AKV or OKW

[Reddog1134]

I'm second guessing myself about switching our reservation from AKV to OKW.

Here are the details. Dec 2nd to Dec 11th at Kidani Village. There are 10 of us, 6 adults and 4 children (ages 13, 12, 5 and 3). We have a studio and a 2BR (both are non-savanna). We will have 2 cars. Everyone has been to WDW before but 7 of them have never stayed in a deluxe. The other 3 have stayed at both resorts. With the group we have, we would not eat at Sanaa but might eat at Olivia's.


Reasons to stay at AKV
Savanna
Extra bathroom in 2BR
Couch to relax and watch TV in Studio (we don't need a 2nd bed)
Kids area at pool (assuming it's warm enough to swim)

Reasons to stay at OKW
Larger room
Closer to theme parks (except AK)
boat ride to DTD
Parking right outside your door

What are your thoughts?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Given that you will have 2 cars, aren't going to take advantage of Sanaa and don't have a savanna view, I'm going to say OKW. Sure, you will miss the extra bathroom, but in my mind, the extra space more than makes up for it. Just be sure you request building 30 or higher so you get the private door into the toilet.

 

[Geezer]

Tough choice, but I'm going to agree with OKW. The shorter time to get to 3 of the parks and the extra square footage would make the difference. We own at both, but for large groups, we prefer OKW.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We have stayed at both resorts and both are lovely. You really cannot make a bad decision here. However, due to your numbers, I would lean towards the Kidani Village accomodations just for the extra bathroom. It really comes in handy. That's my two cents!

P.S. My kids preferred Kidani and are begging to go back. The animals really are spectacular!

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

Just my two cents, but I would go with Kidani. We were recently at BWV and really missed the extra bathroom. Also, the ambiance at Kidani is amazing. Sitting by the fire pit! Ahhh, makes me happy just thinking about it. I really missed Kidani this last trip. So much so that we had to go over just for dinner at Sanaa and to take in some of the atmosphere. While we were there we stumbled across an African drumming party in the library. My boys (4 and 7) got to play the drums. They thought it was great. Then they sat down to watch some cartoons in the lobby. I just can't say enough about Kidani. I just love it!
Oh, almost forgot about the parking. There is parking right under the building, so whatever bead you are in, park under it. Very convenient in my opinion. And the coverered parking is great in those Florida rain storms.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Have stayed at both.
Kidani of course!

 

[sweetdana]

I think a grand villa is about as many points as a 2 bed and a studio at OKW that is my vote.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I picked Kidani because of the extra bathroom and the ambiance.

 

[Marine Mom]

My vote is OKW!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Kidani parking is below the buildings so it's one of the closer locations. Not quite as close as OKW but it's a plus.

I really like OKW but like Kidani as well. For that many people I'd go for the extra bathroom. I think everyone will like the Savannah as well.

 

[nolanboys]

You really can't go wrong with either. We've stayed at Kidani and OKW twice. Loved them both. If you all plan on hanging out together even though you have 2 rooms, I would pick OKW because the living/dining room are larger. The extra bathroom at Kidani is great though. Www had a standard view there and loved it. I don't think we'd pay the huge point difference for a savanna room. We just walked to the animal viewing areas and enjoyed the animals form there. Why not just flip a coin?

 

[Cee]

I chose OKW because I think you get more "bang for your buck".

 

[Havana]

Have you stayed at AK before? It really has that WOW factor, especially for first time guests.

 

[Inkmahm]

We have stayed at both resorts and both are lovely. You really cannot make a bad decision here. However, due to your numbers, I would lean towards the Kidani Village accomodations just for the extra bathroom. It really comes in handy. That's my two cents!

P.S. My kids preferred Kidani and are begging to go back. The animals really are spectacular!

I agree. With those numbers of people, the extra bath is much more important than the extra room. I had my extended family for a split stay at Kidani and BCV last year. When I asked which resort they liked best, I guessed the kids would say BCV due to the pool. They all said Kidani because of the extra bathroom in the 2 bedroom! Of course, it was 5 woman and one man on this trip so bathroom time was at a premium.

Personally, OKW was okay but I didn't really like it as much as the places where we own points. I'd not likely stay there again unless it was a choice between OKW and Saratoga.

 

[BlackRock]

I love the large rooms at OKW and they have done a nice job with the upgrade of the pool.

Blackrock

 

[DizDays]

AKV for the extra bathroom without a doubt. The time you save getting ready in the morning with the extra bathroom should more than make up for the little extra travel time to the parks. And the ambiance is sooo wonderful - so serene and peaceful.

 

[discott71]

I haven't stayed at OKW, but have stayed at SSR & AKV Kidani. Although Kidani is a little further out we had great success with the busses - way better than SSR. I really think they make a better effort at AKV to have busses run pretty regular so I wouldn't let that deter you in the least. My family loves Kidani. I wan't to try another resort, but they keep saying "NO!!" We're a family of 5 and love the space of the 1 bedroom. Not to mention the 2 bathrooms is a HUGE plus. I would love to stay somewhere else, but the two bathrooms keep me coming back.

Either way, I'm sure you'll have a great trip!!

 

[musical2]

We always come back to OKW!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I know I posted earlier, but I wanted to explain my answer more. We own at both OKW and AKV. We love both resorts for different reasons.

On this poll I voted for OKW because when we have stayed with large groups, we have been very frustrated at AKV with the inconveniences of managing a large group in the provided space. Sure, you have the extra bathroom, but the fact is, that is not where you really need the space. You most need it in the living room/kitchen/dining area. While you may have to have someone sleeping in the living room at OKW who needs to share the master bath, that is not a huge problem as long as you book something in building 30 or higher. Just request "room with the extra door to the bathroom" so your guests don't have to disturb you in the master when they use the bathroom.

The two times we stayed at AKV with guests, we became very frustrated with the lack of space in the living area. Because all of our guests had also stayed at OKW, they mentioned frequently how they wished we were at OKW with the larger space.

While I loved sharing our AKV home with our guests, I think if it's a one time thing for some of them, I'd definitely do OKW this time around.

 

[fers31]

I would always choose Animal Kingdom over OKW and I prefer Jambo to Kidani. However, due to the Extra bathroom at Kidani, I might lean that way for this reservation.