My girlfriends and I just spent 4 days at AKV Kidani in a 2BR dedicated SV room.
I checked in online the day prior to arrival - I'd already requested "close to lobby - 1st or 2nd bead." I didn't do anything else with requests when I checked in online. One of my friends arrived first and was able to pick up our documents without me there. (I was surprised at this - but no big deal.) At about 2:30, the rest of us arrived and we took the hike to Jambo for some food since the food at the pool bar wasn't what we wanted. We took our time eating then got back to the Kidani lobby at 3:55 and I checked to see if our room was ready. (I hadn't gotten a text but thought maybe there was a glitch.) Room wasn't ready - another was, but it was on the last bead. After another call he determined the room just had to be checked out and would be ready in about 15-20 minutes. I said no problem, we'd just hang out in the lobby. We settled into the couches and in just a few minutes, another CM came up and said our room was ready and to make up for the inconvenience (we hadn't complained or said it was an inconvenience at all), they were crediting our room account with $100. Nice way to start the day! (that would be the surprise, folks)
We had 7910 - a terrific room.
Positives:
Now a few negatives:
When I arrived, I asked about Southwest being added to RAC service at the resort and they said "in a few days I think" - RAC was already closed for the day, so this was from a front desk CM. Early this morning I had to run down to Johari Treasures and checked the RAC counter - Southwest had been added! They were amused at how happy I was by this and when I said, "That's going to be a lot more bags for y'all!" one woman just said, "We like it - we like a challenge!" She seemed very positive and upbeat about the change. Then another person asked if I had my luggage tags and boarding pass in an envelope on my door and when I told him "no" so they said they'd add me. Not sure what that meant, but oh well.
Later when I came down to check my bag, it went somewhat efficiently - I'd give it a B for that but an A+ for friendliness and helpfulness.
Oh, there are several new DVC items in the gift shops - I got a new keychain, a new pink t-shirt and a pin set that has 4 pins: BLT, AKV-K, THV and OKW. There is also a new dark blue t-shirt and at SSR I saw a shirt for little kids that said "Future DVC Member" - I think that's new.
That's it for now - the girlfriends and I are in the early throes of planning another trip with our families where we'll stay at BLT or BCV...I better get back to my spreadsheet for sorting out all those options...or just go get some sleep! (Jellyrolls until 2am this morning, then up at 7:30am to pack...tough, but so fun!)
I checked in online the day prior to arrival - I'd already requested "close to lobby - 1st or 2nd bead." I didn't do anything else with requests when I checked in online. One of my friends arrived first and was able to pick up our documents without me there. (I was surprised at this - but no big deal.) At about 2:30, the rest of us arrived and we took the hike to Jambo for some food since the food at the pool bar wasn't what we wanted. We took our time eating then got back to the Kidani lobby at 3:55 and I checked to see if our room was ready. (I hadn't gotten a text but thought maybe there was a glitch.) Room wasn't ready - another was, but it was on the last bead. After another call he determined the room just had to be checked out and would be ready in about 15-20 minutes. I said no problem, we'd just hang out in the lobby. We settled into the couches and in just a few minutes, another CM came up and said our room was ready and to make up for the inconvenience (we hadn't complained or said it was an inconvenience at all), they were crediting our room account with $100. Nice way to start the day! (that would be the surprise, folks)
We had 7910 - a terrific room.
Positives:
- It really is neat to have animals right outside the balcony.
- I don't know if all 2BR balconies are the same, but ours was one long, connected balcony - I like that.
- The villa was quite roomy and having the 3rd bathroom was a HUGE deal for the 4 of us! (it was especially nice since one person slept on the sleeper sofa - having the 3rd bathroom meant she had some space that was just "hers")
- I'm a valet girl (not a valley girl
) at heart, but we used the under-building parking instead and it was very convenient. - The master bathroom is HUGE.
- The beds were comfortable.
- I reported a maintenance issue the second morning (when I filled the whirlpool tub and turned on the jets, one jet assembly came completely out of its housing. My call was answered swiftly, the CM who answered was courteous, and when we returned to our room later that day, the problem had been fixed.
- When we arrived, the valet (I think he was valet, not bell services, but I'm not sure given this part...) was helping us figure out what we wanted to take in and what to leave in the car and he added, "and of course you have two Owner's Lockers, too" -- I was impressed that he remembered that detail and reminded us about it.
- SOUTHWEST RESORT AIRLINE CHECK-IN!!! (see below)
Now a few negatives:
- Everything that made me cancel our initial contract at AKV and then buy into BLT instead is really true.
- I know people argue this back and forth, but I felt like it took forever to get everywhere we were going.
- Whirlpool tub problem mentioned above - not a big deal.
- Very limited cabinet space - where are you supposed to put groceries in this place? I really missed BLT on this one!
- DARK, DARK, DARK - I felt like we lived our days next to the windows - everything from packing up my Owner's Lockers to putting on my makeup required setting up next to the sliding doors so I had ample light.
- Those motion-sensing fans are crazy - if you are in the shower in the master bath, it can't "see" you so it shuts off.
- The walk to Mara is long - yes, I know it isn't really that far from Kidani's lobby to Jambo's lobby, but then you still have to make your way down to Mara...it's a haul.
When I arrived, I asked about Southwest being added to RAC service at the resort and they said "in a few days I think" - RAC was already closed for the day, so this was from a front desk CM. Early this morning I had to run down to Johari Treasures and checked the RAC counter - Southwest had been added! They were amused at how happy I was by this and when I said, "That's going to be a lot more bags for y'all!" one woman just said, "We like it - we like a challenge!" She seemed very positive and upbeat about the change. Then another person asked if I had my luggage tags and boarding pass in an envelope on my door and when I told him "no" so they said they'd add me. Not sure what that meant, but oh well.
Later when I came down to check my bag, it went somewhat efficiently - I'd give it a B for that but an A+ for friendliness and helpfulness.
Oh, there are several new DVC items in the gift shops - I got a new keychain, a new pink t-shirt and a pin set that has 4 pins: BLT, AKV-K, THV and OKW. There is also a new dark blue t-shirt and at SSR I saw a shirt for little kids that said "Future DVC Member" - I think that's new.
That's it for now - the girlfriends and I are in the early throes of planning another trip with our families where we'll stay at BLT or BCV...I better get back to my spreadsheet for sorting out all those options...or just go get some sleep! (Jellyrolls until 2am this morning, then up at 7:30am to pack...tough, but so fun!)
Sounds like an overall great resort experience. I'm also glad to read that DVC is releasing more BLT pins. Hopefully, there are even more to choose from when we go in September. 
).
