Question list for the first Kidani guests, now with answers!

[Constant]

Thanks for checking in and enjoy your stay in the brand new Kidani. Please, if you have time and remember, check out the menu at Maji for us. Just curious if they offer sandwiches, salads, burgers, wraps, etc.

Thanks a million.

Anna

Had a chat with the lady at the bar down by the pool at Maji. There are 2 options for dining down by the pool. There are some round tables with 4 or 5 chair around and there is a 'quick service' style menu. This is items kept in a fridge behind the bar menu here;

The second option is private dining at the pool side (delivery charge and 18% applies as if you ordered in the room) this comes complete in a box

The closing time of the bar was a little vague at dusk which I think was another question.

 

[Constant]

How about a close up pic of the room safe. Based on a photo taken they look larger than usual.

2 pics of the room safe with a documents folder in for scale

 

[Donald is #1]

The second option is private dining at the pool side (delivery charge and 18% applies as if you ordered in the room) this comes complete in a box

The closing time of the bar was a little vague at dusk which I think was another question.

Constant, thank you so much for continuing to give us updates!

This private dining option looks interesting to me.

 

[Constant]

A big advanced 'thank you' to all of you are there already and going soon in having the patience to answer our questions!!! We are going in August and cannot wait!!!
Please could you tell me if you are in a 'standard' view what you can see from your room?!!
Also how is Saana for anyone who has eaten there already!?!!
Debsx

Hi Debs

Here are some photos from our room balcony. We are staying in a 'standard' facing out to the tennis courts. We can see the main road coming in and out the resort and there is minimal parking below. It has been quite clever how they have hidden the parking underneath. I have seen some hotels with 'garden' views which have been worse. The parking below is really 1st floor and we are on the 2nd floor which is the same as the lobby. The road banks up to the lobby and valet parking area and falls down again toward the pool. The parking is actually more like a normal parking garage with parking both sides and 2 way traffic in the middle.

Some photos of our view below;

Steve

 

[Constant]

Wow! Have a great time! I can't wait to hear more after you explore.


If you have a chance, can you check to see if there are any breakfast options at Kidani?

The only option for breakfast is in the room service book. It is the usual stuff you would expect but they have a few interesting things like naan and fruit chutneys which is they are anything like the mango chutney we had for lunch will be amazing. They also had a pancake selection which included oat, wheat, vanilla and ginger with fresh berries. We are usually up and out quite early but might try it just once. Here is the breakfast part of the menu

The shop has the usual cereals, bread, bagels etc as well.

Steve

 

[danielle782001]

Anna

Had a chat with the lady at the bar down by the pool at Maji. There are 2 options for dining down by the pool. There are some round tables with 4 or 5 chair around and there is a 'quick service' style menu. This is items kept in a fridge behind the bar menu here;

The second option is private dining at the pool side (delivery charge and 18% applies as if you ordered in the room) this comes complete in a box

The closing time of the bar was a little vague at dusk which I think was another question.

Thanks for the photos and information

I do not see any symbols for the dining plan...Are these food options not on the plan

 

[AnnaS]

Anna

Had a chat with the lady at the bar down by the pool at Maji. There are 2 options for dining down by the pool. There are some round tables with 4 or 5 chair around and there is a 'quick service' style menu. This is items kept in a fridge behind the bar menu here;

The second option is private dining at the pool side (delivery charge and 18% applies as if you ordered in the room) this comes complete in a box

The closing time of the bar was a little vague at dusk which I think was another question.

Thank you so much Steve for all the helpful info.

Pretty limited menu for a quick pick-up by the bar. We can eat it at the tables provided (if any left/room) or bring it by the pool. If I understand this right, if one chooses soemthing from the Private Dining, - you order and they will deliver to you by the pool for a charge and tip of course?

 

[Constant]

Just posting links to the rooms service menus which hopefully all can see

Saana kids menu, we tried the cheeseburger and the meaty macaroni with vegetables (green beans) and fruit which was good. Someone had the pizza on the table next to ours and it looked nicer than we have seen before.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Fe-V6UqccOc/SfuV4Hu0KaI/AAAAAAAAAIw/bU5DK8n8zbA/s512/CIMG1536.JPG

Room service Kids all day
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Fe-V6UqccOc/SfuWSZidkWI/AAAAAAAAAI4/2eRPZ9Ri-Oo/s640/CIMG1529.JPG

Room service lunch
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Fe-V6UqccOc/SfuWTonN7nI/AAAAAAAAAJA/0-_A4IY3QEU/s512/CIMG1530.JPG

Room service dinner
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Fe-V6UqccOc/SfuWUrF0dJI/AAAAAAAAAJI/QVK3ACa6V44/s512/CIMG1531.JPG

dinner cont.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Fe-V6UqccOc/SfuWV3CfI0I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/6tW-BJs_KuI/s512/CIMG1532.JPG

The lady at Maji said that although the flavours are currently mild they expect that 'on guest feedback' they may well 'spice things up a little' over time.

 

[Constant]

Thank you so much Steve for all the helpful info.

Pretty limited menu for a quick pick-up by the bar. We can eat it at the tables provided (if any left/room) or bring it by the pool. If I understand this right, if one chooses soemthing from the Private Dining, - you order and they will deliver to you by the pool for a charge and tip of course?

That's right they give you a big, and I mean big 'private dining' marker and they will come find you, from what I understood anywhere around the pool was fine including the loungers. It is only from the menu by the side of the pool bar though not the full in room private dining options.

 

[Donald is #1]

The only option for breakfast is in the room service book. It is the usual stuff you would expect but they have a few interesting things like naan and fruit chutneys which is they are anything like the mango chutney we had for lunch will be amazing. They also had a pancake selection which included oat, wheat, vanilla and ginger with fresh berries. We are usually up and out quite early but might try it just once. Here is the breakfast part of the menu

The shop has the usual cereals, bread, bagels etc as well.

Steve

Steve, thank you so much for posting this for me! Maybe I will actually order room service a few days so that I don't eat bagels every day. Room Service will be a treat for me. I think that I have only ordered it once or twice in my life.

Yes, I'm getting into it...Breakfast on the balconny watching the animals!

 

[Constant]

Tell us about the check-in experience. What is the check-in area like? Do they have a good number of CMs there? Is there a waiting area for kids close to the front desk?

Check in couldn't have been easier but opening day you would expect it to! The lobby is fairly small (but amazing glass sculpture) and there is a TV showing cartoons etc. with seating for the kids and sofas etc. for adults.


How does the under building parking access the side of the building near the pool?

The parking is the same level as the pool bar you can walk almost the full length through the parking area. In fact the guy at check in suggested that we could from where we are drive down to the pool. The lobby is on the 2nd floor but in a clever bit of imagineering the ground raises up to the lobby and valet areas. To get from one side of the underground parking to the other you drive under the hotel entrance (not sure if it has a proper name but the valet / drop off / porch... you get the idea). If you picture the underground parking as in a mall you won't be far wrong.


How do the pedestrian walkways interact with the roads? Do you need to cross roads to get to the pool?

To get to the pool you can either walk to the lobby or there will be an elevator near and walk through the underground parking. If through the lobby or bus exit there are no roads to cross.

Can any Sanaa food be taken "To go"?
Everything we had today for lunch is on the room service menu I am not sure they do 'to go'

Please give details on the pool area (features, quiet area)? Please post pool specific pictures along with the kids play area!

Many of the photo threads above give details on the pool area.

Uwanja Camp
- Uwanja Camp is the resort’s specialty themed and wet activity playground.
- In Swahili, the word “uwanja” means “play area.”
- Uwanja Camp is divided into three zones as it moves downhill from the waterfall through the 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.
- Next is the Observation Station for kids ages 4 or younger.
- Finally, Base Camp gets kids ages 8 or older in on the act.

We spent around an hour playing around the pool this afternoon. Uwanja camp was great, I would question the ages they have suggested for each. DD age 4 loved all the areas, she doesn't like slides into deep water so the slide onto the play surface was great. There are sensors where flowers or snakes started when you walk past. DS age 1 loved the fountains and the waterfall and shallow pool in base camp.

Observation station had a little whirlpool shallow enough for DS to crawl in. The play equipment cargo net and small slide were far too hot but DD wanted to play on them.

Plenty of benches in the shade and only one entrance / exit.

The main pool had a little slide which she loved because it wasn't too fast and the main slide I loved which was quite fast and has quite a few turns in it. The main slide is light controlled unlike a few others we have seen on property.

Where can you refill mugs?

Johari has a self service station.
There was also one at the pool

Comments/reviews on the walk between Jambo and Kidani

At this point, there is no access to walk between the 2 resorts but it is obvious that there is a walkway based on old photos so this will have to be cleared up.
All the signs are up between Jambo and Kidani for a walkway

Recreation/Activities

What portions of the building are still not finished; are all common amenities -- pool, new recreation area near pool, restaurant, store, main viewing area for animals, (others), open?

All the specific listed areas are open (or at least will be May 1st.) Nothing posted yet about exactly which rooms are not available.

Haven't seen anything which isn't open yet, the staff had a party at the pool last Tuesday and most things have been tested! The Savanna is great with plenty of action.

[/COLOR]


Where are the Internet jacks exactly?
In the 1 bed it is the desk in the master bed, I haven't found one yet in the living area

Does the vacuum have a detachable hose for attachments (for possible SpaceBag use, etc)?
No it is the same as in Jambo

I'll check tomorrow afternoon if there is anything else people want to know.
Steve

 

[Brave teacher]

Thank you for all of this great info Steve!

 

[ANTSS2001]

repost"

If you can check and take a pciture of the BBQ Pavillion.... please... pretty please...

I did the tour but was nto aware of this amenity... also if you can get all the fyi.. like where it is located... best place to get a room for its access etc...

Kidani Village (opening early 2009)

Barbecue Pavilion


TIA

 

[Constant]

repost"

View from standard 1 bed Timon 3

Something I didn't post yet but wanted to get a better idea how it worked the elevators in the parking are grouped around characters, we are near Timon 3 and the start of Zazu. Once out the parking I can't see any reference to them near the elevators so don't know how useful it is going to be.

Anyway in the photo above you can the BBQ pavilion near the basketball and tennis court. Next to our room is a stairwell which goes down to the 1st floor. There is the main road in and out to cross but don't know if there is a crossing. I'll go and have a look sometime over the next few days and report back. How many grills etc.

On another note it would be quite a long walk from our room, to community hall to to get a ball, then to the court for a casual game.

And another thing while I am rambling we are roughly halfway in one of the wings, it takes us around 2 minutes to walk to the lobby so from this I would guess the answer to the end to end would be around 8 minutes. If your room were in the furthest corner 7678-7882 it would be around 6 mins or so to the buses depending on your own / kids speed etc.

Steve

 

[dianeschlicht]

View from standard 1 bed Timon 3

Something I didn't post yet but wanted to get a better idea how it worked the elevators in the parking are grouped around characters, we are near Timon 3 and the start of Zazu. Once out the parking I can't see any reference to them near the elevators so don't know how useful it is going to be.

Anyway in the photo above you can the BBQ pavilion near the basketball and tennis court. Next to our room is a stairwell which goes down to the 1st floor. There is the main road in and out to cross but don't know if there is a crossing. I'll go and have a look sometime over the next few days and report back. How many grills etc.

On another note it would be quite a long walk from our room, to community hall to to get a ball, then to the court for a casual game.

And another thing while I am rambling we are roughly halfway in one of the wings, it takes us around 2 minutes to walk to the lobby so from this I would guess the answer to the end to end would be around 8 minutes. If your room were in the furthest corner 7678-7882 it would be around 6 mins or so to the buses depending on your own / kids speed etc.

Steve

Great information!

 

[WebmasterCricket]

I will update everything and highlight only unanswered questions on Monday after things settle down some and I have more time.

Thank you to all who take the time out to answer questions and pose new questions even

 

[WebmasterCricket]

Is Tables In Wonderland accepted for the poolside dining by chance?

 

[KPH500]

Thank you so much for your trip report! I'm sitting here in MA living vicariously through those of you lucky enough to be there for these opening days.

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Thanks so much for taking the time on your vacation and posting all this great information Steve Enjoy the rest of your stay !!! Now I really can't wait until our stay at Kidani in Oct.

 

[pickles]

room 7219 a 2 bedroom view of the bus stop, only about 10 rooms away from the door to the bus stop. we can be there in just a few minutes..very quick easy walk

I get the impression that odd numbers face the bus stop/road and even the animals
2nd floor..which is main lobby floor is the start of main level

they are offering on sat a similar thing to bush camp and for the first month or so while they test it, it is free for kids up to 12


the gift shop, once again suchs when it comes to dvc stuff. there is one short with a collar..polo type.. for like $45 overpriced and generic dvc
another tshirt about kidani 2009..yellowish in color...not impressed.
then a few of the animal kingdom lodge ones

I didnt read all the thread, but from jambo you use the dtd bus to kidani and anytime you want to go to jambo jump on any park bus, next stop jambo.
btw as a caution remind your dtd driver from jambo to kidani to stop at kidani. its new enough they do't have that set in their heads yet. one driver I had to point the way a bt for him..in his defense he was filling in and usually doest do akl run at all
food at the bar is mostly cold sandwhich types

rooms here are impressive..even more than jambo I think
traveling between the 2 spots is very tolerable..tho I am an oKW owner so am use to the bus system