Akl - Kindani stay?

[anbouk]

We are contemplating our first AKL stay as DVC members. Would you recommend the Kidani vs Jambo? Also, worth it for the extra points for a Savannah view vs Standard,? Does Kidani have Conceirge? Pls link me to the AKL Resorts thread...I couldn't locate it. Thanks so excited

 

[helenk]

Kidani does not have concierge that is only available in Jambo.
I am anxious to stay in Kidani since its so new, and we are booked there for our stay coming up this Saturday. But for my solo trip in Dec I booked in Jambo since I'll be travelling solo and in a studio. This way I'll have a quicker access to Mara.
You need to keep in consideration that Kidani does not have a counter service restaurant.
Using the points for a savannah view to me is worth it, but everyone is different. There are plenty of areas through out the resort to view the animals if your room does not have a savannah view.
If I were trying to conserve points I would opt for a value or a standard view.

 

[tecodis]

We are contemplating our first AKL stay as DVC members. Would you recommend the Kidani vs Jambo? Also, worth it for the extra points for a Savannah view vs Standard,? Does Kidani have Conceirge? Pls link me to the AKL Resorts thread...I couldn't locate it. Thanks so excited

Here's my thoughts on Kidani.

I stayed there in late May and had a savanna view 1br. I love the size of the rooms and the fact that you get a second full bathroom in them. The living room is quite large and, of course, everything is brand spanking new. The master bath is also larger than any other DVC resort. I also enjoyed the use of a parking garage. This was highly convenient during the week of rain while there.

One of the drawbacks of Kidani for me is the lack of dining options. I wasn't interested in Sanaa so I had to leave the resort every time I wanted to eat out.

As for standard or savanna view - I would not bother using the extra points for the savanna view next time. I had stayed at AKL several times before and frankly, I'm over the savanna. If you've never stayed with that view, then YES definitely try it. The animals area neat to see (especially with little ones) but the truth is they are pretty boring most of the day. They basically lay around or graze/eat all day. I would be perfectly satisfied with a standard view. Might be a few standard locations that would be less than desirable but it is cheaper points nonetheless.

I have not stayed at Jambo as DVC yet. They do have both value and concierge rooms unlike Kidani which could be a draw. I stayed AKL concierge many years ago and did enjoy it (and paid big bucks for it). It's alot of points as DVC but again, if you have never stayed concierge before, using points is a great way to try it.

I have a value Jambo 1br later this year to I look forward to see how different it is from a regular size villa. It's cheap in points so I will take it all with a grain of salt. I'm expecting that a standard Kidani villa will be a nice choice for me between wanting a nice size villa and conserving some points.

If you have any other questions about Kidani, let me know.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Right now, there's an excellent picture/trip report thread on Kidani
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2197305

When I want to conserve points, I go for the value room at Jambo. We've been in studios and 1 bedroom values, and the stays have been fine. Most of the time, I go with a savannah view.

Bobbi

 

[Deb & Bill]

My question could probably be answered by LisaS (resident AKV expert ). In Kidani Village, are all the savanna view rooms on the inside of the resort OR are some of them on the outer side of the resort? I guess I am asking if more than 50% of the Kidani villas are savanna.

 

[LisaS]

My question could probably be answered by LisaS (resident AKV expert ). In Kidani Village, are all the savanna view rooms on the inside of the resort OR are some of them on the outer side of the resort? I guess I am asking if more than 50% of the Kidani villas are savanna.

There will be some savanna view rooms on the outer side in Phase 2. The Pembe Savanna is on the outer side at the end of the north wing. I'm not sure how far it extends -- maybe all the way to the pool area or maybe just the last three building segments at the end of the north wing.

I think I read somewhere that 80% of AKV's rooms will be savanna view. I don't know the breakdown by building however.

ETA: This is one of the original drawings of Kidani and it is not accurate. The three building segments at the end of the south wing are only one villa deep (savanna view rooms only, no standard view rooms). So the number of standard view rooms in Kidani is less that what you would think from looking at this drawing.

 

[anbouk]

WOW...thanks for all these excellent pointers! We will be travelling with three young kids so dining options would be more important than savannah view. I may consider the jambo again. Didn't realize Kidani is so ltd. with food options.

 

[Jaylin]

Just a quick question that I think can be answered here....what is the difference between a value accommodation and a standard view. Is there a reason why AKV look to be so much cheaper (points) than the rest of the villas?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just a quick question that I think can be answered here....what is the difference between a value accommodation and a standard view. Is there a reason why AKV look to be so much cheaper (points) than the rest of the villas?

Value villas are only located in Jambo House and are not as big as the Standard or Savanna view rooms. One bedroom value only sleeps four, no sleeper chair. Two bedroom value only sleeps eight. Value villas could be savanna, pool or parking lot view.

Standard view at Jambo House is pool. At Kidani Village, could be pool or parking lot.

Just like AKL doesn't cost as much as BC/YC/etc, the villas don't require as many points. Probably to make up for the remoteness of the resort. Most deluxe resorts have direct access to a theme park. At AKL/AKV, you have to take a bus to get anywhere.

 

[LisaS]

Just a quick question that I think can be answered here....what is the difference between a value accommodation and a standard view. Is there a reason why AKV look to be so much cheaper (points) than the rest of the villas?

The Value rooms are smaller (about 3 feet shorter) and the occupancy is lower. The Value 1BRs sleep 4 instead of 5 and the 2BRs sleep 8 instead of 9 because the Value 1BR/2BRs do not have the sleeper chair that the other AKV 1BR/2BRs have. Only Jambo House has Value rooms. They run along the front of the resort (Giraffe and Ostrich trails) and have views of the pool, the Sunset Savanna or the parking lot.

Standard View rooms have a view of a pool, garden or parking lot so that is why they are cheaper than the Savanna View rooms. In Jambo House all of the Standard View rooms face the pool area, though some rooms have quite a few trees blocking the view.

 

[tecodis]

Value villas are only located in Jambo House and are not as big as the Standard or Savanna view rooms. One bedroom value only sleeps four, no sleeper chair. Two bedroom value only sleeps eight. Value villas could be savanna, pool or parking lot view.

Standard view at Jambo House is pool. At Kidani Village, could be pool or parking lot.

Just like AKL doesn't cost as much as BC/YC/etc, the villas don't require as many points. Probably to make up for the remoteness of the resort. Most deluxe resorts have direct access to a theme park. At AKL/AKV, you have to take a bus to get anywhere.

Anyone seen floor plans of the value vs standard size villas?

 

[LisaS]

Anyone seen floor plans of the value vs standard size villas?

These show where the size differences are between the Value and Jambo House non-Value Master Bedroom, Living Area and Studio. One thing they do not show is that the balconies of the non-Values are also deeper than the balconies of the Value rooms.