Help! Regretting our choice...Kidani (buses? Target?)

[Violet Parr]

I made the mistake of reading the negative reviews on Tripadvisor. A few things were surprising to me.

1. More than one person mentioned 45 bus rides to the other parks, except AK. I was sure I had read 25 min.

2. Several said the rooms were cheapy.

3. One mentioned that you can see a Target from the resort.

We are renting from a DVC owner, so I don't think we can change at this point (trip is 35 days away.)

I'm really second-guessing our choice and wondering if anyone has insights.

Thanks!

 

[Violet Parr]

Also, I should note that this time around we expect to be in our room a lot more for meals, lounging, etc. We are usually at the parks and TS meals from morning til bedtime, but we're taking it easy since this is a shorter trip for us (6 nights) and we have a rambunctious 3 year old with us.

VP

 

[monorailmom]

We were just at Kidani last month, in fact it's one of our home resorts. We LOVED our stay here. The rooms were not at all "cheapy", in fact I took video of all the details in the room! We had some of the best bus service we've ever had at Disney...only one day did we wait more than 10mins for a bus, and they were never crowded.

I don't see how it would be possible to see a Target from this resort. I saw nothing but animals and Disney busses.

Be very careful about TripAdvisor. Use it with a grain of salt.

 

[minnie mum]

You are basing this on TripAdvisor??? Heck, I regularly write reviews for TripAdvisor, and even I don't believe most of what I read there!

 

[Princess on the Run]

We loved Kidani!!!! We stayed in a 2BD in February and it was fantastic! Everything was really nice (not at all cheap) and I can't imagine how you could possibly see Target from there. Our view was the trees that were right in front of the pool and we could barely see the pool through the trees. The other side is the savanna. It was beautiful and we seriously considered never staying anywhere else ever again!

 

[Violet Parr]

You are basing this on TripAdvisor??? Heck, I regularly write reviews for TripAdvisor, and even I don't believe most of what I read there!

Yeah, I am learning fast that a lot of the reviews are a joke. One said that the hotel "was very, very old and had a Radisson feel to it." Knowing that it just opened a few years ago, clearly this was a bogus review.

Feeling better already. I'll miss being on Bay Lake, but one of our purposes with this trip is to be a lot more laid back and less in a rush.

VP

 

[Pakey]

I've stayed at all of the deluxe hotels except the Poly and all DVC resorts except BLT. I own at BCV. My favorite out of all of these is Kidani.

I do a lot of travel outside of WDW and I have found that Trip Advisor is often way off the mark.

We have spent 2 weeks at Kidani and have had exceptional bus experiences, a gorgeous villa both times (a 2 bedroom and a Grand Villa) and courteous service from cast members.

I will definitely stay there a 3rd time!

 

[ALMinVA]

We stayed at Kidani for 5 nights in a Savannah room in August and LOVED it. We didn't find it cheap looking at all and loved all the space. We loved having a washer and dryer, the kitchenette and having 3 full bathrooms (we had a 2 bedroom). The beds were very comfortable, the room was very clean. The pool was fun! I would definitely stay there again.

 

[B-Ride]

You are basing this on TripAdvisor??? Heck, I regularly write reviews for TripAdvisor, and even I don't believe most of what I read there!

Including what you write yourself?

 

[TDC Nala]

After reading reviews of Disney resorts on Trip Advisor, if people made their decisions based on that, no one would ever stay at a Disney resort.

However, I do believe that a shopping center can be visible from some higher level rooms facing the front of the resort.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

The people that do the Touring Plans website and the Unofficial Guide for WDW have stated that Kidani is the highest rated resort among those they have polled. Having stayed at Kidani I would have to agree. It is a very nice resort.

 

[MdmMim]

I had a view of Target from my room at Kidani. I was not happy.

 

[Violet Parr]

I had a view of Target from my room at Kidani. I was not happy.

Ooh, bummer. Do you remember your room number? We are requesting a lower floor just because our 3 year old is a climber and we don't want to be too high up. I was going to request something close to the lobby, but I'm thinking a lower floor would be in our best interests.

VP

 

[delilah]

Kidani is our home resort. We stay there at least once or twice a year, and we usually get a Savanna view room. I think it has some of the nicest rooms that we have stayed at, and we have stayed at Saratoga springs, Grand Floridian, Bay Lake towers, Beach Club villas, Old Key west, as well as the All Star resorts. Kidani is my personal favorite of all of these.

I guess I'll have to let my husband know for the next time we visit that there is a Target close enough to be seen from the resort. Might stop off to get some essentials (don't remember having gone there).

 

[MdmMim]

Ooh, bummer. Do you remember your room number? We are requesting a lower floor just because our 3 year old is a climber and we don't want to be too high up. I was going to request something close to the lobby, but I'm thinking a lower floor would be in our best interests.
VP

I don't remember the room number, but I'm pretty sure it was the top floor. It was a corner room. You might be ok with a lower floor, as the trees should block the Target view.

 

[SillyFamily]

I have no comment on the AKL other than its beautiful. I will say the target is close and a great place to run in for a few essentials.

 

[rjvose17]

I'd like to chime in here. Kidani is one of our home resorts as well for we are DVC members too. We stay at AKV at least a portion of all of our trips. It's by far the best we have stayed in for quality. There isn't another resort like it, it's an experience in itself. As far as seeing a shopping center or target....we have stayed in a front room on the top floor and at night you can see lights that could be a shopping center but you have to be looking for it. Also remember that there isn't a target on Disney property so you have to leave the Disney area to get to it, so considering how much Disney owns it's not too close. I can't honestly comment on the buses because we always have a rental and hardly ever use a bus, but I see them constantly coming and going so I wouldn't imagine they are too horrible. We have two small girls too and they love going to AKV so much to do and see. Especially in the library. There is usually drumming going on and story telling. Disney does a great job. Relax it's going to be wonderful! Good luck. Hope that helps.

 

[shaynar]

We stayed there last year as a "last resort" b/c it was a last minute trip on dvc points. It was amazing!!!!! I would 100% go again.
We had a standard view room, right above the bus stop. Yes, we could see things in the distance (we were on the 5th floor, but we also could see Wishes from our balcony. We didn't pay for the upgraded view, so we accepted what we got. The room was gorgeous (stayed in a studio) and will 100% stay again in a 1-br next time!

 

[Violet Parr]

Oh, yay! I'm so excited now! I am really hoping that we are closer to the lobby. I don't even mind seeing the porte corchere or Disney buses from our balcony. I'd rather skip the long walk or Target view if possible.

In any case, thanks for making me feel so much better, everyone! Very much looking forward to the trip now.

VP

 

[spiceycat]

the target is probably the one across from Orange lake publix - really surprised no one has mention the publix. when they were making AKV you could definitely see it from the publix side.

you would to be high up and almost directly across from the target to see it.

but can't remember if you saw the end or near the lobby - so just avoid the front side (standard view) of the 5th floor.

savannah view should never see it.