Kidani Grand Villa?

[mjc2003]

Is there anybody who has stayed in one that can tell me what they are like? How are the balconies? Is the dining area tight, or can you feed 10 people? Is there any specific unit/area you'd recommend, we'll have my FIL with us coming off knee surgery so as much as we can we'd like to limit his walking.

We have 4 adults, 2 teen boys and 4 children, 3,6,8, 10. I sort of have the rooms figured out, but any feedback would be great. I found one youtube video of the unit, but it's really dark and hard to see anything. There are a few of Jambo, and I found Jambo pics on Allears, but have found very little on the Kidani GV's. We will be there in less than 2 months, and I am just really curious!

Thanks for any info, pics, video or advice!

 

[alanapapa]

Is there anybody who has stayed in one that can tell me what they are like? How are the balconies? Is the dining area tight, or can you feed 10 people? Is there any specific unit/area you'd recommend, we'll have my FIL with us coming off knee surgery so as much as we can we'd like to limit his walking.

We have 4 adults, 2 teen boys and 4 children, 3,6,8, 10. I sort of have the rooms figured out, but any feedback would be great. I found one youtube video of the unit, but it's really dark and hard to see anything. There are a few of Jambo, and I found Jambo pics on Allears, but have found very little on the Kidani GV's. We will be there in less than 2 months, and I am just really curious!

Thanks for any info, pics, video or advice!

They are WONDERFUL. Even though we had the last unit on the furthest bead (10 minute walk from the lobby), we would stay there again in a heartbeat. We had 9 people, 5 adults and 4 teens/almost teens (all girls). The dining area is fine, we sometimes had two of the girls eat at the breakfast nook, but that was also because of the plugs for iPods and cell phones.

If FIL is going to have a wheelchair or scooter (rent one, if needed), then any will do but as I said, the end units are 10 to 15 minutes walking.

I did not think the units were dark, especially when the drapes were open. Our unit was the closest to the barn and we saw animals constantly. We would spend a lot of time sitting on the balcony watching them.

How long are you there? Since our friends drove, we took a few hours (sent the girls and Grandma to parks) and went shopping rather than use one of the grocery delivery services. We had breakfast and most dinners in the unit and had snacks as well as beverages for parks/outings.

Have a great time.

 

[mjc2003]

They are WONDERFUL. Even though we had the last unit on the furthest bead (10 minute walk from the lobby), we would stay there again in a heartbeat. We had 9 people, 5 adults and 4 teens/almost teens (all girls). The dining area is fine, we sometimes had two of the girls eat at the breakfast nook, but that was also because of the plugs for iPods and cell phones.

If FIL is going to have a wheelchair or scooter (rent one, if needed), then any will do but as I said, the end units are 10 to 15 minutes walking.

I did not think the units were dark, especially when the drapes were open. Our unit was the closest to the barn and we saw animals constantly. We would spend a lot of time sitting on the balcony watching them.

How long are you there? Since our friends drove, we took a few hours (sent the girls and Grandma to parks) and went shopping rather than use one of the grocery delivery services. We had breakfast and most dinners in the unit and had snacks as well as beverages for parks/outings.

Have a great time.

I put in a request awhile ago, a "medical" request. I understand that they don't really take requests with GV's, so we'll take whatever and he'll be fine. The biggest relief for me was to find out that there is a 2nd floor entrance so I don't have to give up the master!

We arrive 11/10 and depart 11/14. We then go over to BCV for 6 nights in a 2 BR (with some family and we're meeting some family over there).

We probably will do a grocery order for delivery. I will need a decent amount of stuff for 10 people for even just 4 days, let alone 10, so this way I can do two separate orders for both parts of our trip instead of two shopping trips.

We will be eating out a lot b/c some of the people staying with us (since we wouldn't take money) made reservations to take us out as a "thank you", and b/c they have not been to WDW for a long time so want to experience as much as possible. We are eating at Sanaa on the 11th with all 10 of us, and then all 10 of us are eating at Ohana on the 12th, and then again we are all together at San Angel in Mexico on the 12th. And that's only the first part of the trip....uggg....I'm going to gain 25 pounds.
We will eat breakfast in the room, maybe 1 dinner and will have plenty of snacks, drinks.

My comment about the GV's being dark was poorly worded, I meant that the video on youtube was really dark so it was hard to see the room. I'm really happy to hear the unit felt comfortable for such a large group. We're really excited. Thank you for the info, one more question....are the balconies really big, or comparable to that which you'd get with a nice 2BR?

 

[alanapapa]

My comment about the GV's being dark was poorly worded, I meant that the video on youtube was really dark so it was hard to see the room. I'm really happy to hear the unit felt comfortable for such a large group. We're really excited. Thank you for the info, one more question....are the balconies really big, or comparable to that which you'd get with a nice 2BR?

I undertand that, most of the videos and pictures do seem very dark.

The balcony downstairs runs either the full width of the unit or just the living room and the Master (downstairs) bedroom (all connected). The two upstairs are just the size of the bedroom (separated), if I remember correctly.

 

[Greatfalls]

I stayed in one in the Spring. We had a smaller group -- 4 adults and 2 kids -- but there is ample room for your group. You might be a tad tight with 10 at the dining room table. It probably sits 8 adults comfortably, but since you have 4 kids, it should be fine. The balconies are pretty much the same depth as you get in a regular room, but the first floor balcony extends from the master BR to the living room and dining room. There are also balconies off the second floor bedrooms. Because there is a two-story window, once you open the curtains, you get tons of lights. Also, the extra lounge and TV area on the second level is a nice plus that you don't get at Jambo. I had requested close to the lobby and got the unit next to the first bank of elevators to the left of the lobby. It had a nice view of the fire pit.

 

[mjc2003]

It had a nice view of the fire pit.

Sorry--I have to ask, are you being tongue in cheek? Were you able to see animals?

What was your overall take on the GV? Would you stay there again?

 

[Mousewerks]

I don't think that was tongue-in-cheek. The firepit sticks out a way into the savanna and so you should have a good view of animals of both kinds (human and otherwise

 

[Greatfalls]

Sorry -- you see lots of animals. My comment about the first pit was just to indicate that the first set of GVs is close to the lobby. It wasn't a direct view of the walkway and fire pit -- just off to the side. The view of the fire in the evening is quite nice. We did the GV for a special event. I really enjoyed it, but it's a lot of points, so I probably would only do it again if I had a backlog of unused points.

 

[phyllisnnj]

Kidiani Grand Villa Photos - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2551484

Jambo Grand Villa Photos - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1770565