AKV Dedicated Value Studio - Would you choose pool or savanna due to construction?

[Lauriebz]

We're going to be in a dedicated value studio, and we're trying to decide which to do if given the choice. (All ded. value studios are pool or savanna)

Which should we choose due to construction? Pool or savanna?

[Simba's Mom]

Are there value studios that are pool view? I thought they were either parking lot (lock-offs) or savannah view, and that all the dedicated value studios were savannah view. Oh, well-maybe I'll find out first hand-I'm staying at AKL in 10 days!

[CarolMN]

LisaS posted this on 10/10/2007. I'm sure it's still correct.

There are two defined views at AKV: Savanna and Standard. Savanna is obvious, Standard is "pool, garden or parking lot".

There are four booking categories at AKV: Value, Standard View, Savanna View and Concierge:

Value: (Jambo House only). Smaller rooms with either a Savanna view or a Standard View (which means pool, garden or parking lot) except that there are no "garden" views at Jambo House, just pool and parking lot. So a Value villa can have a view of the Sunset Savanna, the pool or the parking lot.

Standard View: Larger than Value, with a Standard view (pool, garden or parking lot). At Jambo House only, all of the rooms in this booking category have a pool view. All of the Jambo House rooms facing the parking lot are smaller so they are classified as Value rooms. At Kidani Village, the Standard View villas will have a view of the pool, a garden area or a parking lot.

Savanna View: Larger than Value, with a view of a savanna.

Concierge: (Jambo House only). Larger than Value, with Concierge services and either a Savanna or Standard View (but thankfully no parking lot or garden views, just pool view).

[ZekeKelso]

Savanah in a heartbeat. Yes, you will also see some construction off in the distance so it's not ideal, but it's still the best choice in a value room.

[LisaS]

Are there value studios that are pool view? I thought they were either parking lot (lock-offs) or savannah view, and that all the dedicated value studios were savannah view. Oh, well-maybe I'll find out first hand-I'm staying at AKL in 10 days!Here is a map showing the Units that have been sold in Jambo House. Each Unit consists of multiple villas (or one GV). The yellow Units are Value villas. There are two 2BR lockoffs with a parking lot view (Unit 52), four 2BR lockoffs (Units 49 and 51) and four dedicated studios (Unit 50) with a savanna view, and four 2BR lockoffs (Units 46 and 48) and four dedicated studios (Unit 47) with a pool view.

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/81115AKV_Units_021108_UnitDesc.GIF

[starbox]

We just got back from a value studio.:goodvibes

I would not want a dedicated value with a view of the savanna sunset (where the yellow dedicated studios are). JMHO but it is not a pretty view at all right now. The pool view is really fantastic though and the units are just doors away from the elevator that leads directly to the pool.

[jarestel]

If I couldn't get a "working" savanna view (which is the only reason I would book AKL in the first place) I'd consider staying elsewhere. Watching animals from your own private balcony is awesome, but if there aren't animals to see, I'd rather be at another resort.

[keishashadow]

If I couldn't get a "working" savanna view (which is the only reason I would book AKL in the first place) I'd consider staying elsewhere. Watching animals from your own private balcony is awesome, but if there aren't animals to see, I'd rather be at another resort.

:confused: :confused:

i've requested said sav view for the value studio we booked for Oct...

are the animals (ostriches?) gone/moved due to construction?popcorn::

[locodemickey]

We are staying in mid June. Do you think it will still look like it's under construction or maybe they will just be working on the inside by then?

[starbox]

:confused: :confused:

i've requested said sav view for the value studio we booked for Oct...

are the animals (ostriches?) gone/moved due to construction?popcorn::

It really is mostly a "construction view" right now. I did not see many animals at all on the SS last month - no ostriches or giraffes. The construction is really close.

But they'll be great rooms once Kidani is finished and pretty. :goodvibes

[keishashadow]

It really is mostly a "construction view" right now. I did not see many animals at all on the SS last month - no ostriches or giraffes. The construction is really close.

But they'll be great rooms once Kidani is finished and pretty. :goodvibes

oh dear, didn't realize the construction was in such close proximity-from the pics/DVC DVD Kidani looked set off in the far distance; guess i won't be upset if we get the pool or parking lot view then;)

[starbox]

oh dear, didn't realize the construction was in such close proximity-from the pics/DVC DVD Kidani looked set off in the far distance; guess i won't be upset if we get the pool or parking lot view then;)

Here's a thread w/really good pictures of the current construction:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1780186

I also thought Kidani would be a trek from Jambo - but they are almost right next to each other. :thumbsup2 It will make using Kidani's cool pool facilities much easier for Jambo guests.

[Lauriebz]

Are there usually very many animals out with all the construction going on? I didn't see any in those pictures. We would be on the Sunset Savanna if we got a savanna view, since we're in a value studio. Perhaps a pool view would be better. Any opinions?

[ScottakaMickey]

Here is a map showing the Units that have been sold in Jambo House. Each Unit consists of multiple villas (or one GV). The yellow Units are Value villas. There are two 2BR lockoffs with a parking lot view (Unit 52), four 2BR lockoffs (Units 49 and 51) and four dedicated studios (Unit 50) with a savanna view, and four 2BR lockoffs (Units 46 and 48) and four dedicated studios (Unit 47) with a pool view.

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/81115AKV_Units_021108_UnitDesc.GIF


Lisa, The conceirge rooms, are they directly above units 54 and 53? Also, there was another thread that made a reference that the majority of conceirge rooms, I think it was studios, faced the pool, but it doesn't appear that is correct based on that map. It looks like more rooms face a savannah, construction view now, but not the pool.

Thanks

[LisaS]

Yes the Concierge rooms are on the 6th floor, directly above Units 54 and 53. There are a total of five 2BR lockoffs, three face the Sunset Savanna and two face the pool area.

[lisareniff]

I would agree with Starbox, pool view would be a better choice at this time. We were just at AKL last week and there were animals in the savannah but were overshadowed by the construction.

[islandtimect]

We are going in Nov and I requested Arusha savanna view. The construction doesnt effect that view, does it??

[Buckeye Fan]

Someone posted pics of their room view overlooking the pool. All I can say is it was absolutely gorgeous. Personally, I'd probably pass this time to avoid the construction and get a view of the pool.

Have a GREAT trip!!! :goodvibes

[GGOOFY1]

I voted for savanna, I hope you get to see animals. We are staying there for 2 nights in July with a cash ressie, and I picked pool view, because I didn't want to pay the price to upgrade to the savanna view. (I need 3 rooms for our group).

[AKV707]

We are staying in a 1 br value in July for 12 days. I have requested Savanna view. I know that there are still animals on Sunset. I have even seen some pics of giraffes watching the construction.

I know the section of Kidani closest to the values was one of the first under construction. I am hoping that it is pretty far along by July. I am counting on animals and won't mind watching Kidani either. I mean, they are not planning on removing the animals from Sunset until early 2009, when they will be gone from that Savanna for a few months as Kidani is finished. So I am hopeful.

[starbox]

Someone posted pics of their room view overlooking the pool. All I can say is it was absolutely gorgeous. Personally, I'd probably pass this time to avoid the construction and get a view of the pool.

Have a GREAT trip!!! :goodvibes

That was me!

This was our value studio view:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/spring_break/img_2236.jpg
We were directly above Jiko - looking straight down you could see the rock stream.
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/spring_break/img_2237.jpg
Sunrise from the balcony
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/spring_break/img_2377.jpg

The Sunset Savanna (in the evening so most machinery is gone) the infamous "people pens" are directly across from the balconies that are shown.

http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/spring_break/img_2273.jpg

[lisareniff]

We are going in Nov and I requested Arusha savanna view. The construction doesnt effect that view, does it??

No you don't see the construction from the Arusha Savannah view. You might see the top of a crane, but that's it. We had a great room last week overlooking the Arusha Savannah.

[spaddy]

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii243/laspadafora/DSC01388.jpg

This was my view of the pool in December. I was a littel further down the hall. I loved being a quick elevator ride away from the pool.

[Simba's Mom]

Here is a map showing the Units that have been sold in Jambo House. Each Unit consists of multiple villas (or one GV). The yellow Units are Value villas. There are two 2BR lockoffs with a parking lot view (Unit 52), four 2BR lockoffs (Units 49 and 51) and four dedicated studios (Unit 50) with a savanna view, and four 2BR lockoffs (Units 46 and 48) and four dedicated studios (Unit 47) with a pool view.

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/81115AKV_Units_021108_UnitDesc.GIF

Thanks so much! I have a dedicated value studio reserved in 2 weeks. I assumed I'd be getting a savanah view, but now I'm excited to see which I get. I had a pool view once on the fifth floor (before the DVC conversion) and really enjoyed it. It will be interesting to see if that's what I get again. Frankly, it would be far preferable to the savannah/construction view on sunset savannah.

[LisaS]

I updated my map to include additional info that I thought would help people who are not that familiar with AKL/AKV, such as the fact that this map shows Jambo House, the Trail names and the location of the front entrance to the hotel to help people get the correct orientation.

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/81115JamboHouseUnits_Final.GIF

[disneyfanforever]

We just got back from AKV about a month ago. DH, myself and the kids had a dedicated valule studio facing the savannah, and my parents along with my sister had a dedicated value studio facing the pool. Both locations were great.

Regarding the savannah view, the construction didn't really bother me. I could see it, of course, but the animals were still there and my kids loved it. We saw giraffes, zebras and more right outside our window. The pool view my parents had was great as well especially when my boys went swimming and they could see them from their room.

I don't think you could go wrong either way. If I had to chose again, I would still go for the savannah view. We loved it.

[spiceycat]

had the pool view value. It was just fine. oh if you get the pool view - there is a shortcut to the buses. go to the elevator - then take the steps - go out the first exit door. you are much closer to the buses. (the elevator is between the 47's)

[Simba's Mom]

had the pool view value. It was just fine. oh if you get the pool view - there is a shortcut to the buses. go to the elevator - then take the steps - go out the first exit door. you are much closer to the buses. (the elevator is between the 47's)
Thanks for the info on the shortcut. Do the #s, like 47, correspond to the first two digits in the room #? So if I'm told at the front desk that I'm in 47--, I know that that's the location of my villa, building 47?
I really appreciate seeing all the beautiful pictures of views. Since I'm staying there next week, and I usually stay at BCV, I'll admit that I was getting a serious case of "cold feet" about not staying at BCV, really second-guessing my decision (I think the exact words were "Why did I decide to stay someplace different-what am I, crazy?) Now I'm really looking forward to staying at the AKV. So keep showing me those pictures, please!

[LisaS]

Thanks for the info on the shortcut. Do the #s, like 47, correspond to the first two digits in the room #? So if I'm told at the front desk that I'm in 47--, I know that that's the location of my villa, building 47?Spicey is referring to the map I posted. Half of Unit 47 is in one building segment, the other half is in the adjacent segment and there is an elevator in between those two building segments.

Your room number will start with a "5" because you will be on the 5th floor.

ETA: If you look at this map of AKL: http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/DAKLMap.pdf you can see the elevator in between the first two building segments on the Giraffe Trail in lower portion of the map, just below the red heart with the letters AED (which shows the location of a defibrillator).

[whamma]

Hope you don't mind if I ask this question here but I think it relates. I am just starting a day-to-day reservation for a AKV studio for next March. I chose the concierge level service--because the best I can figure, why not? It's 20 points more for the concierge service for the week--and without it I wouldn't have enough points for an extra night anyway. Can anyone see why I wouldn't want to book concierge level? Based on the Jambo House diagram, are there specific studio rooms where concierge services are provided? I'm a newbie to AKV and DVC. Thanks for any input!

[rwcmath]

I'm beginning to second guess my savannah view studio for September. I voted pool view for you! I don't like what I'm reading about the construction views.
rwc

[starbox]

I updated my map to include additional info that I thought would help people who are not that familiar with AKL/AKV, such as the fact that this map shows Jambo House, the Trail names and the location of the front entrance to the hotel to help people get the correct orientation.

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/81115JamboHouseUnits_Final.GIF

Also, for those new to AKL - if you look at the yellow value area marked "Giraffe Trail" - the bus stop is at the end of units 48 and there's an elevator and direct pool access point right where the number "47" is. All the Giraffe Trail parking lot view units we saw were CRO rooms - the DVC rooms faced the pool. (It was easy to tell because the parking-lot side of the hall got USA Today each morning!). A PP mentioned that there is a shortcut to both the bus stop and Zawadi Marketplace on that side. :thumbsup2

Also - the DVC free laundry facilities are right around unit #43 - which is a very short distance from the Giraffe rooms. :goodvibes

[spiceycat]

It's 20 points more for the concierge service for the week--and without it I wouldn't have enough points for an extra night anyway.

a value studio will be 8 points per night for Sun- thurs - 40 points

the concierge will be 13 points per night for sun-thurs - 65 points

with a value studio will be able to come back for a second trip!

[LisaS]

Can anyone see why I wouldn't want to book concierge level? Based on the Jambo House diagram, are there specific studio rooms where concierge services are provided?The Concierge villas are on the 6th floor directly above Units 53 and 54. There are five 2BR lockoffs in Concierge. A lockoff can be "locked off" and rented as a 1BR and a studio. I don't know how MS splits them up but one possibility is two 2BRs, three 1BRs and three studios so there aren't very many Concierge studios available. Because of that, I think it's a good idea to try Concierge now while the number of AKV owners is still relatively small. As the number of owners increases the competition for those few Concierge rooms could make it difficult to book an entire stay there in the future.

[whamma]

Thanks spiceycat and LisaS. Spiceycat makes an excellent point but I work for a school district and am restricted to travel during "Magic" and "Premier" dates--requiring the most points. LisaS your answer makes me more confident than ever that I am making a good choice! :thumbsup2 Thanks!

[todd222222]

Maybe things have changed since our stay in Jan but I was very happy with our view in the Ostrich trail in a dedicated studio. yes there was construction, but you had to look at it to see it....the room faces Kudu Trail.

We saw lots of animals, again maybe things are different now, but I would have taken this view over the pool any day of the week.

There are some photos in the slideshow in my sig.

Just my 2 cents.

[pixie08]

Does anyone have a pic of the savannah view from a ded value studio? I have 3 ded value studios booked for June. I would be happy with the pool view but still crossing fingers for Savannah esp for Dh's family because they have never experienced anything like that, and because we have 3 rooms booking value studios ment being able to stay 7 nigths instead of 6!