The DVC board official Animal Kingdom Villas discussion thread

[drakethib]

none in my opinion, I am glad for those that are excited but this is one you won't have to worry about me wanting to book.

I agree.

 

[Slakk]

I spoke to my guide and I am #2 on his waitlist

November/December timeframe for point information and cost and points for sale first part of 2007.



I already informed my hubby that all of our points will be sold. AKV here I come

I am so so so very excited!

 

[KyleRayner]

OK, How many of us are there next week?

Should we plan the storming of the VAKL models......

(Meet at midnight, wear your trench coat, someone bring a lock pick....... what else do we need??? )

I'll be at BCV from 10/27-11/4, so if those who will be there next week are not able to come back with more details, I'll do my best to do some investigative work while I'm there.

 

[wasabi girl]

Hi Guys,

Forgive me if this has already been answered (a quick search didn't show anything though)...I'm planning a trip in the fall of 2007 planning to stay in a 1 BR suite concierge level at the AKL...if the 5th and 6th floors are the first to be converted to AKV, any ideas about what will happen with concierge?

 

[Sammie]

Hi Guys,

Forgive me if this has already been answered (a quick search didn't show anything though)...I'm planning a trip in the fall of 2007 planning to stay in a 1 BR suite concierge level at the AKL...if the 5th and 6th floors are the first to be converted to AKV, any ideas about what will happen with concierge?

A very good question.

 

[WDWguru]

We'll be there the 22nd-27th at BWV. I can't even contain my excitement over AKV!!! We've splurged points to stay at AKL more than once as it's our second-favorite resort. We always said we'd be first to buy AKV if it ever happened - trick is we have plenty of points. So now, we have to decide whether to sell our secondary BWV contract, or our VWL contract and try to add-on a smaller number of VWL points to replace it. Sounds like we may have some time to figure it out!

 

[CarolA]

Okay, so where exactly do we meet? And should we wear dark glasses and a mustache? (Oh wait, that's my DH ). Maybe we should confine the group of spies to say, 20 or 30. If someone's willing to carry a flag, we can just say we got separated from our "tour group". Think anyone'd buy that?

Do you speak Portugese??? It just might work then....

 

[ADP]

Just wondering but, besides animals what is the draw to AKV?

Notice in the middle of the article some of the amenities mentioned. Sounds pretty good to me. I'll be curious to know what the themed pool will be like.
Also, look at the concept art. Very similar to the lodge with the thatched roof.


More info from another source on AKLV with Concept art!!

http://www.tikiman2001.net/dvc_dak_432.jpg

October 11, 2006, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – Disney Vacation Club announced today that it is building a new timeshare resort on Walt Disney World® property to meet ongoing strong demand for its unique vacation-ownership program.


Disney's Animal Kingdom® Villas will be part of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Lodge, which readers of Travel & Leisure Family magazine recently honored with the No. 4 spot on their list of the 50 greatest family resorts in the United States and Canada. The Disney Vacation Club® accommodations will feature intricate African-inspired details and home-like amenities, and most will offer sweeping views of an expanded savannah inhabited by a variety of African animals. These new accommodations are scheduled for development in phases with an anticipated opening beginning Fall 2007 and a completion date planned for Spring 2009. The project's first phase will include 134 remodeled accommodations on the fifth and sixth floors of the existing Disney's Animal Kingdom® Lodge building, and subsequent phases will include the construction of 324 vacation homes in a new building on the resort property, for a total of 458 Disney Vacation Club homes.


The project also calls for construction of a new table-service restaurant, themed pool and water-play island, fitness center, merchandise shop, sports and recreation facilities and more.


"We continue to see strong demand from families who want to build a lifetime of unforgettable memories by vacationing in ways they never dreamed possible," said Jim Lewis, President of Disney Vacation Club. "I am delighted to announce that our members will have yet another place to call home with Disney's Animal Kingdom® Villas. This begins another exciting new era for Disney Vacation Club as we continue to explore future destination possibilities both domestically and internationally."


Disney Vacation Club, now celebrating its milestone 15th anniversary, is an innovative timeshare program that lets families enjoy flexibility and savings on future vacations at Disney destinations and more than 500 other popular vacation sites around the world. Since 2000, Disney Vacation Club membership has doubled to include more than 300,000 individuals from over 100 countries and every U.S. state.


Disney's Animal Kingdom® Villas will be the eighth Disney Vacation Club Resort, joining five others at the Walt Disney World® Resort, one in Vero Beach, Fla., and one in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Disney Vacation Club has sold out of memberships at its first six resorts, and sales remain ahead of schedule at its seventh property, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, which opened in May 2004 near the Downtown Disney area at the Walt Disney World® Resort.
__________________

 

[NorCalTim]

I had a chance to talk to someone at the meeting yesterday and it was said that nearly 80% of the rooms would be Savannah View. The drawings that have been posted are pretty accurate with the new building shaped somewhat like a large "W" and many balconies would be large enough for chaise lounges. Construction would be over 5 phases through spring '09. The biggest news seemed to be that they would be larger rooms with the 1 bedroom having an additional chair that makes into a twin bed and TWO BATHROOMS!!. The 2 bedroom would of course have 3 bathrooms and the 3 bedroom/ GV will have 4 bathrooms. Rooms would also have flat screen TV's. Finally, it was indicated that there would be 9 new species of animals dedicated to the new savannah area. -Hope this is all accurate but it seems like there will be official details released pretty soon. It's still somewhat uncertain when the models at SSR will open but Phase 1 should be ready by Fall '07 as reported.

 

[CarolA]

I had a chance to talk to someone at the meeting yesterday and it was said that nearly 80% of the rooms would be Savannah View. The drawings that have been posted are pretty accurate with the new building shaped somewhat like a large "W" and many balconies would be large enough for chaise lounges. Construction would be over 5 phases through spring '09. The biggest news seemed to be that they would be larger rooms with the 1 bedroom having an additional chair that makes into a twin bed and TWO BATHROOMS!!. The 2 bedroom would of course have 3 bathrooms and the 3 bedroom/ GV will have 4 bathrooms. Rooms would also have flat screen TV's. Finally, it was indicated that there would be 9 new species of animals dedicated to the new savannah area. -Hope this is all accurate but it seems like there will be official details released pretty soon. It's still somewhat uncertain when the models at SSR will open but Phase 1 should be ready by Fall '07 as reported.

And I think for this Disney would have a valid reason to increase the point per stay cost.....

HOpe it has studios!

 

[ACDSNY]

This is exciting! We love AK. We've wanted to stay there, but we've never got around to it. Now we might be getting closer to a DL DVC too!

 

[Chuck S]

I hope the new restaurant is a good mid-priced (for Disney) sit down eatery. I love Jiko, but to me it is more of an "event" type eatery (like V & A, Bistro de Paris, etc), and with food allergy problems (especially to coriander) Boma isn't an option, with allergies buffets are a little tricky anyway.

 

[NorCalTim]

CarolA- I doubt that thet would raise the point structure- I think that due to the "perception" that AKV is somewhat remote they probably think that it would be wise to offer a little more incentive to stay there. I think the additional bathroom is something that has been wanted for a long time astis should be very appealing to families and probably will be the model for future DVC's. I do love your idea of "storming the models" - I'm sure there will be a lot of pressure to get them open soon!

 

[Sammie]

Where is the info coming from that the occupany will change to 9 for a 2 bedroom, etc. extra baths? is this rumor or did someone read it?

 

[jennz]

So we can call our guide and get put on a waitlist for buying in???

 

[nuts]

Ok folks, now that Animal Kingdom has been announced...let me be the first official complainer! Heck, we all know that the latest resort always catches the complaints...so let me begin:
1. I don't like the Savannah view...dust blows in my face
2. I can't believe they used the same stupid thermostats from SSR
3. The pool is too small for the size of the resort
4. The restaurant does not serve hamburgers and hotdogs...WHERE ARE MY HAMBURGERS AND HOT DOGS!
5. The bus service is horrible. I had to wait 3 minutes for the next bus!

 

[BCV23]

I hope the new restaurant is a good mid-priced (for Disney) sit down eatery. I love Jiko, but to me it is more of an "event" type eatery (like V & A, Bistro de Paris, etc), and with food allergy problems (especially to coriander) Boma isn't an option, with allergies buffets are a little tricky anyway.

I would guess that a new restaurant would be midpriced. Most deluxe resorts have a midpriced restaurant open for B,L, & D. Kona, GF Cafe, Concourse, Yacht Club Galley and I think WCC. Olivia's at OKW for a DVC resort. Does BW/BWI? Anyway, although Mara is very good for a deluxe QS, I've always thought that AKL was missing that kind of dining experience.

 

[ADP]

Ok folks, now that Animal Kingdom has been announced...let me be the first official complainer! Heck, we all know that the latest resort always catches the complaints...so let me begin:
1. I don't like the Savannah view...dust blows in my face
2. I can't believe they used the same stupid thermostats from SSR
3. The pool is too small for the size of the resort
4. The restaurant does not serve hamburgers and hotdogs...WHERE ARE MY HAMBURGERS AND HOT DOGS!
5. The bus service is horrible. I had to wait 3 minutes for the next bus!

6. No straws and lids to protect the animals.

One positive though, DVC members staying at the AKLV will finally be able to use the Uzima Pool. Our current pool hopping privelages don't allow it.

 

[corpcomp]

I agree.

Me too, I'll stick with BCV.. I like to be within walking distance of so many attractions and places.

 

[byoung]

It's awesome news here, wish it was in Disneyland though.