Has a stay at a new resort reformed you?

[dianeschlicht]

Last month we used our first AKV points. Many of you here on the DIS/DVC boards know that I LOVE my OKW!!! I still do, but that visit to AKV has me craving more of the same.....especially the CL units!!! Now I am in planning mode for our January trip. I booked OKW at the 11 month window, but the first week of our stay at the end of January is with guests. We will have DH's brother and his wife and son with us as well as our DD. The second week is no problem, because we will be just the 2 of us in a 1 bedroom, and I'll keep that part of the OKW ressie for sure. The problem is that I want to treat our guests to the wonders of AKV! They want that too, but I am pretty worried that I wont be able to get anything at the 7 month window.

I sat down yesterday and figured out about 6 scenarios of point usage dependant on different catagories being available at AKV. Of course, my first choice is CL, but I am NOT expecting to get that. DH and I talked about it last night, and we decided that we would be playing Russian Roulette with the reservations, since we don't want to get part of the booking doing day by day and then be left out or have to move in the middle. For that reason, we are going to try and rebook the entire reservation at the 7 month mark from the last checkout day instead of day by day. I'm going to be willing to divide the first week up into part 1 bedroom and part 2 bedroom if that is what is available, since there will be 3 of us for 3 days and 6 of us for 4 days. I figure if I can get CL even for part of that, I'll be happy. We wont absolutely HAVE to have the 2 bedroom until day 4 when the BIL and family arrive. All the possibilities are mind boggling with how different the point usage could be. I could be anything from the same as what we have booked at OKW plus 1 point up to an additional 111 points! I was ready to start cutting paper dolls by the time I got it all figured out yesterday!!!

 

[DeeCee735]

I spend much of my time configuring points usage at the places I want to stay - it is mind boggling...and fun

As long as you get into the resort, the experience will be amazing for your guests I'm sure! We stayed there just one night last week during our trip and we fell in love with it too. I'm very tempted to try to get into it for this upcoming Jan trip, but my kids really want to stay at the BW (our fav and our home). They want the proximity to the parks and ESPN, Beaches and Cream, and the water slide!

Enjoy

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, BIL suggested it when he heard us talk about our trip last month, and we will certainly try to get at least a Savanna view at the 7 month window, but I would LOVE to get club level. Not holding my breath on that though, and if I can't get at least Savanna view, we will stay with our OKW/HH catagory room. Of course, I could still try to change the last portion of our trip when it is just the 2 of us also!!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well, BIL suggested it when he heard us talk about our trip last month, and we will certainly try to get at least a Savanna view at the 7 month window, but I would LOVE to get club level. Not holding my breath on that though, and if I can't get at least Savanna view, we will stay with our OKW/HH catagory room. Of course, I could still try to change the last portion of our trip when it is just the 2 of us also!!!

I called last week to check availability of AKL CL for the first week of Jan for studios. They had 2 nites still left in that week. So you never know, you might get a nite or two in your week. I think Jan. is a perfect time for AKL, the animals like that weather better.

 

[OKWMom]

I'm so glad to see you post this! I cannot wait to show it to my husband who every time I suggest trying a different resort, digs in his heels and refuses to give up his large unit and balcony. I promise, his first question when I suggest another resort is "how big is the room?"

Now I can show him that another OKW uber-fan has managed to find joy and happiness at another resort. And is (insert gasp here) actually considering returning to said resort.

I do hope it all works out for you at the 7 month window.

 

[drag n' fly]

Last month we used our first AKV points. Many of you here on the DIS/DVC boards know that I LOVE my OKW!!! I still do, but that visit to AKV has me craving more of the same.....especially the CL units!!! Now I am in planning mode for our January trip. I booked OKW at the 11 month window, but the first week of our stay at the end of January is with guests. We will have DH's brother and his wife and son with us as well as our DD. The second week is no problem, because we will be just the 2 of us in a 1 bedroom, and I'll keep that part of the OKW ressie for sure. The problem is that I want to treat our guests to the wonders of AKV! They want that too, but I am pretty worried that I wont be able to get anything at the 7 month window.

I sat down yesterday and figured out about 6 scenarios of point usage dependant on different catagories being available at AKV. Of course, my first choice is CL, but I am NOT expecting to get that. DH and I talked about it last night, and we decided that we would be playing Russian Roulette with the reservations, since we don't want to get part of the booking doing day by day and then be left out or have to move in the middle. For that reason, we are going to try and rebook the entire reservation at the 7 month mark from the last checkout day instead of day by day. I'm going to be willing to divide the first week up into part 1 bedroom and part 2 bedroom if that is what is available, since there will be 3 of us for 3 days and 6 of us for 4 days. I figure if I can get CL even for part of that, I'll be happy. We wont absolutely HAVE to have the 2 bedroom until day 4 when the BIL and family arrive. All the possibilities are mind boggling with how different the point usage could be. I could be anything from the same as what we have booked at OKW plus 1 point up to an additional 111 points! I was ready to start cutting paper dolls by the time I got it all figured out yesterday!!!

Now that is what I call Plan B Very creative thinking

 

[MomDad&2boys]

I'm so happy to hear such great reviews of AKV since we just bought last week.

Quick question for you, What is club level?

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm so happy to hear such great reviews of AKV since we just bought last week.

Quick question for you, What is club level?

That's concierge level rooms where you get access to the private lounge (with food), and can book special safaris.

 

[MomDad&2boys]

That's concierge level rooms where you get access to the private lounge (with food), and can book special safaris.

Thanks. That is what I thought. I was just confused by the different terminology.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I've stayed at all of the resorts and OKW is my favorite but every once in a while, there's nothing like a stay at AKV. AKV is really a special treat, the points are outrageous compared to OKW but it's worth it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I've stayed at all of the resorts and OKW is my favorite but every once in a while, there's nothing like a stay at AKV. AKV is really a special treat, the points are outrageous compared to OKW but it's worth it.

Actually, not all the AKV points are outrageous! I love that there are so many choices. That is why I can stay for the same point cost as OKW plus 1 point or up to 111 points extra. It all depends on the catagory and size.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I plot and plan w/ the points charts and you're right if I stuck to a studio but I have to have a place to go when I can't sleep or get up at 5am, so we always have to have a 1br at least, most of the time a 2br because we bring friends, family and school buddies. I need more points! but alas it's not in my immediate future. I stayed at AK during X-mas 2 years ago, on the Savanah, I don't think I could stay anywhere else. I give credit to these families of 4 who stay in studios!

 

[RLRDA]

Let me ask an opinion of all the AKV lovers.....I'll be booking a trip for August 2009 at the 11 month mark (i.e September). I've already banked and will borrow for the trip maximizing our small add-on. We'll have enough points for 6 nights in a 1BR concierge or 8 nights in a 1BR standard (can also do 6 nights in a 2BR value and take someone along or 6 nights in a 1BR SV) It's the weekend points that kill us....we can only swing a Friday on the 6 night stays.

Would you splurge and go for the concierge or get 2 extra nights out of the trip and go with the standard (most likely Kidani)? We have already stayed in a SV villa and loved it as well so we'd more than likely be giving up the view.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

It depends, Sometimes I go to Disney w/ the intent of spending a lot of time at the theme parks, so I would get a few more days out of it. However, if it's just me and the honey, I might bump up the digs and enjoy the concierge level. It's a hard decision. Good luck in making it!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Let me ask an opinion of all the AKV lovers.....I'll be booking a trip for August 2009 at the 11 month mark (i.e September). I've already banked and will borrow for the trip maximizing our small add-on. We'll have enough points for 6 nights in a 1BR concierge or 8 nights in a 1BR standard (can also do 6 nights in a 2BR value and take someone along or 6 nights in a 1BR SV) It's the weekend points that kill us....we can only swing a Friday on the 6 night stays.

Would you splurge and go for the concierge or get 2 extra nights out of the trip and go with the standard (most likely Kidani)? We have already stayed in a SV villa and loved it as well so we'd more than likely be giving up the view.

I'd do the concierge level for as many nights as I could. It was WELL worth it in our mind. We had a 1 bedroom CL for the two of us (we don't do studios), and we did not stay over a weekend night, but switched to OKW for that.

 

[RLRDA]

It depends, Sometimes I go to Disney w/ the intent of spending a lot of time at the theme parks, so I would get a few more days out of it. However, if it's just me and the honey, I might bump up the digs and enjoy the concierge level. It's a hard decision. Good luck in making it!

It will actually be the whole family (5 of us) - I'd only do the 2BR value if someone wanted to join us.

I'd do the concierge level for as many nights as I could. It was WELL worth it in our mind. We had a 1 bedroom CL for the two of us (we don't do studios), and we did not stay over a weekend night, but switched to OKW for that.

I wanted to be able to try the Sunrise Safari with the kids and since I'm banking/borrowing it would be 2011 (or longer) before we'd get the opportunity again so I think I'll splurge and then add 2-3 days at SSR or OKW.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Last month we used our first AKV points. Many of you here on the DIS/DVC boards know that I LOVE my OKW!!! I still do, but that visit to AKV has me craving more of the same.....especially the CL units!!! Now I am in planning mode for our January trip. I booked OKW at the 11 month window, but the first week of our stay at the end of January is with guests. We will have DH's brother and his wife and son with us as well as our DD. The second week is no problem, because we will be just the 2 of us in a 1 bedroom, and I'll keep that part of the OKW ressie for sure. The problem is that I want to treat our guests to the wonders of AKV! They want that too, but I am pretty worried that I wont be able to get anything at the 7 month window.

I sat down yesterday and figured out about 6 scenarios of point usage dependant on different catagories being available at AKV. Of course, my first choice is CL, but I am NOT expecting to get that. DH and I talked about it last night, and we decided that we would be playing Russian Roulette with the reservations, since we don't want to get part of the booking doing day by day and then be left out or have to move in the middle. For that reason, we are going to try and rebook the entire reservation at the 7 month mark from the last checkout day instead of day by day. I'm going to be willing to divide the first week up into part 1 bedroom and part 2 bedroom if that is what is available, since there will be 3 of us for 3 days and 6 of us for 4 days. I figure if I can get CL even for part of that, I'll be happy. We wont absolutely HAVE to have the 2 bedroom until day 4 when the BIL and family arrive. All the possibilities are mind boggling with how different the point usage could be. I could be anything from the same as what we have booked at OKW plus 1 point up to an additional 111 points! I was ready to start cutting paper dolls by the time I got it all figured out yesterday!!!

Oh, yes-did a stay at a new resort reform us! Ironically, dianeschlicht, it was to OKW. We bought at another resort, made our reservations at our resort, then airline changes necessitated adding a night at the end of our trip. At that point, only OKW was available. After one night there, DH said, "This is where I want to stay ALL the time!", we sold our other points and bought an OKW resale, and never regretted it. So a stay at a new resort definitely reformed us!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Oh, yes-did a stay at a new resort reform us! Ironically, dianeschlicht, it was to OKW. We bought at another resort, made our reservations at our resort, then airline changes necessitated adding a night at the end of our trip. At that point, only OKW was available. After one night there, DH said, "This is where I want to stay ALL the time!", we sold our other points and bought an OKW resale, and never regretted it. So a stay at a new resort definitely reformed us!

LOL, and you made the choice of a GREAT resort too! I LOVE OKW! The thing is, I also love AKV. In fact, when they started building AKL, we heard rumors that it was to be DVC. We were so hoping that was true, and when it turned out not to be, we were pretty disappointed. I always said I wished AKL was DVC, so when it came to pass, I HAD to get some AKV points, even though we seemed to have the purfect amount of points for us already.

 

[kfalsey]

did you ever regret buying two resorts. I just signed the paper for bc, have them here and will notarize them tomorrow, 350 pts, but reading here and other it makes me wonder if I shouldnt buy two resorts. animal kingdom have not gone to yet.

 

[dianeschlicht]

did you ever regret buying two resorts. I just signed the paper for bc, have them here and will notarize them tomorrow, 350 pts, but reading here and other it makes me wonder if I shouldnt buy two resorts. animal kingdom have not gone to yet.

When we first purchased DVC, I saw no reason to own two resorts because it does limit how you use your points. It only limits it with what is available at a specific location in a specific use year. When we purchased our first two contracts, we specifically wanted all the points available at the same place and time, so we have two contracts of 230 points and 150 points all at OKW. When we purchased, the only two places to buy were OKW and BWV. We did NOT want BWV, so the choice was easy. We always said we wished Animal Kingdom Lodge was going to be DVC, but when it turned out not to be, we had to settle for staying there a night on either end of a DVC stay. WHen they finally brought AKV on board to the DVC system, we knew we HAD to have some points there, so that's why we own a minimal 69 point contract there. It gives us that second resort at the 11 month booking window every 2-3 years.

I have to ask if you purchased all 350 points in one contract. Did you buy resale or through Disney? I'm glad we have our points in seperate contracts, because it makes it easier to leave to the kids later, and also allows us to sell one should we want to. It's a lot easier to sell a smaller contract than a larger one.