Needing advice from seasoned DVC people on vacation dates

[DisneyMom1983]

Hello all! I'm a newbie to this site and to DVC. We bought back in August into Saratoga Springs. I have a question about staying at DVC resorts in September of 2012. I have looking at either the week of the 16th or the weekend of the 23rd. I will attempt to book a Treehouse at my 11month booking, and then try to get into a 2 bedroom villa at AKV or BLT at the 7 month mark. Is there going to be a difference in avaibility from these weeks based on past experiences, or are they similar? Also, do you think there will be availibility at AKV or BLT for either of these weeks at the 7 month mark? Thanks so much!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you own at SSR, you shouldn't have a problem getting a THV at 11 months out. AKV may be easier at 7 months, but a Lake View BLT villa may also be available. Good luck.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

There has been a lot of availability as of late. You will have no problem getting any of those resorts in September.

 

[CarolMN]

Pick the week that works best for your schedule. Neither of those weeks is busier than the other.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think you'll be fine!

 

[DisneyMom1983]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback. My DS(8), DD(3) and DD(1) are really excited for next year. It will be their first MNSSHP and they are all ready counting down the days until next year!

I think we are leaning more towards AKV because my DS(8) is really into animals. What is the difference between staying at Jambo house or Kidani Village in a 2 bedroom villa? Thanks for helping out a newbie everyone!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback. My DS(8), DD(3) and DD(1) are really excited for next year. It will be their first MNSSHP and they are all ready counting down the days until next year!

I think we are leaning more towards AKV because my DS(8) is really into animals. What is the difference between staying at Jambo house or Kidani Village in a 2 bedroom villa? Thanks for helping out a newbie everyone!

All two bedroom villas at Jambo House are lockoff villas. Meaning they can be split into a one bedroom and a studio. They are also all converted hotel rooms, so no separate shower and tub (that's a big point against for me). They are all on the fifth floor. The second bedroom will always have a queen sized bed and a double sleeper sofa. All but the value villas have the sleeper chair in the living room.

At Kidani Village, you can get dedicated or lockoff two bedroom villas. They also all have the an extra bathroom just off the entrance to the villa. The dedicated two bedroom will have two queen beds in the second bedroom. There is a separate tub and shower in the master bathroom.

At KV, you have the store to purchase food or Sanaa, an Indian style restaurant. At JH, you have Jiko (a table service restaurant), Boma (an African style buffet) and Mara, a counter service restaurant.

At KV, you can park under the building. At JH, you park in the parking lot away from the building.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Both have great CM's and there are activites for the children to do. Both have poolside games in the afternoon and activites at night.

Considering the ages of your children, I think the pool at Kidani would be a bigger hit than the one at Jambo. There are all sorts of interactive water activities at Kidani. That's the one I would pick.

Kidani is the first bus stop on the way to the parks. Last week I stayed at Jambo, and did have to stand on the way to Epcot last Tuesday. With your children, I think that would be another reason to pick Kidani, more likely to get seats to the parks!

Bobbi

 

[DisneyMom1983]

How far is the walk from Kidani to Jambo? We love Boma, so I know we will be eating there a couple times during our trip. We drive to Disney, so we pretty much take our car everywhere and don't use the bus system. So if it's a long walk that wouldn't really be much of an issue since we could drive.

 

[Deb & Bill]

How far is the walk from Kidani to Jambo? We love Boma, so I know we will be eating there a couple times during our trip. We drive to Disney, so we pretty much take our car everywhere and don't use the bus system. So if it's a long walk that wouldn't really be much of an issue since we could drive.

About 10-15 minutes (about 1/2 mile).

 

[mickeylr]

Close enough to walk and definitely not worth moving the car unless you have someone with mobility issues that would benefit from door to door transport. We enjoyed that walk more than once last year.

Mary

 

[DisneyMom1983]

Thanks for the adivice everyone! I think we may try to get a 2 bedroom at Kidani at the 7 month mark. It will be my family of 5, plus my in-laws. I guess if they don't want to do the walk from building to building, they can take the car. We end up taking our own transportation to the parks because our little girls do not like the bus system.

I am looking at getting a standard room when we travel. Does anyone know a specific room number that would be either close to the pool area or one of the closest rooms to Jambo house so that I could request one of those? I know requests aren't guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask, right?

 

[nolanboys]

Thanks for the adivice everyone! I think we may try to get a 2 bedroom at Kidani at the 7 month mark. It will be my family of 5, plus my in-laws. I guess if they don't want to do the walk from building to building, they can take the car. We end up taking our own transportation to the parks because our little girls do not like the bus system.

I am looking at getting a standard room when we travel. Does anyone know a specific room number that would be either close to the pool area or one of the closest rooms to Jambo house so that I could request one of those? I know requests aren't guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask, right?

We booked a standard room at Kidani last fall and I just requested to be near the lobby. It worked great to be centrally located to get to Jambo and the pool. I would request something more general as I think it helps cm's be able to fulfill your request. The villas at Kidani are great. Have fun!

 

[supersuperwendy]

The dedicated 2 bedroom at Kidani is huge and wonderful. It's my husband's absolute favorite accommodations in WDW. Ours kids LOVE the pool at Kidani too. We have our first stay at Jambo coming up, so we'll see which one everyone prefers soon!