A LOT is happening in Disney World right now, and we’re SO excited.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom is getting a new Tropical Americans-themed land, Pueblo Esperanza, which will replace Dinoland, U.S.A. Magic Kingdom is getting a Cars expansion in Frontierland AND a new Villains-themed land. Hollywood Studios is getting a new land devoted to Monsters, Inc. Disney World hotels are also getting new restaurants and updates. Now, we’ve just spotted a sign that something will soon be happening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Earlier this month, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) filed a permit with Orange County for “general construction” at an address that turns out to be Animal Kingdom Lodge. This suggests that some construction will be coming soon to Animal Kingdom Lodge’s DVC villas at the Kidani Village part of the resort.
©Orange County
The permit doesn’t offer a lot of information, except that the contractor’s name is Barton Marlow. The permit expires on December 31st, 2025, so it also seems like this could be a pretty extensive project. This could indicate that Kidani Village might be getting some updated rooms. Over the past few years, we’ve seen several room updates at other DVC resorts, like the Grand Floridian and Beach Club.
Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Some construction is already happening at Kidani Village. If you visit the Sanaa page on the Disney World website, you get the following message: “From September to late December 2024, the exterior of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village will undergo refurbishments. During this time, views of the Sunset Savanna from Sanaa may be obstructed. However, animal viewing will be available from the Savanna Outlook, adjacent to Sanaa, during daytime hours.”
©Disney
We’ll be keeping an eye out for more details, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
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Animal Kingdom Lodge is my absolute favorite place in wdw. I can spend half a day here, shopping, eating, watching the animals, enjoying the daily activities, just soaking up the ambience. Please tell me they’re not going to ruin this resort as they’re ruined much of the parks and some other resorts like Pop Century (never finished and now the food court is gone), Coronado (that horrible tower!) and Polynesian (again, a horrible dvc addition, while beautifully designed inside has nothing to do with the original resort we all loved)! It seems clear that the powers that be at Disney just don’t want to embrace Walt’s vision anymore but every one else’s, based on the companies they buy vs creating wonderful animated movies like Beauty and the Beast, etc. Profit and keeping stockholders happy seems more important than doing what’s right and good as Disney used to when Eisner was at the helm. Wdw of today bears little resemblance to the core Disney we all loved and grew up with. Today’s children will have no clue of who Walt was or why and how Disney and wdw started and became fun! The bottom line is: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Leave Animal Kingdom Lodge alone!
I’m guessing they are going to increase the size of Kidani Village. We looked at the pictures you took at the new Polynesian village and also for the new tower at Disneyland and one thing is missing from both. They only have showers – no tub shower combos. I bet if they build a new DVC tower at Animal Kingdom Lodge, they will do the same. Sigh! I need a good soak after a day in the parks.