catherines_mama
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2003
We decided to take some wonderful friends of our to WDW due to 2 thing 1) we love and adore them 2) they had a hell of a tough year and we knew they would love the break. Being DVC members the resort was on us, and we were happy for it. We are a family of 5, they are a family of 3 - we decided on
AKV - Savannah View : If you're going there, why not see the animals
2 bedroom Villa
Main reason for choosing AKV - the 3rd bathroom. I also love the location, the relaxing feel, the parking right below, lots of reasons to love it, but the 3rd bathroom had me at hello.
We initially wanted to go in December 2014. But during the summer 2014 we all chatted and decided we'd wait til June 2015 and once 2014 rolled on, we knew it was the best idea. one of mine and one of theirs started 8th Gr. and we realized they couldn't miss school. Mine is a perfectionist and 8th grade, all the prep for HS was overwhelming.
Ended up there the week of June 12th for 7 days.
This is our group
My crew to the right, Tina and hers to the left
Our overall reviews through the week:
Time of year to go - if you cannot miss school to go, I vote on this time. the 1st week as soon as your kid gets out of school. Crowds weren't too bad. We followed recommended parks and it did well for us. We like to be there are rope drop, take a break and come back at night. Having older kids makes this much easier. Somedays we pushed through until 2 or 3pm and then were done and swam then had a late dinner ressie somewhere at a resort.
Resort - I enjoy AKV. It was my 2nd stay. 1st for DH as before it was just me and my 3 kids. We find it dim (like dark) but i think its part of the theming. Some find it "out there" I feel its the same distance bus ride to everywhere, no complaints. If you like to drive, its perfect b/c your car is an elevator ride below you.
The pool is great. The kids had fun, we had fun. The bar has good drinks and good food. The kids spent a lot of time at Community Hall and they had a great time. I chatted with the Hall attendant and my kids behaved (YAY). The boys checked out basketballs and went and played a few times while the girls went swimming.
The animal viewing either from your room or from the public areas is amazing. When its time for the afternoon storms in FL they get playful as they feel the pressure change.
Food - we weren't going budget but we didn't want to break the bank. for that we didn't make to many reservations. The ones we did- honestly we had been to before so I knew our friends would enjoy.
Counter Service -
Earl of Sandwich: We could eat here (and have) every chance possible. This trip we just did once and it was great as always. We did this the Saturday night we arrived and were staying offsite, so Disney Springs was PACKED. Also the next weekend before leaving we thought it'd be fun to have lunch before leaving - NO WAY .. WAY too packed.
Peco Bills: Something we always do, something that is always good. They went through a phase of seating drama but the flow is much better again.
Columbia Harbor House: I had the shrimp and it was good. Hubs got the soup and he enjoyed it. What i like best is the many areas to eat upstairs get away from the crowds outside on a hot summer day.
Cosmic Rays: My one big complaint here - Bays and Tables. I love the idea of Bays - but a family of 5 we never want anything from the same place and I hate splitting up in those crowds. Then there are tables here - SMALL. We sat kids + Adults but in those crowds hard to get 2 close. I don't mind crowds, not complaining about those, just the logistics of managing the tables in this place.
Electric Umbrella: I just left here in a funk. This day wasn't a good one for other reasons but 1) They did not put bacon on my bacon cheese burger and i had to go back downstairs to have it taken care of 2) there was smeared ketchup all over the steps 3) there was a teenage foreign tour group and they were VERY disrespectful. I wanted to get out
Pizzafarri: Always good, love that AK accepts my Tables in Wonderland
Mara: we didn't use it - the kids did and they always enjoyed it
Typhoon Tilly's: We went to Typhoon Lagoon for a day - what a good day too! WOW and this is the place we ate there - great options for everyone - great food. I mean you are warn out and sun kissed. YUM
I THINK... that is all.
Table Service -
BOMA: We left our comfort zone. This was big for me. We didn't make reservations were curious, they said 30 min, it took about 15... It was very good! All of the food was great and the zebra domes - i dunno. I don't love liquor in my deserts. so hmm. DH love that they looked like boobs. This is the night the kids went to Mara. No sense paying for them to eat 2 things LOL. Love the atmosphere too and it was a great adult night. The kids even took themselves home on the van - led by my oldest.. ms. in-charge!
50 Prime-Time: Always a favorite. I was very animate about bringing our friends here and they LOVED it! The staff had a great time with our silly kids and the kids loved it too! Will continue to make this a must-do
Ohana: Another multiple repeat for us. We've given it a break a few trips and tried Kona (love) but with a big group we wanted to go again and it was fun. Only my youngest played the games. My only issue is they honestly bring you too much shared food. We asked for more dumplings and they brought SUCH a large platter of it we ate maybe 1/4 of that one and they throw the rest away. That waste makes me sad.
TREX: This was a night at Springs where we winged it and it worked for us. I don't love or hate this place. It's fine.
Cape May: On our vacation a few Falls ago we did this for the 1st time and this was our 2nd visit and again - we absolutely loved it!! We always do early seating so we can get in and be in Epcot early.
If anyone is making plans for this summer, I'm happy to answer any questions. We did all 4 parks + Typhoon Lagoon. We did Springs. I have 2 teens + our friends teen + 10yo DD.
We did both WDW Transportation and our own.
We cooked in the room and ate out (as you see). Groceries were brought from home or locally for cold items.
It's taking me forever to write this. We left WDW on a Sunday. On Wednesday following DD10 was in the ICU diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She had the symptoms this entire trip, we just had NO idea. Looking at the pictures some she looks great (SKINNY but great) some she looks really really sick. We had no clue. She's 7.5 mos in and doing wonderful. I just want to go back and give it to her all again when she's feeling like her again. Hopefully next summer! They are all getting so old, it is so hard to find time and plan ahead.
AKV - Savannah View : If you're going there, why not see the animals
2 bedroom Villa
Main reason for choosing AKV - the 3rd bathroom. I also love the location, the relaxing feel, the parking right below, lots of reasons to love it, but the 3rd bathroom had me at hello.
We initially wanted to go in December 2014. But during the summer 2014 we all chatted and decided we'd wait til June 2015 and once 2014 rolled on, we knew it was the best idea. one of mine and one of theirs started 8th Gr. and we realized they couldn't miss school. Mine is a perfectionist and 8th grade, all the prep for HS was overwhelming.
Ended up there the week of June 12th for 7 days.
This is our group
My crew to the right, Tina and hers to the left
Our overall reviews through the week:
Time of year to go - if you cannot miss school to go, I vote on this time. the 1st week as soon as your kid gets out of school. Crowds weren't too bad. We followed recommended parks and it did well for us. We like to be there are rope drop, take a break and come back at night. Having older kids makes this much easier. Somedays we pushed through until 2 or 3pm and then were done and swam then had a late dinner ressie somewhere at a resort.
Resort - I enjoy AKV. It was my 2nd stay. 1st for DH as before it was just me and my 3 kids. We find it dim (like dark) but i think its part of the theming. Some find it "out there" I feel its the same distance bus ride to everywhere, no complaints. If you like to drive, its perfect b/c your car is an elevator ride below you.
The pool is great. The kids had fun, we had fun. The bar has good drinks and good food. The kids spent a lot of time at Community Hall and they had a great time. I chatted with the Hall attendant and my kids behaved (YAY). The boys checked out basketballs and went and played a few times while the girls went swimming.
The animal viewing either from your room or from the public areas is amazing. When its time for the afternoon storms in FL they get playful as they feel the pressure change.
Food - we weren't going budget but we didn't want to break the bank. for that we didn't make to many reservations. The ones we did- honestly we had been to before so I knew our friends would enjoy.
Counter Service -
Earl of Sandwich: We could eat here (and have) every chance possible. This trip we just did once and it was great as always. We did this the Saturday night we arrived and were staying offsite, so Disney Springs was PACKED. Also the next weekend before leaving we thought it'd be fun to have lunch before leaving - NO WAY .. WAY too packed.
Peco Bills: Something we always do, something that is always good. They went through a phase of seating drama but the flow is much better again.
Columbia Harbor House: I had the shrimp and it was good. Hubs got the soup and he enjoyed it. What i like best is the many areas to eat upstairs get away from the crowds outside on a hot summer day.
Cosmic Rays: My one big complaint here - Bays and Tables. I love the idea of Bays - but a family of 5 we never want anything from the same place and I hate splitting up in those crowds. Then there are tables here - SMALL. We sat kids + Adults but in those crowds hard to get 2 close. I don't mind crowds, not complaining about those, just the logistics of managing the tables in this place.
Electric Umbrella: I just left here in a funk. This day wasn't a good one for other reasons but 1) They did not put bacon on my bacon cheese burger and i had to go back downstairs to have it taken care of 2) there was smeared ketchup all over the steps 3) there was a teenage foreign tour group and they were VERY disrespectful. I wanted to get out
Pizzafarri: Always good, love that AK accepts my Tables in Wonderland
Mara: we didn't use it - the kids did and they always enjoyed it
Typhoon Tilly's: We went to Typhoon Lagoon for a day - what a good day too! WOW and this is the place we ate there - great options for everyone - great food. I mean you are warn out and sun kissed. YUM
I THINK... that is all.
Table Service -
BOMA: We left our comfort zone. This was big for me. We didn't make reservations were curious, they said 30 min, it took about 15... It was very good! All of the food was great and the zebra domes - i dunno. I don't love liquor in my deserts. so hmm. DH love that they looked like boobs. This is the night the kids went to Mara. No sense paying for them to eat 2 things LOL. Love the atmosphere too and it was a great adult night. The kids even took themselves home on the van - led by my oldest.. ms. in-charge!
50 Prime-Time: Always a favorite. I was very animate about bringing our friends here and they LOVED it! The staff had a great time with our silly kids and the kids loved it too! Will continue to make this a must-do
Ohana: Another multiple repeat for us. We've given it a break a few trips and tried Kona (love) but with a big group we wanted to go again and it was fun. Only my youngest played the games. My only issue is they honestly bring you too much shared food. We asked for more dumplings and they brought SUCH a large platter of it we ate maybe 1/4 of that one and they throw the rest away. That waste makes me sad.
TREX: This was a night at Springs where we winged it and it worked for us. I don't love or hate this place. It's fine.
Cape May: On our vacation a few Falls ago we did this for the 1st time and this was our 2nd visit and again - we absolutely loved it!! We always do early seating so we can get in and be in Epcot early.
If anyone is making plans for this summer, I'm happy to answer any questions. We did all 4 parks + Typhoon Lagoon. We did Springs. I have 2 teens + our friends teen + 10yo DD.
We did both WDW Transportation and our own.
We cooked in the room and ate out (as you see). Groceries were brought from home or locally for cold items.
It's taking me forever to write this. We left WDW on a Sunday. On Wednesday following DD10 was in the ICU diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She had the symptoms this entire trip, we just had NO idea. Looking at the pictures some she looks great (SKINNY but great) some she looks really really sick. We had no clue. She's 7.5 mos in and doing wonderful. I just want to go back and give it to her all again when she's feeling like her again. Hopefully next summer! They are all getting so old, it is so hard to find time and plan ahead.
