Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas is the eighth Disney Vacation Club timeshare resort, and the fifth located at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels which was built on what was formerly the site of a large Retention basin.^[1]

The development was originally announced in October 2006 and the first phase opened in the summer of 2007. Included in this phase were 134 remodeled units (216 guest rooms) on the fifth and sixth floors of the existing Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, which opened in 2001. Later construction added 324 units (492 guest rooms) in a new building, Kidani Village, which opened in phases and was completed in 2009. The main building of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is now named Jambo House^[2] in order to prevent confusion between the two buildings.^[3]

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village is an African lodge-style resort with accommodations that include kitchenettes, or kitchens, and multi-bedroom units. The location features a 21-acre wildlife preserve. Both the Jambo House and Kidani Village have smaller animal habitats that host unique animals.

The lobby and the villas of Kidani Village extend outwards in a manner meant to resemble the curlicue shape of a water buffalo's horns.^[4] Kidani Village itself is a 5-story "E"-shaped building. It includes 324 units ranging from studios to 3-bedrooms, as well as an Indian-African Fusion table service restaurant. Inner and outer architecture and decorations are African-inspired, including some indigenous African shrubs and grasses.^[1]

The Animal Kingdom Lodge has 3 primary dining locations, all featuring African and Indian cuisine. Sanaa is located at Kidani Village, while Jiko – The Cooking Place and Boma - Flavors of Africa are located at Jambo House. Counter-service offerings are also available at Jambo House at The Mara. Drinks and some lighter snacks are available at various pool bars and the Kidani Village lobby.^[5]

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas is served by Disney Transport bus service which transports guests to the four major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Additional bus transportation is available to Disney Springs, Disney's Blizzard Beach, and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. A shuttle van also runs between the two locations.

The Sunset Savanna and the Pembe Savanna are home to various of African animals, a list of which is provided upon arrival at the resort. Animals listed on the resort site include Zebras, Giraffes, Gazelles, Kudu, and Antelope.^[6] Other recreational offerings include a 4,700-square-foot, zero-depth-entry pool with a 128-foot-long slide and wet deck, a barbecue pavilion, basketball (half court), and shuffleboard courts.

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney Vacation Club

• Animal Kingdom Villas Archived 2010-06-12 at the Wayback Machine official site