AKV Kidani or BWV?

[Sora777]

We've stayed at both. Which would you stay at and why?

Both would be 1 bedrooms (two adults no children)

 

[jstone71]

I love them both. AKV Kidani is gorgeous, especially if you have a savanna view. However, if you don't have a car, I would choose Boardwalk. Location, location, location! I love being able to walk to Epcot or take the boat to DHS. It really makes getting around a lot easier.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

No brainer!! BWV!

 

[Sora777]

We would have a car.

I'll be honest, we stayed at Kidani for our honeymoon. We were FAAAAARRR away from the lobby, but we had a car so it didnt matter. We always had a tough time finding a parking spot. We usually like to valet, but couldnt. It was a good 10 minutes from the lobby to the room walking.

Our issue with Boardwalk was that (unless I'm mistaken) there wasnt a place in the lobby area to refill the resort mugs. It was a loooong walk for us to get a beverage.

Right now we are booked at Kidani. We had our hearts set on Beach Club but right now there is nothing available.

 

[drusba]

There is no place in BWV lobby to serve mugs. You need to go to the donut store on the walk for that. Also, if you stay at Kidani, request close to lobby, though not guaranteed, if you get it (likely) you avoid the long walks. Surprised you had trouble finding parking space since we have not had any problems in four trips to Kidani.

If mug refills are key, Kidani is the place (in fact you might also want to consider Jambo since it has a counter-service restaurant below the lobby, Mara, where you can refill mugs).

As to otherwise choosing between the two, we own at and like both. One little consideration not already mentioned, the pull-out couch at Kidani is a little more comfortable than one at BWV. If you want to sit on porch with a drink and watch animals (one of my favorite activities), you cannot beat Kidani (or Jambo). Also, if you like large space, the Kidani 1BR is it. AKL has three of my favorite restaurants, Sanaa, Jiko and Boma. Its bus service is also usually good and way better than what they try to pass off as bus service at BWV.

BWV, however, is undoubtedly an ideal adults only visit place with the ability to walk to two parks, over twenty restaurants (parks and Epcot resorts), and night life. The pool is fine with friendly bartenders at the pool bar who have been there for as long as I can remember. With a car, parking is not anywhere near as convenient as Kidani unless you valet park (which is pointless to do at Kidani when you can park under building).
You don't have a bad choice, you just gotta make one.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Given those two, I would pick Jambo, and DH would pick BWV. Don't you two have a favorite? If it were us, we would stay at VWL!

 

[Disney Princess]

We would choose BWV in a heartbeat. As adults only, you have access to two parks via walking/boat. The evening entertainment is easily accessible, and the restaurant options are numerous. Since it is just the two of you, the extra bathroom at Kidani is not as important.

If you are going for a quiet seclusion, then AKV might be the better choice. We've never had a loud room at BWV, but I know that AKV is more "away from it all".

Choose a place that appeals to both of you. Maybe even try a new place if you'd like! That way it can be a new adventure for this trip.

 

[DeeCee735]

We own at both BW and AKV. BWV has always been our favorite. We love the light decor of the rooms, the atmosphere, the food choices and the location. My husband would choose BWV over any other in a heartbeat.

That being said, and with BW being my fav as well, I must admit I really do love AKV. Of the two choices, Jambo or Kidani, I'd go with Kidani first, but Jambo has it's own offerings. It is definitely a tough decision to make! All life's decision should be so tough, right Having a car makes the decision tougher too, because IMHO AKV offers so much.

This is how I break it down....I've stayed at AKV as an all adult party a couple of times. We had the car on one stay, but not on the other. I found it to be just fine either way because I planned alot of our stay around the resort, and I think that's the key. With AKV that's so easy to do too. We did AK park, since it's such an easy bus ride and doesn't share a stop with any other resort. We love the park, the shows, the rides and mostly the animals. We also spent a day at the pool, drinking at the pool bar, lunch at the pool bar, a little sun and a dip when we got too hot. It was a great day. We spent some time at the lounge over in Jambo too, I love that lounge, (and that antioxidant cocktail!)

We planned the Wanyami Safari, as only guests staying at AKV or Jambo can do, which includes the signature dinner at Jiko - yum. And we lounged at the fire pit or on the balcony over looking the savannah (we had a standard view room). We took the bus one day to DTD as well.

Since you have a car you have the freedom to go to any of the parks and save a lot of time, not having to wait for the buses.

These are my reasons for loving a stay at AKV, especially with an adult only party. Also, between Jambo & Kidani there are the three sit down restaurants, and Boma's got a great buffet breakfast (as well as serving dinner), you have two pools and the quick service restaurant which has pretty good offerings, The Mara.

Both lobby's are gorgeous and there are tons of places to view the animals if you're not in a savannah view room. I have to say if it were an adult only party and I was going back to WDW, I'd pick AKV. It's awesome, laid back, gorgeous and offers alot....oh wait....I AM going back with an adult only party!!! And I AM staying at AKV!

Guess I convinced myself. Hope I didn't make your decision even more difficult though! Have a great trip and have fun planning.

 

[Sora777]

I ended up keeping me reservation at AKV Kidani. I wait listed for BCV although I know there is VERY VERY little chance it will come through for the week we are booked for. We would have preferred Jambo House, but it wasnt available.

We decided that we need to travel during a different month next year in hopes we can get Beach Club. We really loved our stay there.

 

[karana]

I ended up keeping me reservation at AKV Kidani. I wait listed for BCV although I know there is VERY VERY little chance it will come through for the week we are booked for. We would have preferred Jambo House, but it wasnt available.

We decided that we need to travel during a different month next year in hopes we can get Beach Club. We really loved our stay there.

Everyone does! It seems to have the best in location, atmosphere, convenience, and charm.

 

[dday2022]

If I remember correctly the gift shop between Guest Services in Boardwalk and the exit to the Boardwalk Villas has a small sandwich shop where you can refill mugs.

 

[mla973]

Thanks for starting this thread! I have similar questions (and I hope I'm not hijacking here)...

We are deciding between AKV Kidani Savannah View or BWV Preferred View. We have stayed at BWV before, but it was too cold to swim, so we did not use the pool area at all. I was hoping for BCV, but it's booked.

We will have our 15-month-old with us. So, the long bus rides from AKV are concerning. Also, the possible hike to the Mara and the bus stop (we will not have a car).

For BWV, I love the location and being able to walk to two parks. However, the pool doesn't look that great for little kids.

Since we have stayed BWV, DH wants to stay at AKV, but I need some convincing.

We ill be going to all of the parks and DTD, and I think AKV may be just to much time on the bus for our little one.

 

[La2kw]

We've stayed at both. Which would you stay at and why?

Both would be 1 bedrooms (two adults no children)

Definitely Kidani. It's quieter, more removed from the hustle and bustle, and the animals provide hours of leisurely entertainment. Also, the rooms are really well set up.

BWV seems very crowded and way too big for the relative size of the land it's located on. It's our least favorite DVC resort.

 

[kendzee94]

We prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle at the end of the day. After staying in a great standard BWV 1 BR (I believe we had the best room ever - at the end of the hall two or three doors up from the the stairs across from the buses) and staying in 2 different 2 ded BR's at Kidani, I and my DH would say Kidani any day. We are one of the few who don't love the BWV's. One Kidani stay we were the 1st room off the lobby, our second trip I swear we walked 3/4 of a mile to and from the lobby and had no car. I didn't make a room request that trip either, so lesson learned! Anyway, I would choose the bigger room at Kidani.

 

[simmons_m]

Isn't the belle vue lounge near the lobby at the boardwalk. I have never been to the lounge, but I recall seeing that you could refill mugs there too.

 

[BoardwalkSuzy]

BWV is more fun for grown ups I think. Kidani was perfect for our little kids last trip, as 2 fold-outs in living room for them to sleep on for a 1BR. We actually switched from boardwalk view BWV 1BR to Kidani 1BR for the extra bathroom and the extra fold-out bed we needed. It was worth it. The pool was perfect for kids - zero entry pool and water play area.

I would say for adults, BWV would be more fun. More evening entertainment, walk in and out of Epcot for dining options, more restaurants, etc.

Biggest problem we had with Kidani was the 1 and only dining option @ Sanaa which would be booked solid when we went down. Asked for take-out, told no can do. So tired hungry family goes without food for evening, unless can drag everyone over to BOMA, also with huge crowd of people waiting for over an hour, etc.

If stay at Kidani, make sure you make reservations under at least one of the parties names for each night at Sanaa so at least there is a way to eat when staying there, or make sure to buy lots of groceries and cook for yourself.

I like the idea of being able to stroll morning or evening, pop into different places in boardwalk area of BWV, enjoy the boardwalk entertainers, etc. Kidani doesn't have any walking paths unfortunately...none. I'm a walker, so notice that was lacking. Of course, you can walk the long hallways, or the boring sidewalk along the beads of building, or through the un-scenic parking garage, but not charming at all. We drove a lot when at Kidani, but when we went over to BWV to visit, wished we had just brought air mattresses for kids and stayed there...so much more convenient and fun.

Kidani is great, but I would say it's for animal lovers, kids, and large families, not as much for couples or singles.