Tell me about AKV-Kidiani, arriving in 6 days!!!

[mimilou29]

I loved it there! Thought it was great! The only con is that it took a long time to get to and from parks but other than that no complaining!Don't miss the Sanaa restaurant there and Boma at Jambo House. They were both great but Sanaa is a can't miss! We called about an hour in advance and got a table easily. Have a fun trip!

 

[dixiegirl76]

See reading this thread , dear lord I know we're gonna LOVE AKLV!!!! Our girls know we're going to Disney in August ,think that we're staying at our home resort of SSR,but we're surprising them with not just a split stay but a triple stay!!! First couple days at AKLV (my youngest request if ever we could) next couple days BLT(our oldest request) Last 6 days at SSR for hubby and I!! After reading this tread, yeah I can tell we'll be booking there probably in the very near future again! Great thread Btw !!! And can i say , so glad I can come on here and talk about "our " surprise..Cause its KILLING me to keep this secret!!!

 

[mickeyplanner]

Thanks for the link and refill stations and past experiences, we are so excited! I have another question, does anyone have a current resort activities listing. I can only find a September 2011 one posted!

 

[jdd]

Hi Everyone!

My DS and I are arriving at AKV-Kidani in 6 days. Tell me the good, bad, and the ugly

Thanks! Sarah

Just found this thread, and you're probably home already! We're booked here for our first time in August - would love to hear what you thought. Pictures would be welcome too

Off to read the trip reports.....

 

[kgkmom]

Hi! Back from AKV-Kidani. The room was beautiful! Had a safari view, although because we were on the fifth floor we didn't always have a great view of the animals. But there were plenty to see, and at all hours of the day. We were in the third block of rooms from the lobby, so the walk wasn't terrible at all.

The lobby is small but cozy, and beautifully decorated. The savannah outlook area was great-it felt like you were a few steps below the ground level of the savannah, so it seemed like you were right on even footing with the animals.

The pool area is great. The best little-kid splash pad around, and a great twisty slide. The poolside bar area is fantastic-best stocked pool bar I've seen in any of the DVC resorts. The pool is smaller than at Jambo house, but it never seemed crowded.

There were two challenges staying at Kidani. The biggest challenge was being so far from Jambo House and the Mara. I brought food back to the room twice, and it was a 45-minute (minimum) round-trip. The second challenge is a basic Animal Kingdom Lodge challenge, in that it's far from everything except Animal Kingdom, so the bus rides home can be daunting.

We definitely enjoyed our stay, but due to the distance to the parks, I'm not sure I'd return. Totally beautiful and a great relaxing resort, just a bit far.

 

[mickeyplanner]

Hi! Back from AKV-Kidani. The room was beautiful! Had a safari view, although because we were on the fifth floor we didn't always have a great view of the animals. But there were plenty to see, and at all hours of the day. We were in the third block of rooms from the lobby, so the walk wasn't terrible at all.

The lobby is small but cozy, and beautifully decorated. The savannah outlook area was great-it felt like you were a few steps below the ground level of the savannah, so it seemed like you were right on even footing with the animals.

The pool area is great. The best little-kid splash pad around, and a great twisty slide. The poolside bar area is fantastic-best stocked pool bar I've seen in any of the DVC resorts. The pool is smaller than at Jambo house, but it never seemed crowded.

There were two challenges staying at Kidani. The biggest challenge was being so far from Jambo House and the Mara. I brought food back to the room twice, and it was a 45-minute (minimum) round-trip. The second challenge is a basic Animal Kingdom Lodge challenge, in that it's far from everything except Animal Kingdom, so the bus rides home can be daunting.

We definitely enjoyed our stay, but due to the distance to the parks, I'm not sure I'd return. Totally beautiful and a great relaxing resort, just a bit far.

I was worried about the travel time. That is why we are only staying at kidani for two nights, one day at ak and the other we are staying in at the resort. Did you part take in any of the resort activities? Eat at sanaa or jiko?

 

[Celidh]

Yep, that's it. You'll find that all of the resorts have a thread with a group of people that regularly chat on there. But you can break in at any time and ask questions or search of answers. Some of the "main stays" of the thread will be able to direct you to info quickly. Kimmar for one!

I find there is a lot of chatting so to speak on the AKL thread. For me, there seems to be a lot less info on there than other resort threads and more talking back and forth.

My partner and I rented DVC points for one night at Kidani. We have never been and I can't wait. We may not even do a park once we check in. Just sit, relax and enjoy the Savannah view. We have 7 nights before that at CSR. AKL is where I've always wanted to stay. It seems so big though from what I have read. We will have had our DDP for our CSR stay but AKL food will be OOP so not sure what we will do for supper. That said, if we have any credits left on our dining plan, I believe we have til midnight to use them. If we have a TS left, maybe try Mara. Anyone know if there is any chance of getting a walk up?

OP - Have fun and fill us in on how you like it.

 

[mickeyplanner]

I find there is a lot of chatting so to speak on the AKL thread. For me, there seems to be a lot less info on there than other resort threads and more talking back and forth.

My partner and I rented DVC points for one night at Kidani. We have never been and I can't wait. We may not even do a park once we check in. Just sit, relax and enjoy the Savannah view. We have 7 nights before that at CSR. AKL is where I've always wanted to stay. It seems so big though from what I have read. We will have had our DDP for our CSR stay but AKL food will be OOP so not sure what we will do for supper. That said, if we have any credits left on our dining plan, I believe we have til midnight to use them. If we have a TS left, maybe try Mara. Anyone know if there is any chance of getting a walk up?

OP - Have fun and fill us in on how you like it.

Once you rent points, you might get hooked. We rented points last NOvember and then bought a DVC resale and closed in February. When we stay at AKL, we are planning on spending one day at the resort due to all the activities. Did you get a Savanna view?

Yes, you are correct you have until midnight they day you check out of CSR to use all your dining credits. I thought Mara was a QS restaurant but I could be wrong since this will be my first stay at AKL too.

 

[reiella]

There were two challenges staying at Kidani. The biggest challenge was being so far from Jambo House and the Mara. I brought food back to the room twice, and it was a 45-minute (minimum) round-trip. The second challenge is a basic Animal Kingdom Lodge challenge, in that it's far from everything except Animal Kingdom, so the bus rides home can be daunting.

Hmm, is that 45minutes just for walking both ways, or is that including the time spent getting the food/checking out?