Future concerns about AKL... nothing to do with construction or closure

[Merylj]

We have stayed on a level 2 savannah view room - a great view. Before we went and this is going back a few years, someone had posted room numbers with the "best" views, they had got this info from someone in bell services. So at check in I asked for one of these rooms and got one - there were alot on that second level.
I`ve read alot of debate about high floors low floors and I think there are plus and minus`s for each view. I wouldn`t worry too much about losing the high floors - there are still great views at AKL.

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

we've stayed at both higher and lower floors with savannah views and by far preferred the lower floors for it. Much better views of the animals.

 

[betterlatethannever]

What concerns me more is that the concierge lounge will be open to the DVC. Actually it will be run by DVC.

I'm guessing this will open the lounge up to twice as many people. I just don't like the trend.

We've stayed at the AKL every year in May from 2002 to 2007. And with the changes, I doubt we will go back.

Actually, its getting to the point where not going to WDW itself is open for discussion.

We've gone 3-4 times a year for many years, and the changes have not been for the good. (at least as far as I'm concerned).

Ed

 

[Starr W.]

Actually it will probably be less people. DVC only has 5-6 lock-off units designated as concierge. So the min would be 5-6 2br villas or the max 10-12 studios & 10-12 1br villas. The mix will probably fall in the middle, though may trend to the smaller units for less number of nights(some members are very tight with points).

The real excitement from members is not the concerige lounge, but the sunrise and sunset safaris. That's where you are going to have to be on the ball if you are staying on cash. DVC's are long term planners and know that "the early bird gets the worm", so they will be on the phone right at the first minute that you can book you safari.

 

[eliza61]

Personally, we're not fans of the villa aspects, and I know we're not the only family out there who feels this way. I don't need a full kitchen or sitting area, and as nice as the studios are... if your more then a family a two, someones sleeping on the pull out. The same can be said for the 1-bedroom villas. We're interested in buying into DVC, but financially not anytime soon and we're also weighing the advantages and price.

So because my only option is resort rooms or because someone prefers a room with 2 queen beds or a set of bunk beds for the little ones, our room locations are limited, and if my readings were true, they'll be "bottom of the barrel" quality?
As I said, I guess I'm just "scared" of what this ultimately means for future general resort guests.

Can i ask what you read that may have suggested this?

I don't think that will be a problem. I say this on the basis of the WLV, BCV's and the BWV's. This also were dvc add ons after the original resort opened up and I don't think the hotel parts give guest the "bottom of the barrel". Generally it seems the hotel rooms have the best views. I think after all the construction is over with, AKL will still be able to offer some seriously nice rooms.

 

[jarestel]

As I said, I guess I'm just "scared" of what this ultimately means for future general resort guests.

I'd go ahead and see for myself if the changes have "cheapened" the resort experience before I became too frightened. Maybe you'll like it, maybe not but there's no sense imagining the worst without any actual experiences to base the fears on.

Good luck!

 

[Irishhockey]

I do agree... that I have to just suck it up and go. Worst case... we don't like it... which is always a possibility at any resort. In all honesty you guys have helped me, and we most likely will give it a shot.

I've based my "assumptions" on several other Disney fan sites, resort reviews (other sites, here, trip advisor, etc.), and a couple of pictures I've seen. As I said, it was a mixed lot and I knew there were travelers out there who have had opposite expereinces to what I described.

 

[PamOKW]

While I'm not a fortune teller who can guarantee how they'll price the DVC villas at AKL, I'll take a shot at where the pricing may fall.

This is all based on rack rate, regular season.

Right now, the "regular" hotel rooms at Yacht & Beach Club and BWI are about 25% more expensive than the rooms at AKL.

DVC villas at both BWV and BCV are $359 Studio; $480 one bed; $770 two bed.

I would expect the AKL villas to fall somewhere between VWL prices and BWV prices, so my guess

Studio - $349-$359
1 Bed - $470-480
2 Bed - $764-770

On the plus side for how this will also benefit the average resort guest, once the new area is completed, you will be able to stay in a resort with it's own savannah -- greatly increasing the number of savannah view rooms. Also, I think many people will like being able to easily accomodate 5 people in a one-bedroom and have the bonus of a second bathroom.

Worrying about the future tends to be a waste of time. Don't worry, be happy (Hakuna Matata) and you may be pleasantly surprised when this resort is completed.

 

[LisaS]

I've stayed at AKL several times (5th floor, 3rd floor and 2nd floor) and I preferred the view from the 2nd floor because we were at eye level with the giraffes. It was fantastic! The view from the 5th floor wasn't bad at all, just not as intimate with the animals. So if you want a more expansive view (wider view but further from the animals) you will prefer the higher floors. If you want to be as close as you can get to the animals then the lower floors are better, in my opinion.

So I have the opposite concern to the OP. As an AKV owner, my stays in the Lodge building will be limited to the 5th and 6th floors only. I would much prefer to be on a lower floor!

I also wanted to throw some additional info out there regarding some other comments made in this thread about the villas in the Lodge building.

- Most of the AKV studios will be about 40-50 square feet larger than the standard-size AKL rooms. The "value" studios will be exactly the same size as the standard-size AKL rooms. But in general, DVC studios feel more spacious because replacing one of the queen beds with a sofa bed increases the open space in the room.

- Someone asked if the entire 5th floor was being converted to DVC and the answer is "maybe". All of the Zebra and Kudu trails (the two sides of the horseshoe) are being converted as well as the 5th and 6th floors in the lobby area. What isn't clear is how much of the Giraffe and Ostrich trails are being converted. The back side of those trails (the parts that face the pool and Sunset savanna) are being converted but some diagrams indicate that not all of the parking lot view rooms on those trails will be converted to DVC.

- DVC will operate the concierge lounge but only the DVC guests in 5 2BR lockoffs will have access to it. Even if those villas were filled to capacity (9 guests each), that would be a total of 45 DVC guests using the concierge lounge. In reality, there will probably be far fewer total guests in those villas than there were when they were AKL rooms. For instance, many DVCers book a 1BR villa for just 2 people so you would have 2 people in a space that formerly consisted of 2 AKL rooms.

 

[spiceycat]

plus the 2-bedroom takes up 3 rooms (at least) - so if you have 8 people - they are replacing a possible 12.

but most DVC members like their space. so instead it would 4 or 5 people instead of 12.

anyone heard what has been reported on another board.

that the ENTIRE DVC part of the resort will be FINISHED this Sept - not next May as the AKV maps show?

 

[mprewitt]

anyone heard what has been reported on another board.

that the ENTIRE DVC part of the resort will be FINISHED this Sept - not next May as the AKV maps show?

I would really like that rumor to be true, as I'll be staying at AKV in December and then again in March.

I wonder how all these rumors get started?

 

[Fast Pass]

I have been kinda freaking out about my stay in Sept.. I called the resort today and talked to a CM who actually works there day in and day out. She told me that Disney didn't realize how disruptive the construction would be and has told the construction people to speed things along. Disney also ran into some unforseen problems during construction causing additional noise that could not have possibly been forseen.
By September,if all goes according to plan,the majority of the construction will be over. There will still be construction noises but will not be disruptive to the point it is now or will be in August.
There are still animals out in the Savannah and very few animals have had to be moved because of the noise.
In other words, don't worry.
Disney is not taking anymore reservations because they are trying to lower the disruptive impact that may occur to as few guest as possible.
So in short, if your going in September, you might want to reconsider changing resorts. Everything might be okay by then.
If you decide not to keep your AKL reservation but later on change your mind you might not be able to get back into the resort.

 

[EEyorelover22]

While I'm not a fortune teller who can guarantee how they'll price the DVC villas at AKL, I'll take a shot at where the pricing may fall.

This is all based on rack rate, regular season.

Right now, the "regular" hotel rooms at Yacht & Beach Club and BWI are about 25% more expensive than the rooms at AKL.

DVC villas at both BWV and BCV are $359 Studio; $480 one bed; $770 two bed.

I would expect the AKL villas to fall somewhere between VWL prices and BWV prices, so my guess

Studio - $349-$359
1 Bed - $470-480
2 Bed - $764-770

On the plus side for how this will also benefit the average resort guest, once the new area is completed, you will be able to stay in a resort with it's own savannah -- greatly increasing the number of savannah view rooms. Also, I think many people will like being able to easily accomodate 5 people in a one-bedroom and have the bonus of a second bathroom.

Worrying about the future tends to be a waste of time. Don't worry, be happy (Hakuna Matata) and you may be pleasantly surprised when this resort is completed.

I was told the 1 BR would be $550 for SV
Studio SV $429

 

[garada3]

After construction is complete, what will be the options, with conceirge services, be for a family of 5? Any guesses on price?

AKL was high on our list for our next trip, but now we are not quite sure.

But, I guess since our trip isn't until '09 I have time to adopt a wait and see attitude

 

[DebbieB]

plus the 2-bedroom takes up 3 rooms (at least) - so if you have 8 people - they are replacing a possible 12.

but most DVC members like their space. so instead it would 4 or 5 people instead of 12.

anyone heard what has been reported on another board.

that the ENTIRE DVC part of the resort will be FINISHED this Sept - not next May as the AKV maps show?

Maybe the current lodge part of DVC might be completed by September but they are also building a completely separate building that will just be DVC, that will take some time, 2009 I think.

 

[spiceycat]

Maybe the current lodge part of DVC might be completed by September but they are also building a completely separate building that will just be DVC, that will take some time, 2009 I think.

the current change was to go on until May, 2008 - since they just started last month - this is a BIG change.

they have also started on the outside building.

 

[disneynutz]

The sooner you can build it, the sooner they will come.

 

[pilferk]

I know AKL has been a huge topic of discussion recently with the DVC conversions that led to resort transfers and construction. My concerns don't really have to do with either... but rather what the resort will be like when this is all done.

My boyfriend's ideal resort right now is the AKL. I've stayed there before, pool view, and found the resort to be "ok" but not really worth the price. Even with that being said though, I was thinking of maybe surprising him one day with a trip to that resort. (oh the things we do for the people we love )

All of the reviews I've read claim that the higher rooms provide you with the best view of the "savanah" and how lower floor rooms are not exactly worth the price considering the obstructed views you may recieve. Now I know it's a mixed lot, and I'm sure people have had the opposite experience of what I just described. I remember having a higher floor room when we stayed and how much more amazing the pool area really looked. We could even see a few giraffes off in the distance.

Taking into consideration that DVC will be occupying the top two floors, and maybe even the top three in areas... would a savanah view room really be worth it? All I can think about is being placed on a room close to ground level and smelling this awful smell from the animals/waste and having barely any view out into the savanah due to tree trunks or brush and animals not really interested in "getting close" to the building

So I guess my question is...
Do you think DVC will infact bring "down" the quality of these resort rooms or am I just overthinking all of this?

I'd really like to surprise him with this (not for another year or two)... but am very hesitant now

IMHO, you'r overthinking things.

First up, for savannah view rooms, the different elevations really do have DIFFERENT benefits: The lower level rooms provide much more intimate, up close and personal, viewing of the animals. The higher views are more removed, but more expansive.

I have stayed in both....and I have never, ever, ever noticed any "smell" coming from the savannah.

For pool view, I would agree the higher elevations are more preferable....not entirely because of the view, but because of the removal from the noise around the pool.

 

[Jalva22]

I've stayed on the 5th floor savannah view and 3rd (lobby) floor savannah view. Both were outstanding. I have no concerns whatsoever.

 

[pilferk]

Please understand that I personally see nothing wrong Disney capitalizing on DVC and this addition to the resort... BUT at what cost?

Personally, we're not fans of the villa aspects, and I know we're not the only family out there who feels this way. I don't need a full kitchen or sitting area, and as nice as the studios are... if your more then a family a two, someones sleeping on the pull out. The same can be said for the 1-bedroom villas. We're interested in buying into DVC, but financially not anytime soon and we're also weighing the advantages and price.

So because my only option is resort rooms or because someone prefers a room with 2 queen beds or a set of bunk beds for the little ones, our room locations are limited, and if my readings were true, they'll be "bottom of the barrel" quality?

I understand that DVC members pay a nice premium for those villas and I also understand the growing demand for timeshares in the area and it makes sense for Disney to capitalize. As I said, I guess I'm just "scared" of what this ultimately means for future general resort guests.

Just a word on those pullouts: They are NOT your typical "sofabed". They're MUCH more comfortable. I know people who stay in studios and they PREFER to sleep on the pull out. Trust me: The kiddies will love them.