Why is AKV Kidani always seem to be available?

[MichelleB]

I'm not complaining as it's one of our favorite resorts but I'm curious why it always seems to have the most availability. What is not appealing to most folks?

 

[erionm]

It's large (AKV is third largest of the WDW DVC Resorts). Some people think it's too remote (I disagree).

 

[MichelleB]

I disagree also. We love being able to look out our balcony and see the animals. We had giraffe sleep just below our window one night and it was so cool to watch them. Had no idea how they sat down to rest. Really interesting.

 

[bwvBound]

I like Kidani for its 'cozy' feeling but I've had better luck with savannah views from Jambo. (Oh, please don't send me to Pembe!)

 

[drusba]

Kidani is usually open at 7 months out except for a risk otherwise during a few very high DVC demand times of the year (like Thanksgiving or first two weeks of Dec) when there is some risk that some or all room sizes may be full at 7 months out for a couple nights in a week. During DVC's low to moderate demand season (mid-Jan to late Sep), it is also usally open even at five months out and sometimes two or three months out. SSR is still the easiest to get, followed by OKW, and then AKV (particularly Kidani) and the three resorts are each larger than the others and make up the only three DVC resorts that require buses to all parks. Though AKV has a lot going for it in theming, savannas with animals, excellent daily events for kids, and good pools, and Kidani has large 1 and 2BRs with an extra bathroom and the sleeper chair, there are many who will not go there because of the perception it is way out in the next county (actually partially true since part of the resort is in another county) and has long bus rides (a misconception since the bus rides are usually comparable to and in many cases shorter than other resorts that share buses with multiple resorts or make many stops within a resort). Others combine those perceptions with the reality that desired savanna view rooms at AKV in most cases cost more points per night than BCV, VWL, or BWV preferred view, and thus why go for a buses only resort in the outback if you can instead get a near park resort for less. There are others who have been to Kidani, been stuck in a room far from the lobby and vow never to return, and even others who avoid the resort because they do not care for some of the foods served at the restaurants. It is one of my favorites because of theming, the large 1 and 2BRs, the savannas, the better bus system, and my personal view that Sanaa is one of the best restaurants at WDW and Boma one of the best buffets, but there undoubtedly many who may disagree with my views.

 

[nalajms]

I'm not complaining as it's one of our favorite resorts but I'm curious why it always seems to have the most availability. What is not appealing to most folks?

Everything is subjective . I was just looking around for end of August the other day. Even BLT was open for the dates I wanted. When I booked our June trip, I wasn't able to get a 2bd at Kidani a little after 7m. I could only get a 2bd lock off.

Some in my traveling party do not like the dark decor. Others only want the savannah view, whereas I prefer to book standard because it's cheapest. It's a great resort for warmer months, animals are out longer and pools are great and there's lots of resort activities. In colder months + with shorter day light, we don't get as much out of the savannah views and we don't use the pool. The darker room makes it less vacation-like, so we prefer other resorts like BWV.

 

[Minniesgal]

we have been unable to get even Kidani at 7 months late August when BLT was wide open.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well, I've been to Kidani once, never again! What was least appealing to me was that incredibly long walk to the lobby. Also, I had the worst mousekeeping ever-to the point where I called MS from my room to complain. They called the resort who came back and improved (enough so I didn't complain). Screw up with DME (I blame the resort) for delivering my luggage to the wrong room (that had never happened before). Next time, back to Jambo.

 

[Kimly]

We like it and will pick it over most resorts. But if an Epcot resort is available we will always pick it first. That said, we have AKL Jambo Value for F&W, the Epcot resorts are insane during that time, and I actually like the food better at AKL too, compared to BWV and BCV.

 

[disneynutz]

Resorts are available when the owners stay somewhere else. Some bought AKV direct or through resale, not knowing what they were buying and now they like to stay at a different resort.

We own AKV, nice place to visit but not our favorite, haven't stayed there in a few years so we sold several of our AKV contracts.

Bill

 

[POTCfan]

We really love Kidani. So much so, that is where we bought. We are trying to stay at all the resorts, and so far we like different things about each one, but Kidani is still our favorite. For us, it is great that it is so available. It makes adding a few days to the beginning or ending of our trips to other resorts easy.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I just stayed there a few weeks ago. I like the 2 full bathrooms in the 1BR. We had great views of the animals. The resort is lovely. I LOVE watching the animals.

BUT, OMG who designed this resort?? We were on the far end, past the Zazu elevator. I think it was about 1/2 mile to get a drink refill? Even further, to get to the pool? And, that is in each direction. Just ridiculous. We used a car for the parks, and not the bus, but if we used the bus, I would have been more annoyed.

We are BCV owners, but have not stayed there in about 7 years, been bouncing around the other DVC locations (including VGC a few times). Kidani is now near the bottom of my list, above SS.

 

[MichelleB]

I think the walk doesn't bother me when I know I'm going to be met with the savannah and animals to watch! I'm glad it's not everyone's favorite so it's available when we go!

 

[kirstenb1]

We're OKW owners from way back, before we had children. I'm so grateful Kidani is available at the 7 mth point, because the kids vote for this resort every year, when we discuss where to stay!! I'm always pleasantly surprised when it's available.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...BUT, OMG who designed this resort?? We were on the far end, past the Zazu elevator. I think it was about 1/2 mile to get a drink refill? Even further, to get to the pool? And, that is in each direction. Just ridiculous. We used a car for the parks, and not the bus, but if we used the bus, I would have been more annoyed.

We are BCV owners, but have not stayed there in about 7 years, been bouncing around the other DVC locations (including VGC a few times). Kidani is now near the bottom of my list, above SS.

I'll bet it was designed for the savanna, not for the walking guests. JH has multiple savannas with smaller number of animals on each one. It might make it harder to care for the animals. KV only has Sunset and Pembe. Plus, I could hear all the complaining that someone couldn't get zebras, all they got was cattle if there were multiple savannas.

So you (and I) walk. I did like KV, though, now that that landscaping is filling in nicely.

Maybe they need to rent some scooters to go through the hallways. Or install a moving sidewalk.

 

[delilah]

Kidani is our favorite resort, especially the 1 BR rooms, which I normally book. The only downside is Pembe, but, 80% of the savannah rooms aren't Pembe. And, even Pembe isn't all that bad. All in all, I think Kidani really is Disney's best kept secret (and I'd like to keep it that way, Shh).

 

[apple9117]

agreed, Kidani is our favorite too!

 

[southerngirl528]

If your villa is near the end of the hall, it is a very, very long walk at Kidani. But I think they walks at BW can be awful down those long hallways as well. And the walk across property at the Poly is no cakewalk back to the Great Cermonial House. But at least those indoor hallways have a/c!

I agree that some of the best restaurants, and certainly with some of the most interesting foods, are at AKL. We've eaten at Sanaa several times lately and are completely hooked on the bread service with all the accoutrements! Love the sambal accompanied by the cucumber raita to cool it down!

As for housekeeping issues, they can certainly happen anywhere, but the complaints I have heard most often (and some of the worst by far) from fellow members are at BLT or BW. I've heard some horror stories about BLT. My advice if one EVER has an issue at a DIsney resort, DVC or otherwise, is to go straight to the FD, be polite but firm about your issue and give them a chance to make it right. Always makes me sad for someone that leaves a WDW resort having had issues but never bothered to tell anyone about it.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I think the walk is just too much for us, because for that distance, I need to use DS (adult) in his Convaid chair, which is pretty hard to push on that carpet. When it's a more normal distance, I can have him walk, and leave the chair in the car. I had to leave him in the room while I ran for drink refills, and we skipped the pool (which is REALLY nice, we ate at the bar when we checked in, at the pool).

I can walk forever, and the actual walking was ok with me. I should not complain, we had a great view of the animals, really nice.

 

[tjkraz]

Resorts are available when the owners stay somewhere else.

That's not entirely accurate. Resorts are available when owners don't fully book the property at 11 months.

None of the DVC properties consistently reach 100% occupancy before the 7 month window. There are thousands of owners who don't make their travel plans more than a half-year early.

We could spend all day arguing the merits of individual properties but it's no coincidence that the 3 largest DVC resorts at WDW (AKV, OKW, SSR) are the last 3 to fill up. If BLT and AKV owners both book their resorts to 60% occupancy before 7 months, AKV has a lot more rooms left to fill before it's sold out.