- Joined
- Oct 1, 2000
- Messages
- 9,455
I just returned from 5 days in a Kidani studio. I had stayed at Jambo previously but never at Kidani. Most of our points are at BWV and we adore the BW view 1 bedrooms. Because my recent trip was solo and last minute, I felt lucky to be able to try a Kidani studio. These are a few random thoughts:
• While I liked Jambo okay, I LOVED Kidani. Absolutely loved it. If I weren't already point poor I would be adding another Kidani trip immediately. I was surprised that I loved the peacefulness of Kidani (for some reason it seemed more peaceful to me than Jambo) especially since I love BWV because it is in the middle of the action!
• I know that most people prefer the studios at Jambo but I loved my Kidani studio. Maybe if I were keen on counter service eating I would have felt differently. Even if I were to stay in a studio with someone else (DH and I always do 1 bedrooms) I like having the toilet in a separate room. I also felt that the lighting was better at Kidani than at Jambo. There were tons of electrical outlets--4 in the bathroom and 4 near the table in the living room. I don't remember studio refrigerators well, but I loved the movable dividers in the door of the frig.
• The animal viewing was just great--zebras, giraffes, ankoles, plus other 4 leggeds and birds, even a tortoise. I even had a giraffe sitting down right in front of my balcony one night!
• The balcony was decent size and it was covered. That kept the sun from beating in and kept light rain out. This helped on the nights when I didn't feel like dealing with rain in the parks.
• Cast members were great! My housekeeper gave me the royal treatment on trash and towel day, making my bed, giving me a clean coffee pot and mugs, leaving 3 new coffee packs and lots of toiletries. Front desk staff were most helpful.
• On the recommendation of several people I took in a couple of talks in the library from cast members who shared info about their African countries. I loved talking with one from Botswana about the way that country is portrayed in the #1 Ladies Detective Agency books.
• I rented a car. I think this was key to my not feeling too isolated. I had 2 early morning tours that would have been really tough to get to if I had needed to use Disney transportation. I also checked out what stores and restaurants are available on 192. There is a great selection and easy to get there!
• Sanaa! What great food! I am fond of very few Disney restaurants anymore but Sanaa is wonderful.
• Water play area for kids! I much prefer it to SAB for young kids (I know that others would disagree). I wish that our family trip last October had been at Kidani. The kids are young (5 of the 7 are under age 5) and they would have absolutely adored this pool area.
• Artifacts. Lots of them. Kudos to Disney.
I may think of other things later, but these come to mind now. DH wants to stay at BWV in Oct. for F&W and in Dec. for the holiday stuff but I am nagging him to try Kidani next spring. I don't want to wait that long to go back there so I am plotting... You Kidani owners have a wonderful resort!
ETA:
• Underground parking! How could I have forgotten this! No sun beating into your car. And one night I escaped a downpour without a single drop falling on me!
Here is a link to my trip report: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2925675
• While I liked Jambo okay, I LOVED Kidani. Absolutely loved it. If I weren't already point poor I would be adding another Kidani trip immediately. I was surprised that I loved the peacefulness of Kidani (for some reason it seemed more peaceful to me than Jambo) especially since I love BWV because it is in the middle of the action!
• I know that most people prefer the studios at Jambo but I loved my Kidani studio. Maybe if I were keen on counter service eating I would have felt differently. Even if I were to stay in a studio with someone else (DH and I always do 1 bedrooms) I like having the toilet in a separate room. I also felt that the lighting was better at Kidani than at Jambo. There were tons of electrical outlets--4 in the bathroom and 4 near the table in the living room. I don't remember studio refrigerators well, but I loved the movable dividers in the door of the frig.
• The animal viewing was just great--zebras, giraffes, ankoles, plus other 4 leggeds and birds, even a tortoise. I even had a giraffe sitting down right in front of my balcony one night!
• The balcony was decent size and it was covered. That kept the sun from beating in and kept light rain out. This helped on the nights when I didn't feel like dealing with rain in the parks.
• Cast members were great! My housekeeper gave me the royal treatment on trash and towel day, making my bed, giving me a clean coffee pot and mugs, leaving 3 new coffee packs and lots of toiletries. Front desk staff were most helpful.
• On the recommendation of several people I took in a couple of talks in the library from cast members who shared info about their African countries. I loved talking with one from Botswana about the way that country is portrayed in the #1 Ladies Detective Agency books.
• I rented a car. I think this was key to my not feeling too isolated. I had 2 early morning tours that would have been really tough to get to if I had needed to use Disney transportation. I also checked out what stores and restaurants are available on 192. There is a great selection and easy to get there!
• Sanaa! What great food! I am fond of very few Disney restaurants anymore but Sanaa is wonderful.
• Water play area for kids! I much prefer it to SAB for young kids (I know that others would disagree). I wish that our family trip last October had been at Kidani. The kids are young (5 of the 7 are under age 5) and they would have absolutely adored this pool area.
• Artifacts. Lots of them. Kudos to Disney.
I may think of other things later, but these come to mind now. DH wants to stay at BWV in Oct. for F&W and in Dec. for the holiday stuff but I am nagging him to try Kidani next spring. I don't want to wait that long to go back there so I am plotting... You Kidani owners have a wonderful resort!
ETA:
• Underground parking! How could I have forgotten this! No sun beating into your car. And one night I escaped a downpour without a single drop falling on me!
Here is a link to my trip report: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2925675
