AKV availabilty after it's completely built?

[El&Asmom]

We are having a very hard time deciding right now where we want to buy. We are in our early 30s, so SSR and AKV seem to make the most sense.

We have stayed at AKL in the past and LOVED it. The reason we didn't look into DVC in the past was because we really love AKL, and didn't want to sacrifice staying there if we bought into DVC.

So our choice would seem obvious. Not so much. We would like to start out with a 100-120pt resale contract to save money and pay cash. For SSR we'd be looking at the $10-11000 range for that size contract resale.
If we bought AVK, we'd have to buy the minimum 160, or wait for a resale which will likely take a while. (Although we have time since we are going in Sept, and don't plan to use DVC points until late 2008 or 2009).

With dues and initial buy in costs, SSR seems to make better financial sense. My worry is that we will want to stay in the new 5 person 1bd at AKV, and they will always be sold out.
Anyone have any opinions on what the availabilty of AKV will be when it's all built. I can't find any rough numbers on the number of rooms that will be available. I thought I remember someone saying that it will be bigger than SSR.

What are peoples predictions.
Will it become the next SSR/OKW as far as availability goes? Or do you think it will remain a hard reservation?
I would feel better buying at SSR if I felt that at least every few years, we'd be able to get into AKV.


Thanks for any opinions.

 

[DVC Grammy]

IIRC, the total number of villas is about 450, + or - a few. That's the combined amount of those in Jambo and the new Kidani Village.
AKV is larger than BWV, but (also IIRC) smaller than OKW. Once Kidani is finished, the 7-month window should be enough, as long as you're not needing peak season or specific views. Savanna and concierge will probably be the most popular, but if you're okay with "whatever", it should be doable.

 

[CarolMN]

I pretty much agree with Grammy - IMHO, you will need the home resort booking advantage to reserve the conceirge rooms and the value rooms, and probably for peak DVC seasons (which are not necessarily the same as peak park seasons).

If you will be unhappy if you cannot stay at the AKV when you want to, the savings to buy into SSR will probably not be worth it to you. You'll just end up frustrated.

You might consider getting a smaller SSR resale and then adding AKV points through Disney. Once you are a member, you could buy as few as 25 AKV points (50 if you want Disney financing).

Based on what you posted, my advice would be to wait and buy AKV later - it will take severla years to sell out. In the meantime, build up your savings so that you won't have to finance as much of the purchase. If you start saving what you think you will have to pay in dues and for loan repayment, it will give you a good idea if this will really fit into your budget.

Good luck!

 

[Dean]

My prediction as I've stated before is that value rooms and concierge will require the 11 month window. After that certain times of the year like Midsummer, Dec including xmas and Easter will be very difficult. One happy with standard view will likely be OK or be successful on the wait list. Savannah view otherwise will likely be hit or miss. Given the situation I think you'd be happier with AKV. I doubt it'll take long for resale contracts to go up, I wouldn't be surprised if some have already. SSR was easily up for sale before it opened for mostly 120 pt contracts if I recall correctly.

 

[Granny]

I agree with what everyone has said, but I'll add one other thing.

We don't know for sure, but my guess is that the 5 person 1BR will be a very hot commodity for those members who have a family of 5 (not an uncommon size) but prefer not to stay in a 2BR. Same goes for families of 4 who want more space.

The extra bathroom is the big kicker in that deal...I can tell you that we would have probably stayed with a 1BR longer with my family of 4 had it had 2 bathrooms.


I think the 5 person 1BR might be a tough reservation at the 7 month window for popular times of the DVC calendar. Just a guess.

 

[tjkraz]

I think the 5 person 1BR might be a tough reservation at the 7 month window for popular times of the DVC calendar. Just a guess.

Current line of thinking is that Studios book first followed by Two Bedroom and finally One Bedroom villas.

Personally I think the change in the 1Bs will just flatten things out more. Some of the 2B people will drop down to a 1Bs. Oh, and the people cramming 5 into a Studio will have another option, too.

 

[Dean]

Current line of thinking is that Studios book first followed by Two Bedroom and finally One Bedroom villas.

Personally I think the change in the 1Bs will just flatten things out more. Some of the 2B people will drop down to a 1Bs. Oh, and the people cramming 5 into a Studio will have another option, too.

Some have postulated that the 1 BR will be the hot room size for AKV, including a few I know that work for DVC. We shall see.

 

[El&Asmom]

Thanks for the replies. The more I think about it, the more I think that waiting for a AKV resale will be better for us. I also like the idea of buying a small resale at SSR, and then buying more points at AKV. I'm just not sure I want to have to deal with managing 2 different contracts. Although many people seem to do it without issues.

Half of the problem is waiting. We want to visit all of the resorts in Sept, and then decide. I keep seeing all of these great resales that we have to pass on.

Thanks for any opinions. My fear too would be that the 5 person 1bds will go quick since they fit 5 for less points than a 2 bd.

 

[hellerjw]

I have a fealing some small AKV contracts will start showing up in resale very soon, probably right after the June "everyone can book now" date. There will probably be some who added on a small AKV contract who get frustrated not being able to book right away and decide to dump it. There will also be some looking to get out from under the additional maintenance fees. Given the pace they are selling new contracts at these days it shouldn't be too long before a few start showing up in the resell market.

I still think there will be some larger AKV contracts going resale (people buying in and then changing their minds, financial crisis, etc) but since the minimum buy in is 160pts for new DVCers I don't think those "we bought yesterday and are selling today" type contracts will be competitively priced vs going through Disney.