Talk to me about AKV vs. BCV

[kellyf2626]

My family and I are trying to decide between Kidani Village and Beach Club Villas for our trip. We want to do a lot of pool time and "down time" as we are going for 15 days and don't need to do the parks every day.

While SAB looks awesome at BCV, last time we were there it was CRAZY busy and seeing as we are going during Food and Wine, I assume the resort will be pretty packed again. The kids area and pool at Kidani looks awesome...and possibly more quiet? I don't know. We have two boys, age 2 and 5, that love time at the pool!

Can anyone tell me about parking at Kidani? Can you park near your room? Is it as much walking at BCV to your room and amenities?

I guess I love the location of BCV as it's familiar and we have stayed there before. Kidani looks very "out there" to me, but the resort looks pretty and the boys would love the savanna view. I guess I'm just leary to try a new place, lol!

If anyone has any info or reasons why to choose one over the other, I would love to hear!

 

[DenLo]

. . . . .
Can anyone tell me about parking at Kidani? Can you park near your room? Is it as much walking at BCV to your room and amenities?

I guess I love the location of BCV as it's familiar and we have stayed there before. Kidani looks very "out there" to me, but the resort looks pretty and the boys would love the savanna view. I guess I'm just leary to try a new place, lol!

If anyone has any info or reasons why to choose one over the other, I would love to hear!

I can't compare the two because it's been awhile since I stayed at Beach Club. But we stayed at Kidani Village in June. I think the Samawati Springs Pool and the water play area, Uwanja Camp, at Kidani Village would be perfect for your family. The pool is much smaller than SAB, so it's easier to keep track of your boys. And the water play area is great. There is more than one section of the water play area so your kids can play where they are comfortable.

Observation Station: For children ages 4 and younger, this play space invites kids to unscramble animal images, cross a rope bridge and frolic through a geyser and shallow pool.
Departure Zone: For kids ages 5-7, this area includes a water tower, pulleys and squirting gardens.
Base Camp: For kids 8 and older, this play area includes water canons and overflowing water buckets.

Here's some photos I took last June.

Kiddie slide at the pool

Uwanja Camp

The younger children's play area:

Regarding the parking near your room. You park under the resort. At check in they will advise you which elevator is closest to your room and suggest you park near that elevator. Which really makes it easy just unload and take the elevator up to your floor and usually your room is less than a half of a bead (segment) away from the elevator--4 or 5 rooms max.

 

[VrBchJ]

Parking at Kidani is very easy. The best part is that it's undercover protecting your car from the intensely hot FL sun. There are different parking areas that correspond to the area that is nearest your room. Kidani is a good spot for down time because watching the animals can be endlessly fascinating. Why don't you do a split KV/BCV stay, half and half? I agree with you about Stormalong Bay. It's different and fun for awhile but it's so noisy and jam packed that I get tired of it very quickly.

 

[disneynutz]

BCV has more activity and is in the middle of 2 parks, other resorts and has access to more food choices.

Kidani is VERY quiet, is close to AK and a farther from the other parks and
has limited access to food.

I guess it depends your likes and dislikes but if it was me, I would do a split stay. 15 days at one resort is a long time.

Bill

 

[djadrych]

The Beach Club and Kidani are both home resorts (DVC) for us, so we stay there often. We stay at Beach Club in the fall because of the easy access to Epcot for the Food & Wine Festival. We generally stay at Kidani in February, because like you, we don't really need to do the parks.

The Animal Kingdom is "out there", but we've never felt that was a disadvantage. We rent a car & parking is a little different than other resorts because there is some underground parking and open lot overflow parking. Because we go in "off" seasons, we can find spots under the building, but the walk to the elevators isn't always as close to the room as you'd think. And if you get a room at the far end of the "horns", it's a LOONNNGGG walk to the lobby.

Food is another interesting subject for Kidani. The food court is at Jambo House. So if you want the standard quick food, you'll need to take a drive or walk.

We love both resorts and the different atmospheres they offer.

 

[StormalongKay]

We own at BCV so have been many times, and we love it! However, last summer we decided to try Kidani. Like you, I was a little leery. But it worked out great. My kids are older now, so didn't like AKV pool as much as Stormalong Bay - the main pool is not as large. However, even at 14, 12 & 11 they were mesmerized by the animals. Try to request a savannah view if points will allow. We thought it was worth it.

Kidani is very unique and an entirely different feel from the pastels and breezes of BCV. All of us loved eating at Sanaa! The main lobby is beautiful and talking with the African castmates was fun. We also walked to Jambe quite frequently, and used the AKL pool.

While we liked the feel of the resort, our first choice is still BCV. However, its good to experience a change every few trips - I think it makes us appreciate BCV more. If your trip is during F&W, I'd say it is a good time of the year to try out Kidani and avoid the crowds at BCV.

Have a magical vacation.

 

[mouse]

Are you planning for this year's Food & Wine Festival? Keep in mind, that it may already be too late to reserve something at BCV. Very popular during that time. Lots of time for a wait list to come thru, though, if you can't get anything now.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Curious if you have planned your trip during F&W so that you can attend or if F&W happens to be going on while you are there but you don't care either way?? The ease of being at BCV and its close proximity to EPCOT, the Boardwalk area and HS is such a benefit for you as the parent. Being able to walk out the door and head on your way is HUGE in my mind. 15 days of nothing but buses would not be my first choice!

I'm big on split stays. In your situation, being there for 15 days, it would be an easy decision for me to split between the two.

Have a great, great time!

 

[Debbie Jean]

Love both resorts for different reasons

SAB is a fantastic but for your littles ones, I think the pool at Kidani with the play area might be better... loads of fun for them and much easier to watch for you

For a quieter vacation, Kidani has lots to recommend... especially if you book a savannah view room... I'm betting the kids will love waking up to find the animals right off their balcony

I notice you are staying for 15 days... would you consider a split stay of say a week at each? Then you would have the best of both worlds!

Happy planning!

 

[childsplay]

We love both as well, AK is more "remote" but that is part of the charm. I would also suggest a split stay, but if you are set on staying at just one resort for 15 days I would go with BCV, there is a greater variety to do and see.

 

[Snurk71]

While SAB looks awesome at BCV, last time we were there it was CRAZY busy and seeing as we are going during Food and Wine, I assume the resort will be pretty packed again.

Granted we've only stayed BCV at F&W once (Oct 2010, doing it again this Oct), but we didn't find SAB that busy. I think the afternoon temps were in the low 80s, so it wasn't cold. I just think there aren't as many people counting on the pool at that time of year.

 

[akl-fan]

Unless you want easy access to QS meals then I would go with Kidani. The splash area and pool is far more suitable for your children's ages. It is really relaxing and had great under building parking.
As a PP said you could easily do a split stay, we have done this many times and Disney make it hassle free.

 

[kellyf2626]

Thank you all so much for your advice and opinions...and pics!!!

So we decided to do a split stay, as many of you mentioned, since we will be there for so long. Funny thing is....after much discussion....we are going to do the first week at Kidani and the second week at Wilderness Lodge!

My family agreed that seeing the animals, enjoying that incredible splash/water area, and being able to relax at Kidani makes that an attractive choice. Then we decided that since the boys are young, and we spend lots of time at MK...it is probably a better choice to stay near MK. And, we have never stayed at VWL before, so we are excited about that!

So.....we are planning on paying for one week for cash, and one for points. Currently we have Kidani booked for cash in a savanna view (with a member discount) for the first week (11/4-11/11). We also booked (for cash) the two-bedroom at Wilderness Lodge form 11/11-11/18. We didn't get that week with a the discount though. Sooooo, at my 7-month window, I am *hoping* to book one of those weeks for points. I am thinking I have a better chance of booking Kidani for points, rather than VWL. We will see. I know it's a busy time of year for DVC....so may only have options of OKW or SSR for one of those weeks. Then we will have to decide which one we are ok with dropping.

Anyone with any good info on VWL?? That is a new one for us too!!!