Which would you buy- Animal King. or Saratoga Spring?

[barefootMom]

I am hoping to be purchasing soon and I know both of the resorts being offered for the promos from Disney are both beautiful...If you were to buy right now, which one would you choose and why? I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge Villas and loved them but want to purchase one of the new contracts with promos being offered right now...WWYD?

 

[epicureangirl]

I would have to pick AKL because of needing the 11 month advantage for concierge, also the wonderful dining options at the AKL. I'm sure the animals will always be a unique draw, I've only stayed in the Lodge but it made for a very memorable family vacation.

IF I was not a planner and only would be booking at the 7 month window (and was happy with whatever resort I could book at that time), I would go for the SSR and take advantage of the low maintenance fees.

 

[AKV707]

I bought at AKV because we love the theming, the different room categories, the overall feel of the resort, Boma, Jiko, Kidani, and the animals. If you like WL, I think that you would like AKV.

It really depends on where you want your 11 month window to be.

 

[littlewilson25]

The AK lodge is so beautiful, I'm a freak for Boma, and the kids would love the animals, at least for a number of years. However, I just really dislike the location of AKV, so I would probably choose SSR just for a more central location, quicker buses to most places, and walkability to DTD.

 

[tjkraz]

It really depends on where you want your 11 month window to be.

Bingo. It's not a popularity contest and shouldn't be viewed as such.

 

[sanibeldreams]

I bought at SSR and stayed there in April for the first time. Thought it was amazing. Great accomodation and facilities were fantastic for the kids. I'd go for there!

 

[Granny]

I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge Villas and loved them but want to purchase one of the new contracts with promos being offered right now...WWYD?

I agree with AKV707...if you love the theming at VWL you will probably enjoy AKV a bit more as WL & AKL had the same architect, a darker wooden decor and both have heavy theming.

 

[paulasillars]

We own at SSR as it was the only resort (other than resale) at the time we joined. To be honest, if we joined today we would probably go AKV as we are animal nuts.

However we will enjoy our stays at Disney, regardless of where we stay.

We are looking forward to out first trip to our home resort next year, we'll wait list for AKV but won't pin our hopes on it. We'll just do that another time

Good luck with whatever you choose and welcome home!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

the buy where you want to stay usually always applies first. However, sometimes that doesnt apply to everyone. Sometimes some dont care which resort they will be staying at, just interested in dvc altogether.


If that where the case then I would have to recommend AKV since SSR is so big you should always be able to get a room there at the seven month mark as an AKV owner, but that may not always apply in . So by owning AKV you shouldnt have much of an issue booking either one.

 

[DVC Mike]

It's really a matter of personal choice -- buy the one you prefer. You shouldn't let a poll make the decision for you.

For me, SSR is just missing something that I can't quite define. It looks like any other upscale condominium/apartment complex I've seen. I just like the theming of AKV more.

I posted the below quite some time ago. I think it is still relevant:

AKV Advantages

• The "11 month window" will be more advantageous at AKV than SSR, due to the point-saving “value” rooms and the concierge rooms. These types of rooms will go quick and probably necessitate calling at 11 months.
• The 1 BR can sleep 5 versus 4 at SSR. Also, the rooms at the new Kidani Village will have an extra bathroom compared to SSR.
• The savannah with the Animals!
• large water playground/pool (future)
• Two top-rated restaurants: Jiko and Boma
• Lease is 3 years more than SSR (2057 vs. 2054)

SSR Advantages

• Lower maintenance fees!
• Direct access to DTD (for restaurants and nightlife!)
• Onsite Spa / Golf
• Completed (unlike AKV, which is under construction)

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just because I would buy at Animal Kingdom Lodge, doesn't mean you should. In the '90's we knew about OKW, but the large resort and its location didn't appeal to us. I feel the same way about SSR. For this purchase and at this time in my life, I went with my "heart" and bought at the resorts we both love to stay at.

Bobbi

 

[barefootMom]

Of course I wouldn't let the poll decide which one I buy into, I just wanted some thoughts about why you like each one so I could be more informed. Thanks to all!

 

[Doug Wolfe]

If it were my choice I would go with AK. I like the overall theme. I have stayed at SSR and liked the resort a lot. But AK just has a certain appeal for me.

 

[lisareniff]

I totally agree with you assessment Mike. I too would choose AKL - and came close to buying an add-on (until good sense came to the rescue).

However, there is just one tweak in your list that I might make. I wouldn't necessary list SSR as having the pool advantage. We have yet to see the actual pool at AKV, but as far as standard pool sq. footage per villa, SSR may be the winner when you add all 4 pools. The splash/spray area at AKV may have enough draw to over come this difference.

It's really a matter of personal choice -- buy the one you prefer. You shouldn't let a poll make the decision for you.

For me, SSR is just missing something that I can't quite define. It looks like any other upscale condominium/apartment complex I've seen. I just like the theming of AKV more.

I posted the below quite some time ago. I think it is still relevant:

AKV Advantages

• The "11 month window" will be more advantageous at AKV than SSR, due to the point-saving “value” rooms and the concierge rooms. These types of rooms will go quick and probably necessitate calling at 11 months.
• The 1 BR can sleep 5 versus 4 at SSR. Also, the rooms at the new Kidani Village will have an extra bathroom compared to SSR.
• The savannah with the Animals!
• large water playground/pool (future)
• Two top-rated restaurants: Jiko and Boma
• Lease is 3 years more than SSR (2057 vs. 2054)

SSR Advantages

• Lower maintenance fees!
• Direct access to DTD (for restaurants and nightlife!)
• Onsite Spa / Golf
• Completed (unlike AKV, which is under construction)

 

[MaryD73]

I second a lot of others here that it is personal choice. I like both SSR and AKV for different reasons that other might not like. We ended up choosing AKV just for the 'home field advantage'.

Once Kidani is open, we wanted to be able to have the flexibility to choose where we stayed. I liked the idea of being able to stay at Jambo one time and Kidani next. Add that to the different room options and it made sense for 'us'.

 

[El&Asmom]

We chose SSR. We like the proximity to DTD, and don't love how far AKV is from all of the parks but DAK. I know their bus service is good, but we still don't like the distance. Especially when it comes to dining. I don't like the idea of only having the AKL/V dining options without going a good distance to get to a park, resort or DTD to eat somewhere else. At SSR, there are SSR restaurants, DTD, and the restaurants of three other resorts only a boat ride away.
We also got a better incentive at SSR with developer pts and money off, (we bought at Doorway to Dreams, so we got both). Since we don't have tons of points, getting banked points and dp really put us ahead of the game for a bit.
We also really like the lower maint fees. To me it is a luxury purchase, but has to make some financial sense too. The cost of our points over the years will be much lower as was the initial buy in costs.
Then finally the booking window. Yes, we would occasionally like to stay at AKV, but are in the camp that think booking a savannah view room most times of the year won't be as difficult as rooms at other resorts such as BCV is. So every so often we feel like we'll be able to stay there with less up front costs, and less mf over the years. Value and concierge rooms have no appeal to us so the 11m window I feel will be less of an issue.

Ultimately, you have to go with your gut so that you don't end up regretting this big decision.

 

[ElizabethB]

We just stayed in a 2-bedroom at SSR and weren't terribly impressed by it. We love AKL -- but I'd wait for CR DVC if I were going to buy DVC.

 

[drag n' fly]

We are buying AKV in a month. We love the themeing and the add ons coming. We can legally fit a family of five in a one bedroom

What we will miss not buying at SSR.
Being on the golf course ( will have to use car rental or free taxi voucher)
Full Spa
Closeness to DD
2 types of transportation boat or bus


Both resorts have tons to offer. It is a personal choice of what themeing you like and where you want to book early out.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

To be as short & sweet as possible... I just don't care for animals all that much. I like my own dogs and cats...but otherwise, I'll go to the zoo for my animal "fix". I'm sure AKV will be beautiful, it's just not my "thing". So, all the more points for others to buy! Different strokes for different folks. So my vote goes to SSR.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

AKV Advantages

• The "11 month window" will be more advantageous at AKV than SSR, due to the point-saving “value” rooms and the concierge rooms. These types of rooms will go quick and probably necessitate calling at 11 months.
• The 1 BR can sleep 5 versus 4 at SSR. Also, the rooms at the new Kidani Village will have an extra bathroom compared to SSR.
• The savannah with the Animals!
• large water playground/pool (future)
• Two top-rated restaurants: Jiko and Boma
• Lease is 3 years more than SSR (2057 vs. 2054)

SSR Advantages

• Lower maintenance fees!
• Direct access to DTD (for restaurants and nightlife!)
• Onsite Spa / Golf
• Completed (unlike AKV, which is under construction)

I also agree with Mike's list, and I think the key point on his list is the one I bolded.

In addition I like the theming at AKV better, but that can likely be had without the 11 month window.

MG