Will AKV become the new SSR?

[BlakeNJ]

What I mean to say is, with the opening of tons of rooms at Kidani, will AKV be the DVC resort that has room, like SSR? Don't get me wrong, I like SSR, stayed there in January,

I ask this question because, having just seen the awesome pix of Kidani on All Ears, I want in! But....do I have to buy there to stay there? I own at OKW and haven't stayed there yet?

Thoughts?

FWIW, I had no problem getting a 1br 7 months out of our Thanksgiving vacation. Now, we are arriving early (Sat. before) but I still thought it was a sign that it shouldn't been impossible to get in. I do know of a few people who called on Tuesday at 7mo out and are on a waitlist. I think it will be painless if you can call at 7mo. I think it's size will help.

 

[icouldlivethere]

It's too bad they couldn't come up with a back door entrance to AK from the AKV. If they had a little canal with a boat that would take you to a special back door entrance to AK I think that would make the AKV and AKL more special and attract those that don't like having to ride buses everywhere.

As it stands I think the sheer size of it will mean you won't have to buy there to stay there unless you want a particular category of room that may be more popular than others.

 

[starbox]

As it stands I think the sheer size of it will mean you won't have to buy there to stay there unless you want a particular category of room that may be more popular than others.

And this could be said of all resorts.

We've stayed at all the DVCs and have gotten every Disney-area DVC request at 7 months (yes - including VWL the week between Xmas and NY) - even got Boardwalk VIEWS. But, I'm requesting a studo, which I think there are more of.

The one thing I could NOT get at 7 months was a AKV Kidani Savanna View (did get a Jambo view) - been on the waitlist for 6 months and it still has not come through. (And oh, the irony, the one request I did not get is at a home resort!)

I think the difference at SSR is that there are no specific room categories to "sell out" first - until now - I have no delusions that treehouses will ever be get-able at 7 months.

Specific units at AKV will be just as hard as ever - and AKV has so many room categories that I supsect there will be several entire categories (like savanna-view Kidani studio) that are hard to get. Parking Lot Kidani views - looks from drawings like there are tons of them - so I'd say those will be avaliable at 7-2 months.

 

[Golden Rose]

We're owners at AKV and BWV, and we're likely to want to use our BWV points at BWV and our AKV points at a mix of AKV and trying other resorts. For us it is because we want to go to the F & W festival most Octobers, so we really plan to use the BWV points for that. (We'd be equally happy at BCV during the same time frame, but own at BWV to be certain we have an Epcot resort option to stay in.)

We plan to generally use our AKV points for our end of winter/spring trip. Yes, we'll want AKV savannah view or concierge (when we can get it), so we'll probably book that fairly often. But sometimes we may want to try for a change, so we're likely to go for BLT or VWL, at least while we have a small child. Of course, when/if we start giving DS a vote, I think it will be AKV all the time. AK is his favorite park, and I think when we stay SV, he'll never want to leave the balcony.

 

[Disney_Villain]

DVC Mike, you are correct. Sorry.

I transposed the max. # of rooms between OKW and AKV . . . but they are so close in number that my original point still remains the same: That AKV will be as easy to book as OKW or SSR once the initial flurry of interest in it dies down by late 2010.

1. SSR: 1260 Max. Available Rooms
2. OKW: 761 Max. Available Rooms
3. AKV: 708 Max. Available Rooms

 

[disneyobessed]

WE just bought at AKV.. Kidani.. and Im not sure when/if we will stay there.. It looks nice but I like the idea of being so close to Epcot .. We love BCV and BWV. Next year I think we are trying VWL.. stayed at WIlderness Lodge before and loved it!!! AKV just seems far for us. SO HERES one less member not booking 11 mos out!

 

[Mississippian]

As someone who thinks the size and concept of SSR are dreadful, I don't think so.

There is a "neat" factor. Personally I wouldn't want to stay at AKV for a long stay, but for three nights it would be great.

It's relatively compact, which is very important. I think there will be a strong preference for Jambo, but the water area of Kidani may make some people want to stay there.

For the next few years AKV should be in pretty good demand. After the dust settles I do think it will be less popular than the walking-distance resorts and VWL.

 

[Cee]

I would like to stay at AKV so that I can spend every waking moment eating at BOMA!

 

[hellerjw]

It will still be important to own at AKV to book concierge and value units since these will most likely go in the 11-8 month timeframe, just as it will be important to own at SSR to book THV units. If you don't have a view/category preference then getting someting at either resort should be fairly easy given their size.

 

[hakepb]

There is a "neat" factor. Personally I wouldn't want to stay at AKV for a long stay, but for three nights it would be great.

personally, it took me about a week at AKV before the entire calm, exotic, relaxing feel really hit me , it hit me hard and it never let me go!

I think AKV short stayers may be more disapointed than long stayers

I'll also ditto the Boma love

 

[december14disney]

personally, it took me about a week at AKV before the entire calm, exotic, relaxing feel really hit me , it hit me hard and it never let me go!

I think AKV short stayers may be more disapointed than long stayers

I'll also ditto the Boma love

I'll agree with this as doing a long stay means more likley to have time "down" in the room to enjoy the view. I know, personally, when we do short stays its more "commando" because I feel the "we are leaving in 2 days!" panic more.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Loved Jambo and I'm sure will love Kidani probably equally, sometimes you just need the savanna, however I agree with the 3 days max, it's way too dark. Africa's not that dark, colorful but not dark, at least not where I've been!

Even without Kidani, I've never had trouble getting Jambo at less than 7 months, with Kidani opening it should be that much easier!

 

[TSMIII]

Loved Jambo and I'm sure will love Kidani probably equally, sometimes you just need the savanna, however I agree with the 3 days max, it's way too dark. Africa's not that dark, colorful but not dark, at least not where I've been!

I was at Kidani for the Open Mouse on 4/22 and I would say it's definitely brighter than Jambo. That said, it still may prove to be too dark for some depending upon their definition of "dark".

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I was at Kidani for the Open Mouse on 4/22 and I would say it's definitely brighter than Jambo. That said, it still may prove to be too dark for some depending upon their definition of "dark".

I thought the same thing when I saw the pictures this week, definitely worth a try!

 

[#1DisneylandFan]

I don't know about the 7 month window because I always book AKV at 11 months. I don't want to take any chances - we love it. I enjoy being more away-from-it-all and the bus transportation is a breeze!

 

[plymouthmom]

Great thoughts everyone! I still think I need to buy there. For the wide range of kids I have and my sis in law and her smaller kids, I think this resort has the "most" for everyone. Plus again my deep love for AK certainly helps. Curious to see how everyone likes Sanaa, I will eat anything but the rest of my family is picky! Also, is there a counter service option? Can't recall. We usually do DDP

Tell me about the busses. That is the only problem we had at SSR....we were at Springs and had a little trouble with wait times but what was the kicker was being the last stop. Are there going to be a million bus stops within AKV too?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Tell me about the busses. That is the only problem we had at SSR....we were at Springs and had a little trouble with wait times but what was the kicker was being the last stop. Are there going to be a million bus stops within AKV too?

There is one bus stop at Jambo and now they will be adding one at Kidani. It's set up like the hotel style resorts with one main stop at each "hotel". We've stayed at AK twice (before DVC) and always had good bus service to the parks. The plus is that AK/AKV doesn't share with any other resort, so depending on if your staying in Jambo or Kidani you will at most have one stop before you're on your way to your destination.

 

[crisi]

And this could be said of all resorts.

We've stayed at all the DVCs and have gotten every Disney-area DVC request at 7 months (yes - including VWL the week between Xmas and NY) - even got Boardwalk VIEWS. But, I'm requesting a studo, which I think there are more of.
......

Yep - the thing with the seven month window is that it makes a ton of difference if you are talking about "any room at the Boardwalk right at seven months" or "standard view at the Boardwalk three months out during Food and Wine." People who are flexible, who don't have their heart set on things, and who call at seven months are going to be a lot more satisfied with non-home resort availablity (and sometimes find themselves delighted with the Boardwalk View being available, or getting a Treehouse, or lucking into concierge - even at unlikely times and even calling with shorter notice) than people who get their heart set on something very specific (and popular) four months out.

 

[bobrex]

Loved Jambo and I'm sure will love Kidani probably equally, sometimes you just need the savanna, however I agree with the 3 days max, it's way too dark. Africa's not that dark, colorful but not dark, at least not where I've been!

Even without Kidani, I've never had trouble getting Jambo at less than 7 months, with Kidani opening it should be that much easier!

I don't understand this idea that it's dark at AKL. I stayed at Jambo last Thanksgiving and I didn't think it was dark at all. True, it's not as bright as say POP, but I thought that the lighting was more than sufficient in the Jambo hallways. Yes, the savannahs were dark, but given the nocturnal nature of many of the animals I expect that. What kind of light levels are people expecting?

 

[hakepb]

The decor at Jambo, in the lobby, rooms... uses much, much darker materials and colors and hues than, say, the Grand Floridian. (I do not think anyone said they specified too few lumens in the lighting design)

Personally, I think the Poly is also too dark and never had any desire to stay there. Dark is hard to sell, many people have too many pre-concieved notions that dark can only be depressing or clausterphobic.

But, I chose to stay at AKV only because of the animals. I never expected it, but after 5+ days, "dark" became very peaceful, exotic and relaxing, and now I want more AKV!!!