AKV - Would you do Concierge?

[Mom2BCCC]

We just bought at AKV. Our first visit "home" will be an April trip to OKW with our 4 kids.

I just booked a second trip (I'm really loving this DVC thing) for just DH and I - big deal since we haven't been on a trip w/o kids since our honeymoon 12+ years ago!

We'll be staying three nights Oct 5,6,7 at AKV(as much as I can handle being away for the first time). I booked a SV studio, but waitlisted for Concierge. I thought it would be fun to "splurge", plus I'm very interested in the sunrise safari. DH weighed in (huh? I'm the planner) and said he'd rather have the guarenteed SV. He's looking forward to taking photos (his #1 hobby) from the balcony.

What exactly do you get with the Concierge level? Should I cancel the waitlist? Of course, the odds are probably not in our favor anyway.

 

[Inkmahm]

I'm doing guaranteed Savanna view for our trip later this month with family and then 4 weeks later, we're doing concierge for just DH and me. The concierge is so that we can do sunrise safari again and so that we can say we've done it once before it gets to be impossible to book.

What if you book one night concierge when the sunrise safari is offered and the rest of your time in guaranteed savanna view? You'd have to move but you'd both get what you are looking for from the trip.

 

[ranthony]

I would think that your DH would find some of the "ground level" areas better for photographs simply because while being on the 5th or 6th may be great for extending your view of the savannah the angles are not really that good and sometimes the trees block the shot.

I'd go with concierge and make the most of your time w/o children. Use the lounge for evening drinks, etc. and there's a chance that you'll get a savannah view room.

From what I've read, the photography opportunities are far better on the sunrise safari than from your balcony at the resort.

HTH

 

[Mom2BCCC]

I'm doing guaranteed Savanna view for our trip later this month with family and then 4 weeks later, we're doing concierge for just DH and me. The concierge is so that we can do sunrise safari again and so that we can say we've done it once before it gets to be impossible to book.

What if you book one night concierge when the sunrise safari is offered and the rest of your time in guaranteed savanna view? You'd have to move but you'd both get what you are looking for from the trip.

I had considered splitting the stay, but thought with only 3 days, I'd hate to give up one to moving. Two trips in a month...sounds great.

 

[Mom2BCCC]

I would think that your DH would find some of the "ground level" areas better for photographs simply because while being on the 5th or 6th may be great for extending your view of the savannah the angles are not really that good and sometimes the trees block the shot.

I'd go with concierge and make the most of your time w/o children. Use the lounge for evening drinks, etc. and there's a chance that you'll get a savannah view room.

From what I've read, the photography opportunities are far better on the sunrise safari than from your balcony at the resort.

HTH

Good point. I'll stress the lounge/drinks part - he'll like that.

 

[wildernessDad]

Sunrise Safari
Sunset Safari
Wildlife Discovery Excursion

 

[RLRDA]

I would think that your DH would find some of the "ground level" areas better for photographs simply because while being on the 5th or 6th may be great for extending your view of the savannah the angles are not really that good and sometimes the trees block the shot.

I'd go with concierge and make the most of your time w/o children. Use the lounge for evening drinks, etc. and there's a chance that you'll get a savannah view room.

From what I've read, the photography opportunities are far better on the sunrise safari than from your balcony at the resort.

HTH

ranthony, I don't really have a comment on your post per se but your signature caught my eye.....nice Valentine's gift!

 

[Mom2BCCC]

So the safari (sunrise/sunset) sounds great to me, but I take it I will not be able to reserve a spot until/unless I actually get the concierge level.

Do they book up fast?

Thanks!

 

[ranthony]

ranthony, I don't really have a comment on your post per se but your signature caught my eye.....nice Valentine's gift!

Thanks--I've got a great DH!

To the OP--I think the sunset safari is available to non-concierge guests for a higher price (I hope I'm right) so I would try to call asap and book that either way.

 

[TinksDH]

I too am into photography, and was very excited about getting a SV room during our recent stay. Although it is VERY convenient just to go out onto your balcony (we were on the 5th floor IIRC), I wound up getting better shots by walking out into the savannah obervation areas via the walkways. I also got better shots from the 2nd floor of the outdoor staircase on the back of the lodge units. About the only shot I got from my balcony that I couldn't get from the savannah walkways was a nice panorama of the savannah/guest rooms.

 

[bgsnmky]

Last October we went to Disney and stayed just one night at AKL and paid for the room on concierge for the sunrise Safari! LOVED it. And we DON'T have money.

We are going back this coming Sept (to use our annual passes that we bought) and we are staying at a studio Savanah view for 3 nights and then moving to a 1 bedroom Concierge 1 night just so we can do the Safari. We really only need the studio, but it wasn't available.

Moving really shouldn't be a big issue. You can pack your bags, call the bell men and they will move it to your new room while you are out and about. Yes, you probably will have to check in, but really not a big deal.

Also on the concierge level there are treats and coffee etc, but that wouldn't be worth it to me. But the safari's are great.

We actually did the sunrise, and sunset as we didn't know when we would every stay on that level again! HA...now we are going back.

Let me know if you want any details. I have another post where I put info on each of them.

Oh and I agree on the pictures. Much better from the safari's and ground floor. Savanah view is great to wake up to and see animals, but a lot of times too far away and trees in the way.

Also, wilderness dad, what is the wildlife excursion??

 

[Mom2BCCC]

Thanks for all the input. Now I really want to do either the sunrise or sunset safari.

bgsnmky: can you direct me to your prior posts?

Thanks again!

 

[bgsnmky]

Thanks for all the input. Now I really want to do either the sunrise or sunset safari.

bgsnmky: can you direct me to your prior posts?

Thanks again!

Here ya go:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1619214&page=2

 

[BCV23]

Not wildernessDad but the Wildlife Excursion is an experience open to all concierge guests not just those from AKL. It takes place in smaller vehicles during the day at AK. The few reviews I've seen have raved about it as well.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm not going to stay in Jambo House at all if I can help it. I don't like the little bathrooms.

 

[BCV23]

I'm not going to stay in Jambo House at all if I can help it. I don't like the little bathrooms.

Are you talking about the studio bathrooms?

The one bedroom bathrooms are quite spacious IMO. They do lack a separate shower but have tons of storage and feel quite large.