AKV Seclusion from main lodge

[dwelty]

I was initially excited to find out about AKV, because I love Boma and Jiko. However, now that more information is out I realize that unless you are staying at DVC rooms in the main AKL building, you will not have direct access to these locations. Sounds like you will have to take a bus or drive to get there. I assume there will be a bus provided to take you to and from each area. I would hate to have to transfer at a park or (God forbid) Downtown Disney. This makes it no different than staying at another DVC property as far as Boma and Jiko are concerned. (IMO).

[nhdisnut]

Is this really true? I know there will be some distance, but I'm really hoping for a walking path between the two resorts.

[SuzanneSLO]

There is a map of the property recorded by Disney that shows a walking path between the lobby of AKV and the lobby of AKL, so you will be able to walk between the two buildings whenever you want. The only downside is that it will probably be an uncovered path and it will go in front of the buildings, next to the parking lot. When it rains, you will probably be able to cover much of this distance by walking thru the covered parking garage on the first floor, but that won't add much to the scenic quality of your stroll.

-- Suzanne

[nhdisnut]

There is a map of the property recorded by Disney that shows a walking path between the lobby of AKV and the lobby of AKL, so you will be able to walk between the two buildings whenever you want.

Any idea where I could see that map?

[dwelty]

This is great if it is indeed true. I had hear that there would be No path between the two resorts. But if your map shows a path, it must be true.

[lisareniff]

Take a look at this thread. Grim posted a blow up of the AKV plan on post #11. If you look real close you will see a path that goes along the southern part of the Villa building between the parking lot and the building. The path goes around the service area for both buildings and puts you in front of the Lodge.

AKV Schematic's Thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1333637)

[tomandrobin]

Unless you are at the far end of the AKV, I don't think the walk to Boma will be that bad.

[SuzanneSLO]

Unless you are at the far end of the AKV, I don't think the walk to Boma will be that bad.

But when you sprint "as the crow flys" across the savanna, you'll be there in no time! Oh wait, that's prohibited by the Declaration of Condominium.

[melanie18]

Could it be any worse than being in the farthest building out at OKW & trying to get to Olivia's? It's not that bad.

[BroganMc]

Hee hee. I guess SSR won't be the only "huge" resort then.

Seriously, I'm wondering how they handle the exit from the South Wing. It looks like the lobby is in the middle. Don't think I'd want a lot of foot traffic walking by my room in the South Wing. Nor do I fancy dodging traffic in the garage. Perhaps they can do an exterior walkway with virtual theming of wildlife. My brother once did up the easement area on our property line as a "jungle trek" for a charity carnival. Tall grasses, real insects, sounds of wildlife and a surprise lion or aligator dodging out at us. It can be a special feature.

Does anyone know if AKV is planning a few restaurants of its own onsite? That may be cool enough to keep guests wanting to stay. I can just imagine Boma's will be mighty crowded in future.

[ExRIGuy]

In my opinion Disney refused to give the AKV DVC a prime location because they want to hold onto the closer land for "possibilities" that will likely never materialize. This is poor planning, a bit of a slap to DVC'ers (i.e. Disney saying you are not THAT important to us), and is outright misleading to many -- as I can see many folks buying sight unseen and then being shocked when they have to take a bus to the main lodge.

[pilferk]

Does anyone know if AKV is planning a few restaurants of its own onsite? That may be cool enough to keep guests wanting to stay. I can just imagine Boma's will be mighty crowded in future.

From both the existing DVC literature on AKV, and what the guides are saying, there will be a sit down resturaunt in the AKV building. Not as "upscale" as Jiko's, but not a Buffet like Bomas...more of a family sit down place. I can't wait to see what they come up with. I'm hoping something like Ohana's (family style sit down) with a possible character meal (OK, now I'm dreaming...but AKL is the only Deluxe, I think, without one).

[LisaS]

From both the existing DVC literature on AKV, and what the guides are saying, there will be a sit down resturaunt in the AKV building. Not as "upscale" as Jiko's, but not a Buffet like Bomas...more of a family sit down place. I can't wait to see what they come up with. I'm hoping something like Ohana's (family style sit down) with a possible character meal (OK, now I'm dreaming...but AKL is the only Deluxe, I think, without one).My guide said the restaurant will have floor to ceiling windows with a view of the savannah. Sounds very nice!

[dianeschlicht]

My guide said the restaurant will have floor to ceiling windows with a view of the savannah. Sounds very nice!

Yes, and my guide thought it would be a very special place to dine! I think it's cool that it will be mostly a DVC table service place much like Olivia's is to OKW and Turf Club is to SSR.

[WolfpackFan]

I hope they also have some type of counter service restaurant like Mara.

[spiceycat]

with a possible character meal (OK, now I'm dreaming...but AKL is the only Deluxe, I think, without one).

no BWI, YC, WL doesn't have a character meal either. OKW and WL use too.

[Maistre Gracey]

no BWI, YC, WL doesn't have a character meal either. OKW and WL use too.
Whenever my wife sits at the table with me, she's at a character meal. It could be at at Disney, or our local diner for that matter. :smokin:

MG

[Scotch]

Has anyone confirmed with their guides that there will be a decent walkway between the AKL and the separate AKV building and the walking distance would be "reasonable" with kids and all? Maybe the walkway wouldn't be limited to lobby to lobby; maybe there will be a separate entrance on the south(?) side of the new building for existing guests with key cards.

[diznyfanatic]

My guide said the restaurant will have floor to ceiling windows with a view of the savannah. Sounds very nice!

Our guide said the name of the new restaurant will be Sanaa and will seat 150. There will also be an additional Lounge area that will seat 24. :)

[greenban]

Whenever my wife sits at the table with me, she's at a character meal. It could be at at Disney, or our local diner for that matter. :smokin:

MG

AMEN Brother, Amen!

-Tony

[spiceycat]

Whenever my wife sits at the table with me, she's at a character meal. It could be at at Disney, or our local diner for that matter. :smokin:

MG

then hey you don't need to go to Disney for entertainment! you have it at home!!!!:rotfl: :happytv:

[pilferk]

Our guide said the name of the new restaurant will be Sanaa and will seat 150. There will also be an additional Lounge area that will seat 24. :)

Interesting. Sanaa in Swahili means "to craft" or "to construct"....it implies skilled craftsmanship...more like art (at least as a verb). As a noun it literally means artwork (like a piece of artwork).

[Scotch]

I finally talked to my guide today and I asked about the walking distance and the fact that some here have heard one must drive or take a bus to AKL. He said the distance from AKL to AKV via the walkway, most likely from the side entrance to side entrance (he is not sure about this one but he seems fairly certain we're not talking about the front entrance/lobby to front entrance/lobby -- which would add distance) it will be around 2,500 feet, or roughly a mile, along a sidewalk. He says in his mind it is roughly like the distance at Epcot from the UK pavilion to the Mexico pavilion.

[BroganMc]

He said the distance from AKL to AKV via the walkway, most likely from the side entrance to side entrance (he is not sure about this one but he seems fairly certain we're not talking about the front entrance/lobby to front entrance/lobby -- which would add distance) it will be around 2,500 feet, or roughly a mile, along a sidewalk. He says in his mind it is roughly like the distance at Epcot from the UK pavilion to the Mexico pavilion.

Ok that's it. How to improve AKV: offer golf cart rentals or provide a running tram to ferry guests over to the Lodge. Heaven knows a mile is way too far for any DVCer to walk. :rotfl2:

[carolina_yankee]

Ok that's it. How to improve AKV: offer golf cart rentals or provide a running tram to ferry guests over to the Lodge. Heaven knows a mile is way too far for any DVCer to walk. :rotfl2:

2500 feet is actualy more like a 1/2 mile (but still a 7-10 minute depending on one's level of hunger)! Skip the golf carts - Segway rentals!!!

Dirk

[BroganMc]

2500 feet is actualy more like a 1/2 mile (but still a 7-10 minute depending on one's level of hunger)! Skip the golf carts - Segway rentals!!!

Dirk


Hmm, I could add a little platform to the back of my powerchair. Already have the handlebars built-in. I could see a nice healthy little profit in a side job during my AKV visits: personal shuttle service for one. I could even do door-to-door. For families, well they can all don heelys and form a human chain. Makes great fun as long as you have a firm grip.

:moped: :drive:

[LisaS]

2500 feet is actualy more like a 1/2 mile (but still a 7-10 minute depending on one's level of hunger)! Skip the golf carts - Segway rentals!!!

DirkOne of the few downsides to staying at AKL is that there is nowhere to walk. After stuffing myself at Boma, I want to take a long walk and currently there is no place to do that. A half-mile walk between buildings sounds about right -- similar to walking back to BWV from Epcot's IG.

And, I love the Segway idea!

[DVC Grammy]

I second LisaS's post!:thumbsup2

[SuzanneSLO]

I finally talked to my guide today and I ... He said the distance from AKL to AKV via the walkway, most likely from the side entrance to side entrance (he is not sure about this one but he seems fairly certain we're not talking about the front entrance/lobby to front entrance/lobby -- which would add distance) it will be around 2,500 feet along a sidewalk. He says in his mind it is roughly like the distance at Epcot from the UK pavilion to the Mexico pavilion.

Because there will be a parking garage on the first floor of the new AKV building, there will probably not be a side exit per say, but you will probably be able to exit as a pedestrian without having to scale a wall (and there will probably also be stairs exiting from the upper floors). If there is access from the end of the garage to the nearest AKL guest building, it does not appear to be more than a couple hundred feet away.

The speculation has been that this access to the closest point of the AKL may be limited to enhance the AKL guest experience on the first floor. Otherwise, I can hear the complaints now: "Not only did I get the parking view, but I was also on the hall where the DVC members kept racing their Segways back and forth as if the buffet was about to run out at Boma."

If this access is limited, then pedestrians would need to walk in front of that hallway (past about 16 rooms) to the lobby entrance.

-- Suzanne