Back from AKL Value 1br

[cseca]

We got back from experiencing AKL 1br Value.
I'm going to summarize my thoughts regarding our first stay at this DVC resort.

The good:
- 1br value size for the 3 of us is just perfect (it's actually a bit big for us)
- It's nice to get a possibility of savannah view without the extra points
- Points savings for this space is absolutely an amazing value.
- Bathroom is HUGE
- Tub is heavenly for soaking
- Shower water pressure is wonderful (compared to skin peeling pressure at BLT )
- Busses from AKL Jambo house were quick and plentiful
- Lots of food options (Mara, Boma, Jiko, Sana'a)
- We requested a "full size" crib and received one.
- Sana'a is AWESOME!
- Washer/dryer .. nuff said
- CMs are friendly and polite
- Night manager was crazy helpful. We had a sick baby on our last night and he went above and beyond trying to find us a thermometer. (lesson learned, we'll bring one next time we're on vacation).

The bad
- "Spitting" toilet... yech...
- Missing measuring spoons
- There's really no hiding space for our suitcases. We just put them in the bathroom (it's HUGE).
- The tub is REALLY tall. Bathing an infant is really a challenge. Even getting in an out could be a little tough if you're vertically challenged like I am.
- The garbage disposal is somehow connected to the dishwasher. Everytime we ran the dishwasher some stuff popped up the sink... eew...
- The HSI connection doesn't like sleeping mode. Kept freaking out when our computer went to sleep... weird...
- Mara gets extremely full during early breakfast time. The lines were crazy long in the morning.
- What's with the bazzilion decorative pillows on the bed? I mean seriously, those things I know are never washed... so eeewww....


MY General observation
- The walk from Jambo to Kidani is a decent walk. Not short but not terribly long. But if we were to stay at Kidani and have to rely on Jambo for food we would probably be using the bus service.
- Our Ostrich trail savannah has invisible animals during our stay. I think we saw animals a grand total of once during our 5 night stay there. If we had to pay for the view I'd probably be rather upset... again just MHO.
- The busses back to AKL is a bit more sparse than going from. Maybe that's because of our return timing sucked.
- Not a big fan of the couch material. Crumbs get imbedded on it and hard to clean.
- I think all DVC should just go without the cover on the bed. I like BLT where to just put a bed sash on the foot of the bed instead of the whole cover.


Just a thought:
Actually I was thinking out loud to DH and said that it'd be perfect if DVC would create another category that gives us an accommodation between studio and 1br. So basically smaller 1br size (like Value or even a bit smaller is fine) with a kitchenette. Since all we need is the space and not necessarily a full kitchen. But that's just a dream...

OK, that's all our thoughts on this resort. All in all, it was a good experience. I enjoyed it more than DH. He thinks the resort is too far from the parks (we just moved from BLT with the awesome monorail ). I'd return again for the value room to save some points. But DH would rather go back to BLT... hehe... Either way, I'm not complaining. Love my DVC!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks so much for your review! We are checking into a value 1 bedroom on 6/6. Sounds like it will be a good fit for us!

Even in the studios we feel like there are too many throw pillows. And I am sure they are dusty AT BEST. We won't consider "at worst".

 

[es45]

Thanks for the review!

 

[rwcmath]

Had an AKV 1 bedoom value once for 3 adults, and we all thought the space was just fine. Had a pool view, and enjoyed it.

I'm tall and still thought the bathtub was a challenge to get in out. That is probably the only thing I didn't like.

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Thanks for the honest feedback...sounds like you all enjoyed!!

Have the same issue with the bathtub and bathin' yungins, and though I'm not vertically challenged I'm a big fella so it can be a chore when things are wet!

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi cseca,
Thanks very much for your detailed review. I agree with you about Sanaa. It is wonderful. Sounds like you enjoyed your first stay at Animal Kingdom. Enjoy planning your next trip and thanks again for sharing.
________
Medical Marijuana States

 

[LIFERBABE]

Great review! Thanks for sharing

 

[jekjones1558]

Sounds like we are not the only ones who don't use the stove. We do use the dishwasher and sometimes the microwave and we like the regular frig instead of the studio size frig. But the stove is just extra counter space for us or a place to put the toaster. I don't mind paying for a 1 bedroom for the 2 of us since we bought DVC to NOT do studio size rooms. I am glad some like to cook on vacation and I'm sure that some with big families need to cook because it is so costly to feed a big family at WDW. But you won't catch this girl cooking on vacation!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Glad to hear about the big bathroom. That must be one of the "quirks" about values. The bathroom in my value studios have been so tiny. You have to scoot to the side of the toilet to close the door. If you sit down before you close the door, forget it-the top of my foot had a black and blue mark for days from where I tried that...once.

 

[cseca]

You're welcome everyone!
I thought I should write a quick review in case someone is wondering about these 1br value.

Thanks so much for your review! We are checking into a value 1 bedroom on 6/6. Sounds like it will be a good fit for us!

Even in the studios we feel like there are too many throw pillows. And I am sure they are dusty AT BEST. We won't consider "at worst".

Have a great time jackskellintonsgirl!
You'll have a blast... it's a beautiful resort. And yes those pillows are just icky. Not sure why they even bother. Do you think if we ask them to remove them from inventory our dues will get smaller?

Had an AKV 1 bedoom value once for 3 adults, and we all thought the space was just fine. Had a pool view, and enjoyed it.

I'm tall and still thought the bathtub was a challenge to get in out. That is probably the only thing I didn't like.

Thanks for the honest feedback...sounds like you all enjoyed!!

Have the same issue with the bathtub and bathin' yungins, and though I'm not vertically challenged I'm a big fella so it can be a chore when things are wet!

Oh good... it's not only me who stumbled in and out of the tub. Especially after a long relaxing soak, trying to get my legs to cooperate were tough...

I basically had to get in the tub with DD to give her a bath... not my most favorite thing to do but who wants a stinky baby right?

Sounds like we are not the only ones who don't use the stove. We do use the dishwasher and sometimes the microwave and we like the regular frig instead of the studio size frig. But the stove is just extra counter space for us or a place to put the toaster. I don't mind paying for a 1 bedroom for the 2 of us since we bought DVC to NOT do studio size rooms. I am glad some like to cook on vacation and I'm sure that some with big families need to cook because it is so costly to feed a big family at WDW. But you won't catch this girl cooking on vacation!

Amen sister!
I told DH that if we're staying 8 nights or less I am NOT cooking in the room. I need me some break. But if we stay 2 weeks (a girl can dream right? ) or something I will cooking on some nights willingly... I think DH rolled his eyes at me...

Glad to hear about the big bathroom. That must be one of the "quirks" about values. The bathroom in my value studios have been so tiny. You have to scoot to the side of the toilet to close the door. If you sit down before you close the door, forget it-the top of my foot had a black and blue mark for days from where I tried that...once.

How strange...
But I can totally see that. Studio in general is already small, to take more space out to make it a value would be challenging. I guess that makes it official for us, no value studio ever.

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

Thanks so much for the review! We are hoping to stay there in the future. As for the "spitting toilet", what do you mean exactly? Does it spray a bit when you flush it?

 

[cseca]

Thanks so much for the review! We are hoping to stay there in the future. As for the "spitting toilet", what do you mean exactly? Does it spray a bit when you flush it?

You got it
I had to do a dance before I flush. Dodge a bit to the left, flush then run out the door before the "spit" get to me... as my DD would say..."uck uck uck" ...

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We called Housekeeping last year and asked them to take the throw pillows out of the studio. The lady came in, tossed them on top of the armoire, and that was that! I would be FINE with the permanent removal of the throw pillows.

We got the value 1 bedroom for 2 reasons - 1) concierge was booked and 2) the washer will be nice to have. The full size fridge will be handy because DS14 drinks gallons of milk. I plan to buy some half gallons and keep them in the villa instead of buying endless little half pint containers. There will be NO cooking.

I will watch for the spitting toilet.

 

[dallastxcpa]

We called Housekeeping last year and asked them to take the throw pillows out of the studio. The lady came in, tossed them on top of the armoire, and that was that! I would be FINE with the permanent removal of the throw pillows.

We got the value 1 bedroom for 2 reasons - 1) concierge was booked and 2) the washer will be nice to have. The full size fridge will be handy because DS14 drinks gallons of milk. I plan to buy some half gallons and keep them in the villa instead of buying endless little half pint containers. There will be NO cooking.

I will watch for the spitting toilet.

I have three teens. DD (15), DD(13) & DS (13). I am amazed how quickly they can go through milk sometimes. This week it was a gallon in 2 days.

By the way hello neighbor. Do you ever come to the DFW Dis meets? We haven't had one in a while.

 

[cseca]

We called Housekeeping last year and asked them to take the throw pillows out of the studio. The lady came in, tossed them on top of the armoire, and that was that! I would be FINE with the permanent removal of the throw pillows.

We got the value 1 bedroom for 2 reasons - 1) concierge was booked and 2) the washer will be nice to have. The full size fridge will be handy because DS14 drinks gallons of milk. I plan to buy some half gallons and keep them in the villa instead of buying endless little half pint containers. There will be NO cooking.

I will watch for the spitting toilet.

Good grief! That's service right there...
They probably wonder why you even called them... hehehe...


Oh honey, the washer/dryer is awesome. We went home with clean clothes!!!! That NEVER happened before. All I had to do was put away the clothes.... oh the luxury ...
Is that sad that I took so much pleasure out of NOT doing laundry at home?

I know I know, I had to do laundry while I'm on vacation but it was so quick to put everything in the washer when we come back from the park. And then when it's full I just run it and 30mins later put it in the dryer.
And VOILA! Clean clothes!
I swear if we splurge everytime we go to WDW with a 1br I will only need to bring clothes for 3 days. I might even be able to get away with a carry-on!

One can dream right?

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have three teens. DD (15), DD(13) & DS (13). I am amazed how quickly they can go through milk sometimes. This week it was a gallon in 2 days.

By the way hello neighbor. Do you ever come to the DFW Dis meets? We haven't had one in a while.

We thought about doing a grocery order, but just for milk the delivery fee and gratuity were a little steep.

I haven't been to a local meet because the ones I have read about are out by Grapevine. We live in Preston Hollow, so that's a bit of a hike for us!

Cseca, DH did laundry at WDW last year and the year before, so I figured he would enjoy the washer IN the room. And I have a thing about towels. I like a clean towel every day, so now I can wash the towels in between replenishments.

 

[LisaS]

Studio in general is already small, to take more space out to make it a value would be challenging. I guess that makes it official for us, no value studio ever.

The space difference is in the living/sleeping area. The kitchenette and bathroom area of the Value studio is exactly the same as the other booking categories in Jambo House. The issue Simba's Mom mentions about the bathroom will be no different in a Standard View, Savanna View or Concierge studio in Jambo House. Here are sample floor plans for a non-Value Studio and a Value studio:

The same is true for the Value 1BR. The kitchen and bathroom areas in a Value 1BR are the same size as in a Standard View, Savanna View or Concierge 1BR in Jambo House. The size difference is in the master bedroom and the living area:

 

[LIFERBABE]

What I really liked about the Value studio is the dual sink vanity. Having that extra sink really helped and made the space feel bigger and more spacious than what it really is. The other great thing is that there are 2 full length mirrors in the studio. 1 in the hallway and 1 on the bathroom door. It really makes a difference when getting ready to have all the mirrors and sinks.

When we moved over to BCV studio in March, with single vanity and 1 full length mirror, I really appreciated the AKV Value studio for what it offered in a smaller size. To top it off, our Value studio had a great Savannah view and at BCV we were close to the end of the canal and the parking lot. Point for point, the Value studio was awesome for the 3 of us. Yes SAB, wins hands down for best pool for us, but it was cold that week and the overall amenities and point value of AKV would have been better suited that trip.

We love all our homes and it is nice to compare what works best in what season and plan. Lots of options with DVC and that is what is sooo great!! You really dont have to box yourself into a fixed style. Some trips we DDP, some we cook every meal, some we go offsite, some we dont have a vehicle at all, some we park hop some no parks etc. The most important thing for me is spending qt with my fam

 

[Wedgeh]

The space difference is in the living/sleeping area.<snip>

Thanks LisaS, that's clarified it nicely. I have found your posts to be endlessly informative since I considered, and purchased membership at AKV so just wanted to let you know they're very much appreciated

Also to OP thanks for sharing, I think this has made up my mind for a future trip (always planning 2 trips ahead is rather an occupational hazard with DVC )

 

[cseca]

Thanks LisaS!
The pictures helped a lot. I still think that value studio for more than 2 adults will be a bit cramped though. We did BLT studio and that was juuuust a bit too tight for 2A+1infant. I can't imagine having to squeeze in more people than that.
And I was one of those people that said "Studio is more than enough for a family of 4."

HAH!!! Little did I know how much DVC would spoil me.

Now after 1br Value I don't know how we could ever squeeze back into studio. Let alone a value studio.

Oh the horrors! How are we going to make do with our points!...