AKV Vacation Planning for a Large Family

[SpaceMountain77]

Hi Everyone,

Earlier this month, at the 7-month mark, I booked two villas at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House for a family trip in March 2025. Most of the family would have been in the 2-bedroom lock-off villa and the others in a deluxe studio. Now, with limited resort availability, I am in the position of having to modify the reservations because my family would prefer to have their own deluxe studios. I was able to secure two deluxe studios at Jambo House and one deluxe studio at Kidani Village. Also, I was able to secure the third and fourth needed nights at Jambo House, but have the first, second, fifth, and sixth waitlisted.

So, right now, we do have two of the three desired reservations for the exact dates at my family's preferred resort. Would you switch everything to Kidani Village while there is still availability, or hope for a waitlist match? While a continuous reservation would be ideal, we would be open to a split stay between the resorts.

Perspectives are much appreciated!

With gratitude,
Jim

 

[starry_solo]

I would switch everything to Kidani Village where there is still availability.

 

[Disney got all my$$$]

I’m am planning a similar trip for June 2026 and have decided I do want everyone at the same resort. But I want us to be in Jambo house, many of my family have not been to Disney and I want them to experience the grand entrance at Jambo.

 

[CastAStone]

I’m not sure it matters much, if your family winds up at far flung ends of Kidani you will be far enough away from each other that further separation from being in the other building will probably not impact your desire/ability to meet up.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Well, I woke up this morning and checked resort availability. The entire week was available at Jambo House! Of course, the waitlsts did not match, so I modified my Kidani Village reservation and confirmed it myself. We are now set with our three deluxe studio reservations at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House for next year.

Now, it is just a matter of time before my family decides that they would rather be at Old Key West or cannot go

 

[Disney got all my$$$]

Yay! I saw on one post they were requiring family members to purchase park tickets and provide confirmation of the ticket purchase at the seven month out mark. That way if family members dropped out, they had time to modify the reservation without losing points (either going into holding or were stuck with sub-optimal lodging configurations).

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Yay! I saw on one post they were requiring family members to purchase park tickets and provide confirmation of the ticket purchase at the seven month out mark. That way if family members dropped out, they had time to modify the reservation without losing points (either going into holding or were stuck with sub-optimal lodging configurations).

I have actually done that in the past, either requesting that my family add their park tickets or the Disney Dining Plan at least 90 days before the reservation. Both add-ons help with commitment to the reservation.

The continued challenge for us has been my family's appreciation and understanding of planning at the 7- and 11-month marks and, specifically, the difficulty in securing multiple villas two or three months in advance of a preferred week.

Should everyone cancel, which I hope does not happen, a 9-night, Saturday through Monday stay at Disney's Old Key West resort is 294 points, which is the same amount required for three deluxe studios at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas for a 6-night, Sunday through Saturday stay. There is a plan

 

[Disney got all my$$$]

This is all great advice! I’m planning a similar trip for my son’s high school graduation and will use these tips!

 

[starry_solo]

Well, I woke up this morning and checked resort availability. The entire week was available at Jambo House! Of course, the waitlsts did not match, so I modified my Kidani Village reservation and confirmed it myself. We are now set with our three deluxe studio reservations at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House for next year.

Now, it is just a matter of time before my family decides that they would rather be at Old Key West or cannot go

Hooray!