We're here at Kidani! photos added

[dianeschlicht]

We arrived at MCO about a half hour late but were quickly out of the National Emerald Aisle and on our way to Publixs and then Kidani. We arrived at Kidani about 2:00pm, so I was hopefully that our unit might be ready…it wasn’t. No matter, we gave a couple of bags of fridge groceries to bell services and went down to the bus stop to catch a bus to Epcot and the MMM. We arrived at Epcot and were pleasantly surprised to see that AKV now has the coveted bus stop number 6 there that once was OKW’s. LOVE how close our stop is to the gate. We hurry through to guest services and exchange our vouchers for APs and get our TIW card. We arrived at MMM site at about 3:30, and the joint was already jumping! We got our gingerbread men and cider and started perusing the room for familiar faces. We spoke with several “new” friends, and after eating a gingerbread man, decided that it was time for a real meal, since our last food was the oatmeal we had at home at 5:00 AM. More on the mixer later.

We headed up toward the rest of WS and decided we had time to take in the last Voices of Liberty show of the day before looking for sustenance. It was a wonderful show as usual, and then we headed to Teppan Edo and even without reservations were seated almost immediately. This is our favorite Epcot eatery, and didn’t disappoint. Well, except for the fact that the value goes down a bit each year and the menu gets tightened each year, but still good food.

Then we hit the CP stand by line just as it was starting to proceed into the theatre. We were thrilled to score good seats fairly close to the stage and enjoyed another wonderful show. By the time we got out of CP, it was time to go meet John at the Owner’s Locker wine night. This is always a great visit with people who are of the same mind, and we enjoyed our visit there followed by Illuminations. The wonderful weather helped this to be a most enjoyable night, but it was getting late and we have Wild Africa Trek scheduled tomorrow, so time to “hit the hay”.

We have received our text about 4:30 telling us our room was ready, but with all the fun we were having at Epcot, we decided to wait until later to experience our unit and unpack. Let me just say here that we have been members at AKV ever since they first gave us a chance to buy in there. This is our 6th AKV stay, and with the exception of the wonderment of having the animals right outside your door and the comfy beds, I must say that very little else about the place makes me happy. Sure it has wonderful décor, but if the unit doesn’t work well or isn’t prepared well or doesn’t have good services…..well…I’d just say it lacks some basics.

This is our 6th AKV stay, but only our second at Kidani Village. We have had two stays in Concierge Club level in the past, plus two other Jambo house visits. Last time we were at Kidani, it was only for a couple of nights in a studio, and we were on the very end of the last bead, and walking to the lobby was an adventure and a PITA. We felt like we could walk to Jambo’s lobby quicker than we could to Kidani’s. So…This time I requested “close to the lobby”. Great, I am informed at check in that we had our request met and that we would be in 76?? (number to be determined once the unit was ready). Okay, 2nd floor and one bead away from the lobby…GREAT!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We walk into our room at 10:30 PM and I’m immediately hit in the face with the heavy stench of bacon grease. Okay, so maybe the past guests had a late breakfast…I can deal. Oh, but what’s wrong with the kitchen? I had not stayed in a 1 bedroom at Kidani before…only 1 and 2 bedroom units at Jambo, but this layout is crazy….No counterspace, and where’s the fridge? A few seconds later I realize “oh, oh”, this is an HA unit. Again, I figure I can deal with it. Counters are a little low, and there is a tiny little dorm room type microwave that is going to be useless for doing anything other than heating up anything. The fridge is found, and it is in an awkward location between the laundry closet and the dining table.

Next I go to settle into the master bath….oops…one big huge institutional looking room that has no intrigue at all….open toilet, no drawers or shelves, small closet that is absolutely useless because it houses the high chair and safe, so no room to hang anything much in it. I decided it was strange to have the high chair in the bathroom, so I’m off to see if it fits in the front closet (with the washer and dryer). Nope, that is full with the pack and play and the vacuum cleaner. Oh well, again I decide I can deal with it.

Now comes the kitchen inspection to make sure we have everything we need. I keep hearing this annoying “beep” and it takes me about a minute to locate it. It seems the dishwasher was turned off with 10 minutes remaining in the cycle, and it’s beeping for attention. I reset the dishwasher and then go in search of what most certainly must be “half clean” dishes. It doesn’t take me long to find an issue. The coffee maker has something white and gooey oozing out from under the carafe, and on closer inspection has that same gooey stuff under the rim and leaking down the side of the carafe. Yuck…I need to do something about this. About this time the bell services guy has arrived at my door with the Owner’s Locker and our cold groceries. I tip him and mention that there is some sort of foreign matter leaking from our coffee maker. A few minutes later housekeeping comes with a new coffee maker and takes away the soiled one. Okay…good service there from bell services and housekeeping, but why was there an issue with it in the first place??? So now I’m putting away things in the kitchen, and it becomes painfully obvious that this kitchen isn’t going to function well for me at all. First of all…No counter space!!! The stove and sink feel like they are at my knees, and no storage under the sink. Add to that the fact that the only available drawer to use for my kitchen stuff is unable to be opened because it hits the edge of the lowered farm style sink. Okay, now that’s a design flaw that just shouldn’t happen anywhere! UNACEPTABLE!

So in my 6 trips to AKV, I have had only one that was problem free, and that was 2 nights at Concierge level a couple years ago. Our first stay in a 1 bedroom concierge level had issues way back when it opened too, but I contributed that to the newness.

Enough of my complaining for now (I’m not usually a complainer). It’s time to get ready for Wild Africa Trek, and I can’t wait!!! More later.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm sorry you have had to deal with these issues after what seemed like a perfect start to your vacation!

Enjoy your day!

Bobbi

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Oh, but what’s wrong with the kitchen? I had not stayed in a 1 bedroom at Kidani before…only 1 and 2 bedroom units at Jambo, but this layout is crazy….No counterspace, and where’s the fridge? A few seconds later I realize “oh, oh”, this is an HA unit. Again, I figure I can deal with it. Counters are a little low, and there is a tiny little dorm room type microwave that is going to be useless for doing anything other than heating up anything. The fridge is found, and it is in an awkward location between the laundry closet and the dining table.

Next I go to settle into the master bath….oops…one big huge institutional looking room that has no intrigue at all….open toilet, no drawers or shelves, small closet that is absolutely useless because it houses the high chair and safe, so no room to hang anything much in it. I decided it was strange to have the high chair in the bathroom, so I’m off to see if it fits in the front closet (with the washer and dryer). Nope, that is full with the pack and play and the vacuum cleaner. Oh well, again I decide I can deal with it.

Interesting, it must be the HA that makes your 1br so very different than a standard 2br. I wasn't a big fan of Jambo but was really surprised at how much I enjoyed Kidani this Aug. The layout of the 2br is completely different than what you describe.

Enter, 3rd bath to the left, closet with W/D to the right. Dining table, right, kitchen upper counter left. Enter kitchen, not a huge kitchen but the layout was good, fridge far right (and yes, actually inside the kitchen, what a concept), stove/upper mircowave, a bit of a counter where the coffee pot is. Face the dining room, dishwasher, sink and a decent amount of counter space. I didn't think that the kitchen supplies were as extensive as OKW, but adequate.

The MB, walk in , soak in tub right, huge shower right hand corner, nice sink area to the front with drawers and cubbies, and to the left, big closet, and a closed in toilet area to the far left corner.

I know at times you don't have a choice but I would rather not have a HA villa.

Well, enjoy your stay, the wonderful X-Mas decorations and the great weather!

 

[mckryan]

Pretty sure I know which villa you are in as my friends stayed there in November, the difference being that he requested that unit because his wife uses a wheelchair. I can see where it could be frustrating to someone that doesn't need the HA modifications. I wish that the front desk staff would assign the HA rooms as a last resort, unless someone specifically requests them.

Hope your Wild Africa Trek was good this morning!

 

[Mom B]

Diane, I'm sorry that the room isn't to your liking, but I envy you just the same! We're 30 days behind you and really getting excited for our trip with our 6 yr old grandson and his parents and 'other' grandparents. Can hardly wait! Hope you have great weather for your Trek and throughout the trip. Please keep us posted!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wild Africa trek was absolutely amazing!!! We had the most wonderful guides, Meghan and Frankie. The only negative was that no one at guest services could tell us where we had to be to check in for it. One told us to go back out and meet the guide outside. We went back out, and that wasn't the right place. That guide sent us over to the other side of the entrance. There we learned that , no we needed to be INSIDE the park, so we go back through the turnstiles, but they don't want to let us in because our tickets had already been accessed minutes earlier. We finally get inside and get the correct information about where to go. We arrive with minutes to spare, but I needed to go get a bandaid for my developing blister.

We finally got on the trek, and got fitted for our safety vests and sound equipment for the hike in the jungle. We had a little Jambo Juice and practiced on the rope bridge before starting the trek and getting to know each member. They first took us on a trail that ended at a crocadile and hippo skull trail marker. We went down to the rive near the hippos, and another animal caretaker was there with a bucket of romaine to feed the hippo. The problem is that the hippo was totally non responsive to the handler's call. It was disappointing, but what can you do....they're wild animals after all.

From the hippo exhibit, we moved to crocs. I forgot to mention that they had us cross two rope bridges prior to the hippos. I decided to go first, and it was so cool! They stop you near the end of the second bridge to take a picture of you with the crocs in the background.

At the croc exhibit, we hooked our tethers up again and hung out above the crocs. They were more active than we have seen them other times, and we spent quite a bit of time with them.

After the crocs, we trekked a bit farther through the jungle, and then took off our gear and got on an open truck. The truck was just like the ones they use for the Wanyama safari back at the Lodge. After we board the truck, we follow the regular safari route, but they stop along the road often and let us take as many pictures as we want and they talk about the animals more. When we get to the Flamingo pond, we cut across and go to the Trek outpost where they served us a magnificent little Trek lunch. I'll come back and post a few pictures later after I download them from the camera. I didn't get as many as I wanted because my battery died near the end of the trek.

After our wonderful lunch and time watching the animals from the lunch area, we got back on the truck and finished the rest of the safari track. We got to watch the lions for quite awhile, and I got some good pictures of them.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous today....High around 80 and nice and sunny. Unfortunately, while we were watching the Jingle Jungle parade, the weather cooled, and clouds rolled in. By the time we got on the last safari of the day, it started to rain. We didn't really do a lot beyond the Trek for the day. We did make a quick pass through Asia Trek, and saw Flights of Wonder and Finding Nemo the Musical before the parade.

We left the park at closing and are now sitting in our villa waiting for the oven to be done with our dinner. I found the low stove and oven to be extremely difficult to deal with, and in the case of the oven, actually dangerous for someone NOT in a wheel chair. Once again I was bemoaning about not having the OKW kitchen and it's utensils to cook with. We didn't find out until I had to take the hot pan from the oven that there were no pot holders.

 

[Mom B]

The Trek sounds fabulous! May I ask, how difficult was the walking/climbing, what kind of ability would one need to manage it? Probably not this year, as I'm only 3 months past total knee replacement, but for future reference, as I think we'd like to give this one a try...

 

[DVC Mike]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Trek. We loved it too!

 

[quirty30]

Diane, I know you're all settled in now, but why didn't you ask to be moved to a villa that wasn't HA? I know it's the first thing I would have done. And I would not have felt guilty about it. HA villas just don't work for me - I'm almost 6 feet tall and my bad back makes bending difficult and painful. I just can't handle the low countertops. It doesn't sound like it's optimal for you either. Between that and the other issues (bacon smell, coffee maker problem and incomplete dishwasher cycle) I think you should have asked to be moved. Depending on how long you're staying and how much cooking you plan to do, you might want to ask now. I understand how the ADA law works, but at the same time, like you said, there are features in those HA units that don't work for people who aren't in wheelchairs. All in all, when you look forward to your vacation so much, I just don't think it's fair to be so disappointed with your villa. You say you don't like to complain, but I think you have every right to.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The Trek sounds fabulous! May I ask, how difficult was the walking/climbing, what kind of ability would one need to manage it? Probably not this year, as I'm only 3 months past total knee replacement, but for future reference, as I think we'd like to give this one a try...

Dick is in need of two total knee replacements, and he had no trouble doing everything, but he did suffer last night. I also saw him popping Tylenol throughout the day. He told me it was worth it though!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Some pictures from our "trek".

 

[Deb & Bill]

Dick is in need of two total knee replacements, and he had no trouble doing everything, but he did suffer last night. I also saw him popping Tylenol throughout the day. He told me it was worth it though!

Diane, tell him to do it NOW! I have a great surgeon here in Louisiana if he wants to get away from the cold weather of Minnesota (he does surgery Mon, Wed, Fri and has done a lot of knees and hips). I just had my right knee done six weeks ago and I went back to work yesterday. I put the cane away last week, the walker two weeks ago. Two more weeks of PT.

I kept putting the second one off because the first one wasn't so easy (did the first one about four years ago). I thought my recovery took a long time the first time (maybe eight weeks before I went back to work part time). But the little pain I have now as part of the recovery from the surgery, is so much better than the pain of walking with bones rubbing on bones. That was miserable. I'm looking forward to my next WDW trip ( or any trip for that matter) because I will be able to walk without pain.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Diane, those are fabulous picture! Thanks for the information!

 

[Sammie]

The photos are great thanks for sharing.

 

[mckryan]

Love the pictures of the lions!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Diane, I know you're all settled in now, but why didn't you ask to be moved to a villa that wasn't HA? I know it's the first thing I would have done. And I would not have felt guilty about it. HA villas just don't work for me - I'm almost 6 feet tall and my bad back makes bending difficult and painful. I just can't handle the low countertops. It doesn't sound like it's optimal for you either. Between that and the other issues (bacon smell, coffee maker problem and incomplete dishwasher cycle) I think you should have asked to be moved. Depending on how long you're staying and how much cooking you plan to do, you might want to ask now. I understand how the ADA law works, but at the same time, like you said, there are features in those HA units that don't work for people who aren't in wheelchairs. All in all, when you look forward to your vacation so much, I just don't think it's fair to be so disappointed with your villa. You say you don't like to complain, but I think you have every right to.

I know we COULD have asked to change, but frankly, we didn't even get into our unit until 10:30 pm (our choice, not DVC's), so we decided to just deal with it. It is a bit of a hardship, but someone has to take them, I guess. Dick is 6'3", so he has more difficulty with it than I do. The bathroom isn't too much of a problem with the exception of the lack of closet and storage space. It's kind of an institutional feel to it.

To be honest, I'm not one to make a lot of waves about things that I know I can deal with if I have to.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Did the Annual Meeting today, and it was much better than past meetings we have been to. There was an actual DATE for the start of on line booking!!! If I remember correctly, it's January 19. Of course, I'm sure you all know by now that Grand Floridian Villas was announced as well.

I must say I was favorably impressed with Claire Bilby. (other than the fact that she had no idea when MMM was.)

It was a bit chilly here this morning, so we did DHS until about 11:00 when we went back to Kidani to cook our dinner and relax a bit before the meeting. Tonight we went over to MK for the parade, Magic, Memories & You and Wishes. Love watching those shows, but not fond of the crowd exit afterwards.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Love the pictures of the lions!!!

The Scimitar-horned Oryx were 'teasing' the lions by walking right on the edge of the lion exhibit. Of course, there is a deep gorge inbetween them, and the oryx know the lions can't get them The lions do take notice though! That's why they were both looking in the same direction.

 

[quirty30]

I know we COULD have asked to change, but frankly, we didn't even get into our unit until 10:30 pm (our choice, not DVC's), so we decided to just deal with it. It is a bit of a hardship, but someone has to take them, I guess. Dick is 6'3", so he has more difficulty with it than I do. The bathroom isn't too much of a problem with the exception of the lack of closet and storage space. It's kind of an institutional feel to it.

To be honest, I'm not one to make a lot of waves about things that I know I can deal with if I have to.

Well I think you are very gracious for not making a big deal of it.