Animal K. DVC Rental Which one?

[Amy R Hartline]

Planning a Honeymoon in November 2019 at Disney World! I've always dreamed of staying at Animal Kingdom. Can anybody tell be about renting DVC points? Which do you prefer Jambo or Kidani?

 

[wendlle]

We've stayed at AKL before in Jambo House and loved it. I've only ever eaten at Kidani at Sanaa.
This coming trip we have rented DVC points, super easy. We did it thru a broker, we felt it was safer that way rather than doing a private rental. We chose a Studio as that is all we needed (and could afford) it was SO much cheaper than paying Disney prices.
We again chose Jambo House, main reason is because it has the QS restaurant and the pool is great. We will still walk or shuttle over to Kidani as they have a great kids splash zone but we really enjoy the grandure of Jambo House. Some of the rooms at Kidani are WAY out of the way, and with two kids in strollers I wasn't in the mood for the extra walking (which never used to bother me)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You may not have a choice. November 2019 is already booking up, as it's been open for booking for over a month, and November is part of DVC's high demand season. Kidani has more availability. Jambo consistently books first because it is smaller.

When you "rent points" you are actually renting a reservation at a DVC resort made for you by a DVC member.

• A member can book at the resort they own 11 months in advance, or 7 months in advance at any resort with availability. Availability at each window can vary, even at a resort they own. There is no guarantee to owners they can book where they own when they want.
• The member will control the reservation until you check in.
• Your booking is generally non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for refund due to the restrictions of a timeshare booking by the owner.
• You will often need to pay in full up front, versus the $200/first night's stay deposit on a booking with Disney.
• Any changes, special room requests or adding the dining plan have to be done through the owner. Dining plans must be paid in full at the time that they are added to the reservation because that's the way that DVC works.
• Tickets, FP+ and ADRs are your own responsibility.
• DVC units are not the same as staying in a hotel room. Aside from not getting daily housekeeping, you will not get 2 beds in a studio unless you're staying at OKW. What you get in a studio is a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa. Some studios will also have a Murphy bed that is smaller than a twin bed that will accommodate a 5th person. Most 2BR units are a 1BR+a studio, so if you're looking at a bigger unit for a larger group, know the bed set up.
• You will have all of the advantages that any Disney resort guest gets (like EMH, access to the resort's theme pool, ADRs at 180+10, FP+ at 60 days prior to arrival, MBs) but none of the benefits that DVC members have (such as member discounts or events or Top of the World Lounge).
• You will not qualify for any additional Disney discounts. You also are unlikely to get any kind of upgrade (and should not ask for one, as the owner who made the reservation for you may be charged for it).
• Demand for DVC rental far exceeds the number of available units and owners willing to use their points for a rental. DVC is designed to be at or near 100% occupancy all year long.
• Your chances of getting exactly what you want are much greater if you have lined up someone, who owns at the resort that you are interested in booking, at least 11 months in advance of the day you wish to arrive. The probability of success goes down from there.
• A broker is a go-between between a renter and an owner. To meet your reservation request, they need an owner, with the right number of points, in the right use year, at the right resort -- AND the unit needs to be available. This can be a challenge to get alignment on.
• In general, as a renter do not expect to book Boardwalk Standard Studios or 2BR, BLT Standard Studios or 2BR units, Grand Floridian studios, or Animal Kingdom Value or Club Level units. You can ask, but have backup plans (and budget, in the case of the Standard/Value units).
• DVC "busy season" does not align to what people think of as high season at Disney, and starts in late September and runs through marathon. Epcot resorts and near-park can be hard for owners to book during Food & Wine.
• Renting from a DVC owner can get you staying at a deluxe resort, in a villa-type room, for less than a standard room at that resort would cost from Disney. But it is non-refundable.
• If there is any issue, Disney will not be a part of any fix, as your transaction is not with them.

 

[clayfolks]

We love AKL/V. I just checked availability for November. If it were me, I’d be booking fairly soon. Standard view at Jambo will be very difficult as there are no full weeks left. Savanna view has more availability. Kidani has pretty good availability for both standard and savanna, but I wouldn’t count on it lasting long.

 

[robinb]

We own at AKV and have only stayed at Jambo. The CS restaurant is in Jambo, two TS restaurants and the standard view studios are guaranteed to be on the Savannah (overlooking the people pen) or with a pool view. No parking lot views.

 

[rwdavis2]

We successfully rented a Boardwalk Villa Studio in 2016. $243 a night, for 8 nights. So, keep alternatives in mind. Loved the location.

 

[Pmm_]

Everybody above has had great input, so I won't repeat. But I will say this: If you're positive on AKL, then book ASAP. All the value rooms (cheapest option at Jambo) are booked for november. The Standard view rooms are about 1/2 booked at Jambo and starting to get booked at Kidani. Savannah rooms (the most expensive studio option) are starting to book up at Jambo and are wide open at Kidani.

Enjoy your trip and planning

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We successfully rented a Boardwalk Villa Studio in 2016. $243 a night, for 8 nights. So, keep alternatives in mind. Loved the location.

Boardwalk has.less availability for November than AKV. Because we are inside 11 months for one of the highest demand DVC seasons, better alternatives would be Saratoga and Old Key West.

Or a cash room.

 

[JKMastalski]

We love Jambo! We love being close to the lounges and just the central hub of the big lobby and activities!

 

[daisy2013]

with my kids I like Kidani. If I was with my husband alone I would do Jambo house. I like the lounges and restaurants better.