3 studios at AKL-standard, savannah, value in one visit!

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, I know I was crazy to do it-but I spent a couple nights in each of the 3 kinds of studios at AKL last week. Here are my thoughts-
All the studios and the lodge were beautiful, but I see AKL much more as a destination resort. I found myself "missing my animals" when I went to the parks. Also, none of the studios had that little shelf thing just inside the door, like some other DVC resorts do-I really like that for putting my room key. And the bathroom door in all the studios ran very close to the toilet. You had to scoot
Standard view-I had a pool view, right by the elevators. And right outside my room was a bench overlooking Arusha savannah. However, the room was right at a corner, and the balcony wasn't too private.
Value studio-again, I was close to the elevators. In this studio, my bed was next to the window, which I really liked because I could lie in bed and look outside. I overlooked the pool, with the savannah in the distance.
savannah view-beautiful view of Arusha savannah but VERY far from elevators down to Mara or the pool area.
I'd post pictures, but I don't know how to do the photobucket link thing. My photos are on the DIS, or I can post some here if anyone has any questions.

[greenban]

...Photos by Simba's Mom, but added to quote by greenban...

Yes, I know I was crazy to do it-but I spent a couple nights in each of the 3 kinds of studios at AKL last week. Here are my thoughts-

All the studios and the lodge were beautiful, but I see AKL much more as a destination resort. I found myself "missing my animals" when I went to the parks. Also, none of the studios had that little shelf thing just inside the door, like some other DVC resorts do-I really like that for putting my room key. And the bathroom door in all the studios ran very close to the toilet. You had to scoot
Standard view-I had a pool view, right by the elevators. And right outside my room was a bench overlooking Arusha savannah. However, the room was right at a corner, and the balcony wasn't too private.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF0959.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF0962.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/9%202006/DSCF0316.jpg



Value studio-again, I was close to the elevators. In this studio, my bed was next to the window, which I really liked because I could lie in bed and look outside. I overlooked the pool, with the savannah in the distance.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1014.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1015.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1017.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1019.jpg





savannah view-beautiful view of Arusha savannah but VERY far from elevators down to Mara or the pool area.
I'd post pictures, but I don't know how to do the photobucket link thing. My photos are on the DIS, or I can post some here if anyone has any questions.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1059.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1072.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1064.jpg




Hi SImba's Mom, loved your post on the DIS.

When I use photobucket here, I just log into photobucket and view my album, I click on the img link below my photo which copies all the technobable stuff to my browser. Then I just CTRL-V (paste it) where I want it to go, and the BBS software does the rest.

I copied your photos here for MOs members to enjoy. If you aren't happy about that, letme know and I'll remove them. But I thought they were great!


-Tony

ETA: Simba's Mom, I could have just cut and pasted your entire post from the DIS to show here, but since you are active here as well, there was no reason to do that. Plus I wouldn't want to offend Lord Can'tseeoutofthemoat!

[greenban]

Here is another photo by Simba's Mom showing the lovely view from her value studio at AKV. Since MOs has a 10 photo per post limit,it could not be added to my prior post .....

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1018.jpg

Again, many thanks to Simba's Mom for this great AKV Studio comparison!

-Tony

[DVCerLee]

Those photos are gorgeous! I have not, until today, been the least bit interested in AKV. Now, I might have to change my mind!

[greenban]

Those photos are gorgeous! I have not, until today, been the least bit interested in AKV. Now, I might have to change my mind!

I too had no interest in AKV, but DW wanted to go to see the 'animals'.

I had a complete change of heart, and truly love the resort, although I'm still not aBoma and Jiko fan :idontgeti

-Tony

[DVCerLee]

although I'm still not aBoma and Jiko fan :idontgeti

-Tony

Why? I've never been, but many say they like them.

[JimP]

Why? I've never been, but many say they like them.
We really like Jiko. On this last trip we went there as part of a business meeting (better than DDP or DDE :ROTFL:). Everyone thought the food was spectacular. One of the dinner guests is an exceptional wine maker who ordered really nice wine that was not even listed in the menu (also spectacular). Plus... he shipped down some fabulous cognac! This was probably my favorite meal ever at WDW (possible exception of V&A)... and I still have a half bottle of the cognac in my owner's locker waiting for the next trip. :)

/Jim

[Leftcoaster]

I too had no interest in AKV, but DW wanted to go to see the 'animals'.

I had a complete change of heart, and truly love the resort, although I'm still not aBoma and Jiko fan :idontgeti

-Tony

Why would she want to? She gets to see a frog everyday.

And not a fan of Jiko?!?!?!?!?!? Blasphemy!!!!! Those are some fightin' words. :box:

[greenban]

Okay, Okay.....

I honestly don't like the seasonings and spices at either Jiko or Boma.

I admit the atmosphere, service and selection are spectacular, but I and the kiddos really didn't like *ANY* of the food (seasoning issues only), except those full of alcohol zebra dessert thingees.

DW loves both locations.

Yet I liked Morocco with traditional spices...go figure!

-Tony

ETA, Lefty I'm a lover not a fighter!

[magicmama]

Thanks for the pics! I'm going to try AKV in June!

:dancingba

[I'mNoPrince]

Pic's look great thanks ( Also Thanks to the Frog for hopping over there and getting them for us here)

I also was not a big fan of AKL and thought I would not want to stay at the AKV when it started .

However with doing 12 days over the 4th of July we decided to try to hit an out of the way a bit resort for the last half of our trip . So AKV fits great and we find on our extra days we have no hard plans we have been going to AK anyhow so it all works out and can't wait.

DM and DsF are coming down and I got them a Studio as well I know they will love it as DM loves animals and DsF is not really a park person and likes to hang at the resort during the day and come to the parks at night with us

[carolina_yankee]

Value studio-again, I was close to the elevators. In this studio, my bed was next to the window, which I really liked because I could lie in bed and look outside. I overlooked the pool, with the savannah in the distance.

Does this mean the bed and sofa position were switched, or is the value room so small it doesn't have a sofa? I'm curious, because in general, it doesn't look like the Value category is a bad deal it all if your heart isn't set on a savannah view.

Dirk

[7swans]

Okay, Okay.....

I honestly don't like the seasonings and spices at either Jiko or Boma.

I admit the atmosphere, service and selection are spectacular, but I and the kiddos really didn't like *ANY* of the food (seasoning issues only), except those full of alcohol zebra dessert thingees.



Ditto, our group of teens were not crazy about Boma, I thought that their opinion of Boma might have been disadvantaged by our huge lunch at Tusker house earlier the same day though, a DDP pig out day!

[Simba's Mom]

Does this mean the bed and sofa position were switched, or is the value room so small it doesn't have a sofa? I'm curious, because in general, it doesn't look like the Value category is a bad deal it all if your heart isn't set on a savannah view.

Dirk
The value room still had the sofa, it was switched. And as you can see in my second view picture (Greenban's second post-thanks, Greenban!), there's a view of the savannah off in the distance. I'm glad someone else agrees with me-the value studio is a good deal, points-wise, for one or two people.

[Eeyorelover22]

I am so excited!!!:thumbsup:Thank you for posting this.
It might get me through the last 16 days of work! It was a long winter. We cannot wait!!

[tinkerbella's mom]

Simba's mom thanks for the great trip report and pictures ( thanks greenspan for getting the pix over here). Now I am getting excited, our first trip home is in Nov. and we will be doing a value 2bdr (lockoff since there are no dedicated 2 bdr in Jambo hs). Pre DVC membership we did a Savannah view room, view was great, 4 of us in one room not so much. We will also give Jiko a try this time.

[pollymn]

Thanks Simba's Mom (and greenbanned) for the pics and reviews. I'm wait-listed
for the first two days of our Dec. trip. I put down all catagories to increase our chances. Now I know that all are good. Thanks again:dancingba