Resort Help. Kidani vs POFQ or BLT???

[kayteekt]

We have AP's this year (may be the only time we ever will) so besides our regular scheduled vacations in Jan 16 and prob late fall '16 we thought about taking our kids for a surprise birthday trip...their birthdays are 3 days apart in May.

Factors:
2nd week of May.
Looking at 4 nights
8 hour drive
DD turning 8, DS turning 4
Budget, lol, ideally around $200/night.

SO we're renting DVC points for the first time ever this January. So I've gotten quotes for the May trip

Essentially, we could stay at AK Kidani Villiage (std view studio) for the same price as std view room at POFQ (maybe $50 cheaper).

POFQ-DH and I stayed there once just us. Loved the small size and convenience to everything at resort. I think the kids would like the pool and when we were there this fall, it looked like maybe they were building a splash pad?

Kidani - Looks good, my kids like animals...but it's not like they'd just go nuts over being by the safari. I thought the splash pad/pool/playground was awesome! I know they would LOVE. My real fear here is being far out and having a long walk to the Jambo house. Is there a place to get mugs refilled etc... at Kidani? What about the buses, how does that work? Two drop offs? We've never stayed there so I'm just clueless.
Any insight?

Lastly, we could stay for 3 nights for about $100 more at BLT? Just threw a wrench in it, didn't I? Lol. I mean, duh..part of me thinks that. But DH says he'd rather do 4 due to the drive. Also, personally from what I've seen I didn't know how much it would appeal to the kids and since this is for THEIR birthdays. I know the proximity to MK would be AWESOME and it's got the "iconic" location, but we enjoy all the parks so it's not like we'd just be at MK the whole time.

Decisions...decisions... What do you think??

 

[aaarcher86]

We own at AKV, so obviously love it. You can refill mugs at the gift shop.

I personally HATE bussing in general, and our only experience was at AKV. It was a poor one. I would suggest driving to the parks since you get free parking, but that's really just my personal preference. Yes, there are two stops but they're just a few seconds apart.

We like the walk to Jambo. It took maybe 10 minutes tops. No big deal for us.

I'd personally go for BLT on convenience alone, but if it cuts down on your stay I'd go for AKV over POFQ. The busses aren't much different time wise, so if that's what you're used to I don't think you'll have much issue.

 

[Travis B]

Have you confirmed that the DVC options are available or are you using a cost calculator on a website?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Have you confirmed that the DVC options are available or are you using a cost calculator on a website?

Kidani is usually pretty easy to book. BLT, depends on the view and the size.

It's not like she's looking at a VGF studio.

 

[Travis B]

Kidani is usually pretty easy to book. BLT, depends on the view and the size.

It's not like she's looking at a VGF studio.

When I looked into renting DVC points last winter for our visit last spring there was nothing available. Just sayin'. I did all my research and looked into the cost without thinking about availability. I just don't want OP to be similarly dissapointed.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When I looked into renting DVC points last winter for our visit last spring there was nothing available. Just sayin'. I did all my research and looked into the cost without thinking about availability. I just don't want OP to be similarly dissapointed.

Oh, I agree. I see it happen most with pricing out Value/Club at AKL, or studios at BCV/BWV during F&W, or studios at VGF any time. Kidani a lot less often, really. Depends on the dates and the specific room type.

 

[kayteekt]

Have you confirmed that the DVC options are available or are you using a cost calculator on a website?

Yes, I've confirmed I've gotten quotes from the lady from DVC Rental Store who helped me with our Jan Trip.

I asked for several options which she gave.

 

[kayteekt]

We own at AKV, so obviously love it. You can refill mugs at the gift shop.

I personally HATE bussing in general, and our only experience was at AKV. It was a poor one. I would suggest driving to the parks since you get free parking, but that's really just my personal preference. Yes, there are two stops but they're just a few seconds apart.

We like the walk to Jambo. It took maybe 10 minutes tops. No big deal for us.

I'd personally go for BLT on convenience alone, but if it cuts down on your stay I'd go for AKV over POFQ. The busses aren't much different time wise, so if that's what you're used to I don't think you'll have much issue.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Travis B]

Yes, I've confirmed I've gotten quotes from the lady from DVC Rental Store who helped me with our Jan Trip.

I asked for several options which she gave.

Awesome! Like I said, I didn't want you to be all excited to book and then be denied.

 

[bnk1120]

I would definitely stay at AKV. The atmosphere there is unbeatable. I have stayed at both Jambo and Kidani, but prefer kidani. It seemed more quiet and relaxed and I also really enjoyed the pool. The walk to Jambo is short - not a big deal at all. We had no issues with buses any of the times I was there. The short ride to AK is great.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Kidani is our fave. You can refill mugs at the gift shop, also there is a shuttle that pulls up out front and takes you to Jambo if you don't want to walk there. The pool is awesome, the animals on the savanna are awesome, and it's just got this great vibe. If I had a choice for my bday it would be kidani all the way LOL! Also, they usually pick up at Kidani first.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If BLT would be a studio not a 1BR, with 4 in the room don't do it. Those studios are super-tight with 4.

 

[Alison Custodio]

You can refill mugs at the gift shop.

 

[kayteekt]

If BLT would be a studio not a 1BR, with 4 in the room don't do it. Those studios are super-tight with 4.

I noticed that from videos & pics. I thought it seemed smaller than most, but wondered if it was just me, thanks for that confirmation!

 

[kayteekt]

Kidani is our fave. You can refill mugs at the gift shop, also there is a shuttle that pulls up out front and takes you to Jambo if you don't want to walk there. The pool is awesome, the animals on the savanna are awesome, and it's just got this great vibe. If I had a choice for my bday it would be kidani all the way LOL! Also, they usually pick up at Kidani first.

Thanks! I do think we're leaning towards Kidani. It would be new to us and we like to try new things, I just didn't want to make everything take longer on a shorter trip...if that makes sense

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I noticed that from videos & pics. I thought it seemed smaller than most, but wondered if it was just me, thanks for that confirmation!

Once you fold out the sofa (and move the coffee table somewhere to do so!), it's very tight in a BLT studio. It's 339 square feet. By comparison, the moderates are generally about 314 square feet with two queens, but aren't using any floor space for kitchenette. You can only get out of the sofa bed on one side, realistically, and the coffee table will block the through-way at the foot of one of the beds moving towards the patio.