AKV - The Animals, The Rooms, The Buses, Etc

[Tink316]

We are about to be DVC members -- just waiting for the paperwork to arrive -- and, of course, we are already planning our first trip as new members.

We are planning to book at AKV - probably Kidani since I understand the buses stop here first and we have a son with special needs - and hoping this will insure he has a seat on the bus - and hoping for a savannah view. So for the questions:

1) If we don't end up with a savannah view, are you able to see the animals from other areas of AKV or AKL?

2) Is it true that the busses stop at Kidani first before Jambo and heading to the parks?

3) We plan to ask for a room near the elevators since my DS has Down syndrome and low muscle tone and is unable to walk long distances or for long periods (we'll be renting a wheelchair for use in the parks) - are rooms near elevators available in savannah view?

Any other helpful hints would be appreciated...although no matter where we end up, I'm sure it will be great!!! Afterall, we'll be at the "most magical place on earth."

Thanks!!

 

[JWG]

1) If we don't end up with a savannah view, are you able to see the animals from other areas of AKV or AKL?

You shouldn't have a problem getting savannah view, it's the most available view. Standard, Value and Concierge would be gone first. That being said, there are great viewing areas around Jambo house. We enjoyed walking around and watching the animals even though we did have a savannah view. I belive the same to be true for Kidani as well.

2) Is it true that the busses stop at Kidani first before Jambo and heading to the parks?

This is true except for DTD. DTD busses stop at Jambo first.

3) We plan to ask for a room near the elevators since my DS has Down syndrome and low muscle tone and is unable to walk long distances or for long periods (we'll be renting a wheelchair for use in the parks) - are rooms near elevators available in savannah view?

Yes, absolutely. It would probably be more difficult if you didn't want Savannah view, but even then, there are rooms looking at the parking lot near elevators.

Any other helpful hints would be appreciated

Enjoy the dedicated bus service from AKV to the parks and attractions. That's a great win that offsets the argument it's too far removed from everything. Even SSR and OKW with their dedicated bus service has multiple stops through the resrot unlike AKV with two.

Boma's is worth trying once. It wasn't for us, but I'm glad we gave it a go. AKL does a lot of neat activities (as does each resort), some really integrated in with the animals. Worth looking at their daily/weekly activities while you're there.

 

[briand1023]

What view is best? you say Standard, Value and Concierge go first, why? wouldn't Savannah be the best so you can see animals? I have never stayed at this property and am considering it for next year so your advice is appreciated.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

What view is best? you say Standard, Value and Concierge go first, why? wouldn't Savannah be the best so you can see animals? I have never stayed at this property and am considering it for next year so your advice is appreciated.

Value is popular b/c it is lower points and there also are not many of them. The rooms are smaller and the unknown is what view you will get (pool, savannah or parking lot) and requests can't be made. Concierge has a total of 10 rooms (5-2 bedroom lockoffs) so it goes quickly b/c of the small amount of rooms.

I'd disagree that Standard view goes fast - when I've called for last minute reservations that's often been the only view available for AKV. It is popular with some people b/c it is lower points than the savannah view. And many people will only stay savannah view b/c of the animals. It all just varies on your preference.

 

[Kidanifan08]

There is no doubt that savannah view is the best view. The reason that value and standard sell out more quickly is that they require fewer points per stay and there are limited numbers (especially value) so DVC'ers who are trying to conserve points get these booked at the 11 month window. Concierge books quickly because it too is limited in availability, but it is higly desirable for DVC'ers looking for that higher level of service and amenities.

We have stayed in SV and standard and we liked both. The savannah view rooms are awesome! If you spend alot of time in the room, you may prefer that. For my family, we are in the park from rope drop to Wishes, so the view does not matter so much on most trips. As DS gets older, we may start going back mid-day, and having the SV may be better for us then.

 

[Tink316]

Thank you for all the information. Pretty sure savannah is the way to go...and what we planned anyway. May son will want to spend time in the room, especially if we can watch the animals -plus he will want to spend time by the pool!

When we go to WDW, we usually head out early to the parks, go back to the resort for lunch/swim, back to the parks and then back for a swim. We always have to end with an evening swim - hopefully it will be warm enough when we go (Dec 3-10). Anyone know the temps that time of year??

Thanks...I'm not sure I will be able to wait for December to get here.

T.

 

[Mtnman44]

my two cents: I consider the Kidani standard view 1 and 2 BR units one of the best DVC values in the system. Relatively low points, great themed location, large rooms with "extra" sleeping capaicty and an "extra" bathroom.

 

[drusba]

Savanna view is by far the best. We own there and would not stay there without it. Savanna view is also 80% of all rooms so is usually available even after lower point cost value (only at Jambo) and standard rooms are gone.

Do NOT request "close to elevator." Instead, request "close to lobby." The reason is that there are several elevators along the wings of Kidani and not just elevators in the lobby. Make "close to lobby" your request and mention the special needs for doing so. If you get that request you will be close to all amenities including store, restaruant, pool, community hall, and bus station. Also you will be on Sunset savanna (the largest savanna) which has giraffes and rooms close to lobby are fairly close to feeding areas that attract the animals.

Dece 3 to 10 is hit or miss for pool time. Sometimes it is warm enough sometimes not. In 2010 it was one of Florida's coldest times of the year (it wasn't even getting above 50 a number of days). 2010 was hopefully an off year. Its January was the coldest on record (about two straight weeks of below 50 termperatures, in the 20s at night) and it ended with a December that everyone wants to forget how cold it was.

You say you are about to be members. If you are purchasing at AKV from Disney then you should immediately call your sales rep and tell him when you want the reservation and what kind of room and that you want to set it up. Early December is one of the highest DVC demand times of the year and thus you face risk of not getting anything; however, DVD sales reps, to close a deal, have the power to get Disney to provide some of its unsold inventory for new purchasers if rooms are not otherwise available.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We always have to end with an evening swim - hopefully it will be warm enough when we go (Dec 3-10). Anyone know the temps that time of year??

Thanks...I'm not sure I will be able to wait for December to get here.

T.

Well, we are planning on November this year so I'm sure you'll have nice weather in Dec! We've had a few days that were definitely warm enough for swimming but we've also had some very cool weather when the pools weren't being used. Early Dec 2010 was very cold. In 2007 and 2008 we were there mid-Dec. 2007 only had one warm day and the rest we had hats and gloves on. 2008 was nice and my niece swam several times.

 

[mecllap]

You might want to rent a wheelchair from an outside provider that you can use the entire time -- AKV/AKL is huge and spread out. Check out the disAbilities thread on here for ideas/recommendations. (But then you will sometimes have to wait through a bus cycle, if there are several chairs waiting -- one time I was at AKL waiting to go to the Park -- there were 6 people waiting, and I think the busses can only take two chairs at a time).

Take binoculars. You can see animals from the Savannah, but sometimes far away and the binocs will be helpful. There are lots of viewing stations throughout the resort as well (so if you have a Standard room, you still have opps for animal watching).

As mentioned, weather is iffy in Dec. -- you might not be able to "pool" every evening, but hopefully some. (Take some jackets/sweatshirts for the sometimes cool times). You can use both pools. It can seem like a long walk between Jambo and Kidani (but you can also use the bus system -- ask which way it goes).

One of my favorite treats is only available in AKL, including at Mara: Zebra Domes.

Have a wonderful trip -- and welcome to DVC!

 

[briand1023]

wow..great info...what does Condierge level get you?

 

[dawne98]

we new to DVC too and in Sept it's going to be our 1st time at AKL! We can not wait we have a standard with a savannah view we are not going to any park when we go so we can just relex at AKL we are going to MNSSHP one night on my b-day

 

[JWG]

wow..great info...what does Condierge level get you?

From my perspective, nothing with the extra points it costs to stay there.

In reality:
Daily housekeeping
Appetizer/Happy Hour type lounge (think concierge at any major hotel)
Access to the Sunrise Safari (for a fee) tour

Those are the major ones I can think of.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

We love Kidani, and will be there at the same time as you. We first stayed there 2 years ago, during the first week of December. It was warm enough to be in the pool by our standards, but being from NH, take that with a grain of salt


We had a standard view, just because of the lower points. There were lots of common areas throughout the resort to see the animals, so we brought the kids there to see them.

We never found the busses to be too crowded, but it was nice to get picked up first. There were very few times we couldn't get seats. I never though the ride to the parks was too long, although I've seen others who say it's miserable.

Have a great trip!

 

[Tink316]

Ok, I just booked our very first stay as DVC members!!!! Thanks to everyone for all the information here!

We are booked in Kidani, Savannah View (for our first time, figured a few extra points for savannah would be worth it to see my son's expression and excitement); and with request to be near the lobby (thanks for the tip on lobby vs. elevator).

We are going the week after Thanksgiving now (Nov. 26-Dec. 3)...as I'm told Christmas decorations will be up by then and maybe a little warmer (although it could be 50 and my son would still want to swim)...and I heard pop warner championships are there Dec. 3-10 so wanted to avoid all those kids if I could.

Thanks again to everyone for all your help!!!

T.