AKV Club Level - What to expect?

[kandlsutton]

Coming up on 60 days out for our first time staying club level at any resort and I’m wondering what to expect. Would appreciate any input…Thanks

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We love the AKL Club experience. The view from the 6th floor over the Jambo lobby is amazing! We were there in December, and the schedule at that time (which should be close in 60 days!) was breakfast options, 7-10:30; Safari Snacks, 11:30-4; Twilight Offerings, 5-7; and Evening Indulgences, 8-10. So breakfast, afternoon snacks, small plate/dinner options, and then desserts at night. They have all kinds of drinks, wines, sodas, etc. The lounge is on the small side, with perhaps 12-15 tables, but we've always been able to get a seat/table - the crowds vary based on the time of day, of course! We'll do breakfast there most days of our stay, and will plan on making a dinner one (sometimes 2 of the evenings). There should be a menu available for the week to show you what offerings there are in the evenings. Just ask. In fact, if you have any questions, just ask at the Club desk or a server. They are amazingly helpful.

Since the reopening after Covid, the only offerings we've been disappointed in are the afternoon snacks. The options used to be so much better with delicious variety. The last few times, all they really offer are some bagged snacks and some candies. But since we're usually at a park or the pool around that time, it isn't a significant issue for us. If you have kids, they always have movies/shows going.

Hope this helps a little. I know there are many posters who can fill in other details for you, too. Enjoy your stay!

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

We LOVE staying club level! It's something i always waitlist. It's just so cozy and nice to be up there and able to look over the balcony. And it will save you a ton on breakfasts. We LOVE the Durban chicken they offer some nights and my kids live for all the desserts. It's nice to be able to go grab a Coke or a water when you need it and everyone is always really friendly.

 

[Sandisw]

We snagged one night for next month by shear luck! I won't normally do AKV, but for this, my DD was like YES!!!!

 

[Judique]

Coming up on 60 days out for our first time staying club level at any resort and I’m wondering what to expect. Would appreciate any input…Thanks

I've stayed Club many times at AK Jambo House and also in the hotel part.

Then it got really popular and very difficult to book.

So I was very happy to snatch a studio in early February and I really enjoyed the convenience of the lounge. It was sheer luck and I did try to get additional nights by stalking and waitlisting, but no go.

One thing I enjoy is on arrival being met at the entrance by concierge staff and being escorted to the 6th floor, being seated at the desk at their entrance for checkin and recieving your 'elevator key card' to access the floor. After welcoming you, they always offer a beverage. Staff will bring you juice, coffee or whatever is on offer (maybe alcoholic punch type thing even at 9am) as you chat with the CM while seated. To anyone who has stood in line for checkin (yes I know about online checkin) this is somewhat luxurious.

You can check in early. I left Riviera and got there by 9am. Since it was so early attendants out front called for a concierge CM to come down. Later in the day I think someone is there watching for club level guests. That took about 2 minutes. Got checked in and then had breakfast and went about the rest of my day. I left for a bit to do other things and then returned to enjoy the resort, the animal viewing, the pool and the exercise room. Would have been nice if I'd also scheduled a treat there but I didn't think in advance.

I found the food offerings different from in the past but still very good for the one night I was there. The old Nespresso machine I remembered from before was gone. A newfangled one had replaced it and there is a learning curve. A young guest who said he worked as a barista helped me get a drink, but also said he found the machine confused. (after all, couldn't be us!)

Next morning I left early after my breakfast, before 8am. It was weekend and not an overwhelming amount of people at 7ish. They had outstanding pecan cinnamon sticky buns, in addition to other offerings. I hope to get back just on the off chance of getting another of those!

Room wise - I had a view but not much of a view. I certainly wasn't crying over it, but having stayed in almost all the studios up there - don't go expecting a good view. Walk down to the pool and the firepit areas for that or even along the hallways to other rooms you can get great views. Don't miss the flamingoes - love them!

Staff in the lounge are very accommodating and kind.

This time around there was no chocolates on the pillow or turn down service. I hadn't been since they stopped that - maybe during the last couple of years as I didn't visit in late 2020 or 2021 and couldn't get the room in 2022. I didn't need anything but it's always nice to be asked if you need ice or whatever. I'm sure if I asked at the lounge desk they would have gotten me what they could provide.

Also, they are open more hours than when I first started coming. There was almost no downtime - maybe an hour to 2 hours total all day with offerings until 10pm (I think, as I fell asleep after several delicious sweet treats and some decaf tea.

 

[beldred]

Is AKV the only club level in DVC? Not that I think I could afford the points, but dare to dream... LOL

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

Yep.

 

[starry_solo]

Is AKV the only club level in DVC? Not that I think I could afford the points, but dare to dream... LOL

Yes.

 

[ehh]

Apparently contrarian take here: it underwhelmed us and we probably wouldn't consider anything more than 1pt/night/person premium worth it for us. If there's 4 of you in a studio, the math pretty much works out, but other rooms or smaller parties I think it's a harder sell.

Yes, essentially any party in any room size can make it financially worth it if you fill up in the lounge, not denying that.

We originally booked a 1BR Savanna View at AKV but dues to 'engineering issues' we were bumped to a 2BR Suite at AKL. This included access to Kilimanjaro Club lounge. It was a nice surprise and we were very excited to check it out considering all the hype.

I think we first went early evening. We weren't very hungry at the time and thought the offerings were just kind of meh. The lounge itself just wasn't very nice/premium feeling, either. I also recall there being no bottled water?

We came back for breakfast the next morning and it was too crowded so we left immediately and just ate at The Mara. We did not return the rest of the trip.

One thing that may be souring my view: we had what might have been the furthest Club-level room from the lounge (the room we had is where the furthest GVs are, but on a different floor, much further than any of the DVC Club level rooms). However, we tried using it as a supplement/replacement to The Mara, which was basically the same distance, so I'm not sure how much the distance mattered. Maybe we would have found more benefit if it were 100ft away instead of 1000ft.

Overall we just weren't impressed or felt it really added much to our AKL experience.

 

[kandlsutton]

Appreciate the response. Are there any pre-trip concierge perks? Thinking about the nightime safari…

 

[Jgc014]

Apparently contrarian take here: it underwhelmed us and we probably wouldn't consider anything more than 1pt/night/person premium worth it for us. If there's 4 of you in a studio, the math pretty much works out, but other rooms or smaller parties I think it's a harder sell.

Yes, essentially any party in any room size can make it financially worth it if you fill up in the lounge, not denying that.

We originally booked a 1BR Savanna View at AKV but dues to 'engineering issues' we were bumped to a 2BR Suite at AKL. This included access to Kilimanjaro Club lounge. It was a nice surprise and we were very excited to check it out considering all the hype.

I think we first went early evening. We weren't very hungry at the time and thought the offerings were just kind of meh. The lounge itself just wasn't very nice/premium feeling, either. I also recall there being no bottled water?

We came back for breakfast the next morning and it was too crowded so we left immediately and just ate at The Mara. We did not return the rest of the trip.

One thing that may be souring my view: we had what might have been the furthest Club-level room from the lounge (the room we had is where the furthest GVs are, but on a different floor, much further than any of the DVC Club level rooms). However, we tried using it as a supplement/replacement to The Mara, which was basically the same distance, so I'm not sure how much the distance mattered. Maybe we would have found more benefit if it were 100ft away instead of 1000ft.

Overall we just weren't impressed or felt it really added much to our AKL experience.

I actually agree. We tried it once - I’m glad we tried it, but I probably won’t rush back.

Breakfast was fairly good (and we easily got seating the two mornings we were there), but everything else I was fairly eh on. Was most disappointed with lunch time offerings, which felt basically non-existent. We never tried dinner.

I will say if you like multiple alcoholic drinks a day, it’s worth it. But of my party of 3, 1 was pregnant, and my mom and I were good with one drink a day, so we didn’t make our money there either.

 

[LilyJC]

Coming up on 60 days out for our first time staying club level at any resort and I’m wondering what to expect. Would appreciate any input…Thanks

Thank you for asking this! We lucked into a couple nights in a 1 bedroom for part of my youngest’s spring break trip in just about three weeks. Helpful answers!

 

[Isabelle12345]

Question for people who have been to AKL Club level: Is it possible to bring food and drinks back to the room or to the pool? We love to have breakfast on the balcony and enjoy a drink after the kids are asleep…

We just snagged one night in a DVC studio club level (we will have two nights value then switch to one night club level).
We would maximize our club level day by making it a resort day so we would be able to maximize the food / drinks offerings… do you feel it is worth it?
(Still waiting to see if a value room pops up so we wouldn’t have to switch rooms, but if not we will have access to another room from other members in our party - to leave luggage and groceries, and use the restroom if needed - so it won’t be too bad to be left without a room for a few nights - and we don’t mind split stays so that is not an issue!)

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Question for people who have been to AKL Club level: Is it possible to bring food and drinks back to the room or to the pool? We love to have breakfast on the balcony and enjoy a drink after the kids are asleep…

We just snagged one night in a DVC studio club level (we will have two nights value then switch to one night club level).
We would maximize our club level day by making it a resort day so we would be able to maximize the food / drinks offerings… do you feel it is worth it?
(Still waiting to see if a value room pops up so we wouldn’t have to switch rooms, but if not we will have access to another room from other members in our party - to leave luggage and groceries, and use the restroom if needed - so it won’t be too bad to be left without a room for a few nights - and we don’t mind split stays so that is not an issue!)

You can bring food to your room. We just checked out of 6401 and rather than try to fight for a table, we ate in our room.

I would expect regular pool rules re: food and drink apply. I don’t think the lounge would give you a hard time. They give out takeaway containers upon request, which might be helpful for you. We don’t drink alcohol though so do not know about whether they’ll let you take drinks.

“Worth it” is subjective. We thought it was worth it for us (party of 2 adults, 1 kid) for the convenience and breakfast. We don’t drink alcohol but the beverages and ice cream available any time were good. Lunch / snacks are acceptable but not exciting. Dinner is not really something I’d try to fill up on at the lounge for more than one day but it’s fine as appetizers if you need something before your real dinner.

Edited to add: For my 7 year old the offerings were perfect. Uncrustables, veggies, cookies, fruits, cereal, milk, ice cream, etc. were exactly what she liked, and she would have probably ordered the same things elsewhere.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

You would have no issue taking food/drink from the CL to your room or the pool. People do that frequently (especially the room). Keep in mind, if you have 1 night in the CL studio, you'll actually have 2 days of access to the lounge - check-in day and check-out day. We really enjoy the AKL CL - our favorite, and would recommend it anytime.

 

[intamin]

You would have no issue taking food/drink from the CL to your room or the pool. People do that frequently (especially the room). Keep in mind, if you have 1 night in the CL studio, you'll actually have 2 days of access to the lounge - check-in day and check-out day. We really enjoy the AKL CL - our favorite, and would recommend it anytime.

I assume after 4PM on check out day they don't let you go back into the club level area?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I assume after 4PM on check out day they don't let you go back into the club level area?

Nope - you have access to all facilities all day of check-out, including the lounge and the pools. You could return up until it closes around 10PM.

 

[intamin]

Nope - you have access to all facilities all day of check-out, including the lounge and the pools. You could return up until it closes around 10PM.

Wow that's amazing! I have a club studio next month and transition into a value studio the following day so I'll definitely be there both days LOL

 

[kandlsutton]

You can bring food to your room. We just checked out of 6401 and rather than try to fight for a table, we ate in our room.

I would expect regular pool rules re: food and drink apply. I don’t think the lounge would give you a hard time. They give out takeaway containers upon request, which might be helpful for you. We don’t drink alcohol though so do not know about whether they’ll let you take drinks.

“Worth it” is subjective. We thought it was worth it for us (party of 2 adults, 1 kid) for the convenience and breakfast. We don’t drink alcohol but the beverages and ice cream available any time were good. Lunch / snacks are acceptable but not exciting. Dinner is not really something I’d try to fill up on at the lounge for more than one day but it’s fine as appetizers if you need something before your real dinner.

Edited to add: For my 7 year old the offerings were perfect. Uncrustables, veggies, cookies, fruits, cereal, milk, ice cream, etc. were exactly what she liked, and she would have probably ordered the same things elsewhere.

We were in 6401 earlier this week. Did you happen to find a Boston Red Sox cap (city edition, light blue and yellow)? Submitted a Lost and Found report and still waiting.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

We were in 6401 earlier this week. Did you happen to find a Boston Red Sox cap (city edition, light blue and yellow)? Submitted a Lost and Found report and still waiting.

Afraid not