Jambo Villa 2 Bedroom - Standard or Value

[Indecisive]

I have a feeling there may be no "best" answer to this, but I thought it might still be worth an ask!

We will have 5 people--me, DH, my mother ("Grandma") and two kids, 7 and 10. We will be traveling in May 2017. I am thinking about renting points at Jambo Villas for 7 nights. I think with our family configuration, we would be most comfortable in a two bedroom. Although it is tempting, I do not think it would be worth it for us to pay so much extra for savannah views, given how busy we will be at the parks and how little time we will spend in the room. That said, it would be so lovely if we might happen to get pixie dust and get a bit of a savannah view.

I am thinking of trying for either a 2 bedroom value or a 2 bedroom standard. I understand that "value" refers not to a view, but to the size of the room, which would be smaller than a "standard." I am thinking with only 5 people, this should not be that big of an issue for us? And, with a value, we might luck into a savannah view (although we also might get a pool or, eek!, a parking lot view).

For about $500 more than the value, we can get a "standard," which I understand would most likely be a pool view, although I read on this board that there might be a chance with pixie dust of getting a partial savannah view (if we are assigned to the Kudo trail, I believe).

So what would you do in my situation? Go for the value, deal with the smaller villa, and have a shot at a really inexpensive savannah view? Or pay $500 more, have more space, and most likely have a nice pool view (with a small chance of scoring a partial savannah view)?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

 

[CarolMN]

There are only a small number of villas in the value category and they are all lock offs - so every studio that is booked reduces the availability of the 2 bedrooms. These villas are very popular and are almost always booked solid as soon as the booking window opens. So unless you are willing and able to commit more than 11 months ahead of time and can find an owner willing to book for you as soon as the window opens, you probably will not be able to get a value 2 bedroom. But on the bright side, there are lots of great places to view the animals so odds are you won't have to go very far to see them.

FWIW, I'd plan on the standard. Good luck!

 

[Indecisive]

Thanks, CarolMN! I would be willing/able to commit at more than 11 months, but your point is well taken that I don't know if I would be able to snag a value 2 bedroom anyway. I would likely be renting through David's, so it would depend on his inventory, as well as how quickly they would attempt to book when the window opens, as that would be out of my control. I suppose I could always put Value as my first choice and Standard as my second and see what transpires.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

$500 is a lot of money. For me personally, that would make it worth it to go with the value. I have stayed in a 2BR value before with my DH and two teenage DSs, and the size of the room was not an issue to us. Totally worth saving the extra points. If parking lot view would be a major problem for you though, you might be safer to go with the standard. It's definitely a gamble.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think you should budget the extra $500 for the Standard. Value is often a hard category to book, and going through a broker it is rare to be booking at 8AM at 11 months, which is generally necessary for Value at AKL.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I prefer the value villas at AKV-Jambo House because they are closer to the main lobby and resort amenities.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd try for the value but recognize you might have to go with the standard as a backup. However for a May stay if you are lined up for an 11 month booking I think it's very likely you'll get the value.

 

[Indecisive]

Thanks, everyone! I feel [fairly] resolved to try for the Value with Standard as a back-up. Of course, I still have several months before I can even make the request, so there is always a distinct possibility that I will live up to my screen name and change my mind between now and then! As always, thank you for all your wisdom!