Re: TR Kidani Village / Jiko
- From: "Michelle in Atlanta" <mbotwinick@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 12:32:16 -0400
"MajorWoody" <trprt@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:49fef02a$0$11852$9a6e19ea@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello all,{We aren't DVC owners, but we do consider AKL our "home resort" because we
We booked an opening night stay at AKLV for Friday night, back when the
bookings first opened. We thought it would be a nice experience to be
there on opening day, even though it was a large amount of points ( 52 for
a 1br Savannah view). But that's why we own those points, to use as we
please! I had also booked a dinner for Sanaa for 7pm, and after seeing the
menu online a few weeks ago, booked a Boma ressie as a backup in case my
wife didn't like it.
Due to my wife's schedule, we didn't arrive until about 4:30pm, after the
grueling 11 mile drive from Kissimmee. I had visited Kidani last Tuesday
for the CM Open Mouse tour, and it seemed to be pretty nice, and much
larger than I had expected. One CM told me that the main Savannah is 18
acres, compared to 11 acres for the largest one at the original AKL. I
loved the feeling at the original Lodge, especially the open lobby. AKL is
one resort where I can feel like I'm in another country, more so than any
other WDW resort. The huge lobby, very spacious gift shop, Victoria Falls
bar overlooking Boma, a large outside viewing area, all add up to a resort
I could spend an entire day without ever leaving or getting bored.
Unfortunately, I don't get that feeling with Kidani.
only stay there, for all the reasons you mention. I particularly love the
gift shop with the original artwork and other unusual items. We always
schedule an off-parks day to spend at AKL, swimming, exploring, listening to
CM tales.}
We then went back to the room, changed into bathing suits, and headed to
the pool. Since our room was close to the center part of the lodge, it was
not too bad a walk. But if your room is towards the ends of the hallway,
you will have a very, very long walk to hit the pool. The pool is actually
reached by heading out through the lobby, and walking across. Then you
enter the area, and down some stairs, past the fitness club. It's a nice
area, but there are still construction walls up, and it does not seem like
there is a lot of chair space, but that might change. The kids play area
is large and very nicely themed. There are two spas, one on each side of
the pool area. Unfortunately, the heaters were not working in either one,
and a CM told us that work orders had been submitted. Both spas were being
used as kiddie pools by families who left their little ones unattended,
which is a bit annoying.
{One of the best features of the AKL pool area are the super-hot spas! For
them to be out of order on opening day at Kidani is really inexcusable!}}
We stopped by the pool bar for some refreshments, and I ordered a
glass of wine for my wife, and a Mai Tai for myself. The bartender told me
that they forgot to stock white wine, so they didn't have any. Now I can
understand running out , but to not stock wine on opening day, and to
still not have wine at 6pm? It's not like they couldn't make a phone call
and have some brought outside to the bar, but I guess that wasn't her
problem.
{Again, inexcusable!}
Our waiter, Eduardo, made a sarcastic comment about our having already
bought drinks ( we still had
our drinks from the bar), plopped down menus , and walked off. Eventually
he came back, we ordered two glasses of Pinot Noir ( $15 each), and he
seemed upset that we didn't order a whole bottle. He never said anything
to us regarding our selections, anything he would recommend, or actually
anything outside of confirming our orders through the evening. I don't
know if he was having a bad day, or it was just his personality, but he
really had no business being a server in a high end restaurant with his
attitude. I ordered the duck confit salad ($11), while my wife ordered the
cauliflower soup ( $7). Both were excellent, at least my wife told me the
soup was excellent, as I refuse to taste cauliflower soup. The duck salad
was one of the best I have ever had, and could actually be done as an
entree. We finished our course, then Eduardo plopped down our filets
without a word, mine rare, my wife medium. At least that's what we had
ordered. Mine was medium, and my wife's was well done. Plus mine had a
huge piece of gristle in the middle. Not what I expect when paying $39 for
a filet. At least mine was edible other than the gristle. My wife ate a
few bites, and pushed the plate aside. We expected Eduardo to reappear and
check how the steaks were, but no doubt he was in the back chugging down
some lemonade to account for his sour disposition. He finally arrived
after about 20 minutes, and asked my wife if she wanted a bag for the
leftovers. She told him that she didn't care for it, as it was way
overcooked, and he just said OK, and walked away. He then reappeared, and
handed her a dessert menu without a word. She told him just bring the
check, we've had enough. He then took about 10 minutes finding the check.
The total came to $130 with DDE discount. Unfortunately, DDE also includes
an 18% tip, which he would most certainly have not gotten if it wasn't
included. We were both really disappointed in the experience, and felt it
was a waste of money eating there. My wife went to let the manager know
about our service, and the steaks, and to his credit, he did ask for our
bill to take care of it. But we told him that we didn't want them to think
we were trying to get a freebie, so we refused his offer. We just wanted
him to be aware of how the server was.
{Arrggh, so many things wrong here I got upset and I wasn't even there! We
had a similar experience here in Atlanta Friday night. Ted's Montana Grill
downtown out of their signature onion rings at 7Pm, which we were informed
of after waiting over 1 hour for entrees! I know that sometimes we don't
feel like fighting or making a big deal of it, but in most cases, the meal
you looked forward to and are paying dearly for is already ruined, so there
is nothing gained by NOT complaining. We usually call over the manager at
the second infraction,when we realize the evening is going from bad to
worse. Disinterested/sarcastic server, steaks not cooked to order, below
grade filet with gristle, server not coming back to check and not alerting
management when the entree wasn't eaten.....Bill, I would have been on a
first name basis with Jiko's manager by the time dessert came AND I would
have accepted the comped meal offer without any guilt whatsoever.}
{We were so excited to see the new gatehouse going up when we were at AKL in
February and hoped to stay at Kidani on our next trip, figuring it would be
like AKL but even moreso. Thanks for your very honest TR...you probably
saved a lot of people a lot of disappointment!
Michelle in Atlanta
.
- Follow-Ups:
- Re: TR Kidani Village / Jiko
- From: Rudeney
- Re: TR Kidani Village / Jiko
- References:
- TR Kidani Village / Jiko
- From: MajorWoody
- TR Kidani Village / Jiko
- Prev by Date: Re: A lightly scented trip report
- Next by Date: Re: Riverside
- Previous by thread: Re: TR Kidani Village / Jiko
- Next by thread: Re: TR Kidani Village / Jiko
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
