AK Villas Schematics

[lisareniff]

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.

I'm not a lawyer or surveyor so didn't get a whole lot out of most of it, but did see as you did that Concierge service in the concierge lounge (6th floor) would be offered to a certain number of rooms.

I'm not so sure about the villa configurations. The figure they show on that first document does have a studio configuration but the rest of the rooms could be different. On page 4 of the Memo. of Grounds improvement (second document) there is a plan for the whole floor. I was hoping to zoom in and catch what the plans were but it was not at a high enough resolution. It did appear to me that there was differences in some of the rooms. Of course I could be making that up and reading too much into a blury image but that was about all I could see. I wonder what will happen to the Pres. and VP suites?? Those would be cool GVs!!

 

[Mama2Matthew]

I'm not a lawyer or surveyor so didn't get a whole lot out of most of it, but did see as you did that Concierge service in the concierge lounge (6th floor) would be offered to a certain number of rooms.

I'm not so sure about the villa configurations. The figure they show on that first document does have a studio configuration but the rest of the rooms could be different. On page 4 of the Memo. of Grounds improvement (second document) there is a plan for the whole floor. I was hoping to zoom in and catch what the plans were but it was not at a high enough resolution. It did appear to me that there was differences in some of the rooms. Of course I could be making that up and reading too much into a blury image but that was about all I could see. I wonder what will happen to the Pres. and VP suites?? Those would be cool GVs!!

It's a little too much detail for me , too. Mainly just interested in the information about concierge and that the end date of the lease is in fact three years after that of SSR. Also, one of the pictures of the pool had a note that said "Pool and Water Play Area." So, if the DVD lease starts on March 5, I wonder when they will start selling points?

 

[spiceycat]

anything else new?

 

[pilferk]

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.

Some of that parking, remember, is possibly/likely for valet parking purposes. I'm not sure how Disney will choose to direct the valet parked cars, but most places reserve the indoor parking for self-parkers...making the valets brave the "elements" a bit more...and run a bit further.

 

[sarvermo1]

Wow, I can't wait.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I'm still confused about how easy (or not) it will be to go the the Lodge from the Villas. I know that they will supposedly be totally separate, but it looks as though the end of the South AKV units will be very close to the Lodge.

Any thoughts about how it might (or might not) be possible to walk to the Lodge? (Other than that mad dash across the savannah, of course.)

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Any thoughts about how it might (or might not) be possible to walk to the Lodge? (Other than that mad dash across the savannah, of course.)

Not that you were serious, but the Declaration of Condominium specifically prohibits that mad dash!

It it probably also the first CC&Rs to be recorded that prohibits straws, lids and balloons.

But I agree, it does look like a short walk from the south end of the new DVC villas to the end of one of the Trails in the current Lodge. That said, they may not provide a direct pathway in order to discourage guests from walking thru hallways where other guest rooms are located.

-- Suzanne

 

[LisaS]

It it probably also the first CC&Rs to be recorded that prohibits straws, lids and balloons.

Yes, I thought that was interesting! I knew it would be an issue but didn't expect to see it spelled out in the official documents.

 

[lisareniff]

Never mind... I'm having difficulties and I don't have time to straighten it out.

 

[lisareniff]

I'm still confused about how easy (or not) it will be to go the the Lodge from the Villas. I know that they will supposedly be totally separate, but it looks as though the end of the South AKV units will be very close to the Lodge.

Any thoughts about how it might (or might not) be possible to walk to the Lodge? (Other than that mad dash across the savannah, of course.)

Looks are a little deciving. Between the two ends of the buildings is the service area for AKL and possibly AKV. It looks like they have a path out the end of AKV and around this area, to the front of AKL. I'm not sure if there is any side door at AKL (it wouldn't be on the end because of the service area) but it looks like it would be just as easy to walk through the main entrance.

 

[spiceycat]

how about a connecting passway - like the one in the Cont design connecting the 4th floor Cont with the DVC Cont. (with a clear floor so we can see the animals walking under - while we walk across it)

but if DVC was going to do that - it would already been in the plans. I haven't seem one.

 

[Stitch 03]

Screamscape has posted some artist renderings for the AKV. There are three drawings in total, one I have seen posted here beofre. There are also some additional details given.

Here is the link to the twon 'new' drawings:

http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_ak_lodge_0.htm

http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_ak_lodge_2.htm

 

[pilferk]

Thanks spicey!

Those are very nice. Looks like a smaller, more intimate version of the AKL lobby and entrance. I like it!

 

[mamaprincess]

You guys are stoking the fires of my obsession. I am on pins and needles waiting for VAKL to open. The location to me is awesome because AKL is amazing, I love AK park sooo much, the wonderful animals, the incredible themeing and we are big time car renters (never on a bus). Addonitis is setting in big time.

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks Stitch! I love this lobby drawing!

 

[lisareniff]

I'm giving this a little

 

[corinnak]

Do you see those balconies in that lobby rendering? I wonder what's up with those - are those the ends of the long halls and/or staircase related?

 

[sleepyone]

Do you see those balconies in that lobby rendering? I wonder what's up with those - are those the ends of the long halls and/or staircase related?

Great question!

 

[kimpossible]

Maybe this has been covered, but will there be a separate bus stop for the villas, or will people have to wald to the one at the lodge?

 

[bjakmom]

Has anyone seen any indication in the schematics that there will/won't be a community hall-type of location at AKV? I'm hoping that they will carry over the type of great kid's programs provided at AKL and run by the young African CMs (who are usually FABULOUS, btw ) to AKV - otherwise I wonder how they will keep the AKL offerings from being overcrowded once the AKV opens. I think the remoteness of this resort, and the lack of any real 'walking'/outdoors (other than Arusha Rock) areas would make a community hall for the kids a real asset at AKV !!!

My other .02 - I think there will definitely be a walkway between AKL and AKV - the DVC members staying in the lodge will likely be wanting to use AKV pool area (at least I will) - and they will be paying MFs, so there will be no way to deny them access. The water play area looks great - I love water play areas so much more than kiddie pools for the little ones!
I also think there WILL be a separate area for bus pick up/drop off, but I think the buses themselves will be shared.