Direct AKL or SSR help!

[Zach197]

Hello all! I currently own 150 points Poly with a October use year resale. My family of 4 are ready for more points and want to buy direct for the benefits (hopefully they return soon) and we do not want restrictions for future resorts including Riviera.

We will be purchasing the minimum 125 points direct tomorrow and the two resorts we are interested in are AKL or SSR. We have stayed at SSR and love the proximity to disney springs. We have never stayed at AKL but the reviews are almost always positive.

We Disney twice a year usually September and February. Right now studios work for us and rarely do 1 or 2 bedroom. Any suggestions would be appreciated thank you!

 

[Zach197]

Hello all! I currently own 150 points Poly with a October use year resale. My family of 4 are ready for more points and want to buy direct for the benefits (hopefully they return soon) and we do not want restrictions for future resorts including Riviera.

We will be purchasing the minimum 125 points direct tomorrow and the two resorts we are interested in are AKL or SSR. We have stayed at SSR and love the proximity to disney springs. We have never stayed at AKL but the reviews are almost always positive.

We Disney twice a year usually September and February. Right now studios work for us and rarely do 1 or 2 bedroom. Any suggestions would be appreciated thank you!

I forgot to mention the price difference at 125 points is approx $3,000 dollars with SSR being slightly cheaper. Thank you.

 

[princesscinderella]

SSR is definitely the more economical choice, it’s a cheaper buy in and cheaper dues. AKV has more expensive dues because of the animals. That said we love AKV and the one bedrooms at kidani because they have two bathrooms which becomes important as the kids get older. The proximity to DS for SSR is a nice plus too. We enjoy resort only stays at both so it’s really a tough choice. We own at both because we couldn’t decide

 

[sethschroeder]

AKV has the Club and Value rooms which you can really only get by owning there (if you can even get them then).

SSR is going to be less in MFs so long term you will be saving and upfront you will be saving.

You will get 6 more years by buying AKV instead of SSR I think it is but that doesn't matter for another 30 years but is something to keep in mind.

I also think AKV long term is more likely to hold value better because of its theme while SSR could possibly see more stability based on a eventual train station at Disney Springs (will have to wait to know that though).

 

[davidl81]

Really both resorts have very little 11 month advantage with the exception of the Value and Club rooms at AKV. At 7 months both resorts almost always have rooms open. We own both resorts (AKV direct was our first purchase and SSR resale) and if we had to pick which resort to stay at we would pick AKV because we like the theme of the resort much more than SSR. To me SSR feels like a gigantic apartment complex in a really nice community. Nothing wrong with it all all, but just not our favorite.

But for your purchase question it's a little tough. SSR is the better value money wise, but the difference is very small. My gut says go with AKV, but I honestly don't think it will make a huge difference either way.

 

[Zach197]

I agree with the fancy apartment feel at SSR! I enjoyed the resort and rooms prior to the refurb I imagine I'll like them more with the new refurb complete. Are the Savannah view studios usually available at the 7 month window because those would be the rooms we would mostly book. Also how would you compare the resorts pools? We love the paddock and poly pool and usually have a few chill days by the pool. Thanks again!!

 

[davidl81]

I agree with the fancy apartment feel at SSR! I enjoyed the resort and rooms prior to the refurb I imagine I'll like them more with the new refurb complete. Are the Savannah view studios usually available at the 7 month window because those would be the rooms we would mostly book. Also how would you compare the resorts pools? We love the paddock and poly pool and usually have a few chill days by the pool. Thanks again!!

The Savanna view studios are generally (besides value and club) the first to go. Normally they are available at 7 months but not always (I just looked and if booking today they are all booked at 7 months), so if you prefer those over the SSR rooms for the small difference in price just get AKV. SSR almost always has availability at 7 months in all room types except for very rare occasions.
Pool wise I think both are nice. SSR Paddock pool is really big and very enjoyable. I think the AKV pool may be a bit smaller, but not by much. I think they are about a wash. Jambo house pool is really fun too.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

SSR has excellent 7 month availability but AKV has pretty good 7 month availability too. Since you know you like SSR and it's less expensive then I'd probably recommend going with the purchase there and using the points to book AKV or any other resort at 7 months if it's available and you want to switch it up from SSR.

 

[Sandisw]

I’d go with SSR Since it’s a resort you like. Worst would be to buy AKV and decide you don’t v

 

[Leight19]

As others have said ssr will be cheaper over lifetime of contract and tends to be one of best choices for sleep around points. Both resorts historically are reasonably bookable with 7 month window with exception of value and club level at akv. These room types are great options that are nice if you can book but are so limited you would need to be flexible on dates or walk reservation so should not weigh them heavily in decision.

Since you said you staid ssr and liked it and have not staid akv, I think buying ssr would be my recommnedation since it’s cheaper. However, if you want to have shot to get the value or club level at akv and think it’s worth an extra 10% or so over life of contract it could be worth it (it’s where I bought). Just don’t count on getting the value or club level consistently.

 

[Sunnyore]

For me I think the MF will always be higher at AKV due to the animals so that’s why I chose SSR for my sleep around points. I bought my resale before actually staying there (had only stayed at AKV prior) and when I finally got the chance this past March I loved SSR. For me location is more important than theme and loved how I can walk to DS every night for dinner. AKV is beautiful especially the Jambo lobby but I didn’t love how far the resort is from most places. And while I love the wildlife, I didn’t love how my savannah view at Kidani was far in the corner where there was basically 4 animals in the paddock. My Jambo room was facing the large inner courtyard so that was way cooler. Anyway I felt AKV had decent availability at 7 months (right now 7 mon is Nov which is busy anywhere) so for your feb/sept travels you should have trouble booking. Since you like SSR I would just buy SSR.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I wouldn't book AKV if I'm not getting a Savanna. You can get those at 7 months unless you're going at Christmas. So get SSR and use them at AKV and come out ahead!

 

[SomePixiedust]

We were in the same boat last year trying to decide between the same 2. We have never stayed at either resort. We were almost 90% leaning towards AKV because we were loving the idea of the Savannah view but after more thought I realized that I never book more than 6 months out so home resort advantage really didn't matter. For us, the lower point cost, lower maintenance fees and location won out and ultimately went with SSR. We will eventually stay at AKV but the remote location is not appealing. The proximity to Disney Springs has also won us over. DD will use the points on trips with friends so being able to walk over to DS is a perk. So far, for all of the dates we have looked at (6 months out or less), we would be able to get a Savannah View at AKV if we wanted to so it seems like this decision worked out for us. Just booked our first stay at SSR for June and look forward to trying out AKV Savanah View for a short stay in the future. Just take it all into consideration and do what works for you. Having an older DD, now proximity to DS is more appealing.

 

[Zach197]

Thank you all! After reading all the comments and insight we bought 125 direct points at SSR today! The lower price/dues, distance to DS, AKL availability at 7 months and having been to SSR a few times we decided that was the right place for us. I worked with Kenny Smith from Disney and he was extremely helpful and wonderful to work with. Points should be in my account today or tomorrow at the latest! This forum has been very helpful and really put into perspective what we wanted. Thanks again