I booked my first trip as a DVC member and December can't come fast enough.

[disneyfan67]

Just a heads up. This post is going to ramble and I apologize in advance, but I'm so excited and wanted to share the news.

I'm so excited that I was able to book a Kidani Grand Villa for my family, including my mom and dad for our trip in December. The whole thing is just so unreal that it boggles my mind because just 3 months ago we never thought we would be DVC owners. We booked our annual WDW trip earlier this year for May as that is our favorite month and got the $750 gift card deal and thought nothing about DVC. We always wanted one, but as my previous thread stated, we didn't think it would happen until many years from now. Then a wonderful opportunity happened, the funds open up so my wife and I took the plunge and are now proud owners.

We got a great deal and with the 160 points that we given from last year, we decided to splurge and go all out. I had to change my dates around a little, but I booked a 2 story Grand Villa for the entire family in the 3rd week of December and it's just awesome. I still have 58 points left over which I'm banking for next year, plus I'm going to WDW in the Christmas season which has been a long time dream for me and the family. I get to take my parents who have done so much for me in my life and it means a lot for me to treat them for once. It's going to be so cool not to have to be cramped in a hotel room and this will be the first time staying in accommodations as nice as this. A 2 story villa! Wow and this is the first time that I will actually look forward to winter coming.


My questions to all of you are. Has anyone stayed at one recently and what was you're thoughts? Can anyone give me the lowdown where the Grand Villas are located on the map of Kidani village? I tried looking at it, but I'm not sure where the room is located at on the map. The only pictures I could find were on allears and does anyone have ones of their own to share? Any thoughts, suggestions, and your opinions on what to do, what to look out for, etc, would be greatly appreciated. I'm a newbie and I'm planing on taking a tour this May when I'm down there, but there's just so much I don't know. Thanks for reading all this and I feel like a kid again about my December trip.

 

[snowhyte]

I have never stayed at AKL, but I did want to congratulate youon being a new DVC member!! I know the feeling of waiting. I booked VWL at 11 months and it feels like August will never be here!

 

[Greyhound22]

Congrats on the trip of a lifetime. I'd love to do the same someday. We'll be making our 2nd trip to Kidani next week. Have you been there before?

 

[disneyfan67]

Congrats on the trip of a lifetime. I'd love to do the same someday. We'll be making our 2nd trip to Kidani next week. Have you been there before?

I never have been to Kidani before and I bought into AKV sight unseen, kind of.

I have been to WDW many time and did stay at AKL on one trip and fell in love with the beauty of the place. Of course I have seen all the AKV pictures on allears and across the web, but haven't toured them yet. I will check it on my vacation this May which I booked long before my DVC purchase, but would love to hear some reviews from those hear who have stayed there, especially the Grand Villa. The beautiful thing about DVC is that I don't have to let my December trip, be the trip of a lifetime. I look forward to staying there for many years to come.

 

[Greyhound22]

I think the difference is the size. Jambo House is massave (to me), where Kidani is quaint. I fell like I'm staying in a resort at JH (along with hundreds and hundreds of others). At Kidani, I feel as if I own the place. Call me silly, but with the lack of people everywhere that is the feeling I get. It is just the right size and lacks the hustle and bustle of JH. I can't help with the Grand Villa. But, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

 

[RLRDA]

Congratulations on your new membership and booking your first DVC trip! We've never stayed in a GV but I assure you, you'll be spoiled. We usually stay in 1BRs but the few times we've had a 2BR we've been spoiled by the space. I can only imagine how nice it would be to have the room of a GV and share it with family . Enjoy planning your first DVC trip of many!

 

[ccigliano]

Congratulations and Welcome Home. While I have yet to stay in a GV, I have stayed at Kidani just last week and we really liked it. I saw the GV from across the savannah and the windows looking out on to the savannah look like they are ceiling to floor. We have stayed in a 2 bedroom at the VWL and absolutely loved the space. I too took my mom and dad as well as my sister and her family. I didn't mind sleeping on the couch one bit as having everyone there in early December to experience all the Christmas festivities was awesome. I hope you and your family have a great time.