Animal Kingdom Villas vs. Old Key West vs. Saratoga Springs

[Orangeman98]

My question for all you DVC experts: which one would you prefer to stay in around the start of December?

My family of three are looking to attend MK and Epcot to take advantage of the Christmas theming (also attend MVMCP one night). Based on past experiences, which resort would you choose?

 

[drusba]

If you mean early Dec 2016, then be aware that the early Dec seven month reservation window, when DVC members from any resort can start reserving any other resort, has already opened, early Dec is the highest DVC demand time of the year at WDW, and SSR may be your only option left and even that, particularly if seeking a studio, could disappear shortly if you delay further in making a reservation.

Outside of that issue, my personal and biased (I am an owner of the resort) preference is AKV, particularly if you get savanna view. Theming is excellent, watching animals is a fun experience, Christmas decorations are good, bus service is usually good including becasue there are only two stops at the resort, and the available pools and restaurants are good.

 

[M<3'sMickey]

I've never stayed at AKV; however, we own at both OKW and SSR. I've stayed at both and love OKW the most. I don't know what size room you're looking for, but the rooms at SSR are smaller than those at OKW. A studio at OKW will have two queen beds versus SSR that has a queen bed and an open up couch. I am going December 15-19 and my future husband and I are staying in a studio at OKW.

But let's be honest, just being able to be down there at Christmas time is so great that it doesn't even matter really which report you choose to stay at!

 

[cedricandsophie]

We are going from nov 27 to dec 4 and staying at AK, bay lake and Boardwalk because I couldn't get all nites together even at 10 months out. And I couldn't find anywhere but Saratoga to stay the night of dec 4 because I really wanted to stay until dec 5. But we didn't want to move again. You will need to be really flexible to find DVC villas through Dec.

 

[chalee94]

The lobby at AKV Jambo House has the best decorations, hands down. The animals make AKV pretty unique as well.

OKW is a great choice though - probably a little closer to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Barbydoll8]

AKV but then again, that's my home resort so I'm partial. All of them are great but AKL is a little over the top in general plus the holiday stuff makes it wonderful. Only GFV would probably be more holiday-ish.
I hope you get what you want as others have stated, that time of year can be tough to get anything. SS would be my second choice but not everyone feels the same.

 

[dvc_john]

I own at all 3 of those resorts, and my personal preference in order is: OKW, SSR, AKV

 

[Orangeman98]

Thanks for the feedback so far! We are a little bummed that the only available resorts require a bus, but we are also learning the hard way that the start of December is a busy time. Of those three resorts is it accurate to say AKV has the best holiday theming?

 

[drusba]

Thanks for the feedback so far! We are a little bummed that the only available resorts require a bus, but we are also learning the hard way that the start of December is a busy time. Of those three resorts is it accurate to say AKV has the best holiday theming?

That would be accurate, and more so for Jambo than Kidani, and the result of actually having central lobbies that everyone uses, which make sense to decorate.

 

[alldiz]

I would choose AKV Jambo for that time of year. The theming of the resort and decorations are perfect for holidays!!
If Savannah available go for it!
I love BOMA perfect time to try if you have never been.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[alisonslp]

While SSR and OKW do decorate, unless you are walking through the main building, you won't see it. The resorts are so spread out. AKL has the large central lobbies that you have to walk through to get to your rooms (Well, in Jambo, anyway. In Kidani, if you have a car, you probably are going to park in the garage and use the elevator closest to your room, by passing the lobby). We have never stayed at AKL during Christmas but there are lots of photos online showing how beautiful it is and the lobby alone is just gorgeous without the decorations!

 

[Orangeman98]

I wanted to return and say, "thanks for the helpful feedback!" I ended up going a day earlier than I had planned, but I was able to get a standard, one bedroom room at Jambo (because of the themed lobby). Now I'm hoping I'll get lucky with a partial savanna view.

 

[sunryzez]

Does anyone know when they decorate the resorts? I know the parks get decorated in early nov but wondering if resorts will be decorated for my stay at akv for nov 20th? Cruise lines are always decorated by then and always look amazing!

 

[han22735]

They should be decorated by the 20th. 2014 we stayed at akv 11/9-19th and I think about mid stay it was done overnight.