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Post by Eli's Nana on Feb 21, 2023 13:39:37 GMT -5
Hello wonderful MagicOwners! Still so happy that we all have a place to land after MouseOwners. Once again, thanks to all who made this happen!
DH and I are planning a trip in early December (2nd-9th) with DS, DDIL, DGS (8), and DGD (4). We switched from our original plan for October as things were just not falling together. I have been able to reserve a 2 bedroom savannah view for the first 3 nights, and would love to finish the last 4 nights in a Grand Villa. It is a dream of mine to stay in a Grand Villa but I am trying very hard not to get my hopes up.
We only have enough AKV points to book one night in a savannah view Grand Villa, but it was enough points to book 3 nights in a savannah view 2 bedroom, so I grabbed that. We have enough non-AKV points to cover the Grand Villa for the other 4 nights but have to wait for the 7 month window. One off-topic question - if a standard view AKV Grand Villa is available, is it worth it without the savannah view?
Is it even possible to get a Savannah View Grand Villa at 7 months???
Thanks!
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Post by fuzzylogic on Feb 21, 2023 19:50:35 GMT -5
Personally - I would say no, not worth it. When staying at AKL, it's so much fun to wake up with a cup of coffee, sit on your porch and watch the animals come out. Sure you can see them other ways but this is the niche that makes this hotel special. If I was staying in a GV, that would mean we were taking several other families or friends, and so then too we would be wanting to create that magical travel experience for them so I don't think I'd spend the mountain of points to get a GV, and not go the extra bit to make it over the top cool.
I also don't think we'd book a GV just because, if we otherwise fit in a 2B. 2B is tons of space for the 8 or 9 people and the GV cost is more than double (42 -- 86 pts). Unless you're adding another family to your stay (which might pay for a bit of the cost) I would enjoy your 2B that you've already got, and extend it to the 7 nights. Why do you want that big room with your not particularly large party?
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Post by alwaysdreamingdisney on Feb 21, 2023 21:02:17 GMT -5
I would think the odds of getting a GV anywhere the first week or two of December would be nearly impossible as the points are cheaper for that time of the month AND all of the Christmas decorations and Holiday parties would be in full swing…ESPECIALLY if you have to wait until the 7 month window!
Now that being said IF you can get it at the 7 month window I would jump on it immediately!
Our family was able to make a split stay about 8-10 years ago in 2 different GVs and oddly they availability was much, much less than 7 months. I was able to snag half the week at a SSR GV and then at BLT. We had originally been in a 2 BR but when some resale points came through after ROFR we had some points to burn! All of the adults and all of the kids enjoyed the trip so much better as nobody was stuck on a pullout sofa or trundle. We ended up spending more time in the BLT GV due to a tropical storm and we loved it! My kids still talk about how much fun they had in the GVs because they were with my father and his wife. Very special memories that sadly can’t be replaced or repeated.
Fingers crossed you find what you’re looking for at the seven month window.
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Feb 22, 2023 6:45:30 GMT -5
For sure waitlist what you want if it’s not available.
We had a Grand Villa savanna view booked and I changed to a 2BR savanna view. So, people change their minds. Ours was ONLY due to the uncertainty of our travel group. We were booked for September and we have a December Use Year. Someday it might come together again, but I’ll book it in May when we’d have longer to use the points if something happened.
I had Kidani booked too. Such a cool villa. Taking tours can be deadly.
I would probably go with a 2BR savanna view if the Grand Villa savanna view isn’t available.
HOWEVER and this is a BIG HOWEVER…the time of year you are going has less light so less time to see the animals. When we went to Kidani in the “winter” months over Christmas break we NEVER booked a savanna view because we didn’t have much daylight so it was sort of a waste for us. Kidani 1br has 2 bathrooms (Jambo only 1 bath) and the standard view at Kidani is a parking lot where as Jambo can be the pool, etc. Even with a parking lot view at Kidani, we booked standard due to the limited daylight hours.
Think about your travel plans and whether it is a good use of points in December for a savanna view.
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Feb 22, 2023 6:49:26 GMT -5
Oh…and good luck! Sounds like a fabulous time!!  |
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Post by Eli's Nana on Feb 22, 2023 17:43:18 GMT -5
Personally - I would say no, not worth it. When staying at AKL, it's so much fun to wake up with a cup of coffee, sit on your porch and watch the animals come out. Sure you can see them other ways but this is the niche that makes this hotel special. If I was staying in a GV, that would mean we were taking several other families or friends, and so then too we would be wanting to create that magical travel experience for them so I don't think I'd spend the mountain of points to get a GV, and not go the extra bit to make it over the top cool. >>> My favorite thing at AKV is also sitting on the balcony with my morning coffee watching the animals! It really would have to be savannah view to make it worth all the extra points.
I also don't think we'd book a GV just because, if we otherwise fit in a 2B. 2B is tons of space for the 8 or 9 people and the GV cost is more than double (42 -- 86 pts). Unless you're adding another family to your stay (which might pay for a bit of the cost) I would enjoy your 2B that you've already got, and extend it to the 7 nights. Why do you want that big room with your not particularly large party? >>> Good question... Because I made the mistake just after covid of going on all the DVC resort tours...   Made me think it would be the neatest thing to stay in a GV at AKV. We will fit easily in a 2 bedroom, and we won't have to borrow if we do that. Makes sense.
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Post by Eli's Nana on Feb 22, 2023 17:49:29 GMT -5
I would think the odds of getting a GV anywhere the first week or two of December would be nearly impossible as the points are cheaper for that time of the month AND all of the Christmas decorations and Holiday parties would be in full swing…ESPECIALLY if you have to wait until the 7 month window! Now that being said IF you can get it at the 7 month window I would jump on it immediately! Our family was able to make a split stay about 8-10 years ago in 2 different GVs and oddly they availability was much, much less than 7 months. I was able to snag half the week at a SSR GV and then at BLT. We had originally been in a 2 BR but when some resale points came through after ROFR we had some points to burn! All of the adults and all of the kids enjoyed the trip so much better as nobody was stuck on a pullout sofa or trundle. We ended up spending more time in the BLT GV due to a tropical storm and we loved it! My kids still talk about how much fun they had in the GVs because they were with my father and his wife. Very special memories that sadly can’t be replaced or repeated. Fingers crossed you find what you’re looking for at the seven month window. >>> Didn't think about the shorter days, very good point, especially when we will have to borrow points.
>>> Sounds like your family had a wonderful time in the GVs. Funny thing is our grandkids (at their ages) will most likely be excited and push to sleep in the sleeper chair and sofa in the 2 bedroom. |
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Post by Eli's Nana on Feb 22, 2023 17:55:28 GMT -5
For sure waitlist what you want if it’s not available. We had a Grand Villa savanna view booked and I changed to a 2BR savanna view. So, people change their minds. Ours was ONLY due to the uncertainty of our travel group. We were booked for September and we have a December Use Year. Someday it might come together again, but I’ll book it in May when we’d have longer to use the points if something happened. I had Kidani booked too. Such a cool villa. Taking tours can be deadly. >>> Yes, those tours are dangerous... Never really thought about a GV until I walked through them in person...I would probably go with a 2BR savanna view if the Grand Villa savanna view isn’t available. HOWEVER and this is a BIG HOWEVER…the time of year you are going has less light so less time to see the animals. When we went to Kidani in the “winter” months over Christmas break we NEVER booked a savanna view because we didn’t have much daylight so it was sort of a waste for us. Kidani 1br has 2 bathrooms (Jambo only 1 bath) and the standard view at Kidani is a parking lot where as Jambo can be the pool, etc. Even with a parking lot view at Kidani, we booked standard due to the limited daylight hours. Think about your travel plans and whether it is a good use of points in December for a savanna view. >>> Limited daylight hours is a good point. With younger kids it will probably be dark by the time we get back from the day...
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