Why no counter service at Kidani?

[disneygal55]

We own at AKV and did stay at Jambo this last June. We ate at Mara several times and enjoyed having a counter service option. Why aren't they putting in a counter service at Kidani? Even if the menu was limited...it is needed.

 

[tjkraz]

I don't believe Disney has shared their line of thinking on the matter. While I'm sure it will be a sore point with some, two restaurants for just over 300 rooms IS a bit overkill.

I assume Kidani will have a gift shop / general store like other DVCs (they can't expect people to trek to Jambo for groceries, can they?) If so, it would make sense for them to include a cooler with pre-packaged salads and sandwiches. The pool bar may also serve a limited selection of food as is the case at other resorts.

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed at AKV in June and Mara seemed small for the rooms that were there now. It was the middle of the afternoon and the line was long.

 

[Disney_Villain]

The Mara is already overwhelmed with Jambo House. Our guide rolled her eyes at this mistake - and we chose not to buy AKV for this and 2 other reasons (added on at our home resorts instead).

They have to create another counter service for Kidani.

 

[CraftyMouse]

If you think about it, most of the DVC resorts do not have substantial counter-service offerings.

• OKW has just Goods to Go (window) and the snack bar at the Turtle Pond pool.
• BWV has no counter-service option.
• BCV has Hurricane Hannahs at the pool, which it shares with both the YC and BC.
• The VWL has Roaring Forks, which it shares with the WL.
• Only SSR has its own counter-service location, Artist's Palette.

Given that, I'm not surprised that Kidani doesn't have it's own counter-service restaurant.

 

[Alexander]

If you think about it, most of the DVC resorts do not have substantial counter-service offerings.

• OKW has just Goods to Go (window) and the snack bar at the Turtle Pond pool. Yes, with close access to downtown.
• BWV has no counter-service option. The Bakery, Spoodles Carry-Out Pizza, Very close access to the Dolphin.
• BCV has Hurricane Hannahs at the pool, which it shares with both the YC and BC. There is also the new food area right near the gift shop.
• The VWL has Roaring Forks, which it shares with the WL.
• Only SSR has its own counter-service location, Artist's Palette.

Given that, I'm not surprised that Kidani doesn't have it's own counter-service restaurant.

I do think that Kidani could use something like they put in the Beach Club. A small quick service counter area with mostly cold serve sandwiches, salads, etc.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

They do need something!
We just got back from a week at AKV. Before this trip I hadn't given it much thought. But this trip we just hung out at the resort a lot, and we ate lunch at Mara 3 times, and breakfast there once. And we refilled our mugs there endlessly! I kept wondering how things are going to work over at Kidani. I just loved being able to grab a sandwich and eat it by the pool. I am certainly not going to treck all the way over to the Mara for a sandwich, and believe me, I have no intention of going back to my room to make one! I am on vacation! I thought that something like at Beach Club would be great. But everything I read about Kidani just mentions a pool side bar, nothing about snacks!

 

[Jaaron2]

I do think that Kidani could use something like they put in the Beach Club. A small quick service counter area with mostly cold serve sandwiches, salads, etc.

Agreed.....I really like the way BCV is set up!

 

[ebenmax]

I do think that Kidani could use something like they put in the Beach Club. A small quick service counter area with mostly cold serve sandwiches, salads, etc.

Don't forget the gelato at BCV either!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Don't forget the gelato at BCV either!

Ah, yes-the real reason why I love BCV so much. Although I'm still trying to forgive them for removing pistachio gelato and hoping for its return.

When I was at AKL Jambo, I also ate at Mara several times, and every time I went, it wasn't busy at all. I wonder if they're hoping that the guests from Kidani Village walk over to Mara if they want CS. Is it going to be any further to Mara from Kidani Village than it is now from the far reaches of SSR to Artist Pallette (is that the name of their CS), from South Point area to Good's to Go at OKW, or from BWV to Boardwalk Bakery?

 

[ADP]

It was one of the concerns we had when we bought at AKV. I asked our guide about a counter service option at Kidani after the amenities of the resort were listed. He said "as of now there will not be one". I would guess the Mara will be very busy during peak breakfast and dinner times.

If I had to guess I would say the gift shop will have a food section like at OKW. I would also guess the pool bar at Kidani will have a small selection of sandwiches, salads, and snacks. You never know though, if DVC sees capacity issues and guests demanding a CS option they mey put one in later similar to what they did with the Turf Club after members said they wanted a table service opion at SSR. All we can do is wait and see.