***The Official AKV Owners And Lovers Thread***. Come And Chat

[franandaj]

So here are my questions:

1. Standard or savannah - in Jambo or Kadini
2. Jambo or Kadini.
3. I know what the max occupancy is and we're below that, but is it roomy enough for 7 people?

I can answer all these questions with one word. Kidani!

First of all the rooms are a bit larger since they are not converted hotel rooms. You will have three bathrooms in the 2 bedroom unit.

Personally I would get the Savannah view for ME! I just love seeing the animals off the balcony. Forget the kids!

4. Which is better? Dedicated 2 bedroom or not? What's the difference between the two?

From my one and only stay with family, I am convinced that on future stays with anyone besides my spouse we are getting a 2 bedroom lockoff. It's like having a 1 bedroom and a studio with a connecting door. Each unit can be entered from the hallway and the family in the studio can come and go without having to exit through the door in the Living Room. However, it might feel like you are all staying in the same "house" if you get the dedicated. It just depends on how much privacy and independence you want to give your DB and his family.

5. Does anyone have any pictures of a 2 bedroom? I am sure there are if I go through the 100+ pages (which I'll do if I have to).
6. Think my plan will work and there are enough 2 bedrooms for Sept time frame?

Thanks!

I know I posted these pictures on the thread earlier, but it easier to find them in my photobucket account than go back through the pages and find the page they're on!

It should be perfectly do-able in September, do you mean in 2012?

 

[ajf1007]

I can answer all these questions with one word. Kidani!

First of all the rooms are a bit larger since they are not converted hotel rooms. You will have three bathrooms in the 2 bedroom unit.

Personally I would get the Savannah view for ME! I just love seeing the animals off the balcony. Forget the kids!



From my one and only stay with family, I am convinced that on future stays with anyone besides my spouse we are getting a 2 bedroom lockoff. It's like having a 1 bedroom and a studio with a connecting door. Each unit can be entered from the hallway and the family in the studio can come and go without having to exit through the door in the Living Room. However, it might feel like you are all staying in the same "house" if you get the dedicated. It just depends on how much privacy and independence you want to give your DB and his family.



I know I posted these pictures on the thread earlier, but it easier to find them in my photobucket account than go back through the pages and find the page they're on!

It should be perfectly do-able in September, do you mean in 2012?

First - you totally ROCK! Thanks so much for advice! I love the pictures too, I think your right, the lockoff would be better. I don't think the doorway would be a problem, but I'm torn. Is this something that you can request and they can tell you right away whether its available or something you request and then hope you get? With regard to the view, again I'm torn. To be honest, I love the view and look at it all of the time when we have it but I'm trying to save some points for 2013 for just my DH and I at Vero Beach. Yes, your correct, 2012 is when this big trip is scheduled for. You probably think I'm crazy worrying about this now, I have alot of time before I can book!

 

[franandaj]

First - you totally ROCK! Thanks so much for advice! I love the pictures too, I think your right, the lockoff would be better. I don't think the doorway would be a problem, but I'm torn. Is this something that you can request and they can tell you right away whether its available or something you request and then hope you get? With regard to the view, again I'm torn. To be honest, I love the view and look at it all of the time when we have it but I'm trying to save some points for 2013 for just my DH and I at Vero Beach. Yes, your correct, 2012 is when this big trip is scheduled for. You probably think I'm crazy worrying about this now, I have alot of time before I can book!

Thanks!

Dedicated vs Lock off are booking categories. I've heard there have been times when people have received the the wrong one at check-in, but it's rare. When a 2 Br lock off is booked that means it takes one studio and one 1-BR out of inventory, so they need to keep track of that.

It's not crazy thinking about this for a 2012 trip. My big worry now is about my switching from SSR & BCV to AKV & BLT in October. Once I do that I'll be trying to figure out what area at SSR to request for my December 2012 trip!

 

[ajf1007]

Thanks!

Dedicated vs Lock off are booking categories. I've heard there have been times when people have received the the wrong one at check-in, but it's rare. When a 2 Br lock off is booked that means it takes one studio and one 1-BR out of inventory, so they need to keep track of that.

It's not crazy thinking about this for a 2012 trip. My big worry now is about my switching from SSR & BCV to AKV & BLT in October. Once I do that I'll be trying to figure out what area at SSR to request for my December 2012 trip!

Ah! That makes total sense! The more I think about it, I'm leaning towards the dedicated first. Just the feeling of more family time. I look at it this way, since we only get together once or twice a year, suck up your privacy and enjoy your family! I mean my DB had no privacy for 19 years so one week wont kill him ! I think I just like the idea of it feeling more "villa-ish".

So you want to switch from SSR and BCV? How come, if you don't mind me asking? Is it just resort preference? I have to say, we've been members for 3 years now and we've only ever stayed at AKV in WDW and the GCV in DL and HHI in Hilton Head. I do want to try some other resorts but we have plenty of time for that. I am thinking Vero Beach in 2013 for our anniversary.

 

[franandaj]

Ah! That makes total sense! The more I think about it, I'm leaning towards the dedicated first. Just the feeling of more family time. I look at it this way, since we only get together once or twice a year, suck up your privacy and enjoy your family! I mean my DB had no privacy for 19 years so one week wont kill him ! I think I just like the idea of it feeling more "villa-ish".

So you want to switch from SSR and BCV? How come, if you don't mind me asking? Is it just resort preference? I have to say, we've been members for 3 years now and we've only ever stayed at AKV in WDW and the GCV in DL and HHI in Hilton Head. I do want to try some other resorts but we have plenty of time for that. I am thinking Vero Beach in 2013 for our anniversary.

There are only three of us and we want to save points and stay in a 1 Br that has two bathrooms. That would be Kidani and BLT. Besides, our friend would really like the AKV, and we just got back from BLT last month and it was a great location. We figure relax for the first few days and enjoy the animals, then we'll be in the thick of things at a Monorail resort for the last half. By the end of this year we will have stayed at all the theme park area DVC resorts and I will know which ones I like best. The problem is, so far I've liked them all!

 

[ajf1007]

There are only three of us and we want to save points and stay in a 1 Br that has two bathrooms. That would be Kidani and BLT. Besides, our friend would really like the AKV, and we just got back from BLT last month and it was a great location. We figure relax for the first few days and enjoy the animals, then we'll be in the thick of things at a Monorail resort for the last half. By the end of this year we will have stayed at all the theme park area DVC resorts and I will know which ones I like best. The problem is, so far I've liked them all!

That makes sense, who doesn't like to save points! And your right, since it has 2 bathrooms, that's perfect! I like your plan of relax in the first half and jump right in for the second half! Have you stayed at Vero Beach yet? What's your favorite so far?

 

[franandaj]

That makes sense, who doesn't like to save points! And your right, since it has 2 bathrooms, that's perfect! I like your plan of relax in the first half and jump right in for the second half! Have you stayed at Vero Beach yet? What's your favorite so far?

I haven't stayed at Vero, but I'm not a beach person. I couldn't pick a favorite, they all have their merits. I like the Epcot resorts for F&W, BLT for being on the Monorail, VWL for being tucked away in the woods, AKV for the animals, SSR for the spa and laid back feel, and OKW if we were planning a lot of relaxing, cooking and hanging out on the patio.

 

[ajf1007]

I haven't stayed at Vero, but I'm not a beach person. I couldn't pick a favorite, they all have their merits. I like the Epcot resorts for F&W, BLT for being on the Monorail, VWL for being tucked away in the woods, AKV for the animals, SSR for the spa and laid back feel, and OKW if we were planning a lot of relaxing, cooking and hanging out on the patio.

We're really looking for a laid back, resort type of vacation without lots to do. I'm a beach person, but my DH is not so I'll spend some beach time or pool time alone with a good book! Why is OKW the most relaxing for you? I'm curious as to what resorts would be easiest to just lay low and possibly even not do the parks, use it more as resort. I think BLT might be the hardest since your so close and can see MK!

 

[franandaj]

We're really looking for a laid back, resort type of vacation without lots to do. I'm a beach person, but my DH is not so I'll spend some beach time or pool time alone with a good book! Why is OKW the most relaxing for you? I'm curious as to what resorts would be easiest to just lay low and possibly even not do the parks, use it more as resort. I think BLT might be the hardest since your so close and can see MK!

The reason I said OKW would be good for a hanging out vacation is the size of the rooms and the wonderful patios that they have. Everyone is always talking about the size of the rooms, but you can't really appreciate it until you have actually been inside. However to bring it all back around to the Lodge. I think that a no park trip would be great at the AKV you can do the Sunset Safari, enjoy the pools, the animals, what more could you ask for?

 

[twinklebug]

We're really looking for a laid back, resort type of vacation without lots to do. I'm a beach person, but my DH is not so I'll spend some beach time or pool time alone with a good book! Why is OKW the most relaxing for you? I'm curious as to what resorts would be easiest to just lay low and possibly even not do the parks, use it more as resort. I think BLT might be the hardest since your so close and can see MK!

I agree, BLT would be the hardest.

In order, for a non-park trip I like:

1) VWL: water sports and boats to everywhere as well as easy access to the monorail resorts, and of course tons of stuff to do over at Fort wilderness, a nice stroll, bike ride or boat ride away. Don't forget you can see some of the MK fireworks from the beach as well as the nightly EWP.

2) AKV (particularly if you have kids - what can I say - it's HOME!)

3) BWV (the boardwalk attractions, lots of resorts to visit, boat and bike rentals)

I'm not a fan of OWK or SSR (when we stayed at OKW we had a very boisterous crowd around us that had also taken over the 'quiet' pool that was anything but quiet. That was the bad part of the trip, which we fixed by moving to BWV & had one of the most restful trips ever)

 

[Donald is #1]

1. Standard or savannah - in Jambo or Kadini
2. Jambo or Kadini.
3. I know what the max occupancy is and we're below that, but is it roomy enough for 7 people?
4. Which is better? Dedicated 2 bedroom or not? What's the difference between the two?
5. Does anyone have any pictures of a 2 bedroom? I am sure there are if I go through the 100+ pages (which I'll do if I have to).
6. Think my plan will work and there are enough 2 bedrooms for Sept time frame?

Thanks!

I found your post really interesting because I will be doing a somewhat similar trip in Aug '12. We will have either 5, 6, or 8 people. If we are 5 or 6, I will get us one 2 bedroom. For 5, I will be in the master, my sister & bil will be in the second bedroom, and their 2 kids will be in the living room. For 6, my sister & bil will be in the master, I will be in the other bedroom with our other sister and the kids will be in the living room. If we are 8, then I will book at 2 bedroom plus a 1 bedroom (will take all of my points for 2 years). In that case, it will be 5 of us in the 2 BR and then our other sister with her son and a friend of his in the 1 BR.

Now to your questions:
1) I would do savanna view, but then again that is all I have ever booked except for CL so I am a bit biased.

2) If you will be doing alot of cooking in your room, then Kidani for the 3rd bathroom

3) Based upon your sleeping plans (i.e. brother & family in the studio) I think that you will be fine in a 2 BR.

4) I would do the lock-off so that you have 2 entrances.

 

[ajf1007]

The reason I said OKW would be good for a hanging out vacation is the size of the rooms and the wonderful patios that they have. Everyone is always talking about the size of the rooms, but you can't really appreciate it until you have actually been inside. However to bring it all back around to the Lodge. I think that a no park trip would be great at the AKV you can do the Sunset Safari, enjoy the pools, the animals, what more could you ask for?

Interesting, I have heard so much about OKW with regard to the room size, but unfortunately we have not been to this resort yet. My DH is really pushing to try the other resorts, but for some reason, I'm just in love with AKV. I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone but for a no park trip, I just can't help but think how AKV would be perfect (aside from HHI or VB).

I agree, BLT would be the hardest.

In order, for a non-park trip I like:

1) VWL: water sports and boats to everywhere as well as easy access to the monorail resorts, and of course tons of stuff to do over at Fort wilderness, a nice stroll, bike ride or boat ride away. Don't forget you can see some of the MK fireworks from the beach as well as the nightly EWP.

2) AKV (particularly if you have kids - what can I say - it's HOME!)

3) BWV (the boardwalk attractions, lots of resorts to visit, boat and bike rentals)

I'm not a fan of OWK or SSR (when we stayed at OKW we had a very boisterous crowd around us that had also taken over the 'quiet' pool that was anything but quiet. That was the bad part of the trip, which we fixed by moving to BWV & had one of the most restful trips ever)

VWL is definitely on my DH's list and I didn't realize how much there was to do there either. I really need to focus more intently on the non-park aspect so I can figure out what resort will provide the most for us. The parks are so alluring though so I need things to take my mind off of them.

I found your post really interesting because I will be doing a somewhat similar trip in Aug '12. We will have either 5, 6, or 8 people. If we are 5 or 6, I will get us one 2 bedroom. For 5, I will be in the master, my sister & bil will be in the second bedroom, and their 2 kids will be in the living room. For 6, my sister & bil will be in the master, I will be in the other bedroom with our other sister and the kids will be in the living room. If we are 8, then I will book at 2 bedroom plus a 1 bedroom (will take all of my points for 2 years). In that case, it will be 5 of us in the 2 BR and then our other sister with her son and a friend of his in the 1 BR.

Now to your questions:
1) I would do savanna view, but then again that is all I have ever booked except for CL so I am a bit biased.

2) If you will be doing alot of cooking in your room, then Kidani for the 3rd bathroom

3) Based upon your sleeping plans (i.e. brother & family in the studio) I think that you will be fine in a 2 BR.

4) I would do the lock-off so that you have 2 entrances.

Wow - great minds think alike then! I do feel bad about my mom on the sleeper couch but really, she wouldn't have it another way. She knows and understands what paid for accommodations mean so I think she'd feel bad taking a bedroom anyway.

The view is something I'm still debating. Though I think the savannah view is awesome, I've done both a savanna and a standard, I really think my nieces would lose interest after a few days. Especially since there are so many places to view the animals through out the resort. It would be nice to save those points (like you that would take both my 2011 and my 2012 points) and use them for a 1 bedroom for my DH and I later. I think that's a decision I may have to make at the last minute depending on my mood. I have quite a bit of time to think about this one.

Doesn't the lock-off make it feel smaller though? Less villa-ish? I know the entrance is convenient for my brother and his family but that doorway between the studio and the 1bdrm seems like it just cuts the room down. Maybe I'm over analyzing. I just know that when my DH and stayed at the VGC in a dedicated 2bdrm it was like the taj mahal! My DH said last night that it could have felt like that cause we've only ever stayed in studios (it's just us - no kids). I'm afraid the the dedicated in VGC may have spoiled me!

 

[franandaj]

Doesn't the lock-off make it feel smaller though? Less villa-ish? I know the entrance is convenient for my brother and his family but that doorway between the studio and the 1bdrm seems like it just cuts the room down. Maybe I'm over analyzing. I just know that when my DH and stayed at the VGC in a dedicated 2bdrm it was like the taj mahal! My DH said last night that it could have felt like that cause we've only ever stayed in studios (it's just us - no kids). I'm afraid the the dedicated in VGC may have spoiled me!

There is a doorway between the 2nd bedroom and the living room in a dedicated, the only difference is whether or not you lock it on your side....and that they can get out via their own room. Now if you're worried about the kids getting out the door of the studio, that's another question!

For me I like the idea of being able to lock people out of my one bedroom unless I want them in there! With my parents that would have been awkward especially since we went from the THV to AKV. However waking up to find my mom in the kitchen/living room before I felt "decent" was awkward. When we stay at their house I choose when to come out into the "family areas", when they stay at our house we have two apartments, they stay in one and we're in the other. I just like LOTS of personal space!

Anyone we travel with in the future we'll let them know about the whole studio/one bedroom thing and that we'll open the door between the two when we are decent dressed and ready! But we plan on traveling with friends and not family in the future, so that's different.

 

[Donald is #1]

I can't comment on the whether the lock-off will seem smaller because I have only booked 2 BRs twice before: once at OKW and once at Jambo. At OKW is was just 3 of us but I had points that I needed to use. So we each got our own bed. That one was dedicated. At Jambo House, it was 4 of us, my sister, her 2 kids and me. Again, I had points to use and it was only for a long weekend. We had a lock-off that time. Since we were doing every thing together, we only used 1 entrance. However, on next years trip, I suspect that we will be splitting up more. So I may do a lock-off.

I understand about your mother. My sisters are the same way. Hence I have the master bedroom. The only condition where I won't have it, is if there are 6 of us in the 2 BR so that my middle sister and I use the 2nd bedroom. (makes the sleeping arrangements easier) Normally, since we are using my points, they would prefer if I had the master.

 

[ajf1007]

There is a doorway between the 2nd bedroom and the living room in a dedicated, the only difference is whether or not you lock it on your side....and that they can get out via their own room. Now if you're worried about the kids getting out the door of the studio, that's another question!

For me I like the idea of being able to lock people out of my one bedroom unless I want them in there! With my parents that would have been awkward especially since we went from the THV to AKV. However waking up to find my mom in the kitchen/living room before I felt "decent" was awkward. When we stay at their house I choose when to come out into the "family areas", when they stay at our house we have two apartments, they stay in one and we're in the other. I just like LOTS of personal space!

Anyone we travel with in the future we'll let them know about the whole studio/one bedroom thing and that we'll open the door between the two when we are decent dressed and ready! But we plan on traveling with friends and not family in the future, so that's different.

You know, you make complete sense. I don't know what I was thinking, it's just their bedroom door, I'm an idiot. Though the 2nd exit door in the studio part would make me nervous with the girls. But, my brother is a complete hawk and until HE had kids, I never believed the ol' eyes in the back of my head scam that my mom used to give us. Having said that, I think I've decided to start with the dedicated and see what happens. Nonetheless, I am so excited for my nieces first trip, as well as my brothers and moms too. It'll be amazing whether there is an extra door or not. YAY! THanks for making me feel better and adding sense to my thoughts!

I can't comment on the whether the lock-off will seem smaller because I have only booked 2 BRs twice before: once at OKW and once at Jambo. At OKW is was just 3 of us but I had points that I needed to use. So we each got our own bed. That one was dedicated. At Jambo House, it was 4 of us, my sister, her 2 kids and me. Again, I had points to use and it was only for a long weekend. We had a lock-off that time. Since we were doing every thing together, we only used 1 entrance. However, on next years trip, I suspect that we will be splitting up more. So I may do a lock-off.

I understand about your mother. My sisters are the same way. Hence I have the master bedroom. The only condition where I won't have it, is if there are 6 of us in the 2 BR so that my middle sister and I use the 2nd bedroom. (makes the sleeping arrangements easier) Normally, since we are using my points, they would prefer if I had the master.

We'll probably be splitting up some as well, so we'll just see what happens. Its always nice when people realize what a gift it is your giving them and my mom and the entire party do so it's nice that they appreciate it and don't make me feel bad for taking the master. If my DH wasn't with me, of course I'd just have my mom in the room with me, but thankfully, she's very ok with the couch. Ahhh..... I feel so much better now!!!

 

[twinklebug]

This thread's FAR too quiet for it's own good.

Just took some time to daydream about our next visit: 4th, but 1st time in a standard view. Pulled up Google maps and zoomed in in Kidani. Slowly it dawned on me as I looked at the savanna layouts and the 1/2 sized buildings that by booking a standard view I'm guaranteed NOT to be out on the far ends of the loops Hey! Bonus!

Looks like the only standard room views are in the 1st-4th beads out from the lobby & the views will be of the entry area, pool area, or bus stops with the water retention pond behind it (not a bad view).


Curious though: what are the burnt patches out there? I don't recall anyone mentioning a brush fire. Did Disney clear that land with a controlled fire?
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Fort+Wilderness+Trail,+Bay+Lake,+FL&aq=0&sll=36.173357,-95.712891&sspn=32.618222,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Fort+Wilderness+Trail,+Bay+Lake,+Orange,+Florida+32836&ll=28.354188,-81.605426&spn=0.003862,0.009645&t=h&z=17 (yes, that says Ft Wilderness on the label)

 

[miprender]

We'll be there in 35 days for our 3rd stay

Twinklebug when are you going?

 

[SamSam]

Love Kidani and Jambo, we've been way more times than I want to count. BCV used to be our favorite...no more, we prefer to be at Kidani, and then walk over to Jambo for dining, and to walk the hallways to look at the Artwork.

 

[majortom1981]

Love Kidani and Jambo, we've been way more times than I want to count. BCV used to be our favorite...no more, we prefer to be at Kidani, and then walk over to Jambo for dining, and to walk the hallways to look at the Artwork.

This is what I like about kidani. So much to do without going to the parks. I also love reading the quotes and things.

 

[franandaj]

I'm getting all excited about my trip here and I haven't even hit the 7 month point to switch!