Just returned from AKV; Kidani's not quite ready for prime time

[Jillpie]

I LOVE really good slides. Are there any great detailed slide pics yet anywhere? Like how long it goes etc? thanks!

 

[El&Asmom]

All but DTD do stop at Kidani first. The transport from Kidani to Jambo is great; from Jambo to Kidani is awful. I think they should divide it up, or put in an internal bus/van that makes constant trips. The problem is that, as you say, lots of us in Kidani go to Jambo for meals; but we all have to get back! And they didn't think that part through.

Hmm. I wonder if they changed it then. When we were there on 5/3, we took a bus from AK to Jambo, which then took us to Kidani. While at Kidani, we wanted to eat at Mara for lunch. We asked the front desk, and she said we would have to take a DTD bus to get to Jambo. We decided to just head back to AK to transfer to a BCV bus. We took an AK bus at Kidani that took us straight to AK. No stops at Jambo. They must have changed it up.

 

[lugnut33]

I hate renting a car. I don't even OWN a car. Disney's bus system always works great for us, and we'll be walking from Kidani to Jambo (assuming a walkway exists).

I mean, really. DRIVING back and forth between these two buildings right here? The ones right next to each other?

Only in America

If you have the time then walk. Not a problem. However, one could run into problems if you have to be at reservation... or if you're exhausted from a day of touring. If it's pouring then you're locked into the busses.

I don't mind walking, but I love having a car at WDW. I can come an go as I please, it's one less line to wait in, and I can head off site to eat. I am NOT a fan of the busses, but understand some people are so that's cool. To each his own.

 

[LvsTnk]

Having had a car(Jambo) and used the buses and also a few cabs....no busses for me anymore!!

I was soo late for a breakfast having planned for any delays it's just not worth the aggrivation and what if's.

Also, sorry but I would not want to walk in 90or so degree heat. I sweat enough in the park not interested to do that and then sit down for dinner.

I also thought Kidani was just beautiful! My DH is an electrician and has worked on many projects so I was prepared for what I might view. Obviously we all know the resort is not finished and in these economic times I could see them wanting to open ASAP. The little things were not an issue at all, soo happy we have the option to stay there this early in the year.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The little things were not an issue at all, soo happy we have the option to stay there this early in the year.

It's also nice to stay in something that is brand spanking new and fresh! I envy all of you who were there even if things aren't perfect yet!

 

[CarolA]

If you have the time then walk. Not a problem. However, one could run into problems if you have to be at reservation... or if you're exhausted from a day of touring. If it's pouring then you're locked into the busses.

I don't mind walking, but I love having a car at WDW. I can come an go as I please, it's one less line to wait in, and I can head off site to eat. I am NOT a fan of the busses, but understand some people are so that's cool. To each his own.

I walked it today.

If you walk to the end of Kidani you are BASICALLY at Jambo. As a matter of fact you are closer to Jambo then to the main building or bus stops at Kidani! (Granted you have to go out via the laundry work area LOL!)

(for those of you who whine about the hallways at BWV. Strat prepping yourself. This place will send you RIGHT over the edge! For the rest of us, it's really an easy walk and it's hot today)

 

[gkrykewy]

Also, sorry but I would not want to walk in 90or so degree heat. I sweat enough in the park not interested to do that and then sit down for dinner.

To each their own, but I say again, only in America

 

[Demosthenes]

I don't understand. I keep hearing that there IS a walkway between Jambo and Kidani and have read that people have actually walked it?!

There is, though it was closed until late Saturday. The walk is about 15 minutes from lobby to lobby.

Hmm. I wonder if they changed it then. When we were there on 5/3, we took a bus from AK to Jambo, which then took us to Kidani. While at Kidani, we wanted to eat at Mara for lunch. We asked the front desk, and she said we would have to take a DTD bus to get to Jambo. We decided to just head back to AK to transfer to a BCV bus. We took an AK bus at Kidani that took us straight to AK. No stops at Jambo. They must have changed it up.

That would be wonderful, though it was definitely not that way on Sunday morning, and the signs still read that you should take the DTD bus from Jambo to Kidani, and all theme park busses from Kidani to Jambo.

I think DVC made the best use of what they could and you'll just have to be patient using the bus system if that's what you choose to use.

I don't buy that. This is just too easy to fix. If it was the best use, they would divide the bus patterns in half. This is so simple it seems silly to have not done it in the first place. I always have a car, whether I drive my own, or fly and rent, and I agree that it is typically more convenient to drive, but there is no excuse for putting in a demonstrably inefficient system that would require somebody to drive when it just isn't necessary. I'm sure DVC doesn't want all those extra cars on the road just so people can get a bite to eat without waiting forever for a bus every morning, afternoon and night; fixing this is so simple, and from what El&Asmom saw on Sunday, maybe they've already started to do so.

 

[LvsTnk]

To each their own, but I say again, only in America

Exactly I'm pushing a wheelchair as well so the car is a godsend. But praise to you for walking!! Only in America!!

I am glad to hear how close the ends of these buildings are, as I may get to walk it one day....

 

[SaratogaShan]

Exactly I'm pushing a wheelchair as well so the car is a godsend. But praise to you for walking!! Only in America!!

I am glad to hear how close the ends of these buildings are, as I may get to walk it one day....

 

[LisaS]

I don't understand. I keep hearing that there IS a walkway between Jambo and Kidani and have read that people have actually walked it?!

We just spent two nights at Kidani. We walked between Kidani and Jambo several times. It took us 7 minutes but we were on our way to Boma and were very hungry! We strolled back and that took 10 minutes but I stopped three times to take pictures so that slowed us down a bit. It's an easy walk and I would only take the bus if it was pouring rain.

If you are staying in the south wing, there were a couple of places you could exit the building that lead to the walkway to Jambo House. We were in the north wing, just a few rooms from the end of Phase 1 so we had just about the longest possible walk to Jambo and it was a breeze.

 

[bjakmom]

Is there still construction/ noise, etc, noticeable when staying at Kidani? I am still trying to decide whether to spend one night (following a convention in Orlando) at Jambo or Kidani. We have a dinner ADR at Sanaa and late breakfast at Boma before leaving for the airport, so we'll get to see each. I have stayed AKL several times, but my BFF has never been to WDW and I want to show AKV off - I know she's going to love spending a day relaxing there

 

[Dean]

I don't buy that. This is just too easy to fix. If it was the best use, they would divide the bus patterns in half. This is so simple it seems silly to have not done it in the first place. I always have a car, whether I drive my own, or fly and rent, and I agree that it is typically more convenient to drive, but there is no excuse for putting in a demonstrably inefficient system that would require somebody to drive when it just isn't necessary. I'm sure DVC doesn't want all those extra cars on the road just so people can get a bite to eat without waiting forever for a bus every morning, afternoon and night; fixing this is so simple, and from what El&Asmom saw on Sunday, maybe they've already started to do so.

Easy is relative. At all resorts with multiple stops (OKW, SSR) Disney puts some people in a position to be able to get to the main area by buss but not get back without taking the internal/DD bus. They provide an option for both directions, just not a very workable one for one direction. At OKW you can short circuit it by walking across to another stop and there is a short cut at SSR to get to the farthrest buildings. The buses will only go ONE direction other than the Internal/DD option. There are certainly other options they could use such as a van or golf cart but that'd have to apply to all such resorts and I don't see DVC going that direction.

My guess is they don't want to particularly encourage a lot of traffic of any type to preserve the Jambo experience for the guests there. I'm thinking they did it this way on purpose and that's why there is a store and restaurant. They could easily have built a raised walkway connecting the two buildings at their closest point.

 

[gkrykewy]

We just spent two nights at Kidani. We walked between Kidani and Jambo several times. It took us 7 minutes but we were on our way to Boma and were very hungry! We strolled back and that took 10 minutes but I stopped three times to take pictures so that slowed us down a bit. It's an easy walk and I would only take the bus if it was pouring rain.

If you are staying in the south wing, there were a couple of places you could exit the building that lead to the walkway to Jambo House. We were in the north wing, just a few rooms from the end of Phase 1 so we had just about the longest possible walk to Jambo and it was a breeze.

So the longest possible walk took 7 minutes. Perfect! That's what I was hoping. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Demosthenes]

Easy is relative. At all resorts with multiple stops (OKW, SSR) Disney puts some people in a position to be able to get to the main area by buss but not get back without taking the internal/DD bus. They provide an option for both directions, just not a very workable one for one direction. At OKW you can short circuit it by walking across to another stop and there is a short cut at SSR to get to the farthrest buildings. The buses will only go ONE direction other than the Internal/DD option. There are certainly other options they could use such as a van or golf cart but that'd have to apply to all such resorts and I don't see DVC going that direction.

My guess is they don't want to particularly encourage a lot of traffic of any type to preserve the Jambo experience for the guests there. I'm thinking they did it this way on purpose and that's why there is a store and restaurant. They could easily have built a raised walkway connecting the two buildings at their closest point.

What I am saying applies at all resorts. It is poor planning to have all busses but one run in the same direction. For no cost, and no added traffic. You could make it so that 2 of the 5 bus loops go counter to the other three, making internal transportation much easier. At SSR and OKW this would be more difficult than AKL because of the bus stops on fixed sides of the road, but at AKL that issue does not exist. I don't buy that the resorts would try to "preserve the experience" with fewer guests traveling back and forth. Disney wants to sell food and merchandise to whomever wants to buy it. They'll take their captive audience at a secluded resort like AKL. If they wanted to discourage intermingling of Jambo and Kidani, they wouldn't have built a walkway or had a bus option (albeit a poorly executed option).

 

[gkrykewy]

What I am saying applies at all resorts. It is poor planning to have all busses but one run in the same direction. For no cost, and no added traffic. You could make it so that 2 of the 5 bus loops go counter to the other three, making internal transportation much easier. At SSR and OKW this would be more difficult than AKL because of the bus stops on fixed sides of the road, but at AKL that issue does not exist. I don't buy that the resorts would try to "preserve the experience" with fewer guests traveling back and forth. Disney wants to sell food and merchandise to whomever wants to buy it. They'll take their captive audience at a secluded resort like AKL. If they wanted to discourage intermingling of Jambo and Kidani, they wouldn't have built a walkway or had a bus option (albeit a poorly executed option).

I do not believe that the majority of guests will be traveling between Kidani and Jambo by bus once everything settles in.

 

[Dean]

What I am saying applies at all resorts. It is poor planning to have all busses but one run in the same direction. For no cost, and no added traffic. You could make it so that 2 of the 5 bus loops go counter to the other three, making internal transportation much easier. At SSR and OKW this would be more difficult than AKL because of the bus stops on fixed sides of the road, but at AKL that issue does not exist. I don't buy that the resorts would try to "preserve the experience" with fewer guests traveling back and forth. Disney wants to sell food and merchandise to whomever wants to buy it. They'll take their captive audience at a secluded resort like AKL. If they wanted to discourage intermingling of Jambo and Kidani, they wouldn't have built a walkway or had a bus option (albeit a poorly executed option).

I don't think there's necessarily a right or wrong answer here, but I am pointing out it's a decision that was made long before AKV was on the boards at resorts that pose a larger need than does AKV. I do not think there will be a lot of traffic back and forth overall but I'm sure there will be some. About the only reasons to do so are for the restaurant options. I will say that I don't think this is truly fixable with the regular bus system. While it may sound simple to have buses go both directions or alternate routes, it's not really workable for the current buses due to costs, schedules and the need to minimize variables. Many resorts handle such situations with a van or golf cart or they could do a much smaller bus for the AK park plus AKV/AKL but unless they do that for other options, it's hard to have a route that's so limited by the bus type. Free ME has shifted the % of people without a car so it would be reasonable to re-eval the entire system with these issues are part of the equation. I am sure they could come up with a solution if they saw it as a real problem but they have not so far.

 

[hakepb]

I think saying it is easy to have 2 park bus routes change directions in resort is failing to take into account the added training/mistakes of the hundreds of buses and drivers. Busses are not dedicated to a resort or park, they go on whatever assignment they are given when they arrive at a park. You could not sucessfully train all of the bus drivers to always remember, I'm on a MK run so I go Kidani first or I'm on a EPCOT run, so I go Jambo first.. It could be done, but it would require a full-time security van (Like the MK entrance) pointing the drivers to the correct stop first

To emphasize bus driver reality, I was at OKW for 4 days (2 weeks ago) and the South Point stop was moved to an earlier temporary stop (because the normal bus turnabout was closed due to building rehab) They had well placed and lit signs pointing to the new temp stop, yet I was on 2 busses that missed those signs for their new stop, then had a sloooooow trip through the last turnabout that was not intended for bus use. Another bus driver mentioned this was his first OKW trip with the temp stop (so I new it was communicated) and hoped he'd get it correctly (and did)

 

[Teancum]

I think saying it is easy to have 2 park bus routes change directions in resort is failing to take into account the added training/mistakes of the hundreds of buses and drivers. Busses are not dedicated to a resort or park, they go on whatever assignment they are given when they arrive at a park. You could not sucessfully train all of the bus drivers to always remember, I'm on a MK run so I go Kidani first or I'm on a EPCOT run, so I go Jambo first.. It could be done, but it would require a full-time security van (Like the MK entrance) pointing the drivers to the correct stop first

I don' think this argument holds water. They're already doing it already with the DTD bus (which, like the theme park routes, are assigned on-call); clearly you could successfully train the bus drivers to remember their route.

 

[CMedley78]

I'll need to walk off those two Boma meals I'm gonna obliterate in June. So I'll use the walkway to Kidani, rain or shine.

I am right there with you!!! When we stay at SSR I refuse to take the bus to DTD because, well, it is right there!! What is a five, maybe ten minute, walk? Not much to me, and you get to enjoy the beautiful weather. I can't imagine waiting 40 minutes for a bus when it would take me a fraction of the time to walk it.