AKV advice!

[Cant wait for Disney]

Hi all!
This morning was our 7 month mark. We switched an SSR ressie over to Kidani savanna view
we are so excited but need some thoughts and advice. We have always stayed at Epcot resorts and are used to walking, dining, vacation life around that area, but AKV are totally new and unknown to us! A few questions:
1.) If you've done AKV with little ones- is it worth trying to get back in time for a nap? What was your midday plan seeing as 3 out of 4 parks would be 20 mins away from your little one's bed?
2.) Any car rental tips for us?
3.) What are some things we should know/do in this area of the world?!
thanks everyone! just some AKV newbies that need help!

 

[seelyt2]

Congratulations on the switch!!! We LOVE AKV and have stayed in both Jambo and Kidani - it's a relaxing and beautiful location.

1.) If you've done AKV with little ones- is it worth trying to get back in time for a nap? What was your midday plan seeing as 3 out of 4 parks would be 20 mins away from your little one's bed?

Well, it kinda depends on YOUR kids and I can only speak for mine. When they were young(er) and if they didn't nap could easily have a meltdown. Every kid is different. My kids were not ones to nap in strollers so that was out for us, so going back to the room during the heat of the day worked for us. Sometimes we would swim before/after the nap....depending on their energy levels. A good swim always refreshed us and made us feel SO GOOD and re-energized. Now mind you, we didn't go back on our AK day....we would plow on through and then head back to the room for a swim and an early night to bed. But for MK/Epcot and HS....we could split them up and go back early evening after our rest. Note too that we would always get to the park at opening, leave around 1-2pm, nap/swim, go back to the parks around 6 or so.
2.) Any car rental tips for us?
Never done it. Sorry.
3.) What are some things we should know/do in this area of the world?!
While staying at AKV, do the night vision goggles provided outside with the CM's. The kids absolutely got a kick out of spotting a rhino when no one else could find it. They have a fire pit with chairs around. Never did this, but wanted to. Kidani has a Community Hall for kids to hang out and play games, do crafts, etc., which is always monitored with a CM, and they also have on-site activities for the kids to participate in...designing a shirt, make a drum....just a bunch of things to do. Both of the pools are great - had a hard time getting the kids out of them. Seriously. No lie. The kids loved looking around at the different African inspired things in the lobby, watching old Disney cartoons in the lobby....there was just so much to do that at times it did compete with us getting on the bus to go to the park. Imagine that!!!

Have a GREAT time! You'll LOVE it!!!

 

[BLLB]

Hi all!
This morning was our 7 month mark. We switched an SSR ressie over to Kidani savanna view
we are so excited but need some thoughts and advice. We have always stayed at Epcot resorts and are used to walking, dining, vacation life around that area, but AKV are totally new and unknown to us! A few questions:
1.) If you've done AKV with little ones- is it worth trying to get back in time for a nap? What was your midday plan seeing as 3 out of 4 parks would be 20 mins away from your little one's bed?
2.) Any car rental tips for us?
3.) What are some things we should know/do in this area of the world?!
thanks everyone! just some AKV newbies that need help!

We mostly stay at BWV, but this year (3 weeks ago) we stayed at Kidani.

1. We came back midday every day. We always do and our kids are 11 and 9. Everyone needs a litttle rest.
2. We have never rented a car.
3. I think the walk to Jambo is nice We went to Mara several times for a snack or dinner. We loved the pool and I think it would be great for little ones. They have a really nice spray area and the pool is zero entry. They also had lots of shady spots.

 

[drusba]

Have not had the nap issue for years but if question is time needed to make trip be aware that going to and from AKV and MK is often faster than BW and MK. More mileage but better bus system.

As to rental cars, if you are flying it is most convenient to get rental company that has cars right at the airport (National, Alamo, Avis, Dollar, a few others whose names I cannot recall right now). Search them all on their sites on-line. Go to mousesavers.com and get a list of discount codes you might be able to use with each company. Find car you want for lowest price and reserve. Since you can cancel up to 48 hours before pick-up without charge, you should then, on some regular basis, keep searching all the same companies as you get closer to your date because prices can change significantly and make change if you get lower price, and finally start checking a week or so before departure in the sections of the car companies' sites entitled something like last minute specials to go or last minute deals because sometimes prices drop even more then; example, last year at Easter time we got a minivan for $175 a week about 6 days before leaving; the lowest price we had seen before then was over $450.

If staying at Kidani, you may want to request being close to lobby, close to transportation, close to pool, or close to community hall. All those requests get you closer to the lobby if granted. The reason is that the walk from lobby to room can be long if you get room far from lobby. And by far I mean further than you can possibly imagine (think walking distance from the base of the Nations at Epcot to Germany).

 

[Cant wait for Disney]

thank you everyone for your tips and advice!! we will use it all!

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have a DS6 and were lucky that he was good at napping in the stroller in the parks. This past year, he has been a little more resistant and on our trip in March (to BWV) we went back to rest daily. Taking the buses back to AKV does take a bite out of your day.

We rented a car on the last trip and Costco Travel had the best price for us. We don't travel often, so we don't have any frequent flyer (driver?) programs. It was nice having a car. Child safety seat rental is expensive, so if you do rent, you may want to take your own.

Definitely try to dine at Sanaa. The food is wonderful and the views of the savanna are great. We have not taken advantage of the resort activities very much, but many on these boards think very highly of those activities. We love the pool area at Kidani.

Have a great trip!