Recent info on VAKL

[Sammie]

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.

If you book the lodge you will check in at the Lodge. You will know this when you book. There would be no reason to have a satelite DVC check in at the exisiting lodge, they don't have it WLV or the BWV or the BCV.

if you book the new villas you will check in there. I really do not see any of this being a problem. If you want to go over to the other resort you simply take the bus as I sure they will share buses.

 

[Dean]

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.

Nothing official. I'm guessing the $101 possibly with a smaller incentive than we've seen with SSR. But we should know soon.

 

[kdzgon]

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! )

When/where has Disney "officially" (or in writing) posted an expiration yr of 2057?

 

[jdg345]

Does anyone know if the model rooms are available for viewing this year?

 

[LisaS]

Does anyone know if the model rooms are available for viewing this year?

I asked about this when we were there last week and so far there are no model rooms open, and no dates yet for when they will be available.

 

[surfer_ed]

Anyone with add-on SSR experience that could tell us what the buying cycle was like? Was the very best members incentive discount at day 1 or was the first deal not the best.

Not that it might be the same with VAKL but it is interesting.

 

[dumbo71]

Anyone with add-on SSR experience that could tell us what the buying cycle was like? Was the very best members incentive discount at day 1 or was the first deal not the best.

Not that it might be the same with VAKL but it is interesting.

If memory serves, day 1 discount (your words) haven't been the best. They seem to take a lets wait and see approach with incentives.

The exception to this would be OKW, which had ridiculously low pre-opening prices. Anyone remember how low in the beginning?

 

[kimberh]

subscribing

 

[jdg345]

I asked about this when we were there last week and so far there are no model rooms open, and no dates yet for when they will be available.

Bummer ... perhaps I'll have to pass by SSR and bring my night-vision goggles

 

[3DisneyKids]

Bummer ... perhaps I'll have to pass by SSR and bring my night-vision goggles

Sadly, even this won't help! When we were there recently, everything was blacked out/closed up, and there were no sounds coming from within. I later found out that they do most of the building of the model rooms eslewhere and then transport to the theatre at SSR once ready to put it all together.

 

[jdg345]

Sadly, even this won't help! When we were there recently, everything was blacked out/closed up, and there were no sounds coming from within. I later found out that they do most of the building of the model rooms eslewhere and then transport to the theatre at SSR once ready to put it all together.

Aww ... I need to find one of my old comic books with the ad for x-ray glasses then ...

 

[pilferk]

If you book the lodge you will check in at the Lodge. You will know this when you book. There would be no reason to have a satelite DVC check in at the exisiting lodge, they don't have it WLV or the BWV or the BCV.

if you book the new villas you will check in there. I really do not see any of this being a problem. If you want to go over to the other resort you simply take the bus as I sure they will share buses.

Exactly. Logistical nightmare. Not to mention a hurdle should you need to use one or the other facility to accomodate overflow. AND a "member education" battle to fight through, to ensure the guest goes to the right place to check in.

And the difference between WLV or BWV or BCV? The Villas are all within walking distance of the same checkin counter. IF what we're hearing is true...that will NOT be the case with AKV.

Having 2 different spots to check seems inefficient and, logistically, problematic. Ditto with having some of the services you "bought" when you purchased membership being difficult/inconvenient to access. That's rather my point.

And, keep in mind, I'm certainly not "bashing" akv. We're definitely buying in. But that doesn't preclude questions. What I wonder is a) if the "not within walking distance" bit of information is true and makes sense and b) if it is....pondering what Disney is going to do to overcome the hurdles they're putting in place with that design.

Oh, and I'm not sure the 2 facilities WILL share buses. Possible, I suppose, but given AKL's size, in and of itself....certainly not a given.

 

[Dean]

Exactly. Logistical nightmare. Not to mention a hurdle should you need to use one or the other facility to accomodate overflow. AND a "member education" battle to fight through, to ensure the guest goes to the right place to check in.

And the difference between WLV or BWV or BCV? The Villas are all within walking distance of the same checkin counter. IF what we're hearing is true...that will NOT be the case with AKV.

Having 2 different spots to check seems inefficient and, logistically, problematic. Ditto with having some of the services you "bought" when you purchased membership being difficult/inconvenient to access. That's rather my point.

And, keep in mind, I'm certainly not "bashing" akv. We're definitely buying in. But that doesn't preclude questions. What I wonder is a) if the "not within walking distance" bit of information is true and makes sense and b) if it is....pondering what Disney is going to do to overcome the hurdles they're putting in place with that design.

Oh, and I'm not sure the 2 facilities WILL share buses. Possible, I suppose, but given AKL's size, in and of itself....certainly not a given.

I see it functioning as 2 resorts even if it's technically one resort, at least if the rumors hold out.

 

[erikthewise]

Speaking of rumors, it's POSSIBLE (I don't claim likely!) that DVC will do the remodeling in the current AKL, but decide to bail out on the new construction.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Exactly. Logistical nightmare. Not to mention a hurdle should you need to use one or the other facility to accomodate overflow. AND a "member education" battle to fight through, to ensure the guest goes to the right place to check in.

And the difference between WLV or BWV or BCV? The Villas are all within walking distance of the same checkin counter. IF what we're hearing is true...that will NOT be the case with AKV.

Having 2 different spots to check seems inefficient and, logistically, problematic. Ditto with having some of the services you "bought" when you purchased membership being difficult/inconvenient to access. That's rather my point.

And, keep in mind, I'm certainly not "bashing" akv. We're definitely buying in. But that doesn't preclude questions. What I wonder is a) if the "not within walking distance" bit of information is true and makes sense and b) if it is....pondering what Disney is going to do to overcome the hurdles they're putting in place with that design.

Oh, and I'm not sure the 2 facilities WILL share buses. Possible, I suppose, but given AKL's size, in and of itself....certainly not a given.

As far as the buses......does anyone lnow the total number of rooms at the entire AK resort, once the 450+ DVC is added? If so, how will that compare to the amount of rooms in the final SSR total, which has one bus route, or the combined number of rooms at YC/BC/BCV, plus sometimes BWV/S/D included on the same buses?
IMO, the buses might be less of a problem than guests at both AKL and AKV both wanting access to Boma, or Jiko's, even if a TS is planned at AKV.
Can't wait to hear how all this will work out.................. .

 

[pilferk]

As far as the buses......does anyone lnow the total number of rooms at the entire AK resort, once the 450+ DVC is added? If so, how will that compare to the amount of rooms in the final SSR total, which has one bus route, or the combined number of rooms at YC/BC/BCV, plus sometimes BWV/S/D included on the same buses?
IMO, the buses might be less of a problem than guests at both AKL and AKV both wanting access to Boma, or Jiko's, even if a TS is planned at AKV.
Can't wait to hear how all this will work out.................. .

AKL: 1293 rooms, all by itself.
AKV: 324 rooms in the new facility (remember, 134 of the AKV rooms are remodeled AKL rooms)
total:1617 rooms.

Yacht Club: 630
Beach Club: 583
BCV: 205
Total: 1418

AND, keep in mind, you ONLY need bus access to the MK from those places, really.

SSR has 552 rooms, total.

 

[spiceycat]

okay could be wrong here.

but I see you not being able to walk to AKL because of the animals. Not because of the long way. for some reason I am expecting animals to be between AKL and AKV.

AKV has to be partial in the AKL because that is the only way the opening date of fall, 2007 could be happening. DVC can't start sales in spring unless they have something to open soon.

if the sales are good and DVC is expecting sales to be excellent - then the other part of AKV will definitely be opened.

the sales guides were warned to expect to be very busy starting this Feb.

 

[Olaf]

but I see you not being able to walk to AKL because of the animals. Not because of the long way. for some reason I am expecting animals to be between AKL and AKV.

The animal keeper I spoke with at AKL said that the Sunset Savanna was being totally demolished to make way for DVC, pool, restaurant, etc. I'm taking it all with a grain of salt. We're just going to have to wait and see. How many times have we all been proven wrong in the past?

 

[erikthewise]

The animal keeper I spoke with at AKL said that the Sunset Savanna was being totally demolished to make way for DVC, pool, restaurant, etc. I'm taking it all with a grain of salt. We're just going to have to wait and see. How many times have we all been proven wrong in the past?

I think by "totally demolished" he meant "reconfigured and expanded".

 

[spiceycat]

The animal keeper I spoke with at AKL said that the Sunset Savanna was being totally demolished to make way for DVC, pool, restaurant, etc. I'm taking it all with a grain of salt. We're just going to have to wait and see. How many times have we all been proven wrong in the past?

that would take away from savannah views that AKL already has - so I don't see that happening.

but hey you are right - everyone has been wrong here at least few times. makes it interesting....