SSR or AKV - which one and why?

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We are still hemming and hawing over a DVC purchase. We thought we would do resale, but maybe not.

If we bought through Disney we could choose SSR or AKV. Which would you choose and why? We LOVE AKL, we have never stayed at SSR.

 

[Hollymom1229]

We own at both and they are our two favorite of the properties. Of them though, if I had to pick one it would be AKV for a few reasons. One, this is home of two of our favorite on property restaurants, Boma and Jiko. When you are here you truly feel secluded from the rest of the world. And going into the future I suspect the home resort advantage will come into play. With SSR it's pretty easy to book at the 7 mo. mark due to its size. I anticipate AKV will have more of an owner loyalty factor as far as staying there goes.

 

[KELLY]

I love SSR. But I have never stayed at AKV. We are hoping to stay there durning are vacation in September we are on the waitlist for a 1 bedroom savannah. We just added another 100 points to our ssr. I love being close to downtown Disney. I also like the theme of the animals but I like having all my points at SSR. I think they are both beautiful for diffrent reasons. I guess my suggestion is buy were you want to stay.

 

[hellerjw]

It really is a matter of personal preference. If you aren't leaning toward either one taking the tour would be a good thing to do. You get to see both SSR and AKV units and can do a good comparison based on that.

We chose AKV over SSR for several reasons:

- Its a destination unto itself with the animals, 2 very good restaurants and extensive African/Safari theming
- Its currently the only DVC resort with concierge level accomodations
- It has value level accomodations
- Its quiet and far enough from the parks, shopping, etc that the illusion of being on an African safari isn't disturbed by seeing a theme park or shopping complex right across from it.
- We have 2 young kids who love animals and the AKV theme fit us much better than SSRs.
- It has its own bus route, dedicated just to it.

I will say that if we were older and our kids were grown then SSR would have been more appealing to us than it is now. With close proximity to DTD it would be a nice choice for someone who isn't interested in visiting the theme parks every time.

 

[tammymacb]

I don't own either, but toured both this month when I was considering an add on.

It really depends on your taste. But, for me, hands down, I'd choose AKL. I literally fell in love with the place when I visited my sister who was staying there. I loved the decor and the feeling of the resort, like you really were in Africa.

I currently own 150 BWV points and I love them because I get the best ( IMHO ) location of all the DVCs, but if I add on. It will probably be at AKV.

Now if location is a big factor, AKV is rather remote with nothing else ( except AK ) closeby where SSR is walking distance to DTD.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We aren't big DTD people. We also never rent a car, so SSR being divided up into all of those buildings was a concern for us. AKL is our absolute favorite resort. Since we know we love it there and we aren't sure about SSR I think AKV is in the lead, even though the incentives for SSR are a tiny bit better.

 

[Starr W.]

We never rent a car and get around SSR just fine. The boys love DTD, especially my youngest who loves to check out the LEGO store(can't have too many Bionicles or Star Wars Lego sets ).

Disclaimer: Have older kids that don't require a stoller.

The incentives for SSR are pretty good right now. But if AKV is for you, I think you need to talk to a guide or find someone who has just purchased AKV.

 

[msabol01]

When faced with this decision we went with AKL. The main reason for us was the extra three years on the contract length and the novelty of the lodge itself. By owning there we will always have the 11 month reservations window.

That being said, my wife is not a huge fan of the decor, but does like the idea of our own private savanah. We just returned from Saratoga Springs, and I must say it is a great resort. Probably my wife's favorite both in terms of the decor and resort atmosphere. So, we will probably have an equal number of SSR stays as AKL stays. The nice thing is the demand for the former is not so bad that the 11 month window is needed like it is with AKL. That may change with AKL once Kidani is finished

In short, you can't go wrong with either choice, but I suggest you consider how long you want your contract to last (2057 vs 2054) and where do you want your 11 month booking advantage.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Really, the length of the contract isn't much of a factor for us. DH is already 40 and I am close to 40, so the probability of us going to AKV when we are 90 is remote.

DS is 12, so by the time he is 62 we'll hope he can fend for himself.

I have read where from a resale standpoint it might be good to have more years as opposed to less.

DH is on the fence just as much as I am. That $500 gift card SURE would be handy, but then again, if we buy at SSR we might have a tough time booking AKV. Decisions, decisions...

 

[ADP]

I'd purchase AKV for two reasons:
1. It's the most unique resort experience in the world...Animals outside your balcony? C'mon, seriously!?
2. AKV is offering concierge level rooms for DVC members. You will need the 11 month window to book these rooms. All the concierge amenities are offered.

 

[PSWGal]

We were just facing the same decision. If location is an option, I'd try to get BWV or BCV instead. If it's not so much the location, then AKV, however, the MF's are higher at AKV. A friend of mine owns at SSR and he just toured AKV. He said the villa accommodations are the most upscale of any of the resorts. I like upscale. OK. so called me spoiled.

I knew that I would sometimes want to stay at AKV, so that's what we bought. We've only seen OKW and we're very excited to stay at AKV next year.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, after thinking that we weren't quite ready to buy...

We bought AKV today.

It worked out that we were able to get 160 pts. for immediate use, and we were able to book 7 nights of our August trip on points. We had already paid for the room ressie, so we'll cancel it and put the money towards our DVC purchase.
We'll be at OKW in August, but going forward we'll be staying at AKV!

 

[DVC Mike]

We prefer AKV over SSR.

AKV Considerations

• Concierge Rooms (the only DVC with them) and point-saving Value accommodations will go quick. Thus, the 11-month home resort booking window will be more advantageous at AKV than SSR. These types of rooms will go quick and probably necessitate calling at 11 months.
• The 1 BR can sleep 5 versus 4 at SSR. Also, the rooms at the new Kidani Village will have an extra bathroom compared to SSR.
• Great exotic theme (African game reserve) with unique decor
• The Savannah with the views of the animals (20+ species)
• Samawati Springs Pool - 4,700-sq-ft with slide and 2 whirlpool spas (Kidani), plus themed Uzima pool at AKL
• Excellent onsite restaurants: Jiko and Boma, plus new Sanaa TS
• Lease is 3 years more than SSR (2057 vs. 2054)
• Attached to a deluxe resort hotel (AKL) – room service & valet parking
• Jambo GV have pool tables!

SSR Considerations

• Lower maintenance fees
• Direct access to DTD (for restaurants and nightlife)
• Onsite Spa
• Completed (unlike AKV, which is under construction)
• Apartment-style setup; standalone, not attached to any hotel
• Elegant and sophisticated décor (understated, subdued theme)
• Golf course on property
• Large, very spread out resort (the largest DVC resort)
• Long distance from some rooms to dining and services
• Themed pool - rock formations/springs/water slide
• Limited onsite dining (Artists Palette and The Turf Club)
• Has convenient self parking
• No room service or valet parking; Outdoor hallways

 

[Bichon Barb]

I just realized today that if you buy SSR resale, you may be able to get 200 points for just a few hundred dollars more than what it costs to buy 160 AKV points from Disney.

And the maintenance fees are only about $100 more per year for those extra 40 points.

That's got my head spinning again.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, too late for us!

I'm happy with the AKV purchase. When we pay it off we'll think about what to buy next!

 

[msabol01]

Congrats on your purchase. You really can't go wrong. DVC Mike has a great comparison summary list which included many things I overlooked.

 

[EGLSMOMMY]

Well, after thinking that we weren't quite ready to buy...

We bought AKV today.

It worked out that we were able to get 160 pts. for immediate use, and we were able to book 7 nights of our August trip on points. We had already paid for the room ressie, so we'll cancel it and put the money towards our DVC purchase.
We'll be at OKW in August, but going forward we'll be staying at AKV!

Congrats! I am going back and forth between buying and not buying. The more I read here, though, the more excited I get about buying!

Did you also get 160 bonus points to use at SSR until May 2009? I wasn't told about this from our guide, but after reading about it here, I asked her and she said, yes, I would get the bonus points. Just curious if you got these as well??

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Congrats! I am going back and forth between buying and not buying. The more I read here, though, the more excited I get about buying!

Did you also get 160 bonus points to use at SSR until May 2009? I wasn't told about this from our guide, but after reading about it here, I asked her and she said, yes, I would get the bonus points. Just curious if you got these as well??

No, because apparently what we bought into was a different phase. We got 160 points to use now (which we're using in August), and we'll get 160 more in December. And we didn't get the delayed start on annual dues, either.

At any rate, we're happy with it because it saved us paying cash for one week of this year's trip!

 

[FLYNZ4]

A friend of mine owns at SSR and he just toured AKV. He said the villa accommodations are the most upscale of any of the resorts. I like upscale. OK. so called me spoiled.

I agree with that comment 100%. I would put a lot of trust in whoever gave you that advice

/Jim

 

[disneymom8589]

Congratulations! AKV is an incredible resort!!