OKW vs. AKL Kidani

[Gordon Gekko]

Need advice friends. We had our August trip cancelled by my company so rescheduling a trip for December. We have points lined up to be rented and need to make a decision between OKW and AKL Kidani. OKW comes in at $528 for our stay and AKL is $704. I should add the following; we have never stayed at either, AKL is a savanna view and the only plans we will have is MVMCP one of the nights. Thanks!

 

[JETSDAD]

We enjoy both resorts. We own at AKV and have a week stay booked at OKW coming up. I think I would lean towards Kidani if you haven't done either before. OKW we find very relaxing and like having 2 real beds (studio) but AKV is a gorgeous resort and having a room looking over the savanna is hard to beat anywhere.

 

[buzznina]

OKW has a bigger room and 2 queen beds, but other than that AKV is by far the better resort especially with SV. It is such a very unique resort and we found OKW as just okay at best.

 

[OKW Lover]

We are huge fans of OKW. As the PP noted, the unit sizes there are huge. Having said that, AKL has a real magical advantage - seeing animals right from your balcony.

 

[BellaBeast787]

Animal Kingdom is our favorite resort hands down. There isn't anything like it! The food is really exceptional as well.

 

[bcuinohio]

What type of room are you looking at? The Kidani villas have an extra bathroom which can save a lot of time getting ready in the morning.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

What type of room are you looking at? The Kidani villas have an extra bathroom which can save a lot of time getting ready in the morning.

Fellow Buckeye! We are looking at a savanna view studio. Just 2 of us on this trip.

 

[clayfolks]

Kidani! I’d request Sunset Savanna and low floor. There is not much better than waking up in the middle of the night and going out on the balcony to see the giraffes. Also, Sanaa’s bread service ordered in the lounge.

 

[nursejackie]

I have stayed at both also. OKW has my heart as we have spent many Christmas mornings waking up there. The rooms are a great size and its two full queen beds, whereas Kidani was a bed and sofa bed (but it was mother and daughter so would have preferred two full beds). Kidani felt a little disjointed from the lodge and you have to go over to the lodge to dine. Having said all that AKL wins hands down for Christmas decorations. A tough choice in my eyes.

 

[Fangorn]

I've also stayed at both, and I'd choose OKW over AKL nearly every time. I find OKW super relaxing and laid back. The rooms are much larger and the studio does have 2 queen beds instead of one bed and a sofa bed. The boat from OKW to Disney Springs is a great bonus if you don't have much in the way of plans, as it gives you easy access to all the restaurants and shops there.

Our stay at AKL was a savanna view room, which was cool, but I personally hated the room itself. Very dark and claustrophobic, with extremely long walks to the room from the lobby. Don't get me wrong - I love the resort and the dining; just don't like the rooms. It was not a relaxing experience for us. Glad we stayed once, but decided we don't have to stay there again, unless we have one of the grandkids with us and that's what they really want.

Steve

 

[Gordon Gekko]

I've also stayed at both, and I'd choose OKW over AKL nearly every time. I find OKW super relaxing and laid back. The rooms are much larger and the studio does have 2 queen beds instead of one bed and a sofa bed. The boat from OKW to Disney Springs is a great bonus if you don't have much in the way of plans, as it gives you easy access to all the restaurants and shops there.

Our stay at AKL was a savanna view room, which was cool, but I personally hated the room itself. Very dark and claustrophobic, with extremely long walks to the room from the lobby. Don't get me wrong - I love the resort and the dining; just don't like the rooms. It was not a relaxing experience for us. Glad we stayed once, but decided we don't have to stay there again, unless we have one of the grandkids with us and that's what they really want.

Steve

Thanks Steve! We usually get lucky with a day or two of solid pool weather during our December trips. How would you rate the pools at each?

 

[bcuinohio]

I have stayed at OKW in a studio twice. Since there were 4 of us, the two beds at OKW were a better match. We really like it there. The main drawback is the food situation. If you are not near HH, the food options are limited. We always bring drinks and snacks for the room.

 

[tamu91]

OKW is a fabulous resort but if you're going with family during Christmas time, AKV savanna view will be hard to beat. XMas decor at AKV is nice and seeing the animals graze outside your window with a morning cup of joes is the cherry on top.

 

[Saltywardog]

I have stayed at both once, OKW was a 2 bedroom and had lots of room even with a full house. I love the amount of things to do and look at in AKV but OKW is so relaxing to me. OKW for me.

 

[Fangorn]

Thanks Steve! We usually get lucky with a day or two of solid pool weather during our December trips. How would you rate the pools at each?

Pools st AKL are nicer, but more crowded. The main pool at OKW is very nice, with a beach theme and a slide. It is in the Hodpitality House area. The boat to DS, Olivia's, and the quick service/pool bar are all just steps away. Each of the other 3 areas have really nice leisure pools, with the Turtle Pond area also having some food options.

Again, I find the pools at OKW more laid back and far less crowded that AKL. We are DVC owners at Poly, which is our first love, OKW has turned out to be our second; something we did not expect.

Oh, and don't spread it around, but Olivia's is some seriously good eats! Not on par with Jiko at AKL (not much is), but definitely a hidden gem.

Steve

Steve

 

[cvjw]

Stay at kidani. Hands down. We have stayed at both, multiple times. We hate OKW - so much that we sold our dvc points there. We never got a villa that wasn’t loud - the buses turn around in the parking lots - right by your front door. It is also so large and spread out - the bus rides are so long before you even leave for a park. Kidani is wonderful. Stay there.

 

[CastAStone]

Kidani has a very nice pool, very pretty, great pool bar overlooking the savannah.

 

[Disneypapa]

OKW is my favorite. Large rooms, décor, parking near your front door.

 

[mlayton14]

Have stayed at kidani, and eaten at OKW multiple times. Just can’t see ourselves staying at OKW, no real quick service , and walking within the resort there are almost no place where you don’t see cars and buses driving by or parked. Why would anyone even buy a refillable mug when you have to walk down a road or take a bus to do it ?