AKL Value Studio review.

[dallastxcpa]

I feel that the value rooms are not worth the risk you take. In July we had a two bedroom value and were given one of the two horrible parking lot rooms. AND I WAS THERE FOR CELEBRATING MY 7th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. The view is attrocious and the noise from the parking lot is terrible. Think delivery trucks backing up with their loud beeping noise at 6 AM in the morning. And just forget using the balcony. Most of the day you are hammered by the sun and the rest it's just not worth being out their with the horrendous view. Just my opinion.

 

[mikeandkarla]

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

I agree! I have said in previous threads that the value rooms IMho are the best DVC bargain, especially when you land savannah view. We have had a value studio three times and a 2br value once. Booking the value accommodations is a good reason to own AKV points for the home resort 11 month booking window.

 

[mikeandkarla]

I feel that the value rooms are not worth the risk you take. In July we had a two bedroom value and were given one of the two horrible parking lot rooms. AND I WAS THERE FOR CELEBRATING MY 7th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. The view is attrocious and the noise from the parking lot is terrible. Think delivery trucks backing up with their loud beeping noise at 6 AM in the morning. And just forget using the balcony. Most of the day you are hammered by the sun and the rest it's just not worth being out their with the horrendous view. Just my opinion.

Sorry to hear of your bad experience. There is only a 20% chance of you getting that view from a value room at Jambo. There is 10 2 br lockoffs ( studio and 1 br combined) value rooms available. 4 have savannah view, 4 have pool view, and 2 have parking lot view. I hope you give it another try sometime. The odds are on your side not to get that view again.

 

[LisaS]

I feel that the value rooms are not worth the risk you take. In July we had a two bedroom value and were given one of the two horrible parking lot rooms. AND I WAS THERE FOR CELEBRATING MY 7th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. The view is atrocious and the noise from the parking lot is terrible. Think delivery trucks backing up with their loud beeping noise at 6 AM in the morning. And just forget using the balcony. Most of the day you are hammered by the sun and the rest it's just not worth being out their with the horrendous view. Just my opinion.

There haven't been many reports from people who got the parking lot view so thanks for posting what you experienced. I imagine the Value rooms are usually fully booked so somebody is going to get assigned that view, even if it is a special occasion. I'm sorry that you got it on your very first stay in a Value room! The odds are better for those booking studios with only an 11% chance of getting a parking lot view.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Sorry to hear of your bad experience. There is only a 20% chance of you getting that view from a value room at Jambo. There is 10 2 br lockoffs ( studio and 1 br combined) value rooms available. 4 have savannah view, 4 have pool view, and 2 have parking lot view. I hope you give it another try sometime. The odds are on your side not to get that view again.

Not a chance that I will book that category again. We stayed at AKL back before it was DVC for our honeymoon. Now granted it was conceirge level. But on our honeymoon the staff was phenomenal. On this trip not so much. The only staff I can really compliment from this stay was the cast members at Kidani and the Pin Trading guy in the store at Jambo. If I ever stay AKL again it will be at Kidani. And I doubt I will do that. The location to me is just not worth it if there isn't something else to make up for it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I feel that the value rooms are not worth the risk you take. In July we had a two bedroom value and were given one of the two horrible parking lot rooms. AND I WAS THERE FOR CELEBRATING MY 7th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. The view is attrocious and the noise from the parking lot is terrible. Think delivery trucks backing up with their loud beeping noise at 6 AM in the morning. And just forget using the balcony. Most of the day you are hammered by the sun and the rest it's just not worth being out their with the horrendous view. Just my opinion.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. What a bummer! With my luck, that's what I'll get next time. But when I want to look at animals, I'll go downstairs here-

I admit, however, that it's different when you have family in the villa. I can do that because all my AKV trips have been solo.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Love your pic Simba's Mom!

I am staying in a Value studio in Dec solo for the Condo Assn meeting. Last year I stayed in a BLT LV studio but felt like such a waste of points for just me. Plus it's about the same size. Love AKV at Christmas

I've never had the parking lot view, but I can see where I would not want that if I was celebrating a special occassion.

The Value rooms are great bargains! The resort is gorgeous, there is plenty to do and see and you know you will be on the 5th floor of the main lodge. I like knowing the location of the villas as it helps me plan.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The Value rooms are great bargains! The resort is gorgeous, there is plenty to do and see and you know you will be on the 5th floor of the main lodge. I like knowing the location of the villas as it helps me plan.

And another plus I like is that I know that I won't get a HA studio. There's no such thing as a HA value studio, because of the size and configuration they told me.

 

[gkrykewy]

And another plus I like is that I know that I won't get a HA studio. There's no such thing as a HA value studio, because of the size and configuration they told me.

Oh my! This is wonderful. Good to know.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Oh my! This is wonderful. Good to know.

Exactly!! I didnt know that either!! No wonder I love them so much!!

I always check the door for 2 peep holes now before entering after I got the 1 bdr. CL without a tub! That was not a magical day!

I really need a tub and that was a dealbreaker for me.

 

[gkrykewy]

Exactly!! I didnt know that either!! No wonder I love them so much!!

I always check the door for 2 peep holes now before entering after I got the 1 bdr. CL without a tub! That was not a magical day!

I really need a tub and that was a dealbreaker for me.

Wait, there's an HA concierge room?? I keep making CL reservations and then switching out at 7 months for longer stays elsewhere. Not sure I ever want to play those CL odds, in that case.

I still remember arriving late at night to WL (pre-DVC) during our honeymoon and discovering we had an HA room. "hello, front desk, I'm not sure what's going on but we just checked in and it seems like we have a hospital bathroom?"

Of course, Disney being Disney, when they found out we were on our honeymoon they moved us the following day to the very best room in the house (within reason) -- dead center, high floor, facing Bay Lake

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

thanks for the review

 

[LIFERBABE]

Wait, there's an HA concierge room?? I keep making CL reservations and then switching out at 7 months for longer stays elsewhere. Not sure I ever want to play those CL odds, in that case.

I still remember arriving late at night to WL (pre-DVC) during our honeymoon and discovering we had an HA room. "hello, front desk, I'm not sure what's going on but we just checked in and it seems like we have a hospital bathroom?"

Of course, Disney being Disney, when they found out we were on our honeymoon they moved us the following day to the very best room in the house (within reason) -- dead center, high floor, facing Bay Lake

Yes, there are actually 2 HA 1 bdr on CL but 1 has a tub and the other has a roll in shower. They are both on the Savannah view side.

We stayed over Holiday break, Premiere season, 1 bedreoo, ton of points, and no tub!! I still love CL, but now only studios and we dont worry about the view.

 

[LisaS]

Here is the list of HA rooms in Jambo House broken down by the rooms with a roll-in shower and the rooms with a tub. There is one HA Value room. It's a 1BR with a tub. There is only one HA studio in all of Jambo House. It is a Standard View with a roll-in shower.

Jambo House HA rooms with a roll-in shower:

 [u]Room[/u] [u]Size[/u]  [u]Category[/u]   [u]Trail[/u]   [u]View[/u]       [u]Comments[/u]
 5456  ST   Std View   Zebra   Pool    Roll-in shower
*5319  1B   Sav View   Kudu   Arusha   Roll-in shower, no tub
 5483  GV   Sav View   Zebra  Uzima    Roll-in shower in master bathroom
*6202  1B   Concierge  Lobby  Sunset   Roll-in shower, no tub


Jambo House HA rooms with a tub (no roll-in shower):

 [u]Room[/u] [u]Size[/u]  [u]Category[/u]   [u]Trail[/u]   [u]View[/u]       [u]Comments[/u]
*5010  1B    Value    Giraffe  Pool    HA room with tub. No kitchen island.
 5414  1B   Std View   Zebra   Pool    HA room with tub
 5205  1B   Sav View   Lobby  Sunset   HA room with tub
*5431  1B   Sav View   Zebra  Arusha   HA room with tub. No kitchen island.
 5216  1B   Sav View   Kudu   Sunset   HA room with tub
*6205  1B   Concierge  Lobby  Sunset   HA room with tub

* Information verified via a room report

 

[Simba's Mom]

Here is the list of HA rooms in Jambo House broken down by the rooms with a roll-in shower and the rooms with a tub. There is one HA Value room. It's a 1BR with a tub. There is only one HA studio in all of Jambo House. It is a Standard View with a roll-in shower.

So are you saying that if I'm in a studio at Jambo house, the only chance of getting HA is if I have a standard view? Like LIFERBABE, I need my tab, so if what I understand is right, if I can't get my beloved value studio, I might reserve a savannah view.

Hey, LIFERBABE, is it you we're quoting from your first solo trip about 8 years ago-"What happens in Disney World stays in Disney World" referring to a certain someone dancing with the Prince in MK?

 

[LisaS]

So are you saying that if I'm in a studio at Jambo house, the only chance of getting HA is if I have a standard view? Like LIFERBABE, I need my tub, so if what I understand is right, if I can't get my beloved value studio, I might reserve a savannah view.

Yes, if you like to stay in studios in Jambo House then you only risk getting an HA room if you book a Standard View. Given that is the only HA studio in all of Jambo House, I wonder if it's usually booked by someone who really needs it and unlikely to be empty and assigned to someone who doesn't want it?

There are 13 Standard View studios in Jambo House, just to give you some idea of your chances of getting that room.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Hey, LIFERBABE, is it you we're quoting from your first solo trip about 8 years ago-"What happens in Disney World stays in Disney World" referring to a certain someone dancing with the Prince in MK?

Yes, I was almost the Kate Middleton of the Magic Kingdom!! Lol! Time sure flies when you are having fun! 8 years!

Thanks for the additional info Lisa! I can tell you for sure that neither CL 1 bedroom HA has a kitchen island if that helps. 6202 or 6205.