AKV - My review in a nutshell

[xipetotec]

So we just got back from our 10 day trip. Stayed three of those days at the AKV. Our home resort is BCV which is where we stayed the rest of the time.

In a nutshell. AKL/AKV is a beautifully designed resort. The theming is fun. The animals are cool. The rooms are beautiful and the restaurants... well what can I say... they are frikkin awesome.

That being said, the same thing that I think has plagued it until now still does. It's out of the way. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the Beach Club, but I like being able to stroll out and go to Jellyrolls and/or Big river Grille for a drink in the evening or walk to Epcot or Hollywood studios. But really, it's extremely far from everything and requires bussing for *everything*... imho, that's the only thing it's got against it though, and if you're there with a car, I'd say it's a moot point.

 

[DVCLiz]

So we just got back from our 10 day trip. Stayed three of those days at the AKV. Our home resort is BCV which is where we stayed the rest of the time.

In a nutshell. AKL/AKV is a beautifully designed resort. The theming is fun. The animals are cool. The rooms are beautiful and the restaurants... well what can I say... they are frikkin awesome.

That being said, the same thing that I think has plagued it until now still does. It's out of the way. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the Beach Club, but I like being able to stroll out and go to Jellyrolls and/or Big river Grille for a drink in the evening or walk to Epcot or Hollywood studios. But really, it's extremely far from everything and requires bussing for *everything*... imho, that's the only thing it's got against it though, and if you're there with a car, I'd say it's a moot point.

Yes, I'm always glad I have a car when I stay at AKL, but it is really such a wonderful place!!!!! I can't wait to stay there again...

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've invited some friends for a Spring Break trip for next year, and the only friend who commented on the choices that I gave them was the one about AKV. She said that she had stayed at AKL with her DGC and she loved it but felt it was out of the way. Lots of people feel as you do. I see the point, but it's not an issue for me, because the animals make it all worth while for me.

I do agree that BCV has a wonderful location, and I enjoy staying there too. Was the weather nice enough for you to enjoy swimming?

At any rate, we own at both, and feel very blessed!

Bobbi

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanks for the review! I agree with everything you said, except...
I respectfully disagree that's it's "extremely far from everything".
We always rent a car, and it's a matter of an extra 2 or 3 minutes drive to certain parts of WDW. We're just not that impatient while on vacation.
I guess we're in complete agreement afterall, since your last sentence says "and if you're there with a car, I'd say it's a moot point".

Thanks again for the review...

MG

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Thanks for the report we will be there in 6 days

What are the must do's around the resort?
Thanks

 

[jbrowna]

Sometimes I like to be in an out-of-the-way place.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for the report we will be there in 6 days

What are the must do's around the resort?
Thanks

5 fays for me!

I LOVE AKL and know I will love AKV, too.

Must do? Jikos! Every trip we eat at Jikos at least once for dinner. They have wonderful food and my DH's favorite South African wine.

 

[DVC Mike]

So we just got back from our 10 day trip. Stayed three of those days at the AKV. Our home resort is BCV which is where we stayed the rest of the time.

In a nutshell. AKL/AKV is a beautifully designed resort. The theming is fun. The animals are cool. The rooms are beautiful and the restaurants... well what can I say... they are frikkin awesome.

That being said, the same thing that I think has plagued it until now still does. It's out of the way. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the Beach Club, but I like being able to stroll out and go to Jellyrolls and/or Big river Grille for a drink in the evening or walk to Epcot or Hollywood studios. But really, it's extremely far from everything and requires bussing for *everything*... imho, that's the only thing it's got against it though, and if you're there with a car, I'd say it's a moot point.

We just did the reverse (6 nights at AKV followed by 2 nights at BCV). We always have our car and usually drive where we need to, so AKV doesn't feel "far from everything" to us. However, BCV does have a great location that provides a lot of great dining experiences and fun within walking distance.

My wife still prefers AKV over BCV due to the theme and the animals. There aren't too many hotels around that you can go out your balcony and gaze at giraffes and zebras.

 

[TDC Nala]

Even without a car, a friend once timed the bus ride back from PI at night...18 minutes. That isn't too bad.

Do the culinary tour at 4 pm.

 

[AKV707]

The "remote" feel of the resort is one of the pluses for DW and I. We never have a car. But we don't mind the buses. I read somewhere on here once that the bus times to and from AKV are not that different than the other DVC resorts.

I also agree that Jiko is a must do.

 

[ADP]

The remoteness is part of the theming. I mean, really, how would an African savanna feel next to EPCOT or DHS. In this case you have to take the good with the bad.

Oh! And by the way, AKL/AKV is right next to one of Disney's 4 theme parks. I know a lot of people forget about Animal Kingdom but its only a 4 minute bus ride from resort to theme park. I predict someday that area of Disney World will be developed with more than just AK and AKL/AKV. Stay tuned!

 

[lmb]

We just came back from a visit to AKL and I went there thinking we would be so far from everything but actually since all the buses were direct to the parks it seemed like we got where we wanted to go faster than BWV where we usually stay. I loved it and my 3 year old did also. We can't wait to go back in May.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for the review! I agree with everything you said, except...
I respectfully disagree that's it's "extremely far from everything".
We always rent a car, and it's a matter of an extra 2 or 3 minutes drive to certain parts of WDW. We're just not that impatient while on vacation.
I guess we're in complete agreement afterall, since your last sentence says "and if you're there with a car, I'd say it's a moot point".

Thanks again for the review...

MG

I totally agree. We were there all last week, and the only thing that seemed remote to get to was DTD.

 

[AKV707]

The remoteness is part of the theming. I mean, really, how would an African savanna feel next to EPCOT or DHS. In this case you have to take the good with the bad.

Oh! And by the way, AKL/AKV is right next to one of Disney's 4 theme parks. I know a lot of people forget about Animal Kingdom but its only a 4 minute bus ride from resort to theme park. I predict someday that area of Disney World will be developed with more than just AK and AKL/AKV. Stay tuned!

I agree. The remoteness is part of the theming. Anf why does everyone forget about the 4 minute ride to AK?

I also agree that more is likely to come in that area.

 

[ranthony]

We're new owners and were somewhat concerned about the remoteness but also love animals and AK is our favorite park (MK is up there too because the the little ones).

I think I read somewhere on the DIS that a walking path is not really an option because it is too far from AK. Is that truly the reason? Or, is it possible that AKV may some day have a path to AK?

To the OP--thanks for the report. Even without a car, I'd think the direct busses make the trip to and from the parks mostly "painless".