We FINALLY did it!! Now help me please!

[smcdaniel4688]

DH and I just joined the DVC after many years of thinking and dreaming! (and yes, we are kicking ourselves for not doing it sooner!) We are proud "residents" of AKV at Kidani and I am so excited that I just booked a trip in March for my kids spring break. We bought in at 320 and are using 117 for a deluxe savanna view Kidani Village for a week. Not too bad and feels even better since we bought in with such great incentives (one of them incentives being that we got 2010 points in addition to 2011 for total of 640) So please can anyone tell me about AKV and what to expect for my DH, DD9, DS5 and I at this resort? Never stayed at this one and we are soooo excited! Also, can anyone tell me the virtues of the premium annual pass? I know that as DVC members, we get a discount, but does the DVC discount get deeper when you renew every year? Any info little inside info and tips you guys could give me on the DVC would be great! We have been to Disney about 20 times but the vacation club is a whole new ballgame for me and I am feeling a little overwhelmed! Thanks in advance!!

 

[briangib]

Congratulations and welcome home. We've only stayed at AKV once but we really enjoyed it, especially Boma which is our favorite place for breakfast.

 

[ldo]

the Community Hall (CH) rocks!!! It is over at Kidani. It's a kids club (but not a drop off--you have to stay). My kids LOVE it--in fact it's one of the main reasons we bought DVC. They are open all day and you can go in and do a lot of free crafts/coloring and other crafts (buttons, tote bags, etc.) are $1-5. The cast members are really nice--I recognize them from Easter. They have EVERY Disney Wii game ever made. There is a huge balcony with chairs and I sit for a couple hours with coffee and read and watch the animals while my 3 kids hang out. We spent 2-3 hours there for 3 days straight over Christmas. Also, they have animal enrichment events (usually at 1 pm) on alternating days at Kidani or Jambo--you can do either place. Everyday at 1 pm, they decorate yummy cookies at Bomas. Kids can do "bead" activities--for your ages, it's great. Have a super time. We just love AKV! Some days, we do CH in the AM, eat lunch at the Mara over at Jambo, do animal enrichment activity and/or cookies then go swimming and don't even go into the parks! Coffee is awful at all WDW resorts unless you buy cappicino, etc., bring your own and use the in-room coffee maker.

 

[jstarcze]

Welcome Home and Congratulations from Mickey, Goofy, and Me!

 

[ariel5884]

If you book a concierge room you are eligible for the exclusive sunset safari. You really do not need a savanah view room b/c there are many viewing areas throughout the hotel.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Congratulations and welcome home!

I second the recommendation for the Community Hall. The CMs there were AWESOME when we were at Kidani in December. They have more than just the Disney Wii games too, tons of fun projects. Most free, a couple that cost relatively small amounts.

I would also add that you should make sure you stop by the fire pit. Just off the lobby, out into the savannah. Very cool at night. There are animals out at night.

 

[chalee94]

If you book a concierge room you are eligible for the exclusive sunset safari. You really do not need a savanah view room b/c there are many viewing areas throughout the hotel.

anyone staying at the AKV (kidani or jambo) can book the sunset safari (i think your youngest would need to be older - i think the minimum age is 8 but not sure). the morning/sunrise safari is only for concierge at AKV/AKL.

i would recommend the savanna view for at least the first trip as it is a unique experience.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I concur....Wanyama safari is the Sunset one, and it's available to ALL AKL guests. If you want the sunRISE safari, you need to be booked in concierge level.

FYI, with that many points available, I would probably have booked a 1 or 2 bedroom instead of the studio. That way your kids would each have their own bed, and you would have some privacy, more space, and a Jacuzzi tub in the master bath...not to mention the convenience of the kitchen.

I find all the studio rooms other than OKW to be very cramped for more than 2 people. In a 1 bedroom, the kids will have their own bathroom and one can sleep on the pull out sofa bed while the other sleeps in the pull out chair. Mom and Dad get the master all to themselves!

 

[brenbrady]

Congratulations - I'm sure you will have many happy memories in the upcoming trips.
we stayed at AK last december, my DH and myself, no kids this time, we really enjoyed Animal Kingdom Lodge. Loved Boma, food was good service was great.
We have a premium annual pass and you do get 20% discount as most of the shops versus 10% on annual pass, there is a passholders web site and that can explain the differences.

 

[culli]

FYI, with that many points available, I would probably have booked a 1 or 2 bedroom instead of the studio. That way your kids would each have their own bed, and you would have some privacy, more space, and a Jacuzzi tub in the master bath...not to mention the convenience of the kitchen.

I find all the studio rooms other than OKW to be very cramped for more than 2 people. In a 1 bedroom, the kids will have their own bathroom and one can sleep on the pull out sofa bed while the other sleeps in the pull out chair. Mom and Dad get the master all to themselves!

Congrats and I have to agree with Diane on this one. Enjoy, you will have a blast but with the kids enjoy one of the BEST THINGS about DVC the 1 and 2 br condos. We even did a 1 br with 6 of us (shhhhhhhhh don't tell Disney) and it worked out great. The 8, 5, 4 year old slept on the sofa sleeper and the baby in the pack in play in the Master. The kitchen and a seperate living room make all the diference.

Regardless you will have a blast.

 

[DizDays]

FYI, with that many points available, I would probably have booked a 1 or 2 bedroom instead of the studio. That way your kids would each have their own bed, and you would have some privacy, more space, and a Jacuzzi tub in the master bath...not to mention the convenience of the kitchen.

I second that. I 1-bedroom (at least) is a MUST! And once you stay in a 1-bedroom, you'll never go back to a studio. They are amazing.

Community Hall is a must. That was one of the favorite things about the trip I took my brother and his family on. The cast members are awesome.

Plus, be sure to make time to explore and enjoy the resort. So many things to see. And don't forget to dine at Sanaa, Boma, or Jiko. They are all fantastic.

And Welcome Home, neighbor! Wishing you many, many magical years of fun and memories.

 

[smcdaniel4688]

Thank you to everyone for the tips and info! I really appreciate it and am going to be looking into safaris and def will stop by the community hall and fire pit! We really want to book bigger rooms but the deluxe studio was what we could get booking on such short notice plus we are planning to take a big trip with friends in the fall so we are saving points for a bigger room then....I know that I am going to get spoiled to all the room and amenities that the DVC has to offer. I am so excited!!! Thanks again!

 

[disneymom8589]

home, AKV neighbor!