Live from Kidani Village

[Silly Little Pixie]

Hello! Welcome to my first LIVE trip report! We are owners at AKV. This is our second stay. We are: myself, DH ( my
Loyal Disney follower), DD13 and DS 10- both Disney nuts. Joining us are our friends, DS1and DS2, and their 3 children, DS 13, DD9, and DS 2. It is the first trip to WDW for our friends. We have reserved a 2 bedroom lockoff savanna view.

So far- we all arrived at MCO within a short time of each other this morning. We took ME to Kidani Village about 11 am. When we got to Kidani, we found that they were able to accomodate my request for a room close to the lobby. We went to the room, and while it was bright and clean- the lockoff part of our unit was marginally savanna view!! I wouldn't mind if the savanna view wasn't costing me dearly in points. so I called the front desk, and they told me that they could get me a better room, but it wasn't ready.

So we had a great lunch at Sanaa, but... Its 4:30, we've got a super cranky 4yo, and no sign of a ready room. Sigh...

 

[AKV707]

Keep us posted. We are AKV owners as well and love Kidani. We have always found the staff to be very helpful and I hope they are for you. Where was the partial savanna view? Was it facing Pembe?

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Can't wait to hear more. We check in at Kidani in 26 days . If you don't mind me asking, how are you accessing the internet to post here if you aren't in your room yet? Is there WiFi somewhere or are you using a phone?

I want to hear all about your adventure, it will make the following days easier to bear.

 

[DenLo]

Those late check ins are a killer. I get cranky myself when we don't have a room by 4:30 PM.

 

[AKV707]

At Kidani, there is free wifi for members in the lobby area.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Actually, we're not using the wifi in the room since we were informed there isn't any . I'm using the 3G on my iPhone. DH is most unhappy since he's supposed to be checking in at work. When he called to the front desk to get the wifi password, he was told it was an external company that contracts with it did not give them the password.

I am not kidding. He questioned how the front desk didn't have the wifi code.

So here I am, using my 3G minutes instead.

Our first assigned room was 7937, which is right on the border of the pool and the Pembe savanna. The studio portion mostly looked at the pool, while the one bedroom part looked out at Pembe. Which would be fine except savanna view points are significantly more than standard!! Our new room is on the same side, but looking at the Sunset Savanna, and about 20-30 rooms closer to the lobby.

About 4:30 I went back to the front desk and asked for my room- without getting a text yet. Eventually we were given the room we had been told at noon we would get. The quality of the room is great! We waited an hour for all our groceries etc to arrive after calling bell services. It must be very busy since we were here this same week last year and had no waits or snafus. It is likely that Kidani is much more full than it was a year ago! We used wegoshop and so far I am really pleased. It sure is nice to make dinner in the room with a party of 9!

 

[Sonnyeclipse]

Subscribing. I'm staying at Kidani in a few weeks so am interested what you think about it.

 

[CruznLexi]

We love KV!

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

At Kidani, there is free wifi for members in the lobby area.

That's great to know

Actually, we're not using the wifi in the room since we were informed there isn't any . I'm using the 3G on my iPhone. DH is most unhappy since he's supposed to be checking in at work. When he called to the front desk to get the wifi password, he was told it was an external company that contracts with it did not give them the password.

I am not kidding. He questioned how the front desk didn't have the wifi code.

So here I am, using my 3G minutes instead.

That has to be one of the strangest things I've ever heard so I guess to check on our fantasy football scores we'll have to hook the laptop up to one of our blackberrries, oh well, whatever works.

 

[stopher1]

s. It is likely that Kidani is much more full than it was a year ago! We used wegoshop and so far I am really pleased. It sure is nice to make dinner in the room with a party of 9!

I agree with you. We were there in January with my folks (7 total, not 9) and that was still great having meals in the room. We love Kidani, and can't wait to stay there again in the spring. Glad to hear, even though it took a while, that you are pleased with your room and the view. Looking forward to reading some more... and wishing I were there now myself.

 

[AnnaS]

Looking forward to more. We stayed at AK (Kidani) last year and loved it!

 

[ToddyLu]

18 days to go and living vicariously through you.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That has to be one of the strangest things I've ever heard so I guess to check on our fantasy football scores we'll have to hook the laptop up to one of our blackberrries, oh well, whatever works.

There is free internet in the rooms - it's just wired. If you have your laptop you won't need to hook up your blackberry. This is the way it is at all DVC resorts except GCV, VB and HHI.

 

[AKV707]

There is free internet in the rooms - it's just wired. If you have your laptop you won't need to hook up your blackberry. This is the way it is at all DVC resorts except GCV, VB and HHI.

That is correct. I use it all of the time. What is the internet situation at VB?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That is correct. I use it all of the time. What is the internet situation at VB?

It is wireless at the 3 resorts I listed. VB had wireless installed in early 2009 I believe. We were there in May of that year and you are given a code to use to sign on.

 

[AKV707]

Thanks!

 

[habg1]

There is free internet in the rooms - it's just wired. If you have your laptop you won't need to hook up your blackberry. This is the way it is at all DVC resorts except GCV, VB and HHI.

OMG! I was so close to changing resorts after I read "no internet in room."

As long as it's wired, we don't care.

1st time at AKL Kidani in Feb 2011. Phew! Don't scare me like that! Ha, ha.

 

[pamickey]

I own at BWV, but probably would say that AKV-KV is my favorite. We stayed there last December and then moved to BLT. I would have preferred to stay at KV for the rest of the trip. It's so relaxing to sit on your balcony and watch the animals on the savanna and the bus service was excellent. I had just gotten my cast off my right foot after breaking it in November, so I didn't walk between KV and Jambo, but the rest of the family enjoyed the walk.

Make sure to take some time so sit out in the viewing area off the central lobby. The cast members have so many interesting stories to tell and some of the kids may really enjoy it. You really feel up close and personal with the animals, especially the giraffes. We found that the most activity in December was in the middle of the afternoon when the giraffes are fed. The zebras seemed to follow them around to pick up the leftovers.

Have a wonderful timeand I'll sit back to enjoy your TR!

Terri

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

At Kidani, there is free wifi for members in the lobby area.

Really
That's cool.

 

[toniosmom]

We had a great savannah view room in March -- It was close to the lobby and on the 2nd floor. I don't recall the room number. We'll be back in two weeks -- I can't wait!