AKV in october?

[figment fan21]

I recently booked a vacation for my boyfriend and I for October 12th thru the 17th. We will be staying at the AKV. It is our first time at AKV. Last year we stayed at ASSp and we wanted to stay somewhere alittle nicer this year. From everything I've read AKV sounds like the place for us. We rented points from a DVC member for a value studio.
Can anyone tell me about the resort, the weather/crowds this time of year, what things we as 22 year olds should check out while there, and if there are any special request we as value Accommodations should make when checking in? If anyone would like to share some pictures that would be cool too!

Thanks a bunch!


Me DBF

 

[danielle782001]

I recently booked a vacation for my boyfriend and I for October 12th thru the 17th. We will be staying at the AKV. It is our first time at AKV. Last year we stayed at ASSp and we wanted to stay somewhere alittle nicer this year. From everything I've read AKV sounds like the place for us. We rented points from a DVC member for a value studio.
Can anyone tell me about the resort, the weather/crowds this time of year, what things we as 22 year olds should check out while there, and if there are any special request we as value Accommodations should make when checking in? If anyone would like to share some pictures that would be cool too!

Thanks a bunch!


Me DBF

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom on our honeymoon. We enjoyed it then but we enjoyed it more this past week with our little ones. We were more excited about the animals this time. The place is very beautiful. You will really like it. One down side is that it is far from most parks. Plan on travel time when thinking about where you are going. It is very close to the Animal Kingdom Park (clearly) but is far from every thing else.

We love the weather in October.... Not much rain. mid-80s each day. The crowds are light for the most part. Dining is still popular and you must make reservations early. We found out the hard way when I tried to add one person two months before and was shut out of most of what we wanted.

Epcot does get a bit crowded around the countries because of the Food & Wine Festival. You two may really enjoy that. There are tons are foods, wines, and beers to taste. Something much better enjoyed without kids. Try to stay away on the weekend if you can because it gets really crowded on the weekends. Mexico is a romantic place to eat. Make sure you stay for Illuminations. It is fantactic.

If you are going to the MK, make sure you don't pick a night with the Halloween party (unless you are planning to attend) because you will have to leave the park by seven. A good tip in general, is to check all park times and events before choosing where you will be spending your time.

At your hotel: Make advanced dining reservations for Jiko. Nice and romantic atmosphere.There is also a bar area you may like.

I think value accommadtions does include pool view. So I would ask for a pool view when you check-in. The Mara is a great place to grab a quick bite. Walk around the hotel inside and out to see different animals and different times of day. What you see will vary greatly.

You guys should also make your way over to the Boardwalk (if you won't have a car, just take a bus to Epcot and to make your way over to the Boardwalk). They have a fun bar called Jelly Rolls and lots of other great things to do at night.

Have fun!

 

[figment fan21]

Thanks!!! We actually went to the BW on our last trip and i think we spent some time there almost everyday lol.
We missed out on Illuminations last year so i am making it a priority this time.
I hope the value accomedations include pool view I hope I don't get stuck with a parking lot view. not that its a big deal for the amount of time that we will actually be spending in the room.
Thanks again for the info! =)

 

[danielle782001]

Oh I forgot.... plan time to spend at the pool. It is very nice.

 

[tinknsnow]

We were at WDW last Oct 10-17... and it was HOT (90s)! It was "unseasonable" weather but be prepared for that, just in case. It was clear every day but one and we had a light drizzle for a few minutes.

It was quite crowded all week (but we are used to January crowds so it was kind of a shock).

Don't forget to attend the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (you will need separate tix). I would recommend a week night for that so it's a less crowded. It is lots of fun!

 

[figment fan21]

thanks that helps!

I have another question... does it cost extrat for the F&W festival? I've never been there for it?

 

[figment fan21]

sorry remembered one more question... i know that AKV is kind of far from all parks except for AK but how are the buses overall? when we stayed at OKW there were alot of stops throughout the resort... does that go for AKV too?

 

[danielle782001]

thanks that helps!

I have another question... does it cost extrat for the F&W festival? I've never been there for it?

Festival is included in park admission BUT

Yes, the food, wine & beer is extra... But very reasonable. They give you small, snack portions. Most foods are between $4 and $8. They were covered on the snack plan last year but I have read that it is not this year (I would check if you will be on the plan). Check out the menus from last year under the events portion of this website. You can see how much the average foods cost.

I would recommend you put money aside for this because you can quickly spend a lot of money. Put aside a bunch of small bills to pay. Also, try one of something before buying another. In some cases the food does not taste as you may have hoped. I found that out the with Lobest Roll . DH loved the beer tasting in America (some was free near Sam Adams and some we had to pay).

I don't know the answer to your question about the buses from AK because we rented a car both times we stayed. We had a few bad experiences with our kids on the buses and decided to go for the extra money. It was worth it!

 

[spiceycat]

sorry remembered one more question... i know that AKV is kind of far from all parks except for AK but how are the buses overall? when we stayed at OKW there were alot of stops throughout the resort... does that go for AKV too?

the only bus problem I had was AK.

the others were fine. It has no other stops - but remember it is far to the MK.

the value studios are strange - they can be anything - parking lot, swimming pool or even savannah view.

you won't know until you get in your room.

love the flat screen tv's~

despite what the front desk will tell you - there are laundry mats - they are generally near the lobby steps. So go look for one.

the DVC laundry mats are free - so you will need to bring your key. You just need to take your detergent and fabric softernor