AKV questions

[EEyorelover22]

I hope someone can help me. I think the more I read, the more confused I become.

If we were to buy AKV now...would we be able to travel in the summer of 08 with DVC points?

If we were to buy now, would be buying only in the current building? I know the new building isn't due to open until 09.

There must be limited room???

Sorry if these questions are lame, but I'm not sure where to find all the info about AKV.
Thanks.

 

[Donald is #1]

I'll see what I can answer.

If we were to buy AKV now...would we be able to travel in the summer of 08 with DVC points?

Yes, I bought in May and I have an August UY. So I will be getting my first points in Aug '07. Even if you have a December UY, you will have your points in time to use next summer.

If we were to buy now, would be buying only in the current building? I know the new building isn't due to open until 09

Yes, if you buy now, your "unit" will be in the AKL building since they can't sell the units in the new building until the building is ready. Basically, your "unit" must be ready by the time that you get your first points. Now, they are treating the AKV as both buildings together. So just because your "unit" is in the AKL building that doesn't mean that you can't stay in the new building when it opens. by the way, although your deed & paperwork records your actual unit, they will book you in any unit. (did this explanation help or just confuse you? )

There must be limited room???

Yes, they can't sell a unit until it is complete. Well actually they can a bit but you can't get your points until your unit is ready. In my case, the unit that I have a share in will be ready in July and I get my points in August.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Thanks for your help. I think I get it. I guess I would want to be able to stay in either building so that might be possible?

Here's a question about the UY...I asked earlier about this. We always go in the summer...what month do you sugguest. It was suggested earlier to have like Feb, March timeframe.

This may not be possible?

You've helped a lot but I'm so confused and I get some questions answered and more come up.

Here's another...with the limited rooms available how difficult would it be to make a reservation for summer of 08. I'd freak if I spent all that cash and couldn't get a reservation DH, DS and DD will NOT stay anywhere else. Spolied I'd say!!

 

[Donald is #1]

I guess I would want to be able to stay in either building so that might be possible?

Yes, you will be able to stay in either building. I have seen some conflicting information as to whether you make a reservation for a certain building or whether you just put in a request.

Here's a question about the UY...I asked earlier about this. We always go in the summer...what month do you sugguest. It was suggested earlier to have like Feb, March timeframe.

This may not be possible?

I am not a use year expert. Can someone else help here?

Here's another...with the limited rooms available how difficult would it be to make a reservation for summer of 08. I'd freak if I spent all that cash and couldn't get a reservation DH, DS and DD will NOT stay anywhere else. Spolied I'd say!!

It seems like people have been able to book rooms at the 7 month mark. But my recommendation would be that if you want to ensure that you can get AKV for summer 08, then I would buy soon and book at the 11 month mark (or as close to it as you can get).

 

[EEyorelover22]

Thanks...buying soon is what I was thinking as the 11 month window is coming up soon.

From what I gather, the UY is important if you have to cancel a trip and bank the points. It sounds like they are already into later in the year so perhaps it wouldn't matter that much to me. I know I can make the reservation before I have the actual points...so maybe that's not a big issue and I could get one for the earlier part of the year.

I just think things through too much most of the time and drive myself crazy in the process.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Donald...another question and if you don't know for sure speculation would be wonderful

Do you know how the bussing will work with the new building?
How do you think the new building will impact the overall bussing at AKL. We think the bus service is outstanding at AKL. We don't drive in the World as DH has troubles around here and we've lived in this very small city for 21 years.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Donald...another question and if you don't know for sure speculation would be wonderful

Do you know how the bussing will work with the new building?
How do you think the new building will impact the overall bussing at AKL. We think the bus service is outstanding at AKL. We don't drive in the World as DH has troubles around here and we've lived in this very small city for 21 years.

As a stand alone resort, I would expect bus service to be very good from AKV/AKL. We stayed at the lodge once before, and thought the bus service was fine. Since DVC does it's own contracting with the buses, I'd expect it to ge just as good as it is from OKW and SSR. Both of those resorts have excellent bus service. The only downside is that some of the buses will stop at the water parks on their way to the theme parks.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Thank you!! We love AKL and the bus service is great except for the DTD loop which DH And DS now drive. DS does the directions

 

[disneynutz]

Because only Jambo is currently available, sales can be limited. I know the March UY is currently sold out so people who want a add on who have a March UY have been put on a wait list.

 

[pilferk]

Yes, you will be able to stay in either building. I have seen some conflicting information as to whether you make a reservation for a certain building or whether you just put in a request.

At time of reservation. Not only was that confirmed with MS, my guide, etc but the reservation we made for Jan '08 is clearly labeled as JAMBO Savannah view as part of the ressie text itself...not just in the requests section.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Once Kidani village is completed, you will be able to specifically book either Jambo or Kidani. They will be specific booking catagories, since they layouts will be different. Also, ALL of the value rooms and concierge club rooms will be in Jambo.

 

[EEyorelover22]

You all have been a great help. I'm suppose to get a call tonight. I'm concerned about the UY that's available since summer months won't work well for us, but we shall see.

Can you explain "value". Is that the view or room size?
I'm really very clueless on many items.
Thanks.

 

[kimberh]

I used the 11 month window for May 08... received all 5 days. Don't wait, once you receive your Member ID to make the reservation. I received exactly what I wanted.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Good to know. Thank you
I'm not sure how fast things will go for us.

 

[pilferk]

You all have been a great help. I'm suppose to get a call tonight. I'm concerned about the UY that's available since summer months won't work well for us, but we shall see.

Can you explain "value". Is that the view or room size?
I'm really very clueless on many items.
Thanks.

Room size. The views will be all over....you can request savannah...but you're not promised anything.

 

[Donald is #1]

As a stand alone resort, I would expect bus service to be very good from AKV/AKL. We stayed at the lodge once before, and thought the bus service was fine. Since DVC does it's own contracting with the buses, I'd expect it to ge just as good as it is from OKW and SSR. Both of those resorts have excellent bus service. The only downside is that some of the buses will stop at the water parks on their way to the theme parks.

I agree on the busing. I stayed at AKL in May and in general I found the busing to be very good. I only ran into a problem twice at park closing 2 consecutive nights and the reality was that almost every resort (even though no one else in line seemed to notice) also had problems. So, in my mind, that was just pure bad luck. So my guess is that they may add a bus stop near the new AKV building and then the AKL/AKV will share a bus with 2 stops: AKL building & AKV building. At least I am hoping that they will add a stop at the AKV building since the AKL stop is on the opposite side of the building as the AKV. Or maybe, they will move the AKL stop so that it is in between both buildings.

 

[hellerjw]

Here's a question about the UY...I asked earlier about this. We always go in the summer...what month do you sugguest. It was suggested earlier to have like Feb, March timeframe.

Here's another...with the limited rooms available how difficult would it be to make a reservation for summer of 08.

We bought AKV in late April and received a March UY. We got our 2007 points immediately. The unit we actually own in isn't suppose to open until July. Having a March UY worked well for us because we are somewhat restricted by school schedules and have to plan around spring & summer breaks. We have already booked 2 trips, 1 this August and 1 in March 08.

I believe some of the summer weeks (June-Aug) are actually slower times for DVC so getting a reservation shouldn't be too difficult if you can be flexible by a week or two. Even if you find it difficult to get the AKV reservations you want during these next few construction years, there are always the other DVC resorts (OKW, SSR, etc) that should be available during those times.

Having a March UY allows us to take advantage of "new points" each March, just before Spring Break and allows us the 6-month 100% banking window that carries through August which is when school starts back. Therefore, for us having a March UY gives us the most flexibility for planning spring and summer trips.

Regardless of which UY you get you shouldn't have any problems with some careful planning and taking advantage of banking/borrowing during the year.

 

[EEyorelover22]

We bought AKV in late April and received a March UY. We got our 2007 points immediately. The unit we actually own in isn't suppose to open until July. Having a March UY worked well for us because we are somewhat restricted by school schedules and have to plan around spring & summer breaks. We have already booked 2 trips, 1 this August and 1 in March 08.

I believe some of the summer weeks (June-Aug) are actually slower times for DVC so getting a reservation shouldn't be too difficult if you can be flexible by a week or two. Even if you find it difficult to get the AKV reservations you want during these next few construction years, there are always the other DVC resorts (OKW, SSR, etc) that should be available during those times.

Having a March UY allows us to take advantage of "new points" each March, just before Spring Break and allows us the 6-month 100% banking window that carries through August which is when school starts back. Therefore, for us having a March UY gives us the most flexibility for planning spring and summer trips.

Regardless of which UY you get you shouldn't have any problems with some careful planning and taking advantage of banking/borrowing during the year.

What is available right now is December UY and I think that would be okay. We'd have to bank by the end of May if we were going to and given my Type A personality we would know by then if we were going.

Your thoughts?

Also...I did ask tonight about shortage of rooms...she is going to check to see how spring break is for 08 to give me an idea. My family WILL NOT stay anywhere else so that would be a real issue if nothing was open. I'm only really worried about the summer of 08.

Hey...I could always go alone to another DVC resort...wonder how that would go over?

 

[EEyorelover22]

I agree on the busing. I stayed at AKL in May and in general I found the busing to be very good. I only ran into a problem twice at park closing 2 consecutive nights and the reality was that almost every resort (even though no one else in line seemed to notice) also had problems. So, in my mind, that was just pure bad luck. So my guess is that they may add a bus stop near the new AKV building and then the AKL/AKV will share a bus with 2 stops: AKL building & AKV building. At least I am hoping that they will add a stop at the AKV building since the AKL stop is on the opposite side of the building as the AKV. Or maybe, they will move the AKL stop so that it is in between both buildings.

I asked about this...she indicated that a new stop would be build at the new building...love to call it by name, but I know I would spell it wrong!

 

[hellerjw]

What is available right now is December UY and I think that would be okay. We'd have to bank by the end of May if we were going to and given my Type A personality we would know by then if we were going.

Your thoughts?

I'm the same way, I would most likely know well in advance if we were not going to be able to make a trip and I would have to bank points, so for me the UY really isn't that important. One benefit I could see with a Dec UY is you can do a "UY-stradle" during a popular/peak time. For example, if you had 2007 points available you could go the last few days in November on 2007 points and carry over into the first few days in December with 2008 points.

Hey...I could always go alone to another DVC resort...wonder how that would go over?

If you figure out how to fenagle that one, I want to know the details