Buyer's remorse with AKL????

[Jen_in_NH]

We rented points to stay at AKV Kidani this winter, and loved it so much we bought DVC ourselves there. The resort was really relaxing, the kids loved the animals, and the pool was awesome. I've heard complaints about the lack of CS places, but one of the main attractions for us in DVC was having a kitchen to make some of our own meals, so it doesn't bother me in the least.

I had read about the transportation, and how it was so long and horrible. We were there the first week in December, which is supposedly a crowded time for DVC. We never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus, and the rides weren't horrible. I think the longest was to Downtown Disney, but it certainly wasn't long enough to make me think I needed to rent a car to avoid it.

Give AKV a try - you may suprise yourself.

 

[disneychic]

Ooops, just wanted to add that we didn't just love the room because it was a savannah view, we loved the room because it was beautiful!

 

[mickeys girl 52]

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!!

If you will be traveling during the summer you will most likly be able to change at 7 months to anywhere you want. I even think BLT will be easy to get in as long as you don't mind the lake view. I have always gotten whatever I wanted at 7 months and for the longest time SSR was my only resort. I added on to BCV only because I wanted to be able to get a 2 br dedicated Quueen bedroom durimg F&w festival. Thats the only reason.
But as long as you call first thing in the morning at the 7 month I believe you will get what you want most times. I think your little ones will love seeing the animals at AKV. You can always try a split stay between AKV and BLT.
Your kids will love where ever you stay; afterall "Your in DISNEYWORLD "

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

You've got great advice/responses so far.

I would be under the "Give it a try" category. We've found AKL & V to be a unique/relaxing and beautiful resort. It has it's merits like all WDW resorts.

 

[dsneygirl]

We just got back from AKL (Jambo house) We had a rental car but used the buses a lot. The bus from AKL to Epcot took 9 min. Like another poster said that is less than the monorail from BLT to Epcot. The pool is awesome (both Jambo and Kidani) far superior to the pool at BLT.

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

We bought AKV sight unseen, and we love our home resort!!! Have stayed there twice now since buying DVC.

Was able to get BLT lake view for President's/Mardi Gras week this past February, so getting ressies hasn't been a problem. The only times I've had trouble jumping a ressie at 7 mos. is during the peak DVC times (which I knew before buying because ).

We did love the BLT experience of being on the monorail line, but AKV transports us to the feeling of being 1000's of miles away, with great amenities. Are the bus rides longer, sure, but hey it's vacation, right?

When we bought our choices (buying from Disney) were AKV and SSR...we were leary of buying SSR, but have stayed there twice now and loved it there too!

 

[La2kw]

I would never have bought at AKV. But after staying at Kidani last spring break, it's become one of our favorite resorts. Try it first before you worry too much about it.

 

[alanapapa]

We (DW, DD16, DD11, & I) stayed at Jambo in 2005 prior to our first DCL cruise and fell in love with it. We bought in when we had a chance and then added at SSR. We were at SSR last OCT and thought the bus ride to AKL from MK or EPCOT was not as long as some at SSR or DTD sometimes. It depends on what time of day and what time of the year. We stayed at POFQ Xmas of 2008 (I was the first person to enter a Disney park for free on their birthday on Jan 1st) and some of those busses took forever to even get out of the parking lot due to traffic.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We purchased both AKV and BLT. Each for different reasons and we love staying in both. Feel so much more character and ambience at AKV---feel the pool is nicer (but I do like that you can sit on on a small beach area at BLT and look out at Bay Lake !). We stayed in a MK view a couple weeks ago. Yes....the points are high....but wow....the view made a HUGE difference for us. Loved waking up to the sound of the WDW Railroad....seeing the monorail float by......the Castle and Space Mtn. Can't imagine any kid wouldn't notice and love this. We had to switch to a Lake view because MK was booked, and while it was very nice...we were missing the MK view for sure. At AKV.....just love the savanna view. We could sit out on that balcony all day and watch the animals. Love the room decor too. So each has something very unique and special to offer.

Maria

 

[Sandisw]

We were in the same position as you, debating whether to buy, and then held off because we most often were staying at the CR and didn't want to buy in at AKV in case we didn't like it. We waited and ended up with BLT.

I did start out with VWL (via resale) but sold after two months (it was a small contract so the loss I took was less than $1000 but well worth it).

In your case, before you make any decisions about the future, I would give AKV a chance, or at least see how it goes with booking BLT.

If you find that you really don't like it and want to have that 11 month window for BLT, especially SV rooms, you can add on at BLT and then eventually sell off those AKV points.

The big piece will be how much are you willing to lose to make it happen. For us, we wanted the 11 month window so we didn't have to stress at 7 months as to whether BLT would be available.

With them now selling 100 point BLT contracts to new buyers, IMO, the ability to get in to BLT at 7 months is going to get harder, even during the lower demands time of year.

Good luck!

 

[realfam]

We own at SSR and AKV and let me tell you that you are gonna love AKV. Its our favourite. Your kids will love just hanging around the resort. Trust me, don't second guess yourself. AKV is awesome and you'll love it too

 

[MK032197]

We originally purchased 150 BW points and then several years later wanted to add on and VB was what was being sole so we purchased 200 points there. Just recently added on via resale and again bought VB points (200 pts) becuase they were less expensive. Have never stayed at VB yet!! Hope to some day but my point is it os one of our home resorts and we have never had problems getting what we wanted. Although we do travel in the slower times of the year.

 

[bookwormde]

May i not a busy time so I think you will be OK at 7 months for all but the highest demand reservations. Check the availabilty thread for this May and you will see only a limited number of booked up units

Bookwormde

 

[lucyem]

I would recommend staying there and seeing what you think first.

I will let you know my opinion in Oct We bought BCV because we LOVE BC. Our October trip was just extended and I was able to get 3 nights at AKV. I personally have never had any interest in the resort. But I figured it was worth trying at least once. When I started looking into it I got intrigued and now I am actually looking forward to it. My husband joked that it might become my favorite.

 

[1153rsmith]

I'm not a DVC owner... (I want to be one day) but I just exchanged through RCI into Kidani the first week of May and loved it. I have heard people say the resort is so far out and the buses are terrible, so even though we had a car, we used buses a few times just to see. I personally thought the buses were fast and efficient. We used them to go to Epcot, and MK and were there and back in no time. As a matter of fact, we had some friends who drove to Epcot and we took the bus. We both left Epcot at the same time and we beat them back to Kidani on the bus.

The pool is incredible. I had a hard time prying my kids away from there. I think we could go back and never leave the resort for a week and they would be happy. Staff is great. Savanah views are wonderful.

The only thing is, it is big, so if you want to be near pool or lobby you need to ask. If you do get stuck on the outer wings, it's a hike back.

If you have a car, the under-building parking is awesome.

So far we have stayed at OKW and AKV and like AKV the best. Since you have it, I would give AKV a try before you get too bummed out. That being said, I hope to use RCI to stay at a bunch of different DVC properties before I buy at DVC. Then I will buy where I primarily want to stay. A friend who owns at VWL says the only way to get there during Christmas is to own there, so not everyplace can be had at the 7 month mark.

One final note... after having stayed at several non Disney timeshares, in my opinion, the worst DVC property is better than the best non disney one.

 

[WolfpackFan]

How anyone could regret owning AKV beats the heck out of me. We love the resort.

 

[dclfun]

As soon as AKV was offered we purchased an add-on as it's always been my favorite resort. Where else can you find a savannah right outside your room anywhere else other than in Africa? I love the ambience, all the themeing details, and the fact that Jambo House is a self-contained resort vs. having multiple buildings. ---Kathy

 

[Laurabearz]

Just know that by the time your done with DVC you will have stayed in every single resort there is....

If not this trip, than the next...

 

[dzorn]

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!!

Many of our vacations have been at the end of August. This next year we are staying at BCV for a few days then BWV. Both reservations at a little less than 7 months. We were also able to get WL for Thanksgiving week last year.

We also love AKV. All DVC resorts have pros & cons. Try AKV and you may find you like it. DDs were disappointed that we are not staying their next August.

Denise in MI

 

[Jaylin]

Again, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you.....to everyone who has taken the time to post to my paranoid thread! You really are all making me feel so much better about our purchase. Maybe we'll save some points and stick with AKV. It is nice that there is such a variety of ways to spend your points there....so if I need a "cheap" point year, I'll get it.

Seriously you guys are the best!