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

[*KeepMovingForward*]

does anyone know when the new pool area is slated to be finished?

The DVC member site only says that it is scheduled to open in early 2009...no exact date/month though.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I just read about the entire thread. I picked up some great information. We have been owners at AKV for about a year. We went home for our 1st visit in May. We had a 2bd room SV. Was disappointed with the construction view, very few animals. I know that will not be the case on future trips, but I don't know if I will spend the points again.

I have become a points miser. I have a value studio booked for Jan. 11-14 for my 40th birthday with my sister and we have a 2bd value booked for Aug. 9-16.

I am excited we have a 40% chance of a SV.

Has anyone been in both the value and regular 2bd at Jamba. Was the size difference huge. I really felt the regular 2bd was huge.

 

[karmakimmie]

hi everybody!

first time posting to the AKV thread...just wanted to say hello and introduce myself...my name is Kim and I'm from just outside of Nashville, Tn. My DH and I (and DS-5) just bought 100 points at AKV and I am just itching to make that first ressie! I know for sure we'll go in November, but I'm trying to convince DH to let me have a girls long weekend in May!

I've totally enjoyed catching up on this thread and am so proud to be an owner! I can't wait for my first trip home

cheers all!

 

[twinklebug]

hi everybody!

first time posting to the AKV thread...just wanted to say hello and introduce myself...my name is Kim and I'm from just outside of Nashville, Tn. My DH and I (and DS-5) just bought 100 points at AKV and I am just itching to make that first ressie! I know for sure we'll go in November, but I'm trying to convince DH to let me have a girls long weekend in May!

I've totally enjoyed catching up on this thread and am so proud to be an owner! I can't wait for my first trip home

cheers all!

I don't need a crystal ball to see the words "add on" in your future... Welcome home neighbor!

 

[LOLA2]

So there is no concierge in Kidani village?

What about grand villas? And does anyone know if it is the same floorplan as
the one in Jambo house?

Will there be any counter service over their or must you walk over to Jambo?

 

[MiaSRN62]

So there is no concierge in Kidani village?

What about grand villas? And does anyone know if it is the same floorplan as
the one in Jambo house?

Will there be any counter service over their or must you walk over to Jambo?

Hi Lola,
No concierge in Kidani. And you are correct, there is no counter service at Kidani. There is talk of a general store that may offer some quick-to-go items, but no details. And I agree, this is one of my reasons for disappointment. I think there was also talk that some sandwiches or similar could be sold at the new pool bar ?

I'm not as familiar with the GV floor plans but I thought I read there were some differences ?

my name is Kim and I'm from just outside of Nashville, Tn. My DH and I (and DS-5) just bought 100 points at AKV and I am just itching to make that first ressie!

CONGRATS Kim and

HOME !

 

[MiaSRN62]

Ok Lola,
I found Lisa's post about the GV's. Looks like Jambo House GV's are larger and all rooms on one floor.
Kidani will be slightly smaller but be on 2 floors.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=17951014#post17951014&highlight=akv+gv+floor+plan

 

[kristenrice]

The lack of a counter service restaurant at Kidani was a disappointment to me too. I had my heart set on taking my parents to Kidani in 2010, but after my recent stay, I have reconsidered.

First, I noticed that the standard rooms at Jambo are located close to the front of the building. This means that the walk to the lobby, bus stop, pool and restaurants is much shorter than the savanna view rooms. The view from the standard rooms at Jambo is a pool view, and most of them look pretty nice. I just stayed in a SV studio and I wasn't "wowed"...it was nice, but not awe-inspiring. The view was offset by the long walk (past the standard rooms) to get to our room. There are TONS of places around the resort to sit and observe the savanna.

Second, I LOVED the Mara! They had great food choices and I like that we could eat inside, outside or walk up to the room. It is a little small for such a large resort so I imagine that it can get pretty crowded during busy times.

It will "cost" us 265 points to stay in a savanna view room, but only 205 to stay standard. I do NOT want a parking lot view so I have to choose either standard at Jambo or spring for a savanna view. I have reconsidered and I am going to save the 60 points and do a standard at Jambo. I think we'll save Kidani for a trip when we do a 1BR with just our family. Besides, with the points I've "saved", I was able to book a 1BR value for June !

 

[karmakimmie]

hey Twinkle! you can read it a mile away can't you! I already wish I'd gotten more points...hopefully it will be just a matter of time before I can convince DH that he wished he'd gotten more points too

have an awesome time with the mouse in December...that's my goal one year when DS is a bit older

 

[LOLA2]

So does the Geand villa have use of concierge snacking area? If not I wonder way the grand villa does not have highter points to be concierge if you want it.

 

[LisaS]

So does the Geand villa have use of concierge snacking area? If not I wonder way the grand villa does not have highter points to be concierge if you want it.

No, guests staying in a GV are not given access to the Concierge Lounge. I believe some GV guests have asked about paying extra for an upgrade to allow their group to access the lounge and were told it was not allowed.

 

[karmakimmie]

I'm thinking about an early December trip home (makes me happy to say still ) and I'm just curious what kind of decorations show up at AKV for the holidays? Anyone been and have pics to share?

 

[timandlesley]

So do ALL the standard view rooms at AKL Jambo have a pool view? What is a difference between the value, standard and savannah locations. We have a savannah booked for 4 nights in a studio but I am considering changing this so we save points, would definitely do it if I knew it was a pool view? Any tips? It will be our first trip home and I want it to be great but I also want to get the best use of my points since DH and I will be returning for Food and Wine Festival.
Lesley

 

[LisaS]

So do ALL the standard view rooms at AKL Jambo have a pool view? What is a difference between the value, standard and savannah locations. We have a savannah booked for 4 nights in a studio but I am considering changing this so we save points, would definitely do it if I knew it was a pool view? Any tips? It will be our first trip home and I want it to be great but I also want to get the best use of my points since DH and I will be returning for Food and Wine Festival.
Lesley

Yes, all of the Standard View rooms in Jambo House have a pool view.

There are two defined views at AKV: "savanna view" and "standard view". A savanna view is just what is says. A standard view is defined as a view of "a pool, garden or parking lot".

There are four booking categories at AKV: Value, Standard View, Savanna View and Concierge.

Value: (Jambo House only) Smaller rooms with lower occupancy (for 1BR and 2BR villas). Some of these rooms have a savanna view and the rest have a standard view (pool, garden or parking lot). These are the least expensive rooms due to their size. They are located along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails which run along the front (parking lot side) of Jambo House.

Standard View: Rooms with a standard view (pool, garden or parking lot). In Jambo House, all of the Standard View rooms face the pool. In Kidani the Standard View rooms could face the pool, a garden or the parking lot. These are the second least expensive rooms due to their view.

Savanna View: Rooms with a savanna view. These are the second most expensive rooms due to their view.

Concierge: (Jambo House only) Rooms with concierge service, with either a savanna view or a standard view (fortunately only pool view in this case, no parking lot views!). These are the most expensive rooms due to the service level. They are located on the 6th floor of Jambo House. There are a total of five 2BR lockoffs, three of which face the Sunset Savanna and the other two face the pool area.

 

[timandlesley]

Thank you so very much for your quick reply. I just changed our ressie to Standard View saving us a ton of points and allowing my husband and I to stay Concierge when we return in November, YEAH!!!
Thanks,
Lesley

 

[draw]

Are there any safaris from the lodge that a non conciere level guest can book? TIA I'm doing a girls trip in May.

 

[Donald is #1]

Are there any safaris from the lodge that a non conciere level guest can book? TIA I'm doing a girls trip in May.

Yes, if you are staying at AKL/AKV, then you can book the sunset safari (Wayama (spelling?)). This safari is on the savannas at AKL itself and includes a family style dinner at Jiko. However, it costs about $200 per person.

 

[lagunn]

Could somebody tell me how many days out i can book Sunrise Safari.?
Do i phone MS to book?
thankyou in advance.

 

[marvali]

Are there any safaris from the lodge that a non conciere level guest can book? TIA I'm doing a girls trip in May.

Wanyama Safari is available.

Could somebody tell me how many days out i can book Sunrise Safari.?
Do i phone MS to book?
thankyou in advance.

For information about the Sunrise Safari and the Wanyama Safari, use the link to the DIS information page. There is a table that gives costs, available days, etc. and then below is a write-up for each that tells how far in advance each can be booked, along with additional info.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Could somebody tell me how many days out i can book Sunrise Safari.?
Do i phone MS to book?
thankyou in advance.

I just called yesterday to book the Sunrise Safari. Normally you can book it 180 days out, but apparently it's on the same system as the dining and they can't book out that far and don't know when they'll be able to start booking May. Apparently the Wildlife Excursion is different and is booked at 90 days.