AKV 2BR - Standard or Savannah?

[twopeasonepod]

Planning to spend Christmas at AKV. We have 440 points, but can borrow from 2014's 220 if needed. Still need to figure out if we want to leave before or after New Year's, but am leaning toward staying. AKV is our home.

Difference between S and SV is about 120-140 points. Is that worth it?

And is it busier before Christmas or after?

Thank you!

 

[DenLo]

Are you a view person? If yes, then it's worth it. But if you are expecting to see animals anytime you look out the window you won't. The animals can move around the savanna and often hide from view, under trees and in the shade, and they are also called in for daily check ups in the mornings while you are getting ready to go the park.

But what I like about a savanna view is sitting on my balcony drinking my favorite beverage and watching the patterns of savanna, movement of the animals and their keepers. Or just enjoying some quiet time.

I just thought of something else the weather might be cold in December so that you won't want to sit out there.

It's really a personal decision and goes back to whether you are or are not a view person and whether you take time to enjoy the balcony in the past.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Also consider how much time you will spend in the villa. We have gone twice at Christmas and found that we spent quite a bit of time in the parks to see the decorations and to attend the evening holiday activities (MVMCP, Osborne Lights, Epcot CP).

We did a AKV-Kidani Standard in Dec 2010. We were facing the bus stops. It really didn't matter, because it was in the 30's-50's the entire week and we did not want to be outside on the balcony. Last month we had an AKV-Kidani savanna view and really enjoyed having the view. But, it was in the 60's-80 all week and it was comfortable to be outdoors.

There are so many places to view the savanna and animals that if you need to conserve points, you probably won't miss out on having a savanna view, particularly if it is a cool week. Given how much there is to see and do at WDW at Christmas, I don't know if I would borrow points for a savanna view in December, unless those future points are not going to be used.

 

[DizBub]

I booked a standard view 2br at AKV for May. DH wanted the savanna view but we are treating our DD and her DH and we saved a ton of points by going standard view. This will be a long weekend, full of ADRs and lots of park time. Figured we would really only be sleeping and showering there.

From what I've heard, sometimes a standard view actually has a savanna view. Unless you are overlooking the driveway/entry you may get to see animals.

 

[Kidanifan08]

From what I've heard, sometimes a standard view actually has a savanna view. Unless you are overlooking the driveway/entry you may get to see animals.

We had a 2BR standard at Kidani that was facing the pool in Oct 2011. We were about 15 yards from the end of the Pembe savanna and had a great view! I think it was room 7732.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Thanks so much, everyone. Being from Hawaii, views that normally "wow" others don't really thrill me. But the animals are the difference, obviously.

I didn't even think about the weather. I guess again, living here doesn't necessarily spark that kind of thought process haha. I think I'd rather save the points and go with Standard after I've heard your input. We also stay in standard at GCH (not worth the $ for me).

 

[lovin'fl]

My inlaws have had great animal views from their standard view villas at AKV, so I agree that you shouldn't waste the points on SV. Christmas at Disney is busiest from 12/25-1/1 but will also still be pretty busy this year from 12/21-on as it's a weekend...but 12/25-1/1 will be ungodly busy.

 

[twopeasonepod]

My inlaws have had great animal views from their standard view villas at AKV, so I agree that you shouldn't waste the points on SV. Christmas at Disney is busiest from 12/25-1/1 but will also still be pretty busy this year from 12/21-on as it's a weekend...but 12/25-1/1 will be ungodly busy.

You think it would be even worth it to stick around for the new year? We thought it would be a cool way to celebrate (fireworks are illegal in Hawaii now, so not much to do here). But I don't need to be shoulder to shoulder with people for 53 points per day.

 

[lovin'fl]

You think it would be even worth it to stick around for the new year? We thought it would be a cool way to celebrate (fireworks are illegal in Hawaii now, so not much to do here). But I don't need to be shoulder to shoulder with people for 53 points per day.

It will be shoulder to shoulder crazy. They will have fireworks over Xmas too, which will be crowded but not as bad as NYE (I wouldn't think). I wouldn't mind being there for NYE but we were there 12/20-12/26 of 2011 and it was really do-able until the evening of 12/24 and 12/25 was unbearable in the parks and from what I've heard it's that way through 1/1. Here is a crowd calender I found for next year.
http://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/disney-world-crowd-calendars-2013.html

My family, and all my inlaws, were tossing around the idea of going again this Xmas (and we also want to stay at AKV). We'd go 12/20-25 this year and not waste the high number of points on the overcrowded days from 12/25-1/1. I thought we'd have a nice breakfast on Xmas morning and then fly home.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Wow! Thanks for the link -- great info there. I can see the craziness of post-Christmas/pre-NYE. We will probably leave on the 26th and go somewhere else.

Thanks again, everyone!