AKL vs WL vs Kidani

[Lesley Wake]

So, I'm seriously considering a March long weekend trip (I have my AP until April and want to see Flower & Garden plus Disney After Hours). I have a couple resort options and was hoping to flesh them out with more people. I think I want to make this a relaxing low-key trip, so may spend more time at resort and want to try out a Deluxe. It will either be a solo trip or maybe my sister will come too. I am considering the following options:

Wilderness Lodge
-Was able to book a standard room for $1800 total (4 nights). Unfortunately no availability with the RO discount that was just released. Also it would have only be 10%. Doubtful there will be availability with an AP discount.
Pros:
-Close to Magic Kingdom, where I/we likely will have 2 evenings.
-Boat transport; everytime I took the boats during my last trip I found it very relaxing and loved it!
Cons:
-Price more than the other options.

Animal Kingdom Lodge
-There is a pool view room with the RO discount available for $1600 total. Maybe I'll be able to get the AP discount which could bring that down about another $80. No standard views were available, but if one opens up I could reduce cost more, plus have the possibility of requesting a partial savanah view.
Pros
-Price lower
-Loved AKL when we visited for brunch
Cons
-Farther away from MK, so longer bus travel time on those nights.
-Pool view could have noisy kids?

Kidani Studio Villa
-I checked on DVC rentals and they were able to find one available at Kidani for $1200. It would be a studio/standard view. I don't know if it's still available but can check again.
Pros
-Lowest price
Cons
-Have to walk to Jambo House for The Mara, as I don't plan on making food in the room and don't like Indian, so Sanaa is out.
-If sister came she'd be on a fold out couch.
-Farther away from MK
-Can't cancel once I book.

What do people think?

 

[rwdavis2]

I would not even consider the extra bus time as a problem. You may be talking about 5-10 minutes? Having stayed at AKL and WL I would picjk AKL every time.

 

[cmoliver5]

We just got back fro Kidani and it was wonderful! That being said if you need QS you will be a bit SOL. Also, while I love Kidani, the wings are crazy long so you could have a hike out to your room potentially.

That being said I would go for AKL and save the money over WL.

 

[mousehockey37]

There's a shuttle van that runs back and forth between Kidani and Jambo. No walk required.

 

[cmoliver5]

There's a shuttle van that runs back and forth between Kidani and Jambo. No walk required.

Ahh yes that’s true. I totally forgot, which is funny because we used it one night to go to Jiko

 

[Lesley Wake]

I would not even consider the extra bus time as a problem. You may be talking about 5-10 minutes? Having stayed at AKL and WL I would picjk AKL every time.

Thanks! I'm thinking I'll switch to AKL. I figure in the future, for a longer trip, maybe it'll be better to go with WL when it'll actually save money! The discounts this spring are only 10% WL and 25% AKL!

 

[Disneyhenry]

Kindani - awesome pool! Quiet resort but yeah the pull out bed sucks I slept in it when my son was 2
AKL - so pretty, I don't think the pool will be loud
WL - every thing is amazing!!!

Have fun

 

[MainMom]

We had a pool view room at AKL and we did not hear the noise at all. The sliding doors really blocked it out. I loved sitting on my balcony with that view.

 

[DJFan88]

Jambo House!!!! (Sorry, yes you can take a shuttle, but IMO Kidani doesn't even compare, no great Lobby, QS, etc.,)

 

[Lesley Wake]

I decided to switch! I'm now super excited about enjoying AKL!

 

[oceanmarina]

Having stayed at Kidani once (loved it) and WL four times, you can't go wrong with either. I I Think the bus issue is marginal , it's only 10 more minutes of a ride I believe. Yes you won't have the boat option at WL and you will have more food options at WL (although the redo at roaring forks at WL was terrible). There is a shuttle to Jambo so getting to their quick service is no problem.

For 600$ less and to have a studio seems like the best deal so I would go with Kidani.

Good luck with whatever you go with and let us know what you decide

 

[Lesley Wake]

Having stayed at Kidani once (loved it) and WL four times, you can't go wrong with either. I I Think the bus issue is marginal , it's only 10 more minutes of a ride I believe. Yes you won't have the boat option at WL and you will have more food options at WL (although the redo at roaring forks at WL was terrible). There is a shuttle to Jambo so getting to their quick service is no problem.

For 600$ less and to have a studio seems like the best deal so I would go with Kidani.

Good luck with whatever you go with and let us know what you decide

I'm going with Jambo House. Kidani would probably be fine if it was just myself and I was ok with making food and 100% set in my plans. But if my sister does end up coming she wouldn't exactly like sleeping on the sofa bed. And I also don't like the idea of giving up control and being locked into a reservation. At this point I'm 95% certain I'm going, but I would need to pay an extra $175 to make it refundable/changeable. And I also want the convenience of the Mara just downstairs not a decent walk or shuttle away!

So right now I have a pool view at Jambo. I am still searching and if a cheaper standard at AKL or WL comes up I'll jump on it!

 

[DJFan88]

If you don't end up with a savannahs view, as you enter the lobby at the end on the left, on the same level, (this would now be to the right of the check in people)is a outer staircase with a great circleish sitting area facing the savannah with rocking chairs I would sit and enjoy my morning coffee sitting at. There was hardly ever anyone ever sitting there, either, and if they did it was a quick look. Great place to soak up the atmosphere to start your day.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

There are lots of public places at AKL to enjoy the animals. We had a pool view room last year. It wasn't noisy at all.

 

[gillep]

I'm going with Jambo House. Kidani would probably be fine if it was just myself and I was ok with making food and 100% set in my plans. But if my sister does end up coming she wouldn't exactly like sleeping on the sofa bed. And I also don't like the idea of giving up control and being locked into a reservation. At this point I'm 95% certain I'm going, but I would need to pay an extra $175 to make it refundable/changeable. And I also want the convenience of the Mara just downstairs not a decent walk or shuttle away!

So right now I have a pool view at Jambo. I am still searching and if a cheaper standard at AKL or WL comes up I'll jump on it!

Have a great stay!!!! I think you made a great choice, Jambo House is beautiful, my favorite resort. We have stayed pool view a couple times, and with the slider closed, you don't hear the pool noise. You are also doing your sister a great service, my husband and I stayed for a week on one of the Kidani fold out sofa beds, and it was not what I would ever refer to as comfortable!