AKV-Kidani food service issues?

[Questforthemouse]

Just returned from a week at AKV-Jambo. Was watching the Kidani construction from our balcony and thinking about food options at Kidani (for some reason we're always thinking about food when at WDW) when the light in my head went on. There will not be a quick-service/grab'n'go at Kidani and the table-service restaurant will not be open for lunch. So...if you want lunch you have to walk all the way over to Mara in Jambo House or if you don't want table service for breakfast or dinner you also have to walk all the way over to Mara. Kidani is big. If you have a room at the far end and have to walk to the other end of Jambo just for quick service it'll be similar to walking from the Carousel section of SSR or the furthest building in Congress Park to The Artist's Palette. DW wasn't very happy when she heard this as she believed there was going to be a quick service at Kidani. She says maybe we'll have to buy a resale at VWL instead of adding on at AKV. Obviously the quick service option is important to us.

 

[Chuck S]

Is there going to be a small gift shop/grocery store in Kidani? If so, they'll probably have some pre-made selections like sandwiches and salads in their cooler. Sort of like the coolers in the food courts at the value resorts.

 

[hakepb]

They should, at least, do the new TS restaurant like Spoodles.
Spoodles has a good, standard TS American breakfast, followed by an ethnic-related TS Lunch and Dinner
Plus during Lunch and Dinner, Spoodles has a quick, carry-out CS window (offering possilby the best, and actually acceptable, Disney made Pizza)

I think that formula of the (added? breakfast) + carry-out window would really help Kidani and rest the CS concerns

 

[Disney_Villain]

The Mara (counter service venue at Jambo House) is all that there will be for both Jambo & Kidani - and even without Kidani open The Mara is already overwhelmed. Our guide rolled her eyes at this bright idea when we talked to her about adding on in May this year (and we opted NOT to add on at AKV for this & more reasons - and instead we added on at SSR again).

Maybe DVC will eventually see the light and open a counter service restaurant at Kidani . . . but there are no plans for such now.

 

[AlexTina]

Where is everyone getting their information? I have been searching for something that states the Kidani will NOT have a counter service option and cannot find it, so I wrote to MS and this is the response I got:

"Did you get your information from one of the official Disney Web Sites?
We will begin booking Disney's Kidani Village on August 10 for members
that have purchased Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. By that date we
should have the details regarding all the amenities offered at that
location. It should be listed on the Members Web Site as soon as all
the details have been finalized."


So that didn't help much, totally doesn't answer my question which was will there or will there not be counter service at Kidani? Is this written somewhere so that I can reference it when I write back to them.

TIA

Tina

 

[dwelty]

I am wondering if there will be something out by the pool similar to the place at the Boardwalk pool (Can't remember the name) that serves burgers, hotdogs and fries. There are two buildings out by the new pool, one I think is the fitness center, the other is the bar area that could house a snack bar type location. I don't think we will really know until DVC releases some more information.

 

[Questforthemouse]

Where is everyone getting their information? I have been searching for something that states the Kidani will NOT have a counter service option and cannot find it, so I wrote to MS and this is the response I got:

"Did you get your information from one of the official Disney Web Sites?
We will begin booking Disney's Kidani Village on August 10 for members
that have purchased Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. By that date we
should have the details regarding all the amenities offered at that
location. It should be listed on the Members Web Site as soon as all
the details have been finalized."


So that didn't help much, totally doesn't answer my question which was will there or will there not be counter service at Kidani? Is this written somewhere so that I can reference it when I write back to them.

TIA

Tina

I found the info on the DVC member's website. Pull up the AKV resort page then click on dining. There will be a table service restaurant serving breakfast and dinner and a pool bar serving drinks at Kidani.

 

[LisaS]

I found the info on the DVC member's website. Pull up the AKV resort page then click on dining. There will be a table service restaurant serving breakfast and dinner and a pool bar serving drinks at Kidani.

The info is also on the public DVC website: http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortDetail?id=ProspectsDAKVDiningPage

 

[disneymomjcs]

I love the AKL and Disney is missing out on not putting in a counter service.

They will have a great pool and spash area but not food options. Lots of people will eat out of their room instead of buying.

 

[OntFamily]

I agree re the lack of counter service at Kidani. It makes me suspect the people who manage DVC do not stay at a DVC hotel for a vacation (or else they'd know how frustrating it is to eat a quick meal at those resorts). My spouse loves BW, but I won't return because of the lack of easy counter service meal options.

 

[dianeschlicht]

What am I missing here???? YOu have a full kitchen in your unit. It's a timeshare. My thought is that most timeshares have kitchens for a reason. You want lunch but don't have feet or wheels to go get it? What do you do at home? I doubt there is a counter service restaurant at the ned of most driveways. These are "home away from home" accommodations. I wouldn't expect any more than what we already have. It's a whole lot better than traveling to some of the timeshares on Kauai and trying to find food you don't have to cook yourself less than several miles away! I always figured that's why there was a kitchen.

 

[Chuck S]

I still think they will offer some pre-made items in the grocery store, assuming there is a gift shop/grocery in Kidani. Most of the item at OKW's snack bars ar pre-made, with the exception of hamburgers and hot dogs.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I still think they will offer some pre-made items in the grocery store, assuming there is a gift shop/grocery in Kidani. Most of the item at OKW's snack bars ar pre-made, with the exception of hamburgers and hot dogs.

I agree. The only added on DVC that doesn't have something like that is VWL, and I have to assume they will have something like they do at BCV.

 

[hakepb]

What am I missing here???? YOu have a full kitchen in your unit. It's a timeshare. My thought is that most timeshares have kitchens for a reason. You want lunch but don't have feet or wheels to go get it? What do you do at home? I doubt there is a counter service restaurant at the ned of most driveways. These are "home away from home" accommodations. I wouldn't expect any more than what we already have. It's a whole lot better than traveling to some of the timeshares on Kauai and trying to find food you don't have to cook yourself less than several miles away! I always figured that's why there was a kitchen.

While, yes, most accomodations include a full kitchen, they do not include a chef (to cook) or a daily maid (to clean up after preparing food).

To some people the greatest luxury is time,

and I would rather spend time with my family in the parks (why I bought DVC instead of another timeshare) and/or the pool (which also means I also do not want to waste all my vacation time eating 3 table service meals per day) than spend that time preparing and cleaning up after every meal.
On the opposite side, I almost understand management's reasoning against investing in additional quick service because most units can prepare their own food, which could be a bunch of built-in competition.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

What am I missing here???? I doubt there is a counter service restaurant at the ned of most driveways.

You tell em.

Sounds like one of my grandma's old sayings, but I like the nostalga stuff anyway.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The reason AKL and BW have such access to food is just like the value resorts and the food courts. They cater to people who book rooms not villa's (w/ full kitchens) as mentioned by Diane. That's all that's available to them.

Personally, that's exactly why I stay away from the lodges and the value resorts, too many people, TOO MUCH LIKE A HOTEL. Though I do understand that others might prefer it. IMO, OKW has enough to accomodate our food needs as we do use the kitchen for breakfasts, lunch and dinner. We just have a few ADR's each trip to try new things and keep it interesting. If my intention was to stick to hotel type accomodations I would never have purchased DCV.

 

[pixie08]

I think it may be modeled after Beach club with a grab n go/ soda station in the gift shop?

 

[dwelty]

While, yes, most accomodations include a full kitchen, they do not include a chef (to cook) or a daily maid (to clean up after preparing food).

To some people the greatest luxury is time,

and I would rather spend time with my family in the parks (why I bought DVC instead of another timeshare) and/or the pool (which also means I also do not want to waste all my vacation time eating 3 table service meals per day) than spend that time preparing and cleaning up after every meal.
On the opposite side, I almost understand management's reasoning against investing in additional quick service because most units can prepare their own food, which could be a bunch of built-in competition.

Yeah, except most SSR units have their own kitchens, and, have you seen Artist's Palette at lunch, It is a mad house! This must mean that alot of people like to have their lunches prepared for them. Seems to me Disney is missing out on the chance to make more $$.

 

[Iggipolka]

I'm disapointed about no CS at Kidani as well. Even though I have a kitchen in my Villa, that doesn't mean that I want to cook or prepare meals during my vacation! My family usually gets the DDP and we enjoy grabbing a CS meal and bringing it back to the room for lunch. I think that Disney really messed up by not providing a CS option at Kidani.

 

[DeeCee735]

Personally, I prefer a TS meal over CS, so the fact that there will be TS for breakfast and dinner at Kidani appeals to me very much....however, I also understand the NEED for counter service = maxium occupancy - PEOPLE, LOTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE. We found Mara to be a mad house during breakfast and when the counter service eateries are very crowded, there's no keeping up on mess and that just plain grosses me out. Nothing worse than walking into a CS and smelling ketchup, or going over to the drink station and not being able to put anything down on the counter because it's wet or sticky - yuck. Don't get me wrong Disney does an awesome job of cleaning, as we all know, but when the masses are jonsing for morning coffee and a quick bite to get on their way to the rest of the day it can be chaotic and messy. Therefore, I do think Kidani needs a CS, otherwise Mara will be twice as crowded. I also think it'll do well with a grab and go, (besides the CS). It's going to be a big place, often booked to maximum occupancy, the more options available, the less crowded, more comfortable and cleanier the dining areas will be - the happier the members/guests will be.

That being said - I also appreciate the kitchen - while we don't really cook up alot at all, it's another option to make the toast and coffee and give the kids some cereal or eggs in the a.m., whip up something quick - i.e. sandwiches, pasta during the day.

I guess what I'm saying is with a large resort I think all options should be available, and I think it's a benefit to both the members/guests staying in the villas and Disney for the $$$ - if you build it - we will come