area, offer new ways to cool off. Samawati Springs Pool, Swahili for the color azure, is a zero-depth entry pool with a 128-foot slide and two whirlpool spas. Uwanja Camp is divided into three zones – base camp, the departure zone and the observation station – each designed with its own character and age-specific activities. The adventure begins in the departure zone, designed for kids ages 5-7, while the observation station is geared for kids ages 4 or younger. Finally, base camp gets kids ages 8 or older in on the splashing.
- Survival of the Fittest, the new fitness center, features treadmills, bicycles, stair climbers and limited free weights. Additional recreation amenities include a basketball half-court, a shuffleboard court and two lighted, hard-court tennis courts located in the sports courts area. Plus, members and guests may utilize Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center, located inside Jambo House, which also features spa services.
- Johari Treasures, a merchandise shop, offers items such as logo and character merchandise, plush toys, sundries, books and magazines, snack items, beer and wine, and a limited selection of grocery items.
Following the opening of Kidani Village, the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa are all scheduled to open in 2009. In Hawai‘i, a new family-friendly destination on O‘ahu is planned to include traditional hotel rooms and vacation villas dedicated to Disney Vacation Club with an anticipated opening date in 2011.
Disney Vacation Club is an innovative timeshare program that lets families enjoy flexibility and savings on future vacations. By becoming a member of Disney Vacation Club, families can enjoy vacations at Disney destinations worldwide as well as more than 500 other popular Member Getaways vacation locations around the globe. Since 2003, Disney Vacation Club membership has doubled to include more than 400,000 individuals from approximately 100 countries and every state.
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