Best time to go to AKV

[Novakm]

Hi

Many years ago, I went to WDW with my teenage kids. It was awesome! At the time, I was approached by DVC about buying, but it was just out of reach then. Even if i had the money for the contract, i did not have the money for tickets, flights, food every year, so we passed. Fast forward to now, and I can now afford to go. I also have 6 grand kids, 2 with each daughter. I have been patiently waiting for them to get big enough for me to bring. The oldest is 7 now, so it's time! After looking at costs for 6 people, and knowing I will be going back, I decided to buy DVC.

I'm buying a resale AKV contract June UY. My offer was accepted on Mar 4. ROFR waived on Apr 3. Closed and showing on OC web site Apr 18. I was expecting to get my member number this week, and book my first stay for second week of December, just outside the 7 month window.

Today I get an email from the realtor saying Disney did not acknowledge receipt of the docs until April 30, so I should expect my member number in about 2 more weeks.

I'm trying to decide when my first trip should be. Going with my daughter and her 2 kids, (5 & 7), so we will need a 2br, and we want savanna view at AKV. The second trip will be in Summer 2014, with my daughter who is a teacher.

Because of my job, March, April, May are bad, as well as Sep, Oct, Nov.

I'm trying to decide best time to go for this first trip.

End of August - too hot? hurricanes? Low crowds could i expect availability, at 3 months? Its also pretty close to another family vacation planned in July. Plenty of time to bank points if something happens.

Early December - moderate crowds, Christmas decorations may still be warm enough to swim. Not sure if any 2br units available when I will be able to book at 6 1/2 months. Not good for banking if something happens, but I could probably reschedule for January.

Late January - low crowds no problem with availability, might be too cold to swim. Nice break from New England winter. No time to bank points if something happens, and not much time to reschedule.


So questions:
What do you think about the best time to go, and why?

Do you think that second week of Dec or last week of Aug would even be options when I get my number in about 2weeks?

 

[HayGan]

First - Welcome home neighbor!!! Anytime is a good time to go to Home Sweet Kidani!

I would say December would be the best. August might not be bad but you have to expect heat/humidity and the threat of hurricanes. Our only August experience was during TS Fay and she just sat over Central Florida the entire time. We still made the most of it

You may be able to still get that 2BR at Kidani despite booking late. It is a busier time for DVC but there are lots of them. I'm not a big fan of January as every January trip we have taken has been freezing!

 

[Novakm]

Hay,


Thanks for the input. Pretty close to what I was thinking. I guess I should cross my fingers for availability in Dec.

 

[drusba]

Dec may well depend on how fast you get into the system.There will likely be availability even when the 7 month window opens for that week come Wednesday, May 8, but that is a high demand time of year and things can disappear fairly quickly once that booking window opens. Late Aug is a slow DVC time but this late you may find some days missing from that week if you try to reserve AKV savanna view.

The Dec time would clearly be the ideal with all the Christmas decorations and events going on and manageable crowds; your chances of temperatures being high enough for pool time are higher than Jan although it can be cold (a couple years ago it was very cold).

End of January will have low crowds and it is a good time to go as long as you do not expect to be using the pool. Some years the entire time can be upper 70s and pool is usable, others it can get no higher than low 50s and below freezing in the evening, common is to have both some warm days and some cool days. One downside in Jan is that it is often the time when more than a couple things go down for refurbishment.

Late Aug is hot but you are inside in air-conditioning much of the time. it has very manageable crowds, and pool is obviously usable. It has more rain than Dec or Jan although it is usually two or three thunderstorms in the afternoon to late evening that last about 30 minutes each and then the sun comes out for the hours in between.

 

[AmyB2006]

December, by far. It's Christmas time (even if you don't celebrate) and it's beautiful there with all the decorations. Plus the weather is usually nicer and the animals are out more because it's cooler.

August is god awful hot, I would not go in August. Ever. Unless you like the feel of showering with your clothes on 24/7.

 

[magicaldisney]

Choices might not be great for you at this late date. Are you open to other resorts?

 

[Novakm]

Hoping for some pixie dust to get my number so I can book next week

 

[Novakm]

My DW is pretty adamant that our first stay should be at AKV, even if it means going inJanuary.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

If you can't get a savanna view room, the standard rooms are nice as well. Enjoy your first trip to AKV. It's a beautiful resort!

 

[Novakm]

My member number came in yesterday. Today I booked Dec 8 to 14 savanna view 2 br! 1 day before 7 month window. Thanks for the advice.

 

[thepops]

Great! Congratulations! Welcome home neighbor. Did you happen to get a dedicated 2 BR or a lockoff? We had the 2BR dedicated and the balcony was HUGE! You'll love it.
Be sure to stop in Jambo as well. Their tree is very nice.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My member number came in yesterday. Today I booked Dec 8 to 14 savanna view 2 br! 1 day before 7 month window. Thanks for the advice.

If you booked Kidani, you could have a lockoff or a dedicated. If you booked Jambo House, you will have a lockoff (no dedicated at Jambo House).

 

[Novakm]

I got a dedicated 2br. I thought 2 queen beds in second bedroom would work best for us. Now I'm wondering where I should request a room? I'm thinking lower floor, 1/2 way down the hallway towards jambo. I don't mind walking a little, and I like quiet.

 

[DonnaL]

Welcome Home! You'll love Kidani Village! One of my favorite DVC resorts.
Are you using Disney transportation or will you have a car with you, either a rental or your own? IMO, the transportation is the only drawback when staying at Kidani....don't get me wrong....we love it there, but, sometimes the buses can be an issue. We just stayed there this past December (12 thru 16th) and decided for our next stay there we won't be using the buses for transportation, especially if it's only a short 3 or 4 day trip since we spent way too much time on transportation rather than enjoying the parks!

 

[country-mom-of-4]

Great! Congratulations! Welcome home neighbor. Did you happen to get a dedicated 2 BR or a lockoff? We had the 2BR dedicated and the balcony was HUGE! You'll love it.
Be sure to stop in Jambo as well. Their tree is very nice.

How can u find out which one u booked? Dedicated or lock off I mean. Will it b on ur confirmation or will I have to call

 

[Novakm]

When I booked it was one of the choices. There was 2br or 2br lockoff.

 

[Hollymom1229]

Congratulations on joining and getting what you want for the time you want. DH and I will be at Jambo house that same week and it looks like a fantastic time to visit.