When you enter the DVC Animal Kingdom Villas you truly feel that you have been transported to Africa. Without a doubt, this resort wins hands down as the most unique timeshare we have ever visited. It was like being at a theme park in and of itself, where you feel exhilarated and your senses are heightened; and thus, it is difficult to describe it so that someone else can experience and feel the excitement, too. But we’ll try!
The resort consists of 2 villages, the first and oldest being the Animal Kingdom Lodge, or Jambo House. Originally this was a hotel with 4 floors. The top 2 floors have now been converted to timeshare units, with the remainder still serving as a hotel. The lobby is huge, with many African artifacts and outstanding décor. One wall is all windows, overlooking the savanna where the animals roam freely. A walkway bridge transverses the lobby on the third floor, and there is a smaller bridge complete with rocks and a waterfall on the main floor. One can walk outside to the savanna observation areas where there is also a fire pit for storytelling.
There are 2 restaurants within the complex, Boma and Jiko, that serve African food. We took a tour of them, and were able to sample some excellent coconut chicken curry soup and also some appetizers that featured different kinds of bread baked in wood-burning ovens. There is also a huge gift shop in Jambo House that sells Disney items and apparel, but also offers many handcrafted African goods. We purchased a beautiful piece of pottery that was painted in Zimbabwe.
The second village, Kidani, opened in Spring of 2009. These are all timeshare units, and are within walking distance of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The lobby here is smaller than the one at Jambo, but equally beautiful and well-decorated. There is a gift shop here, also, but it’s a bit smaller. Some people say they prefer Kidani Village because it seems more intimate than the larger Jambo House. The restaurant on this property, Sanaa, serves excellent African food.
African proverbs decorate the walls throughout the resort. We were told by some of the “exchange students” (Disney brings them over from Africa to work for a year) that the proverbs are one of the ways that students learn in Africa. Most of the students wore African garb, spoke excellent English, and were most helpful in providing to us a true picture of their country and customs. And, as always, the Disney staff was extremely helpful and gracious.
We stayed in Kidani, in a one bedroom unit on the savanna that sleeps 5. A family of 4 could be completely comfortable here, especially since there are 2 full bathrooms. The unit is spacious, with a king bed in the master bedroom and a sleeper sofa and chair (converts to a twin bed) in the living room. The furniture is dark wood with African carvings, including the half-moon dining room table and chairs. Beautiful African baskets and paintings adorn the walls, and the down comforter on the bed reflects the Kente cloth patterns of African clothing.
Our unit had a washer and dryer, a Jacuzzi, 2 large screen TV’s, and any other convenience or amenity that you would expect from a Disney property. Internet access was free for Disney owners, but not RCI guests. Also, as exchange guests, we had to pay a $95 fee that covered transportation to Disney theme parks.
Of course, the best part of all this was our balcony overlooking the savanna! No, the giraffes did not poke their noses into our bedroom while I was getting dressed, but they were pretty close! It was so fascinating to watch the different animals at various times of the day. Not only were there giraffes (we counted 5, including a young one), but watusi, antelopes, kudu, wildebeests, ostrich, zebras and more. I’ve never been much of a zoo-lover, but this was way beyond cool in my book!
There are numerous activities available in both villages, especially for kids. Craft and musical workshops go on all day, and almost all are free. Some of the activities are offered every day, and guests can participate at either village. There is a parade every evening in both villages, where kids and grownkids march with African instruments.
Both villages have elaborate pool areas, although when we visited, the Jambo pool was closed for updating. In Kidani, there is a wonderful kids’ pool play area. Both villages house fitness rooms and arcades.
And so, our wonderful Florida trip came to an end, and we headed home with some new loves—a love for African music, a love for giraffes, and a love for the Animal Kingdom Villas. And our kids are saying, “Oh no, not another timeshare!” Well . . . we are thinking about it—after all, what’s one more?!! Find out more about the Disney Vacation Club in our last post—we’ve been doing lots of research!
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we were just there recently and it was beautiful. By any chance do you know where they got the african bowls that adorn the walls over the dinnette in the one bedroom villa? my mother fell in love with them, but we couldn’t find them anywhere. her anniversary is coming up next week and i would love to purchase them for her..thanks
Yes, they are beautiful, but we have no inside info as to where timeshares get their furnishings. I suggest you start by calling the resort, and maybe search on the internet, too. Good luck.
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