Help me get excited for AKV!!!

[jupers]

Backstory....We're new DVC owners. We just got back from an offsite trip (never again!) with my inlaws. (about the offsite not my inlaws) My FIL is military so we were able to get tickets at the military rate. We have days left on the tickets so to make a really long story short My inlaws, Us and my own Mom are going back in January for a long weekend!!!! In order to book a 2 bedroom I only had enough points for AKV standard view. BWV where I really wanted wasn't available... Anyway, I'm just not psyched about that resort. I wanted to try it, but not for this trip...I know about the buying 1 time points, but I can't bring myself to spend another $300 when I'm already spending so much on DVC....Please help pump me up for AKV in January!!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I love AKV. Will you be in Kidani or Jambo? Was OKW available? if AKV isn't what you want for whatever reasons maybe OKW will be more to your liking for just about the same number of points.

I love AKV because of the animals and the cast members. I've often sat on the rocking chairs with a book, and wind up not reading, but enjoying the sights of the savannah. When I walk around the resort the CMs are so friendly and willing to tell you about their homeland, their experiences in America and the animals out there.

I've mostly stayed in Jambo, and I do have the preference because most often I'm in a studio and Jambo is where the Mara is, and I enjoy the variety of the take out food there. I really like the pool at Jambo too, and they have movies at the pool on some nights, but in January that may not be as inviting as it is now.

However, I've also stayed in a 1 and in a 2 bedroom in Kidani and those accomodations are wonderful! The extra bathroom is appreciated. Kidani is the first stop for most of the Disney buses, all except the DTD one. That's a plus for staying in Kidani.

I hope you have a fabulous stay!

Bobbi

 

[jupers]

We are staying at Kidani. Can you walk between the two resorts?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are staying at Kidani. Can you walk between the two resorts?

Yes you can, and there's also a golf cart shuttle, or maybe it's a little bit larger cart in the summer time.

Jambo's health club has a sauna, and my DSis likes to use it. She gladly spends her last day of any trip right on the property.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas is a AAA four-diamond resort and was rated the #1 family resort in the US and Canada by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

 

[crazybones27]

AKV is one of our home resorts and we LOVE IT!!! Both Jambo and Kidani have their own special things about them. Jambo is such a site when you walk in for the first time. Seriously it's breathtaking!! Kidani is nice and peaceful and very laid back. Yes, you can walk between resorts using the path they have. As Bobbiwoz stated there is a shuttle that comes around every 5-10mins I'd say. Although on our last trip in June it was an 8 passenger van and not a golf cart. The only downside to Kidani is there is no counterservice location so you would have to go to Jambo for that, but we didn't find this to be a big deal for us. We LOOOOOOVE the pools at AKV's!!
The CM's are always so great and LOVE to talk to you. Its just so relaxing there .

I think you will really enjoy your stay .

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

AKV is a beautiful resort.

I've stayed there in a standard view studio and it was great. Yes we had a view of the bus stop, but there are AMPLE viewing areas of the Savannah.

It is a very quiet and relaxing place. We will be staying there for a couple of days in November before switching over to our home resort of BLT.

 

[BigEeyore]

We LOVE AKV! It is just beautiful, and meticulously themed so that you feel as if you are in Africa. If the weather is warm enough, the pool area is amazing. You will have a great time!

 

[BeagleMom]

Leaving for AKV in 13 days! It was our first choice for a summer trip. Stayed at BCV last August and it was way too hot. No shade at the pool area. The poolside area was unbearable and the shallower parts of pool were packed. Can't wait to stay at AKV this summer.

 

[Desnik]

We will be at AKV in 14 days!!!
It is our favorite resort as a family to relax at and just enjoy all the things it has to offer. The place is absolutely beautiful and they have great activities for kids and adults! Great CM's too. The pools, animals, decor, food, really you can't go wrong everything is so wonderful. We can't wait to be there for 8 days of fun and relaxation!!

 

[JWG]

Hey OP!

What did you think of AKV?

 

[jupers]

We haven't been yet. Staying 1 night in Oct then again for 5 in January...I'm still hesitant, but hey, I'm in Disney and I will NEVER stay offsite again.

 

[majortom1981]

AKV kidani is my home resort.

You must spend one night at the camp fire talking to the guides from africa(they really are from africa .) while on the rocking chairs by the fire. Who needs fireworks when you have a camp fire while watching animals and talking to people from africa.

Also you must go to sanaa and get bread service at the sanaa bar for lunch.

Also the kidani pool is great it has a great pool bar and an area looking over one of the savanahs. also has a great seperate section if you have smaller kids (heck i like going to that section and standing under the waterfall)

Do the free sanaa tour that is during lunch hours. They give you a free bread service at the end . The bread service is different types of naan with humus and mango chutney (it rocks!!!!).

AKV kidani is very relaxing resort. they have african music playing which is kinda relaxing.Jambo house is in walking distance. Its easier to take any poark bus to jambo since they go to kidani first and then walk back to kidani on the way back since you can take the first stairway and walk in the airconditioning most of the way.

When are you staying at kidani in jan ? i am going the 8 -14.

Standard view at kidani is not that bad since the parking is underneath the building. You could get a pool view room which here is a standard . The rest overlook trees and grass and the picnic area.

 

[TravelingJen24]

The last trip to WDW we took was in November 2011. We stayed inn a 2-bedroom kidani and loved it. We own at OKW and have been since 2004. We have stayed at OKW, BCV, WLV, and AKV. I loved that resort. It was so mello. The little store was perfect and the castmembers were very helpful. I wish they had a few more eateries, but otherwise, it was nice to come back after a crazy day and relax. Also, we spent a lot of time at the community hall. Our kids would do crafts and we would sit on the balcony and look at the animals. You will enjoy your trip, I promise.

 

[rpk1951]

We love the restaurant at Kidna and Boma. Both are great places to eat.

 

[lvdis]

AKV kidani is my home resort.

You must spend one night at the camp fire talking to the guides from africa(they really are from africa .) while on the rocking chairs by the fire. Who needs fireworks when you have a camp fire while watching animals and talking to people from africa.

Also you must go to sanaa and get bread service at the sanaa bar for lunch.

Also the kidani pool is great it has a great pool bar and an area looking over one of the savanahs. also has a great seperate section if you have smaller kids (heck i like going to that section and standing under the waterfall)

Do the free sanaa tour that is during lunch hours. They give you a free bread service at the end . The bread service is different types of naan with humus and mango chutney (it rocks!!!!).

AKV kidani is very relaxing resort. they have african music playing which is kinda relaxing.Jambo house is in walking distance. Its easier to take any poark bus to jambo since they go to kidani first and then walk back to kidani on the way back since you can take the first stairway and walk in the airconditioning most of the way.

When are you staying at kidani in jan ? i am going the 8 -14.

Standard view at kidani is not that bad since the parking is underneath the building. You could get a pool view room which here is a standard . The rest overlook trees and grass and the picnic area.

I just had to say, we are staying in a 1 bedroom in Kidani January 8 - 14! This will be our first time at AKV and I'm really looking forward to it. Is the campfire offered every night? Do you know what times? See you there!

 

[majortom1981]

I just had to say, we are staying in a 1 bedroom in Kidani January 8 - 14! This will be our first time at AKV and I'm really looking forward to it. Is the campfire offered every night? Do you know what times? See you there!

The fire itself is usually on when it gets dark BUT the african guides are there all day.

 

[Tosie]

Kidani is terrific-we stayed there in 2009 and will be there again this Nov and probably Aug 2012.

We had a standard view as well - didn't matter at all to us - you can see the animals as you walk through the halls through big glass windows.

There is so much to do here and we did not take advantage of a lot of it during our last trip. We will remedy that soon!! (On a side note - although we surrounded by beautiful animals, gorgeous decor, and TOP NOTCH cm's - my kids' favorite thing was the pool table in the game room - .)

The one small downside to our location was that we were very close to the smoking area so didn't spend much time on our balcony (big deal-we had a view of the bus stop and parking lot anyway) but hey - no complaints here - they were using the designated area.

The walk from Kidani to Jambo is not long at all (except in the rain, lol!) We walked there multiple times for Boma, shopping, and the Mara.

You will have a great time!!

 

[dizzneebabe]

I believe AKV is one of the best THEMED resorts on property. It is SOOO beautiful, inside and out. Both Jambo and Kidani each have their advantages, but we love them both. Yes, it's a little more removed from everything, but we even had good luck with buses.

Keep in mind ANY park bus will stop at Kidani first, then Jambo. A DTD bus will do the reverse route. So, if you don't want to walk between properties (we did it many times-very quick and easy), that's always an option.

I think you'll love it!

 

[TheresaBoynton]

We'll be visiting AKL with a 2 year old in December. Any suggestions on activities he may enjoy? Thanks!