Why is AKV so popular now?

[BWV Dreamin]

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

 

[Starr W.]

Because it has a DVC area now!

I know what you mean by nobody staying at AKL. I used to pull up major holidays on the WDW reservation site, 2-3 months out and guess what always came up? AKL and to a lesser extent GF.

 

[bwvBound]

We thought our AKL stay in Aug-05 was a "once in a lifetime" experience. We "splurged" on two Savannah View hotel rooms ... and were truly delighted to receive an upgrade to a 2BR suite. The stay was perfect in every way -- which contributed to the "once in a lifetime" feelings.

That it is now available to us through DVC is fantastic. Just last Saturday we were checking into an AKV 1BR on the Club level. It was a piece of heaven ... a completely delightful experience.

BTW, I highly recommend the Wanyama Safari -- and hope Disney adds additional "family dining" experiences. It was great fun meeting and sharing dinner with the other participants.

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

 

[Kitka]

I don't know, but part of me has to admit to being a bit sad about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad about the expansion - I bought into it completely BUT, even from when we went in April 06 to last week in Jan 08 the crowds of people there when we were eating at Boma were so much crazier! I love the resort, it feels like 'home' to us, so I can't blame others for loving it too! But I do hope it stays quiet too. When we were there in 06 we got quite time in the lounge, by the fire, at the pool/spa areas... it was definitely overall much busier all around the park last week. I hope it retains it's calm.

 

[Claire L]

We loved AKL when we satyed there in 2004 and thought we would never be able to saty Savanna view without spending a fortune, but now we can as AKV DVC members

Claire

 

[CarolA]

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

Well I must be "hardly anybody"

This was the ONLY "deluxe" resort I would consider paying for because it offers a unique experience.

So now I get to stay there using DVC!

 

[tjkraz]

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

It is probably an exaggeration to say that "hardly anybody stayed there." AKL was built as the largest deluxe resort with over 1300 rooms. Compare that with, say, the Yacht and Beach Clubs which are around 500 each or Wilderness lodge at 700.

AKL did consistently have lower occupancy levels compared to others, but that is largely attributed to its size. After the DVC conversion, they will still have around 1000 cash rooms.

In DVC terms, AKV is getting a lot of buzz because it's the new kid on the block. There are only about 130 rooms open now (many of which JUST opened), so it's going to be a tough ticket for at least another year.

Still, its possible that the vocal number of excited new AKV owners may be giving off a false impression. In his last report on DVC sales statistics "Troy WDW"'s numbers show that SSR continued to outsell AKV by a wide margin thru the first 7 months that the two were simultaneously offered. Hard to tell exactly what to make of that, but it is what it is.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1606069

All DVC resorts (all Disney resorts, for that matter) have their own fanbase. Popularity is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[yxe dad]

It's always been my favorite resort and loved the deals/upgrades I've received in the past, but I fear those are all gone now.

I think most people didn't really like the AK park at the start, but with EE and a great show like Nemo, more people are putting it on there list as a must, not just a maybe or a half day. With more interest in the park, it's only natural that more people would like the AKL and it's restaurants.

I read alot of posts in the past about how far away from everything the AKL is but once you stay there you realize that the bus service is great and usually has no line ups at the stops.

When DVC decided to convert/build the AKV's there was interest but when the point charts came out it turned into a BUZZ. You can stay in a value studio for as little as 11 pts during Magic season and the start of Concierge in DVC seems to be a hit.

I don't think the resort is different now, just busier, but still GREAT!

JMHO,
Shayne

 

[LisaS]

I love AKL! On our first trip to WDW we stayed at AKL and loved it. We went back a couple of times but then became DVC members which meant the end of our stays there. AKL always felt like home to me so the phrase "Welcome home" really applies when it comes to AKV.

 

[lisareniff]

We love AKL and are willing to pay cash and stay in one room to stay there. If I had my way we would have added on at AKV. ....but I didn't have my way.

 

[jkrohn2703]

LOVE AKV!! If I could sell my SSR contract and have all my points at AKV, I would!! Just booked 7 night stay between Christmas and New Years here--5 nights in 1 BDR Savannah view and 2 nights conceirge for the safari. Can't wait. We stayed here Dec. 27th and it was fantastic!!

 

[DaveH]

I think it is new and different is for now. When we just did an add-on. We did SSR for a better price. We have stayed at all WDW DVC resorts except AKV. DW will be in a studio in May. I will get to try it in the future. WE\e like all the resorts so far. Some more than others, but will stay at any of them.

 

[AKLFan3]

We love AKL and have stayed there 5 times. It is the only resort that we want to stay at each time we go, unless there isn't any availability. I have noticed that since DVC opened, reservations are much harder to get. We are new DVC members and were never interested in purchasing DVC before AKV opened. We love AKL so much, the idea of not being able to stay there again really discouraged us. So the biggest reason why we became members is because AKV opened, and it gives us the opportunity to stay in a 1 bedroom without spending an arm and a leg. We could only afford a studio as cash guests.

I have never understood why Animal Kingdom was the least popular park. It is our favorite park (since we're animal lovers) and we always spend at least 2 full days there. I agree that with Everest opening, the Finding Nemo show and the new Yak and Yeti restaurant, WDW is trying to bring more people into the Animal Kingdom area and to AKL.

 

[AKV707]

Before we became DVC members at AKV, we had only been there for dinner twice. We loved the look and feel of the resort.

When we took the DVC tour, we saw the AKV models and the SSR villas. We thought that the SSR villas wer beautiful, but the AKV models really felt like a better fit.

AKL and AKV combine to form what I believe to be the most unique resort on Disney property and likely anywhere else.

 

[daisyduck123]

We just spent Christmas Dec. 20-26 there and fell in love with it.
We had a studio right in the lobby...the Christmas Tree was directly at our front door and a full view of the pool out our back door!

We've got 200 points at SSR but do plan on buying points at AKV....we loved it!!

 

[janette]

I agree with all that it offers a unique experience. It is the only resort I considered paying cash for and I'm very excited I can now stay there with DVC.

I think the size did keep occupancy low and also it is a long way from the action. AK just isn't enough a draw for people who are doing a Disney vacation to want to spend the $$ for a deluxe resort but not have a Epcot or MK location.

DVC members tend to be more relaxed; the remoteness isn't a big deal when you are taking time to enjoy the resort.

 

[DVC Mike]

AKL is my wife's most favorite resort, so when DVC became available there we couldn't resist.

 

[disfanRN]

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.

 

[drag n' fly]

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.

That is one of many reasons we bought at AKV. The planned add on is going to be fantastic!

 

[ead79]

I'm not sure I agree that hardly anybody stayed at AKL. I stayed there several times before buying in at AKV, and it was one of my top two favorite resorts. Every time I stayed there it seemed quite busy. On one of my trips when AKL was pretty new, the bellman said they were either totally booked or very close to it. The only downside I think some people feel it has is that it's pretty remote. I've heard that the easiest deluxe resorts to get last minute reservations at are the Yacht Club and the Grand Floridian, though I don't know how true that is.

When we took our DVC tour (which we actually took after buying in), our guide mentioned that of those that tour the SSR and AKV model units, 80% buy at AKV. I know that DVC offering AKV pushed us over the edge into joining DVC. I live the ambience of the resort, plus it's just super cool to wake up to see a giraffe right outside your balcony. I also think AKL has wonderful dining options. I'm really looking forward to Kidani Village opening up to see what they do over there restaurant-wise and pool-wise as well. I think AKV is popular for several reasons 1) it's new, 2) it appeals to those that like lots of "theming" in the decor of the resort/rooms, 3) it has a unique theme in terms of animal viewing, 4) Animal Kingdom is becoming a more popular park.