Kidani....how I would love to hate you!! - The DIS Discussion Forums

LimoFam5 · 10-20-2009, 06:57 PM

Currently we are staying at Kidani we are staying in a one bedroom savanna view room. The view is amazing but let me run down my last few days here at hell with a heavenly view.....
Checked in Satuday to our supposed one bedroom savannah view room and were unhapply surprised to find that our room had no more then a view of a few wild pigs....boar if you want to be fancy and a uncovered chain linked fence. Right away I ran five corridors back to the lobby and asked if this room I was given was a REAL actuall factual savanna view, they said yes and I explained my dissapointment. This is NO way worth what I am using in DVC points, so I was moved....good right?????
WRONG, I was moved to a room that is a bit closer to the lobby on the 3rd floor has a GREAT view of the savanna and we walk in and BAMMMMM it hits me, *** is that smell???? OMG it smells like the previous guest spilled something into the carpet and left it ther to die, I once again complained and was told that maybe it was a smell left from housekeeping and I should give the room a chance to air out, OK so I know this was not the smell but WHATEVER I was tired of complaining and I just wanted to change and hit the pool. So SUNDAY morning and the smell is still there so I call housekeeping and they come up to spray the room, housekeeper says OMG what is that smell that is horrible and I say I HAVE NO CLUE?????? She sprays the room and we are on our way. We come back and wouldnt you know it that smell is back, so I call housekeeping again monday morning and they spray once more and again we are on our way, but wait we get back monday night at 10pm and the smell is back, so tired and stressed to my witts end of all this drama I call the front desk and demand to be moved, we get moved and the room location is on the 2nd floor and the view is just as great. So I lay my head down and finally fall asleep at 12am.............then *** is that noice...drilling....is that really a drill, and do I hear hammers????? What time is it.......OMG it is 8am, you have got to be kidding me. I call the front desk and sure enought they are doing some resort upgrades to the uderground garage right under the 2nd floor and they will be working throughout the undergroud parking lot all october from the hours 9am-5pm.......I could scream I cant take this anymore, this resort is really not worth all this. Dont get me wrong the rooms are great and views are one of a kinds but all this other nonsense just takes away from the resort.
I currectly have DVC points in Saratoga and AK and I would love to trade in my AK points for all Saratoga......NO need for home resort priority here as I NEVER was to return..........at least anytime soon.

Oh but the bus system from this resort is good and the pool and kiddie area rocks.

noahdove · 10-20-2009, 08:22 PM

ooo, so sorry to hear about all of the problems...

Singinglizzie · 10-20-2009, 08:33 PM

OMG - I can see why you would be unhappy. I would write a letter to the powers that be and let them know about your experience. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, but I hope you still had a good time at Disney!

dgaston · 10-20-2009, 09:48 PM

Your first room was on the Pembe Savanna. Some people would be delighted to stay there and view the red river hogs and the 2 okapi (one is pregnant), plus the other unique animals. I think a lot of people expect only the Zebra and Giraffe on their savanna.

We stayed at Kidani in Sept. We were in 7734 (a dedicated 2 br far far from the lobby) and mostly saw ankole cattle, except when the giraffe were enticed with banana leaves in the browse box. It was still wonderful.

Sorry about the smell. No idea what that was. We really like the Kidani pool -- in fact prefer it to Uzima.

LimoFam5 · 10-20-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgaston

Your first room was on the Pembe Savanna. Some people would be delighted to stay there and view the red river hogs and the 2 okapi (one is pregnant), plus the other unique animals. I think a lot of people expect only the Zebra and Giraffe on their savanna.

We stayed at Kidani in Sept. We were in 7534 (a dedicated 2 br far far from the lobby) and mostly saw ankole cattle, except when the giraffe were enticed with banana leaves in the browse box. It was still wonderful.

Sorry about the smell. No idea what that was. We really like the Kidani pool -- in fact prefer it to Uzima.

Well to be honest I think what ruined the viewing of those animals was the fact that I could see the barrier of the chain link fence that was bare and had no green grown around it.

scot@dvcstore · 10-22-2009, 06:40 PM

Sorry to hear your vacation was not what you anticipated. Very curious as to what the smell was.

daisyduck123 · 10-22-2009, 08:37 PM

Sorry you had such horrible luck with rooms this trip.

We stayed in room 7330 in July & it was absolutely fantastic...right in the middle of the savannah, no bad smells, & no construction noise.

sixcats · 10-22-2009, 09:32 PM

We stayed in a room overlooking the boar in July. When we first went to the room and I saw the fencing, I was also disappointed. It did turn out to be a great room. We watched the boar playing and many other animals throughout different times of day.

One thing I've learned over the years that we have stayed at AKL is to not judge the view at a glance. Sometimes we see the fences or animal barns and think that it will ruin the themeing. Each time we have had amazing animal experiences at different times of day. One that I thought was a real dud surprised us with late night views of five giraffes. We learned that theey all have names because one refused to go in and they were calling him in whispers for a while.

I can sympathize with the construction noise. We had one room overlooking construction. I was promised that they didn't start before 9 am. The next morning at 7 am they started and we were moved when I complained.

mdinme · 10-22-2009, 09:40 PM

If our happiness hinges on weather or not we see a bit of bare chain link from our balconies than we may be just a touch hard to please. Now the SMELL is a different matter... That is not tolerable.

FWIW I called on the day of the 7 month window and all non-Sav View 1BD at Kidani were booked. Everyone wants the lower point rooms it seems so the rest trickles from there.

LimoFam5 · 10-23-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdinme

If our happiness hinges on weather or not we see a bit of bare chain link from our balconies than we may be just a touch hard to please. Now the SMELL is a different matter... That is not tolerable.

FWIW I called on the day of the 7 month window and all non-Sav View 1BD at Kidani were booked. Everyone wants the lower point rooms it seems so the rest trickles from there.

No at all hard to please, just know the differnce between a good thing and a bad. If something is not to my liking I speak up and I am usually right. In this case the hotel GM later called me and apoligized for the view saying that is has been noted and this room will now be a randomly given room and not a SV points room, at least until more green can fill in the FULL wall of chain link fence.
Because of me speaking up I was given back every single point I spent at Kidani, among other special accomidations.

MickeyNicki · 10-23-2009, 12:42 PM

We had a similiar problem last Oct at the AKL..we booked a CL room and they gave us a handicap room, the bathroom was huge and the rest of the room was soo freaking small...they could not move us as they said there were no other CL savanah rooms available

Then the ac was not cooling and they said the resort is a green resort with no over ride switch and the room only gets cold when there is moving around going on in the unit so at night when we are sleeping the room was hot.

Again they could not do anything about it

We had 2 reservations for the CL, each with different discount codes but the CM's in the lounge said we could stay in the same room...problem was they never told the housekeepers and they kept bothering us all morning as we were trying to sleep (we had to be up at 5:30 am to meet in the lounge at 6am for the Sunrise Safari so at 11 am we came back to nap!) we had the Do Not Disturb sign on the door but they kept on trying to come in the room!

Not to mention that housekeepers were not the best, the lobby was always super loud and we were close to it so we could hear everything!

For weeks before we arrived I was in constant correspondance with the IPO's CM's and they assured me there was no construction going on in the location they were to put us.

Well guess what? We had a killer view but they had painting trucks and workers out at 8am to 5 pm every single day and it did block out view a few times but worse than that is they woke us up all the time!

And to top it off they were painting the enterior hall ways and that was a pain in the rump and the room smelled like paint fumes

AND THEY SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN, Sorry we cannot move you....and made no bones about a rebate or a free cocktail at the bar for the inconvenience!

So needless to say DH is adamant about not going back to the AKL.

Ms. Belle · 10-23-2009, 03:52 PM

Hi, just a question, I've heard people say this before. Can you request to be moved to a different resort? Will Disney do that?

Magic3forme · 10-23-2009, 04:32 PM

we stayed at AKL years ago and I requested a certain room. We got a room with the view of the cages in the back. I was soo disappointed, luckily we were able to switch rooms and got a much better room with an awesome view of the savannah! we had a lot of problems with long lines for buses etc.

sorry about the smell. I would definitely write a letter.

Lynne M · 10-23-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms. Belle

Hi, just a question, I've heard people say this before. Can you request to be moved to a different resort? Will Disney do that?

You can, if there's availability. You may or may not be able to keep any discounts that you had on the original reservation.

kendzee94 · 10-23-2009, 10:23 PM

Wow, sorry about the horribly smelling room. We stayed at Kidani in a 2BR dedicated in early Sept and were a little annoyed because they would not allow us in the room because our carpets were still wet at 3:00 and we had ADR's at LTT at 4:05. I guess I'll stop complaining that our room wasn't ready, because we could have had it worse. Hopefully you'll have better luck next time. I think it can be tricky staying at the new resorts when they are still working on them, because they still have to finish up the misc. stuff.

10-20-2009, 06:57 PM	#1
LimoFam5 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sunny southern California, but most of the time we are at Disneyland. Posts: 125	Kidani....how I would love to hate you!! Currently we are staying at Kidani we are staying in a one bedroom savanna view room. The view is amazing but let me run down my last few days here at hell with a heavenly view..... Checked in Satuday to our supposed one bedroom savannah view room and were unhapply surprised to find that our room had no more then a view of a few wild pigs....boar if you want to be fancy and a uncovered chain linked fence. Right away I ran five corridors back to the lobby and asked if this room I was given was a REAL actuall factual savanna view, they said yes and I explained my dissapointment. This is NO way worth what I am using in DVC points, so I was moved....good right????? WRONG, I was moved to a room that is a bit closer to the lobby on the 3rd floor has a GREAT view of the savanna and we walk in and BAMMMMM it hits me, * is that smell???? OMG it smells like the previous guest spilled something into the carpet and left it ther to die, I once again complained and was told that maybe it was a smell left from housekeeping and I should give the room a chance to air out, OK so I know this was not the smell but WHATEVER I was tired of complaining and I just wanted to change and hit the pool. So SUNDAY morning and the smell is still there so I call housekeeping and they come up to spray the room, housekeeper says OMG what is that smell that is horrible and I say I HAVE NO CLUE?????? She sprays the room and we are on our way. We come back and wouldnt you know it that smell is back, so I call housekeeping again monday morning and they spray once more and again we are on our way, but wait we get back monday night at 10pm and the smell is back, so tired and stressed to my witts end of all this drama I call the front desk and demand to be moved, we get moved and the room location is on the 2nd floor and the view is just as great. So I lay my head down and finally fall asleep at 12am.............then * is that noice...drilling....is that really a drill, and do I hear hammers????? What time is it.......OMG it is 8am, you have got to be kidding me. I call the front desk and sure enought they are doing some resort upgrades to the uderground garage right under the 2nd floor and they will be working throughout the undergroud parking lot all october from the hours 9am-5pm.......I could scream I cant take this anymore, this resort is really not worth all this. Dont get me wrong the rooms are great and views are one of a kinds but all this other nonsense just takes away from the resort. I currectly have DVC points in Saratoga and AK and I would love to trade in my AK points for all Saratoga......NO need for home resort priority here as I NEVER was to return..........at least anytime soon. Oh but the bus system from this resort is good and the pool and kiddie area rocks. __________________ Our Upcoming Disney Adventure, because there is no such thing as 2 much Vacation, or 2 much fun!

10-20-2009, 08:22 PM	#2
noahdove DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Finger Lakes region of NY Posts: 3,088	ooo, so sorry to hear about all of the problems... __________________ God Bless You,Marilyn

10-20-2009, 08:33 PM	#3
Singinglizzie DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,387	OMG - I can see why you would be unhappy. I would write a letter to the powers that be and let them know about your experience. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, but I hope you still had a good time at Disney! __________________ Poly, OKW & AKL 2009

10-20-2009, 09:48 PM	#4
dgaston Proudly wears a "Believes in Fairies" t-shirt Join Date: May 2001 Location: South Woodstock, CT Posts: 4,706	Your first room was on the Pembe Savanna. Some people would be delighted to stay there and view the red river hogs and the 2 okapi (one is pregnant), plus the other unique animals. I think a lot of people expect only the Zebra and Giraffe on their savanna. We stayed at Kidani in Sept. We were in 7734 (a dedicated 2 br far far from the lobby) and mostly saw ankole cattle, except when the giraffe were enticed with banana leaves in the browse box. It was still wonderful. Sorry about the smell. No idea what that was. We really like the Kidani pool -- in fact prefer it to Uzima. __________________ Debbie Many stays on and off site: hotels, condos, tents, pop-up, cabin, pool homes and DVC Trip # 40 AKV Concierge! Last edited by dgaston; 10-21-2009 at 11:04 PM.

10-22-2009, 08:37 PM	#7
daisyduck123 I just love those parmesan mashed potatoes at Chef Mickey's! I don't know how to cut & paste Disney has made my family & I "park snobs" Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 9,697	Sorry you had such horrible luck with rooms this trip. We stayed in room 7330 in July & it was absolutely fantastic...right in the middle of the savannah, no bad smells, & no construction noise. __________________ July 2010 BCV/BLT July 2009 BCV/AKV Jan. 2009 CBR/SSR July 2008 AKV/BCV Dec. 2007 AKV Aug 2007 Dolphin/BCV May 2007 SSR May 2006 CBR Jan 2006 Pop CenturyMay 2005 Pop Century May 2004 Pop Century Dec 1976 Off Site

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10-22-2009, 06:40 PM	#6
scot@dvcstore Saratoga Springs Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 319	Sorry to hear your vacation was not what you anticipated. Very curious as to what the smell was.

10-22-2009, 09:32 PM	#8
sixcats DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Long Island Posts: 764	We stayed in a room overlooking the boar in July. When we first went to the room and I saw the fencing, I was also disappointed. It did turn out to be a great room. We watched the boar playing and many other animals throughout different times of day. One thing I've learned over the years that we have stayed at AKL is to not judge the view at a glance. Sometimes we see the fences or animal barns and think that it will ruin the themeing. Each time we have had amazing animal experiences at different times of day. One that I thought was a real dud surprised us with late night views of five giraffes. We learned that theey all have names because one refused to go in and they were calling him in whispers for a while. I can sympathize with the construction noise. We had one room overlooking construction. I was promised that they didn't start before 9 am. The next morning at 7 am they started and we were moved when I complained. __________________ Debbie

10-22-2009, 09:40 PM	#9
mdinme Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 249	If our happiness hinges on weather or not we see a bit of bare chain link from our balconies than we may be just a touch hard to please. Now the SMELL is a different matter... That is not tolerable. FWIW I called on the day of the 7 month window and all non-Sav View 1BD at Kidani were booked. Everyone wants the lower point rooms it seems so the rest trickles from there. __________________ Nov 2007: Mystic Dunes Jan 2009: Horizons Jan 2010: Kidani Savannah Aug 2010: BWV/BCV split stay ME DW DS11 DD8

10-23-2009, 12:42 PM	#11
MickeyNicki It is pretty darn sad when a valet picks you out as a big Boma eater Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Naples Florida Posts: 16,819	We had a similiar problem last Oct at the AKL..we booked a CL room and they gave us a handicap room, the bathroom was huge and the rest of the room was soo freaking small...they could not move us as they said there were no other CL savanah rooms available Then the ac was not cooling and they said the resort is a green resort with no over ride switch and the room only gets cold when there is moving around going on in the unit so at night when we are sleeping the room was hot. Again they could not do anything about it We had 2 reservations for the CL, each with different discount codes but the CM's in the lounge said we could stay in the same room...problem was they never told the housekeepers and they kept bothering us all morning as we were trying to sleep (we had to be up at 5:30 am to meet in the lounge at 6am for the Sunrise Safari so at 11 am we came back to nap!) we had the Do Not Disturb sign on the door but they kept on trying to come in the room! Not to mention that housekeepers were not the best, the lobby was always super loud and we were close to it so we could hear everything! For weeks before we arrived I was in constant correspondance with the IPO's CM's and they assured me there was no construction going on in the location they were to put us. Well guess what? We had a killer view but they had painting trucks and workers out at 8am to 5 pm every single day and it did block out view a few times but worse than that is they woke us up all the time! And to top it off they were painting the enterior hall ways and that was a pain in the rump and the room smelled like paint fumes AND THEY SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN, Sorry we cannot move you....and made no bones about a rebate or a free cocktail at the bar for the inconvenience! So needless to say DH is adamant about not going back to the AKL. __________________ November 2009 Dining Reviews October 2009 Live Dining Reviews F&W time! August 2009 Live Dining Reviews June 2009 Live Dining Reviews March 2009 Live Dining Reviews January 2009 Live Dining Reviews..with KIDS! October 2008 Live Dining Reviews August 2008 Live Dining Reviews June 2008 Dining Reviews! March/April 2008 Live Reviews

10-23-2009, 03:52 PM	#12
Ms. Belle Today is my Unbirthday! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 370	Hi, just a question, I've heard people say this before. Can you request to be moved to a different resort? Will Disney do that?

10-23-2009, 04:32 PM	#13
Magic3forme closer to the Mouse!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,182	we stayed at AKL years ago and I requested a certain room. We got a room with the view of the cages in the back. I was soo disappointed, luckily we were able to switch rooms and got a much better room with an awesome view of the savannah! we had a lot of problems with long lines for buses etc. sorry about the smell. I would definitely write a letter. __________________ ~Val & family Dec 4, 2010 4th family cruise 8th Annual family trip to WDW 11/20/09 Polynesian and the Christmas party too Double Dip 9-27-08 Awesome!

10-23-2009, 10:23 PM	#15
kendzee94 Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 253	Wow, sorry about the horribly smelling room. We stayed at Kidani in a 2BR dedicated in early Sept and were a little annoyed because they would not allow us in the room because our carpets were still wet at 3:00 and we had ADR's at LTT at 4:05. I guess I'll stop complaining that our room wasn't ready, because we could have had it worse. Hopefully you'll have better luck next time. I think it can be tricky staying at the new resorts when they are still working on them, because they still have to finish up the misc. stuff. __________________ DVC member since September 2006

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