Isn't it interesting!

[fishermouse]

That would be great if it worked out that way. I hope you are right.

But IMO just the opposite will happen.

Being able to walk to a park, or take a 5 min boat ride is something that the vast majority of DVC owners want.

I think once SSR owners get a taste of being in the heart of WDW rather then the edge, they will place even more demand on the "little 3".

I don't anticipate many owners of BCV/BWV/VWL booking multiple stays at SSR by choice.

But I have been wrong before.

That boat or walk is great for Epcot or MGM but we just stayed at BWV and the bus service is terrible. Don't get me wrong I had a great time but given a choice I still prefer SSR. I can walk or ride a boat to DTD and PI. I will probably stay at BWV again so I'm not saying I did not like it. I think it is good for my Jan visits because a lot is attached. Spring and Fall I think I still prefer SSR. Of course now with AKV who knows, we're buying some points there this week. To each his/her own but the SSR bashing played itself out a long time ago.

 

[JodyTG]

To each his/her own but the SSR bashing played itself out a long time ago.

Besides the great shopping close by, where else at WDW do you have a golf course clubhouse right on the resort grounds? Besides, you sure can't play in December where I live like you can in central Florida. Well, some people do but for me (1) it's too cold and (2) hitting the ball feels like your hitting a brick.

My daugher asked me not 20 minutes ago if the add-on I just did was for AKV. This is a resort she's always wanted to stay at. Maybe we'll buy her some points when she graduates from college.

So, as you can see, two family members in the same house love the idea of two different resorts (SSR and AKV) for totally different reasons.

 

[ariel & eric]

We own at OKW, but love going to visit SSR. The kids love the pool and the restaurant.

 

[JodyTG]

We own at OKW, but love going to visit SSR. The kids love the pool and the restaurant.

We own at SSR but haven't stayed there yet because I keep getting outvoted. But I WILL stay there in 2008. I am determined!

 

[jbthi]

I'm not interested in buying at AKL but I can't wait to stay there. We've stayed there as a hotel and I love the savannah view but I don't think it would be my favorite location.

We own at BWV and BCV. BWV is my favorite but I don't like the long walk from the parking lot (my husband refuses to valet park. Doesn't want anyone touching his car). We have stayed at all DVC resorts other than HHI and love them all.

We also trade into there thru II twice a year. We have gotten 2 BR at OKW, SSR and Vero Beach. Have gotten 1 BR at BWV and BCV, however at these two you are much more apt to see studios.

 

[jbthi]

That boat or walk is great for Epcot or MGM but we just stayed at BWV and the bus service is terrible.


I think bus service at BWV and probably most of the resorts is pure luck. We go to Disney at least 5 times a year, usually more often. Last year, a couple of trips we joked we had our own private bus system. A few times we were the only ones on the bus and it was never crowded. This was not even a slow time at the parks.

We were there last Nov. and again in Dec. and while the buses were more crowded we couldn't believe how often they came. I will not stand on a bus and I will not take a seat offered to me either and so a couple of times I stepped aside to wait for the next bus. I don't think I ever waited as long as 10 minutes.

 

[keishashadow]

DVC is all about choice . Both resorts are too far off the beaten path/MK (our fav. park).

Think the savannah factor has created a buzz among the devotees; good for them SSR had spa/golf excitment...not our cuppa of tea either.

We toyed with the idea of a small buy-in @ AK, but are waiting to see if CRV is a go. Sure would hate to have to go thru what I perceive to be hassle; selling AK to purchase CRV.

Problem is we need to add on & soon; want the 11 month @ 3 resorts...what to do lol. Sure is nice to have such worries

 

[nuts]

I agree, they are crowded. Many people stay there.

Theya re crowded because they share the same facilities as the Resort.

 

[Evil Princess]

I don't understand how I've read comments that SSR is 20 minutes away from all the parks. Are we visiting the same WDW here?

I just spent 5 months as a CPer in Disney, and there is NO WAY that SSR is 20 minutes away from all ther parks. Magic Kingdom, yes. But Magic Kingdom is off in left field anyway.

It's more like 15 minutes away from MGM, AK, and 10 minutes away from Epcot.

Comparing it to an off-site resort is beyond silly to me. DVC isn't all about being able to walk into Epcot via International Gateway, or be a hop, skip, and jump away from MK (as is the case with VWL, and possibly maybe if they build at Contemporary). It's the Disney magic in a resort that is on property that you happen to call home.

Sure, having close access to the parks is a perk. I think people are forgetting that OKW really isn't all that far from SSR, and that was the first DVC resort built.

We bought at SSR this past September. We don't plan on staying there every trip, which shouldn't be a problem because we never go during any busy seasons. This isn't because we didn't love SSR when we went there, it's because we like trying new places.

I understand that SSR is different, but by all means it isn't a disappointment.

I love these boards, and I love Disney...but sometimes people get a little crazy on here.

 

[fishermouse]

.

I love these boards, and I love Disney...but sometimes people get a little crazy on here.

Someone finally noticed!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Wow I go away from a post for a few hours and five pages later.............

For all of those who are defending SSR that fine but I don't think Diane (the OP) was bashing SSR in any way. Just not her style. She was commenting on the "buzz" regarding AKV and I agree with her. There was a "Buzz" when the BCV came through (hey Becca's still "buzzing") but it seems to be nothing like this. I even had a non DVC person mention something to me about it. If you don't feel that same "buzz" I am amazed.

(BTW: I'm not buying AKV and don't own SSR. I do own BWV and BCV)

HBC

 

[dianeschlicht]

Okay, OP here again.....Let's GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL TOPIC PLEASE!!!

I don't have plans to buy at either location. However the level of buzz for AKV does seem to be higher on these boards than was the case for SSR. More than anything I think that was a marketing failure on DVC's part. There never was any exciting tie-in to DTD created for the initial construction other than the walking trail. Now they've at least upgraded the turf club but what is missing is shopping & entertainment. It doesn't have to be on a big scale but if they even did a live dinner show it'd be great.

I Don't think it was the lack of marketing so much as a surprise element that didn't hit the mark like AKV did. If they would have completed the already announced Eagle Pines, it might have been different, but I think SSR ended up being a replacement of sorts for Eagle Pines. I think it was done that way because of the infrastructure already in place at the SSR site, so it was convenient. The buildings seem to be configured much like those they proposed for Eagle Pines also.

To me, AKV is exciting because it places a DVC resort in an EXTREME theme of sorts. Kind of like VWL is also. Resorts done on a grand scale like that are really not the norm for timeshares, and I think that is part of the excitment of AKV.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just a thought for all the SSR bashers......Go start your own thread instead of hijacking mine!

 

[Granny]

To me, AKV is exciting because it places a DVC resort in an EXTREME theme of sorts. Kind of like VWL is also. Resorts done on a grand scale like that are really not the norm for timeshares, and I think that is part of the excitment of AKV.

I agree that AKV, like VWL, will tend to polarize DVC owners. The theming is so prevalent that it will be a big part of whether people like it or not.

As for the SSR buzz....I'm remembering many posts here when it became evident that the old Disney Institute grounds would become the site of a new (unnamed) DVC resort. Many people were trying to guess the theming, and that led to a lot of "buzz".

Then, when they announced the theming it was discussed but the buzz seemed to focus in on the location and eventual size. It will be interesting to read the threads over the next few years as AKV will have a lot of potential discussion topics (views, point schedules, occupancy limits, additional amenities to AKL, etc).

Hey, it's all good!

 

[tiggercrew]

The buzz of AKV is not just among the DISers. I had dinner tonight with a family that is absolutely crazy over AKL and they had never heard of this site (I know, it's hard to imagine). When I told my friend about the new Villas she was so excited! She began telling the entire table (even those not incredibly interested) about their stay at AKL. She also said "well, maybe it's time we really considered DVC."

I think the buzz is partly because of so many people already loving the theme but also because, as others have already mentioned, AKV is so different from the previous sold resorts. I do think DVC saw a golden opportunity to kind of "shake things up" and introduce something entirely different. If my friend is any indication, the marketing plan is really working because it has her family talking about buying in.

 

[ACDSNY]

I love our home resort SSR, but what I like best about DVC is the choices in resorts and flexibilty of how they can be used. I love that we'll have another choice in DVC and the AK is our favorite park so I can't wait to stay there someday. That being said we're holding out for DL DVC for any add-ons.

DL DVC should stir up alot of interest too since it will be the first on the West Coast.

 

[gjw007]

Being able to walk to a park, or take a 5 min boat ride is something that the vast majority of DVC owners want.

I think once SSR owners get a taste of being in the heart of WDW rather then the edge, they will place even more demand on the "little 3".

After staying at the VWL and the BWV, I have seen and appreciated the appeal, especially for the Epcot resorts, of being next to the theme parks. I much prefer VWL to BWV but there is a charm as well to the Boardwalk. Having said that, there is also an appeal for a relaxing environment that doesn't hit you over the head every moment as well. SSR fits that mold and is the way that I vacation the most; relaxed, not rushed or pushed.

I think Diane is right that there is a buzz with the Animal Kingdom Villas. That is not a bad thing. As others have stated, the other resorts have had a buzz of their own as well. It shows a diverse interest in many different people. Would we really want everything in the world to be the same and if so, who gets to pick what everybody is to like?

 

[Dean]

I don't understand how I've read comments that SSR is 20 minutes away from all the parks. Are we visiting the same WDW here?

I just spent 5 months as a CPer in Disney, and there is NO WAY that SSR is 20 minutes away from all ther parks. Magic Kingdom, yes. But Magic Kingdom is off in left field anyway.

It's more like 15 minutes away from MGM, AK, and 10 minutes away from Epcot.

Comparing it to an off-site resort is beyond silly to me. DVC isn't all about being able to walk into Epcot via International Gateway, or be a hop, skip, and jump away from MK (as is the case with VWL, and possibly maybe if they build at Contemporary). It's the Disney magic in a resort that is on property that you happen to call home.

Sure, having close access to the parks is a perk. I think people are forgetting that OKW really isn't all that far from SSR, and that was the first DVC resort built.

We bought at SSR this past September. We don't plan on staying there every trip, which shouldn't be a problem because we never go during any busy seasons. This isn't because we didn't love SSR when we went there, it's because we like trying new places.

I understand that SSR is different, but by all means it isn't a disappointment.

I love these boards, and I love Disney...but sometimes people get a little crazy on here.

Time depends on a lot on traffic as well as the route you take. During much of the day if you leave SSR by way of the side entrance and go in front of DD, everything is about 20 minutes or more much of the time. There is currently one non DVC timeshare (FF Bonnet Creek) and soon to be another from what I hear that is as close or closer to the parks in driving time than SSR/OKW and a number that would generally be in the same time frame of 15-25 minutes. AKV will be even further out except for one park and one minor park.

We drive everywhere except MK so it's not that we mind driving, I prefer it. And we still prefer to stay on property. But to many staying on property means not driving, even at SSR & OKW. And given that by the time you wait for a bus plus the usual travel time, you can easily spend 45-60 minutes one way. Staying off property and driving would generally be preferable if those were our choices.

 

[jimmytammy]

I feel that AKL already had many folks excited before DVC ever decided to build there. It has an appeal that it is unique. The draw of the Savannah, its restaurants, its architecture and decor, etc., these are things that make folks like me want to mosey over there every once in a while and check it out.

For SSR sake, hopefully it will begin to have its own identity. It is a great resort IMO. Its proximity to DTD can be considered a draw if you like spending lots of time in that area. I feel in time, improvements will be made to draw others to SSR. The one complaint I have is you can see the outside world from certain areas. We stayed there once and could see the hotels on Lake Buena Vista Drive. For me, this took away some of the magic of WDW. But you know, magically, huge trees can appear overnight at WDW

 

[starbox]

I am an SSR-lover. After staying at the other locations, I honestly found that SSR is the very best location for us. DTD is a HUGE, HUGE draw - much bigger than being next to a park because I don't like spending evenings in any park when it's so crowded. I've walked out of EPCOT while Illuminations was going on more times than I've stayed to watch. OTOH, I love being at DTD after dinner.

BUT - with that said - I was very lukewarm about the pre-construction tour we took of SSR. It was not appealing at all. There was nothing at all exciting about the theme of the resort to me, and I am not into golf. I'd have been a million times more excited about a resort attached to an existing deluxe.

I do think AKV has potential. I am just not sure about the lack of nearby evening entertainment options. I don't see my kids being content hanging out on the balcony and watching animals for more than about 20 minutes. I'm planning to spend 3-4 nights at the lodge this summer to give it a trial run before we decide.