Those who own at AKV..what do you love about your home resort??

[edk35]

Since adding on there yesterday....I have been very interested in finding out what others love about their home resort. We have never been there. We had dinner ressies this past trip but cancelled when our day didn't go as planned. I have seen the room models over at SSR but that is it. So we bought site unseen really. :goodvibes

[AKV707]

First, welcome to AKV!

We bought last year sight unseen as well. The model rooms won us over, plus we had been at AKL for dinner several times and loved the look of the resort.

Well we stayed there for the first time this past July. We are so happy we have AKV as our home resort. The entire feel of the place is great. The animals, the villas, the pool, Boma, Jiko, the CMS, all make it great.

Here is a link to my trip report. (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1878131)

The report really shows why we love AKV!

[Robert H]

Even though we just bought, we have stayed there several times (when it was just AKL and also renting points from somebody a couple of months ago). My favorite things include the fragrant aroma in the lobby, the African-inspired furniture, and the way the light shines on the savanna at night.

I also REALLY love the fact that AKL/AKV does not share a bus with other resorts.

We can't wait to go back................sigh..........

[edk35]

Thanks so much. We first bought into SSR on the last day of Jan. 07 and our first trip as DVC members was last summer. We stayed at SSR and BWV. Then we stayed at SSR again last Nov. THEN...WE STAYED at OKW and BCV this past July. So we have stayed at several resorts so far and look forward to staying at AKV this summer. NOW....we absolutely loved staying at BCV and want to stay there again next July doing a split with AKV but now I am wondering how many of our 10 days should I spend at each. Originally I was thinking 3 at AKV and 7 at BCV because we just loved it but now I am wondering if we should do more at our new home resort ?????

[DVC Mike]

We love the great exotic theme! We love the savannas with the animals, the excellent onsite restaurants, and the quiet, relaxing atmosphere and the feeling of remoteness. The concierge rooms and point-saving value rooms are great options. We like the extra bathroom in Kidani.

The overall theme of the resort is the biggest draw (much like VWL).

[edk35]

We love the great exotic theme! We love the savannas with the animals, the excellent onsite restaurants, and the quiet, relaxing atmosphere and the feeling of remoteness. The concierge rooms and point-saving value rooms are great options. We like the extra bathroom in Kidani.

The overall theme of the resort is the biggest draw (much like VWL).

What do you mean extra bathroom? All 2brs have 2 bathrooms??:confused3

[Steamboat Girlie]

The 2 bedrooms at Kidani are actually going to have 3 bathrooms!

[edk35]

The 2 bedrooms at Kidani are actually going to have 3 bathrooms!



WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW that is amazing. I wonder why???

[Muhlenberg]

We're in the process of buying at AKV. They told us the 2 bathrooms in the 1 BR units, the sleeper chair, flat screen TVs, etc. were because that's what members wanted, more or less. Having a family of 5, I can understand that. Five is a very odd number as far as Disney is concerned.

[edk35]

We're in the process of buying at AKV. They told us the 2 bathrooms in the 1 BR units, the sleeper chair, flat screen TVs, etc. were because that's what members wanted, more or less. Having a family of 5, I can understand that. Five is a very odd number as far as Disney is concerned.


YIPPPEEEEE we are family of 5 and we were going to try the 1 bedroom since we are only staying 3 nights and having a 2nd bathroom is fantastic.

[moredisneyplease]

I bought without seeing the resort or the room! I purchased SSR and when I was ready to add on more DVC a few months ago I debated more SSR, an older resort, or AKL. I figured 150 at SSR was enough so I didnt want to add on there, I figured if I purchased an older resort that I would have all 47/50 years, and so I went w/ AKL.

When I was at WDW in June (staying at BWV) I decided to head over to AKL to check it out and was so glad that I purchased that resort! The lobby is amaing, the grounds are breath taking, i hear the restaurants are top notch, etc etc. I'll probably be staying there in the next hanful of months!

[RCDisneyFan]

I'll echo the quiet location, the Savannah at Night and I LOVE the African decor (I don't think it's too dark.)

[Tiger926]

We love the African theme, being situated on savannah and the pool/children's playground area. Our daughter loves that playground!!!!

Tiger :)

[Launchpad11B]

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW that is amazing. I wonder why???

You gotta go, you gotta go!:lmao:

[Steamboat Girlie]

Even though we just bought, we have stayed there several times (when it was just AKL and also renting points from somebody a couple of months ago). My favorite things include the fragrant aroma in the lobby, the African-inspired furniture, and the way the light shines on the savanna at night.

I also REALLY love the fact that AKL/AKV does not share a bus with other resorts.

We can't wait to go back................sigh..........

I just wanted to echo the sentiments of Robert H, about the "fragrant aroma" in the lobby! Before we bought AKV we visited there several times to have meals and I always loved the way the lobby smelled. So when we just stayed there as our first trip home as members I will never forget walking into the lobby and smelling the delicious aroma. Now whenever I smell that aroma I will always think "I am home!". It was always so nice after venturing out coming back to the lobby and being greeted by that smell. If you have never smelled it, it almost reminds me of the smell in Spaceship Earth! Burning wood and spices! I think the smell actually comes from Jiko. I was wondering if Kidani's lobby will have a similar smell?

[Laneychris]

Love the savannah view and the animals. My kids love the animals the best!

[wildernessDad]

Animals
Relaxing atmosphere (Nice after a long day at a park or two)
Theme
Architecture
Aroma (Makes it seem rustic)
Restaurants (Great selection) I even like The Mara.

The above is a winning combination for me which is why we love AKV.

[TLPL]

I love the exotic African Theme so rich in details. Even if we don't do the parks we can spend the whole vacation just in the resort.

[canluvpooh]

Animals
Relaxing atmosphere (Nice after a long day at a park or two)
Theme
Architecture
Aroma (Makes it seem rustic)
Restaurants (Great selection) I even like The Mara.

The above is a winning combination for me which is why we love AKV.

Have to agree with all of the above. We stayed at SSR this summer and although a lovely resort, it just did not feel like home. Had to hold my husband back from going to visit AKV just to soak up the atmosphere;) .

Should add that we love the pool...

[edk35]

Have to agree with all of the above. We stayed at SSR this summer and although a lovely resort, it just did not feel like home. Had to hold my husband back from going to visit AKV just to soak up the atmosphere;) .

Should add that we love the pool...


what do you like about the pool there?

[canluvpooh]

what do you like about the pool there?

It always seemed more quiet than other pools that we have been at - there is a lot of greenery surrounding it so you could get a more private area if you wanted to.

Also it is a zero entry pool which makes it nice for little ones.

[edk35]

It always seemed more quiet than other pools that we have been at - there is a lot of greenery surrounding it so you could get a more private area if you wanted to.

Also it is a zero entry pool which makes it nice for little ones.

Is there a slide like the other resorts? Thanks

[bobbiwoz]

AKV feels like a destination itself. We often have visited the lodge just to see the animals even when we are staying elsewhere. I also enjoy the Mara, and Jiko, I haven't eaten at Boma yet.

We love the savannah view rooms and I think the value of the value rooms is a huge plus. Sometimes I really want to plan a resort stay and "need" the savannah, and sometimes, we're doing lots of other things and the value category fills the bill in those cases. I just booked a Saturday night studio stay in May '09, it was only 19 points, and comes with the amenities of that great resort.

I love the pool and the animal viewing areas that are all around the resort. Family members have made good comments about the health club/spa services as well.

Bobbi:goodvibes

[canluvpooh]

Is there a slide like the other resorts? Thanks

Yes there is a slide - not huge, but good for kids

[ead79]

We love AKV (and AKL) for several reasons:

1) We love the elaborate, exotic theme. It really feels like an escape to somewhere special to us. There are so many neat details around the resort that enhance the theme. For example, I love the delicious smell of spices that drifts up to the lobby from Boma and Jiko below. It smells wonderful and adds to the theme.

2) We love the savannah view rooms. We're not huge animal lovers in general, but there is something really cool about seeing a giraffe or zebra right outside your balcony. We could spend hours there just watching the animals roam the savannas.

3) We loved the decor of the villas. We tend to like the heavily themed resorts, and these rooms are right up our alley. I love the neat details like the Lion King tiles in the bathroom, bar stools, and headboards (in Kidani at least).

4) We love the restaurants. Both Jiko and Boma have been excellent in our experience. It's nice to have on-site dining that we enjoy for those days we don't make it to our dinner reservations in the parks or when we want a relaxing night at our resort.

When DVC added AKV as a choice, the option of AKV really pushed us over the edge to becoming members.

[edk35]

I am soooooooooo excited to stay there in July and even more excited to call AKV MY HOME. It is so nice to have two homes away from home. LOL

[ADP]

I can't imagine a more unique resort experience anywhere in the world. I haven't visited every resort in the world :laughing:, but AKLV seems to be it for us. Having the animals around the resort is truly wonderful.

We also love the layout of Jambo House. Here's hoping Kidani Village will be a big hit!

[Meishanoel]

Going home for the first time in 10 DAYS!!!

I have never been to AKL - saw the pictures online and then purchased immediately. My rep was wonderful and answered all of my questions.

I love DVC and having the oppotunity to share it with my family and friends makes it an invaluable purchase.

[mmmagic7754]

Sitting by the fire pit in the lobby with a glass of wine is my favorite place to wind down after a long day at the parks:) Also love relaxing in the big rockers at the back of the resort with the savannah views.

[disneymom8589]

We took our 1st trip home this past spring. I could go on and on about everything I loved about AKV! :lovestruc Normally I don't really like dark woods, but this resort and the rooms are so gorgeous! There are so many exquisite details. The lobby area is like eye candy. We ate at Boma and it was delicious. We never had a chance to swim in the pool, but it looked beautiful! I can't wait to see what Kidani will look like when it opens next year!!! :yay: