MikeyNS
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2004
First off I'd like to say that all the opinions written are mine and mine alone. Please take them as only opinions, but am definitely ready with my flame suit. 
It is darn hot out. In the 90's and humid right now so I'm taking a break to write this in nice air conditioned comfort!
Our trip was/is Sept21-29th. 21st-23rd was in a studio at AKV and then 23rd-29th in a 1BR at SSR (our home resort). It was me, DW and DS who is 2. We've been DVC members since 2004. This trip will be our fifth DVC trip in 3 years, and our DVC has more than paid for itself (the pay rack rate, no discount kind of pay for itself). We've also stayed in every WDW DVC except for OKW. We rationalized travelling from Nova Scotia 3 times in the past 12 months because we wanted to make the best of our annual passes. We reckon that it only cost us about $15/day for the passes, but it will be highly unlikley we'll ever get one again since 3 times in a year is a little excessive for us.. but I love the rationalization that it's cheaper to fly down and stay a week than do it a few months later AND buy passes again.
Our room was ready immediately at the AKV. We arrived at around 2pm. This was our second visit to the AKL, as our first was in a SV room back in 02. I'm very glad I stayed here again as we were thinking of doing an AKV add-on due to the buzz here on the DISBoards. Not any more. It's a nice resort, but I just came away with a "blah" kind of feeling. I probably got my expectations too high. The location was fine, the animals were always out, but it just wasn't "us". It was somewhat like when we first experienced the BCV; reading about he hype and the reality were two different things. It's such a personal preference when it comes to the resort choice so I understand why everyone is passionate about their favorites. It might have been different if we didn't stay in a studio, but it felt Very hotel-ey (go figure!) and not DVC-like. I know my mind will change once the new building is ready to go. Buses were fine, but I found that there was as a lot of walking going from the room to the pool, room to the Mara, room to the buses and I'm the first one to laugh and roll my eyes when I hear people complain about the walking at a resort since all you do at WDW is walk! Even weirder is that I don't mind walking around SSR. Certainly hypocritical on my part.
My first bright idea was to leave the AKV early on Sunday and get to SSR to get our room. We got into SSR around 10:00am (due to a wrong turn somewhere because I thought I knew where I was.. tip#1: just follow the signs!). When I checked in our room was ready! Unfortunately they had us in a handicap accessible room. The nice lady at the desk decided that they should reserve those rooms for those who really need them (which I agree). So she moved us to the Springs section, but our room was not ready. I won't bother with the rest of the drama, but needless to say our room wasn't ready until 3:30pm. DS was such a trooper and didn't have his nap that day. We managed to swim, goto the Super Target for groceries, DTD for a little lunch and tour SSR since we hadn't been there since 2004.. but still it was such a long wait.
SSR is BEAUTIFUL! We love it here. We are so glad SSR is our home resort! One thing I noticed while we were driving around waiting for our room is that the outer buildings seemed empty (not a good feeling while you're waiting for your room for hours, while buildings are empty). They must fill up the closer buildings and only put people in the other buildings if capacity warrants. Sucked to be us. The buses were fine, but being at the Springs means that we're the last drop off after going around to all the other bus stops. We got off at the Grandstand and at the Carosel (? maybe it was the Paddock) and walked to our room before our bus hit the Springs busstop; but then again we're fast walker/strollers.
It's hot and humid in September and the weekends were still really busy. During the week the crowds were the lightest we've ever encountered. We're no longer commando disney-ers so we go for park opening and leave around 11am to go back for lunch and a swim (and a nap). When we leave the parks we're definitely doing against the flow of traffic in.
Even with the light crowds would I go in September again? I think the end of Jan/first of Feb and the first week of May are my favorite times now. Just too humid for my liking.
Magical Beginnings for the families of small children are AWESOME. A must do. Lots of walk on rides for the kids and so many characters to interact with. A huge plus. Went also did both water parks and I can now appreciate the kids sections. Great place to play and keep cool and not crowded during the weekday afternoons that we went.
Anything else? Just a few little insightsand thoughts more than anything.
#1: Our favorite DVC resorts are, in this order: SSR, VWL, BWV, AKV and then BCV.
#2: There is no such thing as terrible bus service. Just terrible luck getting to the bus stop at the wrong times.
#3: Why did they convert the entire 5th floor in the AKL to DVC? Seems like an odd decision to me. Just build the darn building!
#4: I continually say to my DW that we are so lucky to be able to experience Disney so much. Most families save up for years for 1 magical trip at a value resort. We are so, so, so fortunate.
#4: People who can have a great trip staying in a studio for a week are super troopers. We are now officially 1BR+ snobs. We don't have a lot of points, but the studios don't have the space, full kitchen or the privacy we need. It's nice to put the little guy to bed while the other one is relaxing in the living room. Right now my DW is putting him to sleep while I type this in front of the TV. It truly is home (not that I sit in front of the TV while my wife puts the boy to bed. Just happens to be that way tonite!).
#5: We like renting a car. We've taken ME 3-4 times now, but the time saved by going to the Emerald Aisle and jumping in the car and leaving, getting to our resort quickly and having a car to goto the water parks rocks.
#6: Did I mention how humid September is? Wow. Feels like you're always walking into a hairdryer.
#7: We love making meals in our villa. Even though we're on vacation. It's not like we're making 5 course meals or anything. Making breakfast, a sandwich or throwing a pizza in the oven feels a lot better than spending $50 in the parks.
#8: Zero entry pools and toddlers who are just learning how to swim are wonderful.
#9: I think I learned my lesson of doing multiple resorts in one visit. From now on we'll check in once and be in that resort for the entire stay. Points be darned!
#10: We have no doubt that we will be able to get a room at the AKV once the new building is ready and will definitely stay there once it's ready. Then I'll make my final judgement and probably want to add-on.
#11: Families that take their newborns are amazing. I would be so paranoid about the heat, crowds, excess stimulation and just something happening in general while I was away at home would make me weak in the knees.
#12: Lots of Grandvillas ae occupied right now. Must be nice!
All in all it's another amazing trip to WDW. Even the things that make me a little cranky are just minor speedbumps in the grand scheme of things. SSR is a fantastic resort. AKV is not to our taste yet. Not going whole-hog in the parks makes for a relaxing trip no matter what the weather.
We'll be taking a break from WDW since we're expecting #2 in 2008, so I'll be planning for Jan/Feb 2009, probably at OKW. Anyone got a good double stroller they want to get rid of?
Questions?
It is darn hot out. In the 90's and humid right now so I'm taking a break to write this in nice air conditioned comfort!Our trip was/is Sept21-29th. 21st-23rd was in a studio at AKV and then 23rd-29th in a 1BR at SSR (our home resort). It was me, DW and DS who is 2. We've been DVC members since 2004. This trip will be our fifth DVC trip in 3 years, and our DVC has more than paid for itself (the pay rack rate, no discount kind of pay for itself). We've also stayed in every WDW DVC except for OKW. We rationalized travelling from Nova Scotia 3 times in the past 12 months because we wanted to make the best of our annual passes. We reckon that it only cost us about $15/day for the passes, but it will be highly unlikley we'll ever get one again since 3 times in a year is a little excessive for us.. but I love the rationalization that it's cheaper to fly down and stay a week than do it a few months later AND buy passes again.
Our room was ready immediately at the AKV. We arrived at around 2pm. This was our second visit to the AKL, as our first was in a SV room back in 02. I'm very glad I stayed here again as we were thinking of doing an AKV add-on due to the buzz here on the DISBoards. Not any more. It's a nice resort, but I just came away with a "blah" kind of feeling. I probably got my expectations too high. The location was fine, the animals were always out, but it just wasn't "us". It was somewhat like when we first experienced the BCV; reading about he hype and the reality were two different things. It's such a personal preference when it comes to the resort choice so I understand why everyone is passionate about their favorites. It might have been different if we didn't stay in a studio, but it felt Very hotel-ey (go figure!) and not DVC-like. I know my mind will change once the new building is ready to go. Buses were fine, but I found that there was as a lot of walking going from the room to the pool, room to the Mara, room to the buses and I'm the first one to laugh and roll my eyes when I hear people complain about the walking at a resort since all you do at WDW is walk! Even weirder is that I don't mind walking around SSR. Certainly hypocritical on my part.
My first bright idea was to leave the AKV early on Sunday and get to SSR to get our room. We got into SSR around 10:00am (due to a wrong turn somewhere because I thought I knew where I was.. tip#1: just follow the signs!). When I checked in our room was ready! Unfortunately they had us in a handicap accessible room. The nice lady at the desk decided that they should reserve those rooms for those who really need them (which I agree). So she moved us to the Springs section, but our room was not ready. I won't bother with the rest of the drama, but needless to say our room wasn't ready until 3:30pm. DS was such a trooper and didn't have his nap that day. We managed to swim, goto the Super Target for groceries, DTD for a little lunch and tour SSR since we hadn't been there since 2004.. but still it was such a long wait.
SSR is BEAUTIFUL! We love it here. We are so glad SSR is our home resort! One thing I noticed while we were driving around waiting for our room is that the outer buildings seemed empty (not a good feeling while you're waiting for your room for hours, while buildings are empty). They must fill up the closer buildings and only put people in the other buildings if capacity warrants. Sucked to be us. The buses were fine, but being at the Springs means that we're the last drop off after going around to all the other bus stops. We got off at the Grandstand and at the Carosel (? maybe it was the Paddock) and walked to our room before our bus hit the Springs busstop; but then again we're fast walker/strollers.
It's hot and humid in September and the weekends were still really busy. During the week the crowds were the lightest we've ever encountered. We're no longer commando disney-ers so we go for park opening and leave around 11am to go back for lunch and a swim (and a nap). When we leave the parks we're definitely doing against the flow of traffic in.
Even with the light crowds would I go in September again? I think the end of Jan/first of Feb and the first week of May are my favorite times now. Just too humid for my liking.
Magical Beginnings for the families of small children are AWESOME. A must do. Lots of walk on rides for the kids and so many characters to interact with. A huge plus. Went also did both water parks and I can now appreciate the kids sections. Great place to play and keep cool and not crowded during the weekday afternoons that we went.
Anything else? Just a few little insightsand thoughts more than anything.
#1: Our favorite DVC resorts are, in this order: SSR, VWL, BWV, AKV and then BCV.
#2: There is no such thing as terrible bus service. Just terrible luck getting to the bus stop at the wrong times.
#3: Why did they convert the entire 5th floor in the AKL to DVC? Seems like an odd decision to me. Just build the darn building!
#4: I continually say to my DW that we are so lucky to be able to experience Disney so much. Most families save up for years for 1 magical trip at a value resort. We are so, so, so fortunate.
#4: People who can have a great trip staying in a studio for a week are super troopers. We are now officially 1BR+ snobs. We don't have a lot of points, but the studios don't have the space, full kitchen or the privacy we need. It's nice to put the little guy to bed while the other one is relaxing in the living room. Right now my DW is putting him to sleep while I type this in front of the TV. It truly is home (not that I sit in front of the TV while my wife puts the boy to bed. Just happens to be that way tonite!).
#5: We like renting a car. We've taken ME 3-4 times now, but the time saved by going to the Emerald Aisle and jumping in the car and leaving, getting to our resort quickly and having a car to goto the water parks rocks.
#6: Did I mention how humid September is? Wow. Feels like you're always walking into a hairdryer.
#7: We love making meals in our villa. Even though we're on vacation. It's not like we're making 5 course meals or anything. Making breakfast, a sandwich or throwing a pizza in the oven feels a lot better than spending $50 in the parks.
#8: Zero entry pools and toddlers who are just learning how to swim are wonderful.
#9: I think I learned my lesson of doing multiple resorts in one visit. From now on we'll check in once and be in that resort for the entire stay. Points be darned!
#10: We have no doubt that we will be able to get a room at the AKV once the new building is ready and will definitely stay there once it's ready. Then I'll make my final judgement and probably want to add-on.
#11: Families that take their newborns are amazing. I would be so paranoid about the heat, crowds, excess stimulation and just something happening in general while I was away at home would make me weak in the knees.
#12: Lots of Grandvillas ae occupied right now. Must be nice!
All in all it's another amazing trip to WDW. Even the things that make me a little cranky are just minor speedbumps in the grand scheme of things. SSR is a fantastic resort. AKV is not to our taste yet. Not going whole-hog in the parks makes for a relaxing trip no matter what the weather.
We'll be taking a break from WDW since we're expecting #2 in 2008, so I'll be planning for Jan/Feb 2009, probably at OKW. Anyone got a good double stroller they want to get rid of?
Questions?
I'm not flaming you about anything you said, just responding to a few things from my point of view...
We almost always had to wait 45-60 min. coming or going anywhere! It was much worse than just bad timing!
(I might actually spring for the points for a 1 bedroom over there if we add-on!!)
