Lets talk Kidani

We love Kidani, have stayed 3 times, and staying again in June. I do want to make a room request for our upcoming stay. We had 1 stay in the farthest section at the end of the hall, and the savannah view overlooked the Pembe Savannah. Very much enjoyed our sweet little group of animals, but it was only 4 types, no giraffes, etc. so while it was still good, it didn't over look the large savannah, so if possible, would prefer those locations. And it is a long walk if you're at the end of the hall, after a long day of walking in the parks.
Kidani is the first stop for busses to all parks, but not Disney Springs, The DS bus will first pick up at Jambo. One night, DH waited over 45 mins for a DS bus, They'd show up almost full, took a while to get on. I know there's a walking path to Jambo, so I'd probably try that, go to Jambo to catch the bus for DS. I don't know where the path is tho, or have walked it, but I think it's fairly short?
we LOVE the extra bathrooms in the 1 and 2 bedrooms. Parking is also nice underground

Room size, view, number and age of group. Thanks!

So funny!  

I walked the distance once when DH was working from the room and I was just wandering around doing things.  It’s not as long as we think at the end of a long day at Disney.  I wish I could remember.  It does add steps though that is for sure.

My DDIL and DS were at Kidani with her parents and ended up way at the end towards Jambo.  We were all worried about her mom who has a lot of health issues.  They were all the way at the end.  AMAZING VIEW.  Unfortunately the CM who I talked with upon checking in & making an in-person request I really believe she thought that transportation only existed at Jambo  Lots of new CMs at WDW at the time.  Dec 2021.  Or, someone else complained and they were moved and dominos started falling.  Hard to know.  But, thinking back, the front desk CM said something to me that afterwards made sense that she didn’t understand transportation was at Jambo and Kidani.

YES! No offense to the AKV lovers in here, but I stayed at Kidani last year and it SUCKED!! The pool was closed. My room was 2 away from being the farthest possible from the main lobby. My "Savannah View" had a metal fence running across with a gravel road behind that which gave me 1/3 of an actual Savannah View. I had to take a minibus to the main lodge to pick up breakfast for my family each morning (I did find out later that the sit down restaurant at Kidani would allow me to order the same takeout that they had at the main lodge; Oops). It was my worst experience ever staying on property. Even worse than the All Star Reports on our first trip (probably a difference in expectations as well). 

I am sorry to be so negative. I am used to staying at PVB and BLT. We stayed at AKV because we were with a group of friends. Our family is not big on AK in general other than a couple rides. And things like the pool being closed at Kidani were temporary issues for anyone staying there. Just not my cup of tea and not conducive to how our family does Disney. 

Kidani's pool is the better of the two. It would be bad not to have it. The view would make me mad too.

Though I loathe the All Stars myself but i could see how both things made for a bad stay

Interact with the cultural representatives. I found it fascinating to learn about them and their countries. I remember discussing the biggest difference between the US and their countries. Transportation. It's easy here, sometimes impossible there, e.g. we can drive from NY to CA, or from Toronto to Mexico City. They often can't or wouldn't try. Bad roads, dangerous situations, or no roads as in "can't get there from here."

If they do the drum lessons in the room off the lobby, that was our favorite activity.

We like the Kidani pool, but not its location.

Sanaa is a good restaurant. If you don't have time for a meal, try to get to the bar and have drinks and apps. It's a great atmosphere.