AKV vs. SSR

[softychik]

pros and cons for both thanks

 

[DIZBOUND]

We have stayed at both. However, we liked AKV better. We loved the savannah view from the balcony. Our kids enjoyed being able to see the animals from all different places in the resort. The bad about AKV is that it is far away from the other parks. However, that means that the busses are direct from park to resort. Except one I believe stops at Blizzard Beach. for SSR it is a large spread out resort. We stayed at the Grandstand and had a room just outside of the the pool area and the bus stop. Lucked out there fro the kids and us. There are 5 bus stops at this resort alone. Many times I saw by the time the bus got to the last stop there was no room.

 

[vicki_c]

These are all pros for either that I could think of (and they're not all, just a quick list):

AKV - animals, fun theme, Jiko, Boma, Simba's Club, many "hotel" amenities because you're near the hotel

SSR - spa, Community Hall, bike/surry bike rentals, proximity to Downtown Disney, closer parking (closer to your room), Turf Club

 

[dizney4us]

The rooms at AKV are African themed, the rooms at SSR are upscale. Once back to your resort, you would be able to go DTD or walk around the beautiful walkways as SSR. I found the buses to run great most days at either, but AKV are farther out, but not by too much. We had the opportunity to buy at either SSR or AKV, we decided SSR because we LOVED the look of the reosrt, the quick walk or boat ride to SSR, and because the animals are cool at first, but we had stayed at AKL and tired of them very quickly. Just what we happen to like, you may feel different. DVC is great no matter where you are, just a personal preference of where.

 

[KLEONARD]

Pro's are easy. Con's are hard. Both resorts offer Disney ammenities, and not much downside.
SSR has the nice Spa and Golf Course clubhouse onsite. Pools are nice as well as the grounds.
AKV has animals. The resort also has a great pool and restaurants that get great reviews.
Since AKV is a hotel DVC and SSR is more of a condo DVC, the architecture is pretty subjective. You may like what another may dismiss. It is pretty much up to the individual. I like both properties.
DW, DD and I have stayed at numerous Disney resorts over the years, and my opinion is that SSR is the quietest Disney resort. This is based on four recent trips to SSR.
AKV has a wonderfull atmosphere, just like the WL, only in a different way. Try them both if it is possible. I do not think you will be disappointed.

 

[Disney_Villain]

I'll take the cons . . . as every other poster covered the pros so well.

SSR:

• SSR is a BIG resort (3/4 mile across) and some don't like having to have to walk 5 minutes to get from their villa to the main building in the center of it all. We like excercise and think the walks are very healthy for us, so this is not a problem for us. I could see that people with mobility issues would have concerns as to exactly where they were staying at SSR.

AKV:

• No walking/cycling paths as the savannah takes up most of the grounds.
• No quiet/satellite pools (now or post-Kidani) again to due savannah - only "family/main" pools, which is good as long you are a family with children (which we're not).
• The Mara (fast food). This place is already overwhelmed with just Jambo House guests - and their food is terrible (heat-lamped burgers, heat-lamped pizza, warming pot chicken nuggets) for what should be an African-themed food court. Just wait until Kidani opens and it takes 40 minutes

Please keep in mind that I do like every DVC resort - and have stayed at most of them. I just have my own personal critiques of each. This post was not meant to trash the above resorts.