Just checked in to Kidani and we arent happy

[DebbieB]

Have your husband drive into the garage and drop you and the kids off at the elevator that is closest to your room.

The way I understood the post, the van is oversize (probably height wise) and cannot fit in the garage. That's why it's parked so far away, it's outside of the garage, probably down by the bus stop.

 

[LisaS]

The way I understood the post, the van is oversize (probably height wise) and cannot fit in the garage. That's why it's parked so far away, it's outside of the garage, probably down by the bus stop.

Yes, they have a special outside parking area a bit beyond the bus stop for over-sized vehicles. I think it's just to the right of the entrance to the parking garage.

The best option for now (until they can move a room closer to that area) would be for most of the family to wait in the lobby while one of the parents brings the van up to the short-term parking area near the front entrance. Given it's a medical issue, the valet guys might be OK with them bringing the van right up to the front entrance.

 

[disneynutz]

The way I understood the post, the van is oversize (probably height wise) and cannot fit in the garage. That's why it's parked so far away, it's outside of the garage, probably down by the bus stop.

There is an outside parking lot, not sure if oversized vehicles can use it, opposite the covered parking and elevators.

Bill

 

[LisaS]

There is an outside parking lot, not sure if oversized vehicles can use it, opposite the covered parking and elevators.

Bill

If you're talking about the one by the pool, I'm pretty sure you have to drive through the parking garage to get to it. If their van is too tall for the garage, they won't be able to access that lot unfortunately.

 

[disneynutz]

If you're talking about the one by the pool, I'm pretty sure you have to drive through the parking garage to get to it. If their van is too tall for the garage, they won't be able to access that lot unfortunately.

Darn, that sounds right. Forget my idea.

Bill

 

[Msmithmd]

While this doesn't help your current trip, in the future I would recommend either SSR or VGF, where you can park very close and are guaranteed an elevator if you're not assigned a first floor room. Kidani is one of my favorite resorts, but I agree that it isn't ideal for those with medical limits to distance walking.

 

[disneynutz]

Here is an idea, get Bell Services to move the gang in their cart from the elevator to the van.

Bill

 

[LisaS]

Darn, that sounds right. Forget my idea.

Bill

It's a strange set up because that lot has a lot of HA parking spaces but if your HA vehicle is over-sized, you cannot get into that lot as far as I can tell.

Looking at an aerial view, there are a couple of HA spots in that short-term lot near the main entrance. Perhaps the OP can get permission to park there until they can move to another room. They would have to walk all the way to the lobby but for the person retrieving the van, it cuts the walk about in half.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope the OP gets some pixie dust with the new room assignment.

Bobbi

 

[ChanFO]

The thing with Kidani is everyone is going to request close to the lobby so there are always people that are going to be disappointed.

I think this might be the case. I know when I was researching what the "best" room areas to request, it was very commonly suggested to request a close-to-lobby room on the Sunset Savannah wing, so it's probably true that they can't accommodate all of us that ask for that! (I totally asked for that myself.)

I'm hoping that having an early flight that will get me to Kidani around 1PM will be early to renegotiate for a different room if they try to send us out to the last pod. If they can't... oh well!

 

[Dean]

It is really refreshing to hear somebody giving an empathic response to a legitimate complaint. I, too, have made reservations at Kidani at the 11 mo mark. I didn't make any requests, because, really, my only request is that I be able to see animals from my room while sitting on my balcony drinking coffee between 7 and 8 am, before we leave for the days activity. This can be met on any savanna at AKL except Pembe, where they bring the animals in from 7-9 am. I am not complaining that I can't see giraffes from my room, or that the walk is long, or that I can't park my car right under my room, or that the elevator to the parking garage isn't close. But, none the less, on two trips, one in 2010 and one in 2013, I was given the SAME ROOM on the 4th floor on Pembe savanna. Not only that, but the NEXT ROOM over had been reassigned as standard view. What could be the odds that I would get the same room? I think my room request in the future would be any room not on Pembe savanna, or any even numbered savanna room. I know, I know, AKV Kidani is 98% booked all the time, and somebody has to get the rooms with substandard views. Yada, Yada, Yada, and so on and so forth. But, I am not sure why that person should have to always be me.

As I read your posts it implies DVC or the resort did something wrong which is absolutely not the case. I think we all empathize with the situation for the OP but even requests for medical reasons are just that, requests. This is the nature of timeshares and DVC. It might be that big items are eventually changed but the reality is that for a given person to let such a matter ruin a given vacation is on them and not he resort or the system. I understand it's frustrating when things don't work out and esp. when it seems they are singling you out but it's the nature of the beast. The bottom line is that those who aren't prepared to take the risk should either book a HC room and take those compromises or simply not play the game. Requesting a change is about the best that can be done once it gets to that point and a change charge is not unreasonable from DVC's standpoint if they chose to require one though they likely won't.

 

[lovemygrowingfamily]

I am sorry that others have had to go through this also. If they have so many problems with their reservations.

We do not fit under ground in the parking garages our van is too high and too long for the spaces. We resorted to taking 2 trips with the stroller to the oversized parking lot which is right next to the entrance to the parking garage. There is no option to be able to drive down to under the room since we are the 3rd room from the end in Pembe. Some clearances are 6'5'' we are 7'8''. We also don't have a handicap hangtag, license or plate because neither child is in a wheelchair just medical problems that affect their legs and body.

When we got back to the room just after lunch there was a message that they could move us 10 rooms closer! That's it just 10 rooms. Tomorrow they can move us to the sunset savannah. Its our daughter's 4th birthday tomorrow so we just said forget it and we will do the same thing over and over.We check out on Thursday from here and into OKW for 11 nights where we know there are a lot of bus stops close by that will make it easier for my boys.It was our first DVC stay so we thought that we should stay where we own once. Now we know to stay at OKW where are have always been happy no matter where we are.

Member services also called the room while we were away this morning so i need to call them and speak to them also. Thank you all for your help!

 

[crisi]

I am sorry that others have had to go through this also. If they have so many problems with their reservations.

I don't see not getting a request as a problem - its simply a reality of a request system. We've even been put in smoking rooms - way back in the day - when our only request was non-smoking. And a not needed HA room. You cope. Someone ends up with the bad view, the unwanted HA accessible room, the room way at the end of the hall or the one next to the noisy elevator - it isn't like people request "give me the least convenient room in the resort."

We've also had some great rooms - we made no requests at HHI and I can't imagine a better room - overlooking the marsh. Absolutely awesome. So we've taken our turn in less than ideal rooms, and gotten some nice ones over the years as well.

 

[Dean]

I am sorry that others have had to go through this also. If they have so many problems with their reservations.

We do not fit under ground in the parking garages our van is too high and too long for the spaces. We resorted to taking 2 trips with the stroller to the oversized parking lot which is right next to the entrance to the parking garage. There is no option to be able to drive down to under the room since we are the 3rd room from the end in Pembe. Some clearances are 6'5'' we are 7'8''. We also don't have a handicap hangtag, license or plate because neither child is in a wheelchair just medical problems that affect their legs and body.

When we got back to the room just after lunch there was a message that they could move us 10 rooms closer! That's it just 10 rooms. Tomorrow they can move us to the sunset savannah. Its our daughter's 4th birthday tomorrow so we just said forget it and we will do the same thing over and over.We check out on Thursday from here and into OKW for 11 nights where we know there are a lot of bus stops close by that will make it easier for my boys.It was our first DVC stay so we thought that we should stay where we own once. Now we know to stay at OKW where are have always been happy no matter where we are.

Member services also called the room while we were away this morning so i need to call them and speak to them also. Thank you all for your help!

Here are the FL requirements.

2. Inability to walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, or other assistive device, or without assistance of another person. If the assistive device significantly restores the person's ability to walk to the extent that the person can walk without severe limitation, the person is not eligible for the exemption parking permit.
3. The need to permanently use a wheelchair.
4. Restriction by lung disease to the extent that the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for 1 second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter or the person's arterial oxygen is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
5. Use of portable oxygen.
6. Restriction by cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
7. Severe limitation in a person's ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
8. Legally Blind (This is the only disability an Optometrist can certify.)

It would seem that your 2 children mentioned would qualify under #7 for FL rules, FL has removed the inability to walk 200 ft from the criteria.

Here are Minnesota's rules:

The Form
Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the applicant’s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to the standards set by the American Heart Association.
Uses portable oxygen.
Has an arterial oxygen tension (PAO2) of less than 60 mm/Hg on room air at rest.
Is restricted by a respiratory disease to such an extent that the applicant’s forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter.
Has lost an arm or leg and does not have or cannot use an artificial limb. Due to disability, uses a wheelchair or cannot walk without the aid of:
Another Person; A Walker; A Cane; Crutches; Braces; A Prosthetic Device: Please specify______________________________ or other Assistive Device: Please specify___________________________________
Has a disability that would be aggravated by walking 200 feet under normal environmental conditions to an extent that would be life-threatening. This condition is :_________________________________________________ Must be Specific Physical Disability
Due to disability cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
This condition is:___________________________________________________ Must be Specific Physical Disability Due to disability cannot walk without a significant risk of falling.
This condition is:____________________________________________________ Must be Specific Physical Disability
Has a specific medical condition related to pregnancy that could be aggravated by walking to the extent that the life or health of the person or fetus may be endangered (Temporary certificate only; may not exceed expected length of pregnancy)
Describe Condition:

#8 & #9 should apply depending on severity. I guess ultimately my view would depend on whether it's truly a problem for the kids in question or just the aggravation of dealing with 7 kids in general. Speaking as a Pediatrician I would have no problem signing off on the Minnesota form for anyone severely affected with either issue stated.

 

[Sammie]

I would valet park until you move to OKW. Kidani and AKV are large resorts that are not close to buses or cars.

I hope your stay gets better but truly they can only give you what is available when you check in.

 

[jimmytammy]

So sorry things arent going so great for you folks. We checked in yesterday for a 1st stay at Kidani, near the Pumbaa elevator. Its a huge place for sure. I hope you folks get things going in a positive direction soon, just keep your chins up. I tell you, travel takes something out of you no matter what, and you folks are troopers making that trek for sure.