JUST BOOKED AKV! Seeking tips for DVC rental!

[sue_gowin]

Hi everyone,
I just got the confirmation that my DVC rental went through!!! Were going My 9-18, and staying at AKV - Jambo house....SOOOO excited!!!!! This is my first time renting points from a DVC owner, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what to bring/buy. I plan on making a Garden Grocer order (coffee, water, wine)....anything I should get specifically???
Thanks in advance everyone...I'm going to go bounce off the walls in excitement!

 

[MerriH807]

What type of accommodations did u rent? If a studio then definitely some breakfast food. If a one or two bedroom with a kitchen, then perhaps some food to cook if u want and laundry detergent to bring home clean clothes.

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

We just rented thru a DVC owner the Jambo House in December.

We had never stayed Deluxe before, as we are in love with Pop Century . But AKV is a bucket list item for me, so I can now mark that one off.

We had a studio and loved the kitchette area. If we had been staying longer than 4 days, I would have put it to good use.

Things I loved: seeing the animals for the first time and getting excited every time we saw a different animal. It is a beautiful resort and we were pretty close to the lobby. I LOVED the closer bus stops and less crowded busses. I love that they honored my request and we were next door to my brother.

Things I didn't love:
- I missed having a full food court that I passed frequently. They have a smaller version and didn't have my dh's breakfast pizza. It is also a little out of the way (Just my opinion)
- I hated that I couldn't talk to Disney about my ressie until I checked in. The DVC owner still owns the ressie until you check in. So you cannot call and confirm that you were not ummm "taken". I couldn't even schedule my own DME.
- If you want daily towel/trash service it is $15/day. I'm sorry but I am not environmentally friendly I guess. As forgetful as I am, I don't wanna forget which end I dried with which.

Those little tiny things aside, I'm super glad that I can say that we did it. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case you didn't know those things. Again, they are minute. I hope you have an amazing time and definitely don't forget to try the zebra domes. I wish I had read more on here before I went about the location of laundry and other fun things to do while at the resort.

Happy Planning!!
Karen

 

[mousetravel]

I just did this last month, and stayed at Jambo, also.


I didn't have any problems with the renting process with the owner, but we've also met up before and kinda know each other, etc.


To avoid the trash/towel issue, I just brought some extra small size trash bags to use, and a couple of beach towels, but we didn't even use the beach towels, because there were plenty of towels in there.

I loved it so much, I could have just hung out there and enjoyed the resort, without going to the parks!

Make sure to go out on the overlooks and trails. You'll see a lot more animals than you can from your room and those inside areas.

I'm doing a TR on our recent trip, but haven't got to the AKL part yet!

 

[sue_gowin]

What type of accommodations did u rent? If a studio then definitely some breakfast food. If a one or two bedroom with a kitchen, then perhaps some food to cook if u want and laundry detergent to bring home clean clothes.

We're in a standard studio, so unfortunately no washer/dryer, although that would have been great to have!

We just rented thru a DVC owner the Jambo House in December.

We had never stayed Deluxe before, as we are in love with Pop Century . But AKV is a bucket list item for me, so I can now mark that one off.

We had a studio and loved the kitchette area. If we had been staying longer than 4 days, I would have put it to good use.

Things I loved: seeing the animals for the first time and getting excited every time we saw a different animal. It is a beautiful resort and we were pretty close to the lobby. I LOVED the closer bus stops and less crowded busses. I love that they honored my request and we were next door to my brother.

Things I didn't love:
- I missed having a full food court that I passed frequently. They have a smaller version and didn't have my dh's breakfast pizza. It is also a little out of the way (Just my opinion)
- I hated that I couldn't talk to Disney about my ressie until I checked in. The DVC owner still owns the ressie until you check in. So you cannot call and confirm that you were not ummm "taken". I couldn't even schedule my own DME.
- If you want daily towel/trash service it is $15/day. I'm sorry but I am not environmentally friendly I guess. As forgetful as I am, I don't wanna forget which end I dried with which.

Those little tiny things aside, I'm super glad that I can say that we did it. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case you didn't know those things. Again, they are minute. I hope you have an amazing time and definitely don't forget to try the zebra domes. I wish I had read more on here before I went about the location of laundry and other fun things to do while at the resort.

Happy Planning!!
Karen

I did lots and lots of research before booking, so I did know those things! I will remember to put in a request for something close to the lobby though!

I just did this last month, and stayed at Jambo, also.


I didn't have any problems with the renting process with the owner, but we've also met up before and kinda know each other, etc.


To avoid the trash/towel issue, I just brought some extra small size trash bags to use, and a couple of beach towels, but we didn't even use the beach towels, because there were plenty of towels in there.

I loved it so much, I could have just hung out there and enjoyed the resort, without going to the parks!

Make sure to go out on the overlooks and trails. You'll see a lot more animals than you can from your room and those inside areas.

I'm doing a TR on our recent trip, but haven't got to the AKL part yet!

I can't wait to read your TR! We have stayed at AK before, so we've done the lookouts and all that, but I can't wait to do it again!

 

[xipetotec]

Hi everyone,
I just got the confirmation that my DVC rental went through!!! Were going My 9-18, and staying at AKV - Jambo house....SOOOO excited!!!!! This is my first time renting points from a DVC owner, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what to bring/buy. I plan on making a Garden Grocer order (coffee, water, wine)....anything I should get specifically???
Thanks in advance everyone...I'm going to go bounce off the walls in excitement!

We are DVC members who mostly stay in a studio. We have stayed at AKV, beautiful resort!!! ( We usually stay at BCV though since it's our "home" ).

Do you plan to have breakfast int he room? I would bring bread, any toppings ( peanut butter, jams, butter, etc ). Other than that, like you said, coffee, water, wine, beer, juice? Cereal/milk?

 

[ranthony]

DVC owners do have use of a free laundry facility if they are in a studio. Your room key card gives you access to it and I think even as a renter that would be the case. You may want to bring laundry soap and ask where the facility is located when you check in. Have fun! AKV is our home resort and we love it. Be sure to check out all the activities offered.

 

[tom&jan]

AKV is my home resort. Nice place to stay you will enjoy it. I have been staying in Disney for 20 years, and the only thing that seems to be getting tougher is finding a good place to eat without a reservation. I would sugest making your dinner plans in advance, and make your reservations early. I hope this helps.

 

[sue_gowin]

DVC owners do have use of a free laundry facility if they are in a studio. Your room key card gives you access to it and I think even as a renter that would be the case. You may want to bring laundry soap and ask where the facility is located when you check in. Have fun! AKV is our home resort and we love it. Be sure to check out all the activities offered.

Great info, thanks!!! Maybe when I get the owner to set up ME, I'll get her to ask if laundry is included for renters. Thanks!!! Do you know about internet? I know DVC owners have access to free highspeed, but do renters get it as well??

AKV is my home resort. Nice place to stay you will enjoy it. I have been staying in Disney for 20 years, and the only thing that seems to be getting tougher is finding a good place to eat without a reservation. I would sugest making your dinner plans in advance, and make your reservations early. I hope this helps.

I'm used to going during a free dining promotion, so I've always gone having made reservations far in advance...thanks for the tip though! I've never eaten at any of the AK TS restaurants, so I'm looking forward to that this year!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you plan to do laundry and will not have a rental car I would buy those Purex Laundry Sheets. They pack easy because the dont take up much room, you don't have to worry about leaking in your luggage and you put them in washer then transfer them with the clothes into the dryer because they have both the soap and softner built right in. http://www.purex.com/products/detergents/purex-complete-3-in-1

We also have one of these laundry bags. Its great because it doesnt take up much room in the luggage. It gives you a place to put your dirty clothes. Makes hauling laundry to/from the laundry room easy. We also use it when we go to the pool to put our water shoes , beach towels and anything else we take to the pool. http://www.amazon.com/Bajer-Soft-La...eorganization&ie=UTF8&qid=1326407824&sr=1-129


** You have to try the Zebra Dome dessert at the AKL. They are available in the Mara or at Boma. If you like pumpkin pie then you must try the butternut squash soup which you can get at both the Mara and Boma. You will be amazed at how much it taste just like pumpkin pie.

 

[Hmom]

This will be our 2nd time renting DVC at AKV. We have been and will be in a studio.

Yes, you have access to the 5th floor laundry. I think it is at the start of the Zebra hallway. A little hard to find, but a nice benefit. I believe you get 1 box of laundry detergent in your room. Your room key will let you in. I take a small pop up hamper for our dirty clothes.

You'll have a sponge & dish detergent at the sink.

You can confirm your reservations on mydisneyreservation.com (I think that is it) if your DVC "landlord" has given you the confirmation number. You can't change anything, but you can confirm that it is there.

Zebra domes rock! As does the soup mentioned earlier. Boma is very good. Haven't done Jiko or Sana.

We order from wegoshop - bfast items, milk, bread, PB & J, fruit, carrots, water, pretzels.

This year, I am actually thinking of ordering some cheap towels from Walmart's ship to store, have wegoshop pick them up, wash them as needed & leave them when we depart. Not sure, but cheaper than extra mousekeeping. I do like fresh towels every day. Sorry environment!

The CMs are amazing! Just walking around the resort is an education & awesome experience.

Have a great trip!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We usually see the mousekeeper in the hall near our room & we just ask her for two extra towels. She is happy to give them to us and she usually gives us way more than we need. She is kind enough to ask us if we need anything be sides towels and we tip her. Then we are covered for the length of our stay.

This will be our 2nd time renting DVC at AKV. We have been and will be in a studio.

Yes, you have access to the 5th floor laundry. I think it is at the start of the Zebra hallway. A little hard to find, but a nice benefit. I believe you get 1 box of laundry detergent in your room. Your room key will let you in. I take a small pop up hamper for our dirty clothes.

You'll have a sponge & dish detergent at the sink.

You can confirm your reservations on mydisneyreservation.com (I think that is it) if your DVC "landlord" has given you the confirmation number. You can't change anything, but you can confirm that it is there.

Zebra domes rock! As does the soup mentioned earlier. Boma is very good. Haven't done Jiko or Sana.

We order from wegoshop - bfast items, milk, bread, PB & J, fruit, carrots, water, pretzels.

This year, I am actually thinking of ordering some cheap towels from Walmart's ship to store, have wegoshop pick them up, wash them as needed & leave them when we depart. Not sure, but cheaper than extra mousekeeping. I do like fresh towels every day. Sorry environment!

The CMs are amazing! Just walking around the resort is an education & awesome experience.

Have a great trip!

 

[ToddyLu]

The laundry detergent has never been in the room for our studios, but it is only 1$ a box in the laundry. You will want to order 1/2 gallons of milk. A gallon will not fit in the fridge in a studio. You can get ice to freeze in trays in the small freezer. The internet cord is in a bag in the closet and the hair dryer is in the drawer in the bathroom.

The Mara is kinda hard to find the first trip there. I know because we looked around the resort for about 20 minutes trying to find it--even after looking at the map--and my BIL is a rocket scientist--for real.

Mara is down by the swimming pool. When you decend the steps off the lobby to go to Boma, walk out the glass doors by that restaurant and follow the sidewalk outside to Mara.

The Non alcholic Lava Smoothie is terrific at the pool bar. I have only had it at the pool bar at Kidani, though.

At night there is a drum cafe for kids in the Community Hall at Kidani as well as night time stories around the fire pit. The CMs from Africa also do special presentations in the evening in the library. These programs are wonderful and worth the walk over one evening from Jambo.

 

[ToddyLu]

Oh and we will be there at Kidani May 4-11

 

[sue_gowin]

Oh and we will be there at Kidani May 4-11

Woohoo!!! I can't wait! Thanks for all the great tips! Since you know where the internet cord is, do you know whether or not the internet is free for renters as well as owners???