AKL Value Studio review.

[LJC1861]

My friend Sandy and I are checking out of our lovely AKL-Jambo House value Studio. We are in room 5126 which is a savannah view on the Giraffe Trail. We have seen Wildebeast, Impala, Zebra, Storks, and Giraffe outside our window at all hours.

Our room was great and a nice size for the two of us. I am sleeping on the sofa bed and in all honesty if I hadn't pulled it out from the wall I wouldn't even know it is a sofa bed, it is that comfortable. The mattress feels like it is Memory Foam and extremely comfortable. I have been sleeping well all week.

We had to improvise a bit and store the cushions under the beds, and our suitcases under the sink, but all in all it has been a perfectly comfy room. I like being in Jambo House with access to the Mara for quick snacks, and the comfort of the microwave and such in the studio.

I think that this room was an excellent use of my points for the week and I will not hesitate to book a value studio again.

Linda

 

[LIFERBABE]

I agree! Thank you for the report. AKV Value studio has turned out to be our favorite DVC studio of all the resorts.

So far we are batting 1000 on Value with Savannah views. Awesome use of points and not as small as I expected. I was surprised we had double sinks and more counter space in our Value room than when we moved BCV studio

 

[Bribrittmom]

Glad you had a good trip.We'll be at AKV from 4/3-4/8 in a regular sized savannah view studio.I hope to get a value one bedrom some day.

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi LJC1861,
Thank you very much for the review. I have not read many opinions on the AK Value rooms and yours was helpful. I stayed at Jambo a month or so ago and loved it. Glad to hear you are having a good time. Thanks again for sharing.
________
Lovely Wendie99

 

[huskies90]

So are all AKV value studios "savanna views". I did not know that. Seems odd that any savanna view would be less points than a standard view even with a smaller room...

 

[spiceycat]

never stayed in a value savannah view - but stayed in a value pool view twice.

they are nice rooms for a smaller party.

 

[DVCAustralia]

We stayed in a value studio for a week in December 2009, it was a great use of points (particularly on the weekend).
My understanding is that there are ten rooms, 40% are savannah, 40% are pool and 20% are car park etc.

 

[LisaS]

So are all AKV value studios "savanna views". I did not know that. Seems odd that any savanna view would be less points than a standard view even with a smaller room...

There is a great room map of Jambo House here. The Value rooms are the ones on the Giraffe and Ostrich trails so the views range from Sunset Savanna to pool to parking lot (the ones that face the Entrance area).

 

[squitty]

Thanks for the review Linda

We have a value studio booked for our upcoming 2 week trip. Here's hoping we get 5126

 

[Brandis]

I'm booked in a Value Studio at AKV in May. It's my first DVC stay as a member, I'm really looking forward to it.

I don't mind that much what view we get, of course pool or savannah would be nicer than parking. I put in a request for a room close to the lobby. Looking at the map, I think if the request is granted this would improve the chance of getting either a pool or savannah view. Pool view would be convenient since the pool and Mara would only be an elevator ride away. But of course, savannah would be a nice perk as well.

 

[es45]

Thanks for the review. How difficult is it to get Value studios at AKV? At 7 mos? At 11?

 

[Brandis]

I tried to book one 3 month before the arrival date using the online form. Giving my preferences as:

1) AKV Value Studio
2) BWV Standard View Studio
3) Beach Club Standard View Studio

About 2 days later they wrote that they didn't have any of the ones above, but would have very few AKV Standard View Studios left. Since I wanted to make sure to get one of those, this time I called.

She went ahead to book the AKV Standard View Studio for me and then I asked if I could put in a waitlist for AKV Value studio. She checked and told me that they had that available. So it seems someone had cancelled in the meantime.

I think it is just luck if you can get one at 7 month or less.

Marc

 

[Cee]

I'll be staying at AKV for the first time in May in a savannah view studio. Are these studios bigger than the value/standard studios? Is the only difference a guaranteed savannah view? I'm very excited to be staying there!

 

[huskies90]

There is a great room map of Jambo House here. The Value rooms are the ones on the Giraffe and Ostrich trails so the views range from Sunset Savanna to pool to parking lot (the ones that face the Entrance area).

Thanks. I remember seeing an image of the smaller value studio room layout next to the standard studio layout. I can't seem to find it anywhere. Other than being smaller, what else is different?

 

[Brandis]

Value is not a view but is a separate category for studios, 1-, 2- and 3-BR villas which were converted from deluxe rooms on the 5th and 6th floor of the original AKL (now Boma House). They can have any of the 3 views (Standard, Pool or Savannah) and they are a just a bit shorter than the custom built DVC accommodation at Kidani Village.

 

[cseca]

Excellent!
Glad to hear it was a great stay.
What do you think about the transportation? Any concerns?

 

[spiceycat]

boy - booked a Sept stay in a value studio at AKV.

if don't stay think my niece might.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for the review. How difficult is it to get Value studios at AKV? At 7 mos? At 11?

I had to waitlist for a value studio in October at exactly 7 months. However, that waitlist came through in about a week. Other than that one time, I've never had trouble getting a value studio at 7 months. To the OP, yes, aren't value studios wonderful? I think they're DVC's best kept secret. For the points, they're such a great deal. I've had 2 value studios so far and they've both been Pool view. I've got two reservations upcoming in value studios, and I hope that at least one of them is in a savannah view.

 

[rynosmom]

We booked a value studio at the 45 day mark for this past February and got a great pool view room. I think it was 5418 we were close to the lobby, Mara and the pool. The room was perfect for 2 however when we go back in July we are staying at Kidani as it will be 4 of us and the extra room will be much needed. We own at VWL and didn't think we would like AKL but I really loved it.

 

[LJC1861]

I originally booked this at the 7 month mark, but then had to postpone the trip by a month. I was doubtful that I would be able to get a Value for March, but there was no trouble. This was about 4.5 months prior to our trip.

As for the Transportation....I used the buses twice and there were no problems at all! Going to the MK it seemed that there are dedicated buses. Coming back we stopped at Kidani first.