I have a confession to make. I love Kidani!!! Here is why I am shocked!
A couple of years ago, I lurked on the DVC operations board for months, contemplating our DVC purchase. After months of research, charts, graphs, and pro's and cons lists, our family decided on purchasing a Beach Club DVC through resale. We used Jaki and **** (god bless them) and got ourselves a modest contract at Beach Club Villas for a very good price. The BLT was rumoured to come out soon, and AKV was being sold, but I poo pooed them both, afteralll I had visited both resorts (well contemp and the AKL I guess) in past trips, and neither of them stood out to me.
Actually, I remember writing threads on the operations forum exactly why I did not want AKV or even BLT if it came
So fast forward a few years later, and we have enjoyed a few stays at the BCV, a couple of the other dvc resorts, and the BLT over christmas. I have enjoyed them all. A few weeks ago, I took my daughter on a quick trip, and we stayed at Kidani. I fell in love!
The staff at Kidani were amazing - we checked in late because of a huge plane delay, and we were hours late for our Sanaa ressie, the front desk called down and confirmed we could still go, even though it was 9 pm and they dont seat after nine. They sent us down to eat, and when I came back, they had everything ready for us ( a long story, a complicated ressie, had to link a cash one with a dvc stay, blah blah)
Everytime I went to the front desk or the concierge, the staff bent over backwards for us, and knew their stuff (Yes mrs A, you can certainly buy a single waterpark ticket with the dvc discount -- something beach club concierge said - nope, cant do it!) One of the managers always seem to be in the lobby making sure that guests were happy when checking in and checking out. He overheard me asking about the Keys to the Kingdom tour, shot over, dialed a number, and within minutes I was booking it. You know, I really think the managers direct the style of hospitality at each of the resorts, and at Kidani - I was super impressed how visable they were. And the staff seemed happy, proactive and very pleasant to deal with!
Our room, although not super close to the lobby, was great - I knew there could be long hallways, but the savannah view was amazing, and the rooms were immaculate and gorgeous-- I am sorry, but in the three BCV stays, all of my rooms were in need of repair, things not working or just dingy and old looking. Even the blt had cupboard doors hanging off the hinges on our stay, and the materials used here seemed to be (in my opinion) cheap at the blt, but it looks glam from a distance. AKV not only appeared luxurious, but on closer inspection was very well done (IMO) I understand in 15 years, perhaps the AKV will look dingy as the BCV, but is it ever nice now!
Sanaa was great - what a meal! A nd Jiko is hands down my most fav restaraunt- fantastic.
And the buses, the transportation - woohoo! First to be picked up, first to be dropped off, and mostly goes directly to the theme park - who knew a delux could have great bus transportaion?? WAAAAYYY better then the beach club, stopping at 3 or 4 resorts, and always inconsistent -- now grant it, you can walk to epcot, and the boat to the studios is great, but a giant pita to go anywhere else. Kidani buses appeared to come at so frequently as well, I found it no hassle at all going on the bus!
And the overall feel of Kidani- the art is outstanding, and I loved the fact that much of it was not under glass. I would watch young childrent walk up and gently touch some of the carvings, it was amazing to them (and to me as well), and the views as you walked down the halls constantly amazed me. The lobby is so lovely, and the laterns which appear constantly lit on the outside just beckoned me home.
Now, all of this is subjective I realize, and based on my experience and personal preferences. I guess the learning curve is, although you can research and try and make the best decision from afar, nothing beats actually staying at the different resorts to find what pulls your heartstrings! DVC IS Magic, and like they say, there is a resort for everyones taste!
So now I am considering selling off my BCV contract, and buying at AKV. My current point contract is too big to keep, what I would love is two contracts, one for Kidani, and a smaller one for the beach club. I forsee split stays in my future, so I can stay at both places! I may lose a little, but I like Kidani that much!! Just thought I would share my experience!
A couple of years ago, I lurked on the DVC operations board for months, contemplating our DVC purchase. After months of research, charts, graphs, and pro's and cons lists, our family decided on purchasing a Beach Club DVC through resale. We used Jaki and **** (god bless them) and got ourselves a modest contract at Beach Club Villas for a very good price. The BLT was rumoured to come out soon, and AKV was being sold, but I poo pooed them both, afteralll I had visited both resorts (well contemp and the AKL I guess) in past trips, and neither of them stood out to me.
Actually, I remember writing threads on the operations forum exactly why I did not want AKV or even BLT if it came
So fast forward a few years later, and we have enjoyed a few stays at the BCV, a couple of the other dvc resorts, and the BLT over christmas. I have enjoyed them all. A few weeks ago, I took my daughter on a quick trip, and we stayed at Kidani. I fell in love!
The staff at Kidani were amazing - we checked in late because of a huge plane delay, and we were hours late for our Sanaa ressie, the front desk called down and confirmed we could still go, even though it was 9 pm and they dont seat after nine. They sent us down to eat, and when I came back, they had everything ready for us ( a long story, a complicated ressie, had to link a cash one with a dvc stay, blah blah)
Everytime I went to the front desk or the concierge, the staff bent over backwards for us, and knew their stuff (Yes mrs A, you can certainly buy a single waterpark ticket with the dvc discount -- something beach club concierge said - nope, cant do it!) One of the managers always seem to be in the lobby making sure that guests were happy when checking in and checking out. He overheard me asking about the Keys to the Kingdom tour, shot over, dialed a number, and within minutes I was booking it. You know, I really think the managers direct the style of hospitality at each of the resorts, and at Kidani - I was super impressed how visable they were. And the staff seemed happy, proactive and very pleasant to deal with!
Our room, although not super close to the lobby, was great - I knew there could be long hallways, but the savannah view was amazing, and the rooms were immaculate and gorgeous-- I am sorry, but in the three BCV stays, all of my rooms were in need of repair, things not working or just dingy and old looking. Even the blt had cupboard doors hanging off the hinges on our stay, and the materials used here seemed to be (in my opinion) cheap at the blt, but it looks glam from a distance. AKV not only appeared luxurious, but on closer inspection was very well done (IMO) I understand in 15 years, perhaps the AKV will look dingy as the BCV, but is it ever nice now!
Sanaa was great - what a meal! A nd Jiko is hands down my most fav restaraunt- fantastic.
And the buses, the transportation - woohoo! First to be picked up, first to be dropped off, and mostly goes directly to the theme park - who knew a delux could have great bus transportaion?? WAAAAYYY better then the beach club, stopping at 3 or 4 resorts, and always inconsistent -- now grant it, you can walk to epcot, and the boat to the studios is great, but a giant pita to go anywhere else. Kidani buses appeared to come at so frequently as well, I found it no hassle at all going on the bus!
And the overall feel of Kidani- the art is outstanding, and I loved the fact that much of it was not under glass. I would watch young childrent walk up and gently touch some of the carvings, it was amazing to them (and to me as well), and the views as you walked down the halls constantly amazed me. The lobby is so lovely, and the laterns which appear constantly lit on the outside just beckoned me home.
Now, all of this is subjective I realize, and based on my experience and personal preferences. I guess the learning curve is, although you can research and try and make the best decision from afar, nothing beats actually staying at the different resorts to find what pulls your heartstrings! DVC IS Magic, and like they say, there is a resort for everyones taste!
So now I am considering selling off my BCV contract, and buying at AKV. My current point contract is too big to keep, what I would love is two contracts, one for Kidani, and a smaller one for the beach club. I forsee split stays in my future, so I can stay at both places! I may lose a little, but I like Kidani that much!! Just thought I would share my experience!
You should sell everything and stay there only-I dont think the cost would be that bad as BCV may get you a liitle more than another AKV contract will cost you, esp for a place you like that much better than the rest.
AKV is surprisingly a favorite for us too! Resort amenities trump location for me. AKV just seems to have more of what we like, and does it all with some of the lowest points in the system. It really makes it hard to stay at some of the others. 
