Kick'n It at Kidani (aka Am I Becoming a Resort Snob?)Final Update 8/20 p.54

[MEK]

10pm EST is probably not the best time to start a TR, but I've been back about 9 days and finally started uploading my pictures on photobucket. Part of me wants to go to sleep. The other part says....DO IT!

So here's the prerequisite trip background:

Who????

Me....MEK (Mary Ellen).....Over 40 mom of two. Disney freak since 2001. DIS member since 2005. This is my 10th trip to Disney. I am an AP holder and a DVC member. Yeah, I fell for the whole Mickey deal....hook, line, and sinker. In the real world I am a Nurse Practitioner in a cardiac surgery program.

DH......Over 40 Dad of two.... I have to go back into the archives to find a funny picture of DH. You'll have to wait for that! DH fully supports my love of Disney. He didn't object too loudly to another trip this September. He, too, is an AP holder.


DS....Brian......16 and a typical teen...surly, grumpy, and a social butterfly. He has the fullest calendar of anyone I know. He is always running, running, running. He loves sports and plays a mean game of soccer.

DS.....Nick.....14, almost 15......Loves Mickey and isn't afraid to wear Mickey shirts out in public. Is fascinated by Walt Disney. Loves One Man's Dream. He also plays a mean game of soccer.

DSF.....Brian's friend......J.....15, almost 16......J accompanied us last year on our first DVC trip. He's a good, well behaved kid. DH and I secretly refer to him as Brian's babysitter cause he does a good job of keeping Brian happy and entertained. I almost forgot to add that J also plays a mean game of soccer. He is on Brian's ODP team.

DN.....Dear Nephew....LJ....9......This is LJ's first trip to the world. He is my brothers oldest son. He has three younger brothers. The family had not traveled to Disney yet. They just bought a new house and didn't think it was prudent to go this year. Their youngest is 2. That's another good reason for not doing Disney yet. Anyway, this was LJ's first big trip away from home. He was so much fun to be around and we really tried to plan our trip around his first timer needs.

When?

Monday June 8th - Monday June 15th 2009

You may be wondering why Monday to Monday. The main reason was DS16 was supposed to play in the Ryder Cup, which is an ODP (Olympic Development Program) soccer tournament, the weekend of June 6th. It seemed to make more sense to leave on Monday once the tournament was over. As it turned out, DS16 suffered a stress fracture of his left fibula and he was not able to play in the tournament. That was a huge disappointment for him.

Where?

Since we are DVC members we decided to try for AK this year. I called at exactly seven months out and was rewarded with a 2BR villa at Kidani. It was a standard view since we are a tad short on points. We borrowed heavily first our first big trip and now I am trying to recoup and catch up. We booked our first five nights at AKL and then waited.....and waited.......and waited....... for an AP rate to come out at CSR. It finally did in May, so we booked out last two nights there.

Up next.....Departure day and Arrival at the amazing Kidani Village

 

[MEK]

well....there really are some shorts under that skirt, skort, whatever the heck it is called. I really don't even remember anyone taking pictures at the airport. Except for this one......

I started getting bored when our flight did not board exactly on time, so I took this highly focused picture of my infamous crocs. It felt good to be wearing those bad boys again!

 

[Glendamax]

Hey! I'll be looking in the background of all of your pics to see if I see ME!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

I'm in!

 

[dawnbu40]

Caitlin found your report this morning so we've both subscribed. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your trip! You have a handsome family!

 

[DWGal210]

I'm in! We're staying at Kidani in December so I am so excited to see how your trip went!

 

[MEK]

Hey! I'll be looking in the background of all of your pics to see if I see ME!

Hey Glendama:

I knew you owned at AKL, but I didn't know we where there at the same time! Loved Kidani. Sort of wish it was my home resort! I am wondering how the studios compare with the villa, since the next time I go it will probably just be me and DH.

I've got to hop over to your TR. I was actually thinking about you when I rode ToT, because in one of your last TR's you had me rolling with your description of your Dis meet ride.

I'm in!

Hey Caitlin! Thanks for stopping by. I have had tons of fun reading your TR and looking at all your adorable pictures!

Caitlin found your report this morning so we've both subscribed. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your trip! You have a handsome family!

Hi Dawn! So glad you stopped by, too! Thanks for the compliment. I have to say that I honestly did not take many pictures of my family this trip (my bad), so I have to get in those lovely airport shots!

I'm in! We're staying at Kidani in December so I am so excited to see how your trip went!

Welcome DWGal! Thanks for dropping by! Kidani is absolutely beautiful. The 2BR villa was really spectacular. When I post my pics you will see that the pics just don't do the place justice. Seriously, everything about the room was perfect - 3 flatscreens, 2 ihomes, beautiful bedding, a jacuzzi tub to die for, beautiful art work. I would stay there again in a heart beat!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Hey Caitlin! Thanks for stopping by. I have had tons of fun reading your TR and looking at all your adorable pictures!

No problem I am so excited to read about your trip and thank you!

 

[MEK]

I promised a picture of my DH and HERE IT IS..............

Paula

This picture is courtesy of Paula (aka I Luv Crush). She made this for me after my December trip. You see....it is customary to turn DH's into gnomes when you visit the gnomefest thread. I dug around and pulled this out of my Dec TR. It's perfect for my DH cause he loves Epcot and he loves beer. Isn't he just so happy looking!

Thanks Paula!

Up next......Some more pretrip info.

 

[MEK]

You know....I can't wait till I tell you about our arrival to Kidani. But before I do, I need to give you a little bit more background information.


I didn't do a PTR. For some reason, I am superstitious and I always get very worried that something catastrophic will happen to cancel my trip. This is particularly nerve racking for me because half of my points for this trip were borrowed. Borrowed points can't go back and they can be a little tricky to use. I forget what all the rules are, but you definately don't want to cancel in the thirty days before your trip.


So our original dates were 6/7 - 6/14. This would include a Sunday night to Friday stay at AKL. Point usuage....139. Very reasonable, IMHO, and less points than an SSR stay.


Well....I decided it would probably be BAD to leave on the same day that my DS16 finished a soccer tournament. It would require a dinner time flight and a late arrival. I didn't want to spend my first Disney day wishing my son's soccer team would hurry up and lose.


So I switched the reservation to 6/8 - 6/15. That made my point usuage go up to 176 because of the Friday night stay. With only 200 points a year and a heavily borrowed contract, I stopped right there. 5 nights would be enough. The other two nights could wait.


I really wanted CSR for the last two nights. I desired it for a couple reasons....proximity to AKL and its the one mod I haven't stayed in. Originally the rooms were close to $200/night. And I needed two rooms for 2 nights. That was more than I wanted to spend. Even the AAA rate was about $180. I actually found cheaper rooms in the Swan/Dolphin, but when you add in the parking fees and resort fees for two rooms.....well the S/D were a bit outside of my budget as well.


So..... I patiently waited for the AP rates to be released. I checked every morning for 5 weeks. Finally I was able to get a $109 rate for the second night. I still had to pay AAA rate for the first night and carry two separate reservations.

Then something magical happened. I've never booked through CRO before (always used AAA agent), so when I got my statements I called to make sure I had paid for the rooms in full. I couldn't tell. Well, to make a long story short, the CM found me a $119 rate for the first night at CSR and she linked the reservations. Yeah....now I had two rooms for two nights with a total charge of $503. I was good with that.


So the rooms were set.


My flights were pretty reasonable as well. I was able to get everybody $59 each way PHL - MCO. That's huge when you are paying for 6 flights. Of course, I booked everyone's flights at different times because it took awhile to know who was going, so I ended up printing boarding passes from 3 different confirmation numbers. No biggie! DS16 and his friend always go to the very back of the plane, so it really didn't matter what their boarding group was.


We also rented a minivan. I felt this was essential for changing resorts and for general shopping and getting around. I found a great code on the transportation board and got a van for $268 with taxes at Dollar. I was quite pleased with that. thanks to whoever posted that code!


OK.....enough writing..... I think I owe you a little tease with a few Kidani pictures......

Although I did not have a savanah view room I was able to take these picture in the hall right across from my room. Between each section of Kidani there is a big viewing window. Of course, this is in addition to the big viewing areas off the lobby.

Here are some pics from the general viewing area off the lobby:

So when I return I will talk about my departure and arrival day AND I'll tell you about all the possible names I considered for this trip report. Believe me, there were quite a few!

 

[dawnbu40]

Those pics are awesome I can't wait for more!

 

[kindra657]

count me in!!! staying at kidani in a few weeks and gotta get some peaks in

 

[MEK]

Those pics are awesome I can't wait for more!

I finally uploaded my pics to my computer last night (well at least the first 1100), but when I started downloading them on photobucket they got out of order. Go figure. Anyway, I think I will be finding Kidani photos misplaced throughout my whole TR. So we might all be surprised to see where they turn up.

count me in!!! staying at kidani in a few weeks and gotta get some peaks in

Hey Kindra....thanks for stopping by. I promise to post many more Kidani pics over the next few days. You are going to love it. The rooms are awesome and they have so many cool statues, masks, and pieces of African artwork displayed throughout the building. Plus, they constantly play relaxing African themed music. It's really such a nice touch.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'm here! Love the pictures of Kidani!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yay!! You started your TR!!!

I am so looking forward to the day when I can buy DVC.

 

[MEK]

I'm here! Love the pictures of Kidani!!!

Yeah!!!!!!! CP is here. I am so glad you stopped by. And I am so glad we get to compare AKL pictures. I think I may even have one of your room. I took soooooo many from the Jambo house pool!

 

[nutz2notz]

I'm in for your report. We are staying at AKV in January 2010 and I am enjoying your pics and look forward to hearing how you liked the resort.

I originally had a 2-bedroom in Kidani, but changed it to Jambo. I hope I made the right decision.

 

[MEK]

I'm in for your report. We are staying at AKV in January 2010 and I am enjoying your pics and look forward to hearing how you liked the resort.

I originally had a 2-bedroom in Kidani, but changed it to Jambo. I hope I made the right decision.

Welcome nutz2notz! Thanks for stopping by. The 2BR villa is amazing and my pictures really don't do it justice (as you will see soon). I think you will love it at Jambo or Kidani. I will say this....the lobby at the Jambo house is much more impressive than Kidani's lobby. But the nice thing about the resort is that you can fully enjoy both areas.

 

[MEK]

June 8th was D - Day! Departure Day that is! But first I had to get through the days, weeks, and months of waiting. So what did I do to pass the time? DIS, of course. For weeks LL's and Lurkyloo's P/TR's kept me entertained. LL's picture of the day quickly became my highlight of the day. Lurkyloo's tales about wedding stalking and chocolate cake kept my laughing and wondering how I could plan a Disney wedding, even though I am already married. While I endured the final days of my wait I also enjoyed Dawn and Caitlin's pre and post trip report. They are the cutest family! I sub'd to many other TR's as well. Mickeysmyboy and her DH told me about their wonderful solo trip to the world on the plantinum plan - top notch! Each TR is entertaining in its own individual way and I love them all! Thanks!

The weekend before my departure was especially difficult. Remember - I was supposed to be at a soccer tournement with DS16. But, instead he suffered a stress fracture and was not able to play. So I was completely packed, ready to go, and now I had to wait a whole weekend to leave. So I did some dis'ing, lots of wash, and I organized all the loose music in my music room. And I watched the minutes go by, very slowly.

I also had some time to contemplate possible trip report titles. During my trip I also entertained some titles that capitalized on my trip experience. Here are a few of the possible titles I enterained:

1. "Awesome".... A 9 year old's first trip to the world. This TR title was in honor of my nephew who said everything was awesome. He was just a pleasure to be around and I enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes

2. I don't think my shorts were this tight the last time I put them on. This title explains how I felt after 5 days on the dining plan. Even without the appetizer, the dining plan is a considerable amount of food. I still don't know how much weight i gained. I don't want to know!

3. The battle of the flat iron versus the Florida humidity Don't need too many guesses to know who won this battle

4. With God as my witness, I swear this will be my last trip in June (and july and August for that matter). Need I say more. June is crowded. June is hot.

5. With God as my witness, I swear this is the last time I will go on vacation with teenagers. Again....Need I say more? Traveling with teens is a challenge. They are on a completely opposite sleep/wake cycle. Getting them up to get in the parks early is just laughable This is difficult when the parks are so crowded and the kids can't get up to get FP's

I probably thought of some other titles, so I will add them in as they come to me.

In the meantime.....more Kidani.......

I Love this Guy....

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love all your possible TR titles -- especially #2, 4, and 5 -- I know exactly how you felt!!!

Still loving the Kidani pics! You are making me want to stay there! Did you take some of the pool there as well?