Back to Kidani...again

[eporter66]

Well - after going over our options at the 7 month window, our daughter asked if we could stay at AKV again. This will be our third year in a row switching out for Kidani Village, and although I miss our home resort (SSR), and have not stayed there in a number of years now, how can I resist trying to make our daughter happy?

I am surprised at the difference in points in a 1 bedroom from each resort (16 pts) - so that didnt hurt in making the decision either. Saving points is a good thing, especially since we have been in borrow mode the last few years. Since going to a 1 bedroom (and never looking back) we have borrowed on our last few trips. I will not buy more points until we have a few more details worked out - I will only buy with cash - no financing, and as our daughter gets older, I need to gauge a few other details like will we still take her out of school, or will we travel during holidays/breaks (I am not for that option ).

I have no issue staying at Kidani, we all love it. We have started our last two vacations with a dinner at BOMA (which we all love), but this year we are trying to break out of our habits and hit all new places.

We love AKV, and it seems this is one of the easier resorts to get at the 7 month window. We do want to get back to the EPCOT area and Bay Lake one day just for the ease of access to the parks - but for now its back to AKV!!!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Well - after going over our options at the 7 month window, our daughter asked if we could stay at AKV again. This will be our third year in a row switching out for Kidani Village, and although I miss our home resort (SSR), and have not stayed there in a number of years now, how can I resist trying to make our daughter happy?

I have no issue staying at Kidani, we all love it. We have started our last two vacations with a dinner at BOMA (which we all love), but this year we are trying to break out of our habits and hit all new places.

We love AKV, and it seems this is one of the easier resorts to get at the 7 month window. We do want to get back to the EPCOT area and Bay Lake one day just for the ease of access to the parks - but for now its back to AKV!!!

Got any Kindani tips? We leave Wed. for 3 days at Kindani. What are your must experiences there our kids are 9 & 6. We stayed at Jambo a couple years ago. We don't do Boma anymore too expensive and they switched out all of our fav. soups, did I mention expensive. How is Sanee? Seems like a way different experience.
Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[keishashadow]

Well - after going over our options at the 7 month window, our daughter asked if we could stay at AKV again. This will be our third year in a row switching out for Kidani Village, and although I miss our home resort (SSR), and have not stayed there in a number of years now, how can I resist trying to make our daughter happy?

I am surprised at the difference in points in a 1 bedroom from each resort (16 pts) - so that didnt hurt in making the decision either. Saving points is a good thing, especially since we have been in borrow mode the last few years. Since going to a 1 bedroom (and never looking back) we have borrowed on our last few trips. I will not buy more points until we have a few more details worked out - I will only buy with cash - no financing, and as our daughter gets older, I need to gauge a few other details like will we still take her out of school, or will we travel during holidays/breaks (I am not for that option ).

I have no issue staying at Kidani, we all love it. We have started our last two vacations with a dinner at BOMA (which we all love), but this year we are trying to break out of our habits and hit all new places.

We love AKV, and it seems this is one of the easier resorts to get at the 7 month window. We do want to get back to the EPCOT area and Bay Lake one day just for the ease of access to the parks - but for now its back to AKV!!!

Your daughter is a lucky girl! congratulations on being able to book at any non-home resort @ 7 months.

fyi, i've had trouble booking BWV studio/1 BR @ shortly after 11 month window began during popular times (last few weeks of June & July, F&W & early Dec.) and have been shut out @ AKV @ 7 months for a value/standard view studio/1 BR the same time frame.

Apparently, many among us like to stretch our points, but still rather surprised that BLT was typically open for the dates I wanted @ 7 months. Had thought because it was newest many would want to check it out.

 

[Brancaneve]

I am in the same boat OP. Although, SSR is my home, I find myself going back to AKV and find it to be "my true home". On our last trip to WDW, we stayed at SSR but I found myself longing for AKV so much that I had to go visit it for a few hours. It was so tranquil and peaceful there.

Now, we are staying in Kidani for the first time and I simply can't wait!!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

My daughter loves AKV too! The pool there is one of the best. We are looking forward to going back in May

 

[arthur06]

We have stayed at Jambo and Kidani on each of our last two trips, and if we add on it will be at AKL.

We leave in 3 weeks for BWV and our Sept/Oct trip is 4 nights at BWV and 4 nights at BLT. Not sure if DW will be missing AKL or not, time will tell.

 

[eporter66]

Got any Kindani tips? We leave Wed. for 3 days at Kindani.

We have changed over to the 1 bedroom, and we have gotten a rental car the last few trips. So, I do get what you are saying about expensive, but we typically only eat out 3 times on our vacation, and since we go during the Food & Wine Fest, we typically walk around EPCOT and graze that day. That is why we go to BOMA, just to kick off the trip.

What are your must experiences there our kids are 9 & 6. We stayed at Jambo a couple years ago. We don't do Boma anymore too expensive and they switched out all of our fav. soups, did I mention expensive. How is Sanee? Seems like a way different experience.
Any tips would be appreciated.

Our daughter is 7, and honestly she loves the pools. We spend a lot of time at both the Kidani and Jambo House pools. I have heard people complain about the distance from Kidani to Jambo, but it is a nice walk, and we dont mind walking at all.

If you want to see the animals, check with the guides about the feeding times. I hear a lot of people get dissappointed when the animals are not around. During the morning hours they are out a bit, but then go in for feeding. I think a lot of people miss them because they may be at the parks when they are out most.

In the evenings at 7 or 8, they do a little gathering with the kids in the lobby and let them march around and play instruments. Then they go into one of the side rooms and talk about the parts of Africa where they come from and the history of the region. Very intersting. We also like to go out in the evening and sit by the pit...very relaxing to just take it all in.

I agree that there is a peace at AKV, if we were to buy or add on, I think it would be a top choice for me.

Let me know if you have any specific questions, but we like to have two days during our vacation to just relax at the resort or do things without worrying about rushing around to the parks.

 

[Desnik]

We love Kidani at AKV too! We will be spending 8 days there in Aug just enjoying it and maybe go to a park on 1 or 2 days. It is just so beautiful and relaxing there. Our kids love it and it has quickly become our families favorite resort. We own at AKV and at SSR. When I ask the kids where they want to stay, the always answer AKV!

 

[moredisneyplease]

my kiddos LOVED the community center and the Wii station in the afternoons. Oh and of course the animals and pool! Have fun!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Thanks guys.
Do they have storytelling at night at Kindani like at Jambo?
Is there a hot tub at Kindani?

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks guys.
Do they have storytelling at night at Kindani like at Jambo?
Is there a hot tub at Kindani?

I love Kidani! If it weren't for my addiction to VWL I'd spend every stay there.

Kidani has 2 hot tubs - one up near the top of the slide, and the other down on the opposite end of the pool near the bar.

The times we've gone there has been story telling around the fire - the storyteller was the same one as at Jambo.

The movie rentals are done at the store, similar to the VWL setup.

 

[MLC2002]

We are staying at AKV in mid June. Our flight arrives at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 14th. Approximately what time will we arrive at the resort via Magical Express? Once we arrive, approximately how long to get checked in and actually get into our room?

We are trying to plan for dinner... and to determine if we can make it to Epcot in time for Illuminations at 9 p.m. Will this be feasible? Are we crazy to even try?

Thanks!!!

 

[Silver Queen]

We just returned last night from a wonderful stay at Jambo and are currently experiencing acute WDW withdrawal. We have also stayed at Kidani and love it as well. The ambiance at both places is exceptional. Our home resort is SSR and we are very happy with it, but there's no question that either of the AKL resorts is a close second.

 

[DizDays]

OK, it's really isn't much of a departure, but have you tried Sanaa or Jiko? It will be just different enough to not be your BOMA habit, but similar enough to avoid withdrawl.

Enjoy your trip! I'm a huge AKV fan. We're headed back home in September.

 

[eporter66]

I think we will try Sanaa on our next trip, menu looked interesting. We like to make a reservation for the day we arrive, we usually get to the resort by 1:00 (depending on flight, and getting our car), and then I drop the DW & DD off and run to the market to get groceries. We are usually in the room by the time I get back. We like a nice relaxing meal that night. On our final night, we book something on the Boardwalk, and head over and spend our last night there - we really enjoy that atmosphere.

I wish we were going sooner, long wait on our hands, but it is worth it

 

[stopher1]

I love Kidani too. Stayed there two of my previous three trips, and really enjoy it. We were going to be there in two weeks, but a couple of months back the family asked to try OKW instead... so that's where we'll be next. (I've stayed there solo and with my boys who love it there - but the DW and DD have not yet). BUT, we'll be heading over to AKV and BOMA during our stay. I just can't go to WDW and not at least visit AKV and those beautiful savannahs.