What are my chances? AKV Std View - March 2009

[tidefan]

DW, DD5 and I are going next March during Spring Break (March 15-22) and are taking my BIL and SIL (who has never been to WDW). I currently have a 2-Bdrm reservation at SSR, but was planning to try to change to OKW to save points.

I have been thinking, however, that AKV Std View are even less points (not interested in Value though). I was wondering what the availability of Std View would be next March. That week is our Spring Break here in AL, but I am not sure that it is the busiest Spring Break time overall. My other reason for thinking that this MIGHT be available is that since the Sunset Savannah is supposed to be devoid of animals at that time and I had read somewhere that MS would be only charging Std. View points for those Sunset Savannah rooms, I wonder if MS would let me book one of those.

Any thoughts?

If not, we'll be more than happy to stay at OKW or SSR...

 

[bobbiwoz]

I read that the decision to only charge standard view for the savannah views without animals will be made around 3 weeks prior to the reservation, not when you book, so if you book savannah, you will pay savannah points at the time of booking.

There have been wonderful pictures of some "standard views" and they have been wonderful. I'm thinking of a Saturday night stay in one in March '09 before my group heads over to BWV. My spring break begins on the 21st.

Bobbi

 

[Inkmahm]

DW, DD5 and I are going next March during Spring Break (March 15-22) and are taking my BIL and SIL (who has never been to WDW). I currently have a 2-Bdrm reservation at SSR, but was planning to try to change to OKW to save points.

I have been thinking, however, that AKV Std View are even less points (not interested in Value though). I was wondering what the availability of Std View would be next March. That week is our Spring Break here in AL, but I am not sure that it is the busiest Spring Break time overall. My other reason for thinking that this MIGHT be available is that since the Sunset Savannah is supposed to be devoid of animals at that time and I had read somewhere that MS would be only charging Std. View points for those Sunset Savannah rooms, I wonder if MS would let me book one of those.

Any thoughts?

If not, we'll be more than happy to stay at OKW or SSR...

I just called yesterday to change my March vacation days around and the concierge rooms, ALL types, were available for that week! I got a studio concierge for March 17, 18 and 19. I was amazed. The MS person on the phone kept repeating that "I told you, that week is not a very busy one for us." Based on that, I'd say you have a chance at getting what you want. I know the next week WAS really busy as more than a few of us were trying to book concierge day by day and not being successful for all days.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'd say go ahead and try for the standard room. FYI, the animals being taken off the Sunset savanna is not a given and might only be fore a few days. We spoke to the head zoologist for AKL in March, and he said they are hoping it will only be a couple of days, if any, that they will have to have the animals off view. He said they had DVC put that disclaimer in just in case, since they don't really know yet.

 

[spiceycat]

had the standard view last year during Sept.

had the value view this year during March.

loved them both.

the standard view was a lot closer to the laundry room.

the value view was closer to the bus stop (down the steps), gift shop, restuarants.

both were swimming pool views.

 

[rlduvall]

I just called yesterday to change my March vacation days around and the concierge rooms, ALL types, were available for that week! I got a studio concierge for March 17, 18 and 19. I was amazed.

I am so happy you got concierge - seriously. I know you were frustrated when the phone system went down a while back and you lost your advantage. Congratulations . . . you earned it.

 

[spiceycat]

tidefan - think you have a very good chance of getting one.

 

[tidefan]

I'll let you know how it goes. Maybe I'll consider value too, but I do worry about the size of the rooms, but for a 2-Bdrm for 5 people, maybe it wouldn't be too bad and points would be cheap. If we don't get in AKV, then we'll go for OKW for the large rooms and to save points. If I can't get either, then I'll hope for a Congress Park DTD view at SSR...

We looked into buying at AKV back in 2007, but we decided that we had no desire for concierge and that the value rooms may be too small, and we figured that we could probably get in AKV sometime. We really aren't that picky where we stay, so I didn't want to pay the extra $150/year in dues at AKV and we bought SSR...

 

[Inkmahm]

I am so happy you got concierge - seriously. I know you were frustrated when the phone system went down a while back and you lost your advantage. Congratulations . . . you earned it.

Thank you! I was shocked that concierge was available when I called to check on March 17th. It worked out much better for us in the end!

 

[tidefan]

I'll let you know how it goes. Maybe I'll consider value too, but I do worry about the size of the rooms, but for a 2-Bdrm for 5 people, maybe it wouldn't be too bad and points would be cheap. If we don't get in AKV, then we'll go for OKW for the large rooms and to save points. If I can't get either, then I'll hope for a Congress Park DTD view at SSR...

We looked into buying at AKV back in 2007, but we decided that we had no desire for concierge and that the value rooms may be too small, and we figured that we could probably get in AKV sometime. We really aren't that picky where we stay, so I didn't want to pay the extra $150/year in dues at AKV and we bought SSR...

I promised an update, so...

OK, so I called at 7 months today for our 2009 Spring Break week, March 15-22 (SUN-SUN). AKV Std View was all gone for a 2 BR (as was BWV Std View 2Br). I got the OKW HH 2 BR no problem (they had all OKW). They also had VWL 2 BR, BWV Preferred 2 BR and of course, SSR. I forgot to ask about BCV.

I had 313 points left for my '09 UY, and I didn't want to borrow, so that ruled out SSR, BWV (non-Std), and VWL. I happily took OKW. Love the big rooms, plus, I know have 17 points to bank into 2010...

As an aside, the MS rep told me that AKV in general is running tight availability right now until May, because, effectively, Jambo is sold out. She said that when Kidani opens in May that she expected 7-month availability to be easier to get. It will be interesting to see if Kidani or Jambo is easier to get into.