AKV - a bit confused - UPDATED, post 12

[Disney Dreams]

Hi All,

So we have stayed at AKL/V twice. We once stayed Concierge at AKL paying cash. We then stayed another time with a split visit between AKL Concierge and AKV, paying cash again.

We are now DCV owners at AKV and are going "home" for the first time.

When we stayed previously at AKV (during the split stay), we had a studio on a savannah at Kidani. it was wonderful.

So now we have booked a Studio, Savannah view at Kidani using DVC points. Are there variations of what this means? Are there various savannas? Is there anything that we should be putting as a request on our reservation that we are not aware of as this is our first time booking at Kidani and our first time using Points at WDW.

Oh, if it matters, it's just me and DH.

Thank you,
Dreams

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you have a savannah view studio at Kidani, there are 2 savannahs that you could be facing, the Sunset and the Pembe. If you have a preference, that would be one request.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The Pembe Savannah has Okapi on it but not Giraffe or Zebra. Sunset has Giraffe and Zebra but not Okapi if you have a preference.

 

[Dean]

Hi All,

So we have stayed at AKL/V twice. We once stayed Concierge at AKL paying cash. We then stayed another time with a split visit between AKL Concierge and AKV, paying cash again.

We are now DCV owners at AKV and are going "home" for the first time.

When we stayed previously at AKV (during the split stay), we had a studio on a savannah at Kidani. it was wonderful.

So now we have booked a Studio, Savannah view at Kidani using DVC points. Are there variations of what this means? Are there various savannas? Is there anything that we should be putting as a request on our reservation that we are not aware of as this is our first time booking at Kidani and our first time using Points at WDW.

Oh, if it matters, it's just me and DH.

Thank you,
Dreams

I'm sure you know about not getting daily housekeeping. Others have given you info about the various savannah options. I'd also suggest you NOT ask for a higher floor at AKV, the tree canopy's may obstruct your view. Also, Kidani can be quite a walk to your room if you're on the end. If you'll have a car and use it, this is not as bad, if you do not have a car, it can be a very LONG walk, esp if you have the refillable mugs.

 

[DebbieB]

If you do not have a car, I would request close to bus stop, the halls are very long.

 

[drusba]

About 75% of all savanna view rooms at Kidani face the Sunset savanna which has giraffes; Pembe, the one to the N/NE does not and thus if you want to see giraffes you may want to request the Sunset savanna view.

At Kidani, the DVC rooms are on all floors, 2 to 5. Since you have had the high floor view at Jambo, you might want to request lower floor to see animals on a more direct sight line which many prefer.

One thing you may also want consider is a request that puts you near main amenities, like close to lobby, close to community hall, close to bus stop. In fact you may want to make that your no. 1 request since they try to meet them in order given. The reason: the rooms at the end of the wings are about 1/3 mile from the lobby, a five minute or longer walk from the lobby normal adult pace and much longer with little ones, who, when returning from a long day at a park, are likely to demand to be carried before you get even halfway to the room. Note, if you have a car, parking is ideal, under the building, with elevators along the wings which means you can always park somewhere close to your room no matter where it is.

The Kidani studios are about the same size as the Jambo studios but be aware that the bathroom has a design difference. At Kidani the shower/tub is next to bathroom sink area rather than in the room with the toilet and thus anyone using the sink can see anyone in the shower.

 

[akl-fan]

If you do not have a car, I would request close to bus stop, the halls are very long.

This

 

[Disney Dreams]

THANK YOU all so very much. You have each answered my question with valuable info and insights and have helped. DH and I took your comments and were looking at a map of the resort today.

Does this sound like we are making the correct choice based on our needs / wants?

We are a little torn between having the quick service restaurant conveniently located and being at Kidani where there are just more animals and the nice viewing area with the rocking chairs. That said:

I LOVE giraffes. I have various issues that limit my use of stairs. We have no kids. So...

Kidani, Sunset savannah, 2nd or 3rd floor, near an elevator.

Sound good? Overlooking something? Making an error based on a misunderstanding? Would love your feedback.

Thanks again,
Dreams (and DH)

 

[hakepb]

Near elevator and near lobby/bus can be completely different

Near elevator is great if you have a car and use it most of the time, because the elevator can take you down to your car. But there are many elevators and Kidani's hallways are super long, so near elevator may mean a longer walk to the lobby than the farthest room at Jambo is to Jambo's lobby.

 

[Sammie]

I will say this, at Kidani we found that if you are close to the lobby you don't see as many animals. Next time I am going for Jambo, we saw more animals there the last time and loved being close to the quick service food.

 

[Dean]

THANK YOU all so very much. You have each answered my question with valuable info and insights and have helped. DH and I took your comments and were looking at a map of the resort today.

Does this sound like we are making the correct choice based on our needs / wants?

We are a little torn between having the quick service restaurant conveniently located and being at Kidani where there are just more animals and the nice viewing area with the rocking chairs. That said:

I LOVE giraffes. I have various issues that limit my use of stairs. We have no kids. So...

Kidani, Sunset savannah, 2nd or 3rd floor, near an elevator.

Sound good? Overlooking something? Making an error based on a misunderstanding? Would love your feedback.

Thanks again,
Dreams (and DH)

As noted, you could still be a ways away from the lobby but near an elevator. If you'll have a car AND USE IT ROUTINELY, those choices are not bad though. Otherwise I'd suggest near the lobby would be better and that will cover the elevator issue secondarily.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Does this sound like we are making the correct choice based on our needs / wants?

We are a little torn between having the quick service restaurant conveniently located and being at Kidani where there are just more animals and the nice viewing area with the rocking chairs. That said:

I LOVE giraffes. I have various issues that limit my use of stairs. We have no kids. So...

Kidani, Sunset savannah, 2nd or 3rd floor, near an elevator.

Sound good? Overlooking something? Making an error based on a misunderstanding? Would love your feedback.

Thanks again,
Dreams (and DH)

I will say this, at Kidani we found that if you are close to the lobby you don't see as many animals. Next time I am going for Jambo, we saw more animals there the last time and loved being close to the quick service food.

Interesting. That's the exact opposite of our experiences. I wonder if things changed in the last two years? We were there in 2010 and saw TONS of animals at Kidani near the lobby, WAY more than we saw in 2008 at Jambo.

Near elevator and near lobby/bus can be completely different...

As noted, you could still be a ways away from the lobby but near an elevator....

Okay, I got the elevator / lobby thing confused for sure. Thank you all for helping me understand better. Gotta love DISBoarders!

So, our keep factors for our request: We LOVE giraffes, have no kids, want to limit stairs as well as potentially really long walks and will not have a car.

Given that:
Kidani, Sunset savannah, near the lobby, 2nd or 3rd floor.

How's that?

Thank you again,
Dreams

 

[HayGan]

Interesting. That's the exact opposite of our experiences. I wonder if things changed in the last two years? We were there in 2010 and saw TONS of animals at Kidani near the lobby, WAY more than we saw in 2008 at Jambo.

I completely agree with you. We have stayed a total of 25 nights at Kidani since 2009 and we have always found there to be tons of animals down by the lobby. In fact, we have found that certain of the animals prefer the lobby area of the savannah (in particular, the wildebeests, nyala, waterbucks and crans all seem to prefer that area.) The zebras, anikole cattle, giraffes move around the area pretty well.

 

[DebbieB]

I will say this, at Kidani we found that if you are close to the lobby you don't see as many animals. Next time I am going for Jambo, we saw more animals there the last time and loved being close to the quick service food.

I found the opposite. When I stayed there, we were about half way down the hall, at the bottom of the "U" and only had animals close in the late afternoon when they were fed there. It seemed the rest of the day they hung out near the lobby. We had great viewing from the lounge, which is next to the lobby.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks HayGan and DebbieB.

I would love to hear anyone's feedback on our new plan on post 12. Thanks for the help everyone!

- Dreams

 

[HayGan]

Given that:
Kidani, Sunset savannah, near the lobby, 2nd or 3rd floor.

How's that?

Thank you again,
Dreams

When you reserve you will have to select Kidani or Jambo so that request is taken care of right up front. As for the rest of your requests, I would ask for near the bus stops. That would almost assure you the Sunset Savannah and near the lobby. Then I would ask for 2nd or 3rd floor (I prefer the 2nd but that is just a personal preference )

 

[ashleypmo]

Subbing. I have nothing to offer to the discussion, but we're staying at AKV Spring, 2013, and I'm digging all the discussion.

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks HayGan and DebbieB.

I would love to hear anyone's feedback on our new plan on post 12. Thanks for the help everyone!

- Dreams

Sounds like what I would request. Except as HayGan said, Kidani is a reservation, not a request.

 

[slindzy]

Thank you to everyone for all the posts. We have stayed at WDW many many times but will have our first AKV (Jambo) in a couple of weeks thanks to renting points. Any suggestions of a room. How is the Savannah at Jambo? I really wanted Kidani but am just happy we were finally able to get a room at AKV.

 

[Disney Dreams]

When you reserve you will have to select Kidani or Jambo so that request is taken care of right up front. As for the rest of your requests, I would ask for near the bus stops. That would almost assure you the Sunset Savannah and near the lobby. Then I would ask for 2nd or 3rd floor (I prefer the 2nd but that is just a personal preference )

Sounds like what I would request. Except as HayGan said, Kidani is a reservation, not a request.

Thank you both. I appreciate it.

We got our reservation for Kidani. Now I just need to put a request on for either near the lobby or near the bus stops, sunset savannah, 2nd or 3rd floor.

If anyone else has anything to add, please feel welcome. Thank you, everyone!

Thank you to everyone for all the posts. We have stayed at WDW many many times but will have our first AKV (Jambo) in a couple of weeks thanks to renting points. Any suggestions of a room. How is the Savannah at Jambo? I really wanted Kidani but am just happy we were finally able to get a room at AKV.

Hi Slindzy! On this thread I am asking people specifically about Kidani. So as not to create confusion (since you are interested Jambo), you might be better starting a new thread in which people can comment more towards your interests since the two areas are different.

- Dreams