Is it Just Me? Part II - AKV

[ADP]

thanks for all the info. we will be staying at AKV in late Sept. Can anyone tell me if there is a place to fill the mugs with coffee?

The gift shop (Johari Treasures) has a coffee & tea station for mug refills (No hot chocolate). You can fill your mugs with soda at the gift shop and the pool bar. The pool bar does not have coffee and tea refills.

 

[Daisy414]

Thanks I really need my coffee and was afraid that it only had soda refills

 

[btrim]

at AKV (Kidani Village) and we loved it. My husband bought here because he knows how much I love being able to watch the animals. We also own at SSR and love it there. Everyone likes different aspects of the different resorts. Thank goodness Disney doesn't make them all the same. I love the decor of AKV and we loved the underground parking. We have stayed at BWV and the Swan and Dolphin (I know these are DVC) before and for us being that close to the parks is not that important. In faact I don't like having to decide what type of transportation actually will take you back to these resorts. We were in the front area of EPCOT and it started to rain and we wanted to take a bus back to the Dolphin. No such thing unless we took the monorail to MK and then caught a bus there. As I have said before to each his own and thank goodness we aren't all made the same or want the same things.

 

[ADP]

Daisy414
Here is a photo of the coffee and soda mug refill station inside the gift shop.
Hope it helps.

 

[Disnead]

Interesting that you and others seem to focus on the distance from the parks for AKV. Frankly, when we have stayed there, the bus service has been fantastic! The only place I thought it was difficult and long to get to was DTD. Since I don't really care if I go to DTD, it wasn't a big deal. I always think good bus service gets you to the parks easier, faster, and with less hassle than driving. I guess it's because I absolutely HATE those trams from the parking lot!

Good bus service can't get you back to AKV any faster. Even after you get on it is a long ride from most of "The World"...and when you have small kids...its the last thing a lot of people want. Also when you are done with the parks after a long day and they cram those busses with 500 more people than it can hold, you start to notice the distances.

The only park/restaurant we really notice that on is AK and AKV meals...and we have used bus transportation very often from a lot of different places. In fact...when buying DVC that was one of the major cons that we had listed for AKV. Some people like being away from everything and that is fine...we are just not those people.

 

[Inkmahm]

We just returned a week ago from our first trip home to Kidani. We actually had a split stay between SSR (5 nights) and Kidani (4 nights). We bought in without visiting any DVC resorts. All I can say is we LOVED Kidani. We can't wait to go back!

Our stay at SSR was o.k., but we were not impressed with the dirty worn out carpet and the bed/bath layout (we had a 1 bedroom). There's no privacy. Also, the 1 bedroom at Kidani is sooo much larger. I know it's only about 100 sq ft bigger but it seems a lot larger than that. We are a family of 5 and used the pull out chair and sofa at Kidani and SSR. SSR pullout - very uncomfortable and no room to walk from kitchen to living area once opened. At Kidani, we had the chair and pull out sofa opened - tons of room and extremely comforable. Kidani has 2 bathrooms - SSR - 1. Also the bed/bath layout at Kidani - very nice, beautifully decorated, lots of space and private.

I agree the outside isn't as nice, but the lobby area outside is beautiful - my kids loved the laterns built into the wall. The lobby itself is on the smaller side, but very classy and the CMs were all very helpful and friendly. I don't see why they would change the check in from here to Jambo and Dean mentioned.

My kids loved the pool - especially the 128ft slide. The interactive play area was also wonderful for my 4 & 6 year olds. They played here for a long time.

As far as the garage goes, we thought the names were adorable - it's just a parking garage. The names also carry through to the elevators. Also, nice to have car parked out of the sun on hot days - we particularly liked that.

I should also mention, even though we had a car we did use Disney busses as well. We had no complaints - never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus @ Kidani.

Overall, we loved it. What's inside is what matters most to us and we were extremely happy and proud to call Kidani our home. I don't think we will ever stay in a 1 bedroom again that doesn't have the 2 bath layout.

We haven't stayed at Kidani yet but we love Jambo. I just started to do our 2010 trip planning and decided we need more points for our spring trips so I called our guide this afternoon and added another 100 points at AKV. Now we have 300 there and it MAY be enough for awhile...

 

[discott71]

We haven't stayed at Kidani yet but we love Jambo. I just started to do our 2010 trip planning and decided we need more points for our spring trips so I called our guide this afternoon and added another 100 points at AKV. Now we have 300 there and it MAY be enough for awhile...

That's awesome - congrats. I can't wait to add on someday - we could definitely use another 100pts (or at least I could )!

 

[discott71]

Good bus service can't get you back to AKV any faster. Even after you get on it is a long ride from most of "The World"...and when you have small kids...its the last thing a lot of people want. Also when you are done with the parks after a long day and they cram those busses with 500 more people than it can hold, you start to notice the distances.

The only park/restaurant we really notice that on is AK and AKV meals...and we have used bus transportation very often from a lot of different places. In fact...when buying DVC that was one of the major cons that we had listed for AKV. Some people like being away from everything and that is fine...we are just not those people.

On our trip a couple weeks ago we hardly waited more than 5 - 10 min. for a bus. We waited a lot longer than that at SSR - probably more like 20. So, if you cut your wait time down then the extra length in travel kind of evens everything out. Also, was never on an over-crowded bus. I think the busses are more frequent at AKV thus less people on each trip. Lastly, I just have to say even though AKV is further out, lets face it, it's really not THAT far - maybe an extra 7 min. to get to MK - big deal?!

 

[Disnead]

On our trip a couple weeks ago we hardly waited more than 5 - 10 min. for a bus. We waited a lot longer than that at SSR - probably more like 20. So, if you cut your wait time down then the extra length in travel kind of evens everything out. Also, was never on an over-crowded bus. I think the busses are more frequent at AKV thus less people on each trip. Lastly, I just have to say even though AKV is further out, lets face it, it's really not THAT far - maybe an extra 7 min. to get to MK - big deal?!

On a normal day MK, Epcot, or HS for us...we go in the morning, come back during the day for naps and a swim, go back to the parks and come back to sleep. IF it were only 7 extra minutes (i think that is on the low side...also seems to share a bus with Blizzard Beach at times if I remember correctly which adds to it). Then I am looking at an extra half an hour a day minimum on that bus. To some that is a big deal!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We haven't stayed at Kidani yet but we love Jambo. I just started to do our 2010 trip planning and decided we need more points for our spring trips so I called our guide this afternoon and added another 100 points at AKV. Now we have 300 there and it MAY be enough for awhile...

That's great! Enjoy the extra points!

Bobbi

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We just got back, and we visited Kidani a couple of times. We didn't notice any lack of appearances on the drive in... other than they didn't put those little camp fire thingys in..

MG

 

[icydog]

It is the Disney Studios bus that stops at Blizzard Beach. That bus took forever. On average though, I have to agree the buses were more plentiful and less crowded.

I liked the resort a lot. I didn't like some things but on average I liked the resort more than say, the Beach Club, where I also own.

I loved the theming. It was done especially well in this resort. Even the hallways are interesting with lookouts for the animals and giraffe carpeting. I loved the granite counter tops and upscale kitchen. Way, WAY, WAY, nicer than the last DVC resort, Saratoga Springs.

The bus rides gave me a chance to decompress on the way home from the parks and a way to dream on the way to the parks. I didn't mind the extra time on them at all. In fact, I found the bus service wonderful on all accounts. I hate taking buses, but on this trip, they didn't bother me.

I would return in a heartbeat. I loved almost all of it. I just wish the restaurant, which was beautiful by the way, had a more diverse menu. I can't eat spicy foods and without hot spices Indian food is only so- so.

 

[jade1]

On a normal day MK, Epcot, or HS for us...we go in the morning, come back during the day for naps and a swim, go back to the parks and come back to sleep. IF it were only 7 extra minutes (i think that is on the low side...also seems to share a bus with Blizzard Beach at times if I remember correctly which adds to it). Then I am looking at an extra half an hour a day minimum on that bus. To some that is a big deal!

If your comparing MK to BLT instead of AKV-its more than 7 minutes. You will likely be in your room (or the pool) before the AKV bus leaves MK most of the time.

As for underground parking at AKV-that sounds very nice for someone that drives while at WDW. We never will with ME though. We often have 12 to 14 of us which is renting 3 minivans (over $1000)-plus no need for them when we can walk to the parks, garden grocer and owners locker.

 

[icydog]

If your comparing MK to BLT instead of AKV-its more than 7 minutes. You will likely be in your room (or the pool) before the AKV bus leaves MK most of the time.

As for underground parking at AKV-that sounds very nice for someone that drives while at WDW. We never will with ME though. We often have 12 to 14 of us which is renting 3 minivans (over $1000)-plus no need for them when we can walk to the parks, garden grocer and owners locker.

What is the Garden Grocer? Is it a store? Thanks

 

[Golden Rose]

Ok, I have to share my "first sight of Kidani" story. DH and I were driving over to Jambo House for dinner at Jiko two weeks ago, and I said I wanted to drive by Kidani to take a look at it. I warned DH I'd read reports on the Disboards that it wasn't much to look at as one drove up...

DH's reaction upon seeing Kidani - "Well, that is unimpressive. But, honey, it is a construction site. What do you and your Disboard friends really expect from a building still under construction? When is it due to open, September? I'm sure it will look fine by then..."

 

[MiaSRN62]

What do you and your Disboard friends really expect from a building still under construction? When is it due to open, September? I'm sure it will look fine by then..."

It opened May 1 Golden Rose. I was there for lunch on May 9.

Maria

 

[jade1]

What is the Garden Grocer? Is it a store? Thanks

http://www.gardengrocer.com/

Grocery/alcohol delivery to your resort. Its awesome.