Positive AKV comments only please!

[kmurawski]

Over the last couple of weeks I have been really reading the boards since we leave a week from today for AKV. Although there are some positive comments there are probably 10 times more negative comments posted. So now I'm paranoid about staying there. I absolutely LOVE AKL! That's why we decided to buy our DVC membership at that location. I like that it is slightly removed but yet a part of WDW. Most of all I love the animals and the ambiance of it all.

So, before I have a totally stressed out week, would someone please post all the positive comments you can about our stay in a one bedroom, savanna view room at AKV next week!

Thank you!

 

[Alexander]

Welcome to the disboards! I see you've been a member since January. You'll find that all of the different resorts take turns getting "picked on" for one reason or another. People are also more prone to write about complaints than praises--for some reason it seems to be human nature

You will have a wonderful time at AKV! You know you love the whole theme, and you have done your research. You will love everything! We have a stay there coming up in July (sans kids) and I can't wait! The complaints have me wondering a bit too, but I recognize that you can't take everything you read on a message board at face value!

Like I said, hang around long enough and a different resort will become the target of the message board bullies!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

Here's a positive. Some comment that it is "dark". I will say after spending a week at a hectic "bright" resort elbow to elbow and all over parks going into a nice cool "dark" resort was VERY nice and relaxing and made it feel even cooler It had such a tranquil feel.

 

[FLYNZ4]

I find the key to effective on-line surfing is to get a lot of various opinions... and then synthesize my own opinion by weighting the various opinions on how important each item is to me.

If I just want the fluff (I don't)... I could just visit the marketing sites (ex DVC home page). The problem is that leads to "good ship lollipop" type of thinking. I strongly prefer to be involved with message boards... and sort through the praises... and especially the criticism. It helps set realistic expectations.

Regarding ALV... I can't think of any reason to be concerned. If you are feeling stress... I suggest you listen to Jimmy Buffett lyrics: Breathe in - Breathe out - Move on.

/Jim

 

[Tink-aholic]

Don't stress. We stayed in a 2BR Savannah view in late April -- and I can't stop thinking about how wonderful the resort was! We bought into AKV based on the demo rooms at SSR, and I was afraid I would be disappointed with it when we finally stayed there. Boy, was I wrong! That said, however, the theming is extreme. I am lucky that my family and I fell in love with it. I do see how some people might think it is a bit much.

During our week-long stay, we had cause to interact with many CMs at the resort. Everyone was friendly, knowledgable, and helpful. The resort was clean to the high standards I expect from Disney. Disney movies play constantly in the lobby, and the gift shop is probably the best resort shop I have seen at any of their resorts. The rooms were immaculate and the beds were comfortable. The only (very minor) snag was the Mousekeeping staff mixed up our "day" for trash and towel service and came a day later than we expected...but that was honestly the ONLY problem.

When you get there, explore a bit. I think you will be impressed with everything the resort has to offer. I kept getting pleasant surprises the whole trip (including seeing Wishes from my balcony even better than the view from O'hanas!). I cannot WAIT to go back and am so glad it is my home resort.

Good luck and have a wonderful time!

 

[PIERCEDRN]

Over the last couple of weeks I have been really reading the boards since we leave a week from today for AKV. Although there are some positive comments there are probably 10 times more negative comments posted. So now I'm paranoid about staying there. I absolutely LOVE AKL! That's why we decided to buy our DVC membership at that location. I like that it is slightly removed but yet a part of WDW. Most of all I love the animals and the ambiance of it all.

So, before I have a totally stressed out week, would someone please post all the positive comments you can about our stay in a one bedroom, savanna view room at AKV next week!

Thank you!

We have been to VWL, BCV, SSR and AKV and AKV is our hands down no question favorite. The entire resort is total eye candy, you really get lost in the theming. I am totally jealous about your going to a 1 bedroom there... they are really beautiful rooms. You also are really close to the Mara (2nd favorite CS) to fill up your mug and everything in the hotel is "right there" so it convenient. I love how it is slightly removed and that will always justify my renting a car for $20 a day to my DW (I like to be in control and drive at WDW). I wish we had bought there and not SSR, but when we were closing AKV was $101 with no incentives so could not justify it.
After the pool for Kidani is built AKV will be even more of a "destination" resort.
BOB

 

[chaoscent]

Another Philly native chiming in. We stayed at the regular AKL a few years ago and loved it. We bought there and are now staying in December and can't wait. There is always something to complain about on every trip. However, I find that I never remember what there was to complain about when I get home and only remember the fun things.
Have fun. Penny

 

[dianeschlicht]

We were there in March and loved it so much, we plan to try and change our January ressies to AKV too. Of course, I am out of AKV points, so I'll have to wait until the 7 month window opens to change.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're a couple that go over to AKV just to walk around and see the animals even when we're staying elsewhere. Just did that early in May and we were staying at BCV!

I'll be arriving for a weekend stay there in 3 weeks. We're hosting a larger group later that week in VB but I wanted to show off AKV especially to my DS and his DGF. Sure, it's a work in progress right now, but you have a choice of what to focus on, and what already is, is stunning!

You are bound to see animals and meet some remarkably friendly CM's. The pool is open all of the time, and there are various activities for you to consider. Enjoy a wonderful vacation!

Bobbi

PS. I see the Philadelphia references, former resident of Bucks County PA adding her thoughts!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Another Philly native chiming in. We stayed at the regular AKL a few years ago and loved it. We bought there and are now staying in December and can't wait. There is always something to complain about on every trip. However, I find that I never remember what there was to complain about when I get home and only remember the fun things.
Have fun. Penny

Hi, Penny! I didn't realize you owned at AKV!

We LOVE AKL. We stayed at WL last summer and wished we had booked AKL instead. When we decided to buy DVC last month of course we wanted AKV to be our home resort! I have read a few reports that made me a little nervous. But I am trying not to worry about it. If we get there in August and something is wrong we will make sure they fix it. If the buses are bad we'll rent a car (even though we're hoping we won't have to). We will work through whatever issues we have and we'll have a great time.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just wanted to add that the DIS/DVC boards are notorious for bashing the new kid on the block. Each resort went through that bashing period when they first came on board. Don't worry, there is a LOT to love about
AKV!

 

[spiceycat]

Just wanted to add that the DIS/DVC boards are notorious for bashing the new kid on the block. Each resort went through that bashing period when they first came on board. Don't worry, there is a LOT to love about
AKV!

definitely!

stayed in a standard and value studio - love it!

the complaints I have seem concern the animals. they actually think Disney can control wild animals - these are wild animals not tame ones (which can be controlled).

they will go where they want too - so you may see several from your room, just a few or none.

if that happens hey get out - go find them!!! there are big windows on each and every floor - you can find them.

the only time the CM's can control them - is feeding time. they do try to bring the animals to different views at each feeding. but animals are also terroriority - so that makes it hard.

 

[nikkistevej]

We just stayed for our first DVC stay last month, we stayed in a 1 bedroom savannah view and loved it. We had no complaints!!

 

[DeeCee735]

We stayed one night in a one bedroom with a pool view. It is GORGEOUS! We fell so in love we added on points there. If you know you love this resort, what can be negative? Nothing is perfect, but this sure comes close. We spent over an hour at the viewing areas just googling over the animals - they were so close to us and so cool to watch. We made a full day just at the resort - the pool, the savannah viewing, the lounge for drinks and Boma for dinner. The only thing I'd like to see is a place besides Mara for lunch. I prefer to table service instead of food courts, but the food at Mara was very good, even the breakfast, with plenty of choices, fruit cups, yogurts, pastries as well as hot food fare, like burgers and such. It's a one of a kind place - WORLDWIDE - it's all good for us!

Enjoy every minute and WELCOME HOME!

 

[DVC Mike]

We love AKV! It's my wife's favorite DVC resort.

 

[xipetotec]

Over the last couple of weeks I have been really reading the boards since we leave a week from today for AKV. Although there are some positive comments there are probably 10 times more negative comments posted. So now I'm paranoid about staying there. I absolutely LOVE AKL! That's why we decided to buy our DVC membership at that location. I like that it is slightly removed but yet a part of WDW. Most of all I love the animals and the ambiance of it all.

So, before I have a totally stressed out week, would someone please post all the positive comments you can about our stay in a one bedroom, savanna view room at AKV next week!

Thank you!

Well we stayed in a Studio, not a one bedroom, but other than its distance from everything, we LOVED this resort. Beautiful theme, OUTSTANDING dining. Great resort!

 

[disfanforlife]

We haven't been yet, so I don't have any comments good or bad. BUT, we bought in at AKL this April and can't wait to make our first trip home in 2009! I am sure that we will love it and be very happy with our purchase. In the meantime, we do have a reservation at SSR with our DP's for this November and we are looking forward to our stay there as well. As far as we are concerned any trip to WDW is a good trip and we are so looking forward to many years of vacationing and planning!

 

[iluveeyore]

You'll love it! We just checked out of our savannah view studio yesterday, and are now at OKW. Every time we were out on our balcony, we saw animals. The CM's were great at keeping food at each spot for all the different animals - had requested Arusha savannah, and got it no problem on the zebra trail. The view was perfect - I loved reading my book with my morning tea and watching the giraffes and ankole cattle having their breakfast too. And everyone thinks it's so far from all the parks - the buses only stop in one spot at the resort and not at any other resorts, and the longest ride was to DTD which took 17 minutes. MK took 14 minutes, and Epcot and HS were only 10-12 minutes.
I think we'll enjoy the AKV more when Kidani Village is done, because then we'll feel like true DVC members when we check in - right now it just feels like checking in to any other resort that's not DVC, and that's my DH's favourite part of staying where we are now like at OKW - you feel like a true DVC member. That was our only complaint with the AKL front desk CM's as they don't really acknowledge that DVC is part of the lodge right now. But we're very excited to try a one bedroom in the new DVC Kidani next year.
Anywhooo, you'll have a great time at AKV.
Right now, I'm going to make some dinner here in my one bedroom kitchen at OKW and sit on the patio and watch the ducks!
Have a magical day!

 

[mygirl]

have not stayed at AKV yet, but will be this fall.

last fall, we made ressies at boma with the intention of checking this resort out. we were absolutely blown away when we entered! ornate, stunning - even my toddlers were wowed! no stress - you will be in an amazing resort - at WDW no less!!

 

[RLRDA]

We stayed in a 1BR savanna view villa last August and loved it. We had done a small add-on before going and as I walked into the lobby I said to my DH "we definitely need to add on more points" - so we did. Our stay (5 nights) was wonderful. I don't think I have one negative thing to say. That being said, I'm sure those posters on other 'negative threads' did encounter glitches during their trip but obviously not everyone does. What some people see as negatives others see as positives. We like the 'remote' feel and yet we were never more than 15-20 minutes away from more action. My DH and I both agreed (and liked the fact) that you feel like you're not in WDW even though you know that you are. We cannot wait to stay there again.....hopefully a concierge villa in August 2009!!

ENJOY your stay at AKV