Home resort face-off: AKV (Jambo) vs CCV

[HappyDisneyWife]

I would love to hear thoughts/opinions on the only 2 DVC resorts housed within a non-DVC lodge: AKL (Jambo) & CCV. So far, we’ve only added points when we’ve wanted another home resort (ie. never “traded”)- yet I’m considering selling our AKV to buy CCV- but I’m concerned that I’ll regret it. CCV has 11 more years contract life plus lower dues ... AKV is currently selling well, so I think it could be a wash (or even money ahead considering dues over time) for several more years at a similar property. We’re at a good place points-wise, so there’s no way my husband will just add on more (unless something changes). Here’s my thinking-

I love, love the Jambo House lobby & feeling. So, it should be no surprise that I also love the Wilderness Lodge. In order to compare apples to apples, I want to stick to weighing the merits of AKV-Jambo (no Kidani) & WL-CCV (no BRV)... and, yes, I understand that AKV = both J&K, whereas CCV does not include BRV... but I want to focus on staying inside the lodges.

Jambo House-
** it’s magical sitting on the balcony watching the animals (preferably while sipping an espresso) ... and no, we’re not ever going to “outgrow” that as a family
** fantastic food options
** close to AK (which is one of our favorite parks)
** owning there makes it easy to book @11 months
** good value points chart (not inc. the impossible to get value rooms!)

* there is no standard table service (just buffet or signature... unless you walk to Sanaa at Kidani, which is wonderful until it’s a cold, stormy night and you’re in a wheelchair )
* transportation is only buses
* feels very far from everything else (which can be a plus too!)

CCV- truth be told, I have never actually stayed here... only visited. Part of that is due to not being able to get what I wanted at 7 months. The other part is if I want to be near MK, I tend to stay at BLT. But now that we’re finally planning more resort time into our Disney trips, being right near the parks may not be as significant.

** love being near the lake & surrounded by trees
** nice walking paths
** close to MK (which we love)
** fantastic food options ... every single visit we take to Disney with kids includes a visit to WL to eat at the Whispering Canyon Cafe! We love it there- good quality food for a fair price is so hard to find at Disney. Everyone can order something that makes them happy & their bottomless skillets are a close 2nd to Ohana’s for my kids’ favorite Disney food- but at 1/2 the price!! We just keep going back! However, when we’re not staying at Bay Lake, or visiting MK for the day- it’s a serious pain to get over there using Disney transportation from another resort (we fly down, and I have a wheelchair- making Uber/Lyft hard to use). So, staying there seems like the best solution!

* studios are hard to book, even for an owner (but we may book 1-bedrooms for resort-focused stays anyway )
* higher points chart
* there is no “regular” signature restaurant (as a person with celiac and other food intolerances, having a menu with choices is so important!)
* transportation is primarily buses, but the boat option is nice (when there are boats that accommodate wheelchairs- not all do)
* feels far from everything else (again, not always a bad thing!)

This May, my husband and girls are finally going to have the chance to stay in a 1-bedroom at CCV. The following February, our whole family is hoping to stay in a Jambo House grand villa (there are 8 of us). I’m super excited for both trips, and I hope they will give us more clarity ...but I’m just curious about other’s thoughts. I realize some of my pro’s**/con’s* may be pretty nit-picky, but the 2 seem so similar in many ways that sometimes I feel like I’m really only deciding between animals vs lake, or restaurants... and even then, it’s still crazy hard! Or are the 2 lodges more different than I realize? Thanks in advance!


ETA: our other home resorts are BLT, Poly, RIV & BCV

 

[EM Lawrence]

I have tried really hard to like CCV because I think it is a fantastic value on the resale market right now. But I just can’t get excited about the theme. The WL lobby is very grand, but the resort overall feels too much like the place I live, surrounded by pine trees and lakes (or in my case a pond, but the same idea.) And I don’t care for the Southwest vibe in the CCV rooms. The villas also just seem so small. I’m probably in the minority, it seems to be a very popular resort. But I would take the equally grand AKL lobby that feels like a true escape to another world any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[MommaBerd]

As clarification, while Jambo and Kidani are separate contracts, they are equal in terms of home resort booking. So, you can buy a Jambo contract but still book Kidani at 11 mos. and vice versa.

As to the question, hands-down AKV for us. In fact, we really should buy a contract there at some point soon. (We own at BCV.) AKV is our go-to for resort-only stays, which we do on a fairly regular basis. I LOVE watching the animals! Plus, for a family of 5, sometimes 6, it has very reasonable points charts and the villas are spacious.

I selected Jambo in your poll; however, we stay at Kidani because of the dedicated 2 BRs.

 

[princesscinderella]

AKL is definitely my choice either Jambo or Kidani!!

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

As clarification, while Jambo and Kidani are separate contracts, they are equal in terms of home resort booking. So, you can buy a Jambo contract but still book Kidani at 11 mos. and vice versa.

Sorry- I tried to be clear about that.

... and, yes, I understand that AKV = both J&K, whereas CCV does not include BRV... but I want to focus on staying inside the lodges.

I just love staying within the lodge itself and can’t convince myself to book at Kidani (even though I could use my AKV home resort priority there as well).

 

[chalee94]

As DVC has moved towards policies that make it more like other timeshares, I have generally lost interest in buying more points.

But if I were going to do so, AKV would be the main contender. I love the atmosphere: the animals, the music, the smells, the holiday decorations. I have literally planned trips to WDW just to eat at Boma (fortunately, there were also other things to do as well...) I don't hit Jiko for every visit but it is in the rotation as a favorite.

I grabbed a value studio in Nov 2020 due to pandemic cancellations and despite the limitations of the resort at that time, I still very much enjoyed the stay overall due to the atmosphere of the resort.

 

[Lorana]

I own both.

What accommodations are your preferences (studios, 1 BR, 2 BR)? What time of year do you typically go?

If you want studios, you need to own at CCV. And some times of year, that's true even for 1BR and 2BRs. In particular, the Lodge at Christmas is THE BEST, but if you want to go in December, you need to own there.

That said, while the Wilderness Lodge is my first Disney love and our first home resort, I would never give up AKV (and not just for Value and Concierge rooms), at least not until Disney forces us to! As you noted in your post, we will never, ever tire of watching the animals. We love the theming and decor, and it is as much "home" for us as CCV/BRV.

Is owning at both a possibility?

(Also, not to fan your addonitis, but if you also want to own the Trifecta, VGC was also designed by Peter Dominick, who designed the WL and AKL).

 

[MonaMN]

We are in the process of buying CCV (resale - waiting on ROFL). We had AKV in our original plan but because there is so much availability there at 7 months (generally), we decided to choose CCV - longer contract and more need to book at 11 months. (We did not plan to try for the value studios or club level at AKV.)

But we do love AKV... it is amazing!

 

[Climhazzard]

We own at both though we have yet to stay at CC. We really like AKL for the animals, pool and remote feel but wouldn't make it our primary resort due to it being so removed. Rooms are also pretty available at AKL so not as much of a necessity to have the 11-month booking window there unless you specifically want value studios.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I own both.

What accommodations are your preferences (studios, 1 BR, 2 BR)? What time of year do you typically go?

If you want studios, you need to own at CCV. And some times of year, that's true even for 1BR and 2BRs. In particular, the Lodge at Christmas is THE BEST, but if you want to go in December, you need to own there.

That said, while the Wilderness Lodge is my first Disney love and our first home resort, I would never give up AKV (and not just for Value and Concierge rooms), at least not until Disney forces us to! As you noted in your post, we will never, ever tire of watching the animals. We love the theming and decor, and it is as much "home" for us as CCV/BRV.

Is owning at both a possibility?

(Also, not to fan your addonitis, but if you also want to own the Trifecta, VGC was also designed by Peter Dominick, who designed the WL and AKL).

Thanks, Lorana!

Yes- I remember you own at all 3 of the trifecta & I would LOVE to join you, but my hubby assures me it is not in the cards

We travel at many different times: once Sept-Dec, plus another Jan-Feb, with maybe a May trip sprinkled in there.

When I’m pinching points, it’s studios only- but we’ve also stayed in a 2-bedroom (& loved it!). We’ve got a week coming up in a 1-bedroom, and I think bigger rooms might start to become more “normal” ...although we own at RIV as well, and are staying in a tower studio this Nov for fun

Is Wilderness Lodge your favorite mainly based on nostalgia? Or can you pinpoint what makes it the best to you?

 

[Spark65]

I wouldn't sell one to get the other not much of an upgrade more like even trade.


Jambo House-
** it’s magical sitting on the balcony watching the animals (preferably while sipping an espresso) ... and no, we’re not ever going to “outgrow” that as a family - They have humans at CCV same thing
** fantastic food options - It is a plus
** close to AK (which is one of our favorite parks) - If you take the bus it takes longer...ask me how I know
** owning there makes it easy to book @11 months - Its easy to book there at 7 months too not so much at CCV
** good value points chart (not inc. the impossible to get value rooms!) - Hmmnnn

* there is no standard table service (just buffet or signature... unless you walk to Sanaa at Kidani, which is wonderful until it’s a cold, stormy night and you’re in a wheelchair ) - It doesn't rain at Disney don't start rumor's
* transportation is only buses - CCV has boat to MK that's the only difference
* feels very far from everything else (which can be a plus too!) - That's because it is!!!!!

CCV- truth be told, I have never actually stayed here... only visited. Part of that is due to not being able to get what I wanted at 7 months. The other part is if I want to be near MK, I tend to stay at BLT. But now that we’re finally planning more resort time into our Disney trips, being right near the parks may not be as significant.

** love being near the lake & surrounded by trees - if your at the outdoor bar you will experience it that's a plus otherwise provides a view if your in the right room.
** nice walking paths - so do the parks
** close to MK (which we love) - need to take bus or boat no win there
** fantastic food options . - not really AKV has a broader selection with the theme

I think your better off keeping AKV and adding points at CCV myself. AKV is nice big rooms, 3 baths good place to escape, CCV busy fast paced gets your blood going neither has an advantage over the other. I can book AKV no problem and CCV as well but I don't stay In studio's either.

You should look at something different like a monorail resort or an Epcot resort and add points there it will round you out.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

We own at both though we have yet to stay at CC. We really like AKL for the animals, pool and remote feel but wouldn't make it our primary resort due to it being so removed. Rooms are also pretty available at AKL so not as much of a necessity to have the 11-month booking window there unless you specifically want value studios.

We have 5 home resorts currently (BLT, Poly, AKV, RIV & BCV) and even though I love AKL, I’ve found myself using those points other places for park-heavy trips.

I agree that AKV as a whole would have availability at 7 months, but Jambo House doesn’t always... and that’s where I like to stay when we do choose AKV

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

You should look at something different like a monorail resort or an Epcot resort and add points there it will round you out.

I should’ve mentioned that at the beginning. Sorry- my home resorts are in my signature, but not everyone sees those.

We own at BLT, Poly, AKL, RIV, & BCV ...we’re pretty rounded out already

 

[MommaBerd]

I should’ve mentioned that at the beginning. Sorry- my home resorts are in my signature, but not everyone sees those.

We own at BLT, Poly, AKL, RIV, & BCV ...we’re pretty rounded out already

Yeah - no signatures on mobile...I didn’t realize you were a veteran DVC Owner.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I have tried really hard to like CCV because I think it is a fantastic value on the resale market right now. But I just can’t get excited about the theme. The WL lobby is very grand, but the resort overall feels too much like the place I live, surrounded by pine trees and lakes (or in my case a pond, but the same idea.) And I don’t care for the Southwest vibe in the CCV rooms. The villas also just seem so small.

I think the value is part of what’s pulling me... and it probably shouldn’t be. I definitely need to actually stay there first (which is funny for me- I don’t usually feel the need to do that).

I’m probably in the minority, it seems to be a very popular resort. But I would take the equally grand AKL lobby that feels like a true escape to another world any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Thanks for your opinion! & I love how you worded it

 

[Spark65]

I should’ve mentioned that at the beginning. Sorry- my home resorts are in my signature, but not everyone sees those.

We own at BLT, Poly, AKL, RIV, & BCV ...we’re pretty rounded out already

OOPs sorry you just need an intervention not a reason to buy more points!

 

[Transferteck]

Just to be clear; the question is which would you own...
I can visit either AKL any time. I have to own at CCV to stay when I want to stay there. So I will own CCV and when I feel the need for the exotic I will choose a stay at Jambo. Would love for it to finally be open though.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

Just to be clear; the question is which would you own...
I can visit either AKL any time. I have to own at CCV to stay when I want to stay there. So I will own CCV and when I feel the need for the exotic I will choose a stay at Jambo. Would love for it to finally be open though.

Yes, which would you own. This is kind of what I’ve been thinking.

 

[Yinn]

I would love to hear thoughts/opinions on the only 2 DVC resorts housed within a non-DVC lodge: AKL (Jambo) & CCV. So far, we’ve only added points when we’ve wanted another home resort (ie. never “traded”)- yet I’m considering selling our AKV to buy CCV- but I’m concerned that I’ll regret it. CCV has 11 more years contract life plus lower dues ... AKV is currently selling well, so I think it could be a wash (or even money ahead considering dues over time) for several more years at a similar property. We’re at a good place points-wise, so there’s no way my husband will just add on more (unless something changes). Here’s my thinking-

I love, love the Jambo House lobby & feeling. So, it should be no surprise that I also love the Wilderness Lodge. In order to compare apples to apples, I want to stick to weighing the merits of AKV-Jambo (no Kidani) & WL-CCV (no BRV)... and, yes, I understand that AKV = both J&K, whereas CCV does not include BRV... but I want to focus on staying inside the lodges.

Jambo House-
** it’s magical sitting on the balcony watching the animals (preferably while sipping an espresso) ... and no, we’re not ever going to “outgrow” that as a family
** fantastic food options
** close to AK (which is one of our favorite parks)
** owning there makes it easy to book @11 months
** good value points chart (not inc. the impossible to get value rooms!)

* there is no standard table service (just buffet or signature... unless you walk to Sanaa at Kidani, which is wonderful until it’s a cold, stormy night and you’re in a wheelchair )
* transportation is only buses
* feels very far from everything else (which can be a plus too!)

CCV- truth be told, I have never actually stayed here... only visited. Part of that is due to not being able to get what I wanted at 7 months. The other part is if I want to be near MK, I tend to stay at BLT. But now that we’re finally planning more resort time into our Disney trips, being right near the parks may not be as significant.

** love being near the lake & surrounded by trees
** nice walking paths
** close to MK (which we love)
** fantastic food options ... every single visit we take to Disney with kids includes a visit to WL to eat at the Whispering Canyon Cafe! We love it there- good quality food for a fair price is so hard to find at Disney. Everyone can order something that makes them happy & their bottomless skillets are a close 2nd to Ohana’s for my kids’ favorite Disney food- but at 1/2 the price!! We just keep going back! However, when we’re not staying at Bay Lake, or visiting MK for the day- it’s a serious pain to get over there using Disney transportation from another resort (we fly down, and I have a wheelchair- making Uber/Lyft hard to use). So, staying there seems like the best solution!

* studios are hard to book, even for an owner (but we may book 1-bedrooms for resort-focused stays anyway )
* higher points chart
* there is no “regular” signature restaurant (as a person with celiac and other food intolerances, having a menu with choices is so important!)
* transportation is primarily buses, but the boat option is nice (when there are boats that accommodate wheelchairs- not all do)
* feels far from everything else (again, not always a bad thing!)

This May, my husband and girls are finally going to have the chance to stay in a 1-bedroom at CCV. The following February, our whole family is hoping to stay in a Jambo House grand villa (there are 8 of us). I’m super excited for both trips, and I hope they will give us more clarity ...but I’m just curious about other’s thoughts. I realize some of my pro’s**/con’s* may be pretty nit-picky, but the 2 seem so similar in many ways that sometimes I feel like I’m really only deciding between animals vs lake, or restaurants... and even then, it’s still crazy hard! Or are the 2 lodges more different than I realize? Thanks in advance!


ETA: our other home resorts are BLT, Poly, RIV & BCV

This may be kind of an odd answer. I own both contracts and I like my CCV contract better...but we like to stay at AKV Jambo more.

 

[Ginamarie]

I love WL, but I do not love the rooms at CC.. CC isn't even on my radar to purchase.

AKV has my heart really. We own our big contract there. I love Jambo House for a small party (DH and I), but when traveling with the kids and/or extended family members, the extra bathroom in the 1/2 bedrooms at Kidani cannot be beat.