SSR or AKL?

[enigmaMN]

We just booked a ressie for AKL 9/23 - 9/30 in a 1 BR Savannah View in Jambo House. I'm feeling a little iffy about AKL based on some of the things that I've been reading and how much we really liked SSR (our other home resort). Yes, you read that right... we LOVE SSR.

So.. one of the big things that I've seen is mention of how dark the rooms are. I am visually impaired -- you wouldn't know it unless I'm in dark/dim lighting. How "dark" are the rooms?

Compared to SRR how "relaxing" is AKL. We loved the "homey" feel or SSR and actually spent a fair amount of time just hanging out at the resort. That's something that is very important to us.

I'm looking for any input you can provide. I definitely want to stay at AK at some point..it's our second home after all. I'm just not sure that this will be the right trip to do it on.

Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

The two resorts are opposites. AKV is dark and to us has a closed in feeling. SSR is light and bright and open.

Change your reservation to SSR and visit the models for AKV while you are there. Keep in mind that the models have bright lighting to make them look lighter and bigger.

After your visit to the models, sell your AKV and buy BCV, BWV, or OKW. They are all decorated lighter.

 

[rsimon]

I am not sure I would go to the level the PP said. We own at AKV and we have stayed at both places (in fact, our last trip we did a split stay).

We REALLY like AKV, however they are darker colors and so are not as bright. During the day, we have the curtains open and a lot of light comes in, but at night, it is just darker. I personally think that AKV feels more homey and comfortable. Jambo's main problem I have is that it doesn't have a dedicated shower in the 1 bedroom and the bathtub is deep which makes it harder to climb in and out.

If you have problems in darker rooms though, I would stay at SSR.

 

[cheezNE1]

We just booked a ressie for AKL 9/23 - 9/30 in a 1 BR Savannah View in Jambo House. I'm feeling a little iffy about AKL based on some of the things that I've been reading and how much we really liked SSR (our other home resort). Yes, you read that right... we LOVE SSR.

So.. one of the big things that I've seen is mention of how dark the rooms are. I am visually impaired -- you wouldn't know it unless I'm in dark/dim lighting. How "dark" are the rooms?

Compared to SRR how "relaxing" is AKL. We loved the "homey" feel or SSR and actually spent a fair amount of time just hanging out at the resort. That's something that is very important to us.

I'm looking for any input you can provide. I definitely want to stay at AK at some point..it's our second home after all. I'm just not sure that this will be the right trip to do it on.

Thanks!

I'm willing to trade my SSR for your AKL...
Besides BLT, AKL would be my next choice.

I too love the beautiful homey feel at first, but now, if i want that homey feel, i just stay home.

 

[enigmaMN]

The two resorts are opposites. AKV is dark and to us has a closed in feeling. SSR is light and bright and open.

Change your reservation to SSR and visit the models for AKV while you are there. Keep in mind that the models have bright lighting to make them look lighter and bigger.

After your visit to the models, sell your AKV and buy BCV, BWV, or OKW. They are all decorated lighter.

Well, I don't think we're ready to sell our ownership. AKV still has a lot of appeal to us. I think I will switch this stay to SSR and try AKV on another short trip. That was our original intent when we added on as we only added 100 pts there.

 

[enigmaMN]

I'm willing to trade my SSR for your AKL...
Besides BLT, AKL would be my next choice.

I too love the beautiful homey feel at first, but now, if i want that homey feel, i just stay home.

LOL... tempting offer, but I think we have to at least give AKV a try before we make any decisions. It does still appeal to me, just not sure I want to do the long trips there.

We love the homey feeling at SSR because we actually come home relaxed... not feeling like we need another vacation!

 

[drusba]

Part of the theming of AKV to achieve the sense of dusk on a savanna is darker colors and fairly dim lighting throughout the resort. And the lighting in the rooms is dimmer than you will find elswhere. But it is not real dark. Think of it as nothing seems to be brighter than a 60 watt bulb in a room with earth tone colors and the lamps and shades used seem more designed to hold light rather than broadcast it.

Savanna view cannot be beat. You won't necessarily see animals all the time but some times of the day you will see many, and that is often in the early morning and the late afternoon/early evening. Also, the resort is designed to give a sense that you are on a savanna and not in Florida or even at WDW and it succeeds in doing so. The savannas make up most of the space outside the building, and then elsewhere like in front there are lots of trees and other foliage. For example because of trees and foliage you can stand right out side the front door of the building and NOT see the parking lot even though it is only about 120 feet away. The pool is very nice and it too has lots of areas with trees and foliage with the result that you can find places to sit with shade and that are somewhat secluded if you desire such.

What Jambo also has that SSR does not: (a) three restaurants in your own building, Boma one the best buffets at WDW, Jikos a more upscale and very good table service, and Mara a fast food cafeteria style place that has plenty of seating both inside and outside; (b) busses that will make only two stops at the resort (Jambo and Kidani) and then a direct hit to the parks and your bus stop will be right outside your building; (c) a store right in your building; (b) hotel services if you want them -- valet, room service, dry cleaning, desk services to ask about anything; (c) the pool area is connected to your building.

What you cannot do at AKV is walk right outside anywhere and walk around the entire property. Those savannas come right up to the buildings with the result that there are no ground floor rooms (except in the pool area) and you can exit the building only in the front, to the area where the pool is and designated animal viewing areas with the main one off the lobby.

 

[pickles]

keep your ressie, always good to try new things and you will probably enjoy the animals. and if nothing elose Boma breakfast is to die for...best breakfast out there!!

I love OKW, but my next trip trying my hardest to spend it at AKV just for the food!!

 

[hakepb]

To me, the "dark" at AKV results in a very peaceful, calm yet exotic vibe. ..truely amazing!

(it took me a few days to "get it" so do not set your final opinion too early.)

and like any DVC resort, try to take advantage of what the resort can do for you (like spending time on the balcony to view the animals, make sure you are in your room at a variety of times (say an afternoon nap) because feeding patterns may be different than a "all parks all day" schedule will show you; Eating at Boma..)

 

[jennyl772003]

My DS is visually impaired and we stayed at AKV last Aug. It is pretty bit dim in there, but he did ok. During the day, with the curtains open, it was really pretty good light wise. At night when he wanted to read, he pulled a chair right up to the lamp and read from there. The wall sconces that were over the bed were probably the brightest light in there, so that's where he would sit. He needs to sit right in front of the TV anyway, so we're pretty used to him having to do that sort of thing. I'm trying to remember for sure, but I think I might have also removed the shade from the table lamp. That's really the problem, the shades are all so dark. I found the light at the sink area to be VERY dark. Nearly impossible to apply makeup.

We love the resort, but I think they could still maintain the look and add some more light at the same time. It's really my only negative of the resort.

Def give it a try on a shorter trip.

 

[disneynutz]

It seems that most of the DVC resorts have switched to a lower wattage fluorescent bulbs trying to save money.

We have found that some of the rooms are so poorly lit that my DW wants to start packing our own bulbs in our Owners Locker.