Just back - akv ~ kidani village

[TINKERIFIC]

Hey howdy hey, folks!!

I am planning on starting a full blown trip report, which will be my first so I am nervous. Before that, I have to "clean up" my pictures.

To give you the down and dirty:

1. June 19th - 26th
2. 2 bedroom lockoff SV ~ 7214 & 7216
3. 5 adults & 3 children
4. Celebrations ~ DS 4th birthday & Fathers day

ROOM REVIEW:
Pros ~

• The view was spectacular and well worth the points.
• Plenty of room for the 3 and 4 year old to be rowdy (BOYS!!!), we never felt crowded with 8 of us in the 2 bedroom.
• Very comfortable pull out sofas and sleeper chair...extremely easy to open and close.
• Loved the 3rd bathroom!!!!
• The lockoff was a great choice...the kitchenette in the studio was handy...the occupants were EXTREMELY early risers...they were able to make their own coffee and go in and out of the room without disturbing the rest of the group in the one bedroom.
• The rooms were in the best location....2nd level, close to Timon elevator, bus stop walkway, arcade, community center, laundry, trash room, and lobby. A room on the 2nd flloor in either the 1st or 2nd bead to the right of the lobby is the best place to be...we were in the second bead.
• I cannot say enough great things about the master shower...heaven!!!
• Great service and extremely knowledgable savanah staff.
• The community hall was awesome...my kids (DD12 & DS4) spent a lot of time there...they colored, made buttons ($1 each), coffee mug ($5 each) and masks.
• The waterplay area is PERFECT for toddlers and older kids (AKA ME!!)
• The overall atmosphere was awesome. I am a proud owner!!!

Cons ~

• Our rooms already showed much disrepair and need for cleanliness...the wall in the kitchen has patched areas, which were not repainted. At some point before us it appears someone spilled food/liquid down the wall and it was not properly cleaned. I left my flip flops on at all times because the carpet turned my feet black...even after revacuuming. There were scratches on all the furniture and doors.
• Although we stayed close to all the great activities and bus stop...the outlining areas would have to pack a lunch because it would sure be quite a hike to any activities. Plus, it is quite a hike to the BBQS, basketbal and tennis areas for anyone onsite.
• The pans in the kitchen did not come with a lid!!! Can you believe that! Plus, I thought I read there was a pitcher. I thought we could me iced tea, but no the pitcher can maybe hold 2 glasses of tea. The size of all the glassware, bowls, coffee cups was EXTREMELY small. I bought a coffee mug from the gift shop for this reason. I now know to bring some extra miscellaneous kitchen items next time.
• The smoking section at was right there on the main drag from the building to the bus stop. It was hangout central and always very painful to walk through when going to/from the bus stop.

I will get to the food shortly.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Thanks, your TR is off to a great start! We always book 2brs and it's nice to have that room, especially as we enjoy the resort as much as the theme parks. And yes, all the pans should have lids! There's a few things that I bring with me each and every time, and you are right---a mug is one of them! Since we use the villa kitchen I also bring a few sizes of zip lock bags, along with a few folded sheets of aluminum foil to line the baking sheet.

Looking forward to the rest of your TR, along with your pictures!

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

THANKS FOR THIS REPORT

 

[TINKERIFIC]

Bear with me. I will get to the next installment ASAP. I worked on my pictures all day yesterday and am still not through.

ALUMINUM FOIL was another that I wish I would have had. We had ziploc bags. I will also remember larger drinking mugs and plasic cereal/salad bowls for next time.

The pots had lids, but the pans did not. I thought that was the wierdest thing!!!

 

[heathers4um]

cant wait for the pics! I think Kidani is next on my contract list!!

 

[alicat07]

Thank you!!! Anxiously awaiting the review since we are going for our first time in November! I can't wait!

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

Can't wait to see pictures!

 

[TINKERIFIC]

Since we stayed in a 2 bedroom and had a large party, with some on tight budgets, we choose to forgo the DDP and eat most of our meals/snacks at "home". The only eating out we did was 4 lunch ADRs. One in each park. This gave us a nice break in the day....out of that blazing sun and into A/C.

I will have to say that I loved the move from Disney food to our own food. Although I love Disney dining, it is getting quite expensive, but yet the taste and selection seems to be going the opposite direction. And I just do not understand the "holiday pricing" thing. Why were we subject to holiday pricing in mid-June? Plus the required 18% tip? Come on, you have to earn my tip....at home or at Disney....that is my motto.

Our ADRs and the reviews:

CRYSTAL PALACE ~ LUNCH (1:00 pm)
This was for my DS4 birthday (the actual day) on June 21st. I wanted to spend his b-day at MK and have a character lunch and well since he is a boy....CP was my only choice. I was scared it would be the same food as Chef Mickeys dinner, which would not be good because although the characters are GREAT there, the food is N-A-S-T-Y (except the dessert bar). We checked in at 12:58, although we arrived and 12:45...we had to stand in a long, loud, hot line to officially check in. We were seated at 1:15, which I did not think was bad. Our waitress was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L. Her name was KAREN, but since she forgot her name tag, I kept calling her Kimberly (that was what the name tag said). She was very attentive, helpful and interactive with my son for his birthday. Request her if you guys ever visit. The food was not bad, but not great.....definately not worth the pretty price you pay, but it was my DS 4th birthday and who can resist Winnie the Pooh. I might go back, but maybe only for breakfast. The characters were wonderful. The most notable thing on the menu was the cheesecake bars, garlic mash potatoes and Ratatouille. There was a good selection for all ages and tastes. The menu found on allears.net is pretty accurate as far as what they have there.

Next will be my reveiw of MAMA MELROSE!!! Will probably be tomorrow...we are going out to dinner tonight and to see TOY STORY 3!!! The Disney experience never ends .

 

[schewy]

We stayed a week at AKV in the same accomidations. I agree with your Pros 100%.My wife loves the 3rd bathroom in the 2 bdr and the 2dn bathroom in the 1 bdr. We like it so much we are staying again when we return in Sept.
I too have noticed the Cons you listed. I thought the same thing you did about the pitcher only to find out when we arrived that it was about 24-32oz worth of pitcher.
I think it may have to do with the specfic person that cleans the rooms. I have noticed that the cleanliness of the rooms vary. Maybe some of the cleaning people take more pride in their work, or possibly, they are overworked.
We returned from the parkone day at 6pm on trash and towel day (weekend day) and it had not been completed. We called the front desk, and left the room for supper. When we returned the trahs and towels had been taken care of.
Anyway, next to the WLV it is my favorite.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We just got back from Kidani too and we had no spatula! I dont know if that's something that isn't supplied typically, but it was hard to make the kids eggs in the morning!!!

I'm looking forward to your TR!! I just started my first one too!

 

[vandy]

One complaint we had at Kidani was that the bowls were so tiny, at least half the size of a regular cereal bowl! I think it would hold one scoop of ice cream and that's all. Loved the 2BR layout though, second best to OKW 2BR in my opinion.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

I left my flip flops on at all times because the carpet turned my feet black...even after revacuuming.

What do you expect when a carpet is vacuumed 1 or 2 times a week.

As for Crystal Palace in suprised. We eat Breakfast or Dinner and have always enjoyed the food. Can't wait to see photo's

 

[LisaS]

I agree about the size of the coffee mugs and cereal bowls at AKV -- way too small. We bought a couple of bowls and mugs and have them tucked away in our Owners Locker so we'll be all set the next time we stay at AKV.

It really makes you wonder who selected the kitchen items for AKV. They are stylish but not very practical.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

I agree about the size of the coffee mugs and cereal bowls at AKV -- way too small. We bought a couple of bowls and mugs and have them tucked away in our Owners Locker so we'll be all set the next time we stay at AKV.

It really makes you wonder who selected the kitchen items for AKV. They are stylish but not very practical.

I guess you could say "How many Disney fan who have used DDP will cook in their rooms while staying at AKV?" Just look at the past #'s and if hardly ever used, why get any bigger?

Just my guess

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

TINKERIFIC- BWV 11/10 ~ ADULTS ONLY ~ 1ST F&W FESTIVAL ~ DH B-DAY

You will love it. Enjoy the F & W fest!! Adult's only is SOOOOOOOOO much fun.

If you click on my 2007 Adults only TR down below, you will see we did the same thing and more

Let MS know you are celebrating your "fill in the blank" Anniversary!! We did and lot's of magic happened and it was

 

[TINKERIFIC]

What do you expect when a carpet is vacuumed 1 or 2 times a week.

As for Crystal Palace in suprised. We eat Breakfast or Dinner and have always enjoyed the food. Can't wait to see photo's

I myself vacuumed the carpets...two or three times during our stay, but still was dirty. I still loved the resort though.

Don't get me wrong we enjoyed our visit to CP and the kids loved the characters, but the food was just ok, nothing spectacular. I just think the price did not equal the food quality, but then again, you are basically paying to see characters. At this point my favorite meal to eat anywhere in Disney is breakfast, so we will be back to CP, but for breakfast.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

We just got back from Kidani too and we had no spatula! I dont know if that's something that isn't supplied typically, but it was hard to make the kids eggs in the morning!!!

I'm looking forward to your TR!! I just started my first one too!

I think that was a fluke you did not have a spatua becuase we had two...a small and big one.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

TINKERIFIC- BWV 11/10 ~ ADULTS ONLY ~ 1ST F&W FESTIVAL ~ DH B-DAY

You will love it. Enjoy the F & W fest!! Adult's only is SOOOOOOOOO much fun.

If you click on my 2007 Adults only TR down below, you will see we did the same thing and more

Let MS know you are celebrating your "fill in the blank" Anniversary!! We did and lot's of magic happened and it was

Actually, I choose November 7th for 3 nights becuase my DH turns 41 on 11/05. Unfortunately, we have to make it a Sun - Wed night trip in a studio becuase we are using our remaining years point, which is not a whole lot. We cannot "afford" a weekend day.

From my preliminary research, it appears that all of the special experiences (extra $$) are on the weekend days. Looking at last years special experiences though, nothing really struck me as WOW, I just have to do that, except the Tequila tasting (). Therefore, I hope that our during the week stay will still render a good F&W experience. Plus, we are arriving late in the game, which kind of has me worried. What do you think?

My DH is the one who suggested the adults only trip!!! I was to say the least SHOCKED, but thrilled.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

As a side note before I begin MM review - we saw TOY STORY 3 last night and just let me say that it was great. Of course the 1st one will always be my fav, but #3 was great. I won't spoil it for those who have not yet seen it, but for those who have, the ending brought tears to my eyes...it was a happy/sad moment to say the least.

So, I get home to start uploading my pics so that I can post some, and my DS4 (from out of nowhere) gets a 104 fever and is throwing up. He seems to be better right now, but the pics are on hold for a while. Sorry, but although DIS fans are important, my son takes priority right now. So, this is going to be quick!

Again, we decided to do lunch midday for a nice A/C break and foot rest. We have been to MM once, back in 2005 and were pleased with the service and food. IMHO, I think the food is wonderful. Yes, like all Disney food, it is overpriced, but I prefer a TS menu meal over a buffet any day of the week. I have not for the life of me figured out why MM gets a lot of negative reviews.

Again we had an AWESOME waitress. Her name was Holly. We even went as far as to let the manager know that she is the best overall experience we have ever had at Disney whether it be hotel, park or restaurant staff. If you go there, ask for her. We were in no way rushed to finish our meal and leave. It was a great break.

I am sorry, but I did not take pics of food. My husband would have given me one of these puppies - .

Items ordered include:

Appetizers - burshetta and calamari. Both very good...the calamari was the best ever!!! WARNING - the menu says calamari for two, so we ordered 3 since we had 8 people. A family of 4 or 5 (depending on ages and tastes) could have easily just ordered 1. I was surprized at the servings size.

Entrees - Spaghetti Fra Diavolo, Shrimp Pipette, Oven Baked Chicken alla Parmigiana. All of these dishes were absolutely wonderful....healthy portions, hot and well seasoned. My daughter did not like anything on the adult or kids menu, but requested fettichini alfredo and was happily accomodated. The two boys (agees 3 and 4) shared with the adults. They were not that hungry and tired to boot...so they just picked.

We also had our share of mams's margaritas. They were great to enjoy, but I was kicking myself in the rear when I had to go back into the heat after drinking a few of those puppies. They were STRONG!!!!!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I still can't bring myself to take pictures of the food! I enjoy looking at other people's food pictures but frankly I've never seen anyone take pictures in a restaurant other than family types and we all seem to eat at the same places!