Understanding DVC points and AKL

[ontheuptick]

I'm looking to rent DVC points, and have used the points calculators on Dave's request site. I'm completely confused why AKL is so inexpensive compared to SS? AKL is the cheapest of all the DVC resorts, why is that?

Obviously by disney rental standards its listed as a Deluxe vs. SS which obviously isn't. Is it a matter of availability? Demand?

If it's demand related, why is AKL less desired among DVC members? I understand it's further away from the parks, etc., I'm just curious why Disney prices it the same as the other deluxes, but DVC points price it like a moderate or less, quite a bit lower than the other deluxes.

Thanks!

 

[PacoDF]

I'm looking to rent DVC points, and have used the points calculators on Dave's request site. I'm completely confused why AKL is so inexpensive compared to SS? AKL is the cheapest of all the DVC resorts, why is that?

Obviously by disney rental standards its listed as a Deluxe vs. SS which obviously isn't. Is it a matter of availability? Demand?

If it's demand related, why is AKL less desired among DVC members? I understand it's further away from the parks, etc., I'm just curious why Disney prices it the same as the other deluxes, but DVC points price it like a moderate or less, quite a bit lower than the other deluxes.

Thanks!

Maybe you are looking at the Value category at AKL? There are only a few Value villas (they are smaller than standard villas) and they are almost impossible to book unless you can find an owner to book 11 months in advance.

I think you should compare non-value villas to other resorts.

 

[erionm]

Obviously by disney rental standards its listed as a Deluxe vs. SS which obviously isn't.

AKL = Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Hotel portion)
AKV = Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas (DVC - which includes most of the 5th and all of the 6th floors of Jambo House and all of Kidani Village.)
SSR = Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

AKL is a Deluxe Resort, AKV, SSR and all of the other DVC Resorts are Deluxe Villas.

 

[ontheuptick]

Maybe you are looking at the Value category at AKL? There are only a few Value villas (they are smaller than standard villas) and they are almost impossible to book unless you can find an owner to book 11 months in advance.

I think you should compare non-value villas to other resorts.

Nope. For my trip (6 nights)

AKL Standard: $1148 (82)
BCV: $1414 (101)
SS: $1274 (91)
VWL: $1386 (99)

 

[ontheuptick]

AKL = Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Hotel portion)
AKV = Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas (DVC - which includes most of the 5th and all of the 6th floors of Jambo House and all of Kidani Village.)
SSR = Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

AKL is a Deluxe Resort, AKV, SSR and all of the other DVC Resorts are Deluxe Villas.

But SS is considered a Moderate resort. So, you are saying it is a DVC "Deluxe" Villa. So, does that mean that the SS room is supposed to be as nice as the AKV room? I can understand that, but obviously the rest of the complex is still a "moderate" resort, and is not the same as the deluxe resort at AKL. The pool, restaurants, views, everything isn't as good at SS (obviously, that's somewhat subjective, but I think it's still a consensus for the most part)

 

[erionm]

But SS is considered a Moderate resort. So, you are saying it is a DVC "Deluxe" Villa. So, does that mean that the SS room is supposed to be as nice as the AKV room? I can understand that, but obviously the rest of the complex is still a "moderate" resort, and is not the same as the deluxe resort at AKL. The pool, restaurants, views, everything isn't as good at SS (obviously, that's somewhat subjective, but I think it's still a consensus for the most part)

Regardless of your personal feelings about SSR, Disney classifies ALL DVC Resorts as Deluxe Villas.

 

[ontheuptick]

Doesn't matter what your personal feelings are about SSR, Disney classifies ALL DVC Resorts as Deluxe Villas.

But it's absolutely not a personal feeling. I've never been to SS or AKL. Ever.

I'm only basing my question on the fact that Disney lists AKL as a Deluxe and SS as a Moderate on their website when just booking a room. So, one would make the logical assumption that the amenities of AKL (and all the deluxe resorts) would be a notch above SS (and all the Moderate properties).

I'm not making a statement about personal feelings at all.

I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something I'm missing - still doesn't make sense to me why a studio at SS would cost more points than a studio at AKL (which is larger in square footage, as well). There's obviously a reason - I was just curious if anyone knew what that was!

 

[erionm]

But it's absolutely not a personal feeling. I've never been to SS or AKL. Ever.

I'm only basing my question on the fact that Disney lists AKL as a Deluxe and SS as a Moderate on their website when just booking a room.

I don't see SSR anywhere on this page (WDW Moderate Resorts): https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/#/moderate/

WDW Deluxe Villas: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/#/deluxe-villa/

 

[hakepb]

But SS is considered a Moderate resort. So, you are saying it is a DVC "Deluxe" Villa. So, does that mean that the SS room is supposed to be as nice as the AKV room? I can understand that, but obviously the rest of the complex is still a "moderate" resort, and is not the same as the deluxe resort at AKL. The pool, restaurants, views, everything isn't as good at SS (obviously, that's somewhat subjective, but I think it's still a consensus for the most part)

SSR lacks park proximity (but has great DTD proximity) and does not have interior hallways that connect to the lobby. But, like Deluxe rooms, you get a private balcony.
Turf Club is a very nice restaurant, and SSR has 2 feature pools.

SSR's rooms are very similiar in size to BCV, VWL and BWV. SSR's 1BR is nicer than an AKV Jambo 1BR, but is a step down from the great Kidani and BLT rooms with the extra bathroom.

Overall, SSR is very nice, but I can see how its not a prototypical first choice because of the lack of park proximity and the points are a bit high (unlike the great bang-for-the buck OKW.

 

[SuperRob]

Location has a lot to do with the point values / pricing. AKL is considered to be a less than ideal location for many folks, and while it's a very nice resort, location is a major factor. Why else are any resort within a short distance to a park so expensive? The monorail resorts, Beach and Yacht Clubs, etc. Even Saratoga Springs is walking distance to Downtown Disney, and that right there is likely what puts it above AKL in the pricing tiers. Despite being right next to Animal Kingdom, it's not even all that convenient to get there from the resort. Lastly, AKL is LARGE. There are a lot of rooms, in a variety of view tiers, and that causes the point allocations to trend towards the low end.

When it comes right down to it, a stay at AKL is a pretty decent value for the points, but just like with anything, you're exchanging time for the fewer points needed to stay there.

 

[dvc_john]

What Disney site are you looking at that lists SSR as a moderate resort? Every one I look at lists it (and AKV) as "Deluxe Villas".

And to say 'everything' at AKV is better than SSR is just opinion.
IMO the pools at SSR are as good as the pools at AKV. And for views, I'd say that generally the views at SSR are better than the 'standard' views at AKV. For a deluxe view at AKV, you'd better price out the 'Savanna' view category, not the 'standard' view category.

AKV does have more restaurant options, but that's because of the location, which isn't really near anything else. SSR has DtD for lots of dining options.

 

[ontheuptick]

What Disney site are you looking at that lists SSR as a moderate resort? Every one I look at lists it (and AKV) as "Deluxe Villas".

This is where I have to say: I'm an idiot.

I hadn't ever looked at SS before. So, when I saw "Saratoga SPRINGS" what immediately popped into my head was "Coronado SPRINGS". So, this whole time I was thinking that Coronado Springs was priced above AKL.

Feel free to move on everyone. I'm new here. I'll get this all figured out eventually. Don't disbar me yet.

 

[drusba]

AKV:

Value rooms: lowest point cost on site because rooms are smaller than usual DVC rooms (studios are about same size as Port Orleans rooms, about 315 sq ft; other DVC studios at AKV are about 360 sq ft). Also, there are a small number of values all in the front of the Jambo building. They can fill quickly once the 11 month reservation window opens for an owner at the resort.

AKV standard view: about 20% of the DVC rooms at AKV. One of the true "bargains" for the WDW DVC resorts. In points needed, AKV standard is comparable to OKW and BWV standard view (a little higher than both in some seasons and lower in others), all three of which are lower than SSR. Moreover, the 1BRs and 2BRs at Kidani are larger than SSR, VWL. BCV, and BWV and have an extra bathroom. Finally, some of the AKV standards actually have savanna view. Usually available even at 7 months out when owners at any resort can reserve another.

AKV savanna view: about 75% of the AKV rooms with point cost usually somewhat higher than all the WDW resorts other tha BLT and VGF. Usually avaialble at 7 months out. You are paying a premium for the view, which is very good.

AKV Club Level: higher than BLT lake view, mediocre views, paying premium points for cooncierge services and daily housekeeping not view; only 5 2BR lock-offs (possible 5 studios and 5 1BRs), often difficult to get even at 11 months out.

AKV is thus not a "bargain" cost resort. It has those lowest point cost values but you are getting the smaller room. Its truest "bargain" lies in the standard view rooms, particularly 1BRs and 2BRs at Kidani which are larger than most and and have the extra bathroom. Nevertheless, unlike other resorts with room cassifications, its "standard" views tend not to fill until late, usually well after the 7 month reservation window opens, partly because most owners there bought to get the premium savanna view, whereas, for example, huge numbers of purchasers at VGF bought just to be able to get limited number of standard view studios.

 

[Simba's Mom]

This is where I have to say: I'm an idiot.

I hadn't ever looked at SS before. So, when I saw "Saratoga SPRINGS" what immediately popped into my head was "Coronado SPRINGS". So, this whole time I was thinking that Coronado Springs was priced above AKL.

Feel free to move on everyone. I'm new here. I'll get this all figured out eventually. Don't disbar me yet.

LOL, I think we're all idiots sometimes. Hence the phrase "Duh!" was invented. Just understand, when you call SS a moderate, although for you it was a totally honest mistake, some people get their hackles all up about it. There can be some SSR loving/bashing sometimes.

 

[mb_uh]

We found AKL to be beautiful and Kidani rooms are nice but it is far from other parks and most people spend the least time in AK.

 

[Sammie]

Also those Standard rooms are located at Kidani Village, facing the parking lot. A few have a pool view but very few.

 

[carlbarry]

This is where I have to say: I'm an idiot.

I hadn't ever looked at SS before. So, when I saw "Saratoga SPRINGS" what immediately popped into my head was "Coronado SPRINGS". So, this whole time I was thinking that Coronado Springs was priced above AKL.

Feel free to move on everyone. I'm new here. I'll get this all figured out eventually. Don't disbar me yet.

Don't beat up yourself. Everybody here is very friendly, and wants to help. And we were all newbies at some time. Feel free to ask whatever you want.