1 bedroom AKV Kilmanjaro Club

[Girlstar30]

Quick Question. I was able to snag 3 nights AKV 1 bedroom Kilmanjaro Club for my birthday next year. If we do the club thing next year it will be before the refurb.

My question is, How is the 1 bedroom club level right now? We have never stayed in a one bedroom at any DVC resort. Should we wait for after the refurb or is it in a decent condition worth experiencing before? We will not be using the sofa bed so that is not a concern. I don't mind waiting if need be.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

Quick Question. I was able to snag 3 nights AKV 1 bedroom Kilmanjaro Club for my birthday next year. If we do the club thing next year it will be before the refurb.

My question is, How is the 1 bedroom club level right now? We have never stayed in a one bedroom at any DVC resort. Should we wait for after the refurb or is it in a decent condition worth experiencing before? We will not be using the sofa bed so that is not a concern. I don't mind waiting if need be.

I just stayed in a one bedroom at Jambo house (not club level) and the pullout was awful. Not sure if you’d be using it but I wouldn’t stay in one again.

 

[Smilelea]

Never stayed CL but given how difficult those rooms are to get, I would keep it.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

I just stayed in a one bedroom at Jambo house (not club level) and the pullout was awful. Not sure if you’d be using it but I wouldn’t stay in one again.

Sorry just saw you said you won’t be using it. I don’t know if I’d stay there again either way until they update. Polynesian is still the best imo and although I haven’t seen it yet the tower looks nice and I’ve heard the new restaurant is good. I’d probably try and snag a one bedroom at poly. I love the AKL resort but the rooms are not so great.

 

[stevelle]

I’m an akl owner and club level is the dream but until I’m retired I don’t have the flexibility to grab days that come available. You’re not even going to need the sofa bed so I’m almost confused by your concerns. The resort is beautiful. Sure rooms are due for a refresh but they’re not by any means terrible, not to me anyway. Off course you should stay there!

 

[Girlstar30]

I’m an akl owner and club level is the dream but until I’m retired I don’t have the flexibility to grab days that come available. You’re not even going to need the sofa bed so I’m almost confused by your concerns. The resort is beautiful. Sure rooms are due for a refresh but they’re not by any means terrible, not to me anyway. Off course you should stay there!

I wasn't sure if there was any other quirk someone wanted to point out but thank you we are going to stay! Stayed in January in a deluxe studio and ended up buying soooo i don't know what the concern was either

 

[Girlstar30]

Sorry just saw you said you won’t be using it. I don’t know if I’d stay there again either way until they update. Polynesian is still the best imo and although I haven’t seen it yet the tower looks nice and I’ve heard the new restaurant is good. I’d probably try and snag a one bedroom at poly. I love the AKL resort but the rooms are not so great.

We are staying at og poly in September and I'm going to try for the island tower next year, wish me luck!

 

[sndral]

As a long time fan of AKL/V (it’s one of my 2 home resorts) I’m honestly confused by your question - there are 10 possible club villas in all of DVC - five 2 br. lock offs at Jambo - you have one of the hardest to book villas in the DVC universe & you’ll get free food + booze as part of your stay.
The club villas are on the 6th floor & overlook either the pool or a narrow part of Sunset savanna so not the best views - but the views are better than some parking lot/road views you risk getting elsewhere. Reports are that the food is very good - in over a decade of ownership at AKV I’ve never scored a club villa so I don’t know first hand. I have stayed in 1 br.s & 2 br.s (which are all lock offs at Jambo - a 1 br. + studio) at Jambo many times & really like them. The most common complaints are the sofa beds (which I agree w/) & the fact that the spa tub has the shower over it (v. a separate shower) which doesn’t bother me.

Sorry just saw you said you won’t be using it. I don’t know if I’d stay there again either way until they update. Polynesian is still the best imo and although I haven’t seen it yet the tower looks nice and I’ve heard the new restaurant is good. I’d probably try and snag a one bedroom at poly. I love the AKL resort but the rooms are not so great.

It’s interesting how different experiences at a resort can color our feelings about that resort. Poly has been a no go for me after one stay years ago for a couple of reasons, the room was dark & dated & overlooked a parking lot (albeit through some shrubs,) the lobby was frenetic, except for the bungalows it was only studios thus no spa tub, no washer/dryer in unit, no separate living/sleeping space & thus no king bed, the fact that they reduced the living/sleeping space of the former hotel rooms to create the shower room in the villas. I still mourn the loss of the Poly waterfall in the lobby.
The easy access of the Poly to the TTC & Epcot monorail, OTH are real pluses, so I can see the attraction for folks doing studio stays, especially since the room decor has been updated since I stayed, I do like the lush landscaping of the grounds, & Captain Cook’s is my favorite resort QS.
The Tower is not a thing of beauty architecturally & sort of sticks out in not a good way from a distance IMO. Up close as you walk by (as I did several times when we stayed at the VGF for almost 2 weeks in Dec./Jan.) it looks fine - hopefully the landscaping will grow in w/ time, I really like the decor inside the tower & Wailua’s food was great IMO.

 

[Girlstar30]

I knew they were limited, but I didn't realize there were only 10 rooms! If the food is anything like the rest of the resort, sign me up, everything was delicious.

 

[kanerf]

I have stayed in Club Level several times in both a 1 BDRM and a Studio. The rooms are fine. A little run down, which is why the refurb is coming and a little dark as most of the rooms at AKL are, but it is fine to stay in. You will enjoy the club experience. All the rooms are on the same floor as the club. I found I did not spend a lot of time in the room except to sleep and bath.

 

[jksung5295]

sorry for reviving an old thread but @Girlstar30 and I both bought BLT and AKL contracts around the same time so i'm sure he will excuse me

I have scored 4 night 1BR Club room for kids Spring Break in 2026, randomly 2 days ago (i had to redo all my Disney planning for the year and next). But, I HATE the sofa bed as i'm usually stuck with sleeping on it with one of the kids.... BUT it is club room... is it worth keeping it? It looks like Jambo won't likely be refurbished before then. Staying at AKL is not a priority for us as we have stayed at Kidani in 2024.

I could get 1BR at Poly or VGF for similar points cost when 7 months opens it.... Is it worth it to keep the Club reservation? i'm struggling with this decision here. I would be much more excited to use the points at Poly and VGF as our "first" DVC member stay but who know if the Club reservation will ever become available to me again for my rigid travel schedule.

If i keep it, i was thinking of doing 3 nights in Poly or VGF (whatever is available at 7 months) then switching over to Club for the last 4 nights... or I wouldn't mind just getting all 7 nights at Poly or VGF so i don't have to change villas.

 

[Girlstar30]

1 bedroom club levels dont seem to be too difficult for owners to get. I scored 5 nights in March at 9 months out it was open i didnt have to waitlist.

I would stay where you want to stay if it was a studio club level, i would say you hit the jackpot and to keep it.

With that being said, I haven't stayed in a club level yet so cant comment whether its absolutely amazing or not and you should stay there regardless!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

1 bedroom club levels dont seem to be too difficult for owners to get. I scored 5 nights in March at 9 months out it was open i didnt have to waitlist.

I would stay where you want to stay if it was a studio club level, i would say you hit the jackpot and to keep it.

With that being said, I haven't stayed in a club level yet so cant comment whether its absolutely amazing or not and you should stay there regardless!

I would say getting the Jambo CL rooms at 9 months is a minor miracle! At least it's not the norm - you were probably very fortunate. All the rooms are often gone at 11 months, or even earlier with walkers.

The rooms themselves are not that special and are definitely in need of the TLC. The savanna view isn't even the best. But we absolutely love rolling out of bed and walking the few steps to the lounge. Or closing the lounge in the evenings and walking the few steps to our room. The offerings and the service in the lounge make it very special. At least for us..... I'm looking forward to the Murphy Beds being installed next year!

 

[Girlstar30]

I would say getting the Jambo CL rooms at 9 months is a minor miracle! At least it's not the norm - you were probably very fortunate. All the rooms are often gone at 11 months, or even earlier with walkers.

The rooms themselves are not that special and are definitely in need of the TLC. The savanna view isn't even the best. But we absolutely love rolling out of bed and walking the few steps to the lounge. Or closing the lounge in the evenings and walking the few steps to our room. The offerings and the service in the lounge make it very special. At least for us..... I'm looking forward to the Murphy Beds being installed next year!

Oh geez I didnt realize that, before I had 4 nights in February booked at 10 months so we switched to march for the 5 nights so I thought it was rather easy.

I wonder if they'll refurb the club level rooms first after Kidani, that would be great, but not getting our hopes up!

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

sorry for reviving an old thread but @Girlstar30 and I both bought BLT and AKL contracts around the same time so i'm sure he will excuse me

I have scored 4 night 1BR Club room for kids Spring Break in 2026, randomly 2 days ago (i had to redo all my Disney planning for the year and next). But, I HATE the sofa bed as i'm usually stuck with sleeping on it with one of the kids.... BUT it is club room... is it worth keeping it? It looks like Jambo won't likely be refurbished before then. Staying at AKL is not a priority for us as we have stayed at Kidani in 2024.

I could get 1BR at Poly or VGF for similar points cost when 7 months opens it.... Is it worth it to keep the Club reservation? i'm struggling with this decision here. I would be much more excited to use the points at Poly and VGF as our "first" DVC member stay but who know if the Club reservation will ever become available to me again for my rigid travel schedule.

If i keep it, i was thinking of doing 3 nights in Poly or VGF (whatever is available at 7 months) then switching over to Club for the last 4 nights... or I wouldn't mind just getting all 7 nights at Poly or VGF so i don't have to change villas.

I slept on it with my daughter to spare my husband who doesn’t have the best back. I wouldn’t ever book that room again if I had to sleep on the sofa pullout. It was THAT bad.

 

[jksung5295]

1 bedroom club levels dont seem to be too difficult for owners to get. I scored 5 nights in March at 9 months out it was open i didnt have to waitlist.

I would stay where you want to stay if it was a studio club level, i would say you hit the jackpot and to keep it.

With that being said, I haven't stayed in a club level yet so cant comment whether its absolutely amazing or not and you should stay there regardless!

definitely not studio and our family prefer the 1bedroom anyway with extra space, full kitchen, and laundry

I would say getting the Jambo CL rooms at 9 months is a minor miracle! At least it's not the norm - you were probably very fortunate. All the rooms are often gone at 11 months, or even earlier with walkers.

The rooms themselves are not that special and are definitely in need of the TLC. The savanna view isn't even the best. But we absolutely love rolling out of bed and walking the few steps to the lounge. Or closing the lounge in the evenings and walking the few steps to our room. The offerings and the service in the lounge make it very special. At least for us..... I'm looking forward to the Murphy Beds being installed next year!

It was 1 bedroom so it seems to have more availability (there's zero in Studio). If i knew the refurb would be done at Jambo before my stay. i would 1000% not even think about this very hard and keep the reservation.

Due to my schedule change, i have points to burn this year so dreaming of all the high point cost rooms

 

[Tatebeck]

We're doing 3 nights in early December and I'm excited for the lounge. No sleeper sofa needed so I think we will be fine

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I’ve stayed cash for CL for AKL for a 5 night trip in the past. I’ve done CL at GF and CR as well. The food is very good and has a lot of variety at AK. It’s a fun space, but it’s a bit dark. I’d highly recommend the CL stay (it’s one of the reasons my family was kinda iffy on buying DVC because it means no more Concierge).

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We're doing 3 nights in early December and I'm excited for the lounge. No sleeper sofa needed so I think we will be fine

Enjoy! Sounds great. And the sleeper sofa certainly isn't a negative just for the club rooms - they need to replace them all, at all the resorts!!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I’ve stayed cash for CL for AKL for a 5 night trip in the past. I’ve done CL at GF and CR as well. The food is very good and has a lot of variety at AK. It’s a fun space, but it’s a bit dark. I’d highly recommend the CL stay (it’s one of the reasons my family was kinda iffy on buying DVC because it means no more Concierge).

Unless you buy at AKL!!