Is a 1 bedroom value at AKV that bad?

[cwdefouw]

I am still confused about the Jambo Villas. We just did an add on of 100 pts, at AKL so the Value units are appealing. I looked at the floor map on the link posted on this thread. I see where the value units are. What I don't get is why are the villas in Kudu Trail and Zebra Trail also not the same size as value units, as they were also originally converted from hotel rooms? Were the original hotel rooms on Kudu Trail and Zebra Trail larger than the original hotel rooms on the Giraffe Trail and Ostrich Trail? Any clarification on this is very much appreciated.

 

[LisaS]

I am still confused about the Jambo Villas. We just did an add on of 100 pts, at AKL so the Value units are appealing. I looked at the floor map on the link posted on this thread. I see where the value units are. What I don't get is why are the villas in Kudu Trail and Zebra Trail also not the same size as value units, as they were also originally converted from hotel rooms? Were the original hotel rooms on Kudu Trail and Zebra Trail larger than the original hotel rooms on the Giraffe Trail and Ostrich Trail? Any clarification on this is very much appreciated.

AKL (the hotel) had two different room sizes, Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe rooms were about 3 feet longer than the Standard rooms and had a day bed. They also have a slightly deeper balcony. All of the rooms on the 6th floor (where the concierge lounge is located) were Deluxe rooms. The rooms along the Kudu and Zebra trails on the 5th floor were also Deluxe rooms. The rooms along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails on the 5th floor were Standard size rooms. All of the AKL hotel rooms on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors are also Standard size rooms.

All of AKL's Deluxe rooms and just over half of the 5th floor Standard rooms were converted to AKVillas. On that map, the white area on the Giraffe and Ostrich trails show the Standard size rooms that did not become part of AKVillas. They are still AKL hotel rooms.

AKV/Jambo House ended up with four booking categories:

Value: villas created from the Standard size AKL rooms (3 feet shorter, lower occupancy)
Standard View: villas created from Deluxe size AKL rooms that face a pool or garden area
Savanna View: villas created from Deluxe size AKL rooms that face a savanna
Concierge: villas created from Deluxe size AKL rooms on the 6th floor

Kidani has only two booking categories because it was built as a DVC resort so all the villas there are the same size. The rooms are distinguished only by view: Standard View (faces the pool, garden or parking lot) and Savanna View.

 

[cwdefouw]

AKL (the hotel) had two different room sizes, Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe rooms were about 3 feet longer than the Standard rooms and had a day bed. They also have a slightly deeper balcony. All of the rooms on the 6th floor (where the concierge lounge is located) were Deluxe rooms. The rooms along the Kudu and Zebra trails on the 5th floor were also Deluxe rooms. The rooms along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails on the 5th floor were Standard size rooms. All of the AKL hotel rooms on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors are also Standard size rooms.

All of AKL's Deluxe rooms and just over half of the 5th floor Standard rooms were converted to AKVillas. On that map, the white area on the Giraffe and Ostrich trails show the Standard size rooms that did not become part of AKVillas. They are still AKL hotel rooms.

AKV/Jambo House ended up with four booking categories:

Value: villas created from the Standard size AKL rooms (3 feet shorter, lower occupancy)
Standard View: villas created from Deluxe size AKL rooms that face a pool or garden area
Savanna View: villas created from Deluxe size AKL rooms that face a savanna
Concierge: villas created from Deluxe size AKL rooms on the 6th floor

Kidani has only two booking categories because it was built as a DVC resort so all the villas there are the same size. The rooms are distinguished only by view: Standard View (faces the pool, garden or parking lot) and Savanna View.

Thanks, that explains it very well.

 

[WDWBlue]

We're working on a last minute trip. Our dates are 4/5 to 4/10. I realize it's peak spring break. Anyway - there was a 1 bedroom value (which I reserved) and a 1 bedroom at SSR. Which would you go with? I just want to make sure we won't be miserable in the value room. We adore AKV and would rather be at that location.

Is there still a whirlpool tub in the value rooms?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I hope and pray that it far and away from anything close to miserable!

 

[DisneyShari]

We are considering the AKV Value Studio? Is that a horrible choice? Has anyone staying in the Value Studioe? What is it like?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are considering the AKV Value Studio? Is that a horrible choice? Has anyone staying in the Value Studioe? What is it like?

Definitely not a horrible choice. It is 3 ft. shorter from door to sliding glass door. It is in Jambo, and so it has 2 sinks in the vanity area, and I do like that. How many people? You have a queen bed and a double pull out. With the pull out out, it is tight.

 

[LisaS]

We are considering the AKV Value Studio? Is that a horrible choice? Has anyone staying in the Value Studioe? What is it like?

It would be a lot like staying in a Standard size AKL hotel room with the following changes:

• instead of two queen beds there is one queen bed and one full-size sleeper sofa
• in place of the large closet there is a kitchenette with a small sink, an under-counter refrigerator, a microwave and a toaster, paper plates and bowls, plastic utensils, real glasses and coffee mugs
• since the closet was replaced with a kitchenette, there is a small armoire for your clothes

In every other respect, it is just like the AKL hotel room that it was prior to the conversion with the same size and layout for the bathroom, same overall room size, same size table and two chairs.

So if you would be happy staying in a regular room at AKL, you would also be happy with a Value studio at AKV unless you need a lot of closet space or you prefer being on a lower floor since all of the Value rooms are on the 5th floor of Jambo House.

 

[ftballfan7]

I didn't think any of the Jambo rooms had the sleeper chair. I thought the only AKV villas with those were at Kidani. Am I wrong about this, as it affects what I book?

 

[LisaS]

I didn't think any of the Jambo rooms had the sleeper chair. I thought the only AKV villas with those were at Kidani. Am I wrong about this, as it affects what I book?

The Value 1BRs/2BRs do not have the sleeper chair. The other 1BRs/2BRs in Jambo House (Standard View, Savanna View, Concierge) do have the sleeper chair.

The main differences between the Kidani 1BRs and those at Jambo House are that the Kidani 1BRs are larger, have an additional full bathroom, and the master bathroom has a separate shower stall. Kidani also has both lockoff and dedicated 2BRs, Jambo House has only lockoff 2BRs. Another difference is that in Kidani the master bedroom and bathroom are directly connected. In Jambo, you have to cross a small hallway that is open to the kitchen and living area to get to the bathroom from the bedroom.

 

[DisneyShari]

Anyone tried club level? We are considering the AKV Studio Club Room. What is that like? Are the perks worth it?
~Shari

 

[bobbiwoz]

Anyone tried club level? We are considering the AKV Studio Club Room. What is that like? Are the perks worth it?
~Shari

They are not easy to get, but we've had 3 short AKV Concierge level stays. I have a 4 night one coming up with my DSis next month. We've done the Sunrise Safari, and DSis and I will be doing it again. It's only open to those staying at the Club Level, and it includes a ride along the Kilimanjaro safari trail and then a buffet breakfast, in AK.

The continental breakfast is fine, and I think there are 2 types of hot cereal. There are snacks during the day, and there's are wine/cheese offerings in the evening. We've never been there for the buffet with hot appetizers in the late afternoon.

You get daily mousekeeping and turn down service in the evening. The concierge desk can make your ADR's and other appointments.

I wanted to treat my DSis to something special and staying at the club level is what I came up with. I hope you get it!

Bobbi

 

[Lexxiefern]

When I look at that map, I only see 10 lock off standard view 1 bedrooms. Is this correct? We have booked this view twice and I find it strange we were able to get it 7 months or less out if there are only 10 of them.

 

[bobbiwoz]

When I look at that map, I only see 10 lock off standard view 1 bedrooms. Is this correct? We have booked this view twice and I find it strange we were able to get it 7 months or less out if there are only 10 of them.

Well, there are also standard view 1 bedrooms at Kidani, and they have 2 bathrooms. So, it's possible that at 7 months all that has been available were the standard view 1 bedrooms at Jambo. Were you given a choice of which building you could have booked?

Bobbi

 

[Lexxiefern]

Well, there are also standard view 1 bedrooms at Kidani, and they have 2 bathrooms. So, it's possible that at 7 months all that has been available were the standard view 1 bedrooms at Jambo. Were you given a choice of which building you could have booked?

Bobbi

Yes. Both times both kidani and jambo were available. I guess most people book kidani?

 

[katmittens]

Definitely not a horrible choice. It is 3 ft. shorter from door to sliding glass door. It is in Jambo, and so it has 2 sinks in the vanity area, and I do like that. How many people? You have a queen bed and a double pull out. With the pull out out, it is tight.

We just returned froma 5 nite stay in a value studio and loved it. We were in 5021 I think. We had to use the fold out couch for three nites,since I fell and broke my wrist. DH used the couch, he was afraid he would bump my hand at nite. Couch was comfy and not in the way. By the way it was a savannah view.

 

[Brandis]

I think you can't request views anymore for the values, but you still can request other things. I had requested "Close to lobby" and we got this request. We were in value studio 5112, its the second room on the right on Ostrich trail. It's a savannah view.

 

[jkldesigns]

This is all so good to know! I just booked a 1 bedroom value and the woman helping me on the phone didn't know what the difference was. But it was cheaper so I took a chance!

Thank you disboards for having all the answers