Can you help me decide between Kidani and BLT?

[Disneyfriend]

I think you made a great choice with AKV. We just returned yesterday from a week stay at Kidani and it truly is a resort like NO OTHER!!!

So relaxing and beautiful

Welcome HOME!!!!!

Thank you Kespo! I am glad you had a wonderful stay at Kidani. We had a fantastic stay there last October. I joked at the time that it would be hard to ever go back to a regular hotel room . . . I *loved* me that washer/dryer . . . little did I know that we would be buying into DVC now!

 

[jsthomps]

for BLT

 

[zebsterama]

for BLT

I find BLT to be a little cold and stale compared to AKL in general, but .....

a) you will likely have a much easier time to book at AKL than BLT

b) just last night my son insisted that our next Disney trip required a stay at BLT .... (we've already done VWL and AKL)

There you have it!

Cheers,
Zebsterama

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Admittedly, I haven't read the entire thread so this may have already been covered but please consider this.

We own at both. We bought BLT the second day it was available to existing members (My guide didn't call me back on day one! LOL).

Believe it or not, our DD5 loves AKV better and to be honest, I'm not sure we don't too. I'm sure her love and appreciation for BLT and its location will grow over time but for now, it is what it is.

Maybe even more importantly and the point of this post is this. We LOVE BLT... but we've only stayed there 2 nights since we bought in. Why? It's the age-old problem that many don't consider when they buy in to begin with. We simply cannot plan our lives 11 months ahead of time. We try, but we just can't seem to get our arms around it. School, work, schedules. You know the drill. For example, we didn't even have next year's school calendar until we were well past our 11 month window for December at BLT. DRATS! AGAIN!

AKV is easy to book. Why? It's big and it's off the beaten path.

BLT is hard. Why? It's small and it is the beaten path.

I'm relatively sure I'll never sell my BLT but I sure have thought about it and only for the reason above.

I do think this is worthy of consideration as you make your decision. Can you plan 11 months out, especially for the busier times of the year and what views are you willing to settle for assuming you can get any at all?

 

[katybug34]

We own 400 points at each resort and stay in 2brs for one trip to each resort each year. Both have pros and cons. Our favorite resort in all of Disney is Kidani Village, but you can't beat the location of BLT especially with little ones.

Kidani Village:
PROS--

• Superb Theming - you know you are in a deluxe resort
• Bus System - you are first on the bus and can be anywhere in the world in 15 minutes.
• Pool - it is great!
• Animal viewing areas

CONS--

• Location - we like being away from the hustle, but some see being secluded as a con.
• Food choices - There is only so much of that genre of food you will want.

Bay Lake Tower:

PROS--

• Location - especially with small children. Nothing like walking out the front door and being in MK in 5 minutes!
• Location - Great access to MK resorts and Pools.
• Location - Great access to a myriad of food options.
• Location - Did I mention location?

CONS--

• Theming - Very contemporary and cold.
• Doesn't have a real resort feel to us.

The ONLY reason we purchased at BLT was because of location. We don't like the decor or theming....but did I mention the location?

Kidani is our favorite, but there is nothing like my DH and DS walking out of our villa at 1200 midnight to go catch a couple of hours of Extra Magic Hours at MK!

 

[Disneyfriend]

Admittedly, I haven't read the entire thread so this may have already been covered but please consider this.

We own at both. We bought BLT the second day it was available to existing members (My guide didn't call me back on day one! LOL).

Believe it or not, our DD5 loves AKV better and to be honest, I'm not sure we don't too. I'm sure her love and appreciation for BLT and its location will grow over time but for now, it is what it is.

Maybe even more importantly and the point of this post is this. We LOVE BLT... but we've only stayed there 2 nights since we bought in. Why? It's the age-old problem that many don't consider when they buy in to begin with. We simply cannot plan our lives 11 months ahead of time. We try, but we just can't seem to get our arms around it. School, work, schedules. You know the drill. For example, we didn't even have next year's school calendar until we were well past our 11 month window for December at BLT. DRATS! AGAIN!

AKV is easy to book. Why? It's big and it's off the beaten path.

BLT is hard. Why? It's small and it is the beaten path.

I'm relatively sure I'll never sell my BLT but I sure have thought about it and only for the reason above.

I do think this is worthy of consideration as you make your decision. Can you plan 11 months out, especially for the busier times of the year and what views are you willing to settle for assuming you can get any at all?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I can definitely see your point. Historically, we have planned our WDW trips in the 8-10 month range.

I agree that Kidani is just beautiful. Just to bring you up to date (since I know it was a long thread), we ended up buying at AKV and plan to buy at BLT in addition.

 

[Disneyfriend]

We own 400 points at each resort and stay in 2brs for one trip to each resort each year. Both have pros and cons. Our favorite resort in all of Disney is Kidani Village, but you can't beat the location of BLT especially with little ones.

Kidani Village:

PROS--

• Superb Theming - you know you are in a deluxe resort
• Bus System - you are first on the bus and can be anywhere in the world in 15 minutes.
• Pool - it is great!
• Animal viewing areas

CONS--

• Location - we like being away from the hustle, but some see being secluded as a con.
• Food choices - There is only so much of that genre of food you will want.

Bay Lake Tower:


PROS--

• Location - especially with small children. Nothing like walking out the front door and being in MK in 5 minutes!
• Location - Great access to MK resorts and Pools.
• Location - Great access to a myriad of food options.
• Location - Did I mention location?

CONS--

• Theming - Very contemporary and cold.
• Doesn't have a real resort feel to us.

The ONLY reason we purchased at BLT was because of location. We don't like the decor or theming....but did I mention the location?

Kidani is our favorite, but there is nothing like my DH and DS walking out of our villa at 1200 midnight to go catch a couple of hours of Extra Magic Hours at MK!

Katybug, your analysis pretty much matches up with my own exactly, with the only exception that we haven't actually stayed at BLT yet.

My DH and I went round and round trying to decide, and finally concluded it would be smart for us to split our points and buy at each. We could definitely be happy doing split stays, or just alternating resorts each trip.

Wow, 400 points at each? Holy cow, batman, that's a lot of points!

 

[hopare]

We had the same questions when we bought last year. After much consideration we chose AKV. In Nov we did a split stay with 5 days at Kidani and 3 at BLT. I loved both places for different reasons. The theming at AKV was amazing, the Rooms were beautiful. When we went to BLT it really felt cold, worn and even a bit cheap(furnishings) compared to AKV. However with that we still preferred BLT simply because of the location. When we add on, we plan to do so at BLT.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either of those!!

 

[Disneyfriend]

We had the same questions when we bought last year. After much consideration we chose AKV. In Nov we did a split stay with 5 days at Kidani and 3 at BLT. I loved both places for different reasons. The theming at AKV was amazing, the Rooms were beautiful. When we went to BLT it really felt cold, worn and even a bit cheap(furnishings) compared to AKV. However with that we still preferred BLT simply because of the location. When we add on, we plan to do so at BLT.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either of those!!

Thank you, Hopare. I'm glad you liked your split stay. We frequently do split stays and really enjoy them, because they truly feel like two separate vacations!

My husband and I are pretty convinced at this point that it makes sense for us to do two smaller contracts at both BLT and AKV, for all the reasons you (and others) have stated.

 

[marx]

I am happy to share our big news that we bought at Animal Kingdom Villas today. Our plan is to add on with BLT once the Hawaii legalities are completed (they are not, as of yet).

Congratulations! I have stayed at both and (much) prefer AKV, although at AKV I prefer Jambo. (Whether you purchase Kidani or Jambo, the 11 month window is good for both).

If I had to do it again, I would have put split my contract and allot some points for BWV.

 

[floatinourboat]

The key to real estate and even in DVC ownership is Location, location location. But that too is subjective based on your intended vision. If you want access to the MK then BLT is the place to be. But if you want easy access to Down Town Disney then its SSR. If its Epcot you desire then its the Beach Club but that would be a resale purchase or Board Walk Villa

 

[Disneyfriend]

Congratulations! I have stayed at both and (much) prefer AKV, although at AKV I prefer Jambo. (Whether you purchase Kidani or Jambo, the 11 month window is good for both).

If I had to do it again, I would have put split my contract and allot some points for BWV.

Thanks, Marx.

I agree that both Kidani and Jambo are beautiful. We've stayed at both and love both - love the compactness and magnificent lobby at Jambo; love the extra space and quiet and Kidani.

 

[edisneydreaming]

We bought at BLT and love it. The Contemporary is our favorite hotel so we didn't buy until BLT was available. We have changed our stays to longer ones and we like to split them. The last time we spent a week at SSR (on developer points) and 4 nights at BLT (Magic Kingdom View). This trip we are spending a week at BLT (Lake View) and 4 nights a Kidani. I love both resorts and am sure you will enjoy them both as well.

 

[sschneid]

We bought at BLT and were sold on location (never stayed yet). Our first stay was at Kidani and we loved the Resort... with one exception... Our room was so far from where the buses drop you off that we actually changed zip codes.

After a few days in the park, we dreaded going back to the resort. We spoke with the manager who help coordinate a move to a closer location. After the move, we really started to enjoy all that the AKV had to offer.

 

[Disneyfriend]

We bought at BLT and were sold on location (never stayed yet). Our first stay was at Kidani and we loved the Resort... with one exception... Our room was so far from where the buses drop you off that we actually changed zip codes.

After a few days in the park, we dreaded going back to the resort. We spoke with the manager who help coordinate a move to a closer location. After the move, we really started to enjoy all that the AKV had to offer.

Your first post . . . thank you and welcome to the DIS!

Yes, some of the rooms at Kidani are really, really far away from the lobby. I know just what you mean. And we had a room that was about 2/3rds of the way around the horseshoe; it actually could have been worse! But the Kidani rooms are truly beautiful. I think I'll know to ask for a room closer to the lobby next time.

 

[Disneyfriend]

We bought at BLT and love it. The Contemporary is our favorite hotel so we didn't buy until BLT was available. We have changed our stays to longer ones and we like to split them. The last time we spent a week at SSR (on developer points) and 4 nights at BLT (Magic Kingdom View). This trip we are spending a week at BLT (Lake View) and 4 nights a Kidani. I love both resorts and am sure you will enjoy them both as well.

Have a great trip, edisneydreaming! DH and I are increasingly happy with the idea of having smaller contracts at both AKV and BLT. Now, if we can just get the legalities smoothed out so we can actually buy at BLT!

I've said it before, but I really do love splitting our stays. They "freshen" up the trip and make it feel like you're doing two separate vacations.

 

[SanDeeKath]

I too like smaller contracts and breaking up the trip since each resort has such a vastly different feel! I love my BCV for a very different reason than AKV and so on. Katherine

 

[Disneyfriend]

I too like smaller contracts and breaking up the trip since each resort has such a vastly different feel! I love my BCV for a very different reason than AKV and so on. Katherine

Oooh, BCV and AKV must be a wonderful combination!

We've wanted to stay at BCV for a long time . . . maybe next trip.

 

[SanDeeKath]

It IS a great combo because the 2 resorts feel so different! Also, BCV is right there, within walking distance to Epcot where as AKV is further but has the wonderful animal theme that you really can't get at any other place at WDW. We are looking to combine the 2 again for New Year 2012!

Katherine

 

[YEWDVC]

I usually travel with adults (DD 38 and GodD 19). We love staying at Kidani becasue of the size of the room(s) and extra bathroom. I will be traveling soon with my Godson (age 5) and we will just manage from Kidani.