What is Kidani Village Missing?

[disrailfan]

We are currently staying at Kidani Village this week and have been here since Sunday July 12th. First let me start by saying that the resort is beautiful. That being said I'm sure many of us have stayed there now and have some opinions on what is missing.

Next will be the choice of Quick Service Dining options. Uh well there are none at Kidani Village. This resort needs two things, a real Quick Service place, even if it is like the small cook area at OKW, and it needs a real bar that is open later than dusk (the only one is located at the pool).

My last and final rant will be about the Convenience store / shop. Needs some help in my opinion, needs more grocery options unless Disney is really trying to push everyone in to using the offsite grocery options.

Now the good things:

The staff was very helpful and accomodating during our weeks stay.

Our room was ready at 8:00 AM in the morning. This has never happened to us ever.

The buses appear to mostly stop at Kidani Village first. This was a really good thing.

Resort is very quiet.

So see I am not completely negative, I would like to hear other peoples experiences and suggestions for improvement. I have already shared mine with the resort management and with DVC.

-DisRailFan

 

[LisaS]

This resort needs two things, a real Quick Service place, even if it is like the small cook area at OKW, and it needs a real bar that is open later than dusk (the only one is located at the pool).

There is a lounge on the lower level next to Sanaa.

ETA: This is from the public DVC website:

Sanaa
Indulge your senses! Sanaa, meaning "work of art," defines the atmosphere and the cuisine at this restaurant — with beautifully prepared food and an atmosphere simmering with style. Relax in the comfortable lounge that is adjacent to the spacious dining room. Savor lunch and dinner here.

 

[tecodis]

Next will be the choice of Quick Service Dining options. Uh well there are none at Kidani Village. This resort needs two things, a real Quick Service place, even if it is like the small cook area at OKW, and it needs a real bar that is open later than dusk (the only one is located at the pool).

This is the other one I couldn't agree with you more! Every time I wanted something to eat for dinner, I ended up leaving the resort. Which, ironically, meant I drove off-site since I was already in the car anyway and that close to US192. Had there been a quick-service option (other than the pool bar/room service thingy), I probably would have ate there most times.

 

[glennbo123]

There is a lounge on the lower level next to Sanaa.

Yes, here it is:

 

[LisaS]

Yes, here it is:

Thanks for posting that. I was trying to find a photo that showed those very interesting chairs. We only walked through the lounge during our stay but I did try out one of the chairs!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I would like to keep this thread open, however, Smoking is a topic that is not allowed here on the DVC Boards. It is deemed a Resort Policy and not a DVC specific topic. Not to mention, that it is always a very heated argument.

So, let's continue, but the smoking comments have been edited out. Thanks all!

 

[disrailfan]

Thanks for the clarification on the bar. We were told the lounge for Saana was only if you planned on eating. Also we went there tonight after I saw this post and the lounge was closed already at 10:00.

CarolAnnC: I understand the issue, just wanted to hopefully get some others feedback on the location of this eye sore / Health risk to some and where I could go to complain. I do not like to stir up heated debates on here.

Thanks,


DisRailFan

 

[LisaS]

Thanks for the clarification on the bar. We were told the lounge for Saana was only if you planned on eating. Also we went there tonight after I saw this post and the lounge was closed already at 10:00.

Wow -- that seems very short sighted on their part (both the limited hours and the restriction to Sanaa patrons only). DH and I planned to stop by there one evening during our next stay at Kidani but I guess that's off the agenda now. Just curious: who told you it was for Sanaa patrons only? I'm disappointed to hear this!

 

[wilma-bride]

Wow -- that seems very short sighted on their part (both the limited hours and the restriction to Sanaa patrons only). DH and I planned to stop by there one evening during our next stay at Kidani but I guess that's off the agenda now. Just curious: who told you it was for Sanaa patrons only? I'm disappointed to hear this!

Exactly what I was thinking - our friends and I had plans to enjoy a few drinks once the kids were settled for the night. I am disappointed now, to know that might not be an option.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

CarolAnnC: I understand the issue, just wanted to hopefully get some others feedback on the location of this eye sore / Health risk to some and where I could go to complain. I do not like to stir up heated debates on here.

Thanks,


DisRailFan

The contradiction and the irony in back-to-back proclamations.

 

[danielle782001]

I agree 100% that Kidani needs a quick sercive or at the very least maybe a coffee bar in the lobby with some quick cold foods like bagels, muffins, rolls, sandwichs, something...Mara is just too far and the gift shop is too limited.

We need to all write/ call member services to make our voice heard...That is the only way things will change...I already have my email into MS!

 

[ADP]

100% yes...Kidani does a need a quick service restaurant. Hopefully, in the future.

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

I stayed at Kidani last month (and loved it) and today I got a postcard in the mail with Kidani Village on the front and a note on the back inviting me to participate in an online survey. So, it seems they are at least soliciting our opinions!

 

[MLK-RI]

I had also emailed of my disappointment at there not being a quick service at Kidani. I received a phone call back from MS and we discussed it a little. He seemed to be compiling responses and while I have nothing concrete, his tone suggested to me that they were hearing this and might do something before they finish the resort off.

 

[robandkelly13]

DH and I had a few cocktails at the bar at Sanaa and an appetizer. It was very nice, but there were very few people there. I wonder if they will stay open later if more people are there The time wasn't an issue with us - I believe we were there 5 or 6ish in the evening.

 

[CapeCodFam]

I was worried at first too about the lack of CS or kid friendly options. But, we decided we would walk over to Jambo and frequent Mara. We're going on 7/26. I hope we don't sizzle on the walk.

We, too, had emailed member satisfaction asking that a CS be considered.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

We are going in August. and the kids were super excited to go to the new pools etc. until they realized no quick service. my 2 ,15 year olds vetoed. kidani.

Because they said they wont swim every day we can walk over for that. But they will eat every day so threfore, it was more important to them to be closer to the Mara. Made sense to me.

 

[TLPL]

Can someone tell me where the walking path to Jambo House is? I am looking at the resort map posted on the other site, can peopel take that little narrow path on the upper right hand corner of the map, or walk along the middle grey road with the text "to Jambo House"?

 

[LisaS]

Can someone tell me where the walking path to Jambo House is? I am looking at the resort map posted on the other site, can peopel take that little narrow path on the upper right hand corner of the map, or walk along the middle grey road with the text "to Jambo House"?

Exit Kidani via the lobby (or the door closest to the bus stop) and walk to and through the bus stop area and just keep going. The path takes you down to ground level where you will walk in between the under building parking and the parking in front of the south wing of Kidani. When you get to the end of the Kidani building, walk across the roadway into the delivery area and just keep going until you get to the Jambo House parking area. You can then take either the HA ramp or the steps up to Jambo's porte cochere.

If it's hot or raining and you want to walk indoors as much as possible, walk through the south wing until you come to the Zasu (or is it Zazu?) elevator. Take that down to the parking lot level. Exit the parking lot via the walkway. When you get to the main walkway past the parking lot, turn left and then follow the directions above.

 

[cyndisun]

An earlier post mentioned that the convenience store needs some help. Can anyone give a brief description of what can be purchased? We gave up CL at Jambo for a one-bedroom villa (not members). We really just need milk, cereal and juice. I'd hate to use the online grocery for just that.

Also, is coffee provided with the coffe makers in the villas?

TIA!