AKV Kidani - Not Ready until Sept/Oct 09

[chillgirl99]

Please excuse if this is in wrong thread. It is my second post. We are just now celebrating one year of AKV ownership. Looking forward to Kidani in June 09. My husband and son are in Florida to catch a few Nationals spring training games and I asked him to go by AKV to take some photos of the construction. He did that and went into AKL and spoke to the DVC rep in the lobby about Kidani Village and was told the buildings would not be open until Sept/Oct 09! I asked him if he was sure she said 09 and he said yes. Needless to say, I was very surprised. Now I am concerned about our planned 09 vacation. Has anyone heard this date? I thought they were ahead of schedule? Not true?

 

[Donald is #1]

Nope this is the first that I have heard of it. Most of the rumors that I have seen on these boards is that Kidani is ahead of schedule and some people (me included) are hoping that it may open at the end of this year. Also, since the savannah will be opening in the beginning of '09 based upon the notice of the removal of animals from the Sunrise savannah in early '09 for conditioning, I would think that at least part of Kidani would be open at worst by the 2nd quarter.

 

[dianeschlicht]

NO! We asked the DVC reps at the sales center and also the Quality Assurance folks when we signed our OKW declination papers, and they were all saying "early 2009". They wouldn't be more specific than that, but they did indicate that it was well ahead of schedule. It looked that way from what we saw last week too. There is one portion of the building that is already painted.

 

[chillgirl99]

Thank goodness. I was worried. I wonder how one rep can be so far off?

 

[maciec]

Probably because that is the standard answer they are supposed to give. It's the "catch all" in case something happens and they actually don't open until fall of 2009. Fall of 2009 is the published opening date also.

 

[LisaS]

Phase 1 of Kidani Village was originally due to open in "early 2009" so Sept/Oct 09 is probably the original completion date. Kidani construction is supposedly ahead of schedule but Disney has not announced any new dates and has taken the old dates off their public website. Even if the DVC rep knew the new target dates, he probably wouldn't risk sharing them.

 

[AKLFan3]

When we were at WDW in February, we asked a DVC representative sitting at the DVC desk in the lobby at AKV. She also said October or November 2009...but I assumed she may have had outdated information.

 

[Dean]

I wonder how one rep can be so far off?

Get used to it as they (at the kiosks) are often not nearly as informed as those on this board plus they like to play games at times just for the fun of it.

 

[dwelty]

Get used to it as they (at the kiosks) are often not nearly as informed as those on this board plus they like to play games at times just for the fun of it.

I totally agree with this statement. The people at the Kiosks often know less that most members of this board. They are hourly, often part time employees. Their job is to sign you up for DVC tours. The Guides have much more information than these people have. Think of them as the "Burger flippers" of the DVC world.

 

[tjkraz]

We stopped by the AKV models at SSR during our recent trip. It was during the 5-7pm member preview hours. They had a CM there to shepherd us, but it wasn't really a formal tour.

Anyway, the CM at the models probably works at the kiosks too. She made a point of telling us that she was not a salesperson.

During the tour, she mentioned the rooms at Jambo house. Her exact comment was "I think the DVC rooms are located on the third floor."

Yeah...they don't know very much.

Now that said, I still wonder about these comments that construction is ahead of schedule. I'm not sure we can slam one CM who says things are running behind, while openly embracing another who says they are ahead of schedule.

 

[chillgirl99]

Thanks to all. You have given me back my confidence to go forth and plan!!! My June 09 AKV trip that is.

 

[Joey7295]

I was told by my guide Kidani would open in phases. Maybe September/October is when the final phase is supposed to open.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I asked several guides at the open rooms and also the Quality Assurance person when we did our deedback, and they all said first Kidani rooms will be ready "early in 2009". They also stated "ahead of schedule". I do know that completion is scheduled for late in 2009, so I think they are all just giving their interpretation of what they "are supposed to say".

 

[castleri]

We stopped by the AKV models at SSR during our recent trip. It was during the 5-7pm member preview hours. They had a CM there to shepherd us, but it wasn't really a formal tour.

Anyway, the CM at the models probably works at the kiosks too. She made a point of telling us that she was not a salesperson.

During the tour, she mentioned the rooms at Jambo house. Her exact comment was "I think the DVC rooms are located on the third floor."

Yeah...they don't know very much.

The very pleasant gentleman at the AKV model last week said he was sorry he could not answer a question I had because his real job is "van driver for those coming to the presentations". Apparently when they don't need a driver he gets his hours in by standing at the door of the model rooms.

 

[kristenrice]

I totally agree with this statement. The people at the Kiosks often know less that most members of this board. They are hourly, often part time employees. Their job is to sign you up for DVC tours. The Guides have much more information than these people have. Think of them as the "Burger flippers" of the DVC world.

I had to comment on this, even though it is off topic...

I stopped by the DVC desk at the GF while waiting for my DD to get out of the Wonderland Tea Party. I told them that although I am very interested in DVC, I will NOT buy from Disney directly because we would not need (nor could we afford) 160 points. The CM actually told me that I HAVE to buy at least 160 points, even resale! I just kind of smiled and said "Oh, OK". I am sure he wasn't intentionally lying (or maybe he was!) but rather I think he was just trying to get me to take the tour.

...now, back to the original topic...

 

[Pennyguy23]

I had to comment on this, even though it is off topic...

I stopped by the DVC desk at the GF while waiting for my DD to get out of the Wonderland Tea Party. I told them that although I am very interested in DVC, I will NOT buy from Disney directly because we would not need (nor could we afford) 160 points. The CM actually told me that I HAVE to buy at least 160 points, even resale! I just kind of smiled and said "Oh, OK". I am sure he wasn't intentionally lying (or maybe he was!) but rather I think he was just trying to get me to take the tour.

...now, back to the original topic...

I've gotten alot better at biting my tongue with this kind of stuff. My Wife tells me its rude to correct someone.