DVC Mike Live from Kidani Village (Mar 6-14, 2010)

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Loving this report as always! Beautiful pictures

 

[casper]

Mike,
Thanks for the dark ride pics of Pirates. That answers some of my questions. Nice camera. What were the settings you used for those pics? And I'm guessing you did not use a flash, right?

Like all the others, I really enjoy your pictures and trip report. Thanks for taking the time to include all of us. It is greatly appreciated. I'm 58 LONG days away from my next vacation there. Seeing your pictures relieves some of the stress in my life (it really does). Thanks again and enjoy your stay!

 

[Brave teacher]

Thanks Mike! I have been looking for a good picture of the covered walkway to the buses.

 

[lah3hh]

Woo Hoo...DVC Mike is back on vacation!!! We will be there at Kidani in 45 days so love the pictures of the resort and it's facilities.

I know DVC Mike is rather short on words but takes the BEST pictures and shares...can't ask for anything better than that!!

BTW, hope you have a wonderful time with Mrs. DVC arrives!!!

 

[JasonDVC]

Thanks for the pics, Mike! We"ll be there on April 22nd staying at Kidani as well.

I find it interesting that you could not get a reservation for Sanaa. Did you try to walk up to get a table? I was planning on just walking up for dinner with my wife and daughter, but I may have to re-think that strategy.

 

[Crystal_27]

Awwww, great shots so far - - I love that you always capture the less hectic side of a Disney vacation (marathon pictures aside - LOL).

 

[dgaston]

Ah...as always your pictures are wonderful. We are lucky enough to be at Jambo for the last week of F & G. The earlier opening surprised us. And it is one of my favorite times to visit the world. Thank you again for the beautiful glimpses into your trip.

 

[jpolak]

Great shots.

 

[DVC Mike]

Mike,
Thanks for the dark ride pics of Pirates. That answers some of my questions. Nice camera. What were the settings you used for those pics? And I'm guessing you did not use a flash, right?

No, I didn't use a flash on POTC. I had my 35mm lens wide open at f/1.8, ISO 1600, with a shutter speed of 1/60.

 

[DVC Mike]

I find it interesting that you could not get a reservation for Sanaa. Did you try to walk up to get a table?

No, I didn't try walking up. It always seems every time I try to book an ADR for Sanna online, I can never find an open slot.

 

[dlm1017]

Mike can you tell me if you use a tripofd for your night time shots and maybe your settings,the night time shots around the pool are amazing. I just purchased my first SLR Canon Rebel XS and can not wait to try it out in May

Thanks

 

[El&Asmom]

We loved Sanaa. We thought that since it's a bit out of the way, and Boma is so popular, that it would be easy to get into. Dh and I made it there one night about an hour before closing and still had to wait 45m to get in as a walk up. They were telling people that Boma would have an even longer wait. It was well worth the wait, and it was nice to be able to sit around the fire pit while waiting for our table.

 

[Coach81]

As always.. you da man, Mike!

 

[Kuzco]

Awesome pics. Looking forward to my first trip to Kidani in May. As always, thanks for sharing!

 

[DVC Mike]

Mike can you tell me if you use a tripofd for your night time shots and maybe your settings,the night time shots around the pool are amazing. I just purchased my first SLR Canon Rebel XS and can not wait to try it out in May

Thanks

Yes, I'll usually use a tripod on night shots if it's convenient. Ask me about a particular shot and I can tell you the settings I used.

 

[DVC Mike]

OK, today I did something different. I decided to vist - not a park or a DVC resort - but the Disney resorts I have never stayed at. I apologize in advance to those of you who may love any of these resorts.

I first visited Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort (a Moderate resort). Wow, if you think SSR is huge, take a look at CBR! There are 2,112 rooms spread over 200 acres.

The exterior of the buildings just didn't do it for me, and inside is just like any Best Western motel room.

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_144620.jpg

The pool area

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_144754.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_144836.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_145204.jpg

There were some areas that were kind of pretty

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_144658.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_144902.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_144924.jpg

Verdict: I just don't see me ever staying here.

 

[DVC Mike]

I next visited Disney's Pop Century Resort (a Value resort). This is another large resort with 2,880 rooms spread over 177 acres.

The exterior of the buildings is like a Motel 6, except they are boldly decorated - in a decor that just doesn't appeal to me.

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_151048.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_151158.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_151230.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_151400.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_151420.jpg

Verdict: You'll never catch me staying here.

 

[DVC Mike]

I then went to Disney's All-Star Resorts (a Value resort). Again, another huge resort with 5,740 rooms spread over 246 acres.

I'm sorry, but this place just looks worse to me than Pop Century.

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_152852.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_152940.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_152950.jpg

Verdict: I'll be dead before I ever stay here.

 

[DVC Mike]

I finally went to Disney's Coronado Springs Resort (a Moderate resort). Even though this is a moderate resort, it seems a bit more upscale than CBR (or Port Orleans), probably since it's also a convention hotel.

This place is also big - 1,877 rooms spread across 125 acres. However, it's actually a quite pretty place.

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_154054.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_153924.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_153950.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_154130.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_154150.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_154540.jpg

http://i235.*************************************2010%20Mar%20AKV/DVCMike_2010_03_08_154814.jpg

Verdict: I could stay here if I was short on points and looking for a place to spend a night or two.

 

[DVC Mike]

Bottom line: I'm glad I have my DVC!

(either that, or I'm just spoiled).