Back from AKV

[tomandrobin]

Hi Everyone!!

Just got back from our spring AKV trip, staying club level in a studio. This was a well deserved trip with just the wife and I. Robin had Surgery in January and its been a long, long recovery for her. We were really exicted to try our newest resort, and was also really looking forward to trying out Club Level.

Overall, we had a real good time. AKV meet most of our expectations. The actual resort is great. We ate at Bomas and Mara, both were good. We same at the resort pool and thought it was ok, nothing special. All of the Savanah's were great, even Sunset Savanah was decent.

Are pros of the trip:


Maid service/turn down service
Rich themeing
Savahanas
Fantastic Bus service
Staff, but not club level
Breakfast club levelCons of the trip:

Club level staff
Club level food/drink offerings
Check-in
Very Noisy (made us really miss SSR)We definately enjoyed AKV and are happy we bought at the resort. We feel that Conceirge service is not worth the extra points. The only exception is the opportunity to book the sunrise safari, well worth it! Saratoga is still our favorite resort. AKV is a very busy resort, which leads it to be very noisy. We really love quietness at SSR, which AKV lacks.

I am leaving this a little void of details. Feeling a little under the weather. Any questions, just ask. I also have tons of pictures.

[nono]

C'mon, dish on the club level staff just a little...:)

[tomandrobin]

Our Room
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/tomandrobin/Animal%20Kingdom%20Spring%20Trip/DSCF3096.jpg
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[tomandrobin]

View from Balcony:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/tomandrobin/Animal%20Kingdom%20Spring%20Trip/DSCF3090.jpg
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[Tammy]

Love all the pictures! Can you book the savannah early sunrise cruise without staying on club level? Or is it just including in the points and everyone else has to pay extra?

[tomandrobin]

Concierge Lounge:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/tomandrobin/Animal%20Kingdom%20Spring%20Trip/DSCF3064.jpg

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[tomandrobin]

Love all the pictures! Can you book the savannah early sunrise cruise without staying on club level? Or is it just including in the points and everyone else has to pay extra?

You have to be staying club level.

[yecats48884]

Thanks for sharing! The pictures are wonderful. I am glad you enjoyed your well
deserved trip!!!!:thumbsup:

[tomandrobin]

C'mon, dish on the club level staff just a little...:)

Overall, we felt the staff needed to be a bit more friendly and accomadating. The way the club level operates is odd. You want a soda, you need to find a CM and ask for one, except between the hours of 5-8, then they were in the refrigerator. Same as for the beer and wine. At 11 pm everything is put away and locked up until the morning.....why? I asked for park hours and fireworks time, and was told they couldn't help me. I found the CM's at the regular resorts better, then the AKV Club level CM's.

[newjerseynick]

Origianlly posted by tomandrobin:
I asked for park hours and fireworks time, and was told they couldn't help me.

Then what are the CMs there for,to make sure you don't take too many sodas?

[irishdancer]

Overall, we felt the staff needed to be a bit more friendly and accomadating. The way the club level operates is odd. You want a soda, you need to find a CM and ask for one, except between the hours of 5-8, then they were in the refrigerator. Same as for the beer and wine. At 11 pm everything is put away and locked up until the morning.....why? I asked for park hours and fireworks time, and was told they couldn't help me. I found the CM's at the regular resorts better, then the AKV Club level CM's.

Yikes. We are booked at AKV concierge in Oct. DH has Diet Coke for breakfast. He's not a coffee drinker but is addicted to caffine, if he doesn't have his DC by 11a he gets a BAD headache.

[DVC Mike]

Glad you enjoyed AKV! We've stayed there twice so far, but haven't done Concierge/Club level yet.

The pictures show the lobby of Kidani Village is well underway. They've made a lot of progress since we were there the first week of March.

[tomandrobin]

Husband and I are traveling solo (w/out kids) for the first time.
Looking forward to 5 days of sunshine-
Any suggestions for nightlife? Kinda out of the mix -
Yahoo! We can actually sleep in :kickingco:lovestruc:sick:-

On our first night we were in bed at 9pm.

Second night we went to Epcot. We watched the concert at the American Pavillion (Grass Roots) and walked around the world showcase getting drinks. Watched Illuminations, got more drinks as most of the crowd filtered out.

Third night we stayed at the pool all afternoon and evening. Pretty much just swam, ate and drink the evening away.

Fourth night we had dinner and went to MK to watch wishes to close out our short visit to WDW.

[tomandrobin]

Yikes. We are booked at AKV concierge in Oct. DH has Diet Coke for breakfast. He's not a coffee drinker but is addicted to caffine, if he doesn't have his DC by 11a he gets a BAD headache.

They will get him a diet coke, you just have to ask for it.

[tomandrobin]

Glad you enjoyed AKV! We've stayed there twice so far, but haven't done Concierge/Club level yet.

The pictures show the lobby of Kidani Village is well underway. They've made a lot of progress since we were there the first week of March.

For the extra 20 points, we felt that we would have spent less in cash, for the services and food/drink we received. But the Sunrise Safari is a definate plus for club level stays.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/tomandrobin/Animal%20Kingdom%20Spring%20Trip/sunrise%20safari/DSCF3312.jpg

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[gemdisney]

So I feel out of the loop in my own home resort. Let me get this straight, from the pictures it looks like people are staying in the new DVC section (Kidani Village). Our trip is booked for December and I thought they told me we would still be in the AKL building. Do they change it as they complete each sections?
I tried to look at the link set up in another post but it never worked for me.:computers

[Michelle1503]

TomandRobin,

Thanks for sharing your experience! We are considering staying there but have been told it's noisy due to the construction. Did you have a problem with this? We like to sleep in as well.

[harmrose22]

Thanks for sharing! We were considering staying club level but may do a split stay just to get the safari in if it isn't worth it past that.

[tomandrobin]

TomandRobin,

Thanks for sharing your experience! We are considering staying there but have been told it's noisy due to the construction. Did you have a problem with this? We like to sleep in as well.

Construction noise was not a problem. Small screaming kids at 11:30 pm was a problem. The noise problem at club level is due to the fact that the rooms are at the top of a four story echo chamber. There are no sound barriers to asborb all of the traffic in the lobby. The rooms located along the different trails will fare much better the the club level rooms.

This is just my opinion, but the club level rooms are probably some of the worse. View are limited by location and the thatch overhangs. Noise levels are exagerated becuase of them facing the four story atrium. Not all of the club level was bad. The breakfast offerings were very good, as long as you are content with pastries, cereals, oatmeal, fruit, bagels and such. Noon time offerings were really disappointing. The dinner time offerings were hit or miss, since they varied.

[tomandrobin]

So I feel out of the loop in my own home resort. Let me get this straight, from the pictures it looks like people are staying in the new DVC section (Kidani Village). Our trip is booked for December and I thought they told me we would still be in the AKL building. Do they change it as they complete each sections?
I tried to look at the link set up in another post but it never worked for me.:computers

No one is staying in Kidani Village yet. DVC members are only in the Lodge building until next year.

[tomandrobin]

Thanks for sharing! We were considering staying club level but may do a split stay just to get the safari in if it isn't worth it past that.

The daily housekeeping and turn down service was nice. But wasn't necessary for us. If you go to the parks alot, the club is definatley not worth an extended stay. You have to be at the lounge/resort to enjoy the club level offerings.

[TW1]

Thanks for posting.

I guess it just occured to me that the studio layout is kinda flipped. Instead of the couch near the patio doors, the bed is.

OK, looks interesting, probably makes the room feel bigger when you first walk in.

But, when in bed, can you watch tv? Does the flat screen swivel a bit, or is it not a big deal?

Thanks.

[JRandAJsMom]

Thanks for posting.

I guess it just occured to me that the studio layout is kinda flipped. Instead of the couch near the patio doors, the bed is.

OK, looks interesting, probably makes the room feel bigger when you first walk in.

But, when in bed, can you watch tv? Does the flat screen swivel a bit, or is it not a big deal?

Thanks.

Same thought crossed my mind, lol :-) I wonder if Kidani Village will be a little more calm since it will be more spread out? AKV is our home resort, but we haven't stayed there yet... Waiting for the rest to open :-)

[tomandrobin]

Thanks for posting.

I guess it just occured to me that the studio layout is kinda flipped. Instead of the couch near the patio doors, the bed is.

OK, looks interesting, probably makes the room feel bigger when you first walk in.

But, when in bed, can you watch tv? Does the flat screen swivel a bit, or is it not a big deal?

Thanks.

Oh, forgot about that. The layout really bothered us too. I like the TV across from the bed. The bed being next to the sliding doors does open up the room, but whoever has the window side of the bed has very little room to get around the bed. The bed should be switched with the couch, like every other resort. I hope that the Kidani rooms have the beds in the right location.

[scy3000]

ok dumb newbie question. What is the Sunrise Safari? I am thinking about going in October during the Food & Wine festival and wanted to check out this resort. This and Wilderness are the only ones I have not been too so far.

[DVC Mike]

ok dumb newbie question. What is the Sunrise Safari?

Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is exclusive to concierge guests staying at AKL/AKV.

You will take a private bus, which will go through some of the backstage areas at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

You will then walk over to the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction and board the first jeep onto the savanna. You will be able to ask the animal programs cast member questions and there will be frequent stops for you to take pictures. The safari will last from 45 minutes to 1 hour long. Afterwards you will have a breakfast buffet. While you are enjoying your breakfast, there will be cultural representatives from Africa to answer any questions you have about their country or about Disney's Animal Kingdom.

[tomandrobin]

Just to add, we ate at Narcosse's, Boma's amd Cape May Clam Bake on this trip. All three were good, and all three were very different. Narcosse's was by far our favorite meal of the trip, and one of our new favorites. This place has it all, great atmosphere, great views of the water, great service and great food. For appetizers we ordered crab cakes and ceaser salad, both were very good. Our entrees were whole lobster and surf-n-turf. Again, both were very good. My filet was cooked perfect and had some sort of sauce with mushrooms, one of the best steaks I have eaten. For dessert, we split an almond encrusted cheescake with cherry sauce............yum!

The only downside to Narcosse's is the cost. Our above meal, including the tip and bottle of wine with dinner was almost $200!

[DVC Chiefs]

Great Report Tom. I can't wait to go there in October.

[TrvlPrincess]

Nice Pictures!! thanks for posting!:dancingba

[OttawaWendy]

I can't see the pictures for some reason, which is making me sad.

I've never thought that concierge would appeal to me (I don't like daily cleaning and turn-down - to me that's a plus of DVC) but we do have it on our agenda to go for a 1 or 2 night stay to get in the sunrise and sunset safari experiences. I just love AK and AKL so I'm sure I would love these.

[gemdisney]

We were considering switching to club level but found out DD 2 could not go ont he Safari so there was no point for us. After reading your review of the club level I am really glad We stayed at GF for our honeymoon at club level and it was GREAT! I repeat GREAT! I didn't care how much the trip cost. Best money I'd ever spend!
I would be comparing the two.
Thanks for sharing!

[disneymom8589]

DH and I stayed one night at the concierge level 3 weeks ago before switching to a 1 bdrm. SV. It was fun reliving our recent trip through your pictures. The 3 oxen (or whatever they were!) that are in your pictures slept under our balcony every night. I enjoyed waking up every morning and seeing them sleeping! DH called them my "three boyfriends"! :ROTFL:

[Eveningsong]

Beautiful Pictures.

We are staying at both a AKL club level studio and one bedroom club level at the end of August first week of September.

I have already received a phone call message from Don 407-938-4755 at AKL Coincerge inviting me to contact him with any requests for our upcoming trip.

[parrisk]

My DD11 and I stayed in a value studio on April 12th. It looked exactly like your room. I actually liked the bed next to the balcony. I was very impressed with the entire resort. I loved being in the main lodge.

[AZDVC]

The 3 oxen (or whatever they were!) that are in your pictures slept under our balcony every night. I enjoyed waking up every morning and seeing them sleeping! DH called them my "three boyfriends"! :ROTFL:


Who GNU?!

(sorry, couldn't resist!)
Patsy

[disneymom8589]

Who GNU?!

(sorry, couldn't resist!)
Patsy


That's hilarious!! :hehehehe: