Kidani - Grand Villa??

[Basil of Baker St]

Hi everyone! My husband and I are newbies, we just bought points at AKV last week. It was something that we weren't planning on and my vacation time is already accounted for this year, so we have banked our points for next year and have a lot to use. We are really excited about taking our parents on a big "thank you" trip in January 2012.

We were thinking about getting a Grand Villa for a week. We will be traveling w/ our 3 children, my MIL, FIL and my Mother. I guess I just need some advice about how best to use our points. We could get a 2-bedroom and a studio, Club Level and it would be less points. I was wondering if it's worth it to get the 3-bedroom to have all of the extra space.

Also, if we do get the Grand Villa, we were thinking about also asking my BIL and his family to come with us. Then there would be 7 adults, and 5 children (1 in a port-a-crib). I know that the GV is about 2200 sq. ft, so space-wise it would be fine, I just am not sure about the sleeping arrangements. But if we're using that many points anyway it would be nice to have the (even bigger) family vacation. And I know our kids would love going to WDW w/ their cousins.

Any experience w/ the GV and 2-bedroom villas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[CarpeDisney]

This web site may help you out. It shows all of the floor plans for the various types of accomodations at Kidani and Jambo. (for some reason, Disney left oout the floor plan for the Jambo Grand Villa)

http://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/resorts/animal-kingdom-villas/
(mouse over the "floor plan" box on the main picture)

Some things to consider with your decision:

-CL rooms will give you access to additional Safari options, only offered to guests staying in those rooms.
-CL rooms give access to lounges, and snacks and drinks throughout the day.
-Kidani Rooms (1 BR and 2BR) have an additional bathroom located off of the kitchen in the common room. (Jambo rooms do not have this additional bathroom)
-Most food options (Boma, Jiko, and the quick service Mara) are located in Jambo house. Kidani has a sit down restaurant (Sanaa) and the convenience store (Johari Treasures) However, the bus ride from Kidani to Jambo house (on any park-bound buses; these stop at Kidani first and then Jambo....NOT downtown disney buses; these stop at Jambo first and then Kidani) only takes a minute or two. The walk from one area to another is about 10 minutes or so.
-Grand Villa v. Studio & 2BR.....depends on "family dynamics". If you're OK with everyone staying under one roof, go for the GV. If you anticipate the need for anyone to have their own space to retreat to at the end of a long day, go for the two separate rooms.
-I'm not sure about accomodating everone, plus BIL and family. While the grand villa would support the overall numbers, the breakdown of rooms and sleeping spaces (unless family units are willing to share spaces) may not work out. But again, "family dynamics" would factor into that decision.

Best of luck! I'm sure you'll love either of the options!

 

[Basil of Baker St]

Thank you for your advice! There are so many things to think about!! Our family spends a lot of time together, so I think it would be fine to be under one roof, plus I think it will be fun to all be together. On the other hand, since we most likely will not have the dining plan, the Concierge perks would probably be really nice.

I'm glad I have about a month before my 11-month window comes up, although I just might drive myself crazy trying to decide

 

[pilferk]

Thank you for your advice! There are so many things to think about!! Our family spends a lot of time together, so I think it would be fine to be under one roof, plus I think it will be fun to all be together. On the other hand, since we most likely will not have the dining plan, the Concierge perks would probably be really nice.

I'm glad I have about a month before my 11-month window comes up, although I just might drive myself crazy trying to decide

Just a 2 BR with your set up would be "doable"...we did it in Sept '09.

Give the "grandparents" the studio/2nd bed room. Then you have the sofa bed (queen), and the "chair bed" (twin) for the kids in the Living room. At Kidani, you have 3 bathrooms, too...which is nice.

You could do the 2 BR AND a studio if you feel the need to spread everyone out a bit...BUT, I wouldn't count on getting them (especially both of them) on the club level. There are very few of those rooms (5 2br lockoffs, if memory serves) and they go REALLY quickly.

The Grand Villas are VERY nice...so if you're looking to try them out and experience them, go for it. The ones in Jambo house have pool tables in them...which is sorta neat. There is a LOT of space!

 

[kmccl]

I would second the idea of the 2 BR. We did it last July with 4 adults and 5 kids and had plenty of room. Space was never even an issue. We had a 2 BR lockoff so my parents could shut the door if they wanted and could come and go as they please. We also thought about splurging during our first year having "double" the points during our first trip since we bought after our use year ocurred.

My only advice would be to bank, bank, bank! We are in year 2 and are already into barrow mode. I would say go and be comfortable, but do not just spend points because you have them, bank them to the next year and take two trips! Just a thought!

 

[Donna M]

The GV at Jambo is fantastic! One thing I really liked about Jambo compared to SSR or OKW's GV was that the dinning room table actually can comfortably sit 12, not so at the other places. Has the pool table too!
You will have more space to sit and mill around in a GV livingroom. The 2 bd's do not have living rooms that are large enough for 7 adults and some kids to hang out in without some people standing or sitting on the floor.

I would love to stay in Jambo's GV again, but it's not my home resort and the points are high.

Do think about where people will sleep. Who will be on the couch? Will you put mom in a bedroom with other adults? Where would the BIL's family be?

We have a trip in Feb for 14 people. In the OKW GV will be DH and me in the master (of course!), 2nd-bd will be sis and her hubby, 3rd-bd the six teenage girls' "stuff" and four of them sleeping there. The livingroom will sleep the other two girls. I also have 2 studios for the rest. But the GV will be large enough for everyone to hang out it and share a couple of meals.

Can't wait. It's our only change to get everyone together. That's why we have the DVC.

 

[Basil of Baker St]

I am so excited about this trip but I'm nervous that we'll make the wrong decision!!

The only problem w/ a 2 bdrm is that I don't want my Mom and in-laws to have to share a room. They get along well, but that would be a little too much.

So if we do a 2 bdrm we'd also get a studio, which would still be less points than the GV. I like the dining area in the GV, though and being together just makes everything easier (and hopefully more fun!).

I think I'll just talk it over w/ everyone about asking my BIL to come, it would be my husband and I, our 4 yo and 2 yo in the master, my in-laws and two 6 yo in one bedroom, my Mom and a 12 yo in the other bedroom, and my BIL and SIL in the loft area. So the difference would be having our 4 yo sleep in the bed w/ us (no problem in a king), and the parents would now have kids in their rooms instead of rooms to themselves. I think we could do it.

Thanks for all the insight!

 

[Donna M]

I think I'll just talk it over w/ everyone about asking my BIL to come,

I don't know if that's the best idea. I would just talk it over with your spouse and make a decision. You may easily get different views, then someone could get upset because you did or didn't invite BIL when they gave you an opinion.

This is your place and you should be calling the shots.

 

[kmccl]

Well, I misread your original post. I didn't see that it was MIL, FIL and your mother. I will say though, my parents did keep one of our kids with them on the sleeper sofa and the pull outs are very comfortable. I bet your mother would love to spend the week on a pullout with the kids! Obviously this is possible, but after I read through things again, I guess I would splurg for the GV!