First time at DVC - What can you tell me about AKV?

[ShesAPirate]

Hi all!

My bf and I will be staying at AKV the first week of November - 4 nights at Jambo House, and the last 2 nights at Kidani Village. We are sadly not DVC members (yet ) so I have some questions that I hope you can help me with

I know that you don't get housekeeping at DVC unless you pay for it, correct? Does anyone know the cost if we did want to have housekeeping come in one day?

Are all the usual amenities provided (soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel), or do we need to bring that sort of stuff from home?

Any room recommendations or areas you would suggest for Kidani? How far of a walk is it to Jambo?

I'm sure I have a hundred more questions, but that's all I can think of right now. Thanks soooooo much in advance for your help!

 

[spiceycat]

if you make your reservation thru a DVC member then - no housekeeping.

anything else you will receive daily housekeeping. (CRO, DTC, travel agent, AAA, expedia, and the few times it is there priceline)

really don't mind not having it - really don't like anyone in my room except me and the people that I invited to be there.

the walk to Jambo House is not that long - although they did have a van or something smaller that would take you to it. ask at bell services or concierge

forgot - Kidiani is the first stop then all buses (except DD) go to JH

 

[bobbiwoz]

For the four night stay if you are on DVC points, if you count the day you get there as day 1, on day 4 you will get a trash and towel day...new towels, soaps and they should take out the trash. You may need to take out the trash before that so find out where the bins are.

Are you in a studio? The cost of a full housekeeping depends on the size of the villa.

Bobbi

 

[ShesAPirate]

Are you in a studio? The cost of a full housekeeping depends on the size of the villa.

Bobbi

Hi Bobbi - yes, we're in a studio at both Jambo and Kidani. Thanks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:
Studio - $30.00 for each day requested
One-Bedroom - $45.00 for each day requested
Two-Bedroom - $60.00 for each day requested
Three-Bedroom - $75.00 for each day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:
Studio - $15.00 for each day requested
One-Bedroom - $20.00 for each day requested
Two-Bedroom - $25.00 for each day requested
Three-Bedroom - $35.00 for each day requested


I copied this from David's site.
http://www.dvcrequest.com/faq.htm#note14

 

[Terri O]

As for the shampoos and such, they will be in your room already. You can always ask for more if not enough.

As for the rooms, I would recommend a Savannah view, it is absolutely beautiful. We stayed here in Aug of 09 and will be again in Dec.

Otherwise, the walk between the 2 is not far.
I will add that in 09 when we were there we stayed in AKV and then BLT. Both places were beautiful and would gladly stay at either one in the future. I would never book two different stays while on a visit, it takes up too much time to get from one to the other (though some things have changed now). We were on the dining plan and could not pay for it all at once. So mid way through our trip we had to pay up again and then loose any snack/meal that we did not use. I did not appreciate that.

Hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[ShesAPirate]

Bobbi - Thanks for the info! Prices aren't too bad, IMO.

Terri - Thanks for bringing up the DDP issue with a split stay. We'll have to make sure to use up our dining credits before midnight the day we move. It was our original plan to stay at Jambo the whole time, but the availability wasn't there for more than 4 nights in a row. Moving to Kidani won't be so bad. To my knowledge, Disney will move the luggage for us (anyone please correct me if I'm wrong).

Glad to know we can ask for more soaps and shampoos. I love the smell of that stuff

 

[thepops]

Just remember to be prepared to be "homeless" for most of the moving day. (out by 11 and may not have a room available until after 4 ..or later)

 

[ShesAPirate]

Just remember to be prepared to be "homeless" for most of the moving day. (out by 11 and may not have a room available until after 4 ..or later)

Not a problem. We've got lunch at Crystal Palace lovestruc ) at 2:10, and plan to be at MK before and after that

 

[Invisable89]

Are you renting DVC points or staying via cash reservation?
- If you're staying via cash reservation you will get daily mousekeeping!
- But if you're renting DVC points you'll only get trash & towel on day 4, but you can ring up mousekeeping & ask for it on an earlier day. You get a full cleaning on day 8. Any other times you would have to pay.


Again, if you're staying via cash reservation you'll get all the amenities included which will be re-stocked for you. But if you're renting points i think the amenities get re-stocked only on day 8. If you want more shampoo, soap etc you'll have to ask & maybe pay for it.


What kind of view do you have? I'd always suggest with Kidani to request a 'close to Lobby' room as the hallways are looooong! & the walk to Jambo House is no more than 10 minutes, depends on how quick/slow you walk.

 

[ShesAPirate]

Are you renting DVC points or staying via cash reservation?
- If you're staying via cash reservation you will get daily mousekeeping!
- But if you're renting DVC points you'll only get trash & towel on day 4, but you can ring up mousekeeping & ask for it on an earlier day. You get a full cleaning on day 8. Any other times you would have to pay.


Again, if you're staying via cash reservation you'll get all the amenities included which will be re-stocked for you. But if you're renting points i think the amenities get re-stocked only on day 8. If you want more shampoo, soap etc you'll have to ask & maybe pay for it.


What kind of view do you have? I'd always suggest with Kidani to request a 'close to Lobby' room as the hallways are looooong! & the walk to Jambo House is no more than 10 minutes, depends on how quick/slow you walk.

We are renting points. Checking into Jambo on Tuesday, then into Kidani Saturday -- so I think I'll order Trash and Towel Service for Jambo on Thursday. That should be enough refills. I just adore the toiletries. And even though I order the same ones (except full size) at home on a fairly regular basis, getting the little bottles is great, too

I have requested close to the lobby for Jambo. I have stayed at AKL before (non-DVC), and had literally the very last room on Zebra trail -- which was a hideous walk after trekking through the parks all day I didn't make any special requests for Kidani yet, but I definitely will. We have Savannah view for both places

About Kidani -- if I ask to be closest to the lobby, will we be very far away from the pool? It's hard to get a real perspective, just looking at the map.

 

[Invisable89]

We are renting points. Checking into Jambo on Tuesday, then into Kidani Saturday -- so I think I'll order Trash and Towel Service for Jambo on Thursday. That should be enough refills. I just adore the toiletries. And even though I order the same ones (except full size) at home on a fairly regular basis, getting the little bottles is great, too

I have requested close to the lobby for Jambo. I have stayed at AKL before (non-DVC), and had literally the very last room on Zebra trail -- which was a hideous walk after trekking through the parks all day I didn't make any special requests for Kidani yet, but I definitely will. We have Savannah view for both places

About Kidani -- if I ask to be closest to the lobby, will we be very far away from the pool? It's hard to get a real perspective, just looking at the map.

Ohhhh i so wish i was you right now! Oh yes the little blue bottles are VERY cute!

Oh my, that must have been tourture! The Kidani hallways are alot longer.

Nope, you won't be. The pool area is over the road from the Lobby - to the left if you're standing facing the Lobby entrance, you can access it between the 3rd & 4th left 'block' though, so it doesn't really matter either way.

Since you've got a Savanna View requesting an 'upper floor' might be worth doing, not too high though, maybe the 3rd floor?

 

[Harlemgirl720]

About the toiletries. The only thing DVC renters don't get that Cash ressies do is............LOTION!!!!!

I asked when I got to Kidani in March. I saw the shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Asked housekeeping about the lotion. Said DVC members don't get it. WOW!

 

[joanndisney]

Just wanted to say enjoy your stay, you will love it!

We are staying again at Kidani in December... Can't wait!

 

[bobbiwoz]

About the toiletries. The only thing DVC renters don't get that Cash ressies do is............LOTION!!!!!

I asked when I got to Kidani in March. I saw the shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Asked housekeeping about the lotion. Said DVC members don't get it. WOW!

We used to get the lotion! I was surprised that now, even CL DVC doesn't get it. However, we did get toothbrushes and mouthwash in April. I'd rather have the lotion!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you renting DVC points or staying via cash reservation?
- If you're staying via cash reservation you will get daily mousekeeping!
- But if you're renting DVC points you'll only get trash & towel on day 4, but you can ring up mousekeeping & ask for it on an earlier day. You get a full cleaning on day 8. Any other times you would have to pay.


Again, if you're staying via cash reservation you'll get all the amenities included which will be re-stocked for you. But if you're renting points i think the amenities get re-stocked only on day 8. If you want more shampoo, soap etc you'll have to ask & maybe pay for it.


What kind of view do you have? I'd always suggest with Kidani to request a 'close to Lobby' room as the hallways are looooong! & the walk to Jambo House is no more than 10 minutes, depends on how quick/slow you walk.

We are renting points. Checking into Jambo on Tuesday, then into Kidani Saturday -- so I think I'll order Trash and Towel Service for Jambo on Thursday. That should be enough refills. I just adore the toiletries. And even though I order the same ones (except full size) at home on a fairly regular basis, getting the little bottles is great, too

I have requested close to the lobby for Jambo. I have stayed at AKL before (non-DVC), and had literally the very last room on Zebra trail -- which was a hideous walk after trekking through the parks all day I didn't make any special requests for Kidani yet, but I definitely will. We have Savannah view for both places

About Kidani -- if I ask to be closest to the lobby, will we be very far away from the pool? It's hard to get a real perspective, just looking at the map.

About the toiletries. The only thing DVC renters don't get that Cash ressies do is............LOTION!!!!!

I asked when I got to Kidani in March. I saw the shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Asked housekeeping about the lotion. Said DVC members don't get it. WOW!

If you stay seven nights or less, you will get your trash removed and towels replaced on day 4 with checkin day as day 1. They replace your original towels, remove the trash and replace any shampoo, etc that you used.

I am in an OKW villa right now as a member on points and I got lotion.

You cannot just ask for more of most items without paying for it. You can get extra toilet paper, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, paper towels, trash bags. But no extra body soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, single use box of Tide (in villas with washer and dryer in the villa) without paying for them.

 

[ShesAPirate]

If you stay seven nights or less, you will get your trash removed and towels replaced on day 4 with checkin day as day 1. They replace your original towels, remove the trash and replace any shampoo, etc that you used.

So if we check in on Tuesday, they'll do Trash and Towel Service on Friday?

 

[Invisable89]

So if we check in on Tuesday, they'll do Trash and Towel Service on Friday?

Yep.

 

[ShesAPirate]

That is excellent to know. One refill of toiletries will get us through, then we'll get new ones when we move into Kidani, too

As far as not getting lotion - kind of a bummer, but the way my bf and I go through moisturizer, we'd need like 10 of those little bottles each, anyway Definitely will be bringing a big bottle along.