Why is AKV so popular now?

[buzz5985]

I have stayed at AKL before DVC and loved it. I believe Boma has gone down hill since opening - but may appeal to a wider demographic now.

I also believe that people that own DVC "get it". Many complained it was too dark. Well, that was part of the theme. Too far away?? You get my drift.

Janis

 

[Dean]

AKL was so large was the reason it wasn't full consistently, not really from lack of interest or demand per se. Now it's somewhat smaller and DVC has created additional interest as I predicted it would. It remains to be seen where it'll sort out once the new members have stayed there and most members have had a chance to try it out but my guess is it'll be somewhere around that of BWV and will vary with the room type in large part. I don't think it'll settle out like SSR with a lot of people owning to use elsewhere but we shall see.

 

[starbox]

5 in a one-bedroom is what pushed us into the AKV owner territory.

Before AKV was announced, I speculated that they'd open a resort at AKL and adjust to allow 5 in a one-bedroom. I think this will always make AKV
1-bedrooms a very hot reservation. There's a HUGE percentage of DVC families that either have three children or have two older/opposite gender children that need/prefer separate sleeping accommodations.

We've only got two kids, but they are boy/girl and are just now getting too old to share a bed. I can't fathom spending all those points for a 2-bedroom with a family of just 4 - and it annoys me to think about having to bring a blow-up mattress on vacation (not to mention I don't like the unkept, messy hotel-room look that an air-mattress on the floor creates). AKV is really going to become our only option until we start traveling sans children.

Hopefully, future DVCs will accommodate 5 - but I can also see it being a AKV-specific feature.

 

[tomandrobin]

And lets not forget those value rooms, cost per point is great.

 

[Anal Annie]

We have always loved AKL - ever since our first trip with DS. I think it just gave the appearance of not being as popular because it is so big. Last year when we decided to buy our DVC, AKV had been announced but wasn't for sale yet - nor had the point charts been published or anything. We thought about waiting for it but at the time we were able to get into SSR under the "Friends & Family" promotion with a referral from one of DH's co-workers. Our guide told us we would never be able to beat that $86 price per point and he was right! It allowed us to buy in with about 25 more points than we would've done at the AKV price. Purchasing at SSR was purely a financial move for us. Honestly though, I am so jealous of AKV owners! I hope to do a small add-on there one day... We are staying in a value studio there for 3 n. this July on a cash ressie. I can't wait!

 

[claire_ont]

We had looked at DVC a couple of years ago when they started selling SSR. It was nice but did not strike me as a "must buy". A year ago, we stayed at AKL in a savannah view room, and I just wanted to stay forever. About 2-3 months after getting home, we got an email that they were selling DVC at AKV. Well the rest is history. If it wasn't for DVC at AKV, we probably would not be members.
AKV will always be "home" for us, but this next trip down, I am going to go visit all the DVC resorts at WDW. I am trying to decide whether or not to add on at AKV, or get a different resort for the 11 month window.

 

[msabol01]

When we bought our AKV interest, we had only stayed at the WL up to that point. The price differential between AKL and SSR could explain the sales performance. For us, the experience and vision of AKV's expansion was worth the few extra dollars. This would also ensure we have the 11 month reservation advantage in what is becoming the hot DVC Property. All that being said, we are still planning on visits to all the DVC properties. I think they each have their own unique qualities. It also depends on the trip, for my wife SSR and its Spa is a big draw, for the kids it would be a tie between AKV's Safari and BCV SAB.

 

[Inkmahm]

AKL was our favorite Disney hotel and the reason we waiting a few more years before considering DVC. We didn't want to give up staying at AKL. Now we own there, too, and can continue to stay at our favorite resort.

I never noticed the place being empty before, it was always tough to get a really good savanna view room. I imagine it will be even more crowded now.

 

[bcpage]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the planned water features for DVC at AKL. I think it will only get more popular when that opens.

what are the planned water features at Kidani Village?

 

[sajetto]

what are the planned water features at Kidani Village?

From the DVC member website:

Samawati Springs Pool
Cool off in this zero-entry pool that features a 128-ft. long water slide. Take relaxation to a whole new level in one of the two whirlpool spas near the main pool, or refresh at Maji Pool Bar.

Uwanja Camp
Climb elevated-rope bridges, dash through geyser jets, or relax in the waterfall lagoon or beneath the shade of the camp cabanas in this village playground themed as an animal observation site known as Uwanja Camp — uwanja means "play area." Explore three distinct zones in this children's interactive water-play area — the base camp, the departure zone and the observation station; each area has its own character and activities for age-specific groups.

 

[tjkraz]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the planned water features for DVC at AKL. I think it will only get more popular when that opens.

Depends upon the audience.

The pool itself appears to be smaller than that at any other deluxe resort. Without any leisure / quiet pool at Kidani, I suspect many adults-only groups will be disappointed with the swimming facilities.

The water play area will be nice for younger kids, but even that clock is ticking for all of us. My kids will be 8 and 6 by the time Kidani opens. I figure at best they might be interested in the water play area for 4 or 5 years. In other words, it doesn't add a lot of value when you consider the 50 year ownership period.

The play area was a great, innovative idea. But I really wish Disney hadn't skimped on the pool itself. They're putting in a pool that's about 25% smaller than that at the BoardWalk or Saratoga. That will be the primary pool used by guests in the 350 villas at Kidani. And, unless they decide to gate the area or otherwise restrict its use, you'll have another 1100+ guest rooms and villas at Jambo House who also have access.

The days of SAB-style pool complexes are clearly over.

 

[bobbiwoz]

From the DVC member website:

Samawati Springs Pool
Cool off in this zero-entry pool that features a 128-ft. long water slide. Take relaxation to a whole new level in one of the two whirlpool spas near the main pool, or refresh at Maji Pool Bar.

Uwanja Camp
Climb elevated-rope bridges, dash through geyser jets, or relax in the waterfall lagoon or beneath the shade of the camp cabanas in this village playground themed as an animal observation site known as Uwanja Camp — uwanja means "play area." Explore three distinct zones in this children's interactive water-play area — the base camp, the departure zone and the observation station; each area has its own character and activities for age-specific groups.

I think that this will be a big plus for AKV! It's the animals that are the draw for me, but I think once Kidani is opened the whole AKV complex will be even better for the diversity of things to do.

Bobbi

 

[eva]

what are the planned water features at Kidani Village?

If you want to see an artist rendering go to:

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortDetail?id=ProspectsDAKVEntertainmentPage

Then click on Virtual Tour on the left. Choose the third picture on the bottom and view the middle picture.

 

[AKV707]

Here is a description of the pool area from the punlic dvc site:

Samawati Springs Pool
Cool off in this zero-entry pool that features a 128-ft. long water slide. Take relaxation to a whole new level in one of the two whirlpool spas near the main pool, or refresh at Maji Pool Bar.

Uwanja Camp
Climb elevated-rope bridges, dash through geyser jets, or relax in the waterfall lagoon or beneath the shade of the camp cabanas in this village playground themed as an animal observation site known as Uwanja Camp — uwanja means "play area." Explore three distinct zones in this children's interactive water-play area

 

[Lauralei]

We stayed 4 years ago before we were DVC Members and had a deluxe SV room and really loved it. Now that we are members, we are going to arrive on 2/14 in a one BRSV Suite. I think its more popular because its part of DVC.

I am really going in about a week, but the real reason I posted is because: THE GIANTS JUST WON THE SUPERBOWL!!! and I am HAPPY BEYOND BELIEF!!!

 

[PinkTink63]

Why is AKV so popular now, when it was AKL hardly anybody stayed there? How is the resort that different now?

I have been dying to stay at AKV, but couldn't justify before DVC! I'm so excited I just booked my first stay for August and I even splurged on a Sav. View!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well I would love to try the concierge (studio or 1 bdrm.) at Jambo house. I understand they aren't great views, but can't one see the animals from another spot on the resort? Its really concierge I'm interested in....we have a whole forest of animals we watch from our home deck!

 

[hellerjw]

If it weren't for AKV we would still be sitting on the fence where DVC is concerned. We had looked into it for years, starting in the late 90's but none of the current offerings really blew us away. We liked the other DVC resorts its just that we were looking for that something extra to make us pull the trigger. It was the announcement of AKV that made us do that.

My sister and her family had stayed at AKL a few times in the past and we were always jealous of that, doing most of our stays at Port Orleans or similar. We had our first DVC stay this past August at AKV in a 1BR SV and it was fantastic.

We really like the remoteness, something which many complain is a disadvantage. In my opinion, that's one of the very things that makes AKL/AKV special. It helps add to the illusion that you are on some African safari far from civilization.

We particularly loved the fact that AKL/AKV has their own bus route, separate from all the others. We never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus regardless of time of day and there were several occasions where we were the only family on the bus. In comparison, we stayed a couple weekend nights at one of the value resorts to save points and there were several times where we had to wait for a 2nd or 3rd bus just to get a seat. I'll never go back

The fact that they are the only DVC resort with concierge level units (along with the value unit point costs) was icing on the cake.

I think AKV will only improve and become more popular as the Kidani additions are completed, they continue to add new attractions to Animal Kingdom and the proposed expansion plans on that side of WDW become reality.

We love the whole idea of DVC and all the resorts, but its AKV that really makes us feel like its something special.

 

[Nikisha421]

Is it very crowded at animal kingdom? I am new to DVC and My first trip with my daughter was last July. I said at Pop Century. I loved it and my daughter is a Disney FANATIC. however it was way to crowded at Pop Century though it was great. My next and first trip as a DVC member will be AUG 24 to AKV. Do you think it will be crowded then?

Nikisha

 

[hellerjw]

That's about the same time of year we stayed at AKV in 2007. It was not particularly crowded at AKV. We were rarely on the buses with more than 10 other people which was very nice.

The parks were more crowded than we anticipated, particularly given how close it was before most Southeastern schools started back.

The weather was very hot and humid, typical Florida summer, but there were plenty of air-conditioned rides/attractions/restaurants to find relief in.

We also did a few dips in the AKV pool, which was equivalent to a warm bath. The pool there is only 4 1/2 feet deep at its deepest point so the water really gets warm. It was refreshing, but slightly too warm nonetheless.