The DVC board official Animal Kingdom Villas discussion thread

[lenshanem]

I talked to my guide while down there a few days ago and despite my effort I couldn't get any more additional info.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

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.
:

It makes sense they would be bigger. The deluxe (5th and 6th floor) rooms at AKL are 381 sq ft.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

It makes sense they would be bigger. The deluxe (5th and 6th floor) rooms at AKL are 381 sq ft.

What is the size of the smaller 1 bedrooms (not OKW)?

 

[lisareniff]

What is the size of the smaller 1 bedrooms (not OKW)?

AKL Deluxe 381
OKW Studio 376
SSR Studio 355

Two AKL DLX 762
OKW 1 bdrm 1016
SSR 1 bdrm 714

My numbers came from Allears.

So one AKL deluxe room is similar to the OKW studio and slightly bigger then the SSR studio (~7%). If they use two AKL rooms for a one bedroom it will not be near the size of OKW and only slightly larger then SSR (~6%).

 

[llrain]

kinda put off by the distance issue here..we finally had our 1st stay a the akl
last week and it is so isolated. Im sure the vakl will be very nice but this resort didnt really appeal to me at all. Kinda glad we didnt get a savannah room cause everytime we would go out to look at the animals whether it be in the AM or afternoon or on our way back from a park I only saw them once during the early morning and once at night, and we would try every day
we would always "just miss them" or they would all be out by the back fence where theopen are is.
we are DVC nmembers at the vwl and will prob just buy more into SSR. THis resort is kinda beginning to grow on me. as far as vakl, not sure yet

 

[nezy]

I am not sure if this has been addressed in this thread, but wouldn't DVC be reducing the number of "hotel" rooms significantly in AKL by the conversion of 2 floors to AKV? I am sure many families like tht option of staying in the larger "hotel" rooms, without the whole villa/condo concept. Not me, but I am sure they are out there.

 

[lisareniff]

I am not sure if this has been addressed in this thread, but wouldn't DVC be reducing the number of "hotel" rooms significantly in AKL by the conversion of 2 floors to AKV? I am sure many families like tht option of staying in the larger "hotel" rooms, without the whole villa/condo concept. Not me, but I am sure they are out there.

If DVC takes over all of the deluxe rooms on the 5th and 6th floors some families will be greatly disappointed. I believe the bunkbed deluxe rooms are the only ones at AKL that will sleep 5.

 

[Sammie]

If DVC takes over all of the deluxe rooms on the 5th and 6th floors some families will be greatly disappointed. I believe the bunkbed deluxe rooms are the only ones at AKL that will sleep 5.

Maybe they will offer some deluxe rooms on the other floors. But I am pretty sure they are taking over the entire 5th and 6th floors because I know concierge is moving off those floors completely. And yes the bunkbed deluxe rooms are the only ones that sleep 5, except now they will have villas to offer.

 

[jdg345]

Maybe they will offer some deluxe rooms on the other floors. But I am pretty sure they are taking over the entire 5th and 6th floors because I know concierge is moving off those floors completely. And yes the bunkbed deluxe rooms are the only ones that sleep 5, except now they will have villas to offer.

Plus, didn't they have a hard time filling up AKL? My moving concierge down to the 4th floor and revamping some of the standard rooms to deluxe, they are reducing inventory -- but inventory that went unused most of the time anyways. Seems like a 'cheap' way to get the DVC component going and creating an influx of capital.

 

[lisareniff]

It might be hard to 'make' some deluxe rooms, at least not cheap or easily. The standard rooms on the lower floors are 344 sq. ft. compared to 381 on the 5th and 6th floors. Not large enough to add a daybed. They could make a few more suites but for the 3 child family the cheaper option for staying in one hotel room could possibly be gone at AKL.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Wow, I can't believe they may no longer offer deluxe rooms at AKL. That seems like it would definitely turn away a family of 5. I know we would probably then chose to just go to one of the deluxes that does allow 5 in a room. For a resort that has trouble remaining occupied that just seems like a bad idea.

 

[lisareniff]

Wow, I can't believe they may no longer offer deluxe rooms at AKL. That seems like it would definitely turn away a family of 5. I know we would probably then chose to just go to one of the deluxes that does allow 5 in a room. For a resort that has trouble remaining occupied that just seems like a bad idea.

We still don't know for sure DVC is taking over the whole 5th floor. We know that DVC is creating 134 accommodations on the 5th and 6th floor and that the concierge lounge and rooms are moving. I would love to hear some more firm detail, so the speculation continues....

 

[OneMoreTry]

AKL Deluxe 381
OKW Studio 376
SSR Studio 355

Two AKL DLX 762
OKW 1 bdrm 1016
SSR 1 bdrm 714

My numbers came from Allears.

So one AKL deluxe room is similar to the OKW studio and slightly bigger then the SSR studio (~7%). If they use two AKL rooms for a one bedroom it will not be near the size of OKW and only slightly larger then SSR (~6%).

They're selling too many small units. I doubt they will build bigger ones. WDW real estate is too prime.

Haven't you all figured out already that When at WDW size really doesn't matter. It's part of the magic.

 

[lisareniff]

They're selling too many small units. I doubt they will build bigger ones. WDW real estate is too prime.

Haven't you all figured out already that When at WDW size really doesn't matter. It's part of the magic.

I agree is isn't like Disney, but there have been muliple reports of an increased occupancy for AKL (and slightly larger villas). In order to increase the occupancy at all they would need to increase the size ever so slightly to put in a fold out chair.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

There is also the rumor that there will be 2 bathrooms in a 1 bedroom which would take up more space, once again causing the units to be bigger.

 

[lisareniff]

There is also the rumor that there will be 2 bathrooms in a 1 bedroom which would take up more space, once again causing the units to be bigger.

Of course these units could be in the new building and the units in the lodge be a totally different beast.

 

[DVC Mary]

Size doesn't matter to our family of 4--it's all about the view. We've always stayed in studios. AKL is my DH favorite resort. We've stayed on the top floors twice & the 3rd floor once. We preferred the upper floors. We like to end our WDW vacations there, 2-4 nights to unwind & spend less time in the parks, but more time in the pool. AKL is just too far away from the parks. DH finds AKL to be the most relaxing resort. I prefer VWL, but AKL is 2nd.

The concierge & the perks you can pay extra for our wonderful at AKL. We stayed concierge for 4 nights in '05 & enjoyed doing the family safari at AKL available only to concierge guests. We went to the park before opening, took a leisurely safari & then had a phenomenal buffet breakfast at Tusker House. As we finished the park opened & we felt so special to be there early. The kids loved it. We also did the evening savannah for adults only where you actually go out on the AKL savannah & then it ended w/ dinner at Jiko w/ wine pairings. The whole stay at AKL & all the savannahs was a total surprise for my family & especially overworked DH. I told them the day before to pack up b/c we were moving over there. It is the only time we stayed concierge & it was fantastic--especially enjoying our favorite South African liqueor every evening called Amarula. If you like Kahlua or Baileys, you've got to try this stuff.

 

[BeccaG]

It is the only time we stayed concierge & it was fantastic--especially enjoying our favorite South African liqueor every evening called Amarula. If you like Kahlua or Baileys, you've got to try this stuff.

I have a bottle in my fridge right now my friend brought back from a cruise,you're right, it's great! And if they serve it at AKL/AKV I am even more excited about the new DVC!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Of course these units could be in the new building and the units in the lodge be a totally different beast.

I had never thought of the possibility of there being different types of rooms in the main building vs. the new building. I always assumed the only thing that might vary would be views. That is an interesting thought.

 

[DonnaL]

I called my guide a few days before our scheduled trip to SSR (10/14 thru 10/20) basically to see if we could get in yet to see any models. She wasn't at her desk when I called, but, returned my call on 10/13 (from HER vacation, no less!!!) She had called the office to get her voice mails, since she knew the announcement had been made on 10/11 and assumed she would have a lot of calls to return. She really couldn't give me any info, but, promised to call me as soon as the guides receive any further information. However, she did tell me the 5th and 6th floor units will PROBABLY start selling shortly after the New Year (whether this means January, February or March is anyone's guess). At this point, I'm hoping at least the models are done for our mid January trip even if sales haven't begun yet, however, I would doubt they will show models until they actually begin sales.