AKV Value Studio Questions

[PryncessChrysty]

Hi there! I'm sorry if this has been posted before, but I've been searching for a while and wasn't able to find anything to specifically answer what I'm looking for. If any of you can help, I would be so very grateful! :upsidedow

Some of these may seem like really dumb questions, so I apologize in advance. We are renting points and this is our first time staying at a DVC resort ~ my DH2B and I will be there in September for our honeymoon! :lovestruc

1) I understand some of the Value studios have Savannah views, does that affect the point value? Or are some facing the Savannah, and some are facing the resort (aka parking lot), and it's just luck of the draw as to which one you'll get?
~ If the latter is true, can we request Savannah at a value (which I do understand would be just a request, not a guarantee).

2) Since the values were converted from existing rooms, and the standard studios are newly built, is there a noticeable difference?

3) Does the smaller size of the value make a big difference?

4) My dad may be staying with us a couple of nights, so we were going to have him sleep on the sofabed. Is this still included in the value room?

Thanks, Everyone! :flower3:

[izzy]

Hi there! I'm sorry if this has been posted before, but I've been searching for a while and wasn't able to find anything to specifically answer what I'm looking for. If any of you can help, I would be so very grateful! :upsidedow

Some of these may seem like really dumb questions, so I apologize in advance. We are renting points and this is our first time staying at a DVC resort ~ my DH2B and I will be there in September for our honeymoon! :lovestruc

1) I understand some of the Value studios have Savannah views, does that affect the point value? Or are some facing the Savannah, and some are facing the resort (aka parking lot), and it's just luck of the draw as to which one you'll get?
~ If the latter is true, can we request Savannah at a value (which I do understand would be just a request, not a guarantee).

2) Since the values were converted from existing rooms, and the standard studios are newly built, is there a noticeable difference?

3) Does the smaller size of the value make a big difference?

4) My dad may be staying with us a couple of nights, so we were going to have him sleep on the sofabed. Is this still included in the value room?

Thanks, Everyone! :flower3:

I stayed in a value room one time and a standard studio one time at AKV, so let me give this a shot for you:

1. The value rooms can have either a savannah or a parking lot view. I'm not sure if any of them have a pool view, although I'm sure someone on here will know the answer to that. You do not have to use any extra points for the savannah view, and it really is just luck of the draw if you get it. I did request it at the time I made the reservation, and I did get a savannah view. However, I imagine most everyone who books a value room requests a savannah view, so I'm not sure how much making the request helps. I always say it can't hurt, though!

2 & 3. The value room I stayed in was about 3 feet shorter than the standard studio I stayed in at AKV, and this is mostly noticed in the "living area" of the room. I don't remember the entry hallway, bathroom, or kitchenette area being any smaller than the standard studio. I believe the width of the room was the same for both the value and standard. It seemed like the bed and sofa were a little closer in the value than in the standard. It was a little noticeable, but not enough to bother me. When it was just me and my mother in that room, it was just fine. When my aunt joined us midway through the trip, it was more noticeable, but still not enough to really bother any of us.

4. The room does a have sleeper sofa in it.

Hope this helps, and have a good time!

[PryncessChrysty]

izzy, thank you SO much! That was super helpful, especially since you were in almost the exact same situation as we will be in! (2 people, then 3)

This doesn't sound so bad, and we will definitely request Savannah view - but will expect to get parking lot so we don't get our hopes up! LOL

[LisaS]

1) I understand some of the Value studios have Savannah views, does that affect the point value? Or are some facing the Savannah, and some are facing the resort (aka parking lot), and it's just luck of the draw as to which one you'll get?
~ If the latter is true, can we request Savannah at a value (which I do understand would be just a request, not a guarantee).The Value rooms are in Jambo House. They are located along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails at the front (main entrance end) of the resort so they can have a view of the Sunset Savanna, the pool area or the parking lot as you can see on this map: http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php The view is luck of the draw and does not affect the point cost of the room. Only a few of the Value rooms face the parking lot so the odds are good you will get either a savanna view or a pool view.

2) Since the values were converted from existing rooms, and the standard studios are newly built, is there a noticeable difference?All of the DVC accommodations in Jambo House are the result of converting AKL hotel rooms. The Values were created from standard size AKL hotel rooms. The Standard View, Savanna View and Concierge rooms were created from the larger "deluxe" size AKL hotel rooms which were about 3 feet longer than the "standard" size rooms. That's why the Values are smaller than the non-Value accommodations.

3) Does the smaller size of the value make a big difference? As izzy said, the length difference is in the living/sleeping area not in the bathroom and kitchenette area. The Value studios do not have the little storage bench that the non-Values have due to the room length difference so you get even less storage space in a Value studio. The furnishings are large so everything ends up a bit crammed together in the Value studio.

4) My dad may be staying with us a couple of nights, so we were going to have him sleep on the sofabed. Is this still included in the value room?Yes the Value studios have a queen bed and a full-size sofa bed.

[DVCAustralia]

Value arises as a category as the length of the room is shorter. The reason for this, conversion of existing hotel rooms in an existing building, means that you have three different views available; savannah, pool and parking lot. From memory there are 10 studios and there are 4 S, 4 P, and 2 P.
Hope this helps.

[gkrykewy]

1. The value rooms can have either a savannah or a parking lot view. I'm not sure if any of them have a pool view, although I'm sure someone on here will know the answer to that. You do not have to use any extra points for the savannah view, and it really is just luck of the draw if you get it. I did request it at the time I made the reservation, and I did get a savannah view. However, I imagine most everyone who books a value room requests a savannah view, so I'm not sure how much making the request helps. I always say it can't hurt, though!

Part of our party had a value studio last August, and they had a pool/Boma roof view. Not bad!

[Anal Annie]

We are a family of 3 who stayed in a Value Studio last July - it was tight but we were only there for 3 nights. We were cruising for 7 n after our stay at WDW so we had a LOT of luggage...there is not a lot of space for large suitcases so we were climbing all over the stuff while we were there. Also, no room to really store the little footstool things they use instead of a coffee table. Since we were only there for 3 nights we managed and I would say for 2 of you you'll be OK if you don't overpack like I do!:confused3

Finally, we had asked for a savanna view when I made the ressie and that may have worked out except that we got there early (around Noon-ish) and they had no savanna views clean yet but they DID have a "pool view" the girl said so we opted to take that one. HA! All I can say is that all "pool views" are not created equal!:rotfl: Just because a unit is on the same side of the building as the pool does NOT mean you will actually be able to SEE the pool:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d629b3127ccec48475ee3a8200000040O08Qbs27Ju5cA9 vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d629b3127ccec48496f6fb4300000040O08Qbs27Ju5cA9 vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

:rolleyes1

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm going to try for a Value Studio for a long weekend in January. Just the two of us....I'm a little nervous for several reasons, I'm sure it will be fine. Any other comments about the location to the restaraunts, buses, etc?

[Anal Annie]

I'm going to try for a Value Studio for a long weekend in January. Just the two of us....I'm a little nervous for several reasons, I'm sure it will be fine. Any other comments about the location to the restaraunts, buses, etc?

Actually, this particular location was a bonus for ours even tho we had no view...it was only a few doors away from a set of stairs that came out a few steps away from the bus stop!!:thumbsup2 MUCH, MUCH quicker to use the stairs rather than going all the way back up to the lobby and down the hallway!

[Simba's Mom]

I loved my value studio last year-so much that I just reserved one for October. I transferred there from a standard studio, and I didn't notice much of a difference in size. And the view was great-truly a pool view-

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

[PryncessChrysty]

This is all great, thank you all so much for the info and for posting pictures! We are now booked for a value studio from 9/27 - 10/3! :banana:

You all have me really excited for our stay!


Anal Annie, that's just comical that they consider that a pool view! :rotfl: Our biggest thing is just trying to avoid a view of the parking lot as much as possible, so we'll be happy if we get the overgrown pool view. LOL :3dglasses

[LisaS]

Anal Annie, that's just comical that they consider that a pool view! :rotfl:If we want to get technical here, there is no such thing as a "pool view" at AKV. There are two defined views at AKV: 1) "Savanna View" which is a view of a savanna and 2) "Standard View" which is a view of a pool, garden or parking lot. Annie had a Value room with a standard view and her view could be considered a view of a garden I guess! I should add that several of the rooms located around the pool area can also have a view of the restaurant roof as well.

[PryncessChrysty]

If we want to get technical here, there is no such thing as a "pool view" at AKV. There are two defined views at AKV: 1) "Savanna View" which is a view of a savanna and 2) "Standard View" which is a view of a pool, garden or parking lot. Annie had a Value room with a standard view and her view could be considered a view of a garden I guess! I should add that several of the rooms located around the pool area can also have a view of the restaurant roof as well.

No, no, I understand that - there is standard and savannah, and that's it. Thank you for the clarification, though. It's just funny that they told her the room had a view of the pool, and that was the view. :rotfl:

[PryncessChrysty]

I loved my value studio last year-so much that I just reserved one for October. I transferred there from a standard studio, and I didn't notice much of a difference in size. And the view was great-truly a pool view-

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


Thanks, Simba's Mom! Do you happen to have any pics of your value studio, by chance? :flower3:

[LisaS]

No, no, I understand that - there is standard and savannah, and that's it. Thank you for the clarification, though. It's just funny that they told her the room had a view of the pool, and that was the view. :rotfl:I think it's a common problem at AKV. We were at Kidani the first week they were open. We were told we had a pool view also. Our balcony was actually many rooms away from the pool area and was really more of a view of the walkway to the pool. If we looked over to the right we could see the pool area but it is surrounded by so many tall trees that we could see only a tiny bit of blue water through all the foliage. I would estimate our standard view ("pool, garden or parking lot") was about 1% pool, 49% garden and 50% roadway/parking lot/building/main entrance. But we still enjoyed it!

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks, Simba's Mom! Do you happen to have any pics of your value studio, by chance? :flower3:

Yes, I did take a few pictures, but I can't guarantee how well they came out. In the first, I was trying to show the slightly narrower width of the value studio, that's why I put the piece of paper on the floor. But the strong light from the balcony and my lack of photography skills made it not come out too well. However, as you can see, in this value studio (I think in all value studios), the bed and couch placement were reversed with the bed right next to the window-

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1015-1.jpg

Two sinks, even in the value-

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n309/Simbasmom32/May2008-WDW/DSCF1016.jpg

No room between the right of the armoire and the wall-

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

And looking off the right side of the balcony-

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

[PryncessChrysty]

Thank you so much for posting those pics! That gives me a much better idea of what to expect! :thumbsup2

It does look a bit tight in there for 3 people, nothing that would scare me away, though. I wonder if we can fit the bags (it's really just two because we condense all the pieces after we unpack) under the sink area......

[Anal Annie]

Thank you so much for posting those pics! That gives me a much better idea of what to expect! :thumbsup2

It does look a bit tight in there for 3 people, nothing that would scare me away, though. I wonder if we can fit the bags (it's really just two because we condense all the pieces after we unpack) under the sink area......

I can't remember why we didn't put luggage under the sink...maybe there were some shelves or something under the vanity area so we weren't able to store anything there...we DID however put DH's large 30" duffle along the wall in the vanity area - across from the bathroom door (which is why I said were climbing all over the luggage while we were there - it was right in front of the sinks. We had a connecting studio to a 1 bedroom unit so we had a bit more room inbetween the armoire and the wall - enough to open the luggage stand & set 1 duffle on that. The beds in the AKV villas are very tall and open underneath so we were able to slide DS's suitcase & our carry-ons under the bed. We also had to figure out where to put the sofa cushions. I think we stood them on top of the back of the couch or something. It was kind of a puzzle to get everything in a spot. Here's a few more pics:

You can see here that there's really no place to put those little stools that are used as a coffee table when the bed is out:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d636b3127ccec4b727295d3a00000040O08Qbs27Ju5cA9 vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The armoire was really small with the connecting door next to it - smaller than in the other units:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d636b3127ccec4b786031dd800000040O08Qbs27Ju5cA9 vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The kitchenette is adequate tho:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d636b3127ccec4b61318fc6d00000040O08Qbs27Ju5cA9 vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


With 3 of us we would stay in a value studio again if it was only for 3 days again or to save points. But would prefer a standard I think for the xtra room....

[LisaS]

The armoire was really small with the connecting door next to it - smaller than in the other units:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d636b3127ccec4b786031dd800000040O08Qbs27Ju5cA9 vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/That armoire is quite a bit smaller than the standard one (shown in Simba's Mom's post). But I can see from your photo that in those Value rooms with the connecting door in the living area rather than the entryway, there isn't room for the full-size armoire. Where did they store the vacuum cleaner and ironing board? Did your room have one of those little broom closets or were those things stored in the armoire?

[robinb]

The Value rooms are in Jambo House. They are located along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails at the front (main entrance end) of the resort so they can have a view of the Sunset Savanna, the pool area or the parking lot as you can see on this map: http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php The view is luck of the draw and does not affect the point cost of the room. Only a few of the Value rooms face the parking lot so the odds are good you will get either a savanna view or a pool view.IIRC "dedicated value studio" is a booking category and you would be guaranteed to have a pool or savanna view. They are the purple studios on your map. I tried for one for Christmas week but tried to book too late.

[izzy]

I end up putting luggage all over the place, even in the standard studios. One trick I learned while taking cruises is to unzip your luggage and open the top, and then it fits under the bed easier. The worst thing I have to deal with are those two tables in front of the sofa. I think when I stayed in the value room that I put one of them on the balcony to use for setting drinks on. I don't remember what we did with the other one. I usually put as many sofa cushions as I can on top of the armoire.

If you happen to take your own sheets (I prefer fitted sheets), I think the sofa bed is closer to being queen size. The first time I stayed at AKV, I brought a double fitted sheet for the sofa bed, and it was too small. The 2nd time I stayed at AKV, I brought a queen fitted sheet and it worked just fine on the sofa bed. For that stay, I actually split my stay between a savannah view room and the value room, and the queen sized sheet fit both of the sofa beds in those rooms.

[PryncessChrysty]

Thanks for the pics, Annie!

And to everyone for all of the great tips! At my 3 day mark, I'll be sure to request a dedicated studio. I had no idea about that! :worship:

[Anal Annie]

That armoire is quite a bit smaller than the standard one (shown in Simba's Mom's post). But I can see from your photo that in those Value rooms with the connecting door in the living area rather than the entryway, there isn't room for the full-size armoire. Where did they store the vacuum cleaner and ironing board? Did your room have one of those little broom closets or were those things stored in the armoire?

:rotfl: Everything was in the armoire! So it's really a useless thing! We were only there for 3 nights so I did not unpack anything but toiletries... I DO like having the double sinks in the vanity area...

[LisaS]

Thanks for the pics, Annie!

And to everyone for all of the great tips! At my 3 day mark, I'll be sure to request a dedicated studio. I had no idea about that! :worship:There was a report recently that "dedicated studio" is no longer a separate booking category at AKV. Please report back what happens when you try to book this. I would like to know if the booking categories have really been changed or if it was incorrect information from an uninformed CM. Even if they have eliminated it as a separate booking category, it might still be possible to add it as a request. Good luck!

[LisaS]

:rotfl: Everything was in the armoire! So it's really a useless thing! We were only there for 3 nights so I did not unpack anything but toiletries... I DO like having the double sinks in the vanity area...That's unfortunate because that means there is little to no room to hang clothes in the armoire. I think the connecting door in the living area is also the reason why the bed in your studio was next to the sliding door. I suspect there isn't enough clearance if the bed is across from the connecting door so they have to swap the bed and sleeper sofa in the studios that have the door in that location.

I like the double sinks too. Most of the studios in Jambo House have double sinks. The original AKL hotel rooms had double sinks and the vanity and bathroom area in the Jambo studios appears to be unchanged from what was there to begin with in the hotel rooms. There are a few rooms that have just a single sink, either because it's an HA room and they put in a wheelchair accessible sink or because they had to work around some structural element of the building and had to install a smaller vanity.

[Simba's Mom]

There was a report recently that "dedicated studio" is no longer a separate booking category at AKV. Please report back what happens when you try to book this. I would like to know if the booking categories have really been changed or if it was incorrect information from an uninformed CM. Even if they have eliminated it as a separate booking category, it might still be possible to add it as a request. Good luck!

I wonder how long ago this happened. I booked a value studio for October a few weeks ago, didn't specify dedicated or not, yet the confirmation I just received says "dedicated". I hope so! I really would rather not have that tiny armoire.