Quick Kidani Trip Report

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Just back from 6 days in a 2BR Savanna View at Kidani. Characters were me, DH, and DD 11. The weather was quite a change from the Mid-Atlantic -- high 80s, low 90s all days with sunshine.

Number 1 Tip: Do not take rooms where the numbers end in 36 or higher!!!! We were in 7252 and OMG the hallways are long!!!!! There were 2 nights where we planned to go to the pool on the bus ride home...but got home and couldn't face the walk up the hallway to the pool and then back again. DH and I decided that we are NOT hallway people.

Pros:

1. Room was in great shape. There was a minor issue with the ceiling fan in the MBR but we went to the front desk and reported it, and it was fixed that evening.
2. Sanaa is fabulous! We loved the food, wine list, and the atmosphere. Ken was a great waiter.
3. The resort theming is beautiful. The colors and furniture are quite lovely.
4. The community hall was a great place for DD. She was able to go there in the mornings while we had our slow start to the day.
5. WeGoShop delivered everything as ordered, when promised.
6. We were able to get reservations or walk ups for dinner every night. We ate lunch at Sanaa on Thursday when we arrived. We were able to walk up to Teppan Edo on Friday. We made reservations for Boma on Saturday morning for Saturday night. Sunday was our only ADR at Victoria and Albert's -- OH YEAH BABY. Monday we had Tutto Italia as walk ups -- okay food and service -- probably the only disappointment compared to prior restaurant management. Tuesday we were leaving so did Sanaa again.
7. The CMs -- they were all friendly, helpful, and Disney.

Cons

1. The hallways. Honestly, I had read about them but poo-poo'ed the idea but after this trip -- no more. These are definitely a detraction.
2. The savanna. I expected more/exciting animals. There were the 4 giraffes, the zebras, ostriches, and a couple of cattle-like animals, and they were all visible from wherever you looked out, but after a while, the thrill was gone.
3. The pool. We planned to go, we wanted to go, but its location, in combination with the hallways, and its size, it became a "meh" -- not a big enough attraction to make an effort.
4. Hollywood Studios needs Star Tours to open up. We like the theming of Hollywood but we could skip it except for Star Tours, RockNRoller Coaster, and Muppets -- so we had 2 of 3. The wait times for TSM remain unreal. The wait time on both days we were there were 80 minutes for stand-by and the FP were gone by noon. We skipped it -- we'll play it on the Wii.

Final Thoughts

We liked AKV but it didn't call to us -- it wasn't home. We certainly will stay there again -- DD loved it -- but it is not going to cause us to add on.

Another good reason to buy where you want to stay. Questions, ask away.

 

[ddoconnell]

Just back from our quick trip....not quite as long as yours...we were there Thu to Sun... But, totally agree with you about the hallway thing! We were in the 40's and the walk seemed endless Loved the theme and decor of our 2BR, would definitely stay again....but not with a large group....definitely someplace we would just go to as the 4 of us.

One thing you didn't mention was the underground parking....loved it! It was so nice to come out to a car that wasn't sitting in the Florida sun!

DH said to add that the giraffes and cattle slept outside our villa one nite....that was kinda cool!

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Just back from our quick trip....not quite as long as yours...we were there Thu to Sun... But, totally agree with you about the hallway thing! We were in the 40's and the walk seemed endless Loved the theme and decor of our 2BR, would definitely stay again....but not with a large group....definitely someplace we would just go to as the 4 of us.

One thing you didn't mention was the underground parking....loved it! It was so nice to come out to a car that wasn't sitting in the Florida sun!

DH said to add that the giraffes and cattle slept outside our villa one nite....that was kinda cool!

We didn't use the parking...we are DME people. Living in the Washington, DC, area the last thing that I want to do on vacation is drive!

We splurged on the 2BR for the 3 of us and it was a lot of space. DH and I hardly saw DD...she retired to her room and hung out to get her "alone time" -- here come the teenage years!

 

[WonderlandsMostWantd]

Great review - I popped over after you commented on mine. You are very right, it's great that there are so many options for all of us! When we first bought, I couldn't see the appeal of SSR and OKW - We've enjoyed Pop previously, and our hearts lied with POFQ prior to buying DVC. I'm a sucker for theming, and SSR and OKW just seemed so plain and boring. Of course, now that we've embraced DVC and have discovered how nice peace and quiet really are on vacation, I'm rethinking SSR and OKW - we'll have to check them out sometime.

 

[cvjw]

We had a room at KV, that was almost at the end of the hallway. It didn't bother us in the least - we are a very active family, and a little extra walking to our room is OK with us. Good thing people are different, not everyone can have the rooms by the lobby!

 

[DizGirl20]

We were there last week as well and very much enjoyed Kidani! Did you happen to catch any of the cultural presentations in the library? They were one of the highlights of our trip!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Thank for the TR, we've been to Jambo many times but will be at Kidani in Aug for the 1st time. Our home resort is OKW and we love it, and I must say I do enjoy parking in front of my villa!

 

[sam_001]

there are short cuts to the pool and buses in kv if you take the elevator down to the parking area there is an elevator near the pool area if your on the other side same thing just take the elevator down to parking near your room and walk to buses and pool it is a straight line. at jambo house there are 2 sets of doors near the bus stop they look like service entrance but they are not if they are locked use your room key they will unlock you have access to an elevator to all floors except concierge level you can cut across the pool area if your room is on the other side or to boma's

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

there are short cuts to the pool and buses in kv if you take the elevator down to the parking area there is an elevator near the pool area if your on the other side same thing just take the elevator down to parking near your room and walk to buses and pool it is a straight line. at jambo house there are 2 sets of doors near the bus stop they look like service entrance but they are not if they are locked use your room key they will unlock you have access to an elevator to all floors except concierge level you can cut across the pool area if your room is on the other side or to boma's

Great to know...thanks!

 

[eva]

there are short cuts to the pool and buses in kv if you take the elevator down to the parking area there is an elevator near the pool area if your on the other side same thing just take the elevator down to parking near your room and walk to buses and pool it is a straight line. at jambo house there are 2 sets of doors near the bus stop they look like service entrance but they are not if they are locked use your room key they will unlock you have access to an elevator to all floors except concierge level you can cut across the pool area if your room is on the other side or to boma's

There are short cuts to the pool at Kidani, if you are on the side of Kidani furthest from Jambo House. Otherwise, you are stuck with walking to the lobby and out the front doors.

 

[saturndb]

I think Kidani is more intimate, but the long hallways are a bid con.