AKV... are the points worth the view??

[El&Asmom]

Unless we had points left to burn that we would otherwise lose I don't think I would spring the extra points for the savanna view.

Way back when we paid extra cash for a "deluxe savanna view" room at AKL and all we saw was one lonely animal all week. I would describe it more as a "mangy grass view". It really depends on the luck of the draw on your unit. W

I think that Kidani has solved this problem some. It seems that unless you were on Arusha savannah at Jambo, the other savannahs tended to have fewer animals. At Kidani, the Sunset savannah has been extended and had many animals out there when we visited in May. I don't think there will be a chance for a lonely stray animal out there unless they are all in for their check ups in their pens.

I also agree with everyone else. I wouldn't stay at AKV without a SV. I would also pick Kidani over Jambo as we like the pool better and the views will be less obstructed by trees compared to the higher rooms that are DVC in Jambo. I felt like there were fewer trees and the vegetation wasn't as grown in at Kidani as it is at Jambo. At Jambo, being higher up seems like it would obstruct your view.

 

[kikiq]

I see no reason to stay at AKV and not get the savanna view. That is what AKV is all about...the animals and watching them from your balcony. Believe me when I say that staying AKV is a destination in itself. That is especially true staying in a savanna view room. Also, the value rooms are SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than the other rooms.

I have to agree. I called really last minute to get a room thinking that I would get a SSR studio BUT all that was available was a Jambo value studio over looking the pool. My daughter and I thought it was a little small for a long stay and felt that it would be worth the points to have a savannah view.

 

[brandip22]

Interesting. I recently asked about getting the AKV 1 BR and was told it was probably the best kept secret as it's low points and most of the Value rooms have either a poolor savannah room. Now, we are also a bit point challenged and are staying for 8 nights, so the Value room means we can stay all 8 nights in the 1 BR w/out too much borrowing. IF it's available when the 7 month window comes. We are at SSR until then at least.

 

[oakmanner]

We are going in May as well. We booked SSR at 11 months and hope to switch at 7 months to AKV Kindani Village Savanna View.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We have decided to be points miser and stay in the value villas in Jamba house. We have done the SV, and decided it wasn't a big deal to us. I would rather stay longer and go more often each year then have the SV. With the value view we have and chance of a SV, so maybe we will get and maybe we won't. That won't make or break our trip.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Dairyqueenmom. I agree with your decision. There are plenty of places to see animals at the resort. I have stayed in both types rooms and would not be disappointed to stay in a value room again.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It's the early mornings, when I can have my coffee out on the balcony and watch the animals that make the savannah view most special for me. Once I'm out and dressed, I enjoy all of the areas that overlook the savannah. Some have rocking chairs which are nice.

Bobbi

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I've made no bones that I find AKV dark and it's not my resort of choice, but sometimes I just need the savanna! At BWV, I always go for the standard view, I don't care about the Boardwalk view but at AKV, I don't stay there unless I can get the savanna! My kids and entourage are looking forward to trying out Kadani, next summer!

 

[gkrykewy]

If I were making my first trip to AKV, I would choose a Jambo House savanna view studio, with a request for Arusha Savanna.

Jambo has the amazing lodge lobby, the easy access to restaurants, a fantastic (if simple) pool, and Arusha savanna is just wonderful - the showcase savanna.

We're excited to try Kidani this time around because of the lower floors offering closer savanna views, but the better parking doesn't matter to us as we never have a car there, and the water play area doesn't matter since we don't have kids yet.

 

[ShuisFan584]

It is most DEFINITELY worth the extra points to stay in a savanna view room! I am a huge animal lover and I, along with the other 5 in my group absolutely loved our recent stay at AKV. Everytime we went onto our deck, it was always a surprise as to which animals we would see. And since you have kids, I think that's even more reason to stay in a savanna view room. While we were there, the kids that were in rooms near us always seemed so excited to be out on their decks watching all of the animals.

As for Kidani vs Jambo, I've only stayed at Kidani so I can't really comment on what it's like to stay at Jambo. I don't think you can go wrong with either though. One big plus about Kidani is the extra bathroom (in a 1 bedroom you get 2 bathrooms at Kidani and 1 bathroom at Jambo). Plus, the Kidani pool and play area are amazing - your kids will love it. The only downside I really saw about Kidani is that there's no counter service.

 

[rescuetink]

I can't thank you all enough for your imput here!! We appreciate you all taking the time to look at our post and responding!! It's not just Disney that makes the experience magical!! It's all of you and your help and imput!!!

THANKS AGAIN!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I can't thank you all enough for your imput here!! We appreciate you all taking the time to look at our post and responding!! It's not just Disney that makes the experience magical!! It's all of you and your help and imput!!!

THANKS AGAIN!!!

You are very welcome. And if no one has said it yet, "Welcome Home"!

 

[kristenrice]

I throw in my opinion...WARNING!!! It's not the consensus.

My first trip to AKV was in a savanna studio. I took DD3 and DD5 and a friend of mine. When we walked (and walked, and walked...) to our room, we saw several animal viewing areas (all unoccupied) and stopped to see the animals. Then, when we got to our room (finally!) we went out on the balcony. The view was amazing. We were on the Uzima Savanna and we saw giraffes, eland, ostriches, ankole cattle and a few birds. After a few days, the novelty wore off since it was basically the same animals every day. The kids, however, were another story. It was almost impossible to get them to leave the room to go to the parks or down for meals. This was not what I had in mind.

On that trip, I found myself (on more than one occasion) wishing I had booked a standard room instead. For one thing, they are closer to the lobby, bus stop and restaurants. Another plus is that they all have a pool view (at Jambo, not Kidani) so you won't be stuck looking at the parking lot. There were plenty of places to see the animals and you weren't stuck seeing the same ones every day.

For our most recent trip this past June, we booked a VALUE 1BR with a request for a savanna view. This was a great compromise! We saved 28 points over our four nights and we still had the savanna view. In addition, the value rooms are at the front of the resort so the walk to the bus stop is not bad.

So, in summary, here is my opinion. Having a savanna view is great, but I am not willing to spend the extra points to guarantee it. The value villas were the perfect size for our family. We are staying 3 nights next April in Kidani (standard 2BR with my parents) and that will give us the chance to compare. I think that Jambo will still be our favorite because we love Mara, Boma and those great value rooms.

FWIW, if points were not an issue, I would book savanna view every time. We only have 100 so we have to either take fewer (or shorter)trips with a savanna view, or take more (or longer) trips in a lesser category. We opt for the latter.

 

[Bob Price]

Unless we had points left to burn that we would otherwise lose I don't think I would spring the extra points for the savanna view.

Way back when we paid extra cash for a "deluxe savanna view" room at AKL and all we saw was one lonely animal all week. I would describe it more as a "mangy grass view". It really depends on the luck of the draw on your unit. We also don't spend a whole lot of time in our villa so it's especially not worth it for us - they have a lot of viewing areas around the resort that we find offer much better views anyway.

But then again we are point challenged and I have to budget them carefully to get the maximum use out of them.

I disagree but this is Hi-Larry-Ous.

I throw in my opinion...WARNING!!! It's not the consensus.

My first trip to AKV was in a savanna studio. I took DD3 and DD5 and a friend of mine. When we walked (and walked, and walked...) to our room, we saw several animal viewing areas (all unoccupied) and stopped to see the animals. Then, when we got to our room (finally!) we went out on the balcony. The view was amazing. We were on the Uzima Savanna and we saw giraffes, eland, ostriches, ankole cattle and a few birds. After a few days, the novelty wore off since it was basically the same animals every day. The kids, however, were another story. It was almost impossible to get them to leave the room to go to the parks or down for meals. This was not what I had in mind.

On that trip, I found myself (on more than one occasion) wishing I had booked a standard room instead. For one thing, they are closer to the lobby, bus stop and restaurants. Another plus is that they all have a pool view (at Jambo, not Kidani) so you won't be stuck looking at the parking lot. There were plenty of places to see the animals and you weren't stuck seeing the same ones every day.

For our most recent trip this past June, we booked a VALUE 1BR with a request for a savanna view. This was a great compromise! We saved 28 points over our four nights and we still had the savanna view. In addition, the value rooms are at the front of the resort so the walk to the bus stop is not bad.

So, in summary, here is my opinion. Having a savanna view is great, but I am not willing to spend the extra points to guarantee it. The value villas were the perfect size for our family. We are staying 3 nights next April in Kidani (standard 2BR with my parents) and that will give us the chance to compare. I think that Jambo will still be our favorite because we love Mara, Boma and those great value rooms.

FWIW, if points were not an issue, I would book savanna view every time. We only have 100 so we have to either take fewer (or shorter)trips with a savanna view, or take more (or longer) trips in a lesser category. We opt for the latter.

This is a view I wouldn't mind being "stuck" with.

Spend the points - you only live once and your kids will only be little once. When is the last time they saw a GI-raffe in their backyard?

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Spend the points - you only live once and your kids will only be little once. When is the last time they saw a GI-raffe in their backyard?

Your are so right, the 1st time we stayed at AKV, the 2 beautiful giraffes fed from a tree that was so very close to the balcony! It was thrilling! The kids were in awe!

 

[photobob]

You have that right, Diane. You might as well stay anywhere if you are not going to get the savanna view. We've stayed at AKL twice in the past (don't think we will ever stay in AKV), but if you don't have a savanna, you are wasting your money. Seeing the animals on the savanna while you are still wearing your pajamas is the point of the resort.

I totally agree.

 

[hakepb]

If you have young children, you may be in for a "visa commercial moment"

Sceen: After arriving at AKV Jambo at night (and seeing nothing from the balcony)

"Extra points for AKV Savannah View xx"

"Waking up your first morning at AKV to your child(ren) rustling the curtains, and yelling "Look a ZEBRA!, no 2 ZEBRAs, no 3 ZEBRA's, and an Osterich!" ------

priceless!

(true story!)

 

[bgsnmky]

I am facing a similar question as the original poster, but not exact same issue.

I have stayed at AKL multiple times and the savanah view is awesome and it is probably my favorite resort for the animals. SINCE I have been to WDW almost every year - I also get to enjoy the resort.

Next year - we are treating my parents for their 50th anniversary. There will be 5 adults and 3 teenagers going. They rest of the family hasn't been since 1999. 10 years ago!

WE are using OUR points, and all will say they don't care where we stay.

As a family back in 1999 we stayed at OKW and loved it. It is also a favorite of ours.

We own 225 at SSR and are using banked points and the 2010 points.

So here is what I am doing - booking at SSR to get the room for sure at 11 months.

NOW - at 7 months I had originally thought I would book 2 bedroom at OKW since it is less points and we like it.

The the DVC member who assisted me suggested looking at AKL due to the 2 bedroom with 3 baths. I was like "isn't that a Lot of points"..as I am used to Savanah view..

He said not value and standard.

When I look now..the value is actually the least expensive 2 bedroom. (OKW is 72 points more for the 10 nights).

So now I am trying to decide which one is nicer etc. I know the Savanah room is WAY better, but it is the value room not good. Decisions Decisions.

My Points woud be:
AKL value = 397
AKL Standard = 438

OKW = 469

SSR = 451

BW = 482

Beach Club = 534

I didn't even include bay Lake Tower as it is too many points for the MK view.

(I actually thought about sending Mom and Dad their for 1 night with a MK view!)

Just curious what people would do. (not trying to take over the thread - but struggling with the same question)

 

[Alexander]

DH and I stayed in a Jambo Savannah View Studio for a week last summer. I know that I was excited to see all of the beautiful animals outside our balcony. All I kept thinking was how much my boys would love this. Fast forward to this year. We are doing a split stay at BCV and AKV. I wanted a studio or 1 bedroom at Kidani, but all they had were standard view rooms. That just won't do it---so I booked another studio at Jambo with a Savannah View for the boys (I only booked 2 months in advance). I cannot wait for my kids to look out and see those animals so close. I did waitlist for a 1 bedroom at Kidani because we really want to be closer to the new pool play area, and would prefer the 1 bedroom, but then again, Jambo has the Mara...I really don't know which is going to be better.

 

[dmccarty]

We bought our DVC AKV without ever looking at the place or a sales room. We did our research of course but the number one reason we bought at AKV was the animals. Our kids are very animal focused especially the youngest. The first thing the did in our room at AKL was to open the curtains and go out on the balcony. They spend LOTS of time out there just watching the animals. We have thought about getting a non SV room but really what is the point? We bought into AKV to see the animals.

The DW and I also sit out on the porch and watch the critters. I like to get up before everyone else get a cup of coffee and sit on the balcony eating breakfast while watching the animals. Very nice. Its peaceful. Since I would get up before dawn it was very quiet.

I like to be at the end of the wings of the buildings. Its not that big of a deal. And the farther you are from the lobby the quieter the room. Last trip we were about half way down the wing and near one of the cores with the ice machine room, garbage room and elevator. We were woken up several times by inconsiderate people walking/running/yelling back to their rooms late at night. I wish I could get a room at the end of the building.

If the OP's kids like animals get a SV room.

Later,
Dan