How are the Animal Kingdom Lodge villas?

[newmommy]

We just returned yesterday from AKV. We had 5531 and my parents were next door in 5529. I loved the resort and thought the rooms were beautiful. They are both studios. I did notice that the cast members were still not sure about DVC and especially the particulars of the different housekeeping DVC units receive. I also felt there was a lack of usable storage space in the room, however, that was more than made up for by the convenience of having a kitchenette. It would be really, really nice to have shelves under the bathroom vanity area and dimmers on the lights by the bed. Otherwise, I was pretty impressed w/ everything and very happy we bought there. We couldn't hear or see any construction noise or workers at all, with the exception of a crane in the distance and in the lobby they had black draping covering up part of the 5th and 6th floors. The resort was gorgeous, the pool area was especially impressive and we saw lots of animals from our balcony (but I have to admit I also prefer the view from the lower floors). I had a great stay over all and can't wait to go back!

 

[Debs Hill]

Bump!!! What is the latest news on Kidani village and it's expected date of opening?! Hoping it's ready by August 2009!!! Are the units in the new part bigger than the ones in Jambo HOuse?
Debsx

 

[LisaS]

Bump!!! What is the latest news on Kidani village and it's expected date of opening?! Hoping it's ready by August 2009!!! Are the units in the new part bigger than the ones in Jambo HOuse?
Debsx

I haven't heard anything more specific than "early 2009" for the opening date of Kidani Village, or at least for the first phase of Kidani Village. That info used to be posted on the public DVC website on the AKV FAQs page. That information is no longer listed there however. Hmmmm...

The 1BRs and 2BRs in Kidani will be larger than those in Jambo House. The studios are about the same size. The GVs will be smaller than those in Jambo House. For the exact sizes of each room type check out the AKV Accommodations page.

 

[Telcogirl]

I've heard Kidani will open in 2 phases. Phase 1 will open in early 2009 and phase 2 will open in Summer/Fall of 2009.

We toured the model villas at SSR on Sunday and the guide told us they are toying with the 2 phase approach to opening Kidani. Phase one could potentially open sometime in 2008! That would be exciting as the models for AKV are gorgeous!

 

[spiceycat]

forgot to get back.

stayed in unit 5408 - it was the end of the hall - near the lobby. the view was mostly of the roof and swimming pool. could walk out my door and at then end of hall see the lobby - spend some time each day just looking at the lobby.

the refrigerator was the same size in all the studios I have been in - so that wasn't a problem.

the closests were strange - two of them - the baby's pack n play was in the wardrobe (as mentioned). my brother tried to move it to the closet - but the closet is not deep enough.

all DVC studios and 1-bedroom have the cleaning stuff - brooms, mogs, vacuum cleaners in the closet.

the safe was the big problem - it took up quite a lot of room in the wardrobe.

loved the TV!!! and the room was designed so well (my opinion) loved it!

also loved the 2 sinks in the bathroom area - plus the one in the wet bar.

the rooms was very nice!

it was close to the lobby - so not to far to the buses. besides got to go through that lobby everyday to get to the buses!!! It was also close to the laundry mat.

under the TV were big drawers - much bigger than the other studios. So I am guessing that Disney expects most of your clothes to do in this thing. not in the closet. Since I wear a bunch of shorts and t-shirts at WDW that is just fine with me.

I have pictures - but waiting for the Dis to put AKV as a choice on the photo before I post them.

LindaBabe - if you need a ECV I would always go with a handicapped room. they were just designed to be together. DVC unlike WDW has a bunch of handicapped rooms. Never heard of anyone asking for a handicapped room at any DVC resorts and being turned down. So don't even worry about that. If you need the ECV I think you might really enjoy a handicapped room.

now in a studio there is no bathtub - only the walk in shower.

the only thing I didn't like at AKV was no ice makers on the 5th floor - you had to walk down to the 4th floor to get ice. on the freezer had a problem even on high (and boy it took a while to find it) the freezer had trouble making ice. So the ice maker was something to walk to every day.

 

[LisaS]

the safe was the big problem - it took up quite a lot of room in the wardrobe.

The safe is in the wardrobe? I assume then that it is not the usual type that goes inside a wall cavity. Can you describe it? How big is it? Just wondering what we'll be able to put in there on our AKV trip next spring. Thanks, Pat!

 

[disneynutz]

While reviewing our reservations with MS for next year, the CM told us to wait a minute. She came back on line and told me that she had to read something to me. It was a construction noise disclosure that included construction at night. She said that DVD is really pushing to finish Kindani.

 

[SandyCA]

The safe is in the wardrobe? I assume then that it is not the usual type that goes inside a wall cavity. Can you describe it? How big is it? Just wondering what we'll be able to put in there on our AKV trip next spring. Thanks, Pat!

My sister and I stayed in a Savannah View Studio in September and our safe was in the wall and not in the wardrobe - thank goodness, there was little space to hang our stuff as it was! Maybe Pat's room was an anomaly(sp?)?

In our room, in the big bottom drawer under the TV was the pack-n-play, which we stored elsewhere and used to put some clothes. Another rod in the armoire would really be nice .

 

[spiceycat]

boy I need to look at my pictures.

the pack n play was too big fit in any drawer.

not remembering correctly.

 

[DIZBOUND]

In our room, in the big bottom drawer under the TV was the pack-n-play, which we stored elsewhere and used to put some clothes. Another rod in the armoire would really be nice .

We did the same thing with the pack n play. and i absolutely agree that another rod in the armoire or just shelves would be great. The right hand side had nothing no shelves and no rod, just a tall empty space

 

[Debs Hill]

Bump! Does anyone know if they have brought forward the opening date of Kidani village yet?
Debsx

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just posting to say that I have been calling each day and so far I am getting a 1BR at VK CONCIERGE, at 7 months. So, it is not impossible........

FINALLY I get to do Sunrise Safari!

 

[Glendamax]

I stayed at AKV in September in a studio Savanah room. What I didnt like about it was that the room was far from the Lobby. Which really made me tired after being in the parks all day. Next year when I go, I'm going to get a standard view room.

Also, even though I was in the room alone, there didnt seem to be enough space to store lugguage and clothes. I couldn't imagine sharing that room with another person.

 

[kgc07]

Just posting to say that I have been calling each day and so far I am getting a 1BR at VK CONCIERGE, at 7 months. So, it is not impossible........

FINALLY I get to do Sunrise Safari!

Wow, right in the middle of summer. Congrats! Maybe the demand for concierge won't be as high as we thought. That's good news for me, I won't stress about calling day by day.

 

[drag n' fly]

Dh and I will be at OKW on rented points in April. We were able to see a model at DL but it was of SSR. When we go in April will we be able to get a looky loo of what we have purchased? How do we go about doing that since we won't need a tour? We trying to book for Christmas 2008 TIA

 

[spiceycat]

you can go to SSR and ask to see the models. Since you are a DVC member no tour is necessary.

Also you can go to AKL/V and ask to see the DVC units. If they have some available (not rented) that night and someone who can show them to you - this is what I would do.

besides the GV is not at the SSR - to even see the GV you must go to AKV.

 

[Debs Hill]

Bump! What's the latest at the AKL Villas?!! Any photos/experiences from recent trips?
Debsx

 

[Glendamax]

I stayed at AKV Dec. 11-15 in a Studio Savannah room on the zebra trail. Since it was too late to change to a standard view and recoup the points, I asked that they give me a room that was close to the lobby and elevator. They did! When I got off the elevator, I walked straight, and my room was the first one on the right.

Like September, there were not many animals on the Savannah. However, there were alot of animals on the other savannah that can be seen from the observation decks off of the lobby.

Resort Arrival Video. Click below.

Video of the lobby. Click on the image below.
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The link to the trip report I wrote is below - the Christmas report.