Refurbishment Timeline Announced for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas!

[sndral]

Does Jambo have dedicated two bedrooms or just lock offs?

Jambo only has lock off 2 br.s.

 

[BrianLa]

Just checked in for our one week stay, and inquired about availability of any renovated rooms. The cast member told me they are soft opening one week from today.

How did you inquire about a renovated room? We are staying for a week starting 12/27 and would love to try to get a renovated room.

 

[TDK44]

I guess for next week I can hold out hope the refurb adds a 5th sleeper to standard/savanah studios. This would definitely help demand wise imo as I’d book those in heart beat with my 3 kids ages 4 to 8 over 2x value studio or 2br value lol.

Was hoping for this too but it was always unlikely and since the 2027 points charts still say “Sleeps 4”, seems even more unlikely.

 

[muppets3d]

How did you inquire about a renovated room? We are staying for a week starting 12/27 and would love to try to get a renovated room.

Ask when you arrive at check-in.

 

[BrianLa]

Ask when you arrive at check-in.

Unfortunately, I think if they do have renovated rooms available, those will go to any cash reservations since they have already been taken out of DVC inventory unless they take equal amount of rooms out of service early from the other wing. If they are just the "extra" rooms available early I see no reason they will put points reservations in those rooms rather than a cash reservation.

 

[muppets3d]

Unfortunately, I think if they do have renovated rooms available, those will go to any cash reservations since they have already been taken out of DVC inventory unless they take equal amount of rooms out of service early from the other wing. If they are just the "extra" rooms available early I see no reason they will put points reservations in those rooms rather than a cash reservation.

I mean that may or may not be true but even if it is, all you can do is ask.

 

[Elephantay]

Can anyone tell me the negatives about a one bedroom value?
Much smaller?
Last to be renovated or bad location?
Thanks!

 

[Leight19]

Can anyone tell me the negatives about a one bedroom value?
Much smaller?
Last to be renovated or bad location?
Thanks!

Smaller sq ft (629 value, 720 jambo, 807 kidani), fits 4 vs 5, and only the 1 bathroom vs 2 that kidani has. The biggest negative is difficulty to book.

 

[pkrieger2287]

Refurbished DVC rooms are coming to Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village starting Dec. 12th!

This is the first wave of a full hard goods refresh, with updates running through 2026. New Murphy beds are confirmed — but Disney says they’re working to preserve the charm Members love.

Get the full update: https://dvcfan.com/general-dvc/2025-animal-kingdom-lodge-refurbishment-update/

Let us know if you’re lucky enough to stay in one of the new rooms — and send us pics!

#DVCFan #AnimalKingdomLodge #KidaniVillage #DVCRefurbishment #DisneyVacationClub

 

[lukemorenus]

Can't wait to see some photos!

 

[TheThousandthSoul]

Can’t wait to see the photos!

 

[juxtapose]

We just stayed at Kidani in a 1-bedroom for the first time, and our room was actually in good shape and my kids didn't' complain about the beds. I hope the refurb is even better! We did see lots of furniture and some carpet being delivered so knew they must be getting close.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Recently stayed at a Kidani studio. The room is not beaten-up at all. The sofa bed does need a replacement though. I tried to sneak peak while walking between Jambo and Kidani but didn't see anything. They also minimized their footprint pretty well during the refurb

 

[PetePanMan]

Seems surprising that there are has been zero info on revamped rooms

 

[Brittleebee]

I’m so ready! My favorite resort!

 

[muppets3d]

Seems surprising that there are has been zero info on revamped rooms

I expected at least a sneak peek at the meeting but not surprised that there were no leaks otherwise.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Smaller sq ft (629 value, 720 jambo, 807 kidani), fits 4 vs 5, and only the 1 bathroom vs 2 that kidani has. The biggest negative is difficulty to book.

I have actually found the 1 bedroom value frequently available if you book at 11 months. Not so for studios or 2 bedrooms, although prior to the pandemic I usually got a 2 bedroom value at 11 months.

I think it was correct to raise the values and concierge rooms and offset those additional points by decreasing Savanah views. The purpose of lower point values for values was that they were less desirable because of their size and location/view. Obviously given the demand for values, they aren’t less desirable but more desirable. The same for concierge. They aren’t priced high enough if they are rarely available outside of 8 am on the 1 month mark. The last to rent are the Savanah rooms.

 

[Leight19]

I have actually found the 1 bedroom value frequently available if you book at 11 months. Not so for studios or 2 bedrooms, although prior to the pandemic I usually got a 2 bedroom value at 11 months.

I think it was correct to raise the values and concierge rooms and offset those additional points by decreasing Savanah views. The purpose of lower point values for values was that they were less desirable because of their size and location/view. Obviously given the demand for values, they aren’t less desirable but more desirable. The same for concierge. They aren’t priced high enough if they are rarely available outside of 8 am on the 1 month mark. The last to rent are the Savanah rooms.

I’ve said before in other threads that I would support Disney 18 years ago setting those point charts higher to more accurately balance demand. Today with existing charts I don’t think they legally can rebalance points and I don’t want them too because we all bought in with very clear point charts and an expectation changes would only be made for seasonal balance.