bunch of questios,AKV

[shamrockshake]

Hi All,
I have never rented points before, so I have some questions:

1. My friend has points at SSR, but we would like to rent her points and stay at AKV. How hard is it to get reservations at another resort? And we would want to get a studio, concierge for the week and add an extra day at the end. This would be for early Oct 2009.

2. My friend has never rented her points before, and she mentioned there is a $90 ( or something like that amount) transfer fee. When you folks rent points for 11-13 dollars, is the transfer fee included in the point price, or do you pay the fee plus the per point cost?

3. Before AKV, we would spend 2 night at a value or moderate resort. Will Disney transfer our bags between resorts, even if you stay at a regular resiort than transfer to a DVC resort?

4. My birthday is during this time and I would like to do the dinner safari. How hard is it to get ressies for this?

5. How many concierge/studio rooms does the AKV have? Do these rooms have savannah views? We loved the savannahh last time AKL.

Thanks so much!

 

[TDC Nala]

Hi All,
I have never rented points before, so I have some questions:

1. My friend has points at SSR, but we would like to rent her points and stay at AKV. How hard is it to get reservations at another resort? And we would want to get a studio, concierge for the week and add an extra day at the end. This would be for early Oct 2009.

2. My friend has never rented her points before, and she mentioned there is a $90 ( or something like that amount) transfer fee. When you folks rent points for 11-13 dollars, is the transfer fee included in the point price, or do you pay the fee plus the per point cost?

3. Before AKV, we would spend 2 night at a value or moderate resort. Will Disney transfer our bags between resorts, even if you stay at a regular resiort than transfer to a DVC resort?

4. My birthday is during this time and I would like to do the dinner safari. How hard is it to get ressies for this?

5. How many concierge/studio rooms does the AKV have? Do these rooms have savannah views? We loved the savannahh last time AKL.

Thanks so much!

Yes, they will transfer your luggage. That's the easy one.

How many concierge studios - there are five 2 bedroom lockoffs, that makes 5 possible studios. That's it for the whole resort. I do not know how many of these have a savanna view, but not all of them do. The odds of your getting one using non-AKV points are slim because you can't book at 11 months, you have to wait for 7 months. AKV owners will most likely book up all these rooms prior to the 7 month mark. If I were you I do not think I would count on the concierge room, and the odds of your getting a savanna view plus concierge are lower even than that.

I don't think there is a transfer fee for registering a guest in a DVC resort (when you rent you will be registered as a guest on your friend's membership, she is not transfering points or booking outside DVC resorts).

There's a limited number on the sunset safari but I don't know how fast it books up. I think the limit is 12. Kids have to be age 8 or over. You don't have to be staying concierge to book it, but the price is much higher if you're not concierge.

 

[LisaS]

There are at most 5 Concierge studios but often only 4 or maybe even 3 depending upon how many of the 2BR lockoffs are rented as 2BRs. With more AKV owners buying in every week, the competition for those very few rooms just gets more difficult over time. You will need a lot of luck to book a Concierge room at 7 months out.

Of the five 2BR lockoffs, three face the Sunset Savanna and two face the pool area. You can request a view but it is not guaranteed. The savanna view is not that good because you are in a little corner of the Sunset Savanna so you don't have a very expansive view. The tree tops block a lot of what you can see.

You can book the Wanyama (aka Sunset) Safari as a non-concierge guest but it will cost you an additional $50 per person -- $210 instead of the $160/person that concierge guests pay.

There is no transfer fee when a DVC member books a reservation at a DVC resort, regardless of whether the reservation is for the member, a guest or a renter.

 

[Missin'Disney]

Hi guys! Sorry to hijack, but I also have a couple of questions about the AK Villas that I'm having troube getting a response to on other threads. I am hoping to book a 1 BR at Kidani for next June. Does anybody know if they will still be doing construction then, and if so how much this would affect somebody's stay there (i.e.: noise, mess, lack of dining; pool etc.)
Also, does anybody know how far out of the way the Kidani Village will be from the main lodge restaurants and lobby? Is it a short walk or not walking distance?
I've never stayed at AKL so please pardon my ignorance, I've done searches and can't seem to find much info (& I'm not a DVC member but CRO is letting me book for June online) Anyway, one last question....can anybody confirm that the 1BR in Jambo only has one bathroom whereas the 1BR in Kidani has 2 bathrooms. I got this from AllEars but was wondering if anybody knows if the Jambo 1BR's have a second bathroom. We will be 3 Adults, 3 small kids- need a 2nd Bathroom for sure!

Thanks in advance for any advice you DVC & AKL vets can share with me!! I really appreciate it!

 

[LisaS]

Hi guys! Sorry to hijack, but I also have a couple of questions about the AK Villas that I'm having trouble getting a response to on other threads. I am hoping to book a 1 BR at Kidani for next June. Does anybody know if they will still be doing construction then, and if so how much this would affect somebody's stay there (i.e.: noise, mess, lack of dining; pool etc.)

Phase 1 of Kidani opens May 1, 2009. Phase 2 opens in Sep 2009 so they will still be working on Phase 2 in June. As to what exactly they will be working on, it may be mostly interior work by that time but they haven't stated anything one way or the other. Several people have reported being told by Member Services that the pool and restaurant will be open by May 1st.

Also, does anybody know how far out of the way the Kidani Village will be from the main lodge restaurants and lobby? Is it a short walk or not walking distance?

You will be able to walk from the main entrance of Kidani to the main entrance of Jambo House (the Lodge building). It will be about 1/2 mile.

I've never stayed at AKL so please pardon my ignorance, I've done searches and can't seem to find much info (& I'm not a DVC member but CRO is letting me book for June online) Anyway, one last question....can anybody confirm that the 1BR in Jambo only has one bathroom whereas the 1BR in Kidani has 2 bathrooms. I got this from AllEars but was wondering if anybody knows if the Jambo 1BR's have a second bathroom. We will be 3 Adults, 3 small kids- need a 2nd Bathroom for sure!

The Kidani 1BRs will have a second bathroom with a toilet, small vanity and combined tub/shower. The Jambo House 1BRs do not have the extra bathroom. The Kidani 1BRs are also a bit larger than the Jambo House 1BRs.

 

[Missin'Disney]

Wow Lisa.... You rock. Thanks for taking the time to inform me. I think it looks beautiful so far and am psyched to have found a 1BR that will hold all of us and that 2nd Bathroom. The CM I spoke to when I booked my bounceback a few weeks ago told me my only options would be a FW cabin or a 2-BR villa. He obviously didn't know the details b/c after some research I discovered that the AK 1BR has the extra pullout. Considering the price diff. b/w 1BR's and 2 BR's this made my day! I'm so exited to try AK for the first time plus we're bringing my sis as a college graduation present and she spent a semester abroad in Africa!! I hope she feels at home at AK! Sorry for rambling, but I've got Disney on the brain
Take care and thanks again!!

 

[shamrockshake]

Thanks so much for everyones replies.

Sounds like concierge will be difficult t get, but I am hoping to get any studio at AK. I was thinking with the new AKV opening, It might be a bit easier to get one at Jambo.

Out od the DVC resorts, which do you think is easiest to get and hardest out of AKV, BCV, Boardwalk, WLV? We would be happy at any of these resorts.

Thanks

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks so much for everyones replies.

Sounds like concierge will be difficult t get, but I am hoping to get any studio at AK. I was thinking with the new AKV opening, It might be a bit easier to get one at Jambo.

Out od the DVC resorts, which do you think is easiest to get and hardest out of AKV, BCV, Boardwalk, WLV? We would be happy at any of these resorts.

Thanks

Since you are going in October (Food & Wine), I think the easiest to hardest would be:

SSR
OKW
VWL
AKV
BWV
BCV

Your friend will need to call as soon as the 7 month window opens for you to have a decent chance at the smaller resorts.

 

[shamrockshake]

Thanks for the reply! Do you think since Kidani will be new, that Jambo would be alot easier to get since folks would probably want to stay at the new resort?

thanks much!

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for the reply! Do you think since Kidani will be new, that Jambo would be alot easier to get since folks would probably want to stay at the new resort?

thanks much!

Really don't know - we have no experience to give us an idea. Some folks really like the convenience of being in the Jambo/AKL.