AKV Standard???

[PoppyBentley]

Hi,

I'm sure these questions have been asked a gazillion times but I've tried the search and haven't quite got the answers I'm after.

I'm hoping to go in Sept 13th to 25th for my very first DVC trip (and my first on site trip!! ) and because I'm treating my brother and his girlfiend to the trip too I'm trying to book two standard studios (i can't quite stretch my points to the Savannah view for both rooms).
My questions are...
1. How many standard studios are there at AKV? (i did see a map with blue markings for the standard, but it only seemed to have 2bed on it)
2. What are the standard views like? does anyone have any pictures?
3. What are my chances at this stage to get two standard studios?
4. Can you book at Kidani for Sept now or do you have to wait until its fully open? Im happy with Jambo, I was just curious...
5. Are the buses good timewise at AKV?
6. Do all the rooms have a bed and a sofa bed or do you need to request these?
7. For those people who have been in Sept before - is this a good time to go?
8. What is a dedicated studio?
Sorry for so many questions!

Thanks you so much in advance!!

 

[erionm]

2. At Jambo House all standard view rooms have a pool view. At Kidani Village the standard view will be pool or parking lot.
4. Members have been able to book Kidani Village since 8/10/2008.
7. September is VERY hot.
8. A dedicated room does not have an interior door that would connect to another room.

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Hi,

My questions are...
1. How many standard studios are there at AKV? (i did see a map with blue markings for the standard, but it only seemed to have 2bed on it)
13--3 are dedicated studios, 10 are lockoffs.
2. What are the standard views like? does anyone have any pictures?
Most view the pool, you may have the odd tree in view, or rooftop if over Boma. We stayed in a ST view room and had a great pool view!
3. What are my chances at this stage to get two standard studios?
Don't know, good luck.
4. Can you book at Kidani for Sept now or do you have to wait until its fully open? Im happy with Jambo, I was just curious...
Yes.
5. Are the buses good timewise at AKV?
Never personally experienced bad bus waits at AKL/AKV.
6. Do all the rooms have a bed and a sofa bed or do you need to request these?
All have.
7. For those people who have been in Sept before - is this a good time to go?
Light crowds, hot. Would go at that time again.
8. What is a dedicated studio?
Will not have connecting door to 1BR villa, closet space will be there instead.
Sorry for so many questions!

Thanks you so much in advance!!

Good luck and

 

[Hazzard101]

We went to The world last September and it was not bad at all. Depending when you go you can catch the beginning of Food and Wine. It was a little hot but the crowds were minimal. Great time to go.
Have fun and good luck!

 

[PoppyBentley]

Thank you so much for all your replies thats a real help - what would I do without the dis?!
I've just been looking at my points...Is is worth it for the Savannah views? we all LOVE animals!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you so much for all your replies thats a real help - what would I do without the dis?!
I've just been looking at my points and I'm actually only 12 points short for two Savannah view studios, do you think that its possible to buy that amount of points off someone via transfer or do you think that too low amount to get? I wouldn't want to rent them as I would like to do the booking myself...hmmm just thinking out loud really, I think I'll have a look on the rent/trade boards...Is is worth it for the Savannah views? we all LOVE animals!

I think savannah views are worth it! I hope you can get what you need!

Bobbi

 

[PoppyBentley]

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

For this trip I would do the savannah view. 12 points transferred in should not be an issue. I don't know if DVC is allowing members to rent for cash for savannah view but if so, getting one night (best weekend) would be your best bet by far.

 

[PoppyBentley]

Thanks for all your advice! I'm sorry but I've just got one more questions....
If I book one studio SV room and one studio standard room, can I change the standard to an SV room in the furture?
Thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for all your advice! I'm sorry but I've just got one more questions....
If I book one studio SV room and one studio standard room, can I change the standard to an SV room in the furture?
I'm thinking of booking the two rooms whilst I wait to see if anyone will transfer the 12 point to me on the rent/trade board, that way I'm guaranteed at least the rooms and at least my brother can have a guaranteed Savannah room...
Thanks

That's very nice of you. Yes, you can book and try to change if there's anything available once you get the points. Be sure that you are in the same building, since both Jambo and Kidani have standard and savannah stuidos.

Bobbi

 

[PoppyBentley]

Thanks!!
What is a studio lock off at AKV?

 

[kristenrice]

Thanks!
I've submitted a post to the rent/trade boards for the extra points.....wish me luck!

Looking at your dates (and plans), I assume you have 300 points to work with?

In this case, you could book your first three nights in standard studios and then you could book the rest of your trip in savanna view studios. Yes, you would have to move, but you would use exactly 300 points and most of your trip would be in the savanna view rooms. You could do the first three nights in standards at Jambo and then the next 9 in savanna views at Kidani. That would allow you to see and use both buildings.

Good Luck!

(FWIW, I am not sure what your chances at Kidani will be at this point. Maybe you could do the standards at Kidani and the savannas at Jambo? Decisions, decisions... )

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Thanks for all your advice! I'm sorry but I've just got one more questions....
If I book one studio SV room and one studio standard room, can I change the standard to an SV room in the furture?
Thanks

If available, yes.

Thanks!!
What is a studio lock off at AKV?

A studio that connects to a 1BR villa to make a 2BR villa together. These will have a connecting door near the kitchenette.

 

[drusba]

Personally, I would not buy transfer points for a Sep trip without knowing whether I could actually reserrve for September, so you probably want to check on availability first. At AKV there will be a number of standard studios but they will be part of 2BR lock-offs. Also, 80% of all rooms will be savanna view but I have seen a number of posts where members at 7 months or less out have easily gotten standard view when savanna view is completely booked. This possibly reflects that at this resort in particular most bought in specifically to be able to get savanna view even though it has higher points.

 

[PoppyBentley]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your help and advice.

I've actually managed to convince my party that the extra points are not worth the hassle and that a standard room will be fine for us and even if we wanted a SV view we could do a split stay. Its a beautiful resort and we will be happy there no matter what.

I hate the idea of buying the extra points as when we bought our DVC in 2007 we worked out exactly the points we would need to suit our vacations and thats what we bought, I never thought I would have to go down the route of rent/trade either from us or to us. Financial circumstances beyond my own control (My office closed and I was relocated 200 miles and was trying to sell my flat in the current climate so i could move and secure my new position and had to take a loss ) meant that we could not go last year and I offered to take my brother and his girlfriend this year partly to use up my banked points and partly because as he's also recently been made redundant and had to take another job where it means he will be living away from his partner for 5 days a week. Needless to say they are having a very hard time of it and I wanted to treat them a little, give them something to look forward to.
Yesterday we booked the holiday, one SV room and one standard room at Jambo house, so I'm so pleased its all sorted and I can just look forward to going now!
Interestingly the reason I asked about the lock off is because MS told my partner that all the dedicated standard studios were booked and MS said they had one lock off left which we booked. I haven't put this on the reservation board because it was my better half who actually spoke to MS and I'm not 100% sure of what MS said.
This is my first DVC stay and I can't wait until I'm a lot more used to this, and all the ins and outs of it all, I've read every piece of paperwork that has ever been sent to me in connection with our DVC and I still had a miliion questions up to the run up of actually phoning MS!! although I must add MS were great with us, patient and clear which helps an awful lot.
Thanks again.

 

[bobbiwoz]

You'll have a savannah view to visit, and there are plenty of places around the lodge to see the animals. I also enjoyed the night talks of the CM about their homeland and do go use the night vision goggles.

Financially speaking these are difficult times and I hope things get better. I think it's so nice that you're sharing your points.

Bobbi

 

[PoppyBentley]

Aww thanks for that!
I would really appreciate the talks and learning about the culture.
Its looking up for us all now in terms of out jobs, we've all got them which is a blessing! some people are much worse off than us and we are all able to keep our homes AND now we have an Orlando holiday to look forward to! Yay!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think the talks take place around 8PM, and sometimes there were very few people in the audience and sometimes it was packed, it just depends on people's schedule. Another small but fun thing was a tour of Jiko where a chef explained some of the ingredients used, we got to taste some flatbreads and spreads and then we went to Boma's and tasted some soups.

I enjoy AKL/V and often my stay there is more resort than park based. I hope you all enjoy it too!!!

Bobbi

 

[Lexxiefern]

Congrats on booking your trip! My trip will overlap yours - I booked a standard view. I love the pool view at Jambo. I am very excited about this trip! Have fun planning