AKV Observations

[Mich Mouse]

Just back from Kiddani Village. The rooms were absolutely beautiful and well laid out I thought....The pool area was a tropical oasis. The water play area for the kids was so much fun for our toddler! He couldn't get enough of it. Sanna was an outstanding reataurant....food and service. It was especially nice to have a window seat and watch the animals on the savannah as we dined. We absolutely loved visiting AKL! My only issue was with walking throught the parking lot/garage to get to the pool....It really seemed very unlike Disney. Usually you are immersed in a theme throughout a resort..... The parking garages and the placement of the pool seemed quite odd to me. Did anyone else think so as well?

 

[Silver Queen]

We didn't walk through the garage to get to the pool. We were on the Jambo side of the resort and just waked down the hall and out through the lobby and on to the pool. I agree with your other comments. We loved our stay there.

 

[DebbieB]

I loved the parking when I stayed there in June. It was so convenient to park under cover and take the elevator straight up to the floor.

 

[AKV707]

We love Kidani as well. I do think that the walk to the pool could be better themed. But I believe that the reason why the pool is in the "front" is to provide more savanna views. So that would mean that the path to the pool may not be able to be perfectly themed.

I did notice, when we were there in June that there seems to be a large exit from the building between two of the beads right near the pool that looks like it might be a nicer entrance to the pool area.

 

[DVC Mike]

I'm glad you enjoyed Kidani Village.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

I cannot wait to check it out!!! I just bought AKV so hearing your report is great info and feedback.

 

[DenLo]

I did notice, when we were there in June that there seems to be a large exit from the building between two of the beads right near the pool that looks like it might be a nicer entrance to the pool area.

Has anyone used the door between the two beads that AKV707 refers to? Is it the same one the OP refers to as going through the parking garage? I been wondering about a route to the pool via a door from one of the beads. It's seem strange to me that if you have room overlooking the pool that you have to go all the way out to the lobby and front door to go to the pool.

Thanks for any input on this matter.

 

[Mich Mouse]

You can walk down the hallways inside the resort to the general area of the pool and go down the elevators instead of walking through the lobby. The walk to Jambo house is also alongside and through the parking lot.

 

[bookwormde]

Denlo

Yes we used it, we were in the second bead SV on the pool side and it was very convenient, you just go to the parking level and walk down a little and across the drive (be sure to bring your room key since the back gate is card locked) though I agree with the OP it would have not taken much effort to make a themed elevated walkway and stairs to the back area of the pool and that would have been perfect.

Other than this issue, the bathroom door issues and the lack of counter service I really tink they nailed the design, I cannot wait to go back.

bookwormde

 

[Deb & Bill]

I thought it might have been better if they had built the pool on the savanna side of the building instead of the parking lot side of the building. Like Jambo House where the resort kind of surrounds the pool area. You still could see the savanna and you could even see the animals from the pool area. And for the money they spent on the highly themed pool, they could have built a larger non-themed pool with a splash area.

Must be because I'm an engineer and not an architect.

 

[DenLo]

I thought it might have been better if they had built the pool on the savanna side of the building instead of the parking lot side of the building. Like Jambo House where the resort kind of surrounds the pool area. You still could see the savanna and you could even see the animals from the pool area. And for the money they spent on the highly themed pool, they could have built a larger non-themed pool with a splash area.

Must be because I'm an engineer and not an architect.

I would think that a pool in the savanna might affect the animals more than the pools current location. It's like Disney request guests to be quiet while on your balcony, no straws, no balloons etc. It appears people are not adhering to the quiet request, based on comments in various trip reports posted here. You could not expect children to be quiet at a pool. It's my understanding that the animals are the first consideration and we as guests are secondary. I believe it has something to do with Disney's Zoo accreditation.

 

[DenLo]

Other than this issue, the bathroom door issues and the lack of counter service I really tink they nailed the design, I cannot wait to go back

I guess I missed the bathroom door issues. I thought it was BLT that had the problem. Does Kidani have a problem with the doors too?

 

[ToddyLu]

I guess I missed the bathroom door issues. I thought it was BLT that had the problem. Does Kidani have a problem with the doors too?

Yeah! Can someone elaborate? I was really psyched about buying AKV and not having the BLT door problems. Seriously? What's up? I want my first trip to be perfect.

 

[bookwormde]

I thought the studio side had a pocket door, I could be mistaken as I was in the other side.

bookwormde

 

[DebbieB]

I thought the studio side had a pocket door, I could be mistaken as I was in the other side.

bookwormde

I had a studio, there were regular doors. There's a door to the bathroom and another door inside for the toilet.