AK Villas Schematics

[lisareniff]

I'm not seeing the small the slide? Where is it exactly?

I didn't notice it at first either, but it looks like there is a small straight slide (~6') that is located between the lower (south) stairs and the zero entry portion. I had zoomed the pdf and it has a similar shape and markings as the larger slide. I like the small slide for the small fry.

disclaimer: I could be totally off on the small slide, just my interpretation.

Still would like to know about all that stuff right in the middle. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[lisareniff]

lisareniff,
With all that "land" and the popularity of Stromalong Bay, why not do the same/similar at VAKL? It would seem a great selling point and might encourage people who might be on the fence due to location, into buying? Anyone else agree or have an explantion--one that I might be missing?

$$$$$$ SAB is very expensive both to build and maintain. Would be great but don't think it would happen.

 

[dwelty]

There seems to be a lot of parking lot views - I'd say 1/4th. Then another 1/8th are pool view rooms. That's 3/8ths without a savana view.

grim

I think there might be some confusion about "underground parking" I think this will actually be first floor ground level parking (under the units) with the first DVC units actually starting on the second floor (better view of Savannah) Underground parking seems highly unlikely due to the high water table in central Florida. That is why the Magic Kingdom is actually built 14 feet above ground. Allows for the "utilidors" without going underground.

 

[lisareniff]

I just thought I'd add this pic that I colored to the thriving thread...

AKV is going to be HUGE!! I thought walking the distance from the farther rooms at AKL to the lobby was long!

 

[spiceycat]

yes but look at all the animal views!!! It is a very strange shape.

thanks!!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

......BTW, if I were an AKL regular, I'm not sure I'd want to look out on my savannah view and see DVC villas across the savannah from me!

I think they're trying to minimize this, hence the "balloons" they floated a while back.

 

[LisaS]

BTW, if I were an AKL regular, I'm not sure I'd want to look out on my savannah view and see DVC villas across the savannah from me!

As it is, there aren't many savannah view rooms at AKL where you don't see another wing of the hotel at the back of your view so I think AKL regulars are already used to that. Plus, the Sunset Savannah is not very pretty, especially when compared to the Arusha Savannah. If the addition of AKV results in improvements to the Sunset Savannah, that will be a win for AKL guests as well.

 

[LisaS]

I'm wondering if the villas are more like OKW and stretching from front to back like that, so villas would be easy access to parking, but also all have savannah views. It looks like that might be the case from the photo posted.

I wondered that as well. It sure would make sense to design it that way. The rumors have been that most of the villas will have savannah views but based on these drawings, unless the villas are designed as you suggest, there will be a lot more "non savannah" views than I was expecting.

 

[LisaS]

I think there might be some confusion about "underground parking" I think this will actually be first floor ground level parking (under the units) with the first DVC units actually starting on the second floor (better view of Savannah)

It's not just the view -- they can't have any ground-floor units on the savannah side of the building due to the risk of people climbing over the balcony to get close to the animals.

 

[Inkmahm]

I just thought I'd add this pic that I colored to the thriving thread...

AKV is going to be HUGE!! I thought walking the distance from the farther rooms at AKL to the lobby was long!

WOW! That puts the size in perspective. Having stayed at AKL many times, the walk to the end of the main structure is LONG. Much longer than the walk at BWV. It looks like the walks in the AKV will be even longer!

 

[nuts]

WOW! That puts the size in perspective. Having stayed at AKL many times, the walk to the end of the main structure is LONG. Much longer than the walk at BWV. It looks like the walks in the AKV will be even longer!

Unless you take the shortcut...mad dash across the savannah

 

[lisareniff]

I've been trying to grasp the parking situation. I understand it will be under the building but it seems like a long drive from the main entrance across from the tennis courts to some of the farther parking spots. How will that be driving under the building for that length. I know you city types probably do that parking garage thing more frequently then I so it might not be a big deal.

There are other 3 other entrance/exits to the under building parking that open to open air parking lots. One of these parking lots is near the pool with no other access that I see.

I've got to find that balloon picture again.

 

[byoung]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Pig Pen]

I am confused. I thought part of the current building was going to be converted to DVC, then later on an "addition" with a separate lobby would be constructed. The buildings do not appear to be connected at all.

Of course, now that I think about it, WL and VWL are not actually connected either.

But does it seem strange for DVC units to be in the original building? Or am I REALLY confused?

 

[RobDoc]

The new DVC villas in the main AKL are being converted on the 5th/6th floors and are scheduled to open this fall.

The building in the plans is scheduled to open in 2009. While it does appear to be a looong building, it appears that the lobby area is in the center and the walk from the elevators is about 1/2 the length of the total building.

Stay tuned!

 

[lisareniff]

I guess Screamscape's sight balloon picture back in Oct did have some basis in fact. From both of the pictures you can tell the placement by the animal barn. The picture must have been taken from the main hallway of the kudo trail between the third and fourth buildings. I wanted to bring this picture back to try to get a feel as to how the AKV would look from the lodge. (Don't know if it helped me! )

http://www.screamscape.com/html/walt_disney_world_resort.htm

(10/17/06) A Screamscape reader noticed while staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge back in June that they floated several flights of balloons near the lodge while a gathering of suits too place to show off a few giant posters showing off a map of the site. Turns out these must have been to show off exactly where and how high the new DVC Wing of the AK Lodge will be. Check these out

 

[Pennyguy23]

I can't get it to open. I waited 10 minutes this time but everytime I pull the page up it copies what every page is under it. If that makes any sense?

 

[Mama2Matthew]

Okay, a ton of info about VAKL hit the Orange County Comptroller's site today. These files are HUGE, so I haven't read through them at all. Sorry if some of the info duplicates the water management site. I did notice that the lease is to start on March 5 and run until Jan 31, 2057. Also, one of the documents references concierge in the main resort as well as the timeshare portion. From what I read, it sounds like a lot of the rumors have been right-on. Anyway, links to the files are here, here, and here.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have looked and looked at this, and I still think what some of you are interpreting as a long hallway is actually roof covered balcony. It seems to have lots of windows making it strange for a hallway.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Okay, a ton of info about VAKL hit the Orange County Comptroller's site today. These files are HUGE, so I haven't read through them at all. Sorry if some of the info duplicates the water management site. I did notice that the lease is to start on March 5 and run until Jan 31, 2057. Also, one of the documents references concierge in the main resort as well as the timeshare portion. From what I read, it sounds like a lot of the rumors have been right-on. [/URL].

Great find! Lots of stuff only a lawyer or a land-surveyor could love, but some interesting tidbits as well.

From the Declaration of Condominium, it appears that the Operation of the Concierge Lounge will be transferred to DVC. Certain rooms will have the right to use the Concierge Lounge. From the room floor plans on the last page of the first document, it looks like that the lounge will be useful because the DVC rooms available in the existing building will either be studios or a 2BR consisting of 2 adjoining studios. Each room appears to have a mini-
kitchen area across from the entrance to the bathroom.

Of course, the good news is that with the recording of these documents, the selling of units cannot be too any months away.