AKL Kidani and AK park logistics

[k8pink]

We're staying at Kidani, savanna view, on rented points in November. This is a surprise I'm orchestrating for my husband's birthday, and will include my reveal that I'm also buying annual passes. Savanna view has been on his bucket list since he learned about them years ago.

We're local-ish, and will be driving down the morning we check in. My plan is to spend little time (few hours) at AK park before checking in at 4. I will have a few bags of groceries as well. He will know that we're staying somewhere when we leave home, because there's no way I can smuggle a suitcase into the car without him seeing me.

If you were me, would you...
A) Keep the surprise for as long as possible, only letting him know that were staying at AKL when we pull up to the resort, or
B) Stop at the resort first, drop off bags, and just pick them up and move to room when we check in at 4.
C) Or something different that I haven't thought of.

I can't decide if the convenience of not having to park again outweighs the fun of seeing his face when we pull up to the resort and are able to check in right away.

 

[LittleFishy101]

IMO, I would try and wait as long as possible before revealing where you are staying. I’m not sure how far AK is from AKL, I’m jus speaking from the idea of a surprise. Hope you end up with a good trip either way!

 

[DenLo]

Since you live localish it sounds like you sometimes or often drive to WDW and return home. If that is the case I would pretend you are going to Disney Animal Kingdom park and switch lanes to go straight to the resort and drive up and check your luggage and then park and go in have a look around. And then go to DAK in a hour or so.

 

[BillPA]

Maybe, get a reservation for dinner or just coffee and dessert at Sanaa then just go to the room after.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Drive to the park. Tell husband you need to go to the bathroom badly and maybe he should go ahead on Expedition Everest without you. Go out to your car, drive over to KV, check in and unload with Bell Services, drive back to AK and meet back up with him. He'll know something is up when your car isn't in the same space it was when you arrived. Or leave your car at KV and take the bus back to AK. Suggest you ride the bus over to KV to look around and surprise him there.

 

[sndral]

You might get lucky and the villa might be ready early if you get the room ready text early you can head to check in early. I’d be tempted to go early anyway, drop your bags and maybe go hang out over in Jambo at Victoria Springs for a drink or out by the pool at either Jambo or Kidani while you wait for the room ready text. With the savanna overlooks at both Kidani and Jambo it’s sort of nice to just wander the grounds or just chill at Kidani and/or Jambo.
AK is about 5 minutes from AKL.
Be sure to ask the member you are renting from add a request for Sunset savanna view and lower floor to your reservation for the best animal viewing from your balcony at Kidani.

 

[PrincessNelly]

I would probably go to the hotel first. Maybe set the gps to drive you AKL but tell him your going to AK. When he questions why the gps is telling them to go to AKL... Surprise! Then you can ask if he wants to break in his new annual pass by going over to AK! Even on rented points, you can and may get a room before 4.

Btw we adore Kidani!

 

[1971DBday]

You could also plan a late lunch there and sneak off to the “ bathroom” but check and see if the room is ready.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd put in for an early arrival at the resort and cross my fingers that the text arrives before you do! Kidani is large so I think the odds are decent to have it happen. If it doesn't happen then I think I'd still go right to the resort.