AKL 2 Bedroom

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I am starting to research into AKL, my dad wants club level. We were looking into splitting a 2 bedroom, how hard is it to get a 2 bedroom Club level? Do I need to do the 499 days out call thing? What are my chances of being able to get it during a holiday? Thanks!

 

[clayfolks]

DVC or conventional booking? I’d do it as early as possible. If DVC, basically, hopeless unless you own there.

 

[Babsy]

I don't really know the answer to your question specifically. However, if I wanted a particular room category at a specific resort, I would book it as early as possible.That would be at 11 months renting points and at 499 days cash booking. If budget or discounts will have any impact than I would book the lowest priced cash option that I would be happy staying in and start hunting for more affordable options that I would prefer.

Good luck!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

OP, I believe you are referring to a 2-bedroom CL Suite at AKL, is that correct? There are no 2-bedroom CL DVC villas at Jambo. The 2-bedroom suites aren't terribly hard to come by. I see them pop up frequently. In fact, I just checked Christmas week 2020 and could book one for an entire week. If that is the category you really want, though, I would book it at the 499 day mark to lock it in.

 

[karen4546]

OP, I believe you are referring to a 2-bedroom CL Suite at AKL, is that correct? There are no 2-bedroom CL DVC villas at Jambo. The 2-bedroom suites aren't terribly hard to come by. I see them pop up frequently. In fact, I just checked Christmas week 2020 and could book one for an entire week. If that is the category you really want, though, I would book it at the 499 day mark to lock it in.

2br Club level is a bookable category for AKV JAmbo House. They are considered 2br lockoff. They are available at 11 months out. They are difficult to book but it is possible. it is the studio portion of the lock off that goes so quickly. 1 bedroom CL rooms can be available at 7 months out.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

DVC or conventional booking? I’d do it as early as possible. If DVC, basically, hopeless unless you own there.

Conventional booking. I would love to do DVC, but when reading that seemed impossible since we are not owners.

OP, I believe you are referring to a 2-bedroom CL Suite at AKL, is that correct? There are no 2-bedroom CL DVC villas at Jambo. The 2-bedroom suites aren't terribly hard to come by. I see them pop up frequently. In fact, I just checked Christmas week 2020 and could book one for an entire week. If that is the category you really want, though, I would book it at the 499 day mark to lock it in.

I am not sure of the difference between Suites and villas. Are the villas the DVC? If so I already know those are impossible with the research I have done so far. So a little more info about this, I am the big Disney planner in the family. My dad never comes to Disney with the family. But my dad finally said he would come to Disney with us this time but he wants 2 bed room, the club level, and a great view of the animals in the main lodge and he is okay with paying a lot of money for what he wants. I am more familiar with POP, AOA and Wilderness Campgrounds than AKL. (I travel more on a budget) My dad does not like Disney but looves Africa (he grew up in South Africa for a while) so when he looked into AKL he loved it.
I am worried about being able to deliver on what dad wants so checking on the likelihood of getting it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

2br Club level is a bookable category for AKV JAmbo House. They are considered 2br lockoff. They are available at 11 months out. They are difficult to book but it is possible. it is the studio portion of the lock off that goes so quickly. 1 bedroom CL rooms can be available at 7 months out.

Got it. I would suppose it's virtually impossible to book this renting points. It is not listed as available on a cash booking basis.

Conventional booking. I would love to do DVC, but when reading that seemed impossible since we are not owners.



I am not sure of the difference between Suites and villas. Are the villas the DVC? If so I already know those are impossible with the research I have done so far. So a little more info about this, I am the big Disney planner in the family. My dad never comes to Disney with the family. But my dad finally said he would come to Disney with us this time but he wants 2 bed room, the club level, and a great view of the animals in the main lodge and he is okay with paying a lot of money for what he wants. I am more familiar with POP, AOA and Wilderness Campgrounds than AKL. (I travel more on a budget) My dad does not like Disney but looves Africa (he grew up in South Africa for a while) so when he looked into AKL he loved it.
I am worried about being able to deliver on what dad wants so checking on the likelihood of getting it.

I think you will be fine booking something he will like!

First, in terms of the difference between suites and villas. The suites are part of the AKL resort and will include club level service. The DVC villas in Jambo, while still being in the same building as the resort rooms are part of the vacation club, time-share (some units have CL access) - the only huge difference between the suites and villas is the 1- and 2-bedroom villas will have a full kitchen and washer/dryer in the unit, whereas the suites will not have these amenities. I hope that makes sense.

That being said, if you are ok with not having a kitchen and washer/dryer, you should have a good chance at booking a 2-bedroom CL suite. There are 8 of them in Jambo House and they all have savanna views. Just be forewarned - they are at the ends of the resort buildings so can be quite a bit of a walk to the CL lounge, lobby, pool, etc. If your dad wants something even more grand, look into booking either the 2-bedroom Royal Kuba Suite or the 2-bedroom Royal Asanta Presidential Suite. Again, both have CL access and savanna views.

This site has some great descriptions of the suites at AKL and the other deluxe resorts: https://www.wdwluxuryguide.com/expe...gdom-resort-area/disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge

When are you going? If you call to book at 499 days, you shouldn't have a problem booking one of the regular, 2-bedroom suites. If you want one of the specialty suites, the only way to book is to call.

 

[Marionnette]

Conventional booking. I would love to do DVC, but when reading that seemed impossible since we are not owners.



I am not sure of the difference between Suites and villas. Are the villas the DVC? If so I already know those are impossible with the research I have done so far. So a little more info about this, I am the big Disney planner in the family. My dad never comes to Disney with the family. But my dad finally said he would come to Disney with us this time but he wants 2 bed room, the club level, and a great view of the animals in the main lodge and he is okay with paying a lot of money for what he wants. I am more familiar with POP, AOA and Wilderness Campgrounds than AKL. (I travel more on a budget) My dad does not like Disney but looves Africa (he grew up in South Africa for a while) so when he looked into AKL he loved it.
I am worried about being able to deliver on what dad wants so checking on the likelihood of getting it.

Villas = DVC and you are not likely to be able to book a 2BR AKV CL villa. Neither cash nor by renting from a member. There are very few of them and all are composed of a 1BR + studio. If lucky enough to book one, there are only 2 that face the savanna and you are just as likely to be facing the pool instead.

Suites = cash rooms. Typically, you need to call to book them. I would call 499 days in advance and be prepared to pay the rack rate. A deposit equal to 1 night’s stay is required.

 

[Mazz519]

Dvc is nearly impossible to book a 2bdrm, try renting from someone on here and see if they can get you in.... Will probably be cheaper than going through Disney

 

[kirstenb1]

Yes, agree with renting. We're DVC owners, and haven't rented. But I remember seeing at least 2 companies on here that do that. Best of luck!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You won't be able to rent a 2BR Club Level Villa.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP - I think you've figured it out, but pretty much best to ignore the DVC/Villa talk above when it comes to 2BRs. That's a very small set of rooms that get booked by DVC folks nearly immediately and isn't really an option for your stay.

So, what you want to focus on is the 2BR suites ("2 Bedroom Suite - Club Level Access") that show up on Disney's AKL webpage: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-lodge/rates-rooms/

These are all in Jambo House and can be on any floor, generally at the end of the hallways (great for Savanna/animal viewing, bad for distance to lobby/CL lounge, so it's a give/take thing). Since they are so pricey and there are several of them, availability isn't crazy difficult (relative to some other WDW resort suite types) and I see that room type available often, although you should probably go ahead and book if it's super-important to you just to be safe.

We've stayed in one, so happy to answer any questions.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

First, in terms of the difference between suites and villas. The suites are part of the AKL resort and will include club level service. The DVC villas in Jambo, while still being in the same building as the resort rooms are part of the vacation club, time-share (some units have CL access) - the only huge difference between the suites and villas is the 1- and 2-bedroom villas will have a full kitchen and washer/dryer in the unit, whereas the suites will not have these amenities. I hope that makes sense.

So is there no small kitchen in suites? What we need is a mini-fridge, coffee maker and microwave.

 

[Marionnette]

So is there no small kitchen in suites? What we need is a mini-fridge, coffee maker and microwave.

Check the Disney website to confirm but I do believe that there is a microwave in the suites. All AKL resort rooms have a mini fridge and coffee maker. The DVC 2BR villa would have extras like a full kitchen (dishwasher, range, microwave, full-size refrigerator with freezer) and a washer/dryer. However, as has been pointed out, your chances of getting a DVC 2BR CL villa are pretty much zero.

 

[Deb & Bill]

OP, I believe you are referring to a 2-bedroom CL Suite at AKL, is that correct? There are no 2-bedroom CL DVC villas at Jambo. The 2-bedroom suites aren't terribly hard to come by. I see them pop up frequently. In fact, I just checked Christmas week 2020 and could book one for an entire week. If that is the category you really want, though, I would book it at the 499 day mark to lock it in.

Yes, there are two bedroom CL villas at Jambo House on the sixth floor. They are lockoffs. There are basically five of them, but then there are no studios or one bedrooms. So every studio or one bedroom takes a two bedroom out of the total. Three are savanna view and two are pool view and you cannot request a view because there are so few of them However, they go extremely quickly with DVC bookings by walking. So if you try to book at 11 months out, you'll probably find them all gone. Getting one by renting is a unicorn.

The two bedroom suites are different from villas. They don't have the full kitchen or laundry room, but they do have some kitchen facilities (Just not the full kitchen) like a microwave, coffee maker, small bar sink.

If you give up Club level, you could get any two bedroom villa at Kidani Village since they have dedicated two bedroom villas there. One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper, one twin sleeper chair.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, there are two bedroom CL villas at Jambo House on the sixth floor. They are lockoffs. There are basically five of them, but then there are no studios or one bedrooms. So every studio or one bedroom takes a two bedroom out of the total. Three are savanna view and two are pool view and you cannot request a view because there are so few of them However, they go extremely quickly with DVC bookings by walking. So if you try to book at 11 months out, you'll probably find them all gone. Getting one by renting is a unicorn.

The two bedroom suites are different from villas. They don't have the full kitchen or laundry room, but they do have some kitchen facilities (Just not the full kitchen) like a microwave, coffee maker, small bar sink.

If you give up Club level, you could get any two bedroom villa at Kidani Village since they have dedicated two bedroom villas there. One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper, one twin sleeper chair.

Yes, thank you! I learn something new every day. I've only ever booked villas with cash via WDW and one cannot book the 2-bedroom CL villa in Jambo as a cash reservation. It's not even listed as an option on the WDW website, so only DVC savvy folks would know this exists!! As you and PP stated, it doesn't sound like it's a viable option for OP through point rental.

The Kidani 2-bedroom is a great idea! I guess it comes down to CL access in Jambo by booking a suite vs. a 2-bedroom villa, no CL access, but full kitchen and w/d in Kidani. OP, if it comes down to price, just know, the Kidani villa will, most likely, price out less than the Jambo suite!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you give up Club service, but get a DVC two bedroom, you have the full kitchen to store/prepare/order any food or beverage you like. In the quantity you prefer. You can purchase food and beverages from the store in the lobby or get a delivery service to deliver your items to your resort. Or make a quick shopping trip on your way to the resort.

 

[toodycat]

In 2018, we were able to secure a two bedroom villa at Kidani, not Jambo, about 10 days before departure. I am a fussy person and this space was magnificent. I would definitely recommend it, even without CL. We stayed in a savannah view room CL in Jambo for DH’s 50th birthday and I wasn’t blown away with the offerings. I would enthusiastically recommend a two bedroom villa at Kidani.