Why is AKL less points to stay at?

[3girlsfun]

As I am considering purchasing DVC, I love BLT, however, AKL is less points per stay. (We will have to have enough for a 1 bedroom within 2 years as our 2 babies get older.) So, I could stay at BLT in a studio for a while, but, we would want to stay in the 1 bedrooms later.

My main question is, why is AKL less points?

 

[erionm]

Location. BLT is right next door to the Magic Kingdom, while AKV is on the edge of no where.

 

[disneynutz]

Because Disney feels that BLT is more desirable and worth more points. Probably because it's next to the Magic Kingdom.

Bill

 

[3girlsfun]

I assumed location was the reason. We are going down for our first trip in October, and staying on property, so, I wanted to make sure my thoughts were right.

 

[wheelcap]

I think Animal Kingdom Lodge is a bargain!! The main lodge is gorgeous and relaxing, the pool is wonderful, the restaurant options are great, the animals outside the room are attention-getting . . . what's not to like about it? All of that for less points?!? I know it's farther away from everything, but it's a great choice for my vacations!!

 

[drusba]

When you compare AKL to others you should compare savanna view point cost because savanna view rooms are 80% of the resort. Its points are close to BWV preferred, BCV, and VWL and all four are less than BLT. AKV though not right next to a park has the savannas and thus one of the main reasons it is more than SSR. Proximity to MK, the fact that it is the newest resort and thus had higher current rather than past construction costs, Disney's belief that it would sell well even at the higher points, are among the factors that led to BLT's higher points per night. BWV and BCV also have walk to the park locations but have lower points than BLT mainly because they were built long ago.

If you're dilemma is you really want to stay at BLT most of the time because it is a next to the park resort, then buying AKL simply because of the lower point cost per night may not be the choice to make. It is wise to buy where you prefer staying to have the 11 month reservation window. Many can provide you with the great things about AKL (and personally I highly prefer AKL over BLT) but ultimately you are the one that has to be comfortable with the choice.

 

[Goofy4]

I think they'll try to keep MK DVC positioned as the "flagship" property, even if something slightly newer and better comes along.

 

[gkrykewy]

Pricing is the same for cash rooms via CRO; the monorail resorts are generally more expensive than the other deluxe resorts.

AKV value rooms = best points bargain in the entire DVC system (but you generally need the 11 month window)

 

[DenLo]

I agree that location is the reason BLT costs more to buy and more to reserve a villa. It's proximity to Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Resort affect it's price.

A lot of DVC members that own at AKV love the value rooms as they are much cheaper than several of the other DVC resorts. However, those rooms really are much smaller. Here's the square footages:

2 Bedroom
AKV Kidani - 1173
Jambo - 1075
Value - 945

1 Bedroom
AKV Kidani - 807
Jambo - 710
Value - 629

Studio
AKV Kidani - 366
Jambo - 365
Value - 316

Kidani Village is a DVC resort, whereas Jambo House is a regular Disney Resort that converted some of it's regular rooms into DVC villas. All of the value villas are only located in Jambo House and are located on the 5th floor. All of the 1 and 2 BR villas at Kidani have two bathrooms. The Master bathroom at Kidani has a separate jacuzzi tub and shower like the other DVC villas.

 

[Nikisha421]

maybe it's the location...but I really love AKV and think that the lodge has a lot to offer...

 

[LIFERBABE]

I agree that location is the reason BLT costs more to buy and more to reserve a villa. It's proximity to Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Resort affect it's price.

A lot of DVC members that own at AKV love the value rooms as they are much cheaper than several of the other DVC resorts. However, those rooms really are much smaller. Here's the square footages:

2 Bedroom
AKV Kidani - 1173
Jambo - 1075
Value - 945

1 Bedroom
AKV Kidani - 807
Jambo - 710
Value - 629

Studio
AKV Kidani - 366
Jambo - 365
Value - 316

Kidani Village is a DVC resort, whereas Jambo House is a regular Disney Resort that converted some of it's regular rooms into DVC villas. All of the value villas are only located in Jambo House and are located on the 5th floor. All of the 1 and 2 BR villas at Kidani have two bathrooms. The Master bathroom at Kidani has a separate jacuzzi tub and shower like the other DVC villas.

Great comparison,

the BLT studios are not much larger than the value studio at AKV.

Also the Value studio has double sink vanities and a wet bar while the BLT studio has a single sink vanity and a wet bar.

After staying more than once at both, I prefer AKV hands down over BLT. I just felt the location of BLT did not compensate for the small studios, the dicey views or the hi point requirements. AKV is a bargain with lots of bang and I am not stingy with the points. I will use points for an extra day if my flight leaves after 6pm

I am a founding member of both AKV and BLT

 

[bookwormde]

In the simplest terms, Disney felt that they could sell BLT points even with the higher per night requirements and that made them another 50 million dollars.

Lots of reasons, location, view, monorail, lower maintinance costs of a high rise etc
bookwormde

 

[eporter66]

I dont know how DVC sets up their points system, but I assume BLT is one of if not the most desireable location being on the monorail and within view of Magic Kingdom.

I love that AKV is a bargain, we love the resort and save points. As for location, I guess we are spoiled, but we rent a car on vacation because we do go off property on occasion. So - getting around WDW is no big deal for us. I do want to stay at all the DVC properties, but booking AKV has been (for us) no problem at the 7 month window.

 

[Sandisw]

I think that it also depends on what season you are looking at traveling. We have to travel in Magic season and when you compare a weeks stay in savannah view rooms to those at BLT, you can stay at BLT for simliar point costs.

SV 1 bedrooms at BLT in 2011 will be 268 with a savannah view at AKV being 272. For the 2 bedrooms, SV is 352 at BLT but savannah view at AKV would be 372.

Of course, since AKV has cheaper options (value and standard view) it is definitely a place that someone can stay for less and that is one of the benefits for those would enjoy staying there.

Owning at BLT to take advantage of getting those SV rooms can certainly allow one to stay there for the same as AKV. I think it is important when looking at the points charts to compare to what you would use. For us, if we were to ever stay at AKV, it would only be in savannah view rooms so the fact that the other rooms are less would not really come in to play. We did this for all the resorts that we would most likely choose--BWV, BCV, and VWL. In all cases, BLT comes out very comparable.

 

[gkrykewy]

A lot of DVC members that own at AKV love the value rooms as they are much cheaper than several of the other DVC resorts. However, those rooms really are much smaller.

AKV value studios are the same size as a normal lodge room at AKL, and are only slightly smaller than a BLT studio. BLT studios are, i believe, the secomd smallest in the entire DVC system; second only to AKV values. And they do not include a full length mirror, which tends to upset the ladies.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Pricing is the same for cash rooms via CRO; the monorail resorts are generally more expensive than the other deluxe resorts.

AKV value rooms = best points bargain in the entire DVC system (but you generally need the 11 month window)

Except for OKW studio during Jan (Sun - Thurs) - both are 9 points a night.

 

[gkrykewy]

Except for OKW studio during Jan (Sun - Thurs) - both are 9 points a night.

Yes, OKW is generally a great points bargain as well, particularly after the renovations.

The nice thing about AKV value is that you've got great odds to get either a savanna view or pool view, making it even more of a points bargain.

 

[LIFERBABE]

The nice thing about AKV value is that you've got great odds to get either a savanna view or pool view, making it even more of a points bargain.

Agreed, I dont request anything for a value studio, I just take what I get, but so far I have received a Savannah view 99% of the time. I have never received a parking lot view. Would not complain if I got it, but spending 9 points a night and having giraffes off your patio is awesome!

I also like the guaranteed location of the Value studios. You know you are going to be inside, there's an elevator, and 5th floor.

And if Im not mistaken, the value studios boast 2 full length mirrors. 1 on the bathroom door and 1 in the entry.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Except for OKW studio during Jan (Sun - Thurs) - both are 9 points a night.

Not next year. The AKV Values will be the value winners.

 

[ssawka]

Location, Location, Location!

If you drive to WDW or rent a car then AKL is a bargain, however if you fly, take DME, and use Disney's transportation on site, then AKL becomes less of a bargain when you have to waste time on the buses for everywhere you go. For example, if you go to the MK one day, you just cannot beat a 10 minute walk back to your room for lunch or a nap.