AKV Savannah View or Concierge?

[dpuck1998]

I'm going at xmas...first stay will be for 7 nights at AKV. The question is should I stay at a standard view for 192 points, savannah view for 231 or concierge for 269? I know its hard to say before Kidani village opens, but thoughts?

 

[ADP]

I'm going at xmas...first stay will be for 7 nights at AKV. The question is should I stay at a standard view for 192 points, savannah view for 231 or concierge for 269? I know its hard to say before Kidani village opens, but thoughts?

Hey Don...We are planning on staying at AKV from Dec. 26th thru New Years. I've been talking to myself (in my head, not out loud ) about what type of room as well.

As of right now we are planning on concierge/club level if we can get it. I'll be calling on Jan 26th. I've heard AKL/AKV's Club Level is one of the best on Disney property just behind the Polynesian. If we can't get those accomodations then we'll go with the Savanna view. The Savanna View is awesome, and it is what makes AKL/AKV so unique. It gives you the total experience.

Of course, I'm saying all this and your point totals would be higher, but to me it's probably worth it. Club Level would probably help offset some of your food costs, and the Savanna View is worth the extra points because how enjoyable it would be to see the animals from your room.

One other factor to consider is Kidani will not have a counter service location (maybe the pool bar will have small snacks). You will have to walk from Kidani to Jambo in order to get to the Mara. According to the DVC website it's 1/2 a mile from the front entrance of Kidani to the front entrance to Jambo. It may not be a big deal to you, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

Hope that helps.

 

[dpuck1998]

Hey Don...We are planning on staying at AKV from Dec. 26th thru New Years. I've been talking to myself (in my head, not out loud ) about what type of room as well.

As of right now we are planning on concierge/club level if we can get it. I'll be calling on Jan 26th. I've heard AKL/AKV's Club Level is one of the best on Disney property just behind the Polynesian. If we can't get those accomodations then we'll go with the Savanna view. The Savanna View is awesome, and it is what makes AKL/AKV so unique. It gives you the total experience.

Of course, I'm saying all this and your point totals would be higher, but to me it's probably worth it. Club Level would probably help offset some of your food costs, and the Savanna View is worth the extra points because how enjoyable it would be to see the animals from your room.

One other factor to consider is Kidani will not have a counter service location (maybe the pool bar will have small snacks). You will have to walk from Kidani to Jambo in order to get to the Mara. According to the DVC website it's 1/2 a mile from the front entrance of Kidani to the front entrance to Jambo. It maybe not be a big deal to you, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

Hope that helps.

Great insight, I'm leaning towards Concierge level, just because I have the extra points left from this year and might as well use them. Of course I can bank them and save them for next year.

 

[ADP]

Great insight, I'm leaning towards Concierge level, just because I have the extra points left from this year and might as well use them. Of course I can bank them and save them for next year.

Keep me posted. If our dates overlap and we are both on the club level maybe we can throw the football around!

 

[dpuck1998]

Keep me posted. If our dates overlap and we are both on the club level maybe we can throw the football around!

Well, we are planning on pre xmas at AKV, then the super expensive Fri and Sat night going to visit my inlaws. Then coming back and going OKW and SSR so we can just chill in the middle of now where!! Get yourself there early and we can play one on one tackle football!!

 

[ADP]

Get yourself there early and we can play one on one tackle football!!

Oh! I'm afraid that would be the end of my Disney vacation.

 

[chirurgeon]

I have stayed twice concierge at AKL. The lounge is very nice and the Sunrise Safari ROCKS. I don't know if you are staying concierge if you will be in the Kidani building or if you will be in the original lodge. They converted the 5th and 6th floor to DVC. When I stayed there the first time, they weren't DVC and my room was right off the lounge. VERY convienient. I love the African Smoothy they serve in the lounge. The late afternoon appetizers were outstanding. They worked for dinner for me the day we left from Mousefest. The point difference isn't that much, so I would lean to going concierge. And if you do you MUST do the Sunrise Safari. We were on the savannah for over an hour. And make sure you hang back and get in the 2nd bus and make sure George is your guide. He is FANTASTIC. I remembered him from my first trip and went with his group again.

If I go the deluxe route on my next trip (my plan at this point) I am definitely stay AKL concierge again. And taking the Sunrise Safari. So I can take another 3 or 4 hundred photos in an hour.

Kim

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Go with the CL!!! We love AKL and have had 4 stays there. Two times savannah view once CL savannah view and pool view deluxe room. The CL at AKL is IMO the best on property. They actually treat you like you are family. I can not say enough about the staff in the lounge or the sunrise safari tour we could take. Our pool view room was just as nice as our savannah view room because just outside our room was an animal viewing balcony outcove and we had the best of both worlds. Plus all the food in the CL lounge at dinner time came from Jiko. Great beer and wine selection. The cheese and fruit platter was top notch. And the flat breads OMG good. You will love it. Unless there has been some major changes since our 2006 visit. I would be back there in a heartbeat but we want to try out all the deluxes. So far AKL gets my vote and BWI is a close second.

 

[Dodie]

Do you OWN at AKL?

There are so few of those concierge rooms for DVC (a handful I think) that they are nearly impossible to get - even at the 11 month mark.

 

[dpuck1998]

Do you OWN at AKL?

There are so few of those concierge rooms for DVC (a handful I think) that they are nearly impossible to get - even at the 11 month mark.

Yea, I have 320 points available for Dec 09 at AKV, plus my stay is starting on Dec 18th so I'm hoping I have a good chance. Also, they are booking Kidani, so there should be more CL rooms.....right???

 

[dpuck1998]

Just read that Kidani won't have any CL rooms. So I'll have to reconsider if I want to be in the lodge or the village....hmm....decisions....

 

[Dodie]

Yea, I have 320 points available for Dec 09 at AKV, plus my stay is starting on Dec 18th so I'm hoping I have a good chance. Also, they are booking Kidani, so there should be more CL rooms.....right???

Nope. They aren't adding concierge rooms to Kidani. That handful that's there will be all there are going forward too.

Edited to add: Oops! I see you learned that yourself.

 

[Launchpad11B]

I'm going at xmas...first stay will be for 7 nights at AKV. The question is should I stay at a standard view for 192 points, savannah view for 231 or concierge for 269? I know its hard to say before Kidani village opens, but thoughts?

Cocowum and I will be staying at AKV for Mouse Fest 2009. Not exactly sure of the dates yet, but we may end up there at the same time as you. Alicia is trying for CL accomodations. We're staying at AKV concierge in August as well. Can't wait for that. We love the resort.