Kidani or OKW?

[DCLbrideSept2009]

We have been DVC members for about a year and a half. Have stayed at Kidani in a 2-bedroom savannah view in March 2010. In July 2010, DH and I went without kids and stayed 1 night at SSR and 2 nights at BWV (preferred view). Going back in June with kids again and I wanted to go back to BWV, so booked 5 nights in a 2-bedroom standard view at BWV. (We have 4 kids and the teenager brings a friend, so 5 kids total.) Then we decided to add on 4 more nights. But the teenagers will only be there the first 5 nights. So for the last 4 nights, moving to a 1-bedroom. Wanted Kidani (too many points for BWV) but only 2 nights available. Booked 2 nights there and 2 nights at OKW with a wait-list for Kidani. Have been thinking about just staying all 4 nights in OKW (I did NOT want to move a second time!) but then our wait-list for Kidani came through today. BUT we had kinda gotten used to the idea of OKW and kinda wanting to stay there. So now debating whether to keep it at Kidani or try for all 4 nights at OKW.

(Still with me here? )

Our thinking is that for one thing, it will be a standard view at Kidani instead of the savannah view we had last time, so we might not love it quite as much as we did before. Also thinking it might be nice to try OKW since we have never stayed there.

So figured I would come here and get some opinions? WWYD? 1-bedroom standard view at Kidani or 1-bedroom at OKW? We will have our car, so bus situation isn't an issue.

 

[lilliansmommy]

Hey there.

Having stayed at both resorts.....I think you should give OKW a try. I really enjoyed the last two times I stayed at OKW. Each room has just been refurbished and the resort is just beautiful. Very big, but very relaxed and quiet. The cast members at the hospitality house are so kind and welcoming...more welcoming than at any DVC resort we have stayed in. The rooms are nice and big too. IMHO, I wouldn't want to keep moving resorts...but I just hate packing/unpacking, etc... I think you will be happy at either resort but I would go for OKW. I don't think you will be disappointed. Good luck.

 

[snyderla]

A couple of thoughts. Not all of the rooms/buildings at OKW have elevators, if that may be an issue. Kidani has that nice parking garage. And the interior hallways are always nice in the heat of the summer.

We are booked at OKW for August, waitlisted for AKV because my 9 y/o niece wants to stay there. But we are fine with it if it does not come through because OKW 1 bedrooms are so much bigger!!! OKW feels like home to us. For a 1 or 2 bedroom villa, my first choice is always OKW because we always have lots of people with us when we stay in a villa (some of them stay in studios, then we gather in villa for meals and visiting, etc.). If it were just me and DH, I would choose another DVC resort, but with more people/adults I prefer OKW.

PS: Let's just keep this our little secret though. It's getting harder for me to book OKW when I want it. I don't want word getting out about how awesome OKW really is... shhhh...

 

[utahkennedys]

PS: Let's just keep this our little secret though. It's getting harder for me to book OKW when I want it. I don't want word getting out about how awesome OKW really is... shhhh...

Agree! I miss the days when people on the boards would say "don't stay at OKW"...made it easier for us but now the secret seems to be out!!

 

[mkarizona]

We just stayed in a standard view at Kidani last month. We too were afraid we would be disappointed with a standard view after having a savanna view. As it turned out, we were not disappointed at all. We love Kidani and wouldn't hesitate to stay in a standard view again. If you spend a lot of time at the resort, especially sitting on the balcony, then it might be different for you. We spend all of our time at the parks, but still love the animals and the theming.

 

[poggs]

Hi there,

I think you should definately give OKW a try.
We have stayed there a number of times, in varies sizes of accomodation and the property is just so lovely. We enjoy taking the boat to DTD and everything just seems to be calmer and gentler too especially after the hectic days we had.
I also believe that with OKW you get a bit more space in the accomodations which is a bonus and it was refurbished quite recently too. There is a very large whirlpool bath at OKW which I just loved.

Either way, have a great trip

 

[Donna M]

I enjoy OKW. You can park right outside your door, if you want to walk around or to a pool you can (I felt caged in when we stayed at Jambo before Kidani was completed) you can ride the boat to DTD. If you want to eat off grounds there is quite a bit available. The units are very spacious.

You might like it and if you don't then you can cross it off.

 

[lmshaggard]

The 1 bdrms at OKW are huge - we just stayed there last week and loved the layout! We had a 2brdm lockoff for 4 nights with my inlaws and then the 1 bdrm by ourselves when they went home (our two little guys were with us as well). I will say though - AKV has some of the BEST service of all of the properties!!! We actually just added on a large contract while we were there and it was a hard decision as to where to buy We only stuck with our home resort so that each of our little guys gets the same contract one day, plus we still have one for us

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

Well, we decided to give OKW a try! Called MS today and they had the 1-bedroom available for our dates, so we changed it!! We will now be staying 5 nights at BWV and 4 nights at OKW in June!! Very excited to try out a new resort!! Any suggestions on what building/area to request?

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

Well, after giving up our ressie for Kidani, it dawned on us that the 1-bedroom at OKW will only have ONE bathroom... with 5 people, that makes me a little nervous! Especially in the FL heat in June, we usually take 2 showers a day. So now we are wait-listed for Kidani again... if we don't get it, I'll still be ok with OKW... still want to try it out. We'll just deal with the one bathroom somehow. No biggie I guess. And if we don't stay at OKW this time, maybe DH and I will try a studio there on one of our kidless trips...

 

[topolino]

Count me among the crowd that says to give OKW a try. AKV is our home resort, but we've stayed at OKW just as often, and like it just as much.

Keep in mind that while KV is new, OKW villas have just been refurbed. We stayed in a recently refurbed room in the Turtle Pond area last year and it felt brand new.

 

[nolanboys]

OKW is one of our favorites. Know you're concerned about the bathrooms, but the shower is separated from the tub area, so some one could be taking a shower and one of your kids could be taking a bath if that helps. A's to where to stay, I would ask for the area by Turtle pond if you can't get a room near the HH, which I'm assuming you can't because that is a separate booking category. The Turtle Pond pool is very nice and there is a snack shop there. The walk to the main building is about 10 minutes or you can just hop on any bus and the last stop is always there. Have a great trip.

 

[eporter66]

Personally - I like Kidani better. Now that you dont have to move and you can get all 4 nights, I would go with AKV.

Both resorts have a laid back way about them, and I do like OKW, but prefer Kidani.

Good luck and enjoy!