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

[Tara]

Mike, great pics so far - thanks for sharing!

If you have a moment and the inclination when passing by the Resort Airline Check-in desk, would you mind stopping and asking if they will be adding service for Southwest baggage check soon, and if so, when?

(Explanation - there's a report of a schedule for expanding to all resorts in March and April and a report that Teena, the new greeter at BC reported that SW bags will be included as of tomorrow.)

Danke

 

[dvc at last !]

We stayed at All Star Music the year it opened (1995) at Spring Break -
we thought we loved it !
" You've come a long way Baby " !
Then we discovered DVC ... end of story.

 

[stitchineeyore]

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

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

You said it all. Spoiled or not, I am SO glad DH started buying me birthday points 10 years ago. And Christmas points, and Anniversary points... especially after reading all the threads lately about the sports and cheerleading groups at the values. Crazy stories! Love the more relaxed rhythm of our trips, knowing we will be back year after year. DVC is the best! Enjoy the rest of your trip, Mike. Love the pix! Can't wait to be at Boardwalk on Saturday

 

[tgropp]

Great job Mike. Sounds like your wife and my wife would get along well. Sometimes she feels that there can be too much Disney.
Our first family on site visit was to the CBR. We enjoyed it, but after staying at the WL in 1994, I knew that we needed to stay at a deluxe. I like to spend more time at the resort than the parks, so having a nice place to hang out at was important. Looking forward to more daily reports.

 

[LoveKermit]

Looked for this yesterday thinking this was about your time of travel. There it was on top today! Just joining in since I can't see the pictures at work.

Thanks again!

 

[granmanh603]

Wow what a great idea for pictures...I have never seen these places either and agree with you comments...we might even go over and walk around Coronado Springs it looks nice. As for the others no comment...Thanks again Mike...

 

[JasonDVC]

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.

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

OMG!! LOL!! DVC Mike Dropping bombs and taking no prisoners!! Quality Humor!!

You made me laugh today!!

That said, I even happier now to own DVC after seeing your pics.

 

[dopeygirl76]

Mike - great TR and as always I love your pics. Here in SW PA we are just beginning the big melt and the pics are making me wish I lived somewhere a little warmer - Cinderella's castle maybe!!!

 

[stopher1]

More beautiful pictures Mike - thank you.

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 love it!

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.

Just remember that this was Disney's first attempt at creating a Value resort on property way back when.

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.

Then came these. I've stayed at both POP & All-Stars when that's all we could do. I don't care for them, but do appreciate what Disney was trying to do in creating them as the Value category. At the time though, I wished they hadn't bumped the prices on CBR, POR & CSR to create the Moderate category. Though I'd hate to see what they came up with if they tried to create a lower level of value resort...

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

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

Oh well, many people swear by them, they just don't happen to be us. Like you, I've happy we have our DVC too.

 

[JLitfin]

Mike, I just love your TRs and the photos. I always look forward to viewing your photos and wishing I were there.

Thanks for the photos of some of the other Disney resorts, I guess I'm spoiled as well, I would stay off property before staying at one of those resorts you posted. We're planning on bring some of our friends to Disney next year and don't have enough pts for two rooms, from looking at your photos I've decided to stay at one of the Marriotts (also own Marriott TS) instead of staying at one of those resorts you posted.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

 

[Inkmahm]

OMG!! LOL!! DVC Mike Dropping bombs and taking no prisoners!! Quality Humor!!

You made me laugh today!!

That said, I even happier now to own DVC after seeing your pics.

Me, too! I agree with everything he said.

 

[sjs314]

I guess I am spoiled or a resort snob but I have never stayed at the value resorts and do not plan to ever, My oldest son and DGF stayed at All Star Sports once and they came back saying never again Once I tried deluxe resorts there was no going back for me , with the exception of CRS I booked there the day the resort opened, just to be one of the "first" to check it out.
Thanks for the great TR and Pics

 

[mckryan]

Mike, just got home from a 3/5-8 trip at Jambo in the DVC villas. Friends and I went to cheer on runner friends and were at the finish line. We were walking around each other on Sunday at Epcot, after looking at your pictures! I have many of the same ones. LOL The weather was spectacular!

I didn't know there was a baby giraffe at Kidani's savanna! I should have come over there to take some pictures. I am enjoying extending my trip by checking out your photos.

 

[emlutz23]

Just suscribing now! We are staying in a 2-bed savannah view at Kidani in Aug and we can't wait! Thanks for the awesome pics DVC Mike! Any room pics by any chance?

 

[Anjelica]

Awesome thread. This is really gearing me up for our trip the first week in May at Kidani (we haven't been to Kidani yet). I also like the pics of the other resorts - kind of saved me some trips to the various value/mods to look.

 

[jessrose18]

Love the pics! Thanks for the report

 

[DVC Mike]

The weather has taken a turn and the rest of the week looks very cloudy with rain off and on. Little did I know when I visited the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival that it would be the best day of the week.

I went over to the Epcot resort area and wandered around Crescent Lake, starting at Beach Club.

The skies were a dull gray and it was a bit drab and dreary looking outside; however, I am not at work but at Disney! I do miss the crystal clear blue skies of Sunday.

Beach Club Villas (BCV)

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Beach Club lobby

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Walking around the lake

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[DVC Mike]

The Boardwalk

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This guy didn't seem to mind the overcast skies

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[DVC Mike]

It started to drizzle, so I hopped inside the Boardwalk Bakery to grab a latte and a muffin, and I watched it drizzle under an awning.

After it slowed down, I covered my camera with my baseball cap and walked back to Beach Club.

I spoke with one of the lifeguards at Stormalong Bay. He said Disney is going to announce a 5th theme park at WDW. I forget, who is more reliable - the lifeguards or the bus drivers? I can't remember.

Stormalong Bay

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[Coach81]

LOL Thanks for the update.. sorry for the dreary weather!