VGF or VAKL?

[snowman]

my wife and I will be taking our new son to Disney next January for his 8th birthday. He has never been out of the state in his short life, so this trip is going to be major for him.

GF is our home resort but we have enough points to go concierge at AKL. We are torn on which would be the more boy friendly choice. We love the dining options available at GF but the animals at AKL are also wonderful.

Suggestions? Experience?

Thanks in advance.

Michelle

 

[cruisin5]

I don't think AKL concierge rooms have a savannah view. AKL without a savannah view room for me is a deal breaker. Nothing like a cup of coffee and a giraffe.

AKL, while losing on the transportation to GF is better suited to an 8 year old boy IMO. One highlight was viewing animals with night-vision goggles.

Congrats on your son!

 

[disneynutz]

AKV is starting refurbishment so you need to assess the impact. If that isn't an issue, stay in a sunset savanna room, non CL.

Bill

 

[DizDaD7]

AKL/V for a kid....Or Kid at heart..LOL There are plenty of places to see animals while at the resort...True it's nice to see them once in a while off your balcony, but that novelty wears off... For me I'd spend the extra points that you save and change to a different category....This resort is a true destination vacation....When coming back from the parks, it's like being in your own lil world....& also has 2 great pools, & water play area too..

 

[Deb & Bill]

You won't be able to book AKV-Concierge with GFV points. At seven months out they will all be booked. And sometimes they will be booked right at 11 months out. Get an AKV savanna villa, if studio go for JH. If one bedroom or larger, go for KV.

 

[drusba]

You will have no chance for AKL club level at 7 months out in Jan. It actually starts to fill BEFORE 11 months out, e.g., right now, on February 10, 2016, Club level is already gone in January through January 12, 2017, 11 months plus 2 days out.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Just to expand on this, at most, there are 5 AKL Club Level 2BR lock-off units. This means, at best, there are 10 bookable units at any given time. This makes it the smallest bookable category of any DVC. It's very high demand, with frequent "walking" by home resort AKV owners year-round.

Even for those able to book these rooms, view at the CL DVC is not bookable. You get what you get. I think one or two may have Savannah view, but it's mostly pool view. I don't know, because I'm not an AKV home owner so I never expect to me in one of the rooms!

 

[suebeelin]

I vote Vgf -- or poly or bwv or bcv if available. My son is 6 and loves animals (and dinosaurs) but he likes pools and MK best.

However, every kid is different . I just love the monorail and Boardwalk locations

 

[2boysmommy]

I have 2 boys and they do love AKL. The animals are amazing, the pools are fun and different, and it is just a cool atmosphere. However, I would only stay in a savanna view room! BUT - we have never stayed there when we were doing the parks. It's just too far for us. We use it as a 1-2 night before/after cruise resort.
We own at BLT and they love that location - mainly because the are monorail obsessed and love being able to walk to Magic Kingdom in minutes from our room. Plus they love the slide. I don't know why...
But this year we are staying at VGF and they are excited. They still get the monorail! It took some convincing that just because it is "fancy" doesn't mean it isn't fun! (For your son, the smaller size of the villa section may reduce the overwhelming aspect of Disney.)
On their DVC "bucket list" is BWV and BCV since both are smack between their favorite parks. And VWL since it is such a cool setting. Those will have to come down the road...

Regardless...have a FABULOUS trip and enjoy seeing the magic through your son's eyes! It sounds like an awesome birthday trip for him and your family!

 

[cvjw]

We were able to sneak into an AKV concierge studio last month - we booked it at less than a month out. Our view was of the pool. We absolutely loved it, but I agree with others - don't plan on booking it at the 7 month mark. I can see why AKV owners walk this reservation, it was fabulous!

I would book VGF if I were you. With your son turning 8, being so close to the MK is priceless. There are also such great dining options on the monorail. I would book a dining reservation at AKV and go over early to enjoy the animals.