Question for AKV owners

[jmb910]

We picked AKV only because it was that or SSR. Once the BLT stuff came out, I started to second guess our purchase and kinda started wishing that we had waited and bought at BLT instead.

We stayed at Kidani Village on opening weekend in May and loved it! We only had a standard view, but even then, I thought it was amazing. The pool itself was enough to keep me happy.

We have no regrets about buying into AKV. We just wish we had bought more points so that we can stay more often .

 

[richardsa98]

Everyone loves different theming but for us we love the exotic feel of this fabulous resort

 

[ToddyLu]

As far as decor.....I think the intent was to be quiet and unassuming....for the resort to not stand out but blend in with the surroundings. I have read other threads that the smaller Kidani lobby is more intimate and homey. I don't think they could have used bright colors and still get the "land" vibe. I think the decor serves its purpose and draws you in ....I am going out on a limb here.....then opens its wings once your in....like a peacock. Not much color until he spreads his tail feathers. I am pooh sized on the outside but a tiger on the inside.

 

[Teachckg]

Love it!!

Animals!!! -- Gotta have a SV room!

Relaxing compared to the other DVC resorts!

Very nice rooms!!

 

[nytimez]

I think for the most part, you're either an animal lover, or not. I love the animals. I love the different places to see them from around the resort, and I love sitting on my balcony as they wander around outside. I can't think of a place I'd rather stay on Disney property.

 

[the who #3]

i am an akv owner and lover.

when we stay there and go out to the parks, the last thing everyone does before we leave the villa is check on our animals. and the first thing everyone does when we come back is ck on the animals. we love them and feel proud that we help take care of them with our ownership and dues.

i have not been in kidani yet but jambo has the most beautiful lobby of any in wdw (well maybe gf is just as beautiful in a more formal way).

we own vwl, akv, and blt. we dearly love vwl and akv and will probably love blt also. each has it's own special uses. we stay at the one that provides what we need for the particular trip and the guests who are going with us. they are all covered with thats the disney magic!

i really have spoiled myself with dvc and i love it.

 

[toniosmom]

After Kidani opened in May, I showed my DS4 photos of Kidani and the savannah animals that some have posted. Yesterday, out of the blue, he said to me "Mommy, I can't wait to go to Disneyworld and see our animals."

Yeah, he "gets it". Love that little boy....

 

[christa112]

Like most of the posters, we have not actually stayed there, but we have been there and have had the tour. The hotel is breathtaking. I love the African theming and warm feel of it. I just don't get that with the Poly or BLT.

I can't wait to actually stay there in January.

 

[lagunn]

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.

You answered for me....

 

[MissMet]

 

[michellev]

The only negative I can even think of for AKV is that it is more isolated than the other DVC resorts. We bought in there without even seeing it and it truly exceeded our expectations.

The theming is magnificent. I love the way it looks on the outside, the decor on the inside with the African art is amazing!

The animals make the resort. We spent 3 hours hanging out at the firepit one night talking with the African CM's. The two we spoke with both worked at animal reserves in different parts of Africa and were a wealth on information. It was the highlight of my trip.

Boma. OMG!!! I love being so close to such a fabulous restaurant.

 

[the who #3]

one of the biggest complaints i have heard of about ak is the bus.

the last two times i have been there i found the buses to be much faster than at the other resorts we have stayed in.

old key west and ssr bus service is really slow, and the last time we stayed at the bc their bus was double slow. even vwl was a bit slow.

ak must have really paid attention to those complaints, because they have just about the best bus service of all now.

i don't know about blt but will find out in nov.

i love akv for many reasons and all have been mentioned on this thread!

 

[pyrxtc]

We stayed there on cash first and when they started on the DVC, I knew it was what we wanted. The place is gorgeous and homey and amazing, and elegant all at once.

I love it when we get there and I get this great feeling about being on vacation. Love the darkness and not light, happy, cheerful everywhere. It shows me calm, casual and comforting.

 

[CapeCodFam]

We've been BWV owners since 2004. We added on AKV in 4/07 - pre construction. Based on the materials at the time, we thought this was going to be a great summer swim spot like BCV. We were already familiar with AKL and loved the theming.

We just returned on 8/7 from our first Kidani stay. The resort was nice and overall had alot of plusses. The CMs were the most friendly and helpful of any DVC we've stayed at. The rooms are spacious and are a better layout. We loved having the 2nd bath. The kids did enjoy the community hall and it was nice to be able to do any craft at any time.

However, I was quite deflated when I saw how small the pool actually was. It's no BCV. I also noticed that there were no animals out in the mornings. Night-time is the best viewing time. Which is probably intentional since there is nothing to do at the resort at night. I have since read on dvcmember.com that the savana is closed 8-10 am. The shape of the resort is like a sound amplifier on the savana view side. Other people's children seemed to love this feature as they kept shrieking to hear the echos.

While the food at Maji pool bar was better then expected, it was still nowhere near the options at Mara. We would have liked to have eaten at Sanaa. But, the menu didn't have anything our kids would eat.

Overall, it was nice. I can see alot of members liking it. But, we much prefer BWV + BCV. We'll try to swap to another resort at 7mo. We'll likely sell our AKV contracts after it sells out and try to add on more at BWV instead. At least the Kidani hallways made BWV hallways seem short.

 

[jblrn2b]

I am really glad we bought AKV eventhough we haven't stayed there yet. In feb we stayed at SSR on DP. The boys and I had a great time and the CMs couldn't have been any nicer - somehow it didn't feel right. The last night I took my boys to Jiko for dinner and we went early to walk around and swim in the pool. They loved the atmosphere, animals, pool, gift shop and Jiko. They both said to me - "why didn't we stay here?" They really had a lot of fun and I can't wait to go in November.

 

[jarestel]

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've heard the same thing said regarding Saratoga Springs. It's all different strokes, y'know? Some like this, some like that, and if you don't happen to like AKV, then you don't like it. There's nothing wrong with not liking something.

I wouldn't worry about it too much!

 

[haleofafamily]

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?

I haven't seen the outside of Kidani yet only pictures, but I have visited AKL. The appeal of the outside to me is that it is pretty authentic. I've been to Africa - feel in love with it - and when I saw AKL it just took me back.

 

[DeeCee735]

To each his own....that's one great thing about DVC, there are enough different resorts for many tastes

We stayed one night in AKV, at the Lodge, and fell in love. The outside isn't so pretty, but walking into that lobby, and the rooms and the views and the animals and the lounge , and Boma and Jiko.....what's not to like??

For us, it was love at first site, a great place to be when doing a non park trip (as I am this November - mostly anyway), because the resort and savannah views, and dining offer enough to do right there, without going anywhere else!

I can't wait for my one bedroom savannah view in Kidani in November!

 

[Nutty4Disney]

We just bought DVC at AKV and can't wait to stay there. We are waiting on ROFR so we can make reservations for next year. We fell in love with AKV when we went to dinner at Boma. Love the animals and the warm, comfortable feeling. Great for relaxing after being in the parks for the day. Plus to me there are so many options at AKV, so something for everyone as far as rooms go. It is only the two of us so we will book a studio, but we like having the option of concierge or savanah or value or... I can't wait. We have reservations at Pop Century for next month (free dining) and are eating at Sanaa so we can check out Kidani Village. I tease DH that we are going from the slums (we love the values by the way) to the palace.

 

[mickeys girl 52]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but have a question for those that have been there. I am planning on bringing 3 of my grandchildren away next June.;ages 15,13,and 12. I would love to possibly try AKV for a split stay. My concern is the restaurants and food there. Two of them are such fussy eaters that I am worried they will not like the themed foods.Do they have american meals too; ex hotdogs, cheeseburgers?I would hate to have to take buses to find places for my little fuss pots to eat. thanks