The DVC board official Animal Kingdom Villas discussion thread

[pilferk]

We stayed in Room 5115 (Ostrich Trail-facing the parking lot) and it was definitely not deluxe. Maybe you are only referring to savannah view though.

Nope, I was under the impression, from what I saw personally and have read online, that ALL 5th and 6th floor rooms were deluxe (aka bigger than the standard room). Not Concierge, mind you, but deluxe. But, from your report, I guess maybe that's NOT the case. That being true, I'm not sure what the make up of deluxe vs non-deluxe on 5 and 6, now.

 

[LisaS]

According to the room rates at AKL, Standard rooms are available with Savannah, Pool or Standard view; Deluxe rooms have either Savannah view or Pool view. So this would indicate the fifth floor parking lot view rooms are standard-sized rooms, not as large as the fifth floor rooms that face the savannah or the pool.

 

[pilferk]

I asked the experts over in the Jambo AKL thread on the resorts board. They point out that, indeed, I am incorrect. That the Giraffe and Ostrich trails, on the 5th floor, are all standard sized rooms. The Zebra and Kudo trails DO have deluxe rooms, only. And they weren't sure about the rooms off the lobby, itself.

Hope that helps!

 

[mndisfam]

I hate to sound negative about this, BUT. We own at SSR and are very happy with it, but I don't think it will have (for me personally) the magic and ambience that VAKL will have.

In comparison, SSR seems kind of bland to me. I feel like I kind of bought DVC too early - had we waited I could have gotten something better.

I hope that some "surprise" improvements are in store for SSR so it can maybe get to the same level as the other properties...

 

[spiceycat]

I hate to sound negative about this, BUT. We own at SSR and are very happy with it, but I don't think it will have (for me personally) the magic and ambience that VAKL will have.

if you are unhappy go sale your SSR contract and get one where you will be happy.

that say - SSR is lovely - I didn't find anything plain about it. Now it is more formal than my taste - I love OKW. What don't you like?

I can't wait for AKLV to be build so the same people who complaint about how awful SSR is - will be then complaining about how just bad, awfully, smells, too far - AKLV is.

and believe me this will happen - it has happen every time a new DVC resort has been build starting with BWV....

each DVC resort is different. SSR is excellent in its own way. I hope you learn to love it or sell it.

 

[lisareniff]

I asked the experts over in the Jambo AKL thread on the resorts board.

Hey that was me! ...but I'm no expert! I had looking into what rooms were deluxe on the 5th floor when we were reserving a concierge room. I'm not positive on my answer but I did attempt to verify by looking at pictures of the building. The fifth floor on the buiding juts out on the Kudu and Zebra trails...

and did not on the Giraffee trail....

From allears...

Deluxe Pool View 33 rooms; Deluxe savanna View 191 rooms and 55 Concierge rooms. The deluxe rooms are bigger than the standard rooms. There are also Presidential and Vice Presidential suites, as well as five one-bedroom suites and 12 two-bedroom parlor suites...

Deluxe rooms are on floors 5 and 6 and are 381 square feet.

If Deb is correct there are 279 deluxe rooms on the 5th and 6th floors with the Pres. and VP suites, and some 1 and 2 bedroom suites at the ends of the trails. 15 of the deluxe rooms are on the 6th floor.

 

[mndisfam]

I didn't say I was unhappy with SSR - too me tho it will not have the magic that VAKL. I LOVE AKL - pool, Jiko, etc.

I also love OKW...I just don't think SSR has anything yet to make it really special.

EG: OKW is special bcs of big rooms, beautiful dock area at night, neat colors, great great pool area. VWL is special bcs of locale to to WL (like DVC w/a hotel!) BCV bcs of SAB and proximity to Epcot. BWV also proximity to Epcot and whole Boardwalk area. VAKL will be special bcs of animals, great restaurants at AKL - great pool Uzima...

I haven't seen anything yet like that for SSR - no "hook." We are going back for the first time in 2 years in 3 weeks - maybe I will see it then.

Perhaps the DTD proximity is SSR's special "hook"?

 

[pilferk]

I hate to sound negative about this, BUT. We own at SSR and are very happy with it, but I don't think it will have (for me personally) the magic and ambience that VAKL will have.

In comparison, SSR seems kind of bland to me. I feel like I kind of bought DVC too early - had we waited I could have gotten something better.

I hope that some "surprise" improvements are in store for SSR so it can maybe get to the same level as the other properties...

Don't worry quite yet.

The proposed resort is, quite frankly, huge...not "SSR" or "OKW" huge, but right behind that. Once it's completed, see if it's really all that hard to book at the 7 month window or not. If not, you can book at AKV til your hearts content. If it is, you can look into selling off that SSR contract and buying AKV. But, in the mean time, you get to enjoy trips to WDW while those of us doing our initial buy in at AKV (that would be me!) are left waiting.

Not such a bad deal, right?

That's one of the beauties of DVC, I think....the flexibility.

 

[pilferk]

Hey that was me! ...but I'm no expert! I had looking into what rooms were deluxe on the 5th floor when we were reserving a concierge room. I'm not positive on my answer but I did attempt to verify by looking at pictures of the building. The fifth floor on the buiding juts out on the Kudu and Zebra trails...

and did not on the Giraffee trail....

From allears...


If Deb is correct there are 279 deluxe rooms on the 5th and 6th floors with the Pres. and VP suites, and some 1 and 2 bedroom suites at the ends of the trails. 15 of the deluxe rooms are on the 6th floor.

I think you're dead on! And given your good eyes in catching the "jut"...I say that qualifes you as one of the experts.

 

[vascubaguy]

I hate to sound negative about this, BUT. We own at SSR and are very happy with it, but I don't think it will have (for me personally) the magic and ambience that VAKL will have.

In comparison, SSR seems kind of bland to me. I feel like I kind of bought DVC too early - had we waited I could have gotten something better.

I hope that some "surprise" improvements are in store for SSR so it can maybe get to the same level as the other properties...

I wouldn't worry too much... I have a feeling you'll be able to enjoy AKV for years to come even though you own at SSR. And if you feel that you really want to own at AKV or want that 11 month booking window... you could always buy points there and then sell your SSR contract... there's always options and since DVC uses ROFR... you are likely to either break-even or make a dollar or 2 from selling...

 

[spiceycat]

I haven't seen anything yet like that for SSR - no "hook." We are going back for the first time in 2 years in 3 weeks - maybe I will see it then.

Perhaps the DTD proximity is SSR's special "hook"?

well I definitely like being able to walk over to DD whenever I feel like it. Now OKW also has a walking path - but it is not a 5 minute walk - more like a 20 minute walk. It also goes to West not the MP.

I love my studio at SSR - the views of DD were simply wonderful.

the hook that I see at SSR is the resort itself. Disney spend alot of money here and to me it shows - from the granite to the carpet. that was one of my problems with it - I am messy. being in a perfect and I mean perfect room made me nervous.

the main swimming pool at SSR is designed with little ones in mind. Maybe the next swimming pool will be more adult in mind - since it will have 2 theme pools the only DVC resort to have this or WDW resort for that matter.

but everyone else is correct the design plans for AKL are not small. Now until they get the new building it might be hard to get reservations there. but once that place is opened I don't think you will have a problem. if you are flexible.

 

[Slakk]

I love the SPA at SSR - we always have one *down* day and to hang out at DTD and the spa is just awesome. Honestly I think SSR and AKV will be our destinations of choice. I also own at BCV and VWL but neither give me that special something - don't get me wrong I will stay there but I just happen to love the other two more.

Unfortunately in order to buy AKV I have to sell SSR since I need to stay at 300 points and so I have to trade my SSR for AKV. I wish I could save 100 of the SSR. I even thought of trying to trade BCV and VWL for two 50 SSR contracts!!!

 

[jennz]

I didn't say I was unhappy with SSR - too me tho it will not have the magic that VAKL. I LOVE AKL - pool, Jiko, etc.

I also love OKW...I just don't think SSR has anything yet to make it really special.

EG: OKW is special bcs of big rooms, beautiful dock area at night, neat colors, great great pool area. VWL is special bcs of locale to to WL (like DVC w/a hotel!) BCV bcs of SAB and proximity to Epcot. BWV also proximity to Epcot and whole Boardwalk area. VAKL will be special bcs of animals, great restaurants at AKL - great pool Uzima...

I haven't seen anything yet like that for SSR - no "hook." We are going back for the first time in 2 years in 3 weeks - maybe I will see it then.

Perhaps the DTD proximity is SSR's special "hook"?

We love our SSR! and so does our 8 yr old DD. We love the view of DTD at night - it's magical. Love the pool and the beautiful glass inside the restr, but a new menu will be very appreciated. Love the boat "taxi" too...

 

[3DisneyKids]

I talked with SOMEONE at DVC today (and he/she specifically asked my NOT to say the name here on the DIS) and was informed that it is very likely that there will be a pre-sale discount for AKV. This person seemed to think that the sale of AKV will be much like the sale of other resorts when first announced...pre-sale discounts, promotions, etc.

Other news I acquired from this in-the-know person (who works for DVC AND reads these boards) was that we here on the DIS know everything that they know at this time. No knowlege of when point charts will be available and what cost for points will be, etc.

This person further agreed that we here on the DIS find everything out before it is officially announced, and even when we are just speculataing, we are usually right.

So, my advice...stay tuned to this thread! You'll hear it here first!

 

[jdg345]

Oh yeah!!!

[I didn't really mean that ]

Yes you did! Yes you did!

But, it's okay!

 

[BWVNUT]

I talked with SOMEONE at DVC today (and he/she specifically asked my NOT to say the name here on the DIS) and was informed that it is very likely that there will be a pre-sale discount for AKV. This person seemed to think that the sale of AKV will be much like the sale of other resorts when first announced...pre-sale discounts, promotions, etc.

Other news I acquired from this in-the-know person (who works for DVC AND reads these boards) was that we here on the DIS know everything that they know at this time. No knowlege of when point charts will be available and what cost for points will be, etc.

This person further agreed that we here on the DIS find everything out before it is officially announced, and even when we are just speculataing, we are usually right.

So, my advice...stay tuned to this thread! You'll hear it here first!

Cool! Thanks for the info!

 

[lisareniff]

What do you guys think will happen to the remodeled rooms at the AKL? I'm thinking they might keep them all studios. It seems that studios are of high demand in the other resorts and they wouldn't need to do much in terms of remodeling, adding all that plumbing. It could be like VB's Inn building. According to Allears there are currently 279 deluxe/concierge rooms plus a few suites. 134 studios is about half. So perhaps they will only take half the 5th floor and concierge could still have their rooms on the 5th floor.... or not.

Rumors coming from the resort board have the concierge moving to the 4th floor. If that is the case, then maybe all the deluxe rooms and suites on the 5th and 6th floors will be converted to DVC. 297 deluxe room (+~10 suite rooms) = 134 DVC units. I guess my idea of all DVC rooms being studios may be wrong. I thought it would take a lot longer to convert regular hotel room into villas.

Still trying to figure this one out.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

While at SSR last weekend, I saw them constructing a carousel behind some of the buildings. And another 1 story building close by with alot of dirt movers. My guess is that the second themed pool will be carousel themed.

 

[senecabeach]

Originally Posted by lisareniff
What do you guys think will happen to the remodeled rooms at the AKL? I'm thinking they might keep them all studios.

Well... I'm hearing the rooms will be larger than other DVC's and almost as large as OKW. They are increasing the # of people allowed, like from 4 to 5...etc.

Hey..TammyAlphabet...good to have you back..or..should I say, sorry you're back

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Well... I'm hearing the rooms will be larger than other DVC's and almost as large as OKW. They are increasing the # of people allowed, like from 4 to 5...etc.

Hey..TammyAlphabet...good to have you back..or..should I say, sorry you're back

1 bedrooms almost as big as those at OKW, being able to see the animals from my balcony, being within walking distance from Boma...where do I sign?