SSR 2-Bedroom Villa vs Animal Kingdom 2-Bedroom Villa

[Chefnerd]

We are planing on a trip in MAY 2021, and considering renting DVC. There are 5 Adults traveling, so we are going for a 2-Bedroom, and was curious what others opinions were between SSR and AKL?

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are planing on a trip in MAY 2021, and considering renting DVC. There are 5 Adults traveling, so we are going for a 2-Bedroom, and was curious what others opinions were between SSR and AKL?

If you book, Kidani Village, you will have an extra full bathroom just off the entrance to the villa. If you book a dedicated two bedroom villa, you'll have two queen beds in the second bedroom at both resorts. If you book KV, you will also have a twin sized sleeper chair in the living room (plus the queen sized sleeper sofa). A lockoff two bedroom at either location will have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa in the second bedroom.

DVC was in the process of renovating SSR when the virus interrupted that process. It's unknown if they will continue the process or wait until DVC can set aside vacant villas to continue the work. DVC had been working on Congress Park (I think they may have been close to finishing) and were in the process of doing the Springs (both of these are considered Preferred location). The sleeper sofa in the living room was to be replaced with a murphy bed of the same size.

You may want to consider renting from an individual member after all the problems the brokers had with the shut down. They may wind up insolvent or they may be okay. At this point there are a lot of unhappy owners who will never use a broker to rent out their points and a lot of unhappy renters who didn't get refunds for their cancelled reservations, just vouchers to book in the future (maybe paying even more than they had paid already). Just educate yourself on renting points before you give over a lot of money to someone else other than Disney.

 

[Disaseny]

We are planing on a trip in MAY 2021, and considering renting DVC. There are 5 Adults traveling, so we are going for a 2-Bedroom, and was curious what others opinions were between SSR and AKL?

I rented Kidani village last January....we loved it. 4 adults,2 kids....3 bathrooms. Plus the good food choices between Kidani and Jambo was awesome. We ate at all 4 restaurants and never had a bad meal. Sana a is open as a quick service for breakfast and the breakfast croissant was a family favorite. I agree with Deb and Bill about renting, I know the place I rented from, changed their contract and decided not to refund the renters as promised. I would rather rent privately or just pay the money to Disney.

 

[Antonia]

I have stayed at both and would stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge again in a skinny minute. It is very deluxe and lush. Never stayed at Kidani, but the extra bathroom would be a big plus.

SSR was okay but it was a long haul to anywhere at the resort and for me there was just no wow factor. This would be one of my least favorite DVC resorts and I have now stayed at quite a few.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

If you book, Kidani Village, you will have an extra full bathroom just off the entrance to the villa. If you book a dedicated two bedroom villa, you'll have two queen beds in the second bedroom at both resorts. If you book KV, you will also have a twin sized sleeper chair in the living room (plus the queen sized sleeper sofa).

Just an fyi, Jambo also has the twin sized sleeper chair in the standard and savannah view categories (they sleep 9). The value category rooms at Jambo do not have a sleeper chair since the rooms are slightly smaller. But there are so few value rooms that renters don't have much of a chance booking them.

We haven't stayed at SSR but we've stayed at 11 Disney resorts and Animal Kingdom is in our top 2, we stay there at least once a year. So much to do there, when we stay at AKL we don't schedule many park days (2 maybe 3 park days for an 8 day trip) because we enjoy the resort itself so much!

 

[shoegal9]

We are planing on a trip in MAY 2021, and considering renting DVC. There are 5 Adults traveling, so we are going for a 2-Bedroom, and was curious what others opinions were between SSR and AKL?

While I absolutely agree that AKL is the better resort, and the third bathroom and restaurant options are amazing, I would say that it also depends on what your plans are for the trip. AKL is far from almost everything on property. When I stayed there last September I used Uber/Lyft to go everywhere because the buses just took forever.

I have also stayed at Saratoga and while I did not really like the villa itself or spend much time exploring the property, we requested the Paddock section for a standard villa close to Disney Springs. As two adults we loved being able to walk over to Disney Springs to enjoy the nightlife, as well as the 24 hour pools. So many things close early at WDW- so if nightlife is on the list as 5 adults, SSR might be a decent choice.

So, if planning on relaxation & resort time, I would say AKL. If planning major park hopping and nightlife, then perhaps SSR is worth the shot.

 

[kwdw]

With 5 adults - AKL - Kidani Village. Those three bathrooms - big deal. Makes life a lot sweeter. Add in Savanna view - and they are AWESOME. Depending on the composition of the party - decided if a dedicated 2 bedroom or a lock-off is better for your group. My stay there was with a little one in the second bedroom - so dedicated was better for us so we didn't have to worry about that exit door. But - if one sub-unit wants to keep different hours - a lock-off could be a better choice depending on bed needs.

 

[Shellyred8]

AKL-Kidani if the 3rd bathroom is important. SSR if you want to be closer to DS. SSR if you have golfers and want to golf at LBV golf course.
I love AKL if we are going to be spending a lot of time at AK. That super short bus ride is AWESOME! The bus ride to EP and HS is about the same as if you are coming from other resorts. It's only like 10-15 minutes. It's the ride to MK that can get a bit long. But that will be the case with SSR too.

I, personally, would lean towards SSR if I wasn't doing a split stay between the two. I like being able to walk to DS.

Happy planning!!

 

[Sue M]

I’d go with Kidani! The theming is amazing. I’ve stayed at AKL Jambo house non DVC and loved it.
SSR just looks like a Florida condo complex to me. And very spread out.

 

[clayfolks]

Kidani all the way!! The buses at AKV are some of the best on property. SSR buses have been very inconsistent every time we’ve stayed there. As others have said, that extra full bathroom is life changing.