Animal Kingdom Villas Question

[Lalita]

Hi,

I am planning to go to Disney this August. I am just wondering if we purchase DVC memership while we are there would it be for AKV or SSR? Is AKV only for purchase for DVC members only. I also read something about doubling your points if you buy now, but can't seem to find the posts, can anyone tell me what that is about.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You can choose which resort you wish to buy in at. The incentives will be different for each, but I would not let the incentives determine where you purchase, because the purchase is up to 50 years, but the buy in price is a one time thing.

 

[LisaS]

You can purchase any DVC resort directly from Disney. Anything other than AKV and SSR is considered a "sold out" resort and you might have to go on a waiting list, particularly if you wanted BCV. There are incentives available if you purchase either SSR or AKV. You can either get a discount off the price ($10/pt for SSR, $8/pt for AKV) or you can get a set of developer points. At the moment, they are offering a double set of developer points. For AKV at least, the developer points expire 7 months from your purchase date. I'm not sure if that applies to SSR as well since I'm not as familiar with the incentives at SSR.

 

[Lalita]

Thanks for the quick reply. I also have another question, sorry about that. How come AKV is so little points compare to other resorts?

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for the quick reply. I also have another question, sorry about that. How come AKV is so little points compare to other resorts?

I think it's mostly a reflection of the desirability of the resort. Disney has had occupancy problems at AKL since it opened. It was built too large and unlike every other Deluxe resort, there is no easy access to any other destination (theme park, DTD) on property. All of the other deluxes are within walking distance or short monorail / boat ride of other on-site amenities. From AKL you need to take a bus everywhere.

AKL also lacks some amenities that you find at other DVC resorts like boat rentals or a golf course.

Value rooms will be the smallest units DVC has ever supported, so they should be the lowest cost. Standard View is the best "deal" in that the view itself is comparable to what you get at most other resorts (pool area, parking lot, woods), yet the points are cheaper than the likes of SSR, BWV, BCV, etc. Then the Savanna view rooms jump up to a level on par with BCV, BWV, etc.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Thanks for the quick reply. I also have another question, sorry about that. How come AKV is so little points compare to other resorts?

(we're trying to keep it quiet................ )

 

[Lalita]

Thanks for the explanation. What is the square footage of the value room, compared to a standard?

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for the explanation. What is the square footage of the value room, compared to a standard?

Tricky question to answer. Here's a DVC page with some info on the accommdations:

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortDetail?id=ProspectsDAKVAccommodationsPage

Here's what that page has listed for a One Bedroom villa:

629-710 sq. ft. in Jambo House
807 sq. ft. in Kidani Village

Jambo house is the current building that everyone knows as AKL, while Kidani Village is a brand new structure that will open sometime in 2009. Based upon the figures above, a Value 1B in Jambo House would be 629 sq ft, have one bathroom and have a maximum occupancy of 4.

A Standard, Savanna or Concierge 1B in Jambo would be around the 710 sq ft figure, have one bathroom and sleep 5.

A Standard or Savanna 1B in Kidani Village will be 807 sq ft, have TWO bathrooms, and sleep 5.

(Kidani doesn't have any Value or Concierge rooms)

The points for the Standard and Savanna rooms will be identical at Kidani and Jambo House. Memebers will know at the time of booking which building they will be staying in and can requst one or the other if they prefer, assuming both are available.