AKV or SSR

[pinnocchiosdad]

I want to take advantage of the current inncentive which expires 2/18/2008 but I can not decide between AKV and SSR. Any suggestions? We have 3 boys 10, 12, 17.

 

[disneynutz]

I want to take advantage of the current inncentive which expires 2/18/2008 but I can not decide between AKV and SSR. Any suggestions? We have 3 boys 10, 12, 17.

Which do you like more, animals or Downtown Disney?

 

[Mtnman44]

I bought SSR early last year, during a promo they were doing. However, if I were buying today, I think I'd go with AKV. Why? One main reason:
-The 11 month home resort window is much more useful at AKV. There are popular booking categories where a home resort booking advantage is likely to come in handy.
-There are no similar limited quantity, High-demand booking categories at SSR. Also, SSR is the largest resort with the most rooms and the easiest to find availbilty at after 7 months.

There is good reason to assume that dues will be higher at AKV vs. SSR. And it is true that when deciding to purchase, one should understand that over the life of a contract the dues will far outpace the initial purchase price. However, when the decision is not IF to buy DVC but rather WHICH DVC to buy, the dues question becomes much less important IMHO as the DIFFERENCES between the wdw resorts are not large enough to base purchase choices on (IMHO of course).

Actually, If I were buying today, I'd likely choose OKV over either of these choices, but that's just me.

 

[kikiq]

I want to take advantage of the current inncentive which expires 2/18/2008 but I can not decide between AKV and SSR. Any suggestions? We have 3 boys 10, 12, 17.

We were in the same place this summer and it came down to where our family could vacation if they didn't do the parks. My family is very active, marathon runners, serious walkers, tennis/golf, and throw in my db family that loves to ride bikes. So since this purchase was not only for our immediate family but our extended family with younger children, we picked SSR. As for the 11 month home resort window, we wanted to be able to reserve a SSR GV once in awhile more than being able to reserve a AKV concierage room. Our DDs are older and want to be close to DTD to do movies, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island and shopping.

Our neighbors bought SSR because of the golf and activities (they have grown kids now) but added on a smaller AKV contract so once in the while they could wake up with the animals.

 

[sajetto]

Everything Mtnmann said is exactly how I feel, even including the part about OKW. That's where I would have bought orginally if I knew then what I know now.

 

[DVC Mike]

I want to take advantage of the current inncentive which expires 2/18/2008 but I can not decide between AKV and SSR. Any suggestions? We have 3 boys 10, 12, 17.

Buy where you want to stay. If you're into SSR, buy there. If not, and you're into AKV, buy there.

AKV Considerations

• Concierge Rooms (the only DVC with them) and point-saving Value accommodations will go quick. Thus, the 11-month home resort booking window will be more advantageous at AKV than SSR. These types of rooms will go quick and probably necessitate calling at 11 months.
• The 1 BR can sleep 5 versus 4 at SSR. Also, the rooms at the new Kidani Village will have an extra bathroom compared to SSR.
• Great exotic theme (African game reserve) with unique decor
• The Savannah with the views of the animals (20+ species)
• Samawati Springs Pool - 4,700-sq-ft with slide and 2 whirlpool spas (Kidani), plus themed Uzima pool at AKL
• Excellent onsite restaurants: Jiko and Boma, plus new Sanaa TS
• Lease is 3 years more than SSR (2057 vs. 2054)
• Attached to a deluxe resort hotel (AKL) – room service & valet parking
• Some GV have pool tables

SSR Considerations

• Lower maintenance fees!
• Direct access to DTD (for restaurants and nightlife)
• Onsite Spa
• Completed (unlike AKV, which is under construction)
• Apartment-style setup; standalone, not attached to any hotel
• Elegant and sophisticated décor (understated, subdued theme)
• Golf course on property
• Large, very spread out resort (the largest DVC resort)
• Long distance from some rooms to dining and services
• Themed pool - rock formations/springs/water slide
• Limited onsite dining (Artists Palette and The Turf Club)
• Has convenient self parking
• No room service or valet parking; Outdoor hallways

 

[TenThousandVolts]

The 11 month home resort window is much more useful at AKV. There are popular booking categories where a home resort booking advantage is likely to come in handy.
-There are no similar limited quantity, High-demand booking categories at SSR. Also, SSR is the largest resort with the most rooms and the easiest to find availbilty at after 7 months.

100% agree- there is no home resort advantage to SSR.

DVCMike laid out a great list of contrasting pros- they are both great. Good l.uck and have fun deciding!

 

[cincinmouse]

There is good reason to assume that dues will be higher at AKV vs. SSR. And it is true that when deciding to purchase, one should understand that over the life of a contract the dues will far outpace the initial purchase price.

This is the reason I went with SSR over AKV. With the new building, new pool, and new animal area and all of these expenses will be taking care of with the MF correct. I know disney are experts in projecting cost but I was wondering with any of the previous DVC resorts did any of the MF take a jump a year or two after the resort was compleated? I know VB did but from my understanding that was due to a resort scale back. I guess has disney set the MF for AKV at the right amount so that when everything is finished and they get a year or two cost under their belt the dues won't take a jump.
Am I making any sense?

 

[SSRJen]

You really have to go with what you want. For us, it was easy, as SSR really captured our hearts. We also do not care much for the Savannah views...etc available at AKV since we have access to that at home on a regular basis. The only thing we really love at AKL are the restaurants, but those are a quick drive away. We much rather have the walking access to Downtown Disney.

Again, do what you want and go with the resort you want to stay at the most often!

 

[SanDeeKath]

Yes, you should buy where you want to go BUT also don't forget the resale value in case you want out. AKV has practically no resales (yet) and it demands more $/point. That might change in a few years but I think it will still do better than SSR. It's a very UNIQUE concept in any hotel/TS system. Having the giraffes in your back yard can't be matched by anyone. So I think it will remain popular in the years to come. And it does have some higher demand options (Savannah view vs parking lot view) that would make it key to have at 11 months (vs SSR).

So we bought AKV just for that reason. And we used our 11 month advantage to book a New Year stay for 08 without any problems. I am thrilled about that.

K

 

[ldo]

with kids your ages, consider that they can walk or boat over to DTD from SSR. Some feel that AKV is too isolated. I recall reading that a walker/runner commented that there were no good walking/running places at AKV.
SSR also has a very large and good Community HAll (games, activities, etc.).
We prefer AKV for the atmosphere, but my kids (6,6, 10) absolutely loved SSR last summer--they loved the pool, the movies at GS pool, and the Community HAll.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We were in the same place this summer and it came down to where our family could vacation if they didn't do the parks. My family is very active, marathon runners, serious walkers, tennis/golf, and throw in my db family that loves to ride bikes. So since this purchase was not only for our immediate family but our extended family with younger children, we picked SSR. As for the 11 month home resort window, we wanted to be able to reserve a SSR GV once in awhile more than being able to reserve a AKV concierage room. Our DDs are older and want to be close to DTD to do movies, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island and shopping.

Our neighbors bought SSR because of the golf and activities (they have grown kids now) but added on a smaller AKV contract so once in the while they could wake up with the animals.

I agree with most of your choices being why I would recommend SSR over AKV.

 

[Jimdvc]

I would suggest AK.

I think that time will show that SSR will be the resort in least in demand. In other words IMO you will have less problems using your AK points inside of 7 mths getting a room at SSR, then you will using SSR points to stay at AK.

Anytime I call in the last year or so, the resort with the most opening inside of
7mths has always been SSR. It seems like it always the last to fill up.

I think you will find that if you own at AK you will almost always be able to get a room at SSR if you call further in advance then 6 mths. I don't think the same will be true with AK.

There is a reason that AK re-sales cost more, and that incentives to buy SSR from DVC direct are higher.

 

[5 for WDW]

Anytime I call in the last year or so, the resort with the most opening inside of
7mths has always been SSR. It seems like it always the last to fill up.

I would have thought this too, until I booked my three day mini trip this past December one month out.

I tried to get SSR, my home resort and there was no availability. The only DVC resort I was able to get was BWV, preferred view.

 

[DVCKennyD]

With the ages of your boys, I think SSR would be the wiser of the two choices... Really a "no brainer" IMHO. The easy access to Downtown Disney will have major appeal to a seventeen yo and his buddies... As the Father of three boys myself, I can almost hear them now... "Yeah Dad, that Giraffe is pretty cool... Can I leave(For Downtown Disney) now!!??"


Ken

 

[SanDeeKath]

One more thing -- you can even trade into SSR through II with just about any reasonable timeshare right now. My friend's Sheraton Desert Oasis pulls SSR routinely. He paid less than $3000 for the timeshare 3 years ago! Not much point in paying $15,000 to Disney for the same thing.

AKV (and Beach Club for that matter) never comes up on II.

I'd buy at AKV and then use it for SSR or the other great resorts (BWV, BCV, etc) when you feel like it.

K

 

[mikeandkarla]

Assuming there will be 5 of you counting your 3 sons, I would definitely choose AKV because they sleep 5 in a 1BR and when Kidani Village is open, the 1BR will have 2 bathrooms! The points you will save each year reserving a 1BR instead of a 2BR will add up fast. Also the availability of the value rooms at 11 mos. will save you even more points. You will likely never see a 1 or 2BR value at 7 mos. I own the majority of my points at SSR and love that resort, but like pp, if I did it over, I may choose AKV for the majority of my points.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Point taken very well!

 

[Jimdvc]

One more thing -- you can even trade into SSR through II with just about any reasonable timeshare right now. My friend's Sheraton Desert Oasis pulls SSR routinely. He paid less than $3000 for the timeshare 3 years ago! Not much point in paying $15,000 to Disney for the same thing.

AKV (and Beach Club for that matter) never comes up on II.

I'd buy at AKV and then use it for SSR or the other great resorts (BWV, BCV, etc) when you feel like it.

K

Dean if you happen to read this thread, does the above sound correct. If so, then it is worse then I thought.

 

[wildernessDad]

Frankly, I'd buy where you PERSONALLY want to stay. Don't worry about the kids. They will show up and love it no matter where you buy. Well, maybe they won't, but they will move on to college and their lives. If you buy where they want, then you will be stuck with it when they leave the nest. It's your money. You make the decision.