If you were staying at WDW for 7 nights in summer, renting a car, spending 3 days up at Universal, and traveling with 4 boys (20-24 years old) would you:
Keep your 7 night resort view 2BR booking (on DVC points) at Kidani Village?
Switch to Saratoga?
Keep in mind that we have only ever stayed at Boardwalk, Bay Lake Tower and Grand Floridian.
I’d love to hear pros/cons of these options. I love eating at AKL despite never having stayed there, love the 3 bathroom situation, and really love the look of the refurb at Kidani, but so many people complain online about the busses and long hallways that I’m concerned I’ve made a bad decision.
I’ve never stayed at Kidani, so I probably would, if given the opportunity, give it a try.
We own at SSR, and really love it there. But many complain that, theming wise, it is pretty much non-existent. (Technically, it is themed, but definitely more low key.) Having said that, it is a very relaxed atmosphere, and having access to the Friendship boats to visit other resorts and being able to walk to Disney Springs is something we love.
The rooms at SSR are VERY similar to Boardwalk. In fact, apart from the artwork, you could be forgiven for confusing the two once inside the rooms.
At SSR, even though there is a bus loop, we’ve never experienced any issues with them. But given you have a car, I’m wondering how much does that play into your decision? Probably can get away with avoiding the buses entirely, other than for MK, which I would still use the buses instead of a car.
I’d probably get the input of the boys. Given their ages, they might like having access to Disney Springs in the evenings for activities, music, food options, which would lean toward SSR.
Would the boys want to walk to Disney Springs at night or are you doing mostly park time? That’s really the only advantage I would think of at SSR. Otherwise if you are renting a car you don’t need to take the buses all that much. It’s a really great resort and I would do that.
That third bathroom is worth it alone for that travel party
Parking at Kidani is under cover so the car will stay cooler and you won’t get caught in the rain. Elevators are located in a few spots in the garage too so you can minimize your walking (the halls are indeed long)
I would use the car for everything but MK honestly, but the buses there are fine since they don’t share except with Jambo which doesn’t count to me. Rides are swift and not longer than anywhere else - every resort has a park that’s furthest away and your max ride at any resort will pretty much always be 20 mins from anywhere.
Plus there’s so much to see and do at Kidani alone - it could be the destination as a stand alone!
I suspect I am just overthinking this. My Mom brain is so used to thinking about what my kids would prefer and is making me second guess my decision to stay where I would prefer to stay. The reality is the boys are now adults, so no matter what they may want to do in the evenings, they can bus or Uber and they won’t care one way or the other.
Plus - 3 bathrooms, Jiko, Boma, Sanaa - Kidani it is!
I have stayed at both in 2BRs and love them both. You can’t go wrong. The reason I would do Saratoga is because it costs less points.
Kidani is large, so the walking is a legitimate concern. But it’s not awful, especially with 4 young men (unless any of you have mobility issues). And you can request and hopefully receive a room closer to the lobby. You could even ask to move if they assign you one that is far away, even if you have to switch after the first night or so.
The bus situation is not bad at all. You share with Jambo for much of the time, but SSR shares with all areas of the resort so that bus loop is much longer. I add 20 minutes to bus times to factor in the loop there (40-50 total bus time). Overall, roughly comparable if not better at AKL, depending on the park.
The three bathroom situation is great at AKL, but maybe with boys that won’t be as noticeable.
I realized that the way I phrased this makes it sound like I’m suggesting you should go with SSR whereas I’m actually saying you should go with Kidani unless cost is the overriding factor.
Ah yes I presumed you were staying with a savanna view. I have stayed resort view before and I just feel like you end up regretting it. So close and yet so far. But you might luck into a partial or sneaky savanna view, so it might be worth it.
Yummy bread service We aren’t staying at AKL this May but DS19 (why does he keep getting older ) requested it and I couldn’t argue with that request! Yes please!
So close and yet so far. But you might luck into a partial or sneaky savanna view, so it might be worth it.
We aren’t staying at AKL this May but DS19 (why does he keep getting older 
) requested it and I couldn’t argue with that request! Yes please!