Question for AKV owners

[stacy6552]

Ok I admit it, the AKL was nice to visit, but it never really appealed to me to stay there. Kinda like the Poly, I know people love it, but I just don't get it. So AK lovers, I pose this question to you: disappointed with the AKV? We dined there the other night and I was suprised how drab and unappealing the extertior was, but maybe I just don't get it. Anyone?

 

[toniosmom]

I am an AKV owner, but am not going to see it until next March. I can tell you what appeals to me at this point.

I like the decor of the rooms. The warm rich colors seem so relaxing to me. I live in NJ, not too far from the shore, so we have experienced a miriad of beach-themed vacations, which I love. However, the African element is something new to us and interesting. It is different for us and I like that.

I also love the fact that we will see animals from our balcony. I have a 4 year old son and I know that he is going to go crazy when he sees them. I showed him photos of the pool area and he is very excited about that too.

I'll admit -- the exterior doesn't excite me, but while I'm at a resort, the exterior doesn't really matter much to me. It's the interior and the rooms, plus the pool, that has the most impact. I suspect that once the new plantings have some time to flourish, the outside will grow on me (no pun intended.)

So that's what I am excited about so far -- after I visit, I'm sure I will have a lot more to say.

 

[ToddyLu]

As the PP poster stated we like it for the same reasons. In fact they use the same flooring tiles in the restrooms at AK that we have in our home---different grout color. So the warm rich tones are home for us.

DH likes to take photos and wander about...so it will be a perfect opportunity for that while I am at the pool.

We will see it in person for the first in October. We live on the Gulf Coast so the beachy theme wasn't it for us. BLT is OK, but still have to walk out of the room, take an elevator, walk the sky walk, go through the CR floor up maybe another escalotor to get on the monorail. Someone said the other day that DVC DOES NOT own the BLT observation deck and control of it could change in the future. I do like the theming of WL and hope we get to stay there one day.

So AKV was the best choice for us and I haven't let my expectations rise too much....but then again we always do ASMo or Pop so it is a deluxe step up. We do not do commando anymore and I wanted the resort feel.

Hope this helps

 

[amystevekai&bump]

We bought for several reasons - and the outside of the building definitely wasn't one of them - as you say its less than inspiring!!

We bought because we thought our young sons would love the views of the animals from our balcony and thought they would love Kidani's water play area.

Another reason we purchased here was because we have been visiting Florida from the UK for almost 30 years and actually love just being in WDW without necessarily visiting the parks everyday. I feel the AKV allows you to be there, without being there if that makes any sense!!

We also bought into BLT for the times when we want to do a 'park trip', but will probably use AKV more for our 'relax and chill out' stays!! (I couldn't imagine being at BLT and not doing MK - whereas at AKV I could easily relax and not really realise the parks were there!)

Hope this makes some sense to everyone else - as it makes perfect sense to me!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I had to go back to the first time I saw AKL -- I think I thought the same thing about the decor. But when we were shown the rooms, and got to thinking about walking out onto the balcony and seeing the animals every morning, something changed. We had seen The Lion King musical prior, and there was something that appealed to us in the simplistic, yet decorative aspect of AK.

We just got back from our vacation there in July. We enjoyed the nooks and crannies of the place when we wandered around -- the spas set apart that you couldn't see unless you looked for them, the places set aside to view animals, the shape of the pool...we stayed at Jambo. When we ate at Bomas, I loved it.

Now, when we went to look at the Kadani rooms, I was jealous -- I missed having that second bathroom (for the one-bedroom), and loved the stools in the kitchen. We also loved the water park, but unfortunately never used it. We will, next time!!

 

[Tozzie]

Ok I admit it, the AKL was nice to visit, but it never really appealed to me to stay there. Kinda like the Poly, I know people love it, but I just don't get it. So AK lovers, I pose this question to you: disappointed with the AKV? We dined there the other night and I was suprised how drab and unappealing the extertior was, but maybe I just don't get it. Anyone?

I love AKV everything about it, one of the best things for me is being able to sit on my balcony and watch the animals every morning while having my tea. I guess it is just personal preference I can't see the draw of BCV or BLT and I would never stay at either one of them.

 

[rocknspots]

OK, guys. Now I really can't wait to get to Kidani in October. Reading this thread makes me so jealous of everyone that's going to be there before me!

We bought into AKV/Kidani because of all the reasons you've listed. The draw to DH & I is that we'll be at WDW but not really... Understand? It's the best of everything: Resort/Parks/and feeling like we're away from everyday life. It might just be the closest we ever get to experiencing Africa.

October will be here before I know it, right????
Thanks for sharing...

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed at Kidani in June and really liked it. Seeing animals from your balcony was the big attraction. I thought it was nice not having as much activity as Jambo House, the lobby area was more quiet. There's a library next to the lobby with an outdoor observation area, then Community Hall next to it. We had a rental car so the parking under the building was great! The only thing missing is a quick service food area like Mara.

 

[disney1474]

Ok I admit it, the AKL was nice to visit, but it never really appealed to me to stay there. Kinda like the Poly, I know people love it, but I just don't get it. So AK lovers, I pose this question to you: disappointed with the AKV? We dined there the other night and I was suprised how drab and unappealing the extertior was, but maybe I just don't get it. Anyone?

I don't get your thinking. AKV was nice to visit but not good enough to stay overnight in??
I don't think the outside looks drab (except for the one wall when your driving up to the resort) You'll just have to wait until the plants and trees grow.
Sometimes I wonder what people really expect.
Please don't take this at being rude. I'm just expressing my opinion

 

[ToddyLu]

I really enjoy these kinda threads sometimes because everyone is different and expresses those differences. I am sure if the OP had an opportunity to spend the night in any of the DVC villas they would jump on it .....heck it is WDW and dang what a luxury....and no you didn't sound rude and neither did the OP. We share a dream come true....where else do you get the animal jungle vibe, wonderful water features, decor that while maybe drab bliends in with the surroundings..


I can't wait til Oct either we arrive 10/28 and stay for 9 gloriuous nights in a studio with SV. Last Dec. it was Pop on the back of the resort looking at the deserted Vintage Years hotel lobby.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We bought there because we love the point chart! So many options!

 

[rstackjd]

We stayed at AKL several years ago and loved the place. We bought into DVC at AKV in January of 2008 but just now made our first trip "home" (back yesterday I want to go back already).

What we love about AKV -

The exterior - I can see where not everyone would love it but it really appeals to us.

The main lobby (Jambo House - we weren't as impressed with Kidani) the scale of the place is just so impressve and the colors and decor are very calming.

The music. We both find the sounds of AKV very soothing. Again, maybe not for everyone, but we like it a lot.

The rooms - yes, they are kind of dark, but generally we were ok with them - then again, reading before going to sleep was a little tough, not bad, but a little tough. Mary says putting on make-up was hard, but doable. I just said "honey, you don't need make-up (I'm no idiot) but she disagreed.

We did the evening safari and had an excellent diner at Jiko, but odds are we wouldn't normally eat there - we're not real adventurous eaters. But it was excellent.

The animals!!!! The number one thing about AKV is the animals. Unless you've sat (poolside, at the look-outs, on your balcony, whereever) and watched living breathing exotic animals walking freely, it's pretty hard to explain what a thrill this is. Then again, since us AKV owners are helping pay for the upkeep of the animals in our dues, it's a good think we like them!

Overall, it certainly has a different feel from the other Disney and DVC properties- not better, not worse, just different - and before someone buys there they might to stay there to make sure it's their cup of tea - it is ours.

We just need more points so we can go back more oftern (and do concierge everytime! what a wonderful extra treat that is!)

 

[stacy6552]

Gosh, guys, I certainly didn't mean that anyone needed to justify their love for AKV (and certainly its "good enough" just not our pick). We just went and thought the outside wasn't very appealing and that if we'd bought, we'd have been disappointed. So I thought, well maybe its just that it doesnt particularly appeal to me in the first place. So if you love the AKL or AKV, what do you think of the exterior of the village?

 

[pjstevens]

One of the reasons we loved it!

And a few more...

 

[DebbieB]

The animals!!!! The number one thing about AKV is the animals. Unless you've sat (poolside, at the look-outs, on your balcony, whereever) and watched living breathing exotic animals walking freely, it's pretty hard to explain what a thrill this is. Then again, since us AKV owners are helping pay for the upkeep of the animals in our dues, it's a good think we like them!

I was sitting out on my balcony at Kidani when I was there in June and it hit me that when I bought DVC almost 10 years ago when it was just OKW and BWV who would have thought we would have a resort with live animals! We went from 2 WDW resorts when I bought to 7 (as of tomorrow!)!. I've stayed at 5 of them!

 

[downontheBW]

We'll be staying at AKV for the first time later this year. We visited AKL for dinner during a previous stay and just loved it - it's so different than any other place that I'll have the chance to stay at. The architecture and decor are incredible!

The various themes of the Disney resorts is one of our favorite things at WDW - it's an escape from the everyday. Do I want to stay in a resort that makes me feel like I'm out in the western wilderness, in Key West, in the South Pacific (hoping for DVC Poly) or at the beach in the 1940's? And who does the details any better than Disney?

I love our home resort of BWV but am glad to have the variety and am hoping to try them all!

 

[di19]

My DH and I took a last minute trip 2 weeks ago and up until 4 days before we left there were no available rooms anywhere for DVC! We kept calling every day and finally we were able to book AKV-Jambo house savannah view for 3 nts. We own at BWV and usually stay there or at BCV so although we were just thrilled to be going we didn't expect to love AKL. (We have previously stayed at SSR by default and that was not and still is not one of our favorites.) But guess what - AKL was fabulous! I love the decor (the public areas as well as the rooms - it was modern and warm and lots of places to rest yourself without being in the middle of everyone. I particularly loved all the viewing areas of the savanna and the lobby firepit which I sat at two nights with a glass of wine-talk about relaxing) We had two great dinners at Boma and Jiko (again - we weren't sure we would enjoy it but we wound up being very happy) Even the transportation which I was afraid would be an issue was quick and effortless. Take some advice from me - although everyone has their preferences - trying a new place is sometimes really an invaluable experience. We will always love our BWV and BCV but we will probably be spending a few nights each trip now to AKL (Jambo House did seem more convenient to us then Kidani would be - the counter service and restuarants and pool). I think that's part of the magic of Disney - something for everyone!

 

[the who #3]

i first stayed at the al about 6-7 yrs ago and fell in love with it then. i am an akv owner now but have not stayed in kidani yet. if you need a little extra ahhhh and wowwwww factor, go over to the jambo building and enjoy all the beauty. the restaurants there are also fantastic. and you can not believe the lobby!

you will love it.

 

[CruznLexi]

In November last year we were contemplating at split stay at POP and AKL for a total of 8 nights! Well we went and had breakfast at the Mara. We were staying at Pop for 1 night and would make our decesion by going to see AKL the day of check out. The Mara was small compared to Pop and the pool was wonderful along with the Hot tubs but the animals we saw were a crane. I see those every day! The store was not nearly as nice as POP so we opted for Deluxe Dinning At Pop and save $300! In Jan on our 8 day trip with the nephews we became DVC members and we had a chouice of AKV or BLT. I stayed at the CR years ago and did not care for it so we opted for AKV. In April we did a 2 night cash only reservation. Well we loved it! We had a studio non savanah view. The pool hot tub were great, the Mara was good, hubby had a massage. To me the AKV are the African version of the Poly. Once you come through the doors you are in another world. In May we did come and look at Kidani. We have 5 nights there in Oct. I can't wait to try out the pool! both my husband and I work in the serivce industy. he is a bar manager and I am a nurse in rehab hospital. I just like that I can relax for 5 days. I think the only other resrts I would like to stay at would be BWV or the BCV.
Lexi

 

[kim_d]

We have owned BCV since 2002. However, we decided to add on last year and chose AKV.

Why we picked it...

1. We stayed at the AKL a few years ago (prior to AKV being open) and enjoyed it. Thought the bus service was excellent, even if bus transportation was the only transportation it was efficient and my DH LOVED that we didn't stop at other resorts or multiple stops within the resort (which now has changed with Kidini...but I think he is ok with one additional stop).
Loved the food options. My kids really enjoyed the theme and seeing animals from our room.

2. The multiple room options- jambo, kidini, value, savannah, conceirge...there just isn't that many options with our other home resort BCV. We are staying conceirge this trip and love that we can try both the sunrise and sunset safaris. I like that Kidini offers the extra bathroom in the one and two bedrooms (again something not offered in the "older" DVC resorts) and since we have younger children (6 and 4) we liked the idea of teh Kidini water play area.

Our first trip "home" is in a month and we can't wait!!