Recent info on VAKL

[3DisneyKids]

Well said, Dean. When I say "known" I just meant that DVC is officially stating it as so (and has been in writing, in the case of the press release). Of course, as we know from Eagle Pines, they can also scrap an entire resort once it has been "officially" announced. Thus, all of this should be treated as "as official as it can be" type of information (if that makes sense! )

 

[lisareniff]

Yah, some how I doubt the pool will really rival SAB. For 324 villas a SAB type pool is very expensive. A nice pool perhaps but I think the guides might be exaggerating a bit in comparing it to SAB.

 

[lisareniff]

KNOWN -AKV will be bigger than VWL, BCV, and BWV, but smaller than SSR and OKW

IF the two portions of AKV are physically seperated enough so they are not really considered one integrated resort then we may need to think of the numbers that way.

AKV - the new building - will have 324 villas; smaller then BWV
AKV - the lodge - will have 134 villas; the same a VWL

 

[Olaf]

We're just back and spoke with one of the animal keepers/CM at AK. He said that the Sunset Overlook lounge off to the left (if you're entering through the front doors), will be converted for DVC use, as well as the buildings the keepers use on the Sunset Savanna. He seemed to indicate that the Sunset Savanna would be no more. He also mentioned that they will be building another pool Take it with a grain of salt.

I was also informed that the AK show rooms would be at Saratoga Springs and would be ready for viewing in April.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Is the new building going to have its own checkin? If not then the new building cannot be too far away.

YES! We were told by our guide that it would have it's own services, own check-in, own theme pool, own restaurant and the savannah would be enlarged and animals added to accommodate the AKV (which he described as a seperate entity from AKL with the exception of the 5th floor rebuild). He said it would NOT be considered to be a part of AKL except for the smaller different foot print units that are being made from the 5th floor. I suspect that is being done to give DVC something to sell between SSR sell out and the projected start of AKV, which is supposed to be fall of 2009. Fall of 2007 is when they expect to have the 5th floor rooms ready to at least view, if not sell and reserve.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We're just back and spoke with one of the animal keepers/CM at AK. He said that the Sunset Overlook lounge off to the left (if you're entering through the front doors), will be converted for DVC use, as well as the buildings the keepers use on the Sunset Savanna. He seemed to indicate that the Sunset Savanna would be no more. He also mentioned that they will be building another pool Take it with a grain of salt.

I was also informed that the AK show rooms would be at Saratoga Springs and would be ready for viewing in April.

Yes, we were told that the AK show rooms are being built at Saratoga right now, and would be ready in the spring. Looks like the animal keeper had much the same information our guide gave us.

 

[dianeschlicht]

As soon as I find it, I will post the "official" information, so that we don't have to go by "A CM told me once that..."

Yes, part of the existing AKL will be coverted to DVC rooms. Period. This was even in the press release. I guess they can change that, but right now that is official as it gets. Based on this, AKV will not be a "stand alone" resort.

They ARE expanding the Savannah to include the new DVC (the part that will not be part of the current AKL). Thus, it could be off and to the left and a bit of a walk. But again, with part of the new DVC actually AT AKL, I can't imagine it being too far of a walk.

There will be a new sit down restaurant, some shops, and new themed pool to "rival" SAB.

Guess I'll go hunt for the official stuff....

Our guide said it would NOT be within walking distance and WOULD be considered to be a stand alone timeshare resort with only the converted 5th floor being accessible to the existing lodge. I gotta believe that means a point schedule difference as well, but he couldn't tell as any of that. He did seem to have a good idea, but said he wasn't allowed to say.

 

[ADP]

Our guide said it would NOT be within walking distance and WOULD be considered to be a stand alone timeshare resort with only the converted 5th floor being accessible to the existing lodge. I gotta believe that means a point schedule difference as well, but he couldn't tell as any of that. He did seem to have a good idea, but said he wasn't allowed to say.

Not to cloud the matter, but the DVC person I spoke with at Animal Kingdom said the rooms in the new bldg would be bigger and would be able to accommodate more people than the rooms in the Lodge.

He also said the point structure would be the same for the new bldg and rennovated rooms at the AKL. The trade-off was concierge rooms with concierge ammenities at AKL and larger rooms which can accommodate more people in the new bldg.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Our guide said it would NOT be within walking distance and WOULD be considered to be a stand alone timeshare resort with only the converted 5th floor being accessible to the existing lodge. I gotta believe that means a point schedule difference as well, but he couldn't tell as any of that. He did seem to have a good idea, but said he wasn't allowed to say.

Yes, I as said in my follow-up post, when you look at the amenities included in the new resort (new themed pool, sit down restaurant, shops, rec and fitness facilities, etc.) it sounds like it may, indeed, be a different resort entirely and not within walking distance.

 

[Olaf]

Could it be that they will have an area like what is currently the area where the Uzima pool is located on the Sunset Savanna? Then bracketing that in with a separate DVC resort? Building it where the current road is located? It's hard to believe that they wouldn't be within walking distance. That would be a huge hassle for all involved, staff and guests alike.

 

[lisareniff]

He also said the point structure would be the same for the new bldg and rennovated rooms at the AKL. The trade-off was concierge rooms with concierge ammenities at AKL and larger rooms which can accommodate more people in the new bldg.

I'm still not really sure how they will offer the current concierge ammenities to all of the 5th and 6th floor rooms. This might be the reason to own AKL.

 

[pilferk]

IF the two are not connected...can someone explain how they think the logistics might work?

If you're a DVC member....you're going to check in at the DVC check-in on your day of arrival. You are not going to be sure of your room assignment, more often than not, I'd think. I guess if they make the two seperate booking categories...but even then, unless they have some sort of "satellite DVC check in" at the AKL, which seems extraneous and a waste of resources (you'd need to hire 2 different staffs).

So you mosey up to the AKV, go to the check-in desk...and get told you're actually going to be housed in the Lodge (for whatever reason)..which is not in walking distance of where you are? Not to mention...your luggage is now with DVC bell services...and Disney's Magical Express, which is how you arrived, has left you on the doorstep? Are they going to run individual shuttles for those families?

And what if they want to take advantage of the new DVC AKV "pool complex"? Or the new DVC sit down eatery? All of those are going to be pretty nice benefits of the new resort...and completely hard to access to those housed at AKL.

While all these "rumors" might be true, it sounds like a logistical nightmare in the making if they are.

 

[grimgrinnin]

IF the two are not connected...can someone explain how they think the logistics might work?

I think that you'll know when you make your reservation what building you'll be in, much like the standard/preferred view at BWV. Whether they'll be different point structures is another question....



grim

 

[3DisneyKids]

I am thinking that units actually in the AKL will be guaranteed, not just requests (as in BWV). I think in terms of point structures, the points may actually be the same...the trade-off will be size of unit (larger in the "new" building, I would guess) vs. being in the main lodge and having concierge access. Just thoughts, no facts here....

 

[Mahusky]

While all these "rumors" might be true, it sounds like a logistical nightmare in the making if they are.

Hey it's Disney Im sure they will work something out...... Shuttle rides, etc....

 

[pilferk]

I think that you'll know when you make your reservation what building you'll be in, much like the standard/preferred view at BWV. Whether they'll be different point structures is another question....



grim

Probably...but with the BWV..should someone misunderstand, make a mistake, or get a "free upgrade" (due to room availability)...it's a hop/skip/jump across the interior breezeway to the other building. Not to mention the BWV folks still have access to the Inn's amenities, either way.

With the rumors we're hearing about AKV...things don't appear like they're going to be that easy and, quite frankly, it would surprise me if Disney did something that would create such a possible logistical mess. One thing Disney tends to be is efficient (some times to a fault) and this sounds inefficient, to me.

 

[pilferk]

Hey it's Disney Im sure they will work something out...... Shuttle rides, etc....

An option, to be certain. But, honestly, at what increased cost? Because you know that has/had to be a factor in the decision making process.

 

[nuts]

Oh good! We've moved beyond SSR as the punching bag of the DVC resorts!

At least we are consistent in bashing the new resorts.

 

[Marie17]

Any idea on the price per point?

I believe I read that SSR is promoting a sale right now of $86/pt. Would love to know what the difference in price would be for a 150 pt contract.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Any idea on the price per point?

I believe I read that SSR is promoting a sale right now of $86/pt. Would love to know what the difference in price would be for a 150 pt contract.

Not announced yet. Expected to be announced in early Feb.