Pics of the Kidani pool thread!!!

[princessvacg]

Not sure if you have seen this thread yet, but there are pics of Kidani pool on it. Looks kind of small but I will save my opinion until I see it up close! The kids play area looks great and the pool bar looks pretty nice.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2126352&page=3

 

[PADISFAM]

thanks for sharing! My cousin in law was at the Open Mouse today--she'll be sending pics as well--

 

[opteeka]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Awesome pictures!!! We will be there May 1st.

 

[fijidoc]

only thing that bother me is that you can't go from jambo to kidani very easily. Can't walk and no shuttle between.

No stations to fill refillable mugs, no counter service area at kidani and can't get to jambo without going over the river and through the woods.

This is my home resort and we are going in December.

Will have to wait and see reports from people after they have stayed there to see what it is really like.

 

[drusba]

I think the CM was wrong about walking since the tour quide/map shows a sidewalk out front running from Kidani to Jambo.

Also the Fun Facts in the guide seem to make it clear that all guests at Jambo (including hotel guests) can use Kidani, including the pool, and vice versa.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

only thing that bother me is that you can't go from jambo to kidani very easily. Can't walk and no shuttle between.

No stations to fill refillable mugs, no counter service area at kidani and can't get to jambo without going over the river and through the woods.

This is my home resort and we are going in December.

Will have to wait and see reports from people after they have stayed there to see what it is really like.

I have to say, I'm disappointed in the pool, big-time. When my guide was selling me on AKV Kidani he said they had been told it would be an "incredible" feature pool along the lines of SAB. I can't see that pool being anywhere near the size needed for a resort of that size, especially if you can't just walk to the "feature" pool at Jambo, like you can at other DVC resorts.

Guess that's what I get for buying a resort that hadn't opened yet!!! I thought it would be easy to walk to Jambo, but I really don't want to hop a bus just to go to the pool or refill my mugs.

Rooms look nice, though.

 

[Luv2trav]

I think it looks great.. but I need to see more pics.. I can't quite piece it together yet... I am VERY concerned about lack of counter service at Kidani.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I'm very excited about Kidani. Sure, it would be nice to have a drink station but that's not that big of a big deal to us. I can just stock our fridge with drinks.

The pool does seem a little small though. Looks to be similar in size to the one at the Polynesian. I'm going to reserve judgement until I see more pics.

 

[mikeandkarla]

I hope the pictures don't do it justice. I will reserve my opinion until I see it first hand May 1.

 

[LisaS]

I like the new style room safes. It looks like you can fit larger items like a SLR camera or a laptop in them, which you cannot do with the wall safes used in the other resorts. They take up a lot of closet space however.

I'm encouraged that TinkerbellLuvr7 describes the pool as "AMAZING". It's a bit hard to piece it all together from the photos. She mentions the big slide (which I remember seeing in the site plans) but I can't find it in the photos. It's also hard to tell just how large the entire pool area (pool + water play area) really is from the photos.

Despite the report that you cannot walk between Jambo and Kidani, based on the photos it looks like you can. The resort map shows a walkway along the front of the building that extends into the delivery area. From there you can cross the road, walk around the HA parking area, cross the road leading up to the front entrance and then take the steps or ramp up to the front entrance. I'm not sure I would let young children make the trek on their own (too many roadways to cross) but it should be do-able.

 

[magicaldisney]

I know I'm probably the minority here and I sooooo hate to say this, but I'm not as impressed as I thought I would be. I'm disappointed that the lobby is so small, the grandness is what makes it so cool at Jambo House. The pool looks like just a pool and a small one at that. I can't wait to see more pictures today. I thought there was going to be a walkway between Jambo and Kidani and it's disappointing there is not.

 

[Minnie824]

I also was trying to find the photos of the big slide at the pool...all I could see was the little one. My DD LOVES the big slides so I'm hoping there is something bigger than what I see in the photos posted.

 

[podsnel]

Thank-you, so much OP, for posting photos!!! I think the rooms look GREAT, is it just me, or does the one BDRM seem a little brighter?? I think Kidani will be wonderful- can't wait to see for myself! I'm glad you said the pool is amazing!

 

[Luv2trav]

I know I'm probably the minority here and I sooooo hate to say this, but I'm not as impressed as I thought I would be. I'm disappointed that the lobby is so small, the grandness is what makes it so cool at Jambo House. The pool looks like just a pool and a small one at that. I can't wait to see more pictures today. I thought there was going to be a walkway between Jambo and Kidani and it's disappointing there is not.

I don't think this pictures took a lot of the lobby. There are no pics of the big glass area that you see in the construction pictures.. So I don't think the op took pictures of that area.. I wouldn't assume it's not grand.. I am sure it's not as grand as Jambo but that is the main hotel.

 

[magicaldisney]

I don't think this pictures took a lot of the lobby. There are no pics of the big glass area that you see in the construction pictures.. So I don't think the op took pictures of that area.. I wouldn't assume it's not grand.. I am sure it's not as grand as Jambo but that is the main hotel.

Agreed!!

As others have posted here, I will reserve judgement!!

 

[drusba]

Actually the pool is quite large. If you look at the first pool picture you will see a life guard seat all the way down your sight line. Now look at the second pool picture and see where that lifeguard seat is. That second pool picture is actually showing a large part of the pool that does not even appear in the first pool picture.

 

[tjkraz]

The pool was bound to disappoint. Look at the concept art below. Assuming it is drawn to scale (which is the whole point of such artwork), you've got less than 30 people in the pool and things are already getting tight.

Designers went with the splashy (sorry for the pun) water play area at the expense of a larger pool. With no quiet pool at Kidani, I think many folks are going to end up disappointed in that aspect. Kidani won't have a pool area for those seeking a little peace and quiet.

(Ignore the circles in the image--that was from something else.)

 

[JasonDVC]

Actually the pool is quite large. If you look at the first pool picture you will see a life guard seat all the way down your sight line. Now look at the second pool picture and see where that lifeguard seat is. That second pool picture is actually showing a large part of the pool that does not even appear in the first pool picture.

This may be true.

If you look at the map, the shape of the drawing makes it look much larger than what you can see in the pictures.

 

[samples78]

One other thing I have noticed about the pool area vs. the drawings is the landscaping. It will probably take a couple of years before the trees and bushes are as plush as they are in the drawings. This is the biggest difference from my expectations at this point - but it will hopefully change as the plants have time to grow and fill in. This will also hopefully create some more secluded areas in the future where those who want to relax can find some peace and quite.

 

[Luv2trav]

I'm not a fan of quiet pools so it's just perfect for me.. I am not sure why but the sounds of children playing in the pool and sun beating down on me puts me right to sleep... That is another reason I don't mind pool view rooms... It just makes me happy.

I think if people are expecting it to be the next SAB they will be disappointed... Nothing compares to this pool and to expect that is a bit much. It reminds me of SSR pool with addition play area for children. I just hope you can order some type of food at the pool bar...