So what do you think of kidani?

[pinnocchiosdad]

It is funny how time can get away from you. I woke up this morning and realized that we are in late May and Kidani has opened. I am an owner. So to anyone that has been or read about it, WHATS THE SCOOP? How does it look, how is the bus situation, how are the food options, shopping, does the much anticipated new pool compare as promised to stormalong bay? TYIA

 

[Opie100]

We stayed at BCV on Tuesday night this week and at Kidani Thurs-Sat. Both were our first vists for both. We did not use the bus.

POOL: We swam at Stormalong Bay on Wednesday and the Kidani pool on Friday night. They are really different experiences, but we loved both. The African music at night at Kidani while sitting in the hot tub was captivating. Note: There is a temporary wall preventing savannah views from the hot tub until more of Kidani is completed. The kiddie area at Kidani is also terrific. The big slide looked fun but we didn't try it at Kidani because it wasn't open at night.

FOOD: Sanaa - terrific. Great atmosphere, only moderately expensive, great food. Lovely.

BOTTOM LINE: We loved Kidani!

 

[SLM]

There was a terrific four part report with pictures on allears.net you should check out-lots of great information. There was also the huge thread from opening weekend on this forum that was fun to read.

 

[oakmanner]

We toured Kindani during our stay last week. We were really impressed. The savana was stunning. Really thinking about an add on.

 

[ekball]

Search the boards as there are a few trip reports that have been posted (they'll give you lots of info and pix to look through).

We stayed there opening weekend and fell in love with the resort! I really think they nailed it with the theming, decor & overall feel. The ONLY complaint we had was the lack of a counter service option at Kidani. Your choices for counter service is to get a sandwich or salad at the pool bar (and you currently cannot use a CS credit from the dining plan at the Maji bar), or to walk to Jambo and go to the Mara. It's not bad to do that for a short weekend stay, but it would be an inconvenience for anything longer....especially if you are on the dining plan. I REALLY hope they do something about this, as it will definitely effect our decision to use the DDP or not. Other than that, we really loved Kidani and are thrilled that this is our home resort!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We just got back from a 1 night Kidani stay after our DCL cruise. We had 3 villas, a dedicated 2 bedroom savannah view, 1 savannah view studio and 1 standard view studio. I didn't go into either studio, so I can't comment, but the dedicated 2 bedroom was awesome! The master bath is so large and the amenities were wonderful. Our 3 DGC enjoyed the whirlpool bath, the size amazed them! DDiL was pleased with the shower head in the second bedroom.

We had a family discussion and there are times that DS's family comes down before we do, for instance, before our DCL cruise, DS's family had a 2 bedroom at BCV to themselves, and we had booked a studio for us for 2 nights. They all agree that they would gladly stay in a 1 bedroom at AKV Kidani, so right off the bat, I'm saving points! I can get them a 1 bedroom whenever they're by themselves. A gift for all of the families of 5 from DVC!

We had a 9:30 AM ME pick up, so we didn't get to use the Kidani pool, but we walked down and the 3 DGC loved it. They spent their day at the pool until their ME pick up at 5PM. They made do with the extra snacks/drinks that they had left. It was the last day of an 8 night vacation and they did have enough to eat. However, we agree that some sort of counter service is sorely needed.

As far as the pool....our DGC loved it and the parents both agreed that it was a great place for the kids to play and they could easily take care of the three DGC. Sometime in the afternoon there was a pool party and our 6 year old "danced up a storm!" The 4 year old loved the slide, and I'm not sure what the 5 year old most enjoyed.

None of our villas was ready when we got to the resort at 11, so we went to Jambo and spent the afternoon enjoying that pool and resort area including the Mara. Rooms were all ready by 3:30. We split up that evening and some went back to Jambo to Boma for dinner and 5 of us, including me, went to Chefs de France and Epcot to see the 5th Dimensions.

I am so happy with the accomodations/amenities of Kidani.

Our DFs who had the standard view, had a view of the parking lot.

The underground parking was very convenient. The elevators state which rooms were serviced by the particular elevator, and that was a big help when going up to the room.

Both the changing areas at Kidani and Jambo were very clean. I'm so glad that we stayed the one extra day after the cruise. It was a perfect way to test Kidani, which passed our "test" with flying colors!!!

Bobbi

 

[maburke]

It is funny how time can get away from you. I woke up this morning and realized that we are in late May and Kidani has opened. I am an owner. So to anyone that has been or read about it, WHATS THE SCOOP? How does it look, how is the bus situation, how are the food options, shopping, does the much anticipated new pool compare as promised to stormalong bay? TYIA

We were there just last Saturday night, and I can't add much to Bobbi's report above, except my own "WOW!!" Kidani is a beautiful resort, and she's right, a gift to those of us with families of 5. We stayed one night on our way down to Vero, and all I could think when we walked into our room was, "Do we really have to leave tomorrow?" We had a standard view, same floor as the lobby (I think that's 2?) which was odd out the front because we looked out at the check-in parking on the same level, but it was very convenient when we wanted to come out of the room, whether to watch the animals, or go to the lobby.

Now, as for the pool: I must say, we bought BCV in the pre-opening sale especially for SAB, so we are big SAB snobs. But my DH and I talked it over, and we actually think that Samawati at Kidani is better in some ways. I still think that SAB is great for toddlers and babies, because you can plant them in the sandy pool and they can play and you can get wet, but you don't have to keep a hand on them at all times. And SAB is good for pre-teens to adults, who can enjoy the deep river part, and can go up and down the giant slide alone. But for pre-schoolers and school-age kids, Kidani has the advantage. The splash area is great; I'm not a big fan of them, but my DS's and DH had a blast there. And the main slide at Kidani is very good, and even my 5-year old went on it. (I couldn't even get my middle one on the SAB big slide last year, when he was 8.) I like the way Kidani is contained -- the kiddie slide is right there in the middle of the pool, not in a different area like SAB -- I could pretty well keep track of everybody, whereas I regularly get panic attacks at SAB, where my kids could wander off to anywhere from the gates of Epcot to the Swan without me knowing. At Kidani, the area is gated, with only two entrances -- one from the check-in parking lot, and one at the lower level, by the parking deck.

All in all, we had a great time, and would definitely come again, especially for another relaxing, no-parks visit.

So congratulations, Kidani owners, it's great! Thanks for sharing with me!

 

[plymouthmom]

I have a family of 6, kids are wide range in ages. Now, 14, 11, 9 and 6. I think the younger ones would love Kidani, worried about the teen! We are thinking of adding on at AK and are not planning another trip until 2011 ( we just went in January). So, I will have two teens then! AK is their favorite park of all four.

 

[dsneygirl]

We were at Jambo House last week and spent some time and Kidani and have to say I was underwhelmed. Our dinner at Sanaa was ok but nothing to write home about. I thought the Splash area was awesome but the pool itself is a little on the small side IMHO for such a huge resort.

Major cons: Food options. On Sun at noon I tried to order a couple sandwiches at the bar and was told there were no more but I was welcome to call Private Dining and order the $15.99 Club sandwich. DH did ultimately order from Private Dining and they forgot the bread and had to use plastic utensils even though the food is served on china.

The bartender had no problem serving those buying booze but I waited forever for him to take my food order. He said the fridge would be restocked soon but never was in the hour we waited. Personally a couple bowls of fruit is not acceptable at lunchtime as food options. My DH complained to the manager and made his concerns known.

My other beef is the look of the building as you are pulling up on the road. The area where the parking is underground looks terrible. Just mile after mile of olive green siding. Perhaps there is more work to be done but it looks blah to me right now.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Thanks all for the reviews. I am hoping that the negatives will be offset by the fact that KIDANI is still under construction. As an owner, my only true concern is that I was very surprised to hear how far KIDANI is located from JAMBO. I am used to BCV and VWL where DVC is right next door. We can all cross our fingers that they add a food court in the future.

 

[starbox]

As an owner, my only true concern is that I was very surprised to hear how far KIDANI is located from JAMBO. I am used to BCV and VWL where DVC is right next door. We can all cross our fingers that they add a food court in the future.

Well, it really is right next door, but because of the savanna, you have to walk all the way around to get to the entrance/pool.

I am ambivalent about Kidani at this point - I'm glad it's there and for the extra pool and Sanaa - but it can't replace Jambo in my heart.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Bill and I pretty much shared the same opinion. We thought it was very ugly from the drive up to the building until you got to the lobby entry and the building still wasn't very pretty, except pretty industrial looking. We thought the lobby was nice, the savanna was nice, the parking was far from the lobby (but I guess you don't have to go through the lobby to get to your car. The parking garage could have used a little theming to hide the industrial look since it is so obvious from the drive up to the building.

We also thought the Kidani pool was very small and crowded and there didn't seem to be that many people at the pool. The menu at Sanaa didn't appeal to us at all.

We didn't care for Kidani. We have stayed at AKL in the past on the 4th floor and the 5th floor when they were deluxe Concierge rooms and thought it was very nice. But I think the Jambo House one bedroom villas have too many non-DVC features that make it a place we won't stay at either. The combined shower and tub in the one bedroom just doesn't fit our image of a one bedroom bathroom. Lack of closets in some of the rooms is also a problem for us.

We think the AKV were poorly planned and constructed.

But we're glad lots of other members love them so we can get the rest of the DVC villas at WDW.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm at AKV Kidani right now. It's really nice being in a new unit, everything still "smells new". I love the parking - you can park your car and go straight up to your floor without entering the lobby or even going out the in the elements (it was pouring when I returned tonight). I wouldn't call it a "parking garage", it's on the first floor, it's open air, the rooms start on the second floor. I think what some people are getting confused with is the where the building starts when you drive up. There are no standard views in this section, so the building is just flat with frosted windows. It doesn't look that great. But this is not the "parking garage". The parking is only on the first level and it runs the entire length of the building. So no matter where your room is, you should be able to find close parking.

One disappointment so far - I am on the 3rd floor around the bottom of the "horseshoe". So far all I have seen from my room are some Eland (?) and Ostrich. The way the trees are setup, I can not see out very far. When I checked in, there were 5 giraffes right in the center, so I know they are there. If I stayed here again, I would request close to the lobby, I think you can see more animals there. I anxiously open the curtains each morning and have seen pretty much nothing.

I think the studio is a little larger than a BWV or BCV studio. The bathroom is nice, a large shower, large counter, separate toilet room.

 

[DonnaL]

We stayed at Jambo House/DVC last year and loved it and I was really looking forward to Kidani Village. However, that said, I agree with Deb about AKV being poorly planned. We did walk around Kidani when we were at WDW mid May and I felt the common areas......from the lobby to the pool are very small to accommodate the numbers once the resort is complete. The library area appears smaller than the Carolwood Pacific Room at VWL, which is a much smaller resort. I was disappointed to say the least and very glad we decided against adding on at AKV last year. At this point, I think we may look for a resale at VWL as our add on.......our first love.....however, we're staying at BLT in January first.......just in case we decide to buy there.....if it's not sold out already by January.

 

[DebbieB]

One thing I forgot to mention - there seems to be alot of confusion among guests between Jambo and Kidani. I got on a bus to Animal Kingdom on Sunday. There were 2 families with luggage waiting to get off (not sure why they had their luggage on the bus). Neither knew if they were booked into Jambo or Kidani. One woman got on her cell phone frantically calling someone to find out which they were in. The bus driver did say that Kidani was all vacation club. Then when I came back, a woman didn't know if it was her stop or not. I've been on the bus 2 or 3 times and in none of the cases did the driver announce the first stop was Kidani and people looked confused if they were to get off or not.

 

[rlduvall]

I loved the parking garage, or as DebbieB mentioned it's not really a garage, but the 1st floor. I also thought the initial drive up to the lobby wasn't very attractive either. The artist rendition didn't show that the first couple of wings at the end of the south side were only going to be savanna views. I find that side of the building pretty ugly and industrial looking, too. Seems like they could have came up with something prettier than that.

I did think the rooms were beautiful, but I'm not feeling the love like I had hoped. And since I like to save points with a standard view, it will probably be Jambo House for me.

 

[LisaS]

I agree that the end of the south wing is too industrial looking but I am very glad they do not have any Standard View rooms there as shown in the drawing. Those rooms would have faced the large employee parking lot.

 

[DebbieB]

Update - finally saw some giraffe from the room! They put hay up in the tree and they came by.

I've also stayed in a Jambo studio. I'd say it's a toss up. Jambo has Mara but Kidani has better parking. Slight edge to the Kidani room itself.

 

[Lildalejrfan]

I'll be at Kidani in December & we'll be staying in a GV. Has anyone stayed in a GV yet? If so how was the accomodations?