Two opposite opinions of Kidani Village

[Simba's Mom]

DH and I both visited Kidani Village last week and had polar opposite responses, so I thought I'd post both opinions. First, as we walked up to Kidani from Jambo, we ended up in the underground parking garage, not a great way to approach a resort. We weren't the only ones who were lost-two other couples behind us also wandered around looking for the lobby. DH thought the entrance was OK, but it bothered me (Yeah, he says I'm too easily bothered). Finally reaching the lobby, I thought the lobby was too small, but DH thought it was "quaint" and the Jambo lobby is too huge, impersonal. There was a very small gift shop to the right (I got him to agree that the gift shop is surprisingly small). Their soda offerings were-

I saw no caffeine free diet coke, DH saw they offered root beer (he claims most places don't, so he was happy). We both liked the library, but had different responses to the wooden carvings at the entrance. I noticed a gap of several inches between the carvings and the doorway, fearing that a child might get stuck. Also, the carvings were "anatomically correct" and "at attention", if you know what I mean. DH just thought the statues were nicely done. About the tapestries, we both agreed that the names were nicely embroidered. However, while DH thought the frayed look was a nice "authentic" look, I thought the tapestries were TOO frayed-

And he thought there were plenty of animals, although all but one were birds (ostriches, cranes).

Lastly, we both agreed that there are lots of great activities-

__________________

 

[kimberh]

We did the Sunrise Safari last Thursday, there are suppose to be more animals this fall, if the budget permits. She said, that was the plan for Kidani Savanna.

 

[fers31]

I just got back from Kidani and had a similar response. It reminded me of Jambo's little brother. Everything was smaller and not as impressive. The pool was ok but you have to walk across a parking lot to get there (kind of takes away from the atmosphere.) Not sure what you're talking about with the savannah though, there were giraffes, cattle, zebras, wilderbeast, and other animals on there (besides the birds.) Not a "ton" of animals, but several different kinds. It was great having the giraffes walk by the room.

 

[lugnut33]

Hey Simba's Mom, take a look at my trip report.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2168700

Couple of things you've mentioned bother me.

First, it's a Parking Garage... under the building. Who cares if there are unpainted sections. Shheesh!!

Second, I can't believe somebody is actually bothered by the statues being anatomically correct. And how can you not expect it to appear to be erect when it's made from "WOOD". I thought we as a society had advanced past the old puritan days.

Third, it's really not a big deal walking around the entrance to get to the pool. It's a very small walk and if you don't like the view of the pavement, then look the opposite way at the beautiful landscaping. Or did you not turn that way since you prefer to nice the "negative"? Did you look at the concrete you were walking on and how they even themed that?

People, we need to be less anal retentive and just go with the flow more and enjoy where we are. Because there is no paint on the parking lot walls shouldn't make any difference to having a good time.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Thank you for your review and detailed pictures of the beverage offerings and the activities board!

 

[famsen]

Hey Simba's Mom, take a look at my trip report.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2168700

Couple of things you've mentioned bother me.

First, it's a Parking Garage... under the building. Who cares if there are unpainted sections. Shheesh!!

Second, I can't believe somebody is actually bothered by the statues being anatomically correct. And how can you not expect it to appear to be erect when it's made from "WOOD". I thought we as a society had advanced past the old puritan days.

Third, it's really not a big deal walking around the entrance to get to the pool. It's a very small walk and if you don't like the view of the pavement, then look the opposite way at the beautiful landscaping. Or did you not turn that way since you prefer to nice the "negative"? Did you look at the concrete you were walking on and how they even themed that?

People, we need to be less anal retentive and just go with the flow more and enjoy where we are. Because there is no paint on the parking lot walls shouldn't make any difference to having a good time.

Duuuude! OP has a right to her opinions, whether you agree or not. Don't attack her for having them. What she likes, you might find disgusting. What you like, she may find repulsive. Now that the OP pointed it out, it is a little odd that people have to walk across the parking lot to get to the pool. Usually pools are in a more hidden, centrally located place.

 

[thelionqueen]

Duuuude! OP has a right to her opinions, whether you agree or not. Don't attack her for having them. What she likes, you might find disgusting. What you like, she may find repulsive. Now that the OP pointed it out, it is a little odd that people have to walk across the parking lot to get to the pool. Usually pools are in a more hidden, centrally located place.

Well stated! Whatever your opinion is you should be free to voice and and not be attacked! People will likely post opposing points of view, which I personally love.

I'm just thankful that since I will never be staying @ AKV (personal choice-not bashing) I won't have to explain to my son's why a statue almost poked my eye out!

 

[lugnut33]

Duuuude! OP has a right to her opinions, whether you agree or not. Don't attack her for having them. What she likes, you might find disgusting. What you like, she may find repulsive. Now that the OP pointed it out, it is a little odd that people have to walk across the parking lot to get to the pool. Usually pools are in a more hidden, centrally located place.

And I'm tired of people whining and complaining about totally frivilous things like this:

That's the statue, whooopppeeeeee!! It was probably carved by somebody in Africa who is less offended by the human body than many people in the so called Civilized West.

And to the Lionqueen, you don't have to get that close to see it!! LOL

Or complaining about this:

Or whining about this path that leads to the pool. Note, you do not have to cross this blacktop as there is a nice sidewalk next to it that is beautifully landscaped:

What the heck happened to "A Spoonful Of Sugar".

 

[bobbiwoz]

So, Simba's Mom, would you stay there? I haven't seen/heard anything that would make me second guess our family's stay after the cruise in just two weeks. I'm pretty excited about Kidani. Had I known that eventually we would have enough AKV points to have been considered a "Founding Member" I would have bought them all in the beginning and live to see our name up there, but alas, I didn't. I thought 100 points was going to be enough to support our AKV stays, and that's just not the case!

Thanks for the postings.

Bobbi

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks for posting both opinions - sounds like my family - that's what I love about the DVC properties - pos and neg for each person and enough variety to make everyone happy over the long haul.
And thanks for the close-up pics - especially the activities board! DNeph will be thrilled to hear about the wii tournaments and BFF and I will check out the Drum Cafe before our dinner at Sanaa - whatever it is, it sounds like a wonderful way to start the evening!

 

[GuySmiley]

Duuuude! OP has a right to her opinions, whether you agree or not. Don't attack her for having them. What she likes, you might find disgusting. What you like, she may find repulsive. Now that the OP pointed it out, it is a little odd that people have to walk across the parking lot to get to the pool. Usually pools are in a more hidden, centrally located place.

lugnut has a right to his opinions about her opinions. And the OP has a right to give opinions about his opinion of her opinion back. Etc, etc. My opinion is that you are attacking* lugnut for attacking the OP. And you have the right to! Even though I'm attacking you for attacking lugnut for attacking the OP! My head is spinning like I just rode the teacups!

*"attacking" could be replaced by "giving an opinion"

 

[lugnut33]

lugnut has a right to his opinions about her opinions. And the OP has a right to give opinions about his opinion of her opinion back. Etc, etc. My opinion is that you are attacking* lugnut for attacking the OP. And you have the right to! Even though I'm attacking you for attacking lugnut for attacking the OP! My head is spinning like I just rode the teacups!

*"attacking" could be replaced by "giving an opinion"

We need a LOLLERCOPTER

 

[Demosthenes]

What the heck happened to "A Spoonful Of Sugar".

Maybe you need a spoonful of valium! Chill out, it's an opinion, they're like butt holes...eveybody has one.

 

[TagsMissy]

I still can't wait to go and like hearing the varying opinions... see I was impressed with AKL when we came for dinner last year, my hubby said it was nice but it wasn't 'his thing' and that he'd never choose to stay at AKL... well guess what.. LOL we are staying at AKL - Kidani this summer as I was able to get us a 2BR for the brood traveling this summer. I warned him about no QS so it won't be a surprise to him. We'll see if this vacation turns him around and if he'll want to return. (by that I mean actually suggest returning... this is by no meals indicative as to whether we will return since I usually do the booking and planning of vacations so while I ask his opinion he just goes with the flow of what I choose LOL)

 

[Pinmaniac]

Something that I haven't seen posted yet (could just be that I'm not looking at Kidani posts much anymore) is that there is alternative access to the pool. You don't have to go through the lobby if you are staying on the left side of the resort (when facing the front). You can take the elevator, the second one down the left hallway, to the parking garage and there is an entrance to the pool just next to the outdoor bar/food area.

 

[lugnut33]

Maybe you need a spoonful of valium! Chill out, it's an opinion, they're like butt holes...eveybody has one.

It's an opinion about some concrete parking structure and a statue. It's like some people go looking for negative things.

 

[Simba's Mom]

So, Simba's Mom, would you stay there? I haven't seen/heard anything that would make me second guess our family's stay after the cruise in just two weeks. I'm pretty excited about Kidani. Had I known that eventually we would have enough AKV points to have been considered a "Founding Member" I would have bought them all in the beginning and live to see our name up there, but alas, I didn't. I thought 100 points was going to be enough to support our AKV stays, and that's just not the case!

Thanks for the postings.

Bobbi

No, I wouldn't stay there. It isn't that I dislike Kidani (I did love the thought of curling up with a good book in that library). But I love Jambo house-3 places to eat that I love, especially Mara. I think the butternut squash soup from there or Boma (either place-it's the same soup) is delicious. And I love the value studios-perfect size for one for my solo trips. And speaking of solo trips, I like that I know I'm on a high floor on my solo trips, another reason I prefer Jambo. So for me, there's lots of reasons to prefer Jambo. But it must be such a plus for families to have 2 bathrooms in the 1 BRs.

 

[bookwormde]

Thanks for the opinions, That is quite an activity list, I guess I can not let my youngest see it or he will be glued to the Wii games whenever they are available. 30 days to go

bookwormde

 

[utahkennedys]

I must admit I never thought we would stay at AKV only because whenever I am even at AK I feel so far removed. However, after the articles I have read, the photos I have seen, and the feedback, I'm sure we'll try it someday. It looks so unique and I know my 2 kids would love it. I love DVC for the differences -- someone is happy at one of the resorts but not everyone loves all of them which is great. And, each resort has little quirks!

 

[Laurabearz]

Great report!!

That activity board was impressive!