AKL Value rooms

[Disney Princess]

We are considering trying to reserve a value room for ourselves. Our home resort is BWV, so we'd be making the reservation at 7 months. How easy/difficult are the value rooms to book at 7 months?

I know the rooms are a bit smaller than "regular" rooms. Anything else different about them? We'd be booking a studio. The room is just for DH and me, so I'm not worried about the pullout sofa or anything like that.

We prefer Jambo house over Kidani. I think I remember reading that one of these resorst does NOT have values. Which one is that?

We know that the savanna view is the favorite of DISers, but we think the point savings of staying value is a wonderful option for us. Please let us know anything else we might need to know.

Thanks!!!

 

[Sandisw]

I think those rooms go fast. But, they are only located in Jambo. They were regular Disney hotel rooms that were converted so I believe about 3 ft. shorter than the others.

The value rooms do have different views and I guess a few of them face the savannah, so if you were lucky, you might end up with that view anyway. They used to allow members to request that but I have read it stopped. I am assuming because most requested it anyway.

Good luck!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

The value rooms are in Jambo and the view can be pool, savannah or parking lot. Lately people have mentioned that the parking lot is primarily a foliage view. I have a 2 bedroom value booked for a "gals" get away in September. I booked it at 11 months out.

I've often booked a value studio for DH and I and sometimes I have booked them at 7 months out using other home points.

It's also been true that for whatever reason, we've gotten a USA today newspaper (no charge) when we've stayed in our value rooms.

Bobbi

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I guess the question would be, when are you looking to book for? If you're looking at peak DVC travel dates, you're going to find difficulty reserving a value room, there are very, very few of them.

 

[mgroshans]

We are booked for a studio value for our trip in May/June. It will be me, DH and 2 DS's (11 & 10). Do the values have the pull out couch?

 

[Iris4474]

On a whim, we booked a last minute trip in August. I called MS 2 weeks before we could go. A value studio was available. We had a parking lot view, but it didn't matter. We were never really in the room. For 2 people, it was perfect. Enjoy your trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are booked for a studio value for our trip in May/June. It will be me, DH and 2 DS's (11 & 10). Do the values have the pull out couch?

A value studio has a pull out double sleep sofa.

Bobbi

 

[pixie08]

Ok I have stayed in both...

Value studios are only in Jambo, and yes they are evry hard to come by. I think there are under 20 studios (my numbers could be off but there are very few). However, I would try for one it can't hurt.

The room itself is a great...pardon my pun...value. Especially for 2 people. I reserved 2, and requested dedicated for both), one room received a pool view, other parking lot. The pool view room was dedicated and the parking lot view was lock off.

The rooms are not so small and similar to a mod room but with a balcony! I think the big closet was missing. The arrangement is a bit different with the bed next to the sliding door, none of that bothered us. The location of them is great (all of them are in the front "horns" of the hotel).

 

[supersuperwendy]

We have a value two bedroom booked. We booked exactly at our 11 month window..so not sure how hard the studios will be to get at 7 months. We've never stayed at Jambo and I'm so excited about it! Only 333 days to go!

 

[Disney Princess]

Thanks everyone! We'll see if we even try to switch - we own at BWV and always book standard view to save points. Those value studios were just calling this bargain hunter's name. We may be traveling at the same time as my aunt and cousins, so if that is the case we'll just stay at BWV where they also own points. But, if just DH and I go, we may give it a shot. I appreciate all the input and feedback.

 

[rlovew]

I have been able to get a value studio in October at about 5 months out. I was also looking for any studio in Sept and Nov at the same time and was not able to get the value studio for either of those (one was 4 months and the other 6) at the same time. I think a lot depends on how long you are going and the time of the year.

 

[lmshaggard]

We just stayed in a value studio the week before Christmas that I booked seven months out. We had a savannah view and I didn't notice the room being smaller at than the other standard or savannah views we have stayed at AKL. We were only in the room 2 nights before we moved to a 2 bedroom, but there were 4 of us and it was fine.

 

[Brandis]

I had booked a value studio for last May, at about 4 month out.

I requested "Close to Lobby" and got the second savannah view room on Ostrich trail. Great location room-wise, the savannah view was OK.

 

[n2mm]

I have tried to book the value studio at least 5 times now at the 7 month window and have never been successful (late June, early March, early May, late Sept, early Dec). I will continue to try again for next January. Good luck.

 

[Brandis]

When I got the value for May at 4 month, I actually called before, like 5 or 6 month before and then I was told it was all booked.

So about 4 month before I sent a mail with a booking request, giving 3 resorts as preferences, they wrote back that all 3 were fully booked but they would have some value studios at AKV available and I should call them if I'm interested.

If you really want to try the value studio and you don't get it at 7 month, it's perhaps a good idea to waitlist it, it might become available closer to the date.