Rental Q: what is AKL Club in the context of DVC?

[perditax]

Hi there. I'm thinking about renting some points in a few months, and I'm looking at one of the usual sites. I can't remember if I'm allowed to name it here. Anyway, one of the rental options for Animal Kingdom Lodge is a "Club" room. I'm trying to figure out what kind of room this is. Would it be in the old or new section, and does it have access to a concierge lounge? I suppose it would have an animal view, or is that a bad assumption? Thanks in advance.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Reality is you won't get an AKL Club Level via rental. Those need to be booked at 11 months at 8AM. It is very rare to get that via a rental agency. There are a total of 5 Club-Level 2BR lock-offs in Jambo House. Lock-offs split into 5 studios and 5 1BR units. They are very difficult to get because of the inventory.

Yes, it's a concierge-level. I don't think they actually have guaranteed Savannah views, though.

 

[drusba]

There are only 5 2BR lock-offs in club level (each can also be a separate studio and 1BR), one of which is HA. They are the only rooms, along with the concierge lounge, which are on the sixth floor of Jambo, which floor exists only directly above the lobby (the rest of the resort rises only to the 5th floor). You get concierge services with them and also get daily cleaning service. Three of the 2BR lock-offs, including the HA unit, face the very end of Sunset savanna and views are partially blocked by roof overhangs along the balconies. The other two face the pool with like overhang issues. You cannot request locaiton, which is luck of the draw. As a result, if what you want is a good savanna view room you should opt instead for a room in the savanna view booking category.

Getting a club level room can be a real battle. Owners at AKV can begin reserving up to 7 nights 11 months from date of arrival. They can do it online starting at 8 a.m. eastern and by phone beginning at 9. Very often, the studios (and as a result also the 2BRs) are closed out for a date quickly after 8 a.m. 11 months out from a date. Often they are filled even before the 11 month window opens by members with start dates just a little earlier than yours who book up to 7 nights. It is difficult to find an owner that will make that reservation for a rental. However, 1BRs tend to stay open longer, and it may be possible for a renter to get one of those, although you still need to reserve well in advance.

DVC has no other club level rooms at any DVC resort.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I have booked at the club level three times with points right at 11 months. Miss it by a day and you are out of luck. We specifically bought more AKL points so I could book the club. Always get a one bedroom for 3 or 4 days at the start of a trip that usually last two weeks. We have only once gotten any type of view. But I love it there. The club lounge offers breakfastI, snacks throughout day, drinks and appetizers Before dinner and dessert and after dinner drinks late at night. And when we are ready to move to another resort it's an easy cab ride. You can have your luggage transferred for you and take a bus to one of the parks and then transfer to another bus to a resort but that's way too much trouble. Of course we don't go to the parks while we are there so we can just enjoy the pool and the club.

 

[perditax]

Yikes! Okay, thanks for the info. I definitely don't need anything that elaborate (or large). I thought it might indicate a 'normal' sized room with access to the club lounge (I just liked the easy access to iced tea).

What's a low-demand rental type for AKL, or is there one?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yikes! Okay, thanks for the info. I definitely don't need anything that elaborate (or large). I thought it might indicate a 'normal' sized room with access to the club lounge (I just liked the easy access to iced tea).

What's a low-demand rental type for AKL, or is there one?

AKV is large and the greatest number of rooms are in the standard and savannah view categories. Between Kidani and Jambo Kidani is larger and easier to get into but at 11 months you should be able to get either standard or savannah views in either buildings. At 7 months you should usually be able to get either of those at Kidani and possibly at Jambo.

 

[Syndrome]

AKV Club level rooms are quite possibly the hardest rooms to get in all of the DVC inventory . They do occasionally come up for rental, but it is almost always a reservation that has already been acquired, and the dates are very firm, and usually more $$$ than some other rentals . There are lots of owners who purchased AKV points to specifically try to get the Club rooms for themselves . We were lucky enough to score a week in an AKV club level studio next September using our own AKV points, and it wasn't easy ! Most owners who are lucky enough to get a club room, would probably never think of renting it out ........us included ! Sorry !

Honestly, the views in normal savanna view rooms is what you want . Far better views than the club , value or standard rooms. Savanna view is where you want to be .

 

[perditax]

Thanks again for the information! Yes, I do not need a club room.

 

[ustasmom]

AKV is my home resort (if Disney ever processes my contract, OCC recorded on 12/10.) I will be traveling with 3 kids. Is a one night stay in club level worth the points from a kid point of view?

 

[supersnoop]

AKV is my home resort (if Disney ever processes my contract, OCC recorded on 12/10.) I will be traveling with 3 kids. Is a one night stay in club level worth the points from a kid point of view?

Depends on the kids. One night will get you some free food. The views from the club level rooms are not very good. And, for one night, you won't get the benefit of daily housekeeping.

 

[disneynutz]

FYI AKL/AKV is starting a refurbishment that could impact your stay. Some guests are being notified and there are posts that the CL area will have some work done.

Bill

 

[ustasmom]

Depends on the kids. One night will get you some free food. The views from the club level rooms are not very good. And, for one night, you won't get the benefit of daily housekeeping.

I don't care about housekeeping. We keep the sign on the door anyway. They are certainly intrigued by that iron gate on the stairs, though.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I don't care about housekeeping. We keep the sign on the door anyway. They are certainly intrigued by that iron gate on the stairs, though.

It's going to be snacks and apps at various times of the day. If the kids like that and you'll be there during the times they are served than maybe you'd consider it worth it for them. But if you won't be there during those times I'd think they'd enjou Savannah views more and getting snacks at Mara whenever they wished.

 

[nalajms]

AKV is my home resort (if Disney ever processes my contract, OCC recorded on 12/10.) I will be traveling with 3 kids. Is a one night stay in club level worth the points from a kid point of view?

We did a last minute trip this past August at the Poly CL. Our first time at Poly and CL at Disney. My 6 and 3 yo keeps asking when we're going back to CL. They like the snacks, cookies and drinks they can get whenever they want. We did not limit them as we would have if we had to stop and purchase it. The staff was also extra attentive. One afternoon they did not have the chocolate chip cookies out and my 3yo asked for them, they came out with a to-go bag for her.

I liked the breakfast and the apps, could careless about the snacks and drinks. Breakfast was quick and easy. Sometimes we'd bring food to the room while trying to get the kids ready. We're not spending an hour at a QS after getting read. Apps in the evening helps cut down our dinner costs. DH is a big eater so he will skip the app at the TS and sometimes dessert.

 

[ustasmom]

Alright, you talked me into it. There was one night in November. My son's birthday. I guess that I can spend an extra 9 points. Now I just have to waitlist a couple of missing nights.

 

[supersnoop]

Alright, you talked me into it. There was one night in November. My son's birthday. I guess that I can spend an extra 9 points. Now I just have to waitlist a couple of missing nights.

9 points at roughly $13/point; $117 for some light snacks seems excessive to me. Do you get advanced planning assistance with club level, too?

 

[disneynutz]

9 points at roughly $13/point; $117 for some light snacks seems excessive to me. Do you get advanced planning assistance with club level, too?

You do but we have never had good luck with it. Emails not returned and when we waited to use them after check in there was always a short line of people waiting and when they did help us they said that they have the same access to reservations that we do, so not any benefit IMO.

Bill