AKV over Christmas - is transportation a nightmare?

[LauraLap]

We're thinking of doing Christmas 2013 at Disney for two weeks. In order to have enough points we'd have to book a value AKV studio (we are AKV owners).

We've never been during such a busy time....I'm wondering if it's a huge pain in the butt to get from AKV to MK for 7am EMH's and to get out after fireworks, etc.

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts to share?

 

[dvcterry]

We've never been during such a busy time....I'm wondering if it's a huge pain in the butt to get from AKV to MK for 7am EMH's and to get out after fireworks, etc.

It's busy, the crowd levels are high. Waiting for the bus after Wishes was a story in itself. I went ahead with the little kiddos. Husband and older son stayed behind till crowds fizzled out. They got to the room the same time as us. A lot of people. That's all I can say.

 

[jade1]

We prefer to be walking within at least one park. BLT for MK and/or BCV/BWV for EPCOT/DHS.

Can leave our room at BLT 10 minutes b4 rope drop at MK (instead of about an hour at AKL etc). Can walk back for a break with FP's for later. Also after Wishes its 10 minutes to bed instead of an hour plus.

Same goes for EPCOT/DHS from BCV/BWV.

That said-if reserving AKL at 11 months is your only choice-then waitlist for BCV/BWV/BLT at 7 months.

Unless you can find an owner to swap points with ahead of time.

XMAS week is great though if you can make it work out for you, AKL or otherwise-good luck.

 

[starbox]

We stayed at Kidani 12/25-1/3 last year. Bus transportation was not a problem. Parks were INSANELY CROWDED and the bus had to take an alternate (back entrance) route to get to MK on NYE because the road was gridlocked - but the bus transportation was not an issue.

 

[drusba]

AKV busses do a decent job. We have been there that time of year where they even called extra busses from Mears at park emptying time after fireworks to handle huge crowds waiting for busses. Nevertheless, post fireworks does create the risk of getting a long bus wait because so many are heading for the busses at the time. One thing to ask yourself at MK if staying for fireworks is why leave right after they are over. Park will still be open for quite some time after fireworks Christmas week and thus consider holding back and doing something else for a while.

Morning for EMH is not bad at all although you can possibly get a standing room bus when picked up at Jambo, the second stop when going to a park but that is not a high risk. Check schedules closely when there. EMH may actually become non-existent as they may go to just opening parks early to everyone every day.

 

[DizDays]

A full resort is a full resort. Christmas is really no worse than any other peak time. I've had no difficulty, but we usually do what a PP suggested... hang around afterward until the crowd clears out somewhat. What I appreciate after all the crowds is the serene peacefulness of Kidani. It's a nice and welcome contrast.

 

[twopeasonepod]

We, too, are planning to be at AKV for Christmas next year!

We are new, so sorry if this seems like a stupid question....but which resorts are connected to the monorail? I can't remember from when we were there in 2009/2010 (and stayed in a townhouse off-site). AKV is by bus only?

What are the chances that we will be able to book at BLT (or BCV/BWV) at 7 months out for 12/16-26? I freak out thinking there will be no availability!

 

[LauraLap]

We, too, are planning to be at AKV for Christmas next year!

We are new, so sorry if this seems like a stupid question....but which resorts are connected to the monorail? I can't remember from when we were there in 2009/2010 (and stayed in a townhouse off-site). AKV is by bus only?

What are the chances that we will be able to book at BLT (or BCV/BWV) at 7 months out for 12/16-26? I freak out thinking there will be no availability!

AKV is bus only. The only DVC resort connected to monorail is BLT, but the Poly and Grand Floridian is connected as well. BCV/BWV are both in walking distance to Epcot.

We ADORE AKV, the kids love it sooooo much and there is just this great ambiance and warm snuggly feeling about it. I can just imagine that it would feel awesome to be there at Christmas....I just think (as others mention above) that transportation may be an issue.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are also in the planning stages for Christmas 2013 at AKV. We are going to try for GV for the 4 of us, but our AKV contract is small, so we will book one night at the 11 month window and the rest of the nights at an OKW GV. Then at 7 months we'll try to add on to our one night AKV GV. If that doesn't work, we'll try for a 2 bedroom savanna view. Our adult son has never stayed at AKV, and since this is our Christmas celebration, we want to do it up the best way we can. I figure if we are at AKV, we wont care if the parks are crowded, because there is so much to do at the resort. And if we get the GV that we hope for, it will be even more to do at the resort!

 

[twopeasonepod]

AKV is bus only. The only DVC resort connected to monorail is BLT, but the Poly and Grand Floridian is connected as well. BCV/BWV are both in walking distance to Epcot.

We ADORE AKV, the kids love it sooooo much and there is just this great ambiance and warm snuggly feeling about it. I can just imagine that it would feel awesome to be there at Christmas....I just think (as others mention above) that transportation may be an issue.

Thanks. I remembered BLT, but now remember that no other DVC was connected as you mentioned.

We actually are kinda "forced" to use our points at Christmas (had banked this year for next year to use at Tokyo Disneyland in June, but we are doing transatlantic to Barcelona on DCL instead and going to TDL in 2014). We have never spent Christmas at any Disney resort so we are excited even if it is ridiculously crowded in the parks. AKV has such an incredible reputation. We plan to get a 2BR Savanna view as well.

I figure if we are at AKV, we wont care if the parks are crowded, because there is so much to do at the resort. And if we get the GV that we hope for, it will be even more to do at the resort!

Even though we haven't stayed there yet, we hope we agree!

 

[islandtimect]

We stayed at Kidani Village Dec 2010 and while the parks were mobbed, i don't recall having a problem getting a bus in the am. It was extremely cold that year, so many folks weren't leaving for the parks til after 9 or 10am. I agree with the other poster that I wouldnt plan to leave MK right after Wishes because you'll probably wait a while to get on a bus. The parks are open late, so take advantage of it!