Help me choice a home resort...

[hmire]

We had decided that we are going to buy resale!!!!!!! Now I need to figure out between AKL and SSR. We have a family of 5 (ages below). Decisions Decisions!! lol

 

[luckyman_apd]

I would say AKV is best for you. AKV and BLT are the ONLY resorts that will sleep 5 in a 1 bedroom. All other resorts sleep only 4. Unless you are buying enough points for a 2 bedroom stay every time. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of SSR, and the points cost much less through resale, but it depends on what you are planning on booking for your stays. Just making sure you thought about this part.

 

[disneynutz]

Which resort do you enjoy staying at most?

Bill

 

[a742246]

You will enjoy both of these resorts.

Biggest advantage for AKV is the 5 in a one bedroom and more point structures which could give you more bang for the buck..
Biggest advantage for SSR is the opportunity to get a treehouse villa.

 

[hakepb]

If you are only buying enough points for a 1BR, then I would lean AKV. If DVC decided to limit SSR to 4 in a 1 BR (I think that is unlikely now that Disney has family suites at values, but you never know) ,you would have increased competition booking at AKV, BLT or OKW and may then wish you had AKV (or BLT / OKW) points.

If you are getting enough points for a 2BR, then go with your favorite.

On the resale market you could probably buy 2BR SSR points for the same amount as resale AKV 1BR. Or comparing Direct to resale, you could almost get a SSR Grand Villa via resale for what a direct 1BR costs.

 

[hmire]

I have never stayed in any of them. I have talked to DVC lady and she said they will let me do 5 in a 1br. So that's not a problem. I am leading more to AKL. I think I like that that resort better.

 

[lovin'fl]

OKW sleeps 5 as well, but OP is not interested in buying there...though they are the cheapest to buy. And you can put 5 in all the 1BRs...just AKL, BLT and OKW are the only ones with beds for all 5. We get a 1BR and bring an airbed for DS...twin DDs sleep in pull-out.

I would also vote for AKL...we are not fans of SSR as it's nothing special (unless you are interested in a treehouse villa) and not close to any of the parks. And I also suggest resale....direct pricing is outrageous.

 

[hakepb]

I have never stayed in any of them. I have talked to DVC lady and she said they will let me do 5 in a 1br. So that's not a problem. I am leading more to AKL. I think I like that that resort better.

As a word of advice, don't just believe a salespersons word, get it in writing. Disney is an above average company, but some members have complained they were misled by a (well- intentioned or lying) salesperson wanting to close a deal.

DVC does currently allow 5 in a 1BR (except AKV Value because the value rooms are too small for the sleeper chair) and I have no reason to believe they will change that policy (because of competition from family suites). But I am 95%+ sure the contract I signed said my SSR 1BR only sleeps 4. If DVC wanted to enforce 4 in a 1BR, I would have no recourse if I thought 5 should be allowed.

 

[luckyman_apd]

OKW sleeps 5 as well, but OP is not interested in buying there...though they are the cheapest to buy. And you can put 5 in all the 1BRs...just AKL, BLT and OKW are the only ones with beds for all 5. We get a 1BR and bring an airbed for DS...twin DDs sleep in pull-out.

I would also vote for AKL...we are not fans of SSR as it's nothing special (unless you are interested in a treehouse villa) and not close to any of the parks. And I also suggest resale....direct pricing is outrageous.

I didn't realize they would let you do 5 in a 1 br that sleeps 4. I don't have a family of 5 so it doesn't apply to me, but I think the living room is big enough for an airmattress. Personally, I'd rather take the couch folded up or the airmattress over the sleeper in the sofa. Those are NEVER comfortable unless you're a under 20.

 

[lovin'fl]

I didn't realize they would let you do 5 in a 1 br that sleeps 4. I don't have a family of 5 so it doesn't apply to me, but I think the living room is big enough for an airmattress. Personally, I'd rather take the couch folded up or the airmattress over the sleeper in the sofa. Those are NEVER comfortable unless you're a under 20.

No kidding...even my twin DDs-13 aren't too happy about the pull-out anymore. The pull-out chair they added to OKW was nice and comfy...according to my DS-15. It was more solid than the pull-out sofa. We will be doing 2 BRs for the next couple visits (mostly so DS can bring a friend, but also because my kids are older and bigger and need a little more room). In a few years, I doubt my DS will even want to go with us and then we can, maybe, go back to a 1BR.

 

[hmire]

I figured we will do 1 BR until the kids get a little older than we will start getting 2 BR. SSR I know I could get more points bc resale is cheaper. Just trying to see if the 11 month is really needed for AKL. To make sure we get a 1br if we want to stay there.

 

[chalee94]

Just trying to see if the 11 month is really needed for AKL. To make sure we get a 1br if we want to stay there.

as already stated, the AKV value 1BRs will not accommodate 5 and those are more limited.

AKV is a larger resort and finding a 1BR at kidani if you call exactly at the 7 month window and are flexible on standard/savanna view should not typically be a problem...but there is always a tiny bit of risk when you intend to stay where you do not own...

 

[disneynutz]

I have never stayed in any of them. I have talked to DVC lady and she said they will let me do 5 in a 1br. So that's not a problem. I am leading more to AKL. I think I like that that resort better.

I suggest that you rent some points from a DVC owner and stay at the resorts that interest you. Spending $60,000 dollars for something that you might not like is a expensive mistake. We thought that we would like BLT, bought there and of the 5 resorts that we own, BLT is our least favorite.

Bill

 

[hakepb]

AKV is a big resort (3rd behind SSR and OKW?). With the exceptions of Easter, NYE, Christmas, and possibly Thanksgiving, it seems you should be OK booking a 1BR savannah view (largest category) at 7 months.
Standard view may be a little more difficult at 7 months.
Usually the concierge and value rooms are impossible at 7 months. (I think those have 5 and 15 2BR lockoffs total)
If you contemplate occasional GV's then many say Jambo has the nicest ones on property and you would want 11 months for those, too.

THV is really the only 11 month advantage of SSR. But if a cheap SSR resale gets you more points its not a bad option if you can be happy with being anywhere at WDW.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

THV is really the only 11 month advantage of SSR. But if a cheap SSR resale gets you more points its not a bad option if you can be happy with being anywhere at WDW.

Unless you're wild about AKV (and it is a very nice resort--but I'm not crazy about the location), SSR is a much better value. You can use it to trade for something good at the 7 month window. We've even gotten into the AKV studio concierge at 7 month window. We're working on adding on via resale right now and the only reason we considered AKV was because we like to occasionally use Grand Villas and theirs is awesome! The extra money compared to SSR persuaded us otherwise though. We actually are currently bidding on BWV points (because we already have a bunch and they are good value and have a cool GV too.)

 

[lovin'fl]

AKV is a big resort (3rd behind SSR and OKW?). With the exceptions of Easter, NYE, Christmas, and possibly Thanksgiving, it seems you should be OK booking a 1BR savannah view (largest category) at 7 months.
Standard view may be a little more difficult at 7 months.
Usually the concierge and value rooms are impossible at 7 months. (I think those have 5 and 15 2BR lockoffs total)
If you contemplate occasional GV's then many say Jambo has the nicest ones on property and you would want 11 months for those, too.

THV is really the only 11 month advantage of SSR. But if a cheap SSR resale gets you more points its not a bad option if you can be happy with being anywhere at WDW.

I agree!