Reservations for Kidani

[El&Asmom]

We are planning on going to Disney next May. MS mentioned that Kidani is scheduled to open next spring with a projected time in May. I know this is not a definite, and the timeframe can change.

I think I would like to try Kidani, but wonder how the booking window would work. We are planning on booking day by day in October for our May stay. Will they know by Oct whether Kidani will be open or not, or will they announce it and then do a first come first serve reservation system. I hope this make sense. I'm just trying to figure out how we should book our trip. I'm sure I'll book at SSR at the 11m window and consider changing at 7m somewhere else if we decide to try a different resort, I was just wondering about Kidani since we really want to try out that new pool area.

 

[tjkraz]

Nobody knows for certain what they will do yet. If they aren't prepared to begin taking reservations more than 7 months in advance of opening, they will probably give owners a special window to make their reservations before owners at other resorts. They did the same thing when Jambo House first opened. If memory serves, AKV buyers were given 2 weeks to book trips before it was opened to the rest of the membership.

Just a heads-up though that you might want to re-think a stay there in May if the resort opens in May. They will still be getting the kinks worked out of the resort...many CMs may be brand new...and it's very, very likely that construction will still be ongoing (Kidani was designed to accommodate phased openings and I doubt they will open all 300+ rooms at once.) I wouldn't expect a first-rate experience if staying there within a few weeks of opening.

 

[El&Asmom]

Just a heads-up though that you might want to re-think a stay there in May if the resort opens in May. They will still be getting the kinks worked out of the resort...many CMs may be brand new...and it's very, very likely that construction will still be ongoing (Kidani was designed to accommodate phased openings and I doubt they will open all 300+ rooms at once.) I wouldn't expect a first-rate experience if staying there within a few weeks of opening.

Thanks, I didn't think of that. We will be going with our new addition that will be about 6m old at that time. It probably wouldn't be fun trying to get a baby to nap while construction is going on.

Does anyone know if we'll be able to "hop" to the Kidani pool. I know we can't hop to the Jumbo pool, but was wondering if the rule will be the same for Kidani.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks, I didn't think of that. We will be going with our new addition that will be about 6m old at that time. It probably wouldn't be fun trying to get a baby to nap while construction is going on.

I don't know that the construction will necessarily be distracting in that manner--it could all be interior stuff by then. My point was more that you may see construction barriers, workers moving around, etc. Of course, there could also be the type of noise you suggest as well. Impossible to tell at this point.

Does anyone know if we'll be able to "hop" to the Kidani pool. I know we can't hop to the Jumbo pool, but was wondering if the rule will be the same for Kidani.

From Jambo--probably. No firm word yet, but I can't seem them restricting it to Kidani guests only. Everyone staying at Kidani or Jambo is driving under a sign that says "Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge." I would be shocked if they determine that some AKL guests are allowed to use a particular amenity while others are not.

As for guests staying at other DVC resorts, I wouldn't count on hopping being allowed. Right now hopping to AKL/V is prohibited and I wouldn't bet on them lifting that restriction.