Help Me Decide - AKV or WLV

[goofydiz]

I'm planning a trip in February, 2008 and I'm torn on where I want to stay. I've narrowed it down to AKV and WLV. I've never stayed at either and would like everyones advise and suggestions, Pros and Cons of staying at each. The one thing I'm worried about at both is the long ride to get to the other 3 parks. I'm use to staying in the Epcot / MGM area. Does it really take that long to travel from each? Also, I understand theres a boat at WLV to travel to MK, is this the best way to get there, and is it covered incase theres cold weather? TIA

 

[browniemtb]

Although my family loves all the resorts we are still attracted by being connected to a park. Hence VWL - boat to MK or BCV/BWV walk to Epcot or MGM. AKV though I'm not familiar with, is that walking distance to the actual park??
Brownie

 

[starbox]

We've stayed at VWL and we're about to stay at AKV . I actually think the resorts are really similar in terms of their pros and cons.

The biggest pros - they both have goregous, jaw-dropping lobbies and elaborate, immersive theming. they both have very good CS and TS restaurants.

For specific pros:

VWL has the great boat-ride. It's covered, so it's not too cold in the winter. It's not a speed-boat, but it is a great way to get to and from the MK. VWL is also closer to the MK.

AKV has a much better 1-bedroom set-up for families. You can sleep 5, and if you have opposite-gender kids, they can have their own bed.

I anticipate that the one I did not like about VWL will be the one thing I don't like at AKV - and that's the fact that both resorts are going to get quiet at night (BTW - this is probably a pro in many people's books!)
There's not a really easy way to get to some action after the parks close. BWV/BCV have the Boardwalk nightlife area, and OKW/SSR have ways to get to DTD.

 

[kimberh]

They are both fabulous resorts. Two of my favorites. I like the restaurants better at AKV's. If you are booking Savanna view, you will not be disappointed, (well I say that, then I have read posts where some were, we were not) if not then there are several areas around the resort to view the animals. It is as if you are in Africia.

The VWL is wonderful, we just love being able to ride the boat to MK. It is a very nice way to see Bay Lake. There is a whole thread on WL. The resort has walking trails, a beach, fishing, boat rentals. It is as if you are in the Pacific northwest.

Two completely different resorts in themeing. I don't think you will go wrong with either one.

 

[DonnaL]

We love them both.......haven't actually stayed at AKV yet, but, love AKL as a whole. VWL is our home resort and we just love it. I can't wait to stay at AKV, but, I think we'll wait until Kidani Village is complete before we opt for a stay there.

 

[DVC Grammy]

To me, the lobbies in both resorts are the most beautiful of all the WDW DVCs. The authenticity is amazing; they're like mini-museums with all the various exhibits.
For us, though, we tend to stay less at VWL for just one reason..............of all the parks, we tend to spend the least amount of time at MK (unless we have grandkids along ).
We're looking forward to our first AKV stay (Jan) not only because it'll be CL cloud9: ), but also because we enjoy seeing animals, not just at the resort but also at AK (I'm referring to the non-human species................ ).

If you spend a large amount of time at MK, then VWL would definitely be more convenient. If you don't, either one is great.

 

[Inkmahm]

We own at both and love both! Haven't stayed at AKV yet, only many times at AKL. I'm sure we'll love AKV even more than AKL now that the rooms will be villas instead of regular hotel rooms.

We have no trouble traveling from either one because we often use a rental car. If you spend a lot of time at MK, then there's an advantage to being at VWL. If you really love animials, it is hard to beat the savanna view at AKV. It's such a unique resort in that respect- no where else in the world can you get that view unless you're on a real safari.

 

[ZekeKelso]

The boat from VWL is one of the best things about the resort - an attraction into itself. I could spend an hour or two just cruising the lake. And, coming home after a long day at the MK, there is something totally peaceful about the boat trip back, as you gradually go from the craziness of the MK back into your room for sleep.

That said, if you just want to get to the MK *fast*, it's almost always better to take the bus. The wait is almost always short, and the trip takes 5 minutes tops.

 

[goofydiz]

Thanks for all the replys. I am kind of leaning toward AKV, but before I make that final decision, How are the 1br room layouts? I was looking at the DVC website and they don't have a layout for Jambo. The layout is for Kidani and that one has a bath at the front entry. Does that mean theres only 1 bath in Jambo?

 

[goofydiz]

I forgot, also, if there's only 1 bathroom in Jambo, do they have access to it from somewhere else besides the Master? My Mother will be coming with us and that would just be weird if she would have to come in our room in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom!

 

[Pamjr]

I'm planning a trip in February, 2008 and I'm torn on where I want to stay. I've narrowed it down to AKV and WLV. I've never stayed at either and would like everyones advise and suggestions, Pros and Cons of staying at each. The one thing I'm worried about at both is the long ride to get to the other 3 parks. I'm use to staying in the Epcot / MGM area. Does it really take that long to travel from each? Also, I understand theres a boat at WLV to travel to MK, is this the best way to get there, and is it covered incase theres cold weather? TIA

I've stayed at the WLV as they are my home resort. It is excellent! One of the most spectacular evenings I had was taking the boat from WLV to MK. We also went to CR from there by boat and it was breathtaking at night. If you get a good boat driver they will give you tidbits about the world that you might not get anywhere else. Ours told us to look at WL when it is lit up at night. From the water, it looks like a BEAR!

If you have children WLV has a nice pool although it isn't as large as the pools at the other resorts (so I've heard). The ambiance of the hotel is top notch. I loved it. I'll admit this was my first stay on DW property so I was aghast most of the time. But, I loved wlv and found it extremely convenient to everything MK and not at all too difficult to move around to the other parks/resorts.

I can't speak for AK.

Pam

 

[TMB1203]

I'm glad I came across this thread. We are going in November and I have ressies for VWL, but have always wanted to stay at AKL/Savannah view.

Our home resort is VWL, which I LOVE...LOVE....LOVE!! I am waitlisted for AKV, but am worried that I won't love it the way I love VWL.

I'm almost scared for my waitlist to come through if that makes any sense

 

[Island Mouse]

Although my family loves all the resorts we are still attracted by being connected to a park. Hence VWL - boat to MK or BCV/BWV walk to Epcot or MGM. AKV though I'm not familiar with, is that walking distance to the actual park??
Brownie

AKV/AKL is a couple miles away from Animal Kingdom. It is the closest resort to the park, but by no means is it a comfortable walking distance, and I don't recall there being dedicated walking paths either between the two. Car or bus are really the only ways to get from one to the other.

 

[starbox]

Thanks for all the replys. I am kind of leaning toward AKV, but before I make that final decision, How are the 1br room layouts? I was looking at the DVC website and they don't have a layout for Jambo. The layout is for Kidani and that one has a bath at the front entry. Does that mean theres only 1 bath in Jambo?

There are pictures of the Jambo 1bedroom here:http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/lindamac/

It looks like the bathroom is between the kitchen and bedroom.

 

[goingbackagain]

I will be staying at the AKV in Feb. I've stayed at AKL before and loved it. There's nothing like that Savannah view in the morning! Can't wait to go back!

 

[goofydiz]

There are pictures of the Jambo 1bedroom here:http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/lindamac/

It looks like the bathroom is between the kitchen and bedroom.

I looked at the pictures and also came upon a thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1469391 that had this picture by LisaS.

I'm not too familiar with all that's going on with AKV. Is Jambo located in the old AKL building, and is Kidani going to be the future DVC resorts? Are they just using AKL as a temporary place until everything is finished? Is this why the bathroom is configured the way it is. I am so use to there being a large master bath with Whirlpool Tub, Seperate Shower, 2 Vanities, etc. This room layout is a real turnoff for me.

Am I on the right track with my thinking on the layout of the baths?

 

[pilferk]

AKV/AKL is a couple miles away from Animal Kingdom. It is the closest resort to the park, but by no means is it a comfortable walking distance, and I don't recall there being dedicated walking paths either between the two. Car or bus are really the only ways to get from one to the other.

I believe it's .75 (as the crow files) between AKL and AK's parking lot.

But "as the crow files" would cover crossing backstage areas/buildings, higway roads, and a MESS of swamp land (including lake/pond areas). It's about a 1.2 mile drive from AKL's parking lot INTO AK's parking lot (because you drive ALL the way past it, and then turn around to get INTO it).

There are no walking trails. And trying to walk would likely put you in a dangerous situation as things stand. The roadways around the area don't really have pedestrian side walks, so you'd be walking the shoulder....and traffic can be a bit......crazy, to say the least. Not busy, really, but.....well, I don't think it'd be a good idea to try.

Given the terrain, and the existing backstage infrastructure between AKL and AK, I don't think we'll ever see anything built between the two as far as walking trails go. Disney could surprise me, I suppose, but given the distance, and the scenery (not really "pretty")...I think it's a longshot.

 

[pilferk]

I looked at the pictures and also came upon a thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1469391 that had this picture by LisaS.

I'm not too familiar with all that's going on with AKV. Is Jambo located in the old AKL building, and is Kidani going to be the future DVC resorts? Are they just using AKL as a temporary place until everything is finished? Is this why the bathroom is configured the way it is. I am so use to there being a large master bath with Whirlpool Tub, Seperate Shower, 2 Vanities, etc. This room layout is a real turnoff for me.

Am I on the right track with my thinking on the layout of the baths?

Jambo is the conversion of the 5th and 6th floors of the existing AKL building (now known as Jambo house). It's not temporary, but a permanent addition to DVC.

Kidani is the new building (not yet started real vertical construction yet) which will be adjacent to Jambo house, across the Sunset Savannah from Jambo house.

Jambo's conversions were limited to using the existing space for AKL rooms. That meant working within the systems in place. There IS a whirlpool tub in the 1BR's bathroom...just no seperate shower area...and if you look there are two sinks in most of the 1BR bathrooms. The vanity, by the pics posted on allears.net, look pretty wide.

That being said, Kidani will have the more traditional DVC bathroom set up (with seperate shower, etc). In additon, the 1BR piece will have an ADDITIONAL bathroom ( a nice perk) giving the 1BR 2 baths, and the 2BR's 3 baths.

 

[Texa]

I wasn't sure if I should ask this question in a new thread or not, so please let me know if I should!
In summer of 2008 (say early August) is it more likely you would be waitlisted at AKV or VWL in say, a 1 bedroom, at the 7th month mark. The reason for the question is that we are considering an add-on (have serious addonitis) and are torn between AKV and VWL. I wonder if I buy at WL would we be less likely to be able to stay a few nights at AKV or vice versa? I'm guessing AKV is more likely to have unavailability because of the newness and the fact that it is not complete yet! We love both resorts equally and are unsure which one to add points on.

Thanks!

 

[goofydiz]

Jambo is the conversion of the 5th and 6th floors of the existing AKL building (now known as Jambo house). It's not temporary, but a permanent addition to DVC.

Kidani is the new building (not yet started real vertical construction yet) which will be adjacent to Jambo house, across the Sunset Savannah from Jambo house.

Jambo's conversions were limited to using the existing space for AKL rooms. That meant working within the systems in place. There IS a whirlpool tub in the 1BR's bathroom...just no seperate shower area...and if you look there are two sinks in most of the 1BR bathrooms. The vanity, by the pics posted on allears.net, look pretty wide.

That being said, Kidani will have the more traditional DVC bathroom set up (with seperate shower, etc). In additon, the 1BR piece will have an ADDITIONAL bathroom ( a nice perk) giving the 1BR 2 baths, and the 2BR's 3 baths.

Maybe this isn't known yet, but when construction is completed on Kidani, if you book a reservation for a 1BR, will you get to choose between Kidani and Jambo? Will the Jambo be a Standard or Value room? It just seems as though it would be since the Kidani rooms are so much nicer.