Concerned about AK location/transportation

[lowepg]

Someone help knock me off the fence, please!

The dilemma: I'm literally ready right now to pull the trigger on a new AK purchase and finally become a DVC'er. My one apprehension about AK is the complete reliance on busses.

Our previous stays have been at locations like Contemporary, Polynesian, WL, etc. This has somewhat spoiled us on transportation (at least to MK). This has been important becuase in a typical 6-day visit, we would usally spend 2.5 days at MK and about 1 day at each of the other parks.

Now, this is likely skewed by the fact that my two DD's are 8 and 10 yrs old- so our visiting habbits might change a bit overtime (Not that THIS DH will ever get tired of MK though ).

So, Im a bit torn over having AK as our home.... mostly because of my perception of it being so isolated.

I HATE the "high season", so our trips are usually in September, December, January timeframe- so I'm feeling like we will usually be OK with 7-month booking- but maybe thats a bit naive as well....

Anyone face similar concerns?

 

[Caren]

Someone help knock me off the fence, please!

The dilemma: I'm literally ready right now to pull the trigger on a new AK purchase and finally become a DVC'er. My one apprehension about AK is the complete reliance on busses.

Our previous stays have been at locations like Contemporary, Polynesian, WL, etc. This has somewhat spoiled us on transportation (at least to MK). This has been important becuase in a typical 6-day visit, we would usally spend 2.5 days at MK and about 1 day at each of the other parks.

Now, this is likely skewed by the fact that my two DD's are 8 and 10 yrs old- so our visiting habbits might change a bit overtime (Not that THIS DH will ever get tired of MK though ).

So, Im a bit torn over having AK as our home.... mostly because of my perception of it being so isolated.

I HATE the "high season", so our trips are usually in September, December, January timeframe- so I'm feeling like we will usually be OK with 7-month booking- but maybe thats a bit naive as well....

Anyone face similar concerns?

I've stayed at AKL many times and found the bus service to be excellent. Unlike many other hotels, they don't share buses with another hotel. The Polynesian, for instance, is on the monorail line, but if you're going to AK, you're likely to find yourself on a bus that's also going to Wilderness Lodge and the Floridian.

 

[DeeCee735]

Most people on the boards will advise that you buy where you really want to stay the most, giving you the 11th month booking window, and if you are "on the fence" about AKV because of the transportation, you may want to look at another location via resale. However, AKV has many advantages, it's so unique and offers enough on property (as do all the DVC resorts) to spend a day at least just hanging out there.

Besides the buses (and I cannot speak from experience because we usually have the car so I haven't used the buses), which I don't think would give you much problem for transportation, there are always cabs waiting outside the resort for those times when you need to get somewhere (i.e., meal reservation, or tour) in a hurry, or find yourself running late. Granted it's an added expense, but I've used them when travelling to and from the AKL for dinner on trips when I fly down with a friend, it's quick and convenient.

I do not, however, think the transportation alone would deter me from owning there - maybe because I just bought an add on there!

Anyway, it is a lot to consider, but good luck with your decision and "welcome home" in advance.....

 

[alldiz]

OP.....I would not buy at AKV if you won't be happy staying there.
WTS.....I have never stayed at a monorail hotel....but I seem to have bad luck whenever I use it. I feel like everytime i use the monorail...It gets stuck...has to wait....A/C goes off....etc.

I don't mind the buses personally....but if you will not be happy at your "home".....why don't you wait for a "Contemporary DVC" announcement.
Kerri

 

[dianeschlicht]

We were at AKV in March and we joked the whole trip that the buses must have read our minds, because we never had to wait for one! Everytime we went out to the bus stop, the bus we were looking to take was either there or just pulling up. On our last day we actually had to wait about 2 minutes before a bus to Epcot came. We joked about our "bad" luck that day!

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We just spent our 1st week in May at AKV as owners, and the bus system was awesome. We never waited more then 5-10 min. for any bus. The resort is amazing the 2 bedroom villa was out of this world.

 

[lowepg]

OP.....I would not buy at AKV if you won't be happy staying there.
Kerri

I agree. I really like the AKV- my *only* concern was that I dont "sabotage" us on the days we want to go to MK.

It sounds like WDW doesnt want people to feel that way and have dedicated buss routes for AK. I think some of my misconception stems from times we went to AK from WL or Poly- those trips were particularly SLOW.


Also- we could always rent a car as well.... in fact our next trip- we will have one already.

I just looked in my old trusty "Unofficial Guide" and reviewed the time chart from place to place.... AK isnt as bad as I thought- not to mention the option of just driving (cold be faster than monrial for some travel).

 

[lowepg]

OP.....why don't you wait for a "Contemporary DVC" announcement.
Kerri

You were reading my mind on this as well.

I was actually planning on buying 100pts in AK and then adding on 100 in BLT- that was I could alternate homes (with 200 points) every other year....

When I spoke with my Guide yesterday he was hinting STRONGLY that this would be a good course of action- and I wouldnt be waiting too long to do it either. Though, of course, he was speaking hypothetically about the "next property" and how it *could* be months- or could be days...

 

[CarolMN]

We were at AKV in March and we joked the whole trip that the buses must have read our minds, because we never had to wait for one! Everytime we went out to the bus stop, the bus we were looking to take was either there or just pulling up. On our last day we actually had to wait about 2 minutes before a bus to Epcot came. We joked about our "bad" luck that day!

I often wonder if the DVC resort currently selling doesn't get special transportation treatment until it's sold out or nearly so.

Seems to me that the bus complaints / issues at SSR started to peak once sell out was near. I remember glowing reports prior to that, LOL.

Just a thought - I have no facts or personal experience with buses at either AKV or SSR.

 

[NSL]

I often wonder if the DVC resort currently selling doesn't get special transportation treatment until it's sold out or nearly so.

Seems to me that the bus complaints / issues at SSR started to peak once sell out was near. I remember glowing reports prior to that, LOL.

Just a thought - I have no facts or personal experience with buses at either AKV or SSR.

I would have to respectfully disagree. We have been visiting AKL long before it became a DVC property and never have had an issue with bus service. We had also stayed at the Carribean Beach Resort and hated it for that very reason. The buses at AKL are fantastic. Never have had to wait too long and have had much luck with it. We love it.

However, I would not want to buy there if I wasn't for sure I loved it because it seems to me it is really hard to book anywhere other than your home resort unless you are very flexible. We will be staying for the first time in Dec. as AKL members.

 

[alldiz]

I agree. I really like the AKV- my *only* concern was that I dont "sabotage" us on the days we want to go to MK.

It sounds like WDW doesnt want people to feel that way and have dedicated buss routes for AK. I think some of my misconception stems from times we went to AK from WL or Poly- those trips were particularly SLOW.


Also- we could always rent a car as well.... in fact our next trip- we will have one already.

I just looked in my old trusty "Unofficial Guide" and reviewed the time chart from place to place.... AK isnt as bad as I thought- not to mention the option of just driving (cold be faster than monrial for some travel).

If you do really want to own and stay at AKV.....don't worry about the buses. You can also just catch a taxi from pretty much anywhere besides M.K...even then you could cab to GF and monorail it. If this happened you can just rent a car in the future....sounds you are thinking that way anyway.

You were reading my mind on this as well.

I was actually planning on buying 100pts in AK and then adding on 100 in BLT- that was I could alternate homes (with 200 points) every other year....

When I spoke with my Guide yesterday he was hinting STRONGLY that this would be a good course of action- and I wouldnt be waiting too long to do it either. Though, of course, he was speaking hypothetically about the "next property" and how it *could* be months- or could be days...

I was seriously considering adding on at AKV....but I really wanted to have my points together in case I wanted to do something big. If you really want to stay at CRV mostly....I would wait a while....if you can resist

I often wonder if the DVC resort currently selling doesn't get special transportation treatment until it's sold out or nearly so.

Seems to me that the bus complaints / issues at SSR started to peak once sell out was near. I remember glowing reports prior to that, LOL.

Just a thought - I have no facts or personal experience with buses at either AKV or SSR.

Kerri

 

[lowepg]

Thanks for all the quick feedback!

I think I've teetered off the edge of the fence. Guess I'll give my Guide a call tomorrow morning! I think I'm going to have ot get lucky to get phase 1 at this point (went on waiting list Friday)....

 

[drusba]

Just adding a little to the above. You said your trips are usually September, December, or January and feel you might be usually OK with 7 month window. You should not assume that Disney in general low seasons are DVC low seasons. For September and much of Jan you are likely correct (but not all of Jan -- first few days and MLK weekend can be problems at 7 months). For all of December you are not -- that is a very high DVC booking month and you need the 11 month window to assure getting a room.

As to your sense that AKV is isolated: it is isolated, that is by design and it is supposed to create that sense that you may be somewhere other than Florida or Disney. The bus system is OK, better than others for which you might have to make stops at multiple hotels. Note, however, that once Kidani is finished, you will have two stops at AKV, Jambo and Kidani, for all the same busses, which will likely add four to five minutes to any trip.