BLT review

[daisyx3]

Just back from our trip! Thought I'd split the review into two parts, one for each resort.
part I: BLT (3 nights lake view)
The only downer here was check in. The CMs at check in were great, but it was onlyh about 1130 and the room was not ready. They got my cell # and said they'd text us. We went to MK until 330. When we came back an older CM saiyd our room still wasn't ready. We sat on couches in the lobby like hobos because I knew the room should be ready by 4. We kept checking for texts. At 4 I went and checked and another CM said yes, it was ready. Well then, why didn't they text us? Or just tell us since we were sitting right in front of them? I think maybe it was ready and they texted someone else. Anyhow, it left kind of a bad taste in my mouth.
We had asked for a higher floor and got it--15th! We were inside the C in room 8511. We had a decent side view of the lake, pool, Epcot ball, and a straight on view of other rooms. No one else in the family seemed to care so I just didn't mention it or complain at all. After all, we could see the lake and the pool.
Transportation is the key here. We spent a day at Epcot and another day at MK. On our MK day we walked over and got there by 630 (EM?H at 7) did everything we wanted to by 1230 and went back after 9 to see Wishes if possible and go back to frontierland to see the second MSEP. After that we rode a couople of other rides in fantasyland again and walked back. In between we had an awesome nap and some swimming. We also monorailed back for a break on our Epcot day. We never used the busses here so I can't speak to that.
The only wear I saw was someone had scribbled on the arm of the sleep chair and we had trouble locking the door from the living room to the balcony, but we weren't worried since who can come in through a balcony on floor 15?
My son and I watched the fireworks from the elevator area one night. We also used the contemporary for mug fill ups a lot. We enjoyed the pool but it is shallow and smallish.
I really enjoyed this resort and would stay again if the points allowed.
Daisyx3

 

[daisyx3]

We spent the final four nights of our trip at AKV Kidani. We took our own stuff over and dropped most of it off. We went out to eat lunch at DD and meet my husband's aunt who lives down there, so we didn't get back until 540 and of course the room was ready.
She had told us it was a pool view, which I thought would be good with our standard view points. It was room 7833 on the 4th floor. The thing is, we couldn't really see the pool because of foliage, and the lights at the pool (which are raised and we could see) are on all night long! So a pool view isn't really a plus. We didn't have to walk even halfway down the hall. If we had, we would have been on a small savanna.
I'd been warned, but the busses here suck. We took a cab to the studios to be there at rope drop (which worked because we got to do TSM, ToT and RnR twice before 10AM). The bus back was fine. We went to DD one night and it was awful, no seats, someone else was complaining it had been an hour wait for them and the poor driver said she'd just been dispatched. Standing on that bus ride has always been like hell to me. We took a cab again to go to TL, and when we came home later (again, more standing but luckily not me) someone was saying since they took the bus to TL it took them an hour to get over there. Bus to AK, of course, was just fine.
We did take the shuttle the first night back and forth to Jambo. DH kept tipping the guy and I didn't know if it was needed, but oh well. The second day we figured out the bus loop. On Easter Sunday after our AK time we went and swam at Jambo for a few hours since the pool was so much bigger. Found chairs and everything. Mara had much better refills than Kidani--I like unsweet tea, and Mara was the only place at AK I could fill up my mug with it.
We ate at Sanaa and it was OK, but I like Boma better.
Housekeeping was fine, although my son found 6 marbles and an unopened box of swedish fish in the sleep chair.
I really like the themeing at AK-Kidani, but the downfall of the lack of amenities and iffy bus service make it doubtful I'd stay again. Maybe Jambo--but I wouldn't want to give up that second bathroom or jacuzzi just for better drink options. I'm glad we stayed once, but I'd like to try OKW or go back to SS or BW before I'd rebook it.
Daisyx3

 

[disneynutz]

A couple of comments. Next time put each review in a separate thread. Some may not want to read the BLT review and if they don't, they can't see your AKV review.

The room ready, we will text you system sucks. We get notified around 50% of the time. Check in is AFTER 4:00 so there are times when we didn't see a room until 5, 6, or our latest, 8:30.

We find the bus system mixed and unreliable from all locations. Spending several hours each day waiting for and riding a bus is not what I consider a vacation. Now we always rent a car.

Bill

 

[Kidanifan08]

Interesting review. We have stayed at both and we have always been very happy with the busses at Kidani. The park buses stop at Kidani first, so they are virtually always empty. The DTD buses are another story, and I am sure that the fact that you were there during Easter week made things even worse! We haven't found bus service to or from DTD to be very good, no matter where we stay. We stayed at BLT last October and were not keen on the buses there, but being able to walk to MK was great! The monorail to and from Epcotis fun, but it takes forever, so we did not find that to be a great escape from the buses.

We like the extra bathroom at Kidani and BLT, as well. We love Sanaa, but it is not for everyone. We like Boma too, and it is probably one of the best buffets in all of WDW. It tends to have that noisy buffet atmosphere, but the food is always good.

Sounds like you had a great trip, overall!

 

[vdub322]

Thanks for the review! We are doing a BLT/Kidani split stay in two weeks. It's our first trip as members and our first stay in anything above moderate. We have a 1 BR lake view at BLT and a 1 BR Savannah View at Kidani. We also have an ADR at Boma. Then in January 2013 we are booked in a 2 BR Value Lock Off at Jambo. So basically your review covered a lot of things I am interested in hearing about! I keep hearing about the bus issues at AKV so I'm going to be prepared to use our car for transportation if need be. Thanks for the review!

 

[daisyx3]

A couple of comments. Next time put each review in a separate thread. Some may not want to read the BLT review and if they don't, they can't see your AKV review.

The room ready, we will text you system sucks. We get notified around 50% of the time. Check in is AFTER 4:00 so there are times when we didn't see a room until 5, 6, or our latest, 8:30.

We find the bus system mixed and unreliable from all locations. Spending several hours each day waiting for and riding a bus is not what I consider a vacation. Now we always rent a car.

Bill

LOL I fully intended to put the reviews in two different threads but I did it at 1:30 in the morning and I just noticed how it turned out! I'm going to cut and paste the AK review and start a new one.
Daisyx3

 

[spiceycat]

glad you enjoyed your BLT stay. It is my favorite (well right now). I ask not be texted (okay old and have not figured out how that works) - anyway mostly by the time they do call me I am at the front desk getting my room assignment. You are brave - don't like heights and even there if get above the 7th floor - start shaking - except to go to TOW - the wall makes me feel secure at TOW.

did you go to the TOW to see wishes?

have not stayed in Kidani - have in Jambo House and loved it.

 

[andreadoiron]

Thanks for the review! We are doing a BLT/Kidani split stay in two weeks. It's our first trip as members and our first stay in anything above moderate. We have a 1 BR lake view at BLT and a 1 BR Savannah View at Kidani. We also have an ADR at Boma. Then in January 2013 we are booked in a 2 BR Value Lock Off at Jambo. So basically your review covered a lot of things I am interested in hearing about! I keep hearing about the bus issues at AKV so I'm going to be prepared to use our car for transportation if need be. Thanks for the review!

not to negate anyone's bus experience but the time of the year may have some impact on transportation. we stayed at kidani in early june and felt the buses were on par with ssr, okw, bcv which is not to say quick by any means but reasonable. i do think we drove to dtd so i can't comment on that. we just came back from blt and i thought the bus to dtd was much worse than average. we drove to animal kingdom because of it.