AKV dues question...cover animals?

[MichelleB]

I have made an assumption that may be incorrect (we don't own at AKV yet)...do the dues cover the animals in any way or just the lodging, maintenance, utilities, etc. as at the other DVC resorts?

 

[CarolAnnC]

The animals are a resort amenity and therefore will be subject to coverage under MF's. Another example is the BWV utilizes the boat transportation to the resorts/parks and therefore is built into the MF's there as well.

 

[AKV707]

The cost of animal care will also be shared with AKL. The savannas are pretty much shared.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Actually there are plans to completely outfit a new savannah with animals etc just for the new DVC being built. So this will be a shared expense of course, but a good portion will exist for DVC to support.

 

[hellerjw]

It is my understanding that the care of the animals is paid for by the same Disney wildlife conservation program funds used for the care of AK park animals. I could see costs for developing the savannas used at Jambo and Kidani, but didn't think the animal care would be a significant part of DVC dues.

 

[AKV707]

It is my understanding that the care of the animals is paid for by the same Disney wildlife conservation program funds used for the care of AK park animals. .

Thanks for that info, I didn't realize that but it makes sense. I am new here, how do you get the image of your home resort in your signature?

 

[MichelleB]

Anybody know for sure?

 

[CarolAnnC]

I spoke to some DVC reps very recently and was told the animal maintenance and care would be a line item in the DVC budget. I have not seen it in writing, but I would think anyone having recently purchased AKV points would have this in writing themselves. Anyone?

 

[kikiq]

I spoke to some DVC reps very recently and was told the animal maintenance and care would be a line item in the DVC budget. I have not seen it in writing, but I would think anyone having recently purchased AKV points would have this in writing themselves. Anyone?

We currently are trying to decide between SSR and AKV. Dues for SSR are currently $4.12 and $4.62 for AKV looking at the worksheets we received. I asked why AKV was higher and the guide said because of the animals. $.50 more a point at AKV for the animals. That is what we were told. There's nothing on the worksheet that explains the extra cost, but it would make sense that your dues cover the cost of the animals/savannahs.

My question is with increasing cost of animal care, will the dues go up higher and faster at AKV than the rest of the DVC. We will be spending time while we are at wdw this next week, walking around each resort and trying to decide where we want to call home.

 

[DVCLiz]

We currently are trying to decide between SSR and AKV. Dues for SSR are currently $4.12 and $4.62 for AKV looking at the worksheets we received. I asked why AKV was higher and the guide said because of the animals. $.50 more a point at AKV for the animals. That is what we were told. There's nothing on the worksheet that explains the extra cost, but it would make sense that your dues cover the cost of the animals/savannahs.

My question is with increasing cost of animal care, will the dues go up higher and faster at AKV than the rest of the DVC. We will be spending time while we are at wdw this next week, walking around each resort and trying to decide where we want to call home.

Do you really think the costs of animal care will increase that much over time? I am thinking the savannah will be "fully stocked" from the beginning, so no real cost of acquiring new animals, and feed and vet care will be provided anyway no matter what animals are currently there. Do you see the expenses going up all that much in the future - more so than for any other line item? Just curious...

 

[sjdisneywedding]

We currently are trying to decide between SSR and AKV. Dues for SSR are currently $4.12 and $4.62 for AKV looking at the worksheets we received. I asked why AKV was higher and the guide said because of the animals. $.50 more a point at AKV for the animals. That is what we were told. There's nothing on the worksheet that explains the extra cost, but it would make sense that your dues cover the cost of the animals/savannahs.

My question is with increasing cost of animal care, will the dues go up higher and faster at AKV than the rest of the DVC. We will be spending time while we are at wdw this next week, walking around each resort and trying to decide where we want to call home.

the increasing cost of animal care? havent heard that problem mentioned in the news.

I would think animal care costs would rise just about the same as other costs over time. I would anticipate the MF increases to be in line with the other resorts

 

[jenedpey]

According to the Estimated Operating Budget for Juanuary 1, 2007 Through December 31, 2007 for Animal Kingdom Villas, AnimalPrograms cost $0.0718 per point out of an overall operating expense of $3.0782 per point. This works out to be about 2.33% of the expenses. Things will change as the resort grows, but animal care shouldn't be a significant portion of the dues.

 

[LisaS]

I assume AKL has been experiencing these costs all along and yet the room rates at AKL have not skyrocketed during the years it has been open. During the years I have stayed there, AKL's room rates have been lower than most of the other deluxe resorts.

 

[CarolMN]

I assume AKL has been experiencing these costs all along and yet the room rates at AKL have not skyrocketed during the years it has been open. During the years I have stayed there, AKL's room rates have been lower than most of the other deluxe resorts.

I wouldn't make that assumption for AKV.

Disney has had to discount rooms at the AKL more than at the other deluxe resorts to keep the resort at a reasonable occupancy level. Apparently, Demand for AKL rooms is not as great as for rooms at the other deluxe resorts. That doesn't mean the underlying costs haven't gone up - just that it's been harder for Disney to raise prices / get more revenue due to lower demand. In other words, Disney's profit margin at the AKL is probably less than at the other deluxe resorts.

If the costs of animal upkeep go up, the annual dues (for DVC share of the cost) will go up even if the cash rates to stay at the AKL do not.

The question is - will this portion of the dues go up faster than other portions of the dues, and if so, how much will it impact the overall dues? I think eventually, AKV will have the highest dues of the DVC resorts (even more than VB). JMHO, YMMV.

 

[LisaS]

I wouldn't make that assumption for AKV.

Disney has had to discount rooms at the AKL more than at the other deluxe resorts to keep the resort at a reasonable occupancy level. Apparently, Demand for AKL rooms is not as great as for rooms at the other deluxe resorts. That doesn't mean the underlying costs haven't gone up - just that it's been harder for Disney to raise prices / get more revenue due to lower demand. In other words, Disney's profit margin at the AKL is probably less than at the other deluxe resorts.

My point is that if AKL does have occupancy problems and if, as some people have suggested, the cost of caring for the animals is a significant expense, then how has Disney justified keeping AKL open at all? I think they would have had to conclude it was a failed experiment and would have turned the resort into something else, something without all those "expensive" animals. The fact that AKL is still in business indicates to me that the cost of caring for the animals is not an overwhelming burden.

If the costs of animal upkeep go up, the annual dues (for DVC share of the cost) will go up even if the cash rates to stay at the AKL do not.

The question is - will this portion of the dues go up faster than other portions of the dues, and if so, how much will it impact the overall dues? I think eventually, AKV will have the highest dues of the DVC resorts (even more than VB). JMHO, YMMV.

I fully expect dues to go up as the costs of caring for the animals goes up but I just don't think it's going to be as high as some people fear. I have many animals myself and yes the cost of veterinary care and food goes up every year, but not out of proportion with my other expenses. So that was the point I was trying to make, that yes, AKV owners will be paying for the animals but I just don't agree with some of the statements that have been made on these boards (not just in this particular thread) that the costs will be huge.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I fully expect dues to go up as the costs of caring for the animals goes up but I just don't think it's going to be as high as some people fear. I have many animals myself and yes the cost of veterinary care and food goes up every year, but not out of proportion with my other expenses. So that was the point I was trying to make, that yes, AKV owners will be paying for the animals but I just don't agree with some of the statements that have been made on these boards (not just in this particular thread) that the costs will be huge.

I completely agree. I have never heard or seen anything that even remotely suggests animal care costs have/will increase any more so than any other costs out there.

Theres no crazy diseases going around down there, no animal food shortage, no vet shortage. What would possibly ever lead anyone to that assumption?

 

[kikiq]

Do you really think the costs of animal care will increase that much over time? I am thinking the savannah will be "fully stocked" from the beginning, so no real cost of acquiring new animals, and feed and vet care will be provided anyway no matter what animals are currently there. Do you see the expenses going up all that much in the future - more so than for any other line item? Just curious...

We are considering the cost of animal care as a line item specific to AKV just as we are considering the vastness of SSR landscaping as a line item, based on our experience with HOA fees and their line items. Do I think animal care will increase significantly, I don't know, but with different feed cost and new technology in vet care (our daughter is an animal science major, so we're probably overthinking this with information she talks about<G>) we felt it had to be discussed when we talked with our DDs about them taking over the MFs when we were gone. And to be honest, it was our animal science DD that brought it up since she just finished a animal nutrition class and is quite intriqued with the AKL operations.

Only 2 more days...

 

[kikiq]

I completely agree. I have never heard or seen anything that even remotely suggests animal care costs have/will increase any more so than any other costs out there.

Theres no crazy diseases going around down there, no animal food shortage, no vet shortage. What would possibly ever lead anyone to that assumption?

No one made that assumption..AKV dues are already $.50 more a point than SSR. And based on statements made by guides/reps, that $.50 is due to cost of animal care. OP asked if the dues covered the animals and I "wondered" how much MF would "increase" because of increased cost of animal care. No assumption, just a question based on a conversation with my DD who is majoring in animal science. There will be increased cost are animal care just as there will be an increase in the cost of maintaining landscaping, dues won't stay at $4.12/$4.62.

And btw there is a vet shortage, only 28 vet schools in the US. My daughter is specializing in small animals but now might specialize in either food nutrition or exotic animals if and when she gets admitted to vet school.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Well I know my one little doggie costs me a fortune in health care! Between grooming, shots, tests, preventive medicines, teeth care, it is a mini fortune. I guess this is why they are pushing animal Health Care Insurance policies now. Even those are expensive, geez.

The anticipated rise in dues to care for animals would not stop me from buying AKV however. It may be a bit more costly down the road, but I would consider it part of the whole savannah experience..you get nothing for nothing. And it certainly will be worth a few more dollars to enjoy those years of trips with the atmosphere that the animals will provide.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Oh and I think I mentioned before that there are plans to fully stock a DVC Savannah for the new construction being built..so there will definitely be more animals added. Can't wait to see it when it is completed!