Buyer's remorse with AKL????

[Jaylin]

First let me start off by saying that we haven't even stay here yet....so I'm sure I shouldn't complain about it until we've actually been there, But.....

We bought DVC 2 summers ago while we were there for our 1st family trip, staying at the Poly. I've been to WDW many, many times as a child, alway at a monorail resort.

My family is me, DH, DS7, DD5, DD2, DD1

We bought into AKV because that's what they were selling, BLT wasn't available yet, I think it wasn't even official yet that that's what they were building. Kind of an expensive impulsive purchase. But with a family of 6 it really seemed like the way to go.

Our 1st trip will be this Aug. and we're staying at BCV. Heard great things about the location being so close to Epcot & HS.

Now I'm starting to plan our next trip in May 2011, had originally planned on AKV but would love to try BLT. Just don't think we'd get in, especially a standard view. I don't want to spend $ on a more expensive view...the kids could care less. The more I'm reading and planning, I'm starting to second guess our purchase. We've never even seen AKL or experienced the buses and long commutes to the parks from there.

I know we're not forced to go there but, now that I'm thinking about how difficult it might be to get a different resort at the 7mos mark, I'm starting to regret it. Especially with the price BLT is right now and it's location, hindsight is making me think we should have waited. With 4 little kids, it would have been so much more convenient to own BLT.

Please tell me I'm crazy, that I'm wrong. Or to just shut-up until I've actually been there and then I can critique it. Or tell me that it's not that difficult at 7mos to get other resorts, standard views!!!

 

[Boardwalker]

First let me start off by saying that we haven't even stay here yet....

Please tell me I'm crazy, that I'm wrong. Or to just shut-up until I've actually been there and then I can critique it. Or tell me that it's not that difficult at 7mos to get other resorts, standard views!!!

It is only human to second guess yourself. But relax, try your home resort.
We bought into the Boardwalk sight unseen, because OKW was full and that was all that was available. I love it, it is the perfect fit for us and it was really meant to be.

You may find that the way you vacation changes as DVC owners, or as the kids grow... pros of some resorts and cons of others may matter more or less.
As more resorts open, demand at the 7 month window changes.

Give it time, try your home resort and if you are still feeling the same way, sell and buy into where you most want to stay.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

You'll hear "Buy where you want to stay" but in the end you can stay where ever you want at the 7 month mark. I've never had problems booking at 7 months, my son is still in school so we rarely travel during peak times. We stay at our home resort about every other time. Even booking at the 2,3,4th month I've always managed to get in somewhere if not the resort I may have asked for. As long as you are flexible you should not have difficulties. A BLT standard view will probably be hard to get for X-MAs/New Year but in the summer it's quite doable. At 7 months for a June resv. , a BLT 2br was available to me had I chosen it, so it may still work out for you.

I would give it some time, I would experience each resort to really determine where you like it best. I find that each resort has its own charms and I like them all, I have one or 2 favorites but in the end I'd stay at any of them. Who knows, you may fall in love with AKV, if not and BLT is truly what you want, you can sell AKV and buy into BLT.

 

[Tara]

I'm just one data point, but we had instant buyer's remorse with AKV and canceled our contract (this was June 2008). But we called our guide the day BLT was announced to get on the list to order points. Having now stayed at AKV and BLT, I know we made the perfect decision for us!

 

[Jaylin]

I'm just one data point, but we had instant buyer's remorse with AKV and canceled our contract (this was June 2008). But we called our guide the day BLT was announced to get on the list to order points. Having now stayed at AKV and BLT, I know we made the perfect decision for us!

Oh, not what I wanted to hear! What didn't you like about AKV? Wouldn't we take a big loss if we sold off AKV?

On the other hand we will rarely be traveling at the peak season...usually the last week in Aug. so hopefully it won't be impossible to get ressie at other resorts....

Thanks to everyone for their input!!

 

[mickey&minniealways]

AKV is beautiful and having the animal right there is so nice. The pool is outragous. We always rent from a DVC owner. Have not bought yet. That being said we have never had a problem renting when we asked. We also have never been disapointed with any of the dvc resorts we have stayed at.

 

[trasor]

I have yet to stay where I purchased. I was able to get BCV and VWL at 7 months out for Dec. trips which is a heavy time of year for DVC travel. I stayed in May at AKV because we were traveling with friends and that is where they wanted to stay. I was dreading it a little bit because of the bus rides but honestly didn't find them bad at all. All AKV buses are direct and I think that evens out the travel time.

 

[emacek]

We just bought in at VWL BUT...I'm an associate on my mom's ownership which is at AKL. We stayed there for post-Christmas/New Years Eve last year.

Our party was me, DH, my brothers (30-something and 40-something) and my goddaughter (12). We traveled with a family of 4 (kids are 10 and 16).

We loved AKL. Bus transport was not bad except for New Years Eve and that was crazy everywhere. In retrospect, if we do this trip again, we'd stay NYE at the resort. Although we went to a park every day, it was nice to feel removed from the parks when we wanted to be. I wish we'd spent more time at the resort. The kids liked the vibe in the lobby, sitting on the balcony looking for animals and going down to the public spaces. Only thing we did not like was the distance between our DVC studios and our friends rooms but that would be true anywhere.

As for BLT--definitely want to try it but....I plan on spending my home court advantage for Christmas at VWL or busy park seasons at AKL.

emacek

 

[dizfan]

Life's full of unexpected surprises. Until you try your home resort, there's no way of knowing if you like it or not.

I would book your home resort at 11 months (just to be safe).
At 7 months, call and try to change. If you want BLT see if it's available. You could also try booking somewhere like BWV (another easy access to parks location).

Also, don't be afraid to waitlist. We have been told getting BCV during F&W is almost impossible, but we had success this year.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Don't freak out yet. Give AKV and 7 month booking a try. Then, freak out if you still need to ...

We purchased at VWL because we loved the resort when we stayed in the regular hotel portion.

In 2007, we booked a 1 bedroom at OKW 7 weeks out for the week after the 4th of July.

In 2008, we booked a 1 bedroom at VWL at the 11 month mark for spring break ... week after Easter.

In 2009, we booked a preferred BWV studio at 7 months for Spring Break ...week before Easter.

For 2010, we have 1 bedroom standard at Jambo booked for 10 nights in August. Booked at 7 months.

We have never used a waitlist.

At this point, our love for VWL is fading and I'm finding home resort isn't such a big deal. I'm wishing we would have just purchased a resale at OKW because I could have had a lot more points for less $. And, surprisingly, my family actually prefers OKW to BWV. You just never know how your tastes will change.

 

[Anal Annie]

First let me start off by saying that we haven't even stay here yet....so I'm sure I shouldn't complain about it until we've actually been there, But.....

We bought DVC 2 summers ago while we were there for our 1st family trip, staying at the Poly. I've been to WDW many, many times as a child, alway at a monorail resort.

My family is me, DH, DS7, DD5, DD2, DD1

We bought into AKV because that's what they were selling, BLT wasn't available yet, I think it wasn't even official yet that that's what they were building. Kind of an expensive impulsive purchase. But with a family of 6 it really seemed like the way to go.

Our 1st trip will be this Aug. and we're staying at BCV. Heard great things about the location being so close to Epcot & HS.

Now I'm starting to plan our next trip in May 2011, had originally planned on AKV but would love to try BLT. Just don't think we'd get in, especially a standard view. I don't want to spend $ on a more expensive view...the kids could care less. The more I'm reading and planning, I'm starting to second guess our purchase. We've never even seen AKL or experienced the buses and long commutes to the parks from there.

I know we're not forced to go there but, now that I'm thinking about how difficult it might be to get a different resort at the 7mos mark, I'm starting to regret it. Especially with the price BLT is right now and it's location, hindsight is making me think we should have waited. With 4 little kids, it would have been so much more convenient to own BLT.

Please tell me I'm crazy, that I'm wrong. Or to just shut-up until I've actually been there and then I can critique it. Or tell me that it's not that difficult at 7mos to get other resorts, standard views!!!

Personally, I don't think you should knock it until you try it. That's like saying you don't like pickles but yet you have never had them.

We enjoy staying somewhere different on each trip and like that we're not locked into any one place each time. We've not had big problems yet getting in where we want at the 7 mo. mark. We have not tried BLT (yet) first 'cuz it's still so new and 2nd 'cuz it's so point intensive and I am a points miser and I can't bring myself to "spend" that many points on 1 trip. Also, don't forget that your kids won't ALWAYS be little... Just remember how much further your points will go at AKV.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

We purchased at AKV, sight unseen and have never regretted it! It is by far our kids favorite resort. They love to see all of the animals! You really feel immersed in the whole theme of the resort!

I would definitely give it a try before you write it off. It's not as hard as you think to get into other resorts. You will be surprised, too, which resorts you actually like in person. I thought we would hate Old Key West and it ended up being one of our favorites.

Good luck with your decision and I hope your first trip is as great as all of ours have been!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Take a deep breath and relax! Maybe step away from these boards as well.

Buyer's remorse isn't unusual so don't feel bad. The one thing I do know is that everyone has different preferences and perceptions so while you can take other's feedback you really aren't going to know what you yourself like until you try it.

The mysterious building at CR got me looking at DVC again and I thought that would be what would get us to buy but VWL resale got me before that!

We've stayed everywhere on property except SSR and Kidani but have stayed at Jambo including a couple of times in the hotel part. My sister stayed at SSR so I've also got a good idea of what that property is. (Funny thing - DBIL's perception was everything was too far. My 20 something nephew LOVED it! DH and I walked from their room to the CS to get us sandwiches since it was too far for DBIL. We were like - . Didn't get the complaint at all. ) Most of my reservations have been changes or booked at 7 months or less. Many people rave about BWV. I like it, but not my favorite. Same with BLT and we did buy there also.

I take the transportation complaints worth a grain of salt. And it's often just perception or is one of those times. BLT to Epcot via monorail or bus - longer than bus from AKV to Epcot! AKV to MK - about the same time as BLT-MK via monorail b/c of all the stops at each resort and the T&T. Return to BLT is less of course but you can see what I'm getting at.

You have lots of years to enjoy DVC. Give your home resort a try and also getting into other resorts before you worry too much about if you bought the wrong place.

I don't worry about not getting into a particular place. Instead I worry about how long since I've gotten to stay at each of them! There's just too many!!

 

[disneychic]

We did an add-on at AKV 2 years ago, and just returned today from our first stay there -- and we LOVED it! I wasn't sure if I was going to love AKV as much as I love the BWV and VWL, and my DH and I were both pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed staying at Kidani Village. We had a savannah view, and it was probably the most relaxed I've been while on a WDW vacation. Loved it so much, I'll be going back w/ my mom to stay there (on her points) in a few months.

 

[sleepydog25]

I'll chime in with most of the other posters--give AKV a chance. Though VWL is my resort of choice, I had the chance to stay at AKV (both Jambo House and Kidani) last year. . .and I loved it. I had savanna views at both locations, and the animals were quite enjoyable to watch. If you can swing that view, I certainly recommend it. The decor is fabulous, and the rooms spacious. The pools are great, too, especially Kidani's. Bus rides are affected by a lot of factors, the big one being how tired my child was (and me!), and other resorts have transportation issues periodically.

As a couple of others have suggested, book your home resort at the 11-month point to ensure you have a room, then try your hand at a 7-month ressie when the time rolls around. Except for the busiest of times, I've never had an issue getting what I want though I have had to go on a waitlist a couple of times--and each came through. At some point, though, you really should give AKV a test run lest you never know what you might be missing. Good luck.

 

[Vickis3js]

AKV is my FAVORITE resort. We bought during our first trip to WDW and we had the choice between AKL and BLT and at first we thought we had done the wrong thing by going with AKL but after our first trip there we know we did the right thing. I am actually booked at SSR in a 2bd and waitlisted for BLT for our next trip and I am so scared it will not live up to our expectations.

Point wise its awesome. We could have gotten a Savannah view for 2 points less then a standard view. My kids could have spent then entire trip at the resort and never stepped foot in a park and would have been just as happy. It has so much to see and do.

You definatly have to try it out for yourself!

 

[Jaylin]

You guys are the BEST!!!!!!!!

You really made my day.....I know I was getting all worried about nothing. I love these boards they are incredibly helpful but at the same time it can drive you bonkers. I guess it's just like all the restaurants.....I swear everyone of them, someone has LOVED it, and the next post you read, they absolutely HATED it. There is always good and bad reports to everything. I also feel much better now knowing that you all don't seem to be having a hard time booking at the 7month window.

So I'm just going to take a deep breath, enjoy our trip in Aug to BWV and in July book our trip for May at AKV and who knows maybe I won't even want to change it come my 7 month mark!!!!!

Thanks again guys! Keep posting the good stuff about AKV I would love to hear about it.

 

[The Red Head]

We have owned at BWV for 12 years. We stayed at the AKL last year for two reasons. I wanted to see the animals and we were traveling with another couple so we wanted the 2nd bathroom in the 1 bedroom that BWV don't have. And we all loved the AKL. We usually like staying by Epcot and the Studios perk, but we liked AKL so much we will definitely be staying there again. You can always book at AKL at 11 months and try for BLT at 7 months. If you get into BLT then cool you will be by the MK and if you don't you will still be staying in an amazing place. I think over the years you will find yourself wanting to try the different DVC resorts out.

 

[katmittens]

We are at AKV right now and really love it. It is a little farther out than the other resorts, but overall I don't think it is bad. We do have a car, so we mostly use the car. I love Jambo, the pool, the food, the savannah rooms, just the whole atmosphere, We have stayed at many of the resorts and our home resort is OKW. We like trying new resorts. We love VWL at Christmas, and OKW in the summer. Every time we stay at a different one it becomes our new favorit resort. There is good and bad at all resorts, but overall DVC resorts are great. I think you will be happy no matter what your home resort is.

 

[mikron2]

I would try AK before you change your mind. I own at SSR & OKW but have stayed at all the resorts and AK is out of the way but very nice.