Considering Kidani, questions about booking

[chimo2u]

Good Afternoon! Well, After wondering if I'd even be going back again after my recent trip (Sept/Oct 2012) -- My son has decided he wants to go one more time with me, and bring his GF for a Graduation trip in 2014. We will need 3 distinct sleeping areas. I have been doing much research as I want to make sure I choose right this time.... I am strongly leaning towards Kidani because we adore AKL....but kidani looks like it can fit all our needs for sleeping arrangements, and I like the look of the new pool. We usually always stay CL, this isn't available at Kidani, but might make for a good time to try the deluxe dining plan for us.

Being this is a DVC resort, do they do cash reservations? and if we choose to rent points, can we still get free dining if it's available during our dates, or add on the dining plan?? also, can we get daily housekeeping if we want it?? I like daily housekeeping, but I suppose with a washer and dryer, I could do my own towels as needed. Do you recommend renting points?? I am thinking we'd do a 1 BDR Villa. DS/DGF could use the sleeper chair/sofa and DH and I the master bdrm. I LOVE that they have a king bed! That's a bonus. Are you able to recommend someone to rent from??? I have 2 yrs to save, is the cost of a 1 bdrm unit at Kidani going to be similar to what I pay to stay club level at resorts like the POLY, AKL and Beach Club?? $5,000 for 6 nights isn't foreign to me, but that usually includes free dining basic plan and tickets for 4 adults.

Thanks for any thoughts or reviews! I'm going to need the next 2 yrs to save

Marie

 

[chalee94]

Being this is a DVC resort, do they do cash reservations?

you can rent directly from disney with a cash reservation, based on availability. (disney owns some AKV pts and rents them like hotel reservations.)

and if we choose to rent points, can we still get free dining if it's available during our dates, or add on the dining plan??

no free dining on points stays. not ever.

free dining is a promotion offered by disney for cash stays. sometimes cash stays at DVC resorts qualify.

DVC points stays do have the option of adding on the dining plan at the regular rate (and with no ticket purchase requirement.)

also, can we get daily housekeeping if we want it??

daily housekeeping is included on cash stays.

here are the rules for points stays:

Housekeeping Services

Trash & Towel Service
For stays of seven or less nights, Trash & Towel Service is provided on day four, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both.

With Trash & Towel service, Housekeeping will:
•Empty trash and replace liners in trash bins.
•Provide fresh bathroom linens.
•Replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap.
•Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
•Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.
•Replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwashing detergent, sponges and laundry detergent as needed in one-, two- and three-bedroom Vacation Homes.


Full Cleaning Service
For stays of eight or more nights, Full-Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash & Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both. With Full-Cleaning service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash & Towel Service, plus:
•Change the bed linens.
•Vacuum and dust the Vacation Home.
•Clean the bathroom(s).
•Clean the kitchen/kitchenette and wash the dishes.


Pay As You Play
With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities free of charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more for the following fees:
•Toiletries Package, $5.00 - 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel
•Coffee Package, $3.00 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners
•Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
•Laundry Detergent (only in One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Vacation Homes), $1.00 - 1 box


Additional Full - Cleaning Rates:

•Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:

•Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested

Do you recommend renting points?? Are you able to recommend someone to rent from???

there are tradeoffs. it is cheaper but you generally have no option to cancel. do your homework and understand what you are getting into and it can be a great deal.

here is a points broker who supports the DIS:

http://www.dvcrequest.com

 

[jimandami]

Yes, you can do a cash reservation at Kidani, but it will be much cheaper to rent points. Depending on when you go, a week in a savannah view 1 bedroom would probably be around $2500ish when renting and probably twice that or more through CRO. If you rent points, however, you are not eligible for free dining or any other discount WDW may offer. You can add the dining plan, but must pay for it in advance. However, with a full kitchen, you may find that you don't need the dining plan. It would probably be cheaper to have breakfast in the room and pay OOP for your meals. You can get daily housekeeping but there is a fee of somewhere around $30-40/day. Check out the dvc rent/trade board on this site for more information.