Agonizing - grand villa help please

[magicaldisney]

I have been agonizing over something and my 18 year old said "Mom why don't you just talk to your friends on the DIS?!?!?!?" What a smart boy I have. So here I am bringing my dilema to you all.....

We have a grand villa reserved at Kidani for January (a total of 11 of us will be there). I sooo want to make this a great trip for everyone (it will be my only newphew's first trip to WDW). We just got back from a weeks stay in a two bedroom at Kidani, hence the dilema. We didn't love it there. Lack of counter service, the rooms were depressingly dark (in our opinion) and the longer bus rides. We are on a waitlist for OKW for a number of reasons, love the brightness and feel of the resort, size of the rooms and less points needed.

With that said, my husband said he would rather stay at a grand villa at SSR. We would still stay on the waitlist for OKW, but he would rather stay at SSR than AKV because of the reasons mentioned above. Anyone have experience with both grand villas (chances are no, but I thought I'd take a stab at it)? How are the gv at SSR? Impressive for the families joining us? How is the bus service? Once you go through the whole resort to pick everyone up and then make your way to the park, would it be the same travel time as going from AKV?

I know that the great experience for those joining us will not be determined by the resort we stay in because they are all wonderful, but still I agonize over this. My husband's feelings on this mean a lot to me and he really disliked AKV, but I also know once I give this up I can't get it back.

I'M GOING CRAZY....PLEASE HELP!!

 

[Inkmahm]

I don't think I can help you because if you're looking for a place that will impress your relatives, I think that is AKV. No where else can you stay and see animals outside your villa like that. I don't use counter service so the lack of it doesn't mean anything to me. Jiko is my favorite restaurant at WDW though.

 

[Disney Princess]

I've only stayed in a GV at BWV (and it impressed with that BW view), but would you consider a GV at Jambo? I know that the "darkness" factor might still be there, but the counter service issue would be solved. I hope someone can come along and answer your question - good luck!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My comments are strictly on the location but for a Grand Gathering I would stay with AKV. I understand about the counter service but with the animals I think it will have an impressiveness for your guests that SSR and OKW will lack. We had a stay a couple of months ago that required a change of dates for our guests coming with us. They ended up at SSR and we were at AKV. While they enjoyed SSR (actually, BIL complained about everything but my sister and 25 yo nephew liked it) they all agreed they would have rather been at AKV.

Also, counter service at SSR and OKW will likely be as far away as if you went from Kidani to Mara at Jambo so I don't think you're actually gaining in that area.

I haven't been in an AKV GV but with the double story windows I think that it will be lighter than other villas although it will still have the dark woods and colors.

 

[bookwormde]

The OKW GV are very large and very nice (not to mention you would save about 170 points/wk. Or add 4 more weekdays to your trip) but for “impact” AKV GV are hard to beat (unless you want to spend another 180 points for a BLT MKV GV)

bookwormde

 

[Alexander]

I have not stayed in a grand villa at SSR, but I have toured them a few times and they are very impressive. We really were blown away by the size of the villa. The furnishings at SSR are upscale, and the lighting is wonderful due to the large 2-story windows.

We stayed at AKV for a week last July and probably wouldn't stay for that long again--various reasons, that I won't get into here.

I see that you are a little over 5 months out--have you tried to see what is available for a GV? I personally agree with your husband, and would try for SSR over OKW. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE OKW, in fact it is my favorite place to stay! I just think SSR has more of a wow factor, and it is newer and fresher looking. I also think if you are concerned about counter service meals, SSR outshines OKW. You've also got downtown really close by for food.

 

[hakepb]

AKV Jambo GV would have a pool table (I cannot imagine a nephew not being hugely impressed with animals outside and an in-suite pool table!) and be nearer CS.
I think there is a chance SSR's CS may disapoint with really long lines, and it is not a typical CS with burgers (so people like us with simple tastes actually do not like it)

In the end, I imagine all GV's would impress anyone.

 

[supersuperwendy]

The Jambo House GV looks AMAZING!

Here is the 360 tour of it!!

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/virtual360/virtual360Landing?id=DAKV360Page

 

[magicaldisney]

Thanks for all your opinions and advice. I had given thought to Jambo, but it's not available. I know the chances of waitlists coming through for the grand villa are very slim. Right now my options are Kidani, where we are already booked or switch to SSR.

I'm leaning towards staying at Kidani. Anyone else have something great to say about an SSR gv stay that might make me feel better about making a switch for my husband's sake?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are still on the waitlist, make sure you don't use fewer points if your waitlist comes through. Otherwise, you may wind up with points that you have to bank - and if you are past your banking deadline, you will have to use them or lose them. And if you go on the even closer waitlist (until 7 days out) and you use fewer points, the points left over will go into holding.

As for the Kidani GV - your guests will think it is perfect. They will love all the room you have. You should get a great view of the savanna (are there any standard view GVs???).

If you do get the GV at SSR or OKW, you are still going to have to ride a bus to every theme park, just like AKV. At SSR or OKW, you may be just as far from counter service as you are at AKV. None of the GV are located in the same building as Artist's Palette or Goods to Go.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Please try not to agonize over this.. you are after all going to Disney world with a group of loved ones... not trying to minimize your feelings... most in you group will very impressed with the accomodations..... Are you planning on utilizing the dining plan? Is that the reason you are looking for something that has good counter service locations? I agree with the other posts, try for Jambo house... enjoy the trip!!

 

[Disney Doll]

See bolded

I have been agonizing over something and my 18 year old said "Mom why don't you just talk to your friends on the DIS?!?!?!?" What a smart boy I have. So here I am bringing my dilema to you all.....

We have a grand villa reserved at Kidani for January (a total of 11 of us will be there). I sooo want to make this a great trip for everyone (it will be my only newphew's first trip to WDW). We just got back from a weeks stay in a two bedroom at Kidani, hence the dilema. We didn't love it there. Lack of counter service, the rooms were depressingly dark (in our opinion) and the longer bus rides. I agree with you. I have never liked the AKL or AKV for the same reasons you mention...don't like thta whole dark African thing going on there with the furnishings....We are on a waitlist for OKW for a number of reasons, love the brightness and feel of the resort, size of the rooms and less points needed. I agree with you again. LOVE OKW!!!!!!!
With that said, my husband said he would rather stay at a grand villa at SSR. We would still stay on the waitlist for OKW, but he would rather stay at SSR than AKV because of the reasons mentioned above. Anyone have experience with both grand villas (chances are no, but I thought I'd take a stab at it)? How are the gv at SSR? I've seen it, not stayed, but IMHO, most people are impressed by a DVC GV...they are an impressive unit, regardless of which resort they are located in. Impressive for the families joining us? How is the bus service? I have never had a problem with either SSR or OKW bus service. Once you go through the whole resort to pick everyone up and then make your way to the park, would it be the same travel time as going from AKV? Pretty much probably.

I know that the great experience for those joining us will not be determined by the resort we stay in because they are all wonderful, but still I agonize over this. My husband's feelings on this mean a lot to me and he really disliked AKV, but I also know once I give this up I can't get it back.

I'M GOING CRAZY....PLEASE HELP!!

I wouldn't give up AKV until you hear about your waitlist. What are your DH's feelings about OKW? You said you are already waitlisted there...my guess is that if you waitlist at SSR & OKW for a GV, that one or the other of them will come through.

But, I will repeat, don't cancel the AKV reservation until you hear definitely that one or the other of your waitlists has come through.

Keep in mind, as a PP said, that OKW has 3 buildings with elevators and they usually really try and reserve those who truly have a medical need. At OKW, the GVs are usually on the 2nd floor, so you would most likely have some steps to carry stuff up.

 

[magicaldisney]

If you are still on the waitlist, make sure you don't use fewer points if your waitlist comes through. Otherwise, you may wind up with points that you have to bank - and if you are past your banking deadline, you will have to use them or lose them. And if you go on the even closer waitlist (until 7 days out) and you use fewer points, the points left over will go into holding.

As for the Kidani GV - your guests will think it is perfect. They will love all the room you have. You should get a great view of the savanna (are there any standard view GVs???).

If you do get the GV at SSR or OKW, you are still going to have to ride a bus to every theme park, just like AKV. At SSR or OKW, you may be just as far from counter service as you are at AKV. None of the GV are located in the same building as Artist's Palette or Goods to Go.

Thanks for the advice. I'm ok to bank points not used until May of 2010. I forgot about the holding of points though, so I will need to not get into that time frame for my waitlist. Thanks Again!

I spoke with DH and more than the counter service issue is his concern about the darkness (depressing as he calls it) of the rooms and longer bus ride to the parks. As far as the bus ride goes, I really think by the time you stop at all the stops at SSR and pick everyone up your total travel time is relatively the same.

 

[magicaldisney]

Disney Doll....thanks for your responses. I'm glad we are not the only ones who just didn't get that feeling we wanted to get from AKV. We thought the darkness would be relaxing, but it just didn't do it for us.

We love OKW and though it has some negatives (not many) we still love it. Not only is it a great resort, but the points are so low it's hard to pass up. We are giving up our 2011 trip to put everyone in the gv at AKV. If we can get OKW, we save enough points for my own family to enjoy a two bedroom at BWV in 2011 if we wanted. So, for that selfish reason, for my own families future vacations, I am keeping us on the waitlist for OKW.

SSR does have gv openings right now for the time we need it in 2010, I just don't know about making the switch. I don't know if it offers enough positives to make the switch out of AKV and as you mentioned I know I can't give up AKV because I'd never get it back. I told my DH that we'll be in the parks so much he won't have time to get depressed from the darkness of the room!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yes, everyone has their own opinion, but I just can't imagine anything more impressive than a Kidani GV.
I'm bringing my extended family this October. We are staying in a VB cottage, and you guessed it.... a Kidani grand villa.

MG

 

[Sammie]

Disliking a resort does not diminish the fact that others prefer it or that it is a great resort. AKV is a fabulous resort, but I also do not care for it personally. I appreciate that attention to detail but I can get all I want of that during a visit for dinner.

I want my villa to make me want to come back to it each day and feel at home. AKV does not have that feel for me.

SSR does, I love the lighter colors, the beautiful kitchen the airy, bright, full of light rooms.

Many locations of the GVs are very close to the main building with Artist Pallette which I feel is one of the best counter service locations. We can actually still eat healthy options and be on vacation.

Bus transportation is as good as any bus location, as SSR is centrally located to all parks.

Being within walking distance to Downtown Disney is always a plus to us, as we love to shop and enjoy the restaurants located there.

But the main thing I love about SSR that I can not find at AKV is beautiful walking paths throughout the entire resort. I have to be able to get out and move around.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[rentayenta]

Having just stayed at the GV at OKW I can tell you it's awesome. We did a split stay at AKV and agree with how dark the place is. OKW was bright and beautiful and so big! There was 10 of us and more than enough room. I would choose OKW over AKV any day!

 

[magicaldisney]

Disliking a resort does not diminish the fact that others prefer it or that it is a great resort. AKV is a fabulous resort, but I also do not care for it personally. I appreciate that attention to detail but I can get all I want of that during a visit for dinner.

I want my villa to make me want to come back to it each day and feel at home. AKV does not have that feel for me.

SSR does, I love the lighter colors, the beautiful kitchen the airy, bright, full of light rooms.

Many locations of the GVs are very close to the main building with Artist Pallette which I feel is one of the best counter service locations. We can actually still eat healthy options and be on vacation.

Bus transportation is as good as any bus location, as SSR is centrally located to all parks.

Being within walking distance to Downtown Disney is always a plus to us, as we love to shop and enjoy the restaurants located there.

But the main thing I love about SSR that I can not find at AKV is beautiful walking paths throughout the entire resort. I have to be able to get out and move around.

Good luck with your decision.

YOU HAVE PUT INTO WORDS WHAT MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN FEELING!!!! So, the question is....do we please us or the guests that will be joining us. I know that no one can answer that question for me, but that is my dilema. Compared to AKV, both SSR and OKW will make it so someone has to sleep in the living area (Kidani has a sleeping area in the loft) and loss of the fourth bathroom. So, this means I'm putting someone out.

 

[magicaldisney]

Having just stayed at the GV at OKW I can tell you it's awesome. We did a split stay at AKV and agree with how dark the place is. OKW was bright and beautiful and so big! There was 10 of us and more than enough room. I would choose OKW over AKV any day!

Did someone need to sleep in the living area? If so, how did that go?

 

[rentayenta]

Did someone need to sleep in the living area? If so, how did that go?

Nobody had to but the three boys (10, 7, and 7) wanted to. They could have have easily fit in the bedrooms.

Our friends had the master bedroom.
DH and I had the room with 2 queen, one went empty the entire trip.
The 3 girls had the 2 twins, by choice.
Boys slept on the sofa. It went fine as they are kids but I wouldn't have adults sleep on the sleeper sofa.