AKV value studio?

[Holluvstmcgraw]

We have been thinking about taking the plunge on a DVC for two years... I know, what the heck....but my DH is slow! LOL. Anyways, what exactly makes the value studio accomodation a "value" is the room smaller? I am assuming the view is something awesome like the trash cans??? Are these rooms really hard to get?

In my persistence to get on DVC I have been shopping resales through SSR but I know that we would probably stay at AKV the most in either the studio's or 1 bedrooms and occassionally big trips at SSR treehouses. Am I going to be SOL trying to get a value studio with a 7 month window more often then not? DH is a firefighter so we are really flexible with travel dates but I would like to go for Halloween when our little ones are a little older.

TIA!

 

[bookwormde]

Values are 4' shorter and the 1 & 2 br allow 1 less person (8). I would not bank on getting a value studio at 7 months since I belive there are only 10 and they are popular.

bookwormde

 

[dzorn]

The values can also have pool, parking lot or savanah view. The are very limited so odds are not good at 7 months. You should really buy were you expect to stay the most. I thought they were only 3 feet shorter but may be wrong on that.

Denise in MI

 

[kristenrice]

At AKV, "value" refers ONLY to the SIZE of the room. It has nothing to do with the view. They are shorter in the living areas. The kitchen and bathroom areas are the same as the standard/savanna/concierge rooms. The furnishings are the same size so the value rooms can feel a little cramped.

That being said, when you book the value category, you may request a view, but it is not guaranteed. There are (10) 2BR-lockoffs and I believe (4) dedicated studios. I think there are only 2 units that face the parking lot so you have a great chance at a pool or savanna view.

We bought at AKV specifically for the value category. I love that we can book a value 1BR for 5 nights, still get a savanna view and save 60 points over a regular savanna view room. Shoot, it still saves us 30 points over the standard category and that is a guaranteed pool view. The extra 3' is not that important to us.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Simba's Mom has a thread about the refrigerator in her value studio. It doesn't seem to up to par compared to other studio frigs. She says she'll be posting pictures when she gets home.

We've had value studios and a value 1 bedroom. Usually I've booked them before the 7 month mark, but I've also added a day on after that time.

Bobbi

 

[Disneycouple99]

There are (10) 2BR-lockoffs and I believe (4) dedicated studios. I think there are only 2 units that face the parking lot so you have a great chance at a pool or savanna view.

It is 8 dedicated studios. Four of savanna view and four of the pool.

 

[kristenrice]

It is 8 dedicated studios. Four of savanna view and four of the pool.

Thanks!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Simba's Mom has a thread about the refrigerator in her value studio. It doesn't seem to up to par compared to other studio frigs. She says she'll be posting pictures when she gets home.

We've had value studios and a value 1 bedroom. Usually I've booked them before the 7 month mark, but I've also added a day on after that time.

Bobbi

Actually this is my third value studio, and the first time I didn't have a freezer compartment in my refrigerator. But I still think value studios are "DVC's best kept secret". DH saw my room before he went home, and even he was impressed, and this is someone who's only been impressed by OKW (he thought BCV was "adequate") Yes, a value studio is smaller, but I love it!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Actually this is my third value studio, and the first time I didn't have a freezer compartment in my refrigerator. But I still think value studios are "DVC's best kept secret". DH saw my room before he went home, and even he was impressed, and this is someone who's only been impressed by OKW (he thought BCV was "adequate") Yes, a value studio is smaller, but I love it!

What view do you have this time?

 

[Eventer98]

We are staying 2 nights in a value st. this fall. I was told they are about 60 sq ft smaller. I did not have enough points to book my in-laws room until the 7 month mark and had no trouble. But I did call first thing on my day. After this next trip we are only going to stay in the 2BR values..what a great deal!!

 

[Beast2Prince]

How does the room size compare to the AKL standard room in Jambo House? I read where they converted some of these to the value studios. Is there much difference in size between these?

 

[chalee94]

How does the room size compare to the AKL standard room in Jambo House? I read where they converted some of these to the value studios. Is there much difference in size between these?

allears lists them like this:

standard AKL room = 344 sq ft

value AKV studio = 316 sq ft

 

[es45]

AWe bought at AKV specifically for the value category. I love that we can book a value 1BR for 5 nights, still get a savanna view and save 60 points over a regular savanna view room. Shoot, it still saves us 30 points over the standard category and that is a guaranteed pool view. The extra 3' is not that important to us.

Have you experienced difficulty in getting the value category? Do you ever try for the studios? It seems that they are the most popular.

 

[LisaS]

How does the room size compare to the AKL standard room in Jambo House? I read where they converted some of these to the value studios. Is there much difference in size between these?

An AKV Value studio is exactly the same size as an AKL standard size hotel room. Basically all they did was rip out the closet and build a kitchenette in its place. In some cases the connecting door to the 1BR is in the living area rather than in the entryway but otherwise the dimensions of the rooms are the same.

The furnishings are a bit different. Having a queen bed and a sofa rather than 2 queen beds provides more open space in the room. Since the closet was removed, there is an armoire for your clothes. It also houses the vacuum cleaner and ironing board so there isn't much space for hanging up your clothes. The lower part of the dresser holds the pack'n'play so the rooms are tight on drawer space as well when compared to an AKL hotel room.

All of the DVC villas in Jambo House are converted 5th and 6th floor AKL hotel rooms. Most of the hotel rooms on those floors were AKL Deluxe rooms except for the rooms along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails (the hallways along the front of the resort) which were AKL Standard size rooms. Those standard size AKL rooms became AKV Value rooms. They are about 3 feet shorter and have a slightly narrower balcony. But they are a great deal point-wise and are convenient to the pool, the restaurants and the bus stop. Most of those rooms face the pool or the Sunset Savanna so you stand a good chance of avoiding a parking lot view.

 

[Juliet25]

I booked a value studio for two nights (m-w) in July a few weeks ago with no problem. I was surprised to be able to get it. Not sure if it was an anomaly or not...

 

[Brandis]

I booked a Value studio for next week in mid-feb., guess I was lucky as well.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have a love/hate relationship with value villas. I sometimes book one right at the 11 month point, but as the time draws nearer I cancel to book savannah view. So, some of the later availablility may be due to owners like me. I'm going back and forth about a 2 night stay in a value studio for September. Because any points that I add will have to be borrowed,(and I haven't even begun to book '11 reservations yet and we have less than 1/2 of the points available, too fully borrowed already!) I'm pretty sure that the reservation will stay as it is.

Bobbi

 

[Brandis]

The value studio is perfect for me! We have a big trip planned in October, where we stay in a 2BR villa at Wilderness Lodge.

2 month ago I made a pretty spontaneous decision to go to WDW for just a few days. I didn't want to use too many points and besides that, AKL is something I wanted to try for a long time now.

 

[Coach81]

Size

 

[Simba's Mom]

The furnishings are a bit different. Having a queen bed and a sofa rather than 2 queen beds provides more open space in the room. Since the closet was removed, there is an armoire for your clothes. It also houses the vacuum cleaner and ironing board so there isn't much space for hanging up your clothes. The lower part of the dresser holds the pack'n'play so the rooms are tight on drawer space as well when compared to an AKL hotel room.

My value studio is seeming "curiouser and curiouser". I didn't have an armoire or a vacuum cleaner. I had a small closet next to the kitchenette with no vacuum cleaner in it. I also didn't have any luggage rack for my suitcase (it's been there, but folded up in the last value studios). The door to the 1 BR portion was in the main portion of the room. Although I'm back, I haven't been able to download any pictures yet (I may need to buy a new cord), but 5012 is a little strange. So, would I stay there again? In a heartbeat!