Just back from AKV - the good, the bad and the ugly

[Jenn]

Just back last night from a week at AKV. We had 2 dedicated studios (one for us, one for my mom and step-dad) in Jambo House. My sister and her DH (also DVC members) were also in Jambo House. We were all on the 5th floor, savannah view. Unfortunately, we were all also on the construction side so while we saw animals, the backdrop behind them was the construction site, cranes, workers, trucks, etc. Kinda takes away from the view, in our opinion.

Good - hotel is gorgeous, pool is great (wish we had spent more time there), service was great, staff was super friendly, Pirate and Princess party was great, weather was beautiful (except for our first day 4/6 when it poured!)

Bad - the view considering we used more points to get it, and don't expect to eat at Boma or Jiko without reservations. We changed plans around our first night because it was pouring rain and we just couldn't stand to walk around the parks wet anymore. We went back to the hotel and figured we could get in to Boma and didn't mind if we had to wait a bit. No luck. And, a million others had the same idea because they were turning away people left and right. We all ended up in Mara, which was fine, but PACKED.



Ugly - The parks were PACKED. It was spring break, but we figured 2 weeks after Easter wouldn't be as bad. 100 minute waits for all the big rides (Everest, Soarin, Test Track, Space Mtn, Splash, etc). We used fast pass, but it was tough because you would get a FP at 10 am that wasn't good until 6 pm. Then, you had to wait a couple hours to get another one. Also, we weren't able to see much for characters. The lines were 45 to 60 minutes and we just couldn't see wasting that much time.
Rude people - everywhere we went. People jumping in front of you, cutting in front of the stroller. One particularly nasty woman when I was getting 8 fastpasses for our group. She barked "she is getting a whole stack, they shouldn't allow people to do this". I turned around with a smile and nicely said "I have 8 people in my group I'm not cheating". We could all wait and get 1 at a time, or 1 of us could get them while the others do something else.

We had a great time, but the crowds were difficult. We upgraded to annuals and are thinking of doing our next trip in January when there are no lines!

 

[JaxDisneyFans]

Thanks for the Trip Report. Sorry for the rude people. I don't know why some people can't just relax, the line doesn't move any faster if you're rude.

 

[Budahman]

Well, I'm gonna agree with Jenn here. Last week was crowded and WAY more than we expected it to be.
We arrived on April 5th-11th. The arrival day it was very rainy late in the day, and then Sunday it rained and poured ALLLL day long. Holy Cow. Our rainiest day in a Disney park ever for us.

We did get to do MOST everything we wanted and seem to take the parks slower now anyways, since we know we have many many trips panned this yer and over the coming years thru DVC.

The people, YES, there were some rude ones. Cutters, YES! Always seems to be, actually.

Ya see, when I'm on vacation there It brings me up and I'm always in a good mood. I know I could be at work or something, so I try and make sure I enjoy myself and stay positive, but I guess some people just dont do that or care to try and be positive and enjoy themselves.???

Line cutters & rude people, people who ignore you when you say morning, or whatever...I just don't get it??

Even when in a line and your trying to just pass time, at times some people just seem to be intimidated by everything? I think people need to lighten up more on vacation and try and enjoy it. I know I do, and wish more people done the same

 

[alldiz]

thanks for the report.....

really starting to get nervous with all the crowds next week.

We have all our ADR's.....we'll probably chill at the pool a lot if it's crazy.
Kerri

 

[Muushka]

I learned that "it's pouring down raining, let's go eat!" lesson a few years ago. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I totally agree! We learned that lesson the hard way as well. Last minute meals are now completely impossible anywhere on property. Rather it be at a park or a resort. Thanks to the Disney Dining Plan!

 

[Starr W.]

To be honest, I don't go without ADR's in place before we leave. Even for the traditional "non-busy" times. That darn DDP strikes again!

 

[Jenn]

Just to clarify, we had our ADRs for every night booked months ago (party of 9 we knew we had no choice). But, since we were soaked (and I mean soaked), we canceled our dinner reservation that night and headed back to the resort to dry out. Our sneakers took 2 days to dry!

 

[Muushka]

When we learned our lesson there was no DDP. It was because it was raining and everyone else had the same idea.

 

[Starr W.]

Just to clarify, we had our ADRs for every night booked months ago (party of 9 we knew we had no choice). But, since we were soaked (and I mean soaked), we canceled our dinner reservation that night and headed back to the resort to dry out. Our sneakers took 2 days to dry!

That's the problem with the DDP, you can't really change plans on a dime. Want to stay at the resort to eat or stay at the park and eat, you are up the river without a paddle most of the times, especially if you have more than 4 people. You can CS, but sometimes they are packed too.

So Mara wasn't bad?

 

[DVC Mike]

We were all on the 5th floor, savannah view. Unfortunately, we were all also on the construction side so while we saw animals, the backdrop behind them was the construction site, cranes, workers, trucks, etc. Kinda takes away from the view, in our opinion.

Until Kidani Village is completed next year, it's advisable to request the Arusha savanna or Uzima savanna, as the Sunset savanna looks out toward the construction.

Good - hotel is gorgeous, pool is great (wish we had spent more time there), service was great, staff was super friendly, Pirate and Princess party was great, weather was beautiful (except for our first day 4/6 when it poured!)

We love AKV and enjoy just spending time at the resort!

Bad - the view considering we used more points to get it, and don't expect to eat at Boma or Jiko without reservations.

Both Jiko and Boma are such great restaurants and have become extremely popular. It's very difficult to get into either without an ADR -- even more so at Spring Break.

Ugly - The parks were PACKED. It was spring break, but we figured 2 weeks after Easter wouldn't be as bad.

I can't stand going to WDW at a peak time, as the crowds drive me crazy. When things are packed, people are more rude and inconsiderate of each other than normal. You should definitely go during an off season. It's more more fun and relaxing.

 

[KLR-wlv]

I don' think they should consider the sunset savannah a "savannah" view until construction is over. It is a really really bad view and to charge people the same points who are facing that as the other savannahs is just wrong. Kind of like the secret porthole rooms on the cruise - you book a non view and get a view with construction - you're happy. Book a good view and get a terrible view - not so much.

I agree about crowds and rude people. We were at AK and there was a boat full of characters sailing down their little river and my 10 yo son went to the railing to look and a woman pushed him out of the way and said "Move - we have children". I guess 10 yo aren't allowed to enjoy the characters! It's difficult having considerate children and having to explain adult behavior like that. I think with the crowds as bad as they've been, people's worst instincts tend to come out. I'll be thinking twice about going within 4 weeks of spring break in the future...

 

[Starr W.]

I don' think they should consider the sunset savannah a "savannah" view until construction is over. It is a really really bad view and to charge people the same points who are facing that as the other savannahs is just wrong. Kind of like the secret porthole rooms on the cruise - you book a non view and get a view with construction - you're happy. Book a good view and get a terrible view - not so much.

I agree about crowds and rude people. We were at AK and there was a boat full of characters sailing down their little river and my 10 yo son went to the railing to look and a woman pushed him out of the way and said "Move - we have children". I guess 10 yo aren't allowed to enjoy the characters! It's difficult having considerate children and having to explain adult behavior like that. I think with the crowds as bad as they've been, people's worst instincts tend to come out. I'll be thinking twice about going within 4 weeks of spring break in the future...

We've had that with our 11 yr old, who's 5'3" and lacks tact at times. He'll say really loud, "Aren't those people rude?" or something along that line. The reactions range from being told to mind your old business(yes my 11 yr old has been told that, which is usually retracted when they see DH, all 6'4" of him) to others thanking him for speaking up.

Spring Breaks are so spread out now I think your 4 week rule might be a good one.

 

[manning]

We've had that with our 11 yr old, who's 5'3" and lacks tact at times. He'll say really loud, "Aren't those people rude?" or something along that line. The reactions range from being told to mind your old business(yes my 11 yr old has been told that, which is usually retracted when they see DH, all 6'4" of him) to others thanking him for speaking up.

Spring Breaks are so spread out now I think your 4 week rule might be a good one.

Saw something like this once. A guy maybe in his twenties got rude and started to shove an older guy. said something about knocking the old mans block off. He ended up flat on the ground.

Old man said "allow me to introduce myself. Green Beret class of 67." And walked away.

 

[Safari Queen]

I don't support rudeness, certainly, but did the 10 year old go and stand at the railing in front of another family? I'm not in favor of anyone doing that unless they check first.

 

[rigsby25]

We went first week in December and were very surprised at the crowds. Could it just be that more people going to WDW?

 

[Muushka]

Saw something like this once. A guy maybe in his twenties got rude and started to shove an older guy. said something about knocking the old mans block off. He ended up flat on the ground.

Old man said "allow me to introduce myself. Green Beret class of 67." And walked away.

True story? I would have loved to a be witness to that.

 

[Starr W.]

I don't support rudeness, certainly, but did the 10 year old go and stand at the railing in front of another family? I'm not in favor of anyone doing that unless they check first.

My son has been standing watch something and pushed out of the way by families with younger kids. He's an 11 yr old, who by size looks about 13-14. He's been told "he's too old to watch the parade."

 

[jonestavern]

What's going on the at 2 weeks before Thanksgiving?
I know there is Soap Opera Weekend & the tail end of F&W, but in 2006 we didn't run into this snarl getting into BWV @ our 7 month window.
Odd.

So, it seems to us, WDW does appear to be getting more business at the previously 'flat times. It seemed more crowded the last week of Jan/1st week of Feb this year, too.

DH tried 1st thing in the AM at our 7 month window to book a 1 or 2 bedroom (either one is good for us) in Arusha or Uzima (savanna view), and there is no availabilty on Sunday & Monday, 9 & 10 Nov. Things being things, he did make 2 different calls

Usually we are big on split stays & no biggie, but this time that would mean DS19 would not get to experience AKV.

DH is trying some other days configurations now & we are expecting things to work out just fine, but heads up if those dates are important to you

Jean

 

[Starr W.]

Isn't Jersey week in that time frame?

Plus Vetrans Day is 11/11.