Question for anyone who has stayed at Animal Kingdom Villas

[blondietink]

We stayd at AKV in August and I didn't make the reservation until 6 weeks before we stayed there. We had a studio overlooking the pool and it was awesome. We could see the animals also from our room outside of the pool area. Although we prefer a one bedroom (we only had enough points left for a studio), we thought the studio was very large, especially when compared to the stuidio we stayed in at Vero Beach. Yes, the rooms are dark, but as another poster said, it was a nice respite from the August sun and heat. I think the pool area was vastly overrated and hopefully the new pool area at Kadani will be better. It was about a 20 minute ride to MK, but we never waited for a bus. Yes, it is out there away from the rest of the park, but I think this is what makes it so different. We will stay here again if it is a choice.

 

[kjd469]

For us, the only place we would have bought is AKV. The other's just don't hold the same "magic". AKL is our favourite resort that we have stayed at, and we've tried many...love the African theming, the animals, everything!!! Can't believe people complain about the location....it wouldn't be the same if you could see other resorts within view of AKV....I love how when you're driving up the foliage changes to desert-style plantings....you really feel as if you've come to a whole new place!!

That being said, it's a good thing that we don't all love the same resort....or we'd never be able to get into our favourites...to each his own, I say

 

[Perdie]

Our "Home" is AKV and I can give you three reasons we love it:
1) the ANIMALS! Without a doubt the most amazing idea for a hotel ever
2) Decor/Themeing
3) Lobby area

ok I lied I have more...
4) BOMA
5) Activities around the hotel
6)Night vision! (technically this falls in the category above but how amazing is that?)

People talk about the darkness of the rooms but honestly this will help in the long run for wear and tear. We walked into SSR after a week at AKV last month and immediately noticed the wear and tear-a lighter carpet/wall/etc and you notice every little stain etc in the room. Also, AKV is the newest so it has the modern ammenities like the flat screen TV which is a nice addition, and a nice hairdryer not the old one in SSR that is attached to the wall...since I have not stayed anywhere else but these two I can't comment and I've just bought into DVC and only had one stay-but these are my impressions so far.

I can't think of 3 negatives because 1) I don't think the dues are that much higher than any other DVC property,2) we usually rent a car so the difference in distance is minimal for us, and 3) again I see the darkness of the lodge as a plus-it adds to the theme.

I can't wait for our trip next September when we stay in Kidani-Savannah view of course-in my opinion you need a savannah view to get the whole experience!

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I have been reading this board religiously since I bought into DVC in April. When I first logged in here, I fully expected there to be an OVERWHELMING amount of talk about the Animal Kingdom Villas, as they seemed like the resort with the most unique theme (Where else can you wake up and look out at a giraffe?). Yet that doesn't seem to be the case.

When I toured the rooms prior to buying into DVC (I bought at SSR because it was the cheapest), I will admit that I felt that they were too dark. In theory, I liked the theming, but my idea accommodation is a bit lighter and cheerier.

So, with that said, I would love to hear THREE things that you like about AKV and 3 things that might contribute to it not being THE hottest DVC around.

Also, is it easy to get at the 7 month mark?

Our favorite things about Animal Kingdom:

1. The Lobby!
2. Master bedroom bathroom, it is huge.
3. The animals!!!

This that might contribute:

1. Distance(more percieved then actual)
2. Dark interiors(again more percieved then actual)
3. Small pool(that will change with new pool at Kidnani)

 

[rutgers1]

When is Kidani opening?

In terms of theming, I think this really sets the bar high for Disney. Every time someone complains about Disney, I think of things like this. Where else can you get this? Nowhere.

 

[TDC Nala]

Kidani opens May 1, 2009.

 

[snowbunny]

Three things I like:
1. New rooms
2. Boma
3. Animals
and Simba's Cubhouse (okay my son likes that)

Three things I don't think are great:
1. Bell staff
2. Front desk staff
3. Feature pool is often overcrowded in the summer

 

[LindaBabe]

Stayed in AKL hotel 3 times, including concierge. 1St stay as member in a Savanna view studio and hated it - NO storage and the place looked like a furniture store. Just stayed in a value one bedroom and loved it. Still not so much storage space but it 'worked' much better for us.

What's to love?

Ambiance
Food options
Pool
Programming
Bus service is not shared
Animals

What's not to love?

Lack of closets
Wasted space due to poor design (the toilet in the one bedroom is in a room of it's own that could seat 4 OR contain a closet besides the necessary.)

I wish I owned 200 points there!

 

[CheapMom]

IMO- there are no reasons NOT to like AK.
Great theme- well executed
Very interesting, friendly CMs
Beautiful, exotic rooms (I think they are the most romantic rooms also)
Great restaurants
Animals
1 br sleeps 5, 2 br sleeps 9
Location is a non-issue for me. The buses are fine.

 

[aurorafan]

We just stayed for our first time last week and LOVED it!! My kids love animals so that helps . The location isn't an issue, but then again we stayed at POR (and loved it) for our first visit last Oct. and that's not close to anything . I love that the buses are dedicated--ONE stop at the end of the night when you have tired kids is a blessing (no "mom, when is it our stop? I'm tired--why are there so many stops?" ). And the halls aren't anything compared to the long walks to the rooms at POR .

The theme is superbly executed--you really feel like you're on a different vacation when you're there. As someone else said, I wouldn't decorate my house that way, but I love going and staying there for a week and experiencing it . And there's so much to do around the resort--we all think we need at least a day next time to just hang out and do some of the activities and explore .

Love the food and love the pool! My kids did say that the slide could have been a bit faster, but they liked it all the same . Sitting by the pool looking at the landscaping and architecture I really felt like I was somewhere other than the theme park capital of the world!

The darkness (which as a PP said is more perceived than real--once your eyes adjust it doesn't seem dark at all) just adds to the ambience. It's not oppressive, but rather warm and inviting--well at least to me .

But it's definitely not going to be for everyone, just like CR, Poly and GF aren't for everyone. If you aren't thrilled with a more subtle theme like BC or BWV you can still deal with it. If you really don't like the dark woods and theme of AKV you *really* aren't going to like it . I think that's one of the reasons why everyone doesn't rave over it--it's a very definite theme and that theme isn't going to be for everyone

 

[LisaS]

When is Kidani opening?

Phase 1 opens May 1, 2009. It includes about 2/3 of the resort (just a guess). Everything else is in Phase 2 and opens in Sep 2009.

 

[Laneychris]

We love AKV,
The savanna view!
The animals
The atmosphere

 

[SamSam]

We own at BCV and at AKV; AKV is my absolute favorite.

1. Atmosphere is outstanding
2. Jiko's
3. CM's are the best anywhere

The only downside (I don't actually considere it a downside), is that you can't just walk over to a park. My DH loves BCV because of the location; an easy walk to Epcot or to MGM.

 

[ead79]

We own at AKV and have stayed there twice as members (I also stayed at AKL several times before joining DVC).

My top 3 reasons to love AKV:
1) The amazing theme--as you said, where else can you wake up to find a giraffe just outside your balcony, plus the resort is so immersive in its theme
2) Excellent onsite dining options--we think both Boma and Jiko are excellent
3) Really well designed villas in the new Kidani building--we like that they have 2 bathrooms! Though it's just the 2 of us right now, we do like that the Kidani villas sleep 5

My top 3 reasons that AKV might not be everyone's cup of tea:
1) You can't walk or take a boat to a park
2) The remote location could be a problem for some folks that don't have their own cars
3) The rooms are a bit dark, though the lights they added over the vanity area help a bunch when it comes to putting on makeup, LOL