Kidani Village with/without car

[MBTigger]

Even if I had a car, I would likely bus to MK and AK from Kidani. If I did not have a car I would uber to DHS and (probably) EPCOT

 

[Jdlucas24]

Did a split stay at BLT and Jambo last year, with a Disney cruise in between. Focused on MK while at BLT and did the 3 other during our AKL stay. We did not have a car while at BLT but I probably would get one next time. Parking is free and it's nice to have the flexibility. I did not have a good experience using MDE so I am not crying any tears over that being gone.

At either AKL resort I would absolutely have a car. I didn't really like waiting for the bus even to go to AKL. With free parking at all of the parks via DVC its so nice just to come and go as you please without having to wait in line for a bus

 

[Disneytrippin']

My boyfriend and I drive for a living and we don't rent a car when going to Disney World. We don't want to drive anywhere. We are taking our first trip with 8 of us and will likely choose Kidani. The thing is we also like to rope drop. Is that going to be a problem? I want to stay at a resort where I can relax away from the parks this time. We usually stay at an Epcot or Magic Kingdom area resort so this is going to be a little different. Its my boyfriend that still likes to rope drop and run like a little kid....he is 57.lol

 

[Matty B13]

The thing is we also like to rope drop. Is that going to be a problem?

You can always use a cab or Uber, Disney buses might now get you there for rope drop depending on how the crowds are at the bus stop and which park your heading to.

 

[NoTime42]

For those who use their car, how is the typical experience with getting from the TTC to your parking spot at the end of the park day? The last time we used a car was for a 1-day spring break daytrip at MK (2016). We left when the fireworks ended at MK and went with the horde back to TTC. If I remember right, we made it to the lines for the parking trams at around 11:15 and didn't get to our car until around 12:45... yeah, we waited in the tram lines for 1.5 hours(!). Our line wasn't even that long... it just took the tram operators a really looooooong time before they would leave.

I'm a pretty patient guy most of the time, but it seemed like the tram operators were purposely waiting multiple minutes after every person was seated before they would do their final (and slow) check down the trams to see if everything was ready before finally departing. It was enough to make me wonder if staying offsite was ever a good deal and if bringing a car to MK/Epcot was worth it. Let's just say the crowd was starting to get rather upset by the end of our wait, and my blood was starting to boil.

Post-Covid, they have not been running trams. Now you just walk to your car.

 

[Cheburashka]

I've stayed at Jambo and didn't feel it necessary to have a car, even to go over to Kidani to swim. I'm going to Kidani next month and will not be driving then, either. A car can be useful at WDW but isn't necessary imo.

 

[purpliequeen]

Kidani: We've had the pleasure to stay at Kidani many times as older adult "children" with our parents and loved the size of the villas, the decor, and the ability to see so much out of windows/balconies. It's such a beautiful resort. We also, personally LOVE Sanaa. Because we normally vacation around the Christmas holiday, we haven't used the Kidani pool so no comment there. I have never felt "left out" or "forgotten" at the resort. I love the intimate lobby and feel like the CMs here are passionate about their resort. I've also found some of the BEST character interaction here at this resort. Fond memories of walking up the staircase from Sanaa from dinner and encountering Stitch. And most recently we were checking in to Kidani and came across Mickey in Christmas attire that evening. (Mickey alternated with other Christmas-attired characters throughout our stay.) In fact, I have found the most surprise character interaction here with relatively short lines (compared to the other deluxe resorts where people can more easily spot the characters in the atrium). The other huge pro of Kidani as everyone mentioned above is the parking. I LOVE the covered parking. As far as I recall (and I haven't been to RIV yet), it's the only deluxe resort to offer this amenity. Granted, this is just a pro if you have a car on your vaca. I also love how both AKL buildings (Jambo & Kidani) share buses with no other stops. It reduces the travel time and helps balance out the fact that the resorts are further from the parks. I've timed buses before while at other resorts and the multiple stops at YC/BC/Swan/Dolphin or throughout SSR really adds up (especially when there are wheelchairs).

I will say that the cons are: 1) distance to Jambo (although you can catch the shuttle that goes back & forth, ride any of the buses going in the right direction - can't remember off the top of my head, or walk off those Disney calories); and 2) the long, long hallways (you can always request to be close to the lobby or close to the elevators).

Jambo: Love Jambo and just wanted to call out that, should you ever wish to splurge, the concierge lounge access is just truly special. (Granted, I've only experienced this pre-COVID-19 and have no idea the direction concierge lounges in the future are going.) Obv a significant point splurge, but a huge pro for AK home resort owners due to the booking window. We've stayed concierge only twice, both on points: once before AK was a DVC resort (so it was part of the Concierge Collection) & we were on a separate floor (not the 6th) and a second time right after AK Jambo joined the DVC family (but Kidani was not yet built) so we were on the 6th floor. I don't even know how feasible it is for non-home-resort owners to get concierge villas anymore. Whenever we've stayed at Jambo, concierge or not, we've never regretted not having a car.