Kidani Community Hall - Got me thinking...

[timmac]

While on my recent trip (just got back two days ago), we stayed at Jambo House, having rented points for a member. (Second time now, and to say the least, I'm now considering buying as soon as I can do so financially)

One afternoon I took the kids over to the Community Hall at Kidani, just for something to do for an hour or so. Though their individual opinions of it varied just a bit, it seemed like a nice little place to go for some down-time activity. Geeking out a bit, I started thinking a bit about the whole concept of the community hall.

First thing I wonder, is how many of you make use of this or similar facilities? In other words, is this an important amenity of the resort? I guess this kind of hints at an even bigger question of why people buy into DVC. My assumption has always been that it's a long-term option for on property accommodations. Anyone who really values DVC for the resort(s) itself?

Now, a specific "issue" I noticed that made me wonder also. At this said community hall, it was clear that both the foosball table and the pool table were in kind of sad shape. (The former was broken in such a way that when the ball went into the goal on one side, it would end up dropping on the floor. The pool table was badly off-level and the cues were visually crooked. Honestly, it's what I'd expect to see as hand-me-downs in a church basement.) This sort of stood out to me, since it is so out of character with what I have observed at DVC properties and of course with Disney in general.

So, that specific example in mind, any thoughts on why that was the case? The two obvious reasons I can think is that either it gets such frequent use that it would be costly to always keep it in tip-top shape. The alternative perhaps is that it's rather infrequently used, and as such nobody cares anyway.

Hopefully this is at least worthy of some interesting discussion if nothing else. Considering myself now as a prospective (even likely) future owner, I'm starting to pay attention to little details more than I used to, and am very interested in the mindset of current members.

 

[kdzgon]

While on my recent trip (just got back two days ago), we stayed at Jambo House, having rented points for a member. (Second time now, and to say the least, I'm now considering buying as soon as I can do so financially)

One afternoon I took the kids over to the Community Hall at Kidani, just for something to do for an hour or so. Though their individual opinions of it varied just a bit, it seemed like a nice little place to go for some down-time activity. Geeking out a bit, I started thinking a bit about the whole concept of the community hall.

First thing I wonder, is how many of you make use of this or similar facilities? In other words, is this an important amenity of the resort? I guess this kind of hints at an even bigger question of why people buy into DVC. My assumption has always been that it's a long-term option for on property accommodations. Anyone who really values DVC for the resort(s) itself?

Now, a specific "issue" I noticed that made me wonder also. At this said community hall, it was clear that both the foosball table and the pool table were in kind of sad shape. (The former was broken in such a way that when the ball went into the goal on one side, it would end up dropping on the floor. The pool table was badly off-level and the cues were visually crooked. Honestly, it's what I'd expect to see as hand-me-downs in a church basement.) This sort of stood out to me, since it is so out of character with what I have observed at DVC properties and of course with Disney in general.

So, that specific example in mind, any thoughts on why that was the case? The two obvious reasons I can think is that either it gets such frequent use that it would be costly to always keep it in tip-top shape. The alternative perhaps is that it's rather infrequently used, and as such nobody cares anyway.

Hopefully this is at least worthy of some interesting discussion if nothing else. Considering myself now as a prospective (even likely) future owner, I'm starting to pay attention to little details more than I used to, and am very interested in the mindset of current members.

Community hall is a regular part of our trips and Kidani is our favorite by far. We have found the staff to be great, which counts for a lot. In our experience it is a very busy place, steady visitors all day long. Most nights that we have been there near closing they have to throw people out.

The more we stay in DVCs, the less we find ourselves spending full days at the parks or even going to the parks at all.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We purchased DVC more for the resort experience than the parks. One question I asked myself before we purchased was if the resort was picked up and placed somewhere else not adjacent to a theme park, would I still want to own there. If I answered yes, then we added on there with the exception of BLT which we purchased based on location and proximity to MK.

We love SSR and we use the CH on every trip. I like the luxury of downtime to enjoy activities I rarely do at home.

As far as the condition of the tables, I am sorry to hear that and I know for a fact that everything in Kidani CH was brand new when it opened last summer. It must be getting alot of use. I know SSR has gone through many a Ping Pong table and they are frequently replaced. Kidani is the only CH with a pool table and Im sure they are expensive to maintain and replace.

We are just back from 2 weeks at THV and my boys (12 and 10) did not want to set foot in a park. They still enjoy our resort vacations and community hall and DTD. We had excellent accomodations and plenty to do and see and I just love being at WDW in such beautiful surroundings

 

[christa112]

We purchased the DVC last May without ever staying there. We were down in WDW in Sept and got the tour. We definately were not purchasing on vacation, I wanted to research and know exactly what I was getting myself into.

Honestly, we purchased the DVC because we are a family of 5 and as my kids get older we are definately going to need room to stretch out and the DVC gives us that option with bigger rooms.

Also, it gives us the option to stay else where besides just FL which we really liked the thought of. We are only 2 hrs driving distance from NYC so we would love to take the kids down there one summer and know we are going to be staying in a decent hotel.

Honestly, the perks that come along with the DVC are just extras and that is definately not why we purchased the DVC.

We are headed down for our 1st trip in 6 days. I really have no idea if we will visit community hall but hopefully we can pop our heads in and check it out.

 

[timmac]

I've heard some of these sentiments a lot, and actually, I'm a bit surprised. Did most/any of you originally buy simple because it was a resort in WDW (that's honestly my #1 reason right now, but certainly not the only reason)?

After that, the fact that it's owned/managed by Disney (for better or worse), I think is a good thing. The flexibility is also pretty high on the list. Not sure if I'd ever do an exchange for another non-disney property, but would be nice to have the option if I should want to go that route in the future.

 

[dclfun]

We purchased back in 1995 because we were a family of 6 ( kids now grown) and couldn't "fit" into any of Disney's standard rooms. There were no family suites back then and it wasn't affordable to pay oop for a DVC villa. We really used community hall and will now do so when the grandkids are a bit older. We loved the amenities there and found that we enjoyed non-park things the more we visited. It's almost a hidden treasure and a luxury to take time out for "down-time" vs. the being park commandos like we were before DVC. We can always come back, and we know we can expect a quality vacation- the little extras and having a nicer accommodation are the things that matter most to us.---Kathy

 

[ldo]

We already had access to some nice timeshares very close by. We also tend to go to the park and stay all day, so being able to come back to the room, etc. didn't really matter.
But, my kids loved the CH and so did I. We do not go to the parks everyday. We spend at least a few hours each day at the CH or doing pool games with staff, etc. My kids enjoy going in and just coloring.
We also bought b/c of all the family activities and the self-contained nature of WDW resorts--we can get on a bus and go around the resorts, go to DTD, Waterparks, Ft W and rent bikes, etc. We love the cmapfire movies and sing along at Ft W and now the pool movies at some of the DVC resorts. It just seems like there is a lot more to do and a more festive atmosphere than at off-site timeshares and condos, even though the actual furnishings and space might be superior off-site.

 

[daisyduck123]

DS11 got a new Foosball table for Xmas because he loved the one he played with so much at Kidani last July. It was brand new & he played it every day.

I'm sorry to hear that's its in such bad shape now.

 

[LIFERBABE]

DS11 got a new Foosball table for Xmas because he loved the one he played with so much at Kidani last July. It was brand new & he played it every day.

I'm sorry to hear that's its in such bad shape now.

We were there in June and everything was new! My DS is also 11 and has been begging for a Ping Pong table because he loves to play at CH. We dont have room for it at home so I guess we'll just have to visit the one at our other homes

He wants to take a Ping Pong class this summer!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Where's the community hall at Kidani?

We used the CH at BLT last week, we used it a lot! Supplies were excellently maintained.

Bobbi

 

[riu girl]

I am renting points for the first time for spring 2010 (at Kidani ) and am not familiar with community Hall. Can someone tell me all about it (activities, events etc) and/or possibly post pictures?

We will be staying 6 nights and only have one theme park day planned so am looking for things for the kids (13 and 9 at time of trip) to do at Kidani.

Any info. would be really appreciated.

Thank you

 

[glennbo123]

I am renting points for the first time for spring 2010 (at Kidani ) and am not familiar with community Hall. Can someone tell me all about it (activities, events etc) and/or possibly post pictures?

We will be staying 6 nights and only have one theme park day planned so am looking for things for the kids (13 and 9 at time of trip) to do at Kidani.

Any info. would be really appreciated.

Thank you

Here are a couple of installments from my trip report of our visit last June/July which have a couple of pictures of the Community Hall.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33266736&postcount=215

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33277300&postcount=216

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for sharing your pics. CH looks like a fun place to visit.

 

[Inkmahm]

We've never once used a CH at any resort. Our days are spent in the parks. We love the resorts, but we are there for the parks!

 

[twinklebug]

I love AKV. The Community Hall and CMs who work there play a decent roll in our feelings toward Kidani. DD and DS love hanging out, making buttons and playing pool. I wish they loaned the videos out from the hall and not the store (The store's too small and I feel like I'm in the way of people who need to purchase items)

Last July (7/19/2009) when we stayed at Kidani the Community Hall was in beautiful condition. The Foosball table, although new, was already broken - they had a toolbox out and were working on it. Either someone was excessively rough with it or they the table was not put together right to start with.

The pool table back in July was in very good condition (was only a month old, but had an older feel to it) With all the kids who have no idea how to play pool to start with I can see how the felt might get torn. The cost to resurface a pool table couldn't be cheap.

The community center at Kidani is part of the AKV experience for us and I can't imagine wht it would be like without.
AKV with CH is equal to VWL without one. We love both & could spend our entire vacation at either without needing to set foot into a park (although, let's be real about this... that will never happen )

(btw - I don't recommend buying DVC without trying the resorts first.)

 

[edk35]

Our boys LOVE the community halls. They enjoyed the one at OKW and Kidani and went a lot. On those trips they were 14/9 and 15/10. They enjoyed them very much.

 

[daisyduck123]

Last July (7/19/2009) when we stayed at Kidani the Community Hall was in beautiful condition. The Foosball table, although new, was already broken - they had a toolbox out and were working on it. Either someone was excessively rough with it or they the table was not put together right to start with.

Hmm...I wonder if they replaced the table with a new one??

We checked into Kidani on July 27th & the Foosball table was in new condition. It was perfect! DS11 fell in love with the game & played it as much as possible while we were there.

 

[Lady V]

When we purchased it had nothing to do with CM. However, it has become such an amazing part of our trips. My kids love them! They love making the crafts and hanging out with other kids. As a matter of fact-when I told them our next trip was at BLT they were so excited to check out a 'new' community hall! I find that each trip is more and more relaxed and with that mindset it is wonderful to have activities at our resorts. We really love them!

 

[starbox]

Community Halls are VERY important to us - not for the hall so much, but for the scheduled recreation (for example, the lack of a CH at BCV does not bother us because the resort has SO many recreation activities scheduled at the pool)

The lack of a CH at VWL has kept us from visiting a second time.

 

[Kdisney]

I have to say it didn't affect our purchase at all. I actually thought the community hall at Kidani didn't have much to offer. We go to a state park lodge in West Virginia every summer that has a great 'community hall.' They have all sorts of games and an arcade and it's a super cheap place to stay, less than $100 a night. The other activities and offerings at DVC resorts are really what I like, not so much the community hall concept.