AKLV are they isolated too much? Please help.

[FIVEFANS]

So I like the SSR. Mainly because we often head back early because my three little kids are "done" early. Then, we like being able to go to DTD on the boat and get some ice-cream or do some shopping.

This all being said, I also think now my DD7, DD5 and DD2 would love the AKLV. We rely on the bus system, and really don't mind the buses. How will I feel at AKL? Is it hard to go back for the afternoon break or is it the same as anywhere. And, the big question, will we love it. Of course that is the tough one.

We are going late oct 09 and can even change to sep...... we are way flexible and could even go for BLT...studio or one bdrm.....or we could do something totally different, WL, who knows????????? Ok, give me your opinions.

 

[hakepb]

Park bus rides are no real problem to AKV. I never had a problem getting back for an afternoon nap.

In fact, I think seeing the animals at AKV makes the trip back home much more fun!

Getting to other resorts in the evening may be a little more difficult than some locations, as AKV's closest multi-resort stop (DAK) has shorter hours than the other parks (for bus hopping) AKV does have a DTD bus, but you may want to replace some of your DTD trips with some AKV activities. (I'm a big believer in trying to take advantage of the resort you are staying in. Sometimes forcing the same trip into a different resort does not work well at all.)

For instance, one afternoon, there was a CM "cultural ambasator" that had paper and crayons and was helping children make rubbing relief drawings of the animal medailons in the lobby floor.

I think you will love your AKV trip! The "dark" interior actually makes it very relaxing with a bit of mystery. It took me a few days to get the groove, but I want to go back!

 

[Anal Annie]

We love AKV and I do not "get" that people call it remote or isolated. We don't find it that way at all. It is very close to the AK park and it currently has just the one bus stop and dedicated bus service. We find the buses at AKV to be THE BEST!! Jambo House at AKV has a beautifully landscaped zero entry pool with a small slide that will be perfect for your kids. Next year the new water play area will be open at Kidani and I would imagine that would also be suitable for your kids. It is a gorgeous property. OH!! And there's Boma! It is the BEST restaurant. LOVE it. Give it a try!!

 

[thelionqueen]

I really LOVE the room decor @ AKV but I will never stay there. I really don't like the isolation of the resort (no bashing, just my opinion). We do not like the resort theming, and the dining options are very limited. While most people absolutely love Jiko & Boma (and I love the feel of them as well) the foods are just way too exotic for anything that is our taste. The positives are the animals obviously. I think you need to take into account which amenities mean more for you personally. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[hakepb]

I too was not a fan of the "dark interior" as seen in pictures. I have never wanted to stay at the Poly because of the "dark decor"
But, we wanted to try a room view of the animals (we love the safari ride).
As I mentioned above, my stay changed my mind about the decor. It is not dark and dreary, it's calm with a bit of mystery, and very lush (i think Poly landscaping, which I always liked) around the pool area.

I think my family are the most plain eaters, but they absolutely loved Boma for breakfast. (Has all the standard American fare, but seems to be prepared a bit better than any character breakfast, and is a better value (cheaper)) There were a few African themed items, but not an overwhelming amount.

 

[edk35]

We are looking forward to our AKV stay this summer. We are only staying 2 nights, but we went to visit in Nov. and I am looking forward to trying it out. We toured the models again in Nov. after we added on at AKV in Aug. and I love the AKV resort models. They are going to be so big and although they are darker than most resorts interiors ..it is very unique and I like the sorta off the beaten path with less of the hustle and bustle some of the other resorts seem to have more of. Plus you get ANIMALS........woohooo. I think you will be fine staying there. Personally I could go to any DVC resort and have a great vacation.

 

[anna08]

We have stayed at AKV for one week and had no problems whatsoever with big naps daily mid-afternoon. The buses do not stop at any other resorts so transportation is very direct and we never had to wait for another bus because the first was full. My husband and I loved sitting on our veranda watching the animals and reading while my daughter was napping. There is so much there for small children to see and do, I really think you won't be disappointed.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

...Personally I could go to any DVC resort and have a great vacation.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Try it out, and see what you think! Each resort provides a different experience, and no matter where we've stayed with little ones (value resorts to DVC), we've never had an issue with using Dis's transportation.

 

[edk35]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Try it out, and see what you think! Each resort provides a different experience, and no matter where we've stayed with little ones (value resorts to DVC), we've never had an issue with using Dis's transportation.

LOL are you following me?? It is true.........I would be perfectly happy at any DVC resort.

 

[jamstew]

I really LOVE the room decor @ AKV but I will never stay there. I really don't like the isolation of the resort (no bashing, just my opinion). We do not like the resort theming, and the dining options are very limited. While most people absolutely love Jiko & Boma (and I love the feel of them as well) the foods are just way too exotic for anything that is our taste. The positives are the animals obviously. I think you need to take into account which amenities mean more for you personally. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I liked the theming more than the room decor, but otherwise I totally agree. I'd also add that it was just way too big and spread out for me. I spent five nights there in September, and I simply didn't enjoy it. I realize it really isn't isolated, but it sure felt that way to me. I like the boat/walk options at the Epcot resorts, and the boat/bus option at VWL. That said, I know that my grandchildren would love it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We thought the bus transportation at AKV was fantastic! We've always thought it was great at OKW, but our first trip to AKV, we never waited ever for a bus! It got to be a joke. We would walk up, and our bus would be there!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Try it out, and see what you think! Each resort provides a different experience, and no matter where we've stayed with little ones (value resorts to DVC), we've never had an issue with using Dis's transportation.

I keep telling my DH this....lets try these other resorts out! He just always wants the BWV's.....I did talk him into VWL for 3 days post our cruise this spring. I am soooo looking forward to it.....!!!!

 

[edk35]

I keep telling my DH this....lets try these other resorts out! He just always wants the BWV's.....I did talk him into VWL for 3 days post our cruise this spring. I am soooo looking forward to it.....!!!!

We love trying all the resorts out. We joined Jan. 07 and have stayed at SSR, BWV, BCV, OKW and will try AKV this summer. I need to try VWL to round it all out. One day we will try VB and HH. Gotta love DVC

 

[ITGirl50]

The bus transportation at AKV was great! We stayed at AKV the week of Christmas this year and we were very happy with the bus transportation. It's only a couple of minutes to AK and they had lots of buses to the other locations. No sharing with other resorts was absolutely wonderful!

The WORST bus transportation we have experienced is BWV. Sharing the bus with so many resorts made the buses over crowed and many times we couldn't even get on the bus to MK. Also waiting for all the other resort stops before getting to BWV was annoying. We usually had to walk to BWV. That's okay a couple of times, but it got to be exhausting.

 

[jamstew]

Maybe I was just unlucky, but I had quite a few extremely long waits for buses at AKL--long to the point that people were calling the transportation people.

 

[dizzneebabe]

We just stayed there for the first time and WOW--it's unbelievable!!!! DD (5) would wake up every morning and whisper loudly, "Mom--look there are animals!" It was so neat!!!

No offense to anyone, but I don't know how people can say they don't like the decor--yes it is darker and more exotic looking, exactly what one would expect, being Africa.

The resort is amazing! You'll love it!

We did have issues with buses, but it was probably just our timing!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I keep telling my DH this....lets try these other resorts out! He just always wants the BWV's.....I did talk him into VWL for 3 days post our cruise this spring. I am soooo looking forward to it.....!!!!

That has been the best decision! Seriously, I have loved every place we've stayed. I think it's harder if you've stayed at the same place over and over again, though. My BIL/SIL have owned and stayed at OKW since 1995. We stayed at SSR back in April, and all they could say was how much smaller everything was, and how many more points it cost to stay there, and...blah, blah, blah.

When we purchased, we discussed it and said we wanted to try out all of the resorts (after this summer, we're down to HHI and BLT ). When we check out, I want an add on every time! So buyer beware...it's dangerous!

We love trying all the resorts out. We joined Jan. 07 and have stayed at SSR, BWV, BCV, OKW and will try AKV this summer. I need to try VWL to round it all out. One day we will try VB and HH. Gotta love DVC

To both of you...you have to try out VWL. I fell in LOVE with it! Check out my pics from August (http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn320/simmerb/Wilderness Lodge/). They really don't even do it justice. Plus, I really enjoyed being that close to the MK and the monorail! It was the first time we stayed near MK, and it was a whole new experience for us (new restaurants, new places to walk, new things to see)!

 

[dsneygirl]

We were concerned as well when we first stayed there in Sept. We even had a rental car but only used it a couple of times to go offsite. We absolutely LOVED AKL. The theming, pool, food and of course the animals were just fantastic. The bus ride to MK was a little long but everywhere else was pretty standard compared to other resorts.

 

[edk35]

Sometimes these threads make me because when it all comes down to it......ALL the DVC resorts are nice in my opinion and they are all different in their own unique ways, but I would never NOT stay at one for fear of this or that. At least try it....I mean I don't think it will ruin a trip to WDW if you stay at AKV vs. SSR or any other DVC resort. Sure we LOVE BCV and want to stay there in the summers and we own at SSR and AKV. If BCV isn't available it won't stop us from going. We didn't quite like BWV but heck I would stay there again in a heartbeat, if nothing else was available. If you are nervous...try a split stay.....we have done that the past 2 summers....lets you try out a different resort and not lock you into just one if you are not sure if you want to stay at one.