For those who love AKL Villas....

[lcborn2run]

How is the bus service to other parks/Downtown Disney/water parks from there?

It is a beautiful resort (never stayed there, but we ate at Boma and walked around the resort), but I am just concerned about its remoteness (which I'm sure is a plus to some!)

As I mentioned in another post, we are thisclose to closing as I sat with a gude while on the Magic this past week. I was looking at BLT, but think AKL may be a better (and prettier according to the pics I saw) value with the current incentives.

Also, as I mentioned, they have one BR that sleep 5 in the newer buildings.

SO SELL ME ON AKL!!

Thanks, Lisa

 

[ADP]

Well, as for the bus service you are the closest to the Animal Kingdom park. The bus ride there is less than 5 minutes. As for the other theme parks and DTD AKL/AKV has dedicated bus service meaning the resort does not share buses with other resorts. I personally never had a problem with any of the bus transportation from the lodge.

I should also mention the uniquness AKL/AKV offers. You won't find this type of resort anywhere in North America, or possibly anywhere in the world. Having the animals right outside your balcony is truly wonderul. It's really a great place to spend a vacation.

 

[drusba]

AKV is out there all by itself. However it is designed to give the sense that you are on an African savanna and not even in Florida so it accomplishes exactly what it is designed to do -- make you feel you are far away from everything else. That can be good or bad depending on what you like.

The theming is excellent, you do get to see lots of animals, the existing pool at Jambo is very good and the one at Kidani with the play area may even be better, Boma's for many is the best buffet restaurant at WDW, and those "five" in a 1BR apply to both buildings not just Kidani (the only 1BR's that do not sleep five are the "value" point cost in Jambo; those are smaller rooms and there is only a limited number of them). Bus service is good although like anywhere you can get a longer wait once in a while. In any event, I find the bus service there to be better than at most resorts.

Other things that one might consider good or bad depending on what you want: Internally the building at Jambo is dimly lighted except for the main store and Mara (the fast food court), Kidani may be the same. Moreover the rooms are fairly dimly lighted. Again it is the sense of being in the outback and you might like it and you might not. Also, you are confined. You can exit the building only in the front, at the pool area, and designated viewing areas. That is because the rest of the property is savannas and those come very close to the building.

 

[jblrn2b]

Thanks for posting this love to see other's replies. WE bought without ever seeing the resort. We bought just to get into DVC but now I think we are really excited about it.

 

[justloveit]

We just returned from our first stay at AKV. To wake up in the morning and open the curtains to see what animals were outside was amazing! I stood out on the balcony watching, and then I noticed how many people there are doing the same thing. The room faced east, so I felt like I was truly on the savanah watching the sunrise in Africa! It was so peaceful and wonderful, I can't wait to return.

 

[BoosGram]

Thanks for posting this love to see other's replies. WE bought without ever seeing the resort. We bought just to get into DVC but now I think we are really excited about it.

We also bought without seeing any of the resorts in person (since we bought on board the Magic). We had a choice of SSR and AKV and have since stayed at both. We've talked w/a lot of DVC owners since and all agree: buy where your heart is. We love AKV and are very happy with our choice. It is so cool to sit on your veranda and just watch the animals! The feel of SSR vs. AKV is *very* different. SSR is very convenient to DTD, which is nice, and it has the spa for those who like that activity, but we love the feeling of being someplace else that we get from AKV.

After seeing the pics of BLR, we definitely are not interested in it. I know it's great being close to MK, but I am so turned off by their decor; it's just not my taste at all.

 

[dsneygirl]

The only location that seemed "far" was MK at about 20min of actual driving time. Epcot/DTD/Studios didn't seem to far at all. I was also really skeptical about the bus transportation but we were there for 8 nights with no issues at all.

The theming, decor, pool and restaurants really have one me over.

 

[kristenrice]

I just got back from my first stay at AKV. We had a savanna view on Zebra trail....and never saw a single zebra on our savanna! We saw some giraffes, ankole cattle, one of the antelope varieties (not the kudu) and some eland. There were also a few birds here and there. Overall, I love the resort, but I was a bit disappointed with our savanna view. There just weren't that many animals! They showed up in bunches. At one time, there would be 5 or 6 different critters out, but within about 30 minutes, they'd all wander away and the savanna would be empty again. I walked around the resort and looked at the other savannas and they all had plenty of animal activity. We must have just had some bad luck this trip. Actually, I am kind of glad that the savanna view wasn't that great....it gives me more reason to save points and book a standard view! I was looking at the walk to our room (as I walked past all those standard pool view rooms) and then the long walk to the laundry room (again, passing by all the standard views) and I was wishing I'd saved the points. I think that if I ever book Jambo again, I will definitely do a standard view. There are PLENTY of places near the standard rooms to observe the animals. It will be a toss up at Kidani. I think I would book a savanna room at Kidani just to guarantee that I am not overlooking the parking lot!

Anyways, now that I've rambled...as previous poster's have noted, the remoteness of the resort is not for everyone. We didn't have any problems with the busing. I think the longest we waited was about 15 minutes.

The greatest thing I noticed about AKV is the wonderful smell outside the resort, and even inside to a lesser extent. It smells like an aromatic campfire. It reminded me of sitting outside our trailer while camping, but no smoke! It has a campfire in the lobby and outside on the savanna overlook. The resort has a very "cozy" feeling to it. The only other DVC resort that we've stayed at is OKW and AKV is VERY different that OKW. I think it is a matter of personal taste, but we LOVED the AKV.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I just got back from my first stay at AKV. We had a savanna view on Zebra trail....and never saw a single zebra on our savanna! We saw some giraffes, ankole cattle, one of the antelope varieties (not the kudu) and some eland. There were also a few birds here and there. Overall, I love the resort, but I was a bit disappointed with our savanna view. There just weren't that many animals! They showed up in bunches. At one time, there would be 5 or 6 different critters out, but within about 30 minutes, they'd all wander away and the savanna would be empty again. I walked around the resort and looked at the other savannas and they all had plenty of animal activity. We must have just had some bad luck this trip. Actually, I am kind of glad that the savanna view wasn't that great....it gives me more reason to save points and book a standard view! I was looking at the walk to our room (as I walked past all those standard pool view rooms) and then the long walk to the laundry room (again, passing by all the standard views) and I was wishing I'd saved the points. I think that if I ever book Jambo again, I will definitely do a standard view. There are PLENTY of places near the standard rooms to observe the animals. It will be a toss up at Kidani. I think I would book a savanna room at Kidani just to guarantee that I am not overlooking the parking lot!

Anyways, now that I've rambled...as previous poster's have noted, the remoteness of the resort is not for everyone. We didn't have any problems with the busing. I think the longest we waited was about 15 minutes.

The greatest thing I noticed about AKV is the wonderful smell outside the resort, and even inside to a lesser extent. It smells like an aromatic campfire. It reminded me of sitting outside our trailer while camping, but no smoke! It has a campfire in the lobby and outside on the savanna overlook. The resort has a very "cozy" feeling to it. The only other DVC resort that we've stayed at is OKW and AKV is VERY different that OKW. I think it is a matter of personal taste, but we LOVED the AKV.

I have a concern about the "smell" you describe in your post. I have asthma, take daily medications to control it. I am now afraid that the "smell" might trigger my asthma. How strong of a smell is it? Anyone else notice this smell?

 

[btrim]

can be good and bad at any resort. We have had both good bus times and bad bus times at all the resorts we have stayed in. We have tried SSR, WLV, BWV, and OKW. It just depends on timing and how the bus system is running that day. I try not to let that worry me, but if you are worried about wasting time waiting on the buses, you might want to drive your car. As long as you are staying at a resort on property, you get free parking at the parks. Some people don't enjoy the bus rides, but the majority of the time, when DH and I are there, we love to ride the buses just to people watch.

 

[gingermouse17]

I love the fact that we don't have to share with any other resort. I did miss not being able to just walk from epcot to the resort but now that my kids are getting older it won't matter as much.

AKV always make me feel like I'm away on a relaxing vacation watching the animals and listening to the music (on my afternoons break from the parks)

 

[disnutt]

I have a concern about the "smell" you describe in your post. I have asthma, take daily medications to control it. I am now afraid that the "smell" might trigger my asthma. How strong of a smell is it? Anyone else notice this smell?

I only notice it near the fire pit near the Zebra Trail wing in the main lobby and by the fire pit just outside the 'back' door of the lobby. I too enjoy the smell. DH has asthma and hasn't been bothered by it.

 

[DeeCee735]

I have a concern about the "smell" you describe in your post. I have asthma, take daily medications to control it. I am now afraid that the "smell" might trigger my asthma. How strong of a smell is it? Anyone else notice this smell?

We go to this resort every time we visit, we've stayed there, and we just added-on there. I've NEVER noticed any aroma's or smell's (other than food near/at Boma - yum!), and I have been told I've got a really keen sense of smell - like a hawk has eyes, my friends tell me

Anyway, my DH is VERY sensitive to smells, and has asthma as well, and he has never had a problem here, never noticed a smell and never complained about anything bothering him. He loves the place as much as I do.

As far as the resort goes, to me, it's the most gorgeous resort on property. Just can't be beat. There's enough to do at this resort to spend at least one or two days. Between the lounge for drinks and appetizers, Boma for breakfast and dinner, Jiko, the savannah and viewing areas, the pool, the story telling, and the relaxing fire pit - wow - what a place to be.

Good luck with your decision, and welcome home!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We go to this resort every time we visit, we've stayed there, and we just added-on there. I've NEVER noticed any aroma's or smell's (other than food near/at Boma - yum!), and I have been told I've got a really keen sense of smell - like a hawk has eyes, my friends tell me

Anyway, my DH is VERY sensitive to smells, and has asthma as well, and he has never had a problem here, never noticed a smell and never complained about anything bothering him. He loves the place as much as I do.

As far as the resort goes, to me, it's the most gorgeous resort on property. Just can't be beat. There's enough to do at this resort to spend at least one or two days. Between the lounge for drinks and appetizers, Boma for breakfast and dinner, Jiko, the savannah and viewing areas, the pool, the story telling, and the relaxing fire pit - wow - what a place to be.

Good luck with your decision, and welcome home!

Thanks for your comments!!! While I will pass on the pit/campfire(I don't do the one at VB either), I really would like to see everything about the resort. This puts my mind at ease about the "fragrances". If it is mostly food smells, thats fine. Thanks again!

 

[Dean]

Thanks for your comments!!! While I will pass on the pit/campfire(I don't do the one at VB either), I really would like to see everything about the resort. This puts my mind at ease about the "fragrances". If it is mostly food smells, thats fine. Thanks again!

We were there last weekend for a couple of hours. I didn't notice anything outside, in the halls or in the lobby. The firepit wasn't going so I'm sure that could act as an irritant. I doubt you'll have any problems.

 

[adminjedi]

The only problem we encountered was trying to catch a bus from BWV to AKL. To and from the parks was standard wait times. Seemed faster than SSR times.

 

[kristenrice]

The "smell" that I noticed is "warm" aroma. It's hard to describe...it's not like a perfume or smoke, both which can definitely irritate asthma. It's more like when you walk outside and "smell" a sunny morning, or walk outside in the winter and "smell" the snow... It is not really describable until you experience it. There is always that delicious smell of food emanating from Boma and it made me hungry every time I walked through the lobby!

On a different note, my DD5 loved all the activities in the lobby. She was enthralled by the CM who was telling about the ostrich egg. There were arts and crafts projects everywhere. I was trying to go to the pool (since SHE wanted to swim) but I could hardly get her through the lobby. I swear she would have had just as much fun if we never even went to the parks!