Will the lighting be better in Kidani Village?

[wingkng]

We came back last week from our first stay at AKV. First, let me say that it was a fiasco. My whole family (me, DW, DD, BIL) came down with the flu, and we ended up staying indoors most of the time. My DD had to go to urgent care to get treated. We only ended up going to Downtown Disney for half a day at the end of the trip. We did manage to go for tea at the Grand Floridian before everyone got sick.

Anyway, our observation (to our disappointment) was how dark it was inside the hotel. Our unit in Jambo House was tastefully decorated, but a little too dark for us. That, plus being sick and indoors, made us a little depressed. I was thinking that perhaps it was the location of the room. We were in the Sunset Savannah side, and our room was always in the shadows.

We were very excited when AKV was announced, and we are even founding members. So, I am hoping that Kidani Village will have better lighting than in Jambo House. Has anyone looked at the model for comparison with current rooms in Jambo House? Is the lighting inside the room any different?

 

[fishermouse]

We were there in Jan (DD fantasy wedding), although the furnishings are on the dark side, with the curtains open or lights on I did not think the room was dark. Of course I did not get stuck in the room all week with the flu. I'm sure things look a lot different under those circumstances. Wondering if Sunset Savanna lives up to it's name, we had nice sunlight during the afternoon. Really sorry to hear you all got sick, we actually all ended up sick the week after vacation DW started feeling a little bad the night before we left, the bug just went from one to the other over the next two weeks. Hope your next trip home is better.

 

[La2kw]

We found the Kidani models to be very dark inside as well. Of course, they are just models built inside the theater with no windows, so the actual thing may be different. I think when you have so much dark funiture, dark kitchen appliances, dark counters, etc. the room is going to be dark because all those dark colors absorb a lot of light.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The dark decor didn't bother me in the bedroom and living room, but the bathroom was an issue. The shades on the lights next to the sinks made it nearly impossible to see well enough to put on makeup. I think if the walls had been a bit lighter color it might have helped, but the real issue is the shades of the sconces.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The dark decor didn't bother me in the bedroom and living room, but the bathroom was an issue. The shades on the lights next to the sinks made it nearly impossible to see well enough to put on makeup. I think if the walls had been a bit lighter color it might have helped, but the real issue is the shades of the sconces.

That's because you aren't really supposed to bother with makeup at WDW, Diane.

 

[disneynutz]

If it's a lighting/lamp issue, we have a issue with several of the DVC Resorts and the lighting. It seems to us that in a effort to save money they have switched to very, very, low wattage compact fluorescents. The wattage is too low to be of much use. The kitchens are really bad in some resorts.

 

[La2kw]

If it's a lighting/lamp issue, we have a issue with several of the DVC Resorts and the lighting. It seems to us that in a effort to save money they have switched to very, very, low wattage compact fluorescents. The wattage is too low to be of much use. The kitchens are really bad in some resorts.

We've noticed the new buildings at OKW (bldgs. 62, 63, & 64) has very dim lighting as well, compared to the older buildings. Considering that OKW has plenty of windows and natural light, I think you have a good point.

 

[PEANUT1]

I think all of Animal kingdom is dark....even the lobby is so dark it is hard to get good pictures...that being said i don't mind it. I think all hotel rooms are too dark.

 

[TisBit]

I wouldn't hold my breath on better lighting. As PP's have mentioned the "green movement" to save energy will hamper those efforst, but bigger than that is the general atmosphere for the resort as a whole. The whole theme is African village, and there aren't really bright lights in African Villages...

Boma and the Lobby are pretty dark and the paneling/furnishings will not help. I figure it kind of like the Poly, bright just won't work, unlike other resorts such as SSR where they open the lobbies up to large amounts of natural lights and use bright colors.

 

[n2mm]

I have to agree with the OP we stayed in the AKV the last week of January, then the beginning of Feb (before and after the cruise). Both studios were dark, which didn't surprise me since we've stayed at the AKL before. But the problem I had like the OP was the vaniety. And the lightening at the kitchenette area was really bad. We could not see to pour the water in the coffee pot. We would have to pull it into the center of the counter and stuggled to see what we were doing then. There was some undercounter lightening, but it was pretty much just over the sink. It really needs just a little more lightening over in that area. BTW--I did fill out a survey after returning and made sure I put my concerns on the survey.

 

[liznboys]

This thread caught my eye because I'm hoping Kidani rooms are a bit brighter. I toured the AKV models and they did feel different, but maybe that was just because of the larger space.

We stayed at AKL a few years ago and we didn't like how dark the rooms are either. We got sick with stomach bugs that trip and the dark, heavily-themed rooms (and the strong smells in the lobby) made it so much worse to cope with. It was awful!

We still LOVE to visit AKL and eat there, but we have no desire to stay there again. We might try out Kidani just to see what it's like, and let our boys experience the animals right outside your window thing. And just to give the whole AKL/V thing another chance... We'll see.

Oh, what's interesting is that on another trip we got stomach bugs again (yeah, we're lucky!) and this time we were staying at SSR and then the Poly. Being at SSR with it was fine because it's so bright and cheery and homey there. And then at the Poly we felt refreshed. The theming/decor at the Poly isn't as dark and heavy as AKL, and it feels more refreshing and "light" there to us.

 

[robinb]

While no one can really tell for sure, my guess would be "no". ALV was always very dark, both in furnishings and in lighting. I think that the low lighting helps with night-time savannah viewing.

BTW, I'm sorry to hear about your family's sickness . That's a real bummer.

 

[roadtripper]

OP, I feel your pain! DS was only sick for one day at ALV, and I was SOOOOO blue about hanging out in that room, even though the decor is gorgeous. We were also on the Sunset Savannah, and the day he was sick, we had very few animals to distract us outside. Couple that with the dark, the weird way the lights worked--some on a switch, some that you turned on on the base,construction noises every day at 5:45 AM, and you can see why we'll be back at OKW next year! Give me that big 1BR, lower points, and lots of light! I loved the animals, but I was way more into it than my kids, who cant wait to go back "home" to OKW!

 

[wingkng]

Thanks for everyone's sympathy. It makes me feel better that other people had similar experiences. I agree that the construction noise was a little bothersome when we were in the room 24/7. I do look forward to when all the construction is over, and we can try out Kidani Village. Maybe next time, we should bring our own higher wattage light bulbs! Maybe that's what people should include in their Owner's Lockers. I have stayed at BWV, and I remember it being a little dark as well. Is there a DVC resort that actually has good lighting?

To my chagrin, my DW actually liked VWL more than AKV. We only have 75 points at VWL, versus 150 points at AKV. We are planning a Christmas trip to VWL. Hope that will not be a disappointment as well.

OP, I feel your pain! DS was only sick for one day at ALV, and I was SOOOOO blue about hanging out in that room, even though the decor is gorgeous. We were also on the Sunset Savannah, and the day he was sick, we had very few animals to distract us outside. Couple that with the dark, the weird way the lights worked--some on a switch, some that you turned on on the base,construction noises every day at 5:45 AM, and you can see why we'll be back at OKW next year! Give me that big 1BR, lower points, and lots of light! I loved the animals, but I was way more into it than my kids, who cant wait to go back "home" to OKW!

 

[Alexander]

...snip..To my chagrin, my DW actually liked VWL more than AKV. We only have 75 points at VWL, versus 150 points at AKV. We are planning a Christmas trip to VWL. Hope that will not be a disappointment as well.

I think once Kidani is finished, you'll feel like your in a completely different place than when you are in Jambo House (probably, because you will be). Also being so sick can really dampen your mood and attitude about everything. I think you'll find he'll like AKV just fine when you stay again and he's feeling better.

 

[La2kw]

Thanks for everyone's sympathy. It makes me feel better that other people had similar experiences. I agree that the construction noise was a little bothersome when we were in the room 24/7. I do look forward to when all the construction is over, and we can try out Kidani Village. Maybe next time, we should bring our own higher wattage light bulbs! Maybe that's what people should include in their Owner's Lockers. I have stayed at BWV, and I remember it being a little dark as well. Is there a DVC resort that actually has good lighting?

To my chagrin, my DW actually liked VWL more than AKV. We only have 75 points at VWL, versus 150 points at AKV. We are planning a Christmas trip to VWL. Hope that will not be a disappointment as well.

We have replaced low wattage light bulbs with higher wattage ones, replacing the low wattage ones when we left. OKW has very good lighting, with the exception of those newer buildings. It has tons of windows which let in plenty of natural light. Really, none of the rooms at the other DVC resorts (and we have stayed at all of them) seem as dark as the AKV rooms.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I felt the same way. I own at the BWV and stayed there for 4 nights in a Boardwalk view studio and moved to the AKV for 1 night. The decor is beautiful and my DH LOVED the TV but I felt it was Very dark and the savanna view was just blah! I did like the animals but I did not like the feel of the room or the view at all. We had a room on the sunset savannah too.

Our room was 5268 on Feb 16. On top of the darkness, there was an awful smell --- MY DH thought it was because they just cleaned the rugs, but it hit you as soon as you walked in. I couldn't wait to leave. However, I did like the hotel and the pool area was nice, but the room was very depressing.

 

[DBorges]

The lighting will be thesame in new building it is the resort thing ..