Refurbishment Timeline Announced for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas!

[FSU Girl]

So I know they closed half the building to work on renovations. But they are opening floors as they finish? Trying to understand so a new room could happen but still unlikely at this point?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I noticed, when checking availability for a studio at Jambo, that there is no availability at any time from September 2026 until the end of November (DVC didn't show past then). So I wonder if they're planning to close the 5th floor all at the same time.

 

[sndral]

I noticed, when checking availability for a studio at Jambo, that there is no availability at any time from September 2026 until the end of November (DVC didn't show past then). So I wonder if they're planning to close the 5th floor all at the same time.

Amazing how fast availability changes - it’s about an hour after your post & I just took a look at Jambo studio & 1 br. availability & found 7 day availability for both resort & savanna view studios for the end of November, savanna view studio availability for the end of October, & only some scattered studio availability (less than 7 continuous days) for the end of September. As per usual there was more 1 br. availability.
Maybe they’ve removed some % but not all of inventory for the refurb?
I know a lot of folks on DIS tell people that you can always book AKV & thus there’s no need to own there for home resort booking, & while that may be the case w/ the larger Kidani, that’s not been my experience w/ booking Jambo. The Jambo availability for fall 2026 looks pretty similar to the pattern I usually see, granted I don’t keep close track & maybe things are booking a little earlier this fall, but IME values/concierge go first, resort view books up next, savanna view books up last & because it has far fewer villas than Kidani, Jambo always books up first .

 

[Elephantay]

So...we own at AKL and typically do a split stay. Would you try to book for September with the hopes of getting a refurbished room at Jambo? With first time visitors you want to WOW? Chances of getting a refurbished room?

 

[muppets3d]

So...we own at AKL and typically do a split stay. Would you try to book for September with the hopes of getting a refurbished room at Jambo? With first time visitors you want to WOW? Chances of getting a refurbished room?

I would book Kidani if you want to be sure you'll have a refurbished room. If an old room will be a disappointment then don't book Jambo because the resort will not be finished when you check in, so a refurbished room is not a guarantee. You can always ask about availability when checking in, but they probably won't have that many done and ready for guests by September so it's really a gamble.

 

[Elephantay]

Yes, I think you’re right. I’m disappointed but I know it is a longshot. The hotel is done right that’s all been renovated at Jambo?

 

[muppets3d]

Yes, I think you’re right. I’m disappointed but I know it is a longshot. The hotel is done right that’s all been renovated at Jambo?

Yes at Jambo the hotel rooms were recently renovated. The DVC rooms on floors 5 and 6 will begin once Kidani is complete. The hotel rooms have rather different amenities than the DVC rooms, which is typical for all hybrid hotel/villa resorts on property.

 

[Leight19]

As a quick note I currently have 2br value Nov 30th to Dec 6th but cannot book Dec 7th. Could be a glitch in system so may call but my best guess is the room out of inventory for refurb starting that date.

 

[Leight19]

As a quick note I currently have 2br value Nov 30th to Dec 6th but cannot book Dec 7th. Could be a glitch in system so may call but my best guess is the room out of inventory for refurb starting that date.

Following up on this post I checked site again at midnight when the 8th is visible but not bookable by anyone and it is unavailable. This means starting Dec 7th 100% of the value rooms at jambo are taken out of inventory. I’ll likely try to reach out to member services to confirm as I’d hope they don’t take out both sides of resort blocking all value at once but would do refurb in sections.

 

[Elephantay]

I've been checking daily and the inventory for studios is definitely not typical. We've never had a problem getting a week in the fall but the most now is 3-4 days , depending on the category. The resort discount came out but its still pricey! Frustrating and bad timing on our part, but we can't be too flexible with our dates this year.I wish there was information about which rooms would be done when- not the actual dates but in which order or section of the resort. That would be helpful!

 

[Leight19]

I've been checking daily and the inventory for studios is definitely not typical. We've never had a problem getting a week in the fall but the most now is 3-4 days , depending on the category. The resort discount came out but its still pricey! Frustrating and bad timing on our part, but we can't be too flexible with our dates this year.I wish there was information about which rooms would be done when- not the actual dates but in which order or section of the resort. That would be helpful!

I’ve not monitored fall but can confirm starting Dec 7th 100% of inventory for all value room categories is being removed prior to the 11 month + 7 timeline. I have been emailing and trying to call with higher level member of member services as front line said the rooms must have just been booked by someone else and had no answer when I pointed out not possible to book.

Ill let others know what I find but so far has been very frustrating process of being passed along and getting no follow up on emails/phone calls with most ridiculous being that the person who called me yesterday and left voicemail left me a number that is not in service (repeated the number 2x and I played back numerous times so not me mishearing).

 

[hockeydad21]

I've been checking daily and the inventory for studios is definitely not typical. We've never had a problem getting a week in the fall but the most now is 3-4 days , depending on the category. The resort discount came out but its still pricey! Frustrating and bad timing on our part, but we can't be too flexible with our dates this year.I wish there was information about which rooms would be done when- not the actual dates but in which order or section of the resort. That would be helpful!

Kidani should be done by May 2026, Jambo will be under refurbishment from May 2026 until January 2027. Are you looking strictly for Jambo? Perhaps that is why you're seeing less availability?

Also, I think it's safe to assume that all of AKL will have less availability at the 0-7 month mark now that they're getting the murphy beds. I truly think those couches were a hard no for a lot of people.

 

[muppets3d]

Look at it this way, the refurbishment will interrupt everyone's walks so we'll all get another shot at those rooms soon, even if only for a brief moment.

 

[muppets3d]

Kidani should be done by May 2026, Jambo will be under refurbishment from May 2026 until January 2027. Are you looking strictly for Jambo? Perhaps that is why you're seeing less availability?

Also, I think it's safe to assume that all of AKL will have less availability at the 0-7 month mark now that they're getting the murphy beds. I truly think those couches were a hard no for a lot of people.

Yeah I agree, I think the refurbishment will make AKV more popular with folks. How much more difficult it will be to book remains to be seen.

 

[Elephantay]

I’ve not monitored fall but can confirm starting Dec 7th 100% of inventory for all value room categories is being removed prior to the 11 month + 7 timeline. I have been emailing and trying to call with higher level member of member services as front line said the rooms must have just been booked by someone else and had no answer when I pointed out not possible to book.

Ill let others know what I find but so far has been very frustrating process of being passed along and getting no follow up on emails/phone calls with most ridiculous being that the person who called me yesterday and left voicemail left me a number that is not in service (repeated the number 2x and I played back numerous times so not me mishearing).

Thank you for sharing the information that you do have!

 

[Elephantay]

Kidani should be done by May 2026, Jambo will be under refurbishment from May 2026 until January 2027. Are you looking strictly for Jambo? Perhaps that is why you're seeing less availability?

Also, I think it's safe to assume that all of AKL will have less availability at the 0-7 month mark now that they're getting the murphy beds. I truly think those couches were a hard no for a lot of people.

Yes, we want to stay at Jambo in September. We are probably not going to risk a one bedroom because of those horrible sofas and I really don’t want to use the points for a two bedroom. That’s why for us it would be very helpful if they were able to say all studios will be done first, or all club level will be done last, etc. because we might have a better understanding of what will be finished by September.

 

[muppets3d]

Yes, we want to stay at Jambo in September. We are probably not going to risk a one bedroom because of those horrible sofas and I really don’t want to use the points for a two bedroom. That’s why for us it would be very helpful if they were able to say all studios will be done first, or all club level will be done last, etc. because we might have a better understanding of what will be finished by September.

They can't do just Studios first because the Studios are interspersed with all the other room types. What they'll probably do is like Kidani, they'll close off one wing of the building and refurbish all those rooms, working their way from the lobby out, and open sections as they can.

The Club and Value rooms are separated from the main 5th floor rooms so they could follow their own refurbishment schedule, and it appears that they may be (or it may just be that they are being heavily walked for Christmas, which honestly is pretty typical for this time of year).

Booking Jambo before the end of the refurbishment means you may get an old room. So if you really want that murphy bed, I'd recommend you book Kidani until the refurbishment is supposed to be completed.

It's also important to recognize that DVC didn't promise every room type will get murphy beds. The Value Studios and 3 bedroom grand villas may keep the sofa for example, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[hockeydad21]

They can't do just Studios first because the Studios are interspersed with all the other room types. What they'll probably do is like Kidani, they'll close off one wing of the building and refurbish all those rooms, working their way from the lobby out, and open sections as they can.

The Club and Value rooms are separated from the main 5th floor rooms so they could follow their own refurbishment schedule, and it appears that they may be (or it may just be that they are being heavily walked for Christmas, which honestly is pretty typical for this time of year).

Booking Jambo before the end of the refurbishment means you may get an old room. So if you really want that murphy bed, I'd recommend you book Kidani until the refurbishment is supposed to be completed.

It's also important to recognize that DVC didn't promise every room type will get murphy beds. The Value Studios and 3 bedroom grand villas may keep the sofa for example, we'll just have to wait and see.

I too would recommend Kidani if the Murphy bed matters to you. Otherwise you will likely be getting an older room withy he dreaded pull out couch given that September is smack dab in the middle of the refurbishment for Jambo.

Pros of Kidani: you get a better pool, great savannas, and you can still take the free shuttle over to Jambo which runs every 10 minutes or so, or you can just walk to Jambo.

 

[sndral]

…

Pros of Kidani: you get a better pool, great savannas, and you can still take the free shuttle over to Jambo which runs every 10 minutes or so, or you can just walk to Jambo.

While I might disagree w/ whether Kidani’s pool is better than Jambo’s & I agree that Sunset savanna is great but I’d be disappointed to end up on Pembe savanna, the Kidani 1 br.s also have 2 bathrooms & are larger than the Jambo 1 br.s & I agree, the walk to Jambo is relatively short & the shuttle is very convenient - however, the shuttle cannot accommodate ECVs which is a consideration if a member in your party relies on one.
If someone absolutely cannot stand the sofa beds - which I get, I’ve been getting 2 br.s at Jambo just to avoid them the last several years - Kidani is definitely the way to go until after they start & complete Jambo’s refurb. in early 2027.

 

[kes601]

While I might disagree w/ whether Kidani’s pool is better than Jambo’s & I agree that Sunset savanna is great but I’d be disappointed to end up on Pembe savanna, the Kidani 1 br.s also have 2 bathrooms & are larger than the Jambo 1 br.s & I agree, the walk to Jambo is relatively short & the shuttle is very convenient - however, the shuttle cannot accommodate ECVs which is a consideration if a member in your party relies on one.
If someone absolutely cannot stand the sofa beds - which I get, I’ve been getting 2 br.s at Jambo just to avoid them the last several years - Kidani is definitely the way to go until after they start & complete Jambo’s refurb. in early 2027.

Do we know if the refurbishment for Jambo is still set to start in May? I was shocked to get 8 nights in a 1 BR Value for this summer when the 7 month mark hit. We were at Kidani at the time and remembered how much we loved AKV so we gave up the BCV studio we got and booked the 1 BR value. It was the exact number of points we had left to borrow over the BCV room so seemed like a no brainer.....