SSR or AKV

[mimmiepnp]

Can't decide so I need some help....

If you had to choice between buying at SSR or Animal Kingdom; which would you choose? I can go either way and of course I know that the 11 month window is important but with all the construction at AK not sure if that 11 month availability is even an option at AK

Thanks

 

[WaltEeyoreWorld]

We debated this one recently when we purchase AKV. We were staying at SSR at the time and I can see benefits to both. SSR I think is more relaxed. It is not connected to a hotel so you move in and out without the hassle of a lobby, moving through crowds, etc. There are quiet pools which are nice for a evening swim. Congress park is a quick 5 min walk to DTD Market Place for many dinning options. Rather new with 2054 expiration. Points are not too bad for usage. On the down side, it is very large. The rooms are not very large. I actually grew up in Saratoga NY and it does not remind me of home at all. If I want a resort day my entertainment and dinning options (without a walk / boat to DTD) are limited.

AKV on the other hand seem to be much larger in the SV cat. Additionally, they have standard and value (although limited) room options that use significantly fewer point (even less than OKW for some time periods). Two great dinning options and all of the other benefits of the hotel. Hopefully will feel separate from the hotel when the new section is complete giving hotel benefits without hotel lobby crowds. Instant and constant entertainment if you like animals. Great theming. Expiration in 2057. Etc. On the downside, it is a bus ride to go anywhere. It is really out by itself so not the easiest to get to and from. It is a little bit of an unknown feel as you are buying something that is not complete yet. The main attractions (animals) are not guaranteed and could be removed endangered. No quiet pools. Very large in stand alone buildings so you walk to rooms near the end of wings could be long.

In the end, we tool AKV because I love the animals and the developer points were better.

 

[WolfpackFan]

IMO it all comes down to which resort you like better. We prefer AKV, that's why we bought points there.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Hi Mimmiepmp!

We chose more of SSR over AKV this last add-on - for many reasons. That being said we LIKE AKV a lot (it is very pretty) and we will stay there, but we just didn't see it as our "home resort". SSR is more to our liking.

Here are some (but by no means all) comparisons of the 2:

AKV:

• no quiet pools, but a great family pool combo water play area to be built in Kidani Village.
• a highly-themed resort; some people complain of its "darkness"
• offers extra official space for one person (in 1BR and larger) in form of sleeper-chair
• offers extra bathroom (in 1BR and larger in Kidani Village section)
• the only DVC resort to offer concierge category
• offers many different view categories that are points-dependent (including savanna view: you can see animals right outside your window)
• a hotel-style resort; connected to hotel
• when finished, will be second largest of DVC resorts
• remote from most other activities and parks
• offers Studio - Grand Villa accommodations
• home of the highly-regarded restaurant "Jiko"
• contract ends in 2057

SSR:

• Saratoga Springs, NY theme (some people complain that it's not "Disney" enough)
• largest of all DVC resorts
• condo-style resort; easy access to parking
• short boat ride (or walk) to Downtown Disney with its shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues
• offers Studio - Grand Villa accommodations
• 4 pools. 3 quiet, 1 family
• includes a SPA
• contract ends in 2054

 

[AKV707]

It really comes down to which one suits you best. When we bought last summer, we saw both. For us, SSr looked like a place we would like to live, and AKV looked like a place we would like to vacation. So we went with AKV.

We prefer the theming, the hotel feel, the dining and the remote feel, even though it is not nearly as remote as people think.

While you have to take a bus to go anywhere, there will only be two stops, one at the lodge and one at Kidani. This will make for quick exits and returns.

Bottom line, buy the one you like the best. They are both great resorts.

 

[360Joules]

Just an observation, i was faced with the same decision back in November.
Do i buy 160 points at AKV or SSR , Thankfully i chose AKV, if you check resales for AKV 160 point contract vs SSR 160 point contract there is a roughly 3000 dollar difference in total price. If i had to sell today i would have a 3K loss in 7 months with SSR . ( of course things will/could change later).

 

[ACDSNY]

We started with SSR which I love for the closeness to DTD and then we've added-on at AK. Now we have the best of both.

 

[PrincessNewsie]

If I was going to buy SSR, I'd think about resales. I've seen some cheap ones.

Is SSR close to selling out yet? I'd heard a lot of use years were gone.

 

[msabol01]

I went with AKV for three reasons:

1) Contract expiration date

2) Current resale value

3) 11 month booking (rarely needed for SSR)

 

[marvali]

mimmiepnp, we chose AKV for a number of personal reasons, with personal being the emphasis. The things that made us choose AKV, in no particular order, were varied. One was the length of the remaining contract, and getting a little more bang for the buck. There was not a big difference, but some.

The second item was the the room categories. Being a current family of 5, we will have the option of using a one-bedroom (extending or points) and still getting that second bathroom to speed things up getting ready in the mornings and not having to "wait" at the door as often.

We liked the theming as far as the animals are concerned mostly. This is because being 48 and 46, we envision that one day we will have grandchildren to take that will love seeing the animals, and also it won't be too many more years that DW and I will be taking trips alone and not as interested in the commando park runs (and the rides). Where some see the remoteness of AKV as a drawback, we saw the quietness and isolation as a benefit. We can go on trips just to get away and relax, and sitting outside with the savannas to view seemed appealing and peaceful. As for the buses, I don't know how that will work yet since we won't be there for the first time until January, but I have seen complaints about them (but same goes for all of the resorts....especially at busy times of the year) and I have seen reports that they are dedicated and the wait was very minimal (as at other resorts, depending on the time of the year). If it is a problem, we always drive to WDW so we have our car and parking is free for DVC so if we feel the need to speed up our trips back and forth, then we have that option.

Not sure how the parking will affect us until we actually get a chance to stay at AKV. I am not sure how things will be arranged as far as entrances to Kidani when it is built. If everything goes in through the lobby, then there may be some long walks. I know there are some issues with this in Jambo House if you are towards the ends of a wing.

There are also a number of options for food at AKV, and at SSR they were limited. One day the lack of quiet pools at AKV may be significant to us, but probably not a big drawback.

We have stayed a couple of days at SSR and we had a wonderful time. I don't think you will go wrong with either choice. Like I said the choice should be for personal reasons. The 11 month window is important, but there are some resorts where I don't think that will ever be a biggy for us, since the size of SSR and OKW for starters should provide us ample opportunities to get a change of scenery if we want one. If you chose SSR, I think the same would be true of AKV.

As more DVC is built, it should ease the demand for some of the other resorts if we ever want to try them.

Good luck!