Well we're back home after a great week at AKV. I am so happy we bought points there and can't wait to go back. But since we have three more trips planned over the next year, I guess I can stand a little time back home
.
To start with here is a link to some pictures I took -
http://picasaweb.google.com/wolfpackfan/200712WaltDisneyWorldAKVIPhone?authkey=VGMpEz5M4jQ
I took these pictures with my iPhone and I was very surprised at how good they turned out for being from a cell phone. This was a new experiment for me - I was trying to see if I could use my iPhone to replace my laptop and digital camera and it did a great job. Unfortunately the upload seems to have mixed up the order. I tried to take pictures of as many Christmas decorations that I could plus the Osbourn Family lights.
Here are some random thoughts. If anyone has any specific questions, just let me know.
- We loved AKV (obviously). This was our second time staying there and the villas are really nice. There were a couple of very small negatives and I hesitate to mention them but what the heck. Just remember we would go back and redo the entire trip just like we did it, so that shows how insignificant they are. First, as mentioned, there is not a whole lot of storage as compared with other
DVC studios we've stayed in. We did have a closet plus the wardrobe, but I realized the reason this morning. We had an end unit (unit 5501) which did not have a connecting door to a 1BR. Our closet was where the door would have been. So keep that in mind if storage space is important to you. Also, we thought the toilet/bathtub portion of the bath area was very dark. Other than that the studio was as good as any others we've stayed in (except for perhaps OKW).
- One negative we did observe was the bus service. When you stay at AKV, you have some mighty long bus rides to MK, DTD and Epcot. Also, the buses were very crowded at times. We found this especially true at AK itself. One time we had to wait for two buses to come and go before we could get on one. The line was way down the walkway headed back to the park from the bus loading area. IMO - AKV is a great resort if you plan to just hang around the resort a lot or plan to drive your car. But if you're hitting lots of parks, give yourself extra time to reach them especially if you have dining reservations.
- As far as crowds, it was very mixed. At times, the parks seemed very crowded; but at other times they were not crowded at all. One time we could have ridden Haunted Mansion over and over with no lines at all. Plus I did a walk on to Tower of Terror. Did not need a Fast Pass at all.
- I loved the food at Boma. It has got to be one of the most popular restaurants at WDW. Every night it was crowded. In fact, they have opened up a check in desk up in the AKL lobby. Other places we ate - the new Yak and Yeti (more expensive than I was expecting), Garden Grill (CP package), the Chinese restaurant at Epcot (can never remember the name). All the food was very good. We did end up spending more money on food than we planned, but what they heck this always seems to happen.
- This was our first time going to WDW at Christmas and we loved it. We couldn't get over how beautiful the decorations were. It really put you in the Christmas spirit walking around and looking at the decorations and listening to the pretty music. We did CP twice (once with dinner package at Garden Grill and once just standing in the back). It is one of the most beautiful Christmas performances we've ever seen. Plus the Osbourn Lights are really fantastic. We loved it so much, we've decided to go back next year with our grown son and daughter and actually spend Christmas Day there (plus some days before hand). We will be staying in VWL though because that is the only resort where I have enough points to make an 11 month ressie, which I understand is imperative if you're staying at that time of year.
- The new construction at Kidani Village is looking great. You can really see a lot of progress being made.
- Does anyone know what the large condominium type building is that you can see from the distance when you stay on the 5th floor? It is off-site and for some reason it really bugged me that I could see non-Disney buildings from my unit. From it's location, it would seem to me you would be able to see it easily from Kidani Village.
Well, that's all I can think of right now. One question for everyone - which is the more sadder day - the last day you're at WDW or the day when you get home? For some reason, I felt like it was the last day. I kept thinking yesterday we're going home tomorrow and I really hated the feeling.
Hi there! Meredith grad here and I'm from Wilson. Fellow DISer, lauralee131, lives in Greenville as well. She owns at SSR.
