Pics of the Kidani pool thread!!!

[ekball]

I just hope you can order some type of food at the pool bar...

YES! And be able to fill up our mugs. Seems so odd to have no CS for this huge resort....DVC or not. I would think it would be a sizeable loss in potential revenue.

 

[dpuck1998]

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.

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.

Based on numbers the Kidani pool is 4700 sq ft and the main pool at Jambo is 11,000 sq ft. Just a little way to compare.

 

[spiceycat]

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.

well BLT won't either and still happen to love quiet pools that is a bit worrying.

of course the CR pools are just a short walk away - but still they will probably be just as busy.

at least BLT pool is mostly in the shade (HURRAY!!! ) can finally go swimming in the afternoon!!!!

no more early morning or evening only swims. (allergic to the sun)

anyone else going to Kidani before May 1 - if so would love pictures here
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showgallery.php/cat/504
work won't allow most picture sites.

of course can probably go see it myself on May 1- will be at WDW.


you know it would be nice to be able to put pictures of AKV in AKV side instead of AKL - same for BLT instead of CR side.

 

[AnnaS]

Thank you for taking the time to post.

Can't wait to see it ourselves in person.

 

[thepowellslovedisney]

YES! And be able to fill up our mugs. Seems so odd to have no CS for this huge resort....DVC or not. I would think it would be a sizeable loss in potential revenue.

I was just wondering if you know this for sure because I called member services the morning and no one seemed to know anything (she even put me on hold to ask her supervisor). I now have a call into my guide because I can't seem to get a solid answer.

MS even told me there WILL be a counter service location at Kidani when it opens, we just don't know the name of it yet...... yeah, right. I'm not so sure on that one.

Right now we have the quick service dining plan for our upcoming trip May 8-12, I don't want to keep it if the mugs we get are impossible to refill. Not sure why MS didn't say anything when I booked .

 

[spiceycat]

the only CS (QS) even heard was the pool bar. so hoping you could get your mug refills there.

 

[thepowellslovedisney]

the only CS (QS) even heard was the pool bar. so hoping you could get your mug refills there.

Me too! I'm super cranky in the morning if I don't get my pop. So for the sanity of myself and everyone around me... there better be somewhere close by to fill'er up. Otherwise I better change my DDP and order stock the fridge.

 

[kaffinito]

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.

Looks like you might be able to walk on the roadway from Kidani to Jambo, but the facts guide states that you have to take buses back and forth. It does appear from the language of the fun facts that you can use all of the amenities at both locations which is a plus. Not sure If I'd want to take a bus back and forth though.

I'm also baffled that there would be no CS location there. To have to bus back and forth to Jambo to get CS if you stay at a studio, (unless you want to microwave for a week) seems really impractical to me. We'll be avoiding Kidani for quite awhile, unless they put in a CS like the Mara.

 

[AnnaS]

The pool bar Maji has two different menus posted (I think I saw a picture on the other thread). Is it possible they only serve drinks?

 

[Luv2trav]

The pool bar Maji has two different menus posted (I think I saw a picture on the other thread). Is it possible they only serve drinks?

I saw that too.. I couldn't read it though...

 

[spiceycat]

The pool bar Maji has two different menus posted (I think I saw a picture on the other thread). Is it possible they only serve drinks?

well BWV when first opened tried that - now they serve taco or hot dogs - when people have little ones they need to snack.

so hoping since DVC went through it with BWV - that AKV would have snacks available.

 

[PADISFAM]

§ Maji Pool Bar offers a variety of beverages including specialty drinks, as well as a limited assortment of food items such as Club Sandwich, Tandoori Chicken Caesar Salad, Fresh Fruit Cup, and frozen novelties – menu subject to change

“Maji” is the Swahili word for “water.”

 

[PADISFAM]

Based on numbers the Kidani pool is 4700 sq ft and the main pool at Jambo is 11,000 sq ft. Just a little way to compare.

great comparison-- here is additional info:

§ Samawati Springs is a 4700 SF, zero-depth entry pool, with a 128’ slide and 2 whirlpool spas.

 

[Crisgw]

I'm thrilled my WL went through and I'll be at Kidani in a few short weeks!!! Thanks for the pics!!!!

 

[tjkraz]

§ Samawati Springs is a 4700 SF, zero-depth entry pool, with a 128’ slide and 2 whirlpool spas.

Saratoga Springs is either 4600 or 4800 (can't remember which off the top of my head) so about the same size as the SSR main pool. I did some side-by-side comparisons of the SSR and Kidani pools using construction plans and Kidani appeared noticeably smaller. Guess we'll see how it plays out with a couple thousand guests checked-into the resort.

I think it's going to end up being an "eye of the beholder" issue. Families with small kids will love the play area. But adults and those with older kids will repeatedly question why Disney didn't use that extra space to double the size of the pool itself.

I also think we may hear frequent complaints about pre-teens and teens dominating the water play area. This won't be like a water park where all age groups have their own domain. I don't know that the young kiddies will really be able to toddle around without getting run over by the older kids.

 

[PADISFAM]

§ When completed, Kidani Village will have 493 rooms, bringing the total number of rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas to 709.

§ At full build-out, Kidani Village will have 324 vacation homes (493 rooms), including 140 dedicated two-bedroom villas, 168 lock-off two-bedroom villas and 16 Grand Villas.

 

[Timon]

There's a refillable mug drink station inside the gift shop

 

[AnnaS]

§ Maji Pool Bar offers a variety of beverages including specialty drinks, as well as a limited assortment of food items such as Club Sandwich, Tandoori Chicken Caesar Salad, Fresh Fruit Cup, and frozen novelties – menu subject to change

“Maji” is the Swahili word for “water.”

Glad they will be offering something - a quick light lunch, etc.

Thank you.

 

[brookelizabeth]

There's a refillable mug drink station inside the gift shop

I noticed that too in the allears.net column! YAY!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Saratoga Springs is either 4600 or 4800 (can't remember which off the top of my head) so about the same size as the SSR main pool. I did some side-by-side comparisons of the SSR and Kidani pools using construction plans and Kidani appeared noticeably smaller. Guess we'll see how it plays out with a couple thousand guests checked-into the resort.

I think it's going to end up being an "eye of the beholder" issue. Families with small kids will love the play area. But adults and those with older kids will repeatedly question why Disney didn't use that extra space to double the size of the pool itself.

I also think we may hear frequent complaints about pre-teens and teens dominating the water play area. This won't be like a water park where all age groups have their own domain. I don't know that the young kiddies will really be able to toddle around without getting run over by the older kids.

ITA. My kids will enjoy the water play area...for now. A great pool will be more important for us in the long term. I think the play area really should be for the under-12 crowd. I hope bigger kids give the wee folk plenty of room to run!

Excited there's going to a refill station and some food at the pool bar! Yes!