Trip Report with Pix - AKV and OKW (Part 1)

[PutnamDS]

We just returned from a 12 day stay at AKV (5 days) and OKW (a week). We arrived at AKV on Sunday the 7th. It was our first visit to AKV and we were in a Value Studio facing the Sunset Savannah (5126). From the moment I laid eyes on the lobby, I knew I was smitten with AKV. I loved everything about it. The lobby is a feast for the eyes. Even the hallways are amazing with the décor and the artwork – a person could spend a whole lot of time just wandering those halls.

Our room was ready about 2:30 p.m. We had no problems with check in, although the CM told us to go to the elevator down the hall on the same side as the check-in counter and marked it on our map. Of course, there was no elevator down there (only an AED). It was no big deal, we figured it out. The value studio exceeded my expectations. I think I expected it to be much smaller and to feel more cramped. Since we did not need to open the sleeper sofa, we had lots of room. I loved the décor and didn’t feel like it was too dark as some have reported. However, I should note that I have cherry kitchen cabinets with a black quartz countertop – so I guess you could say I love dark woods and finishes. For those ladies that wear makeup, I could see that the lighting in the sink area is not the best. I have a small lighted mirror in my Owner’s Locker, so it was not a problem for me.

We saw so many animals on the savannah – it was too awesome for words. We saw the giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, cranes, elands, and more. Watching them from the balcony was so different than watching them in a zoo or on the safari. I got a real kick out of this one giraffe. It would pick up this branch and toss it around. One time it went in to the water and the giraffe just looked at it like he was trying to say, “What do I do now?” It was quite comical to watch. They do seem to have different personalities. The zebras liked to sleep out by that little pond and I swear they look sleepy in the morning, just like a human. Anyway, lest I bore you, I will just say AKV is fantastic and I think I need to buy more points there! (Are they still running the special incentives?)

I finally knew for sure this was baby Kidani!

See Part 2

 

[PutnamDS]

We ate at Boma one evening and enjoyed it very much. Never ate at Mara, but did go in and look around and it seemed nice. We didn’t go in Jiko, so I can’t comment on that.

The Uzima pool is one of the nicest Disney pools we’ve used. It is large, so there is plenty of room for lots of people. It wasn’t crowded when we were there. I counted 24 people in there one day and it seemed almost empty. We didn’t try the slide.

We went to Cirque du Soleil on Tuesday evening. That was great fun!

We visited the parks throughout the week and found the lines to be relatively short. We were able to get on everything we wanted to ride without much delay.

The weather was quite hot and humid, so if you don’t like the heat, early September might not be your favorite time in Florida! There are plenty of places with AC, so you could get cooled off with no problem.

I should probably comment on the construction at Kidani Village. Since we were on the Sunset Savannah, we were quite close to it. There was work going on there all day, every day. My DH found it to be very annoying when we were on the balcony, but I found it rather fascinating. I had my binoculars there to watch the animals, but it was also pretty cool to watch all the construction. I watched a couple of the roofs being finished. There was a flurry of activity from early morning until 5ish. It was pretty quiet in the evening on the construction site.

Friday arrived before we knew it and it was time to move to Old Key West. Bell Services picked up our Owner’s Locker, luggage, and some food I carefully packaged and off we went at 11:00 a.m. We arrived at OKW by noon and our room was ready. We were in the South Point area (55) facing the canal. Our room was clean and in good condition. You’ll see some photos of the villa across the water – it was so beautiful that I took about 20 photos of it in different light. In the morning before the boats started to run, the water was just like glass and the reflection was breathtaking. I don’t know if you can get a sense of it from the photos. We were in a 1-bedroom and it was big enough to get lost in!! My DH has Alzheimer’s disease and seriously - it took him most of the week to find his way around comfortably. I think it was the laundry room that got him so confused. I loved all that room, though. It was really awesome. We enjoyed the large balcony and watching the wildlife and watching the boats go by. The king size bed was great, too, although I think the mattress at AKV was a little plushier.

We had this squirrel in the tree right by our balcony and he was working on the pine cones feverishly all week. Just once (the first night) I saw an alligator near the edge of the water by the buoys. I didn’t realize it was quite a rare sighting. We saw lots of turtles, ducks, etc., too.

The mail pool was really nice and the water was a little cooler than our community pool, so it was a bit more refreshing.

Okay, so I had to try one of these Mickey Mouse photos…I think I need a little more practice.

The Key West/Saratoga boat…

We visited the parks several times throughout the week. This was the first time we stayed for the Spectromagic Parade and I have to say, we loved it! Here are a few photos from the parade.

We stayed for “Wishes” and the lighted castle. Notice the Halloween colors!

A couple of times we went over to Saratoga Springs, just because we love it there and we could take the boat. We stopped by at 5:00 p.m. one night and the model rooms were closed. Turns out there was a special event that evening – of course, now we all know what that was (BLT and THV). We returned again before we went home, but no one said anything about the announcement. Since reading the boards upon returning home, I am disappointed I wasn’t shown the new model rooms. Oh well. Guess I just don’t rank up there yet – maybe I need to buy more points.

Some were asking if the water play area was open at the Grandstand section. You can see below that it is open.

Twelve days seems like a long time, but it was over so quickly! Oh, I forgot to mention I went over to Hollywood Studios and did the Toy Story Mania ride twice. I will definitely do that again – it was just too much fun. You gotta try it!

All in all – a GREAT vacation! The CMs were nice, arrivals, moves, departures, rooms – everything was perfect. We didn’t even have any bussing issues! Now, that doesn’t happen every time!

Oh, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Owner’s Locker, although I am waiting for John to tell me I have it overstuffed (sigh).

Here are all the photos in a slideshow, if you are interested:
http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii149/putnamds/September 2008 Disney Trip/?albumview=slideshow

Deb

 

[Tiggery]

Wonderful photo report. Thanks for sharing.

 

[moredisneyplease]

Wow........great pictures!! I love the nature pics from OKW! Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[CarolMN]

Your photos are lovely. Thanks for the report.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Loved the report and the pictures!

 

[auntsue]

Thanks for all the wonderful pictures. They really made me want to be there right now. I'm glad you had a great trip. Twelve days sure sounds awesome!

 

[123Disney]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

 

[PutnamDS]

Thanks for looking. I was hoping to hear from OKW Diane - thought she might like the photos of building 46 (I think it is anyway).

Deb

 

[keishashadow]

thanks for the TR, luv the pics (esp the squirrel )

we'll be in one of the value studios in a month, somewhat apprehensive, glad i read ur report

1 Q: could u hear construction noises from inside ur room?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for the great pictures of my two "homes"!!! I LOVE building 55, and you were SO LUCKY To get to stay there! Did they have the South Point hot tub in working order?

 

[culli]

Wow great pics, sounds like you are having a blast. Too bad you didn't get in on the BLT - THV showings. You have me pumped for our upcoming trip in 44 days 17 hrs 53 min 19 sec!

 

[PutnamDS]

thanks for the TR, luv the pics (esp the squirrel )

we'll be in one of the value studios in a month, somewhat apprehensive, glad i read ur report

1 Q: could u hear construction noises from inside ur room?

You could not hear the construction noises if you were in the room, with the sliding doors shut.

Have a GREAT trip!

Deb

 

[DisneyDreams21]

I loved the pics! I agree about AKL too--the lobby is stunning, especially when you first walk in. Just looking at the OKW pictures made me want to turn on some Jimmy Buffet and grab a slushie drink by the pool

 

[PutnamDS]

Thanks for the great pictures of my two "homes"!!! I LOVE building 55, and you were SO LUCKY To get to stay there! Did they have the South Point hot tub in working order?

The South Point hot tub was in working order. It was nice and hot, too. There were jets on all the time, not controlled by the button. (If the button is supposed to make more jets come on, that part was not working.)

I couldn't wait for you to see the photos of the view from 55. It was so beautiful. I can see why you love it so much there and OKW in general. It is a lovely resort - very special.

If anyone has a picture of building 55 taken from across the water, I would love to see it.

Deb

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, I was sure I did have a picture of building 55 from building 46, but I canm't find it now.

 

[keishashadow]

You could not hear the construction noises if you were in the room, with the sliding doors shut.

Have a GREAT trip!

Deb

thanks , guess i won't be too disappointed though if we get pool or parking lot view

 

[Brancaneve]

I also love the lobby and design of AKV but I thought it was just because I was born in AFrica and left when I was a baby. I don't remember it but it truly feels like going home when I was there!

I just picked up a great book called The Secrets of the Disney Gardens and I love that not just the parks but also the resorts put a priority on their landscaping. The flowers were absolutely beautiful!

 

[jakenjess]

Thanks for the report. Your OKW pictures are stunning, and I think you did a great job with the Mickey head picture! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

 

[PutnamDS]

I loved the pics! I agree about AKL too--the lobby is stunning, especially when you first walk in. Just looking at the OKW pictures made me want to turn on some Jimmy Buffet and grab a slushie drink by the pool

DisneyDreams21 - I just noticed you are from Western New York! Well, what do you know!?! We are also from there. We live in Andover (near Alfred, Wellsville). Are you anywhere near there?

Deb