Kidani vs. BLT Would you....?

[Rellyrooly]

I have a res at my home property, Kidani, in March for a 1 bedroom. We have a standard view (no savannah). I am going with my SIL and our 2 kids so we want the 2 baths. I am torn between trying for BLT which we would need to be waitlisted for or just leaving it alone. I haven't stayed at Kidani yet, just Jambo and liked it but didn't love the lack of transportation options. I like the idea of BLT and its proximity but I have heard some negative things about the property ie people say it is a "cold" property and there are some things that need fixing. Which property has more spacious rooms? Do people in general prefer BLT to Kidani? Should I leave it alone and just finally try our own property? What are all of your thoughts?

 

[spiceycat]

if you didn't like the transportation at Jambo house you won't at Kidani.

get BLT a try.

the 1-bedroom is nice and roomy. It is the studio that is tiny.

although the master bathroom is smaller than normal for a DVC resort.

while the one at Kidani is nice and big.

 

[dizfan]

We stayed at both Kidani and BLT last December. We thought both resorts were great.

When it comes to resorts, it's often a personal preference.
One person likes vanilla ice cream, the next person likes rocky road.

I believe the Kidani 1BR is a few square feet larger than BLT, but not much of a difference.

We tend to look at what we're planning to do on a trip and that helps us choose between resorts.

 

[DisneyAlly]

I agree with the PP. Depends on what your vacation plans are like. We stayed at AKV once and BLT twice. We loved both resorts. Both stays at BLT, we were focused on MK and evening magic hours. We loved the short walk to MK. For our next trip, we are staying in AKV. We will be spending much of our time relaxing and enjoying the resort.

However if you have yet to stay in BLT, I say go for it at least once.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Strictly on accomodations, I love the Kidani set up much more than BLT.I would stay put, but I would have gotten a savannah view.

Bobbi

 

[Alexander]

How old are the kids? I am too fearful of staying at BLT because of the way the railings on the balconies are. Everyone says you just have to watch your kids more closely, but hello--when I'm back in the safey of my room, I don't want to have to watch my kids as closely as I do when we are out and about.

 

[Rellyrooly]

Thanks all for the replies. I guess I will just stay at Kidani as I feel like I should since it is our home resort and we haven't stayed at it yet. My guests won't really know the difference as they have never been to WDW before. I mean, is it really that hard to ride buses? Most times that what we do anyway. Kidani has bus stops right there, right? You don't need to walk to Jambo house to pick them up? We stayed with the standard view as I just can't see spending all those extra points just to see the animals. Anyway, if we do things the way I think we will, we shouldn't be around to see them. I predict we will only be in our room to sleep. We will have two 10 year old girls that I don't think will care about the animals that much. They can go in to the hallways to look at them I heard. True?

 

[DenLo]

A Kidani 2 BR is 1173 sq. ft. and and BLT 2BR is 1152 sq. ft. Except the outer crescent, even number rooms really are larger than that figure, the curved front of the building makes slightly larger and you get a larger kitchen island as a result. Most of the even numbered rooms though are Theme Park View and cost a lot of points.

Since you currently have a standard view room, if you want the same room at BLT you might have more problems getting it. It will still cost you a lot more points than at AKV, maybe as many as 35 points a night more for a 2BR during dream season. If the decor in the room is really important to you and you love AKV's decor, I stay at at Kidani. If location for this trip is more important and you know you'll spend extra time at MK, then BLT would be a good for this trip.

We own at both AKV and BLT and love both. Good luck if you decide to try for a BLT villa.

 

[ToddyLu]

Kidani has a wonderful relaxing quiet feel, while Jambo is just the opposite. The buses are just out the lobby at Kidani and are the first guests picked up goin gto the parks. If you are headed to DTD they pick up Jambo first. Yes there are several viewing areas off the lobby and down the hallways. We thought the buses were great there and did not notice any more time on them than at other resorts.

 

[Rellyrooly]

I keep hearing how different Kidani and Jambo are...I am very interested in this. I liked the feel of Jambo and the lobby area. I liked the room but really want the 2 baths. Does anyone have any pix of what the lobby at Kidani looks like? Is it much smaller? I definitely don't want it to feel dead, like no one is around. I know that sometimes WLV felt that way...almost eerie. Would love more info on this. Thanks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

You're a bit better off in Kidani for the busses since most stop first at Kidani and then at Jambo. Only DTD buses stop first at Jambo. So, if you don't want to walk the distance, there is a way to ride back and forth.

I think the CM's at Kidani would do things that would interest 10 year old girls. The CM's at either of the buildings are among the best, most engaging than we've ever experienced. However, our oldest DGC is 7, so I don't have first hand experience there.

If you are talking about the remote feeling of VWL, and not WL, then you have nothing to worry about by staying in Kidani. VWL does seem very unused, and the hallways is a bit eerie to some, Kidani has more activity than that!

Bobbi

 

[rlovew]

I would say Kidan's l;obby feels crowded often- it is significant;y smaller than Jambo's lobby but normally has had a number of people in it. If you want a more quiet spot to sit they have a library area that has comfortable seating.