Some Thoughts On Kidani Village

[ppony]

We just came back from a week at Kidani, and loved it. I've never been to Jambo, so can't really compare the 2. The lack of CS didn't bother us - if we were back at the resort, we had lunch on our room on the balcony. I really liked the room layout for a dedicated 2BR - the extra hall space was great storage for strollers, our cooler, etc. I'd heard the bus rides were really long, and it was true, but not so much as to make us hate the place.

Jen

Can you explain to me the difference of a dedicated 2BR as opposed to ...a lock off? is that it? We have a 2BR ressie. I'm SO new to all this. Head is still spinning from all the signatures on the contract papers.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Can you explain to me the difference of a dedicated 2BR as opposed to ...a lock off? is that it? We have a 2BR ressie. I'm SO new to all this. Head is still spinning from all the signatures on the contract papers.

I haven't stayed in both, but from what the DVC guy showed us on the tour, the lock off is just a studio and a 1 BR with a door connecting the 2. The dedicated 2BR we had didn't have the studio kitchenette. The bathroom for the studio part seemed a bit bigger, and there was a bigger hallway space connecting the 2. For us, it worked out much better, since we all used the same kitchen anyways. The extra space was nice.

I don't know if this is true for all the rooms, but the 1BR we saw on the tour had a breakfast bar in the kitchen, and then a small table. With the 2BR we had, there was no breakfast bar, and a table that easily sat 6 (8 when we squished )

Jen

 

[ppony]

I haven't stayed in both, but from what the DVC guy showed us on the tour, the lock off is just a studio and a 1 BR with a door connecting the 2. The dedicated 2BR we had didn't have the studio kitchenette. The bathroom for the studio part seemed a bit bigger, and there was a bigger hallway space connecting the 2. For us, it worked out much better, since we all used the same kitchen anyways. The extra space was nice.

I don't know if this is true for all the rooms, but the 1BR we saw on the tour had a breakfast bar in the kitchen, and then a small table. With the 2BR we had, there was no breakfast bar, and a table that easily sat 6 (8 when we squished )

Jen

Now I get it! AH HA! THANK YOU. I'm a bit thick sometimes.

 

[wide receiver]

Thank you! I can hardly stand it we leave for Disney on Dec 25th! The childrens present! My DS is the one who wanted to stay at Kidani Village and it worked out we were able to book a ressie! Can't wait!!! Pray for no snow on our drive!!!!!!! 1161 miles!

 

[CruznLexi]

We stayed at KV in Oct for 5 nights and loved it! I can't wait to go back! We did walk to the lodge for diner and had lunch at the Mara we just got off at AKL and then walked back. Just a 10 min walk. We loved the pool!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I haven't stayed in a Kidani studio but based on the floorplan the vanity has one sink:

Thanks Lisa.
Bobbi

 

[Reddog1134]

I haven't stayed in both, but from what the DVC guy showed us on the tour, the lock off is just a studio and a 1 BR with a door connecting the 2. The dedicated 2BR we had didn't have the studio kitchenette. The bathroom for the studio part seemed a bit bigger, and there was a bigger hallway space connecting the 2. For us, it worked out much better, since we all used the same kitchen anyways. The extra space was nice.

I don't know if this is true for all the rooms, but the 1BR we saw on the tour had a breakfast bar in the kitchen, and then a small table. With the 2BR we had, there was no breakfast bar, and a table that easily sat 6 (8 when we squished )

Jen

I think maybe a dedicated room has 2 beds in the 2nd bedroom where as the lock off studio has 1 bed and a pull out sofa.

 

[LilGMom]

We also just recently got back from a week stay at Kidani. We stayed in a one bedroom and absolutely loved having two full bathrooms and DH really liked the covered parking. We had a parking lot/standard view where we could see the tennis & basketball courts. Occaisionally we could hear the busses along that road but it wasn't loud enough or often enough to be disturbing. We were a good healthy walk from the lobby so we didn't use our mugs as often as we normally do which I missed a little.

My only real complaint or dislike about the resort is a lack of a CS and grab-n-go selection. We also had to ask the CM behind the register for hot cocoa packets if we wanted something other than soda for our mugs. Check-in was smooth with very little waiting, CMs were all very pleasant and helpful and our room was beautiful. We did feel a little removed from the resort since we didn't walk through the lobby each day but the huge tub that I could actually stretch out in (I'm 5'11" and don't find many tubs that I can completely submerge myself in) more than made up for that. Had we not been traveling with friends we would have taken time to explore the resort more but what I saw I loved and I look forward to staying in Kidani again.

 

[BigEeyore]

We were also just at AKV Kidani last week. We had a split stay, half the time in a 2 BR and half in a 1 BR (spent some time w/ my parents). That extra bathroom is really an extra bedroom if you have a small child! You can fit a pack and play into the bathroom and voila! Baby has her very own room!
I had no idea about where to request a room before so we ended up on the 4th floor pretty far from the lobby, not ideal. Next time I will definitely request 2nd floor near the lobby!
I haven't seen this mentioned yet - but what is up with the tiny dishes at Kidani? Does anyone else think this? The "mugs" are more appropriate for a shot of espresso than a cup of coffee, the "bowls" were not big enough to cook a packet of oatmeal in, and the "plates" couldn't hold a whole bagel. We always do breakfast in our room so this was a hassle.
Overall - love Kidani, and that extra bath will keep me there over Jambo - also forgot to mention the sleeper chair is great for young kids.

 

[The Expert]

We were there about the same time as you were it sounds. Posted my thoughts at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2351773

We stayed in a one bedroom and while we liked Kidani, we prefer Jambo.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

We were also just at AKV Kidani last week. We had a split stay, half the time in a 2 BR and half in a 1 BR (spent some time w/ my parents). That extra bathroom is really an extra bedroom if you have a small child! You can fit a pack and play into the bathroom and voila! Baby has her very own room!
I had no idea about where to request a room before so we ended up on the 4th floor pretty far from the lobby, not ideal. Next time I will definitely request 2nd floor near the lobby!
I haven't seen this mentioned yet - but what is up with the tiny dishes at Kidani? Does anyone else think this? The "mugs" are more appropriate for a shot of espresso than a cup of coffee, the "bowls" were not big enough to cook a packet of oatmeal in, and the "plates" couldn't hold a whole bagel. We always do breakfast in our room so this was a hassle.
Overall - love Kidani, and that extra bath will keep me there over Jambo - also forgot to mention the sleeper chair is great for young kids.

You're right about the dishes! One of the first trips out was to buy some plastic dishes for the week. My parents now are the proud owners of some really hideous plastic WalMart dishes