7 month access to AKL?

[psimon]

We are considering purchasing into AKL, even though we have points at OKW and BW. Our issue is whether we would be able to get into AKL at the 7 month mark (with our existing points) as opposed to needing the 11 months (using AKL points) to assure getting a room.

Especially with the new building coming on line soon, do you think it will be easy or difficult to get 1 BR accommodations at the 7 month mark?

All thoughts appreciated.....

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[hellerjw]

I think once the new building is finished getting something at the 7-month mark will not be too difficult. The unique categories in the AKL building (value and concierge) will be the units that will be very hard to get without the 11-month booking advantage.

 

[DebbieB]

I got a studio in Jambo for late April 2009 at 7 months. A friend was able to get a 1 bedroom conceirge for late June this year at 7 months.

 

[We3LoveDisney]

We were able to get AK Concierge for April at 7 months. I don't think you will have a problem depending on the time of year.

 

[drusba]

Any real pattern of availability won't be known until after Kidani is finished and after the resort is sold out (probably not for two years or more). However, because of size, I am guessing it will not be overly difficult to get savanna view (80% of all rooms) at 7 months out for most times of year.

 

[justjudy]

We just tried to get a 1BR savannah at either Kidani or Jambo for the beginning of May and there is no availability. I knew it was a longshot at the six month window with Kidani opening that month, but it was one of those "spur of the moment" ideas.

 

[CheapMom]

I think it will be pretty easy if you are flexible on category. Holidays may be difficult but otherwise I think chances are good if you plan right at 7 months.

 

[daisyduck123]

We had no problem getting a studio for Christmas week 2007 (Dec. 20-26) at exactly 7 months.

 

[acpalmer]

I was just able to reserve a 2-bedroom for 10 nights in early June right at the seven month mark. They had Savannah view and Standard view available for all of our nights in Jambo house. There may have been other availability, but we wanted Standard and were fine with Jambo, so I didn't ask any further. It is a lock-off, so obviously the 1-bedroom part would have been available if that's what I had wanted.

 

[psimon]

I think it will be pretty easy if you are flexible on category. Holidays may be difficult but otherwise I think chances are good if you plan right at 7 months.

Flexible is not an option for us. Since we are from NJ, we ALWAYS travel during the first full week in November, commonly known at WDW as Jersey week! (That is when schools are closed Thursday and Fridays, and this year, because of election day, Tuesday as well. So for 2 days out of school we got a 9 day vacation!)

Given that, this year, last week, OKW was sold out, Pop Century was sold out, All-Stars (all) were sold out as was the Poly (those are the only ones I know about) it would seem that WDW is pretty busy that week.

Does that change anything?

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Disneypapa]

for a 2 BR "std" Villa at Animal Kingdom Kidani Village for 5/30 through 6/6, no problems. 2 BR at jambo was also available at that time.

AKV will be a fairly large resort, I suspect for most times of the year, availability will not be an issue.

 

[acpalmer]

Flexible is not an option for us. Since we are from NJ, we ALWAYS travel during the first full week in November, commonly known at WDW as Jersey week! (That is when schools are closed Thursday and Fridays, and this year, because of election day, Tuesday as well. So for 2 days out of school we got a 9 day vacation!)

Given that, this year, last week, OKW was sold out, Pop Century was sold out, All-Stars (all) were sold out as was the Poly (those are the only ones I know about) it would seem that WDW is pretty busy that week.

Does that change anything?

---Paul in Southern NJ

Flexible on category and flexible on dates are two different things, though, so I think that will still hold true. If you are willing to pay for Savannah view or take a Standard/Value and can live with either Kidani or Jambo, then I think you could still be fine planning seven months out. I would bet that OKW, Pop Century, etc were not fully sold out at seven months out, so if you can plan that far ahead, you will have more options than if you are planning two months out.

 

[btrim]

I got two studios at the 7month mark for the first of May. I agree with the other replies that if it is not a popular time of year, it should be easier to get into AKL if you are flexible with your unit size. I did call the first day that I could to get the 2 studios though.

btrim

 

[CheapMom]

Flexible on category and flexible on dates are two different things, though, so I think that will still hold true.

Yes- that is what I meant- IMO I think if you will take standard or sav. view and you plan right at the 7 month mark- then I think odds are good.
OP you said that OKW was sold out this week last year- do you mean right at 7 months they were already booked? Or just that they filled that week to 100% capacity?

 

[psimon]

Yes- that is what I meant- IMO I think if you will take standard or sav. view and you plan right at the 7 month mark- then I think odds are good.
OP you said that OKW was sold out this week last year- do you mean right at 7 months they were already booked? Or just that they filled that week to 100% capacity?

When I booked at the 11 month mark for my Nov 2008 vacation, I was told then that it was filling up quick for that week.

As for flexibility, we are a family of 5... (2 girls and a boy). Sometimes we travel as a 5 and sometimes a 4 (older girl is in college). Either way, we need a total of 3 beds, so the room that only has a sleeper sofa (no sleeper chair) is of no value to us. So to be flexible I either have to move up to a 2 bedroom or a 1 bedroom with concierge service for a lot more points. Spending a lot more points, to us, falls into foolish, not flexible.

Am I wrong?

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[CheapMom]

... So to be flexible I either have to move up to a 2 bedroom or a 1 bedroom with concierge service for a lot more points. Spending a lot more points, to us, falls into foolish, not flexible.

Am I wrong?

---Paul in Southern NJ

Yeah, I am a point miser so I agree with you. At 7 months you prob won't have the option of value or club so category wise we are talking savanna/standard view. If you will take either- that will help. If I were you, I would start a new thread or change the title of this thread to something like "Jersey Week Success booking at 7 month mark" -You won't get any good data regarding AKV since it hasn't been opened completely- but remember that it's size is between OKW and BWV (I think)- so if people post success switching to BWV/BCV/VWL at 7 months then I would think you probably have a good chance. Not sure how busy this week is- but it may be a lot busier than I (and maybe some others on this thread) originally thought.

 

[DebbieB]

I just booked a savannah view studio in Kidani for 6/14-20 (cancelled April dates)!

 

[POS]

I just booked a 1 Bedroom at the Jambo house at the 7 month mark for June 14th through the 19th. I am a BCV owner.

 

[ldo]

I am on the fence whether to add-on at AKV before the price increase in Jan. and to assure that I can get the week of Christmas 2009.

 

[BraveMom3]

I hope I don't have a problem booking Kidani 1-bedroom savannah view for June 22 - 27. I'm really looking looking forward to the extra space and bathroom. We'll be at VWL 1BR for 5 nights, then 3 nights at BCV Studio before moving to AKV.