Bringing appliances to AK?

[Scubadaddy32]

One is a teen who actually wants to be a vet and the other is 6 (going on 16).

The main reason for AKL is the Savanna viewing since it adds something a bit different than what we are used to. Also the price difference between AKL and the value resorts wasn't as bad as I thought if I am able to rent DVC points versus the rank room rate. It is one of those things where I plan to only to WDW once in my life.

If you have any other feedback about the resort I'm all ears.

OK now we are getting more info....
If you are renting DVC points then you will be staying in the DVC rooms, which have likely have kitchen accommodations already, like the one poster above mentioned.
If you were booking directly through Disney, the game would be totally different and there would be a ton of different ways people could suggest.

AKL is a lovely resort and the Mara is one of my favorite QS restaurants at WDW. If you can swing it budget wise Bomo is considered the top Buffet at WDW by many. The other Character meal/ buffet that is worth the money is at AK park which is Tusker House. The little one will love the characters and it's the 2nd best buffet at WDW IMO behind Boma.

AK the park, is going to have a ton of live animals to see, so I'm sure your 16 year old will be thrilled. It's my favorite park of the bunch.

Another bang for your buck when it comes to food at AK is the Pizzafari Family Style dinner. It's a ton of food for closer to counter service prices. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/pizzafari-family-style-dining/

Disney World is a vacation where you have to be very specific when asking questions, due to how they cater to just about every type of guest with very specific interest.

"Park people" (those who spend all their vacation time inside the parks) needs are totally different than "Resort people". (Those that take days off from the parks or go to the parks with breaks during the day.)

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thank you everyone for the feedback.... I'm learning all about the process. Can someone talk about the DVC


I'm one to do a fair amount of research but quickly learning that there is a difference between the 2. If there is any feedback on what I should be worried about please let me know.

The plan is to get a savanna studio at AKL for 4 days. If there are any other major differences, I'm all ears. Check in should be no problem since I plan on being in ORL a few days before going to AKL.

There are two separate locations at AKL for DVC. The fifth floor of Jambo House (and the sixth floor is just concierge villas and hard to book) is converted hotel rooms. They have standard, value and savanna view villas. Standard is pool view or partially obstructed savanna view. Kidani Village is all DVC and was constructed as DVC and not as a hotel. So you have two locations. KV has standard (pool, parking lot and obstructed savanna) views and savanna views.

Studios at AKV have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa. The hotel rooms have two queen beds (some might have a set of bunks and one queen bed).

When it comes to housekeeping, the hotel rooms will get daily full cleaning. DVC villas on points stays only get limited services. If you will be there for three nights, you will not get any towels replaced or housekeeping services other than the daily trash removal. If you book directly with Disney and not using DVC points, you are treated like a hotel guest and get daily full cleaning. But you will pay more by booking through Disney instead of using points. The limited service is a way to reduce costs to owners in their annual maintenance fees. They can pay to play (get extra towels, get more cleaning service, etc) if they want more than the basic service.

Check in time for DVC resorts is after 4PM, not after 3PM like the hotel rooms. Your villa may be ready before that, but it might be after 4PM.

Renting points is really purchasing a reservation that a DVC member made using their DVC points. DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare, a point system rather than a fixed or flex week system. So points are pretty much worthless unless you own those points. DVC members pay for everything at a DVC resort (or for everything that the DVC resort uses at a shared resort like AKL). There usually is no cancellation with DVC rentals and no refunds if you can't go after booking your stay. You may see villas available online at the Disney website, but those villas are not available for points reservations. Usually those represent points that owners have used for non-DVC Disney vacations like Disney Cruise Line, Disney Hotels and Adventures By Disney. The member books those with their points, DVC sells the inventory those points represent to pay the other Disney department for that trip. Plus DVC maintains some inventory, usually about 2%, for maintenance. You won't be able to see vacancy for DVC unless you are an owner.

 

[Disneypro1]

Folks bring microwaves..toasters and all to the resorts. Just bring what u need. We always bring a toaster when we drive. When we fly...which is more often...we dont.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Folks bring microwaves..toasters and all to the resorts. Just bring what u need. We always bring a toaster when we drive. When we fly...which is more often...we dont.

They may bring toasters, but they are not permitted unless you have a kitchen or kitchenette.

 

[SDSUrulez]

There are two separate locations at AKL for DVC. The fifth floor of Jambo House (and the sixth floor is just concierge villas and hard to book) is converted hotel rooms. They have standard, value and savanna view villas. Standard is pool view or partially obstructed savanna view. Kidani Village is all DVC and was constructed as DVC and not as a hotel. So you have two locations. KV has standard (pool, parking lot and obstructed savanna) views and savanna views.

Studios at AKV have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa. The hotel rooms have two queen beds (some might have a set of bunks and one queen bed).

When it comes to housekeeping, the hotel rooms will get daily full cleaning. DVC villas on points stays only get limited services. If you will be there for three nights, you will not get any towels replaced or housekeeping services other than the daily trash removal. If you book directly with Disney and not using DVC points, you are treated like a hotel guest and get daily full cleaning. But you will pay more by booking through Disney instead of using points. The limited service is a way to reduce costs to owners in their annual maintenance fees. They can pay to play (get extra towels, get more cleaning service, etc) if they want more than the basic service.

Check in time for DVC resorts is after 4PM, not after 3PM like the hotel rooms. Your villa may be ready before that, but it might be after 4PM.

Renting points is really purchasing a reservation that a DVC member made using their DVC points. DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare, a point system rather than a fixed or flex week system. So points are pretty much worthless unless you own those points. DVC members pay for everything at a DVC resort (or for everything that the DVC resort uses at a shared resort like AKL). There usually is no cancellation with DVC rentals and no refunds if you can't go after booking your stay. You may see villas available online at the Disney website, but those villas are not available for points reservations. Usually those represent points that owners have used for non-DVC Disney vacations like Disney Cruise Line, Disney Hotels and Adventures By Disney. The member books those with their points, DVC sells the inventory those points represent to pay the other Disney department for that trip. Plus DVC maintains some inventory, usually about 2%, for maintenance. You won't be able to see vacancy for DVC unless you are an owner.

Thanks for all of the info.... I figured that the cleaning would be limited but given that we are only stay 4 nights, I think we will manage. My wife is a fan on the daily cleanings but if is between the DVC room with a savanna view or a room with no view, I'm sure she would understand.

 

[SDSUrulez]

OK now we are getting more info....
If you are renting DVC points then you will be staying in the DVC rooms, which have likely have kitchen accommodations already, like the one poster above mentioned.
If you were booking directly through Disney, the game would be totally different and there would be a ton of different ways people could suggest.

AKL is a lovely resort and the Mara is one of my favorite QS restaurants at WDW. If you can swing it budget wise Bomo is considered the top Buffet at WDW by many. The other Character meal/ buffet that is worth the money is at AK park which is Tusker House. The little one will love the characters and it's the 2nd best buffet at WDW IMO behind Boma.

AK the park, is going to have a ton of live animals to see, so I'm sure your 16 year old will be thrilled. It's my favorite park of the bunch.

Another bang for your buck when it comes to food at AK is the Pizzafari Family Style dinner. It's a ton of food for closer to counter service prices. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/pizzafari-family-style-dining/

Disney World is a vacation where you have to be very specific when asking questions, due to how they cater to just about every type of guest with very specific interest.

"Park people" (those who spend all their vacation time inside the parks) needs are totally different than "Resort people". (Those that take days off from the parks or go to the parks with breaks during the day.)

This is super helpful.... I was starting to fill in the budget with the costs and quickly realized that it is going to be way more than I thought (2.5K for tickets doesn't help). We tend to be very active and will probably not spend too much time at the resorts nor on food. The AKL just seemed a bit nicer and had the view was very cool.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for all of the info.... I figured that the cleaning would be limited but given that we are only stay 4 nights, I think we will manage. My wife is a fan on the daily cleanings but if is between the DVC room with a savanna view or a room with no view, I'm sure she would understand.

With four nights, you will get your towels replaced on day 4(your day before checkout) and any supplies replaced.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

This is super helpful.... I was starting to fill in the budget with the costs and quickly realized that it is going to be way more than I thought (2.5K for tickets doesn't help). We tend to be very active and will probably not spend too much time at the resorts nor on food. The AKL just seemed a bit nicer and had the view was very cool.

All of the resorts hotel rooms at Disney are nice and many have been remodeled recently.
If you are going to be at the parks the majority of the time, then I would go with a more budget friendly hotel and spend the rest of the budget on food and fun at the parks. The deluxe resorts are great, but if you leave early and stay late at the parks, you are coming in at night time, sleeping, showering and leaving in the morning.
Depending on your departure time, you can always take a trip over to AKL and check out the Lodge. Sanaa is a great place to grab lunch and see the animals on the Savanna during the day.

 

[Disneypro1]

All of the resorts hotel rooms at Disney are nice and many have been remodeled recently.
If you are going to be at the parks the majority of the time, then I would go with a more budget friendly hotel and spend the rest of the budget on food and fun at the parks. The deluxe resorts are great, but if you leave early and stay late at the parks, you are coming in at night time, sleeping, showering and leaving in the morning.
Depending on your departure time, you can always take a trip over to AKL and check out the Lodge. Sanaa is a great place to grab lunch and see the animals on the Savanna during the day.

Agreed. If you are like us...and Basically open and come close to closing the parks...Its an insane waste of money doing anything but a value resort. Maybe go Moderate if codes avail. The money folks can save on resorts is HUGE at WDW. Always consider park time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Two more good vacation foods to consider are shelled sunflower seeds and dried fruit. They are great travel foods to eat because they don't smell, keep for ever, and don't tend to make a mess. (unless you spill them )

Oh. You've seen me eat before.

 

[kniquy]

1) Do the rooms have either appliance?
2) Are you allowed to bring either of them into the room?
3) Has anyone actually done it?

Book at Kidani -- it is a DVC resort so all studios will have a mini fridge, microwave, toaster and coffee maker.
I would think it might be a liability/safety issues to bring an appliance like a microwave.

If you are looking into renting DVC points then you will have all the amenities you are looking for. If you splurged for a 1BR then you would have a full kitchen and laundry.

 

[SDSUrulez]

Book at Kidani -- it is a DVC resort so all studios will have a mini fridge, microwave, toaster and coffee maker.
I would think it might be a liability/safety issues to bring an appliance like a microwave.

If you are looking into renting DVC points then you will have all the amenities you are looking for. If you splurged for a 1BR then you would have a full kitchen and laundry.

The cost for a 1BR versus a studio is almost double. Also, the wife has zero tolerance for cooking while on vacation so I highly doubt that we would be making many dinners there. The kitchette should be fine for snacks and other things to get us through the day.

 

[SDSUrulez]

Agreed. If you are like us...and Basically open and come close to closing the parks...Its an insane waste of money doing anything but a value resort. Maybe go Moderate if codes avail. The money folks can save on resorts is HUGE at WDW. Always consider park time.

Renting DVC points versus the value room comes close to the same price. Also, we are splitting the time offsite and onsite to help keep costs down.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The cost for a 1BR versus a studio is almost double. Also, the wife has zero tolerance for cooking while on vacation so I highly doubt that we would be making many dinners there. The kitchette should be fine for snacks and other things to get us through the day.

Alas, this is why I earlier said breakfast in the room is easy and painless...as are late night snacks. Carrying a limited amount of snacks into the park is also doable- but anything you bring you have to carry until you eat it, and that is a pain.

It is entirely possible to go to your room mid day, but realize - via WDW busing- it can easily take an hour each way. (depending which park, and exact timing of the buses. ) Plus, that's from the front gate of each park, most rides are not at the front gate. Same thing for dinner

At WDW, time is very much money. IMO, going back to the hotel to eat certainly can be done...but mid-day breaks take a solid chunk of time. Whereas eating a quick breakfast I the room can often be quicker than eating at a restaurant.

Now some folks do carry huge backpacks around all day, but I don't suggest it unless someone has severe allergies or other special need. We do bring water, and we do sometimes bring light snacks. If we bring snacks, we tend to finish them by late morning. Cargo pockets are good. Refilling water bottles is good. You can get more free ice water at any quick serve place at WDW. There are also a few water fountains. You just can't bring any glass.

From a room at AKL- AK park is close and a short bus ride. HS/Epcot are a little further, and MK is the furthest.

 

[Deb & Bill]

From AK to AKV the bus ride is only a few minutes. The time between Epcot and AKV took us 13 minutes and DHS was even shorter. MK will take the longest, but not close to an hour. More like 20 minutes.