AKL Jambo House Concierge

[tinkerjack]

Hello Everyone,

I have a question and I need some help. I'm on the fence about buying my first contract at SSR (100-150 pts) and I was wondering what your experience has been being able to book AKL Killimanjaro Club Concierge at 7 months out for either a studio or one bedroom.
I usually travel to the World in October, November, or January if that makes a difference. I'm debating on a cheaper contract at SSR and crossing my fingers for AKL Concierge at 7 months, or am I better buying an AKL resale for the 11 month window. This isn't a buy where you want to stay question, it's have you all had luck at 7 months out question. Thanks very much in advace! Jeffrey

 

[Sandisw]

From most of the posts that I have read, I think getting concierge at 7 months is going to be very difficult. Even for owners, many have said you must book right at the 11 month mark--there just are not that many rooms.

If this is what you really want in terms of stay, then I would buy there and not chance an SSR contract--unless you won't be disappointed if you never get it. Saving money is great but not if you start having trouble getting what you want, arrive at WDW, and feel disappointed.

I contemplated those contracts too and when it came down to it, I just didn't want to chance my stays at BLT. It was more money but I know (since I can book my trips at the 11 month mark) that I have a really great chance of getting whatever I want at BLT. .

Good luck!

 

[Tigger1]

I cant speak for 7 months but I did get a studio at around 8 months for July.

Maybe I was just lucky.

 

[twinklebug]

Hi Jeffrey, nothing's impossible and people cancel their reservations all the time, but when there's only a handful of concierge units to start with it makes it that much harder to get. I tried booking for 11months minus one day out for Feb and was unable to book a studio. I've been on the waitlist for 3 months now without a budge.

If you must have AKV Concierge, I'd buy AKV just for that window. If looking to save money on the dues, you could consider purchasing just enough AKV points so you can bank and borrow so you have the 11 month advantage every second or third year & fill the rest in with the SSR.

I'm considering an add-on too and although the incentives/dues at BLT are good, it just doesn't 'ring' with me. I'm torn over the home booking advantage for VWL, the value & concierge rooms at AKV as well as SSR's treehouses ... never thought I'd say it, but SSR is a strong contender here Too many choices!

 

[dgaston]

Keep in mind there are only 5 two br lock-offs, so that's a maximum of 10 rooms if all are booked as a one br, and a studio. I was fortunate enough to grab a studio for May '10, and that was calling promptly at 9 am on my 11 month window.

 

[LisaS]

AKV Concierge consists of five 2BR lockoffs so there are at most 10 rooms if every one of those lockoffs was split and rented as a 1BR and a studio. The number of AKV owners will continue to grow until AKV sells out. It is going to be one of the larger resorts so there will be a lot of owners. That creates a lot of competition for a handful of rooms.

 

[tinkerjack]

Hello Everyone,

Thank you all very much for your replies. I guess my problem is solved, I'll just stay with Debbie in May!

 

[dgaston]

You get the pull-out; DH and I have dibs on the bed

 

[wdw1972]

I called on the 11 month day but failed to call until 9:07am. Concierge studios were all gone by then, as expected. This was for mid January - hardly a peak period ;-) I called yesterday (7 months) and got BLT lake view no problem.

 

[FANOFALLDIS]

Got a 4 nt studio stay in July at the 7 month mark. I am sure it was because someone had cancelled. I have called before (within the 7 month mark) and been told there were some conc. rooms available, but it is very random 1 or 2 nights, and due to people changing and cancelling reservations. I have also heard of wait lists working for conc. rooms.

 

[mastersd]

Hi,
We own at Saratoga. We have never stayed there! We have booked at the 7 month mark for AKL Concierge twice. Last year we stayed 3 nights in a 1br concierage and this year Sept 1-4. I was ready to cancel because I had booked the first at the 7 month mark but was waitlisted for the 2nd. When I found out I got it for the second I asked about the 3rd and we got them all. It is definately possible!


Deanna

 

[tink_2007]

We lucked out and got AKV Concierge for 4 days in Nov at 9 months out. The CM on the phone was shocked it was open.

 

[jazmyin]

I am staying in a studio from Aug 23rd-29th. I called at the 7 m window at 9 am. I got my 1st two ngts and was wait listed for the other 4. Three days later it came thru. So now staying 6 ngts in studio concierge. Also last Aug. I also stayed for 3 ngts in Aug in a studio conc room. Again called at 9am at the 7th month mark. I guess I was just lucky. My home resort is SSR. Funny, I have stayed at WLV, BWV, AKLV and then this year 6 ngts at AKLVC and then 5 more ngts at Beach Club Villas but never stayed at my home resort yet. Good luck with your decision.

 

[DebbieB]

A group of friends & I got it at the end of last June for 4 nights, 1 bedroom. Called at the 7 month mark. Not sure if the fact that we checked in on Friday helped.

 

[tinkerjack]

Hello,

Just another thank you for all your replies. I'm still not sure if I should buy SS for the cheaper points or AKL for the 11 month window. At least now I have TWO Debbie's I can stay with until I decide. Sorry but I snore. Jeffrey

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hello,

Just another thank you for all your replies. I'm still not sure if I should buy SS for the cheaper points or AKL for the 11 month window. At least now I have TWO Debbie's I can stay with until I decide. Sorry but I snore. Jeffrey

SSR would be great to own to be able to stay in the Treehouse Villas. But if you ever want to stay in the AKV Concierge rooms, you really need to own AKV.

 

[Tamar]

We stayed in an AKV concierge studio last month.

We had another member make our reservation at exactly 11 months out, since we don't own at AKV. We had given him 2 weeks that would work...the first week was unavailable right at the 11 month mark (not sure how early the call was made, but this was back when day by day calling was needed for hard to get rooms). Luckily the second week came through.

It's wonderful, and every 2-3 years we intend to rent or get a transfer of AKV points so we can experience it again.

I briefly considered buying a 30 point AKV contract, which would've allowed us to stay 4 weeknights in May in a concierge studio every other year. Glad I didn't as I suspect the point chart has changed and I would've probably been a bit short, which would've ticked me off.