Just got back from our first trip - staying AKV Jambo, Studio, SV. Can't say we requested a view, but we were at the back of the hotel where the Arusha Savanna meets the Uzima Savanna. I thought the view might not be so good as it was behind the hotel from the "main" Arusha savanna, but they must move the animals around a lot because we saw a ton of the Arusha animals, and a few of the Uzima. The animals are slightly different on each savannah, but all have Giraffes. Our last morning we could see both the Arusha and Uzima Giraffes at the same time. 5 giraffes in all, very cool!
Can't answer about the mugs...personally we don't buy them, but feel we get plenty of drinks on the
DDP without them....but we are not big soda drinkers, and we don't drink coffee. If you like your coffee in the morning it might be worth it for that. The ONLY mug refill spot is in the Mara (by the pool).
Also Simba's Cubhouse was a big hit with DD7 - we dropped her there while we ate at Jiko too and she loved it. Games and movies and videogames. Our DD wanted to go again, but we didn't have another free night planned.
Hope that helps!
Oh, and a quick MINI-Review - we very much liked AKV, and it was a real treat to see the animals. For us this was very much a splurge, but I didn't find that it was SO wonderful that I will regret going back to a moderate. The overall service was fine, but renting DVC you don't get mousekeeping all the time, and they were supposed to come in at certain times (the 4th and 8th day) and they came in different days. And then worst of all, when they changed the sheets, they swept up one of DD stuffed animals, and we spent an hour tearing apart the room looking for it. While they were helpful enough looking for it, because sheets go off site, they said it could be weeks before they find it. I've had several calls but no go on getting it back. They did give me a $20 credit to buy a new one, but it was one of the most truly unmagical moments of any Disney trip ever. Worst part, I had overheard earlier in the trip another guy complaining the exact same thing happened to him, which tells me they do this a LOT. Never lost a stuffed animals in 5 previous trips to POFQ and Pop. Even beyond that, I didn't think any of the staff was any better or more attentive than at POFQ or Pop, and if I wasn't paying DVC prices I might've been annoyed with that fact.
Also, because we spent so much time at the park, I felt like we didn't really take advantage of the resort. We did swim a few days, but never really did any of the kids programs except Simba's Cubhouse, which was great. The pool was fine, but didn't think any better than POFQ. We didn't get over to Kidani to try there pool/water stuff. Foodwise - Jiko and Sanaa were both fantastic, though Boma was a tad disappointing...I like the Tusker House lunch/dinner buffet better...though the Zebra Domes are super yummy. (They have them at Mara too.)
Loved the DVC Studio room - very spacious, well laid out. Loved the Savannah view. (We finished the trip with a night at POP, and was amazed at how tiny the room felt after AKV.) Biggest negative - the room location was at the far end of the building, 5th floor, and it was quite a walk to and from the bus, but not too bad from the pool. The bus service was great - I know people complain about the distance to the parks, but even MK was only about 16 minutes on the bus. We had really good bus karma, generally 5-10 minute waits max. Also loved the super short ride to DAK - though only spent 2 days there.
Overall, a major thumbs up on the whole trip - though honestly i didn't feel it "spoiled" us for going back to the Mods/Values.- except possibly room size. With how much we spent, we won't be able to stay deluxe again for a while anyway!
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