The DVC board official Animal Kingdom Villas discussion thread

[TAKitty]

I agree that AKL has a great pool! It is one of my favorites. If you are fair skinned, there is a lot of shade and I like how the hot tubs are "hidden"

 

[senecabeach]

Im hearing the new AK pool will resemble SAB and as much fun.

Anyone else hear this??

 

[erikthewise]

If you mean it will be a 3-acre complex with multiple themed pools as SAB is, I don't believe this rumor. If you mean it might have some theming similar to SAB but smaller, then maybe...

 

[jdg345]

If you mean it will be a 3-acre complex with multiple themed pools as SAB is, I don't believe this rumor. If you mean it might have some theming similar to SAB but smaller, then maybe...

Yup ... I understood Disney would never repeat SAB due to the costs involved ...

 

[KristiKelly]

Yup ... I understood Disney would never repeat SAB due to the costs involved ...

I don't care about the size but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the sand bottom .

 

[jdg345]

I don't care about the size but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the sand bottom .

I'm always afraid I'm going to step on something I don't want to be stepping on ...

 

[nezy]

I'm always afraid I'm going to step on something I don't want to be stepping on ...

Hey-Get off my... foot!

I would like some concierge access as part of the AKV. If I had to pay the rate difference btwn a room and a concierge room and stay in the AKV I would do that. Any thoiughts?

Think about it-for DVC it is like free walking advertising..all of us DVC'ers singing the joys of membership over some tasty African liquore-we would be part of the sales team!

 

[Inkmahm]

Do some of the rooms at AK have bunk beds like at WL?

Yes. If you've stayed at WL, then you won't be surprised by too many things at AKL. They are very similar.

I think they changed the bunk bed rooms to be a different price than the rooms with two queen beds. Before that, my husband and I would sometimes get the room with the bunkbeds and never liked it at AKL. Having two queens gives us a chance to sleep in one and cover the other with our luggage, etc. The bunk beds were wasted space for us.

 

[jdg345]

Yes. If you've stayed at WL, then you won't be surprised by too many things at AKL. They are very similar.

I think they changed the bunk bed rooms to be a different price than the rooms with two queen beds. Before that, my husband and I would sometimes get the room with the bunkbeds and never liked it at AKL. Having two queens gives us a chance to sleep in one and cover the other with our luggage, etc. The bunk beds were wasted space for us.

That's a good point ... it seems to me like AKV might be an opportunity for those who really like VWL to buy into something that isn't sold out yet. Of course, VWL has more central access to FW, CR, MK, etc where AKV has access to ... uhm ... hmmm ...

It'd be nice if there was a tram, like the ones from the Safari, that took you right to AK. That would be *really great*

 

[jennz]

Just back from a trip to AKL...we were told by a DVC cm that they can't start selling until 70% of the phase they would be selling is completed.

Also heard that they either are (or have) getting 100 new animals for the DVC portion, and that some of the animals are being acclimated to the new area.

I think that's all we heard that I didn't already find out about here.

 

[ADP]

Hello all,
Just returned and did as much investigating as I could about AKL DVC. I was told a few interesting facts about the new resort. The person I spoke with was a very credible source working at the Animal Kingdom. He's seen some concept art that he assured me no one esle other than DVC Cast Members have seen. Here were the facts he shared with me.

1. The rooms being renovated on the concierge floors for DVC will get entitlement to the concierge ammenities. These rooms will have access to the lounge, sunrise safari, etc. The point values will be the same as in the new building. The trade-off will be that the rooms being renovated will be smaller than the ones in the new building.

2. The new building will have a parking garage located below the building. This will allow for more of a savannah area at the new building with more rooms getting savannah views. 80% of the rooms will have savannah views.

3. The pool at the new building will be a large interactive pool area. It will feature about 3 slides, water play areas, etc. He said the new pool area will rival Storm-A-Long Bay and will, of course, be African Themed.

4. The rooms in the new building will be larger than rooms located at other DVC resorts. He said the Grand Villas will hold 15 instead of the usual 12. Studios will hold 5, etc. This would make sense from point number 1

 

[JimVL]

1. The rooms being renovated on the concierge floors for DVC will get entitlement to the concierge ammenities. These rooms will have access to the lounge, sunrise safari, etc. The point values will be the same as in the new building. The trade-off will be that the rooms being renovated will be smaller than the ones in the new building.

I'll try to book there just for the sunrise safari.

 

[U2FanHfx]

Did the person mention a timeframe for the release of more information regarding pts and cost?

Regs,

CJM

 

[zulaya]

I am so excited about this information. I can't wait for reservations to open!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am so excited about this information. I can't wait for reservations to open!

Here's another Minnesotan agreeing with that sentiment!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Studios to book 5? That doesn't make sense unless they are paired with one bedroom that sleep 4.

 

[ADP]

Did the person mention a timeframe for the release of more information regarding pts and cost?

Regs,

CJM

Yes...
One item of importance about the information of the new resort. DVC is currently not allowed by law to discuss the new resort over the phone except for residence in Florida and California or people visiting those states. DVC is working on clearing this up so they can discuss it, but have a few more legal barriers to clear before they can start discussing the details. If you call them from another state they will tell you they are not sure of anything and leave it at that, or tell you they are not allowed to discuss the new resort details, pts, cost, availability etc.

Most of what he told me about pts and cost were speculative. He said that his best guess on being able to purchase pts would be 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2007 the way things are moving along currently.

He did mention one fact for sure. Current DVC members would have the first chance to purchase points before they are released to the public.

As for per point cost the current promotion for SSR is $101 per point minus a $15 doller per point off incentive, $86 per point. His speculation was that the points will go up for the new AKL DVC with some kind of incentive for current DVC members. His guess was $92 or $93 per point plus some sort of tangible incentive. He mentioned 1 free adult AP or a nice gift like the beach bags.

I also asked him about the pool situation for DVC members and the general hotel guest staying at AKL. Will the regular hotel guests get to use the new DVC pool at the new building. He said he was not sure; however, he thought that DVC members would be able to use both pools (new pool area plus the Azuma pool at AKL). Regular AKL guests would only be able to use the Azuma pool and not the new pool area at the new building. I asked him about pool hopping to the Azuma pool from other DVC resorts, if that would open up and he said he was not sure, but did not think so.

Hope this helps. I'm trying to differentiate the facts versus his speculation. You know how speculation goes. He seemed very sure about his facts and told me more than once that he was certain.

 

[lisareniff]

ADP, Thanks for the new info!

I love the undergound parking idea

3 slides at the pool and water play area, another


I'm still waiting to figure out what exactly is happening to the 5th and 6th floors of the lodge.... concierge service does sound nice!

 

[jennz]

Piggy-backing on that, the DVC guy we talked to said that he was sure DVC members would be able to purchase before non-members, he said 1 - 2 months before and an incentive would be offered.

 

[ADP]

Studios to book 5? That doesn't make sense unless they are paired with one bedroom that sleep 4.

It might be a situation where they will be putting 2 queen beds in a studio and have space for a roll-away which would need to be requested by the guests occupying the room.