The DVC board official Animal Kingdom Villas discussion thread

[DVC Grammy]

I haven't heard any mention of possible expiration dates. Do you think AKV will be the same as that of SSR?
Another ?..............over the next years (decades), if DVD keeps adding on DVC resorts, with later expiration dates, can you envision a scenario in which those of us DVCers, with ownerships in the '42 expiration resorts will gradually sell off our older contracts and buy newer ones, thereby keeping consistantly current values? (Of course, that's only "if" DVD keeps building them.)
I'm just curious; that plan makes sense to me, but I may be missing something (wouldn't be the first time ).

 

[erikthewise]

Some more thoughts:

I think the issue of getting rooms there will not be as bad as some imagine. I recall that when BCV was being sold, the waiting list worked extremely well, since as more points were sold, more rooms became available. So even if you don't get what you want at 7 months, get on the waiting list right away, and your chances will be very good. And by the time it's sold out, some of the novelty will have worn off.

If they charge an extra 10-15% per point and/or points per night, that will significantly slow down sales. There is a limited number of fanatics for whom price is no object and they won't come close to selling out the resort to such people. If I were considering adding on there (I'm not), I would be very put off by a jump in price. To me it's not worth a premium compared to existing resorts.

I think it's a near certainty the expiration date will be the same as SSR. After alll the 2042 expiration date applied to everything from 1991 through 2003.

 

[jade1]

Since AKV will be the 3rd largest when complete, booking at the 7-month window should be relatively easy for all but the peak weeks.

Buy where you want to stay, but only if you are able to book at more than 7 months out on a routine basis. If you are only ever able to book at 7 months or less, then it doesn't matter where you buy. SSR is cheaper now and dues will be cheaper.

Agreed. We will book BCV at 11 months and on occassion check for a few days (maybe a week every 4 years or so) at AKV at 7 months-very likely will be available using mochabeans logic. If not were "stuck" with BCV-thats gonna hurt.....NOT.

 

[burnsoc]

Here is an intersting question....

Since the new AKV is slated to have a "new table-service restaurant, themed pool and water-play island, fitness center, merchandise shop, sports and recreation facilities and more", will the regular lodge guests be able to use these ameneties?

I doubt that they would or could separate lodge and villas guests from certain amenities. I'm sure lodge guests will use the villas pool and vice versa. As far as the fitness center (I'm not sure if they still do this), but lodge guests use to pay a fee while it was free for DVC members.

 

[lisareniff]

I think the issue of getting rooms there will not be as bad as some imagine. I recall that when BCV was being sold, the waiting list worked extremely well, since as more points were sold, more rooms became available. So even if you don't get what you want at 7 months, get on the waiting list right away, and your chances will be very good. And by the time it's sold out, some of the novelty will have worn off.

I would think this is generally true. ....but I just wanted to add that the 7 month ressie might not work for school holidays and if there are any specific high demand room types, such as GV's or particular savannah views, etc. An example is BWV with the GV's, BW view and std. view. Those catagories are hard most of the year and impossible during school breaks for a 7 month ressie.

 

[TAKitty]

I wonder what is going to happen to bussing at AKLV. I thought the busses were good before, but with such a large addition, I wonder if they will now have two stops.

 

[Slakk]

I am hoping we get our own - wouldn't that be a GREAT perk for staying at AKV?

 

[lisareniff]

I would think this is generally true. ....but I just wanted to add that the 7 month ressie might not work for school holidays and if there are any specific high demand room types, such as GV's or particular savannah views, etc. An example is BWV with the GV's, BW view and std. view. Those catagories are hard most of the year and impossible during school breaks for a 7 month ressie.

Just to add onto my own thoughts...
It maybe smart of DVC to create a couple special categories that would need home resort advantage, and spuring the sale of AKL. Other wise people will just buy OKW on resale.

 

[zulaya]

Anyone IN FL been able to find any details out? I emailed my guide and as everyone else has reported, it hasn't been approved in my state yet. He sounded like he was dying to share details. If approval hasn't been passed before I go down in Dec., he's my first call once we land at MCO.

 

[las3888]

Sorry to post this, but I haven't been able to find the time to go through all the pages of this thread...can somebody take a minute and just tell me where we are with all of this?

Does anybody know when they will start selling points?

Sounds like currently there is a waiting list to buy, what does this mean?

Does anybody know when we will be able to start booking?

How much for points?

Does anybody know when they will announce more info, i.e. room diagrams, sizes, point structure for the resort???

I imagine alot of this info is unknown, but I wasn't sure. Thanks!

 

[LisaS]

If they charge an extra 10-15% per point and/or points per night, that will significantly slow down sales. There is a limited number of fanatics for whom price is no object and they won't come close to selling out the resort to such people. If I were considering adding on there (I'm not), I would be very put off by a jump in price. To me it's not worth a premium compared to existing resorts.

I agree. If they increase the price too much it will just drive people to buy the least expensive resales instead and try their luck booking AKV at the 7-month window, especially since AKV will be large enough to make booking at 7 months pretty likely. I really want to add on there but if I feel I'm being gouged, I will take my chances at 7 months.

I wasn't expecting AKV to be as big as what they have announced. A smaller resort would compel more people to buy points there. On the other hand, a larger resort should keep the dues lower than they would otherwise be. It will be interesting to see if there will be something to encourage people to own there, similar to the boardwalk view and standard view villas at BWV, or the GVs at OKW.

 

[BCV23]

Sorry to post this, but I haven't been able to find the time to go through all the pages of this thread...can somebody take a minute and just tell me where we are with all of this?

Does anybody know when they will start selling points?

Sounds like currently there is a waiting list to buy, what does this mean?

Does anybody know when we will be able to start booking?

How much for points?

Does anybody know when they will announce more info, i.e. room diagrams, sizes, point structure for the resort???

I imagine alot of this info is unknown, but I wasn't sure. Thanks!

I don't think there is an actual waiting list if I've understood others posts....just that some (maybe all) guides are taking names of people who have an interest in buying.

There is no info out there right now on the rest of your questions.

 

[simzac]

Question for Caskbill, will you be able to add AKV to your DVC charts and planners? TIA

 

[dvc_john]

Question for Caskbill, will you be able to add AKV to your DVC charts and planners? TIA

I'm not Caskbill, but he did mention in another thread that, yes, he will update the DVC chart and planner programs to include AKV once those point charts come out.

He also mentioned that he will shortly update the planner program to include the new Saturday hours for MS when computing the 11 month/7 month reservation windows.

 

[diznyfanatic]

I'm really hoping the price, point charts and MFs aren't going to end up being outrageous as we sooooooo want to purchase here.

I feel like Disney must know that there IS somewhat of a tradeoff purchasing here. Although the resort is incredible, it really can't be considered a resort with direct park access, unless they dredge a canal for boats, and they will hopefully price things accordingly.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I, for one, am hoping many of our questions will be answered during the Member Cruise which will be sailing in just a few days. Since I'm one of those "poor, unfortunate souls" that won't be on it...I'm counting on the fellow DIS'ers that are to keep us updated!

 

[DVC Grammy]

Since we'll be in WDW from 10/17-10/27, (SSR and BWV), maybe we can find out more info since we'll be in Florida (if they're allowed to talk in FL). If I learn anything of value, I'll report .
However, after having looked at the weather forecast, I've decided to leave the trenchcoat and deerstalker cap at home .
Signed..............Sherlock (wannabee)

 

[gmboy95]

OK...count me as one who does not get any excitement out of a DVC at AKL....There is of course the novelty of the ZOO next door, and yes IMO "ITISAZU"....There are some good restaraunts there I guess....but it is close to nothing, I mean even SSR is next door to downtown disney for entertainment purposes.

I get kind of annoyed...i was really hoping that the Contemporary thing would come through. I mean isn't DVC a cash cow for disney, when will we get the access to the monorail.

I mean I am sure having a giraffe or gazelle outside your window is cool and all, but can you imagine the points its going to cost. I mean why would you want to stay at AKL if you didn't have the view....for less points you can stay at the boardwalk and have walking access to epcot and MGM, I mean sure there aren't any water buffalo or fruit bats but some sacrifices have to be made.

Well here is one guy not looking forward to the DZV...also known as the disney ZOO Villas.....for an extra forty points a night you may get to see the east african hippopotomas actually move 2 feet.

 

[larry_poppins]

I think the main reason that AKV is the next DVC is that Disney has often had to discount the rooms at this deluxe. There have often been postcards sent out for AKL. More than other deluxes. As you have pointed out AKL is next to nothing and although it has its admirers many won't pay top dollar for it when they really would prefer a monorail resort or the Epcot area.

Phase 1 will be available next year, as it requires no new construction. If it sells well phase 2 will be officially announced with PR and fanfaire. They can always stop after phase 1 if sales are slow. Remember the Contemporary not only has the monorail, is in walking distance to the MK, and it has a convention center for business guests.

Of course there are many fans of AKL. They may be part of the Disney faithful who return to WDW over and over again. They can enjoy the zoo aspect because they are not interested in park commando style. I think AKLV will have no problem selling!

By building phase 1 of AKLV they are removing more hotel rooms from the WDW total number of rooms. THis is a trend that has happened already with SSR replacing the Institute VIllas. The conversion of some of AS Music to family suites. No completion of Pop Century. Of course removing the Garden wing at the Contemporary also removes rooms from the CRO.

Larry

 

[makelab]

OK...count me as one who does not get any excitement out of a DVC at AKL....There is of course the novelty of the ZOO next door, and yes IMO "ITISAZU"....There are some good restaraunts there I guess....but it is close to nothing, I mean even SSR is next door to downtown disney for entertainment purposes.

I get kind of annoyed...i was really hoping that the Contemporary thing would come through. I mean isn't DVC a cash cow for disney, when will we get the access to the monorail.

I mean I am sure having a giraffe or gazelle outside your window is cool and all, but can you imagine the points its going to cost. I mean why would you want to stay at AKL if you didn't have the view....for less points you can stay at the boardwalk and have walking access to epcot and MGM, I mean sure there aren't any water buffalo or fruit bats but some sacrifices have to be made.

Well here is one guy not looking forward to the DZV...also known as the disney ZOO Villas.....for an extra forty points a night you may get to see the east african hippopotomas actually move 2 feet.

maybe the location (or lack thereof) will offset the perceived added cost for a savannah view. i wouldn't think disney would charge much of a point difference from any other dvc.