Resort help, choosing?

[kguenther8]

I have Shades of Green booked for March 24-30.
However, after looking into renting DVC points, we can stay at AKV in a studio, Savannah view for about $370 more total cost.

Is it worth the extra money? Shades have nice, big, quiet rooms, and cleaning every day. We like walking to the monrail for MK. However, we have a car, so we could easily drive quickly from AK also. The rooms at AK that are studio, savannah view are about the same size as Shades, and will have a fridge, like Shades. I know the restuarants aren't comparable, but we love Shades value for breakfast, and we have young, picky eaters who aren't going to love the food choices at AKL...

Also, we can stay in a studio villa, value for the SAME cost as Shades. But, no animal view, most likely, and a smaller room, 316 sq. feet, I think.

So, what do you guys think????

 

[emmamc252]

Animal kingdom villas are AMAZING, especially if you have kids who will love all of the animals and the general atmosphere here.
If you do go to book them try to get into the kidani village as these are sligtly larger rooms and newer so I personally prefer them.
As for renting DVC points, I think if you are going when the points are at their lowest then it is a good idea but its not worth the hassle if you are looking in high season.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The studios are not really better than hotel rooms, other than the inclusion of a microwave. You get one queen sized bed and one double sleeper sofa. The value villas are very small.

One problem you might have is getting a reservation for that time frame now. Do not cancel your Shades of Green until you know you have an AKV studio first. And you are not going to get a value villa this late. There are a small number of those in Jambo House and they go quickly at 11 months out.

If you want to try this next time, have a DVC member who owns at the resort you want at a year out. Then they can book it for you at 11 months out.

Keep your SOG reservation this time.

 

[kguenther8]

I have decided to stay 5 nights at Shades, and then 2 nights at AKV, in a studio, Savannah view, at Kidani. They are available, and I will be renting points for those two nights. The first night we will have been at AK, so we will just be eating/sleeping, but the next day will be our last day in Orlando, and no parks, so we will just enjoy the day at our resort.

How does this plan sound?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have decided to stay 5 nights at Shades, and then 2 nights at AKV, in a studio, Savannah view, at Kidani. They are available, and I will be renting points for those two nights. The first night we will have been at AK, so we will just be eating/sleeping, but the next day will be our last day in Orlando, and no parks, so we will just enjoy the day at our resort.

How does this plan sound?

Have you got the studio booked already? If not, get it booked ASAP. Otherwise, you might not get it.

Your plan does sound pretty good, though. Hope you get the villa.

 

[kguenther8]

Yes, I have picked an owner to rent from, and he is supposed to book me tomorrow morning, and then hopefully it will still be available. I know it is available as of today...

I will be super disappointed if it's gone, but with the Savannah view, I think it will still be there...at least I hope!

 

[Marthasor]

If the savannah view isn't available, but you can still get a standard view at AKV, I would still do it!! We ended up booking a 1-bedroom standard view at AKV Jambo in May and it turned out we were right by a building used by the staff for the animals and we had TONS of animals outside our room every morning. I don't know if you would get that same location with a standard studio, but there are animal viewing areas everywhere at the resort and I think you will enjoy it regardless of the view available! Have a great time!

 

[kguenther8]

Well, everyone it is official...I got my studio, savannah view at AKV for 2 nights at the end of our stay...so while we are busy with 5 park days, we will stay at Shades to sleep, and then on our 6th night we will move to AKV, and have the full next day and night to relax and just enjoy the resort. I can't wait! I think it will be a great way for us to see what we might want to do next Spring when we go back...

We are staying in Kidani, and I don't think I can make a room request from my DVC member yet...but if anyone has any ideas what area I should request, then let me know!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

You are going to love it. Waking up in the morning and seeing the animals and the view from your balcony are simply priceless. Enjoy!