Mouse Extra

It seems that every time I go on vacation to Walt Disney World, especially during my longer trips, I find something else that blows my mind, something new that I happily place on my “you must go back here” list.  This year, that place was Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I had been to the main Jambo House portion of the lodge a few times in the past, but never stayed there.  During those visits, we went there just to eat at Boma, and maybe added in a few extra minutes to wonder around the place.  But we never stopped really to appreciate it.  However, earlier this month as fate would have it, thanks to not being able to book our first choice of the Disney Vacation Club resorts for our stay, we finished our vacation with three nights in a Savanna view room at Kidani Village, and I didn’t want to leave.

Things couldn’t have worked out better for me.  Our entire vacation was spent during a historic cold-snap in Florida that made touring the parks difficult, and spending anytime at a pool was out of the question.  Daytime highs rarely eclipsed 50 degrees during our stay, so by the end of a week I was pretty much frozen solid and ready to relax indoors.  Plus the marathons that weekend made getting to the parks in the morning an impossibility, so we were stuck in the hotel.  But thankfully Kidani Village, and the entire Animal Kingdom Lodge complex, supplied the perfect setting for just such a lazy weekend.

Of all the hotels I have stayed in on Disney property, none possesses that “magic” we all love as much as the Animal Kingdom lodge.  It is a totally immersive experience from the minute you walk through the lobby doors.  The Jambo House is gigantic, and very, very impressive.  But I actually enjoyed Kidani Village a bit more.  It has a more intimate atmosphere which brings the African theme and details into more focus for the guests and enhances the overall experience.  Also, even though the Savanna and the viewing areas may be larger at Jambo House, at Kidani Village you feel like you are right smack down in the middle of it.

During our lost day, when getting to the parks was impossibly difficult and it was too cold and rainy anyway, my wife and I made a day out of the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  We took a free guided tour of Kidani Village where our cultural representative talked about the artwork and artifacts, the African design influences and inspirations, as well as some information on the animals at the Village’s two Savannas.  He was informative and entertaining.  It really made us appreciate how above and beyond the normal designing of a resort Disney’s Imagineers went when dreaming up this amazing place.

Both sections of the Animal Kingdom Lodge are filled with amazing pieces of artwork and artifacts, most of which come directly from Africa.  At Kidani Village, the details are presented within a theme in different areas of the resort.  You will find beautiful shields, masks, and even a belt worn by a king.  Inside the Palace Library, a wonderfully warm area off the lobby with a terrific fireplace and panoramic view of the Savanna, you will find so many incredible details that it is almost too much to comprehend without asking a few questions of a cast member. 

If you get there, check out these large tapestries hanging next to the fireplace pictured below.  Even though they look authentically African, these were made especially for the Disney Vacation Club as the names embroidered on them are the first 600 DVC members.  It’s a terrific tribute and act of appreciation.

Later in the afternoon, my wife and I spent some time at the bar in Sanaa, the Indian and African inspired restaurant at Kidani Village.  Unlike the more popular restaurants at the Jambo House, Sanaa has a gorgeous ground level view of the Sunset Savanna.  As strange as it may seem, it makes you feel like you are eating alongside the giraffes and zebras.  The bar itself is set off the windows a bit, but still has a great view.  Unlike the open and noisy Victoria Falls in the main building, Sanaa’s bar is cozy and very inviting.  I would recommend it alongside any other drinking space found in the Disney Resorts.

What you will realize is that you become attached to the animals and completely fascinated by these magnificent creatures.  Every time you enter your room, you will head straight to the sliding-glass door to see who is out there.  Every time you walk down the hallways or enter the lobby, your gaze will find its way out to the Savanna.  The animals are outside 22 hours of the day, so even when you get up late at night to head to the bathroom or get a late-night snack, you will somehow find it necessary to take a peak outside.  There is nothing cooler than peering through the darkness and seeing the white stripes of a zebra strolling along outside your window.  There is no doubt you are in someplace you have never been before.

Sure, there are resorts with better access to the theme parks, but the Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth the extra ten minutes in travel time, especially if you want to take some time away from the parks to relax and really enjoy what the Imagineers and Mother Nature can do.

I have not yet stayed at every resort in the “World” so I am not the best judge of this. But for me, my favorite place to stay (at least until my January trip to the Animal Kingdom Lodge) is the Polynesian Resort, the old timer of the group.  I know Dave loves the Beach Club, but I must respectfully disagree. I think the Poly has it all. Why you ask, well here are three reasons why I think it’s the best:

1. Food. It has two of the best places to eat in ‘Ohana and the Kona Cafe. For breakfast, both places are the tops in the World. Just try to eat the macadamia pineapple pancakes and not agree with me. Or the Tonga Toast. And ‘Ohana has the best character breakfast in the World. The food is great as is the character interaction. Lunch and dinner are superb, as well. The quick service Captain Cook’s maybe the best place of this type in any resort. You can get Tonga Toast there, as well. But most importantly, it is the only place outside of Adventureland that has dole whips. That’s right, you heard correctly, it has dole whips. And unlike about everywhere else in Disney, you can have decent coffee. Kona coffee.

2. Theme. Another plus for this resort is the overall theme. The lobby with its rainforest and waterfall really strike the mood. The houses are well maintained and well themed. The rooms are nicely done. Plus, the shops sell Polynesian and Hawaiian styles. We bought my son a cool Mickey Mouse Hawaiian shirt that you could only find at this resort. The pool with its volcano adds to the other overall experience.

3. Location. Perhaps the best part of the Polynesian resort is its location. Yes, its on the monorail and you can easily get to the Magic Kingdom. If you have young kids and plan to spend a lot of time at the Kingdom, this place is ideal for a break and dip in the pool. But it is also within walking distance of the Ticket and Transportation Center, making it the only resort wherein you can get to both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot by one monorail ride. Plus, the resort itself is not overall large. You are never real far from the main house like you are in some other resorts such as the Boardwalk.

So Dave can have his Beach Club. I will take the Polynesian. Although, I suspect the Animal Kingdom Lodge may give it a run for its money.

Today’s Resort Review is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.

This past trip I finally had the chance to visit and stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.  After decades of going to Walt Disney World this was the only resort I had never been to, so just that fact alone was exciting.  I had heard some bad things about the resort leading up to my trip, so my expectations were low.  But even though I thought it not nearly as good as others in the same “moderate” level pricing, it is still a fine resort.

Coronado Springs is also a convention center, which is why I was there.  My wife was down on business and I was along for the ride.  For those who may have a bizarre problem seeing people walking around in business attire while on vacation this is not your place.  (Don’t laugh!  I have actually heard this complaint many times.)  A resort full of conventioneers can be good and bad.  The bad is that during lunch and dinner times the dining facilities could get a bit more crowded then one would expect to find when the parks are open.  The good part is that these are generally pretty quiet people, many there by themselves.  Thus Coronado Springs has a much quieter and relaxing atmosphere then other Disney resorts that may have really loud pool areas or kids running through the food court at all hours.

Coronado Springs was named after Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, the Spanish explorer who traveled western Mexico and the American Southwest in the 16th century.  The grounds are typically beautiful for a Disney moderate resort.  The buildings are well designed with a theme that recalls the area Coronado himself explored.  The entire resort surrounds Lago Dorado which makes for terrific atmosphere.  There is a main pool, called the Dig Site, which sits in the shadow of an ancient stepped pyramid.  It can be a bit noisy, but there are also plenty of quiet pools as well.

The resort is big, much bigger then your average hotel or deluxe Disney resort.  Some rooms can be quite a hike to the lobby, but we are not talking about the multiple-time zone Disney resort like Caribbean Beach or Saratoga Springs.   Theme Park buses do make a couple of stops around the grounds, and for some reason, maybe just good luck, I found the buses were quicker here then other moderates.

There is a sit down restaurant, the Maya Grill, a food court called the Pepper Market, and Café Rix which is a stylish lounge.  There is also a counter-service coffee shop for the quick cup of Joe and a muffin.  I did not try the Maya Grill, mostly because it was expensive and had an unexciting menu.  The Pepper Market was also something of a let down.  It is not your typical Disney resort food court.  The selection is more refined then burgers and sandwiches, and therefore more expensive then you would imagine.  After you decide what you want, your food is brought to your table, so add on a gratuity when factoring in your costs.  The food itself is pretty good, and the idea is interesting, but I personally like a resort food court because it is less expensive then theme park restaurants.  That is not the case here.  Entrees easily average over fifteen dollars.

All in all, I liked the Coronado Springs Resort, but not enough to say I would try my best to go back.  The rooms and grounds are certainly on par with the other Moderate resorts.  But where Coronado falls short is in the dining offerings.  So I guess I would say this; If you don’t want the noise of a Value resort, or your company is sending you to the Mouse for a conference, you will enjoy the Coronado Springs.  It may not be the absolute best resort on Disney property, but it is no where near the worst either.

For the last few years I have singled out Disney’s Boardwalk as the best, or at least my favorite, Walt Disney World Resort.  But I think this most recent trip may have changed my mind.  From now on, when asked what the best place to stay on property is, I have to answer the Beach Club.

Now I had stayed at the Beach Club before this last trip and the Yacht Club as well.  I always like them both, and would normally rank them, along with the Polynesian, right behind the Boardwalk.  But this time around I think I finally got the full menu of all that the Beach Club has to offer.  Perhaps I took the time to enjoy the resort more than I have in the past.  Whatever the reason, I REALLY want to go back!

First, I love to spend almost every night of my trip around the World Showcase.  A pint at the Rose and Crown, dinner at Le Cellier or Tutto Italia, or just a leisurely stroll before Illuminations is my favorite way to end a night on vacation.  Being only yards from the entrance to World Showcase is a benefit I can not understate.  It really makes a huge difference and allows you to relax and enjoy the evenings to their fullest.

Also, and this is no great surprise, it has an amazing pool.  Stormalong Bay is an attraction all to itself.  I’m not one for sunbathing, and I don’t have kids to pull me to the pool, but this place is just very enjoyable.  Unlike most large, crowded and noisy resort pools, Stormalong Bay has wonderful and quiet nooks and corners.  Plus it is only steps from Beaches and Cream, a great place for ice cream or lunch while enjoying a day at the resort.  With a great pool bar, and Beaches and Cream only steps away, anyone would enjoy a day away from the parks and on Stormalong Bay’s shores instead.

Along with the Yacht Club, the resorts offer nearly anything you can ask for when it’s time to eat or drink.  There is a top shelf steakhouse, Yachtsman’s, and the Crew’s Cup, a perfect little drinking hole.  For those without children, there is a nice quiet sit-down, and non-character breakfast over at the Captain’s Grille.  And for those with little ones there is also character breakfast at the Cape May Café, which also offers a Clam Bake Dinner Buffet.  And don’t forget when you’re done with all these culinary delights to make your way back to Beaches and Cream for a little frozen goodness.  My wife always insists.

But most of all, the Beach Club is cozy.  It has a warm and inviting atmosphere.  There never seems to be much noise which really keeps the stress level down.  If you are looking for a gorgeous place where you can do everything in a relaxing atmosphere, plus enjoy the best walk to Epcot you could ever ask for, then I would suggest the Beach Club over all other Disney Resorts.  Perhaps the families looking to be at the Magic Kingdom as early and as late as possible would find a monorail resort a better choice.  But if you are like me, and you do want your Disney vacation to be one that does not require a week off to rest your feet and ankles, then try the Beach Club.

Today, I thought we would take a break from the news and rumors and take a closer look at a Disney World resort.  The Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa has been on the radar of Disney World vacationers quite a bit recently, thanks to sales from the Disney Vacation Club and construction over at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Many people are being offered rooms at Saratoga Springs so let’s talk about this resort and give those of you who have never been there a better idea of what to expect.

Saratoga Springs has a lot going for it.  The rooms are terrific and the grounds are beautiful.  The buildings are bright and very inviting and walking around the paths that snake between then is a quiet and relaxing experience.  The landscaping is typically well done and blends perfectly with the bridges, fountains and streams that fit naturally into the layout.

The theme is a subtle nod to the deep horseracing history that is so much a part of the fabric in Saratoga Springs, New York.   There are statues and paintings of thoroughbreds throughout the grounds, but the new pool area pictured below is perhaps a bit less subtle in this theme. 

The main pool, located just off the lobby is called the High Rock Spring Pool, pictured below.  In my opinion it is one of the finest such areas in all of Disney World’s Resorts.  The rock work is gorgeous and the slide is a lot of fun.  The entire area is upbeat and vibrant. 

The Saratoga Springs is a Vacation Club resort and therefore the room choices are somewhat expansive.  You can get a typical studio room, which includes a small kitchenette area with a sink and refrigerator, or you may choose larger villas with one, two, or three bedrooms.  The villas offer full kitchens.  Depending on the price available at the time of booking, this can be a great value for larger parties.  There is plenty of space in these rooms and the full kitchen allows you to have a meal or two without going out, this is especially good for light breakfasts.

One problem with Saratoga Springs, and one I truly hope this work out, is the dining and drinking options.  They are not good at all.  The sit-down restaurant, the Turf Club Bar and Grill, is not a bar at all so don’t expect to go here for a drink.  The food is okay, but limited and pricey.  The “food court” area is called the Artist’s Palette and it also disappoints.  The food is always good, but this is not a food court by any means.  There is only one station and the menu only has a few items available.  Luckily, Downtown Disney is just a short boat ride away, or even in walking distance from some of the outer buildings. 

Though I have never been, I am told the spa at the resort is top-notch.  Keep this in mind as well.  I know many people who stay at Saratoga for just this reason.

Another issue here is that this resort is so big that it becomes critical that you request a room location that suites your needs.  If you want to be near the lobby and the boat to Downtown you need to ask for the proper area for your room or you will be waiting for a bus like everywhere else in Disney World.  However, the outer buildings are very quiet, which may be appealing as well.

Nothing is perfect, and that applies to the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.  But the place is beautiful and well located.  If it fits your budget, it is worth a try.

There are few bad things one can say about any of Disney’s deluxe resort offerings, and the Beach Club is no exception to this rule.   This wonderful place delivers everything you can ask for, and even some things you may not expect with few flaws worth mentioning. 

Situated along Crescent Lake and across from the Boardwalk, the Beach Club is a resort hotel with a separate building containing Disney Vacation Club villas.   It is attached to the Yacht Club, and is similar in many ways, but it does have a unique feel.  It has all of what you would expect out of a deluxe resort, including suites, great atmosphere and the price tag to go along with it.   It’s is expensive enough to price people out of staying here, but if you can afford it, it is a terrific option.

For me, nothing beats the location.  The lake is gorgeous, with the view of the Boardwalk and all the other amazing sites in the area.   But most important, it is only steps from one of my favorite watering holes anywhere, not just in Walt Disney World.  Walk out of the resort, turn to your left, and before you know it the Rose and Crown stands before you beckoning you to come in.   From some rooms, you can walk out onto your balcony and listen to the sounds of the British Invasion and Off Kilter playing.

My favorite deluxe resort on Disney property is the Boardwalk, but the Beach Club comes close.  Where it fails to stack up is in dining options.   The Cape May Café offers a marginal character breakfast, and average dinner.  But Beaches and Cream, the terrific ice cream parlor between the two resorts, is a fine offering for lunch and a light supper.   But once again location comes to the rescue.  With all the great spots in walking distance, at the Yacht Club and Boardwalk not to mention Epcot, the lack of a great restaurant on the resort’s premises is significantly diminished.

Stormalong Bay is the pool the joins the Yacht and Beach Clubs together.  It is the best resort pool on Disney property, no questions asked.   It is truly an attraction onto itself.  With its winding river layout, terrific details, and white sand bottom, this is the only pool that can keep me out of the parks.

When designing the Beach Club, Imagineers were attempting to recreate an Atlantic beach front resort.  They certainly didn’t achieve the same level of themeing like they did at the Wilderness Lodge or Polynesian.  What resulted was more of an ambience than a recreation.   But it has a character all its own.