AKL Villas question

[ValpoCory]

This website:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/AK-Points.htm

lists One Bedroom Vacation Homes as "Sleeps up to 4, most up to 5"

My friend has a family of 5 (DH, DW, DS7, DS4, DS4) and is interested in renting DVC points. How can he ensure he gets a room for 5? He is interested in going as cheaply as possible. Are any of the "Value Accomodations" one bedrooms big enough to sleep 5 people?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

 

[chalee94]

My friend has a family of 5 (DH, DW, DS7, DS4, DS4) and is interested in renting DVC points. How can he ensure he gets a room for 5? He is interested in going as cheaply as possible. Are any of the "Value Accomodations" one bedrooms big enough to sleep 5 people?

nope - you guessed it actually.

value rooms are too small and only sleep 4. "value" just means they are smaller - some have pretty nice views.

jambo nonvalue 1BRs actually have a sleeper chair and can sleep 5.

kidani nonvalue 1BRs have the sleeper chair and will also sleep 5...and they have 2 bathrooms as well.

 

[ValpoCory]

Thanks chalee94, I'll let him know he'll need to rent enough points for Standard View rates.

He's also considering staying at The Cabins at Disney's Ft. Wilderness, and has found some deals on southwestvacations.com.

I was surprised, once your family reaches 5 members (each at least 3 years old), it really limits your accommodation options for staying on site.

 

[ValpoCory]

He told me today his mother-in-law would be going, so even a 5-person room is out of the question. I told him to check out the
"Two-Bedroom
Vacation Home
Sleeps up to 8, most up to 9"

and he could stay at a Value Accommodation then. Not a bad deal actually. It's comparable in points to the 1-bedroom standard. (2 bedroom value is <10% more points for a week)

 

[drusba]

Just be aware values can sometimes be hard to get unless you rent from an AKV owner and reserve 11 months out. They are not many "value" rooms and they are popular with members because of low point cost.

 

[ValpoCory]

Thanks drusba. I understand about the 11 month window. If this was me, I would be on it 11 months out. My friend just asked for my help this weekend, and he wants to go this summer.

I live chatted online with a DVC host and he told me the Values were all gone for that window, but they had Kidani Standard Views.

What is the general opinion of Kidani Village vs. Jambo House, pros and cons?

ETA: Nevermind. Pros/Cons are here: http://www.aklresort.com/content/jambo-house-vs-kidani-village

 

[Magic3forme]

We just came back from WDW less than 2 weeks ago... we stayed Kidani this past time... Jambo in Dec.

Jambo our room was supposed to be "savannah view" it has now been changed to a standard view... we didnt see one animal there. Jambo is noisy, and it isnt convenient to get drinks etc... We are a family of 5 and there was only 1 bathroom. we had a longer walk to our car.

Kidani: 100 times better!! we did a standard view.. we were in Rafiki.. 4th floor and had a great view of the pool. our room had 2 bathrooms, parking was sooo much better... it is a garage rather than a parking lot. it was covered parking vs open. there was a drink station right in the lobby. and across the hall was the savannah, which there were windows right by the elevators... it was very quiet where we were.

If we stay at AKL again... I will only stay at Kidani...

 

[Disbug1]

Thanks drusba. I understand about the 11 month window. If this was me, I would be on it 11 months out. My friend just asked for my help this weekend, and he wants to go this summer.

I live chatted online with a DVC host and he told me the Values were all gone for that window, but they had Kidani Standard Views.

What is the general opinion of Kidani Village vs. Jambo House, pros and cons?

ETA: Nevermind. Pros/Cons are here: http://www.aklresort.com/content/jambo-house-vs-kidani-village

I just had a look at the "Value Villas @AKL" & for some dates in July & Aug you can actually book them for cash through "CRO" So depending on your friend's dates it is possible that he could get one if he wants to pay rack rate.
Good Luck

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just had a look at the "Value Villas @AKL" & for some dates in July & Aug you can actually book them for cash through "CRO" So depending on your friend's dates it is possible that he could get one if he wants to pay rack rate.
Good Luck

Did you call DVC Member Services to check on availability? Or did you check the Disney online reservations on their website? That would not be available for a points reservation.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

We just came back from WDW less than 2 weeks ago... we stayed Kidani this past time... Jambo in Dec.

Jambo our room was supposed to be "savannah view" it has now been changed to a standard view... we didnt see one animal there. Jambo is noisy, and it isnt convenient to get drinks etc... We are a family of 5 and there was only 1 bathroom. we had a longer walk to our car.

Kidani: 100 times better!! we did a standard view.. we were in Rafiki.. 4th floor and had a great view of the pool. our room had 2 bathrooms, parking was sooo much better... it is a garage rather than a parking lot. it was covered parking vs open. there was a drink station right in the lobby. and across the hall was the savannah, which there were windows right by the elevators... it was very quiet where we were.

If we stay at AKL again... I will only stay at Kidani...

We must have been neighbors! We were on the 4th floor in a 2br pool view (7819) for President's weekend. DS3 loves the character elevators - he called the Rafiki one the "Freaky" elevator.

 

[ToddyLu]

We also prefer Kidani to Jambo for those same reasons. Jambo is beautiful, for about 15 minutes, then I am ready for the quiet at Kindani.

 

[ToddyLu]

Why not try to get a home in Bonnet Creek and take their shuttle or use Allstar Homes? Does he just want or need to stay onsite? I just do not see him getting a 2 br on the cheap at any DVC resort. I mean I understand that renting a reservation on points is more cost effective than paying rack rate through CRO--but DVC isn't cheap even when renting, in my book. WE would never, ever pay those prices which is why we own DVC. How bout David's rentals a sponsor here?

 

[Disbug1]

Did you call DVC Member Services to check on availability? Or did you check the Disney online reservations on their website? That would not be available for a points reservation.

Yes I checked the Disney Online reservations through the Disney website & yes the "Value Villas" are available for some dates in July & Aug to book for a cash reservation Same for Christmas week:

Thanks

 

[Magic3forme]

We must have been neighbors! We were on the 4th floor in a 2br pool view (7819) for President's weekend. DS3 loves the character elevators - he called the Rafiki one the "Freaky" elevator.

we were in 7827