AKV or SSR resale...5 kids

[kniquy]

That's funny! Prior to living in PA, I only lived in FL since moving to the USA and didn't even realize there are no palm trees at SSR LOL
Now I feel like I want to stay there again just to check it out!

I think it took me a day or two to realize what felt wrong with the resort (for me personally). I love palm trees and seeing them just brings a calm over me, so without them i feel like i have just traveled a couple hours over the border to NY

 

[ToddyLu]

I think I can throw a different light on DVC for people reading this thread that do not have children. DH and I chose AKV sight unseen for its amenities but not before we chose it for the vibe. We just wanted to be there. We loved the exotic animal aspect of it. Fast forward to first visit some months later and now 10 years almost into ownership. The first visit was just fantastic--it looked like the internet said it would. Then we discovered we loved the contained hotel feel, dark décor, gentle background drumming. It is like a vacation inside a vacation. Traveling just the two of us we no longer do commando and "have to visit" parks. I love the pools and DH loves an expensive wine he can get from Jiko and drink in the room. We ninja strike a park for our Fastpasses and then head back to relax. I have posted before that if DH and I had children, their idea of fun would not have been as important as our idea of relaxation. We both work fulltime with DH retiring in two weeks. We live 10 hours away but it is drivable. I would purchase where DH and I wanted to and not because little Johnny loved animals at age 5. That sounds horrible but that is where I come from not having children. I would purchase an expense like DVC and make darn sure it was wear I could see myself in 10 years. Even without kids our trips have totally changed the way we "do Disney". I am wondering if we will head down more for long weekends going forward since I will be the only one having to ask for PTO time. When friends ask, " what do you do now that you go once or twice a year for at least 7 nights?" I answer, "watch Nat Geo ". They think that is horrible and I am like yeah, while I am watching it a giraffe outside the window.

Do not underestimate the power of the resort location, vibe, décor and amenities. I was all for purchasing SSR because I wanted it and it was cheaper. DH said absolutely not because I have always wanted to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I was so excited and that is where we purchased. Just driving by SSR makes me feel overwhelmed because of its size and scope. It is beautiful however and I would love to stay there sometime. We stayed at BLT for one night and DH breathed and audible sigh of relief when we pulled up to Jambo the next morning. It is so expensive to do these trips and DVC sucks you into to it on a regular basis. We are hooked and I hope that for you and your hubby...knowing the children won't care where they stay and are happy just to be going.