***The Official AKV Owners And Lovers Thread***. Come And Chat

[Girlstar30]

Is that what's in the top row on the far right? If that's not it, I want to know what that is. Looks so good! And what is the shrimp dish in the middle, third row down? Actually everything looks delicious!

The shrimp dish is called Fire roasted shrimp under enhancements!

 

[juxtapose]

We are new owners at AKL and booked our first trip for the fall. I had to waitlist part of our trip due to not having points to book at 11 months. I wait listed 3 nights for a 1-bedroom savanna view a month ago. I randomly looked again last night and the exact room was available to book for the nights I needed so I booked it and cancelled my waitlist. Is this "normal" to have a room available when you are waitlisted for it, should I always be checking rooms even if waitlisted?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We are new owners at AKL and booked our first trip for the fall. I had to waitlist part of our trip due to not having points to book at 11 months. I wait listed 3 nights for a 1-bedroom savanna view a month ago. I randomly looked again last night and the exact room was available to book for the nights I needed so I booked it and cancelled my waitlist. Is this "normal" to have a room available when you are waitlisted for it, should I always be checking rooms even if waitlisted?

We've found over the years that waitlist notifications are not immediate and often delayed, so we always continue to monitor for the availability. We have had the same situation you just experienced. Sounds like you got lucky and got exactly what you needed. In reality, if you had not booked the nights you wanted, it's not out of the question when waitlist checks did happen through DVC, those nights could have gone to someone else higher on the list! Congrats, the room is yours! And what a room - the 1BR savanna view is amazing!

If you haven't, make sure you contact MS to merge your reservations, assuming your initial reservation was for the same location and room type. If you're merged, you won't have to change rooms. Have a great trip!

 

[sndral]

We are new owners at AKL and booked our first trip for the fall. I had to waitlist part of our trip due to not having points to book at 11 months. I wait listed 3 nights for a 1-bedroom savanna view a month ago. I randomly looked again last night and the exact room was available to book for the nights I needed so I booked it and cancelled my waitlist. Is this "normal" to have a room available when you are waitlisted for it, should I always be checking rooms even if waitlisted?

The few times I’ve waitlisted I’ve had more success w/ stalking availability v. my waitlists filling, so yes, IMO actively checking for availability even when you have an active waitlist is the way to go .

 

[Girlstar30]

I have gotten all of my current reservations that weren't available (about two weeks worth) thru stalking and only one thru waitlist so yes I say stalk away

 

[Cyberc1978]

Anyone have an educated guess or maybe know when the refurb will start at Jambo?

I know the refurb is currently working on Kidani and when that’s done the work will continue at Jambo. Only thing I’ve been able to find is a fluffy estimate aiming for July/august.

 

[sndral]

Anyone have an educated guess or maybe know when the refurb will start at Jambo?

I know the refurb is currently working on Kidani and when that’s done the work will continue at Jambo. Only thing I’ve been able to find is a fluffy estimate aiming for July/august.

I haven’t seen any updates - just Kidani first (subject to change) starting in Oct. 2025 w/ estimated 9 mo. to complete putting Jambo starting July/Aug. 2026. https://dvcnews.com/wdw-resorts/ani...illas-december-2024-condominium-meeting-recap

 

[Cyberc1978]

I haven’t seen any updates - just Kidani first (subject to change) starting in Oct. 2025 w/ estimated 9 mo. to complete putting Jambo starting July/Aug. 2026. https://dvcnews.com/wdw-resorts/ani...illas-december-2024-condominium-meeting-recap

Thanks. That’s also what I’ve seen.

 

[MyDogTink]

Hi All. Looking for your help. Last Minute Me was fortunate yesterday to snag a 2 BR Savannah View at Kidani for Memorial Day weekend.

My 6 yo daughter will be thrilled with the Savannah view. I’m looking to make the 4 night stay relaxing so probably pool time along with the afternoon/evening resort activities.

That said, what should I request for room assignment? Pembe seems closer to the pool; however Sunset has giraffes.

 

[StevieB81]

Hi All. Looking for your help. Last Minute Me was fortunate yesterday to snag a 2 BR Savannah View at Kidani for Memorial Day weekend.

My 6 yo daughter will be thrilled with the Savannah view. I’m looking to make the 4 night stay relaxing so probably pool time along with the afternoon/evening resort activities.

That said, what should I request for room assignment? Pembe seems closer to the pool; however Sunset has giraffes.

Sunset near Rafiki elevator has worked for us. Giraffes and near the pool

 

[MyDogTink]

Sunset near Rafiki elevator has worked for us. Giraffes and near the pool

Thank you!

 

[amymgould]

Hi all! New DVC AKL owner (also own at BLT). We have stayed in Kidani twice before (one standard studio, one Savannah studio) but are staying at Jambo in July for the first time in a standard studio. Any room requests? Of course I'd love a partial Savannah view, but even a good pool view. I've heard that Touring Plans isn't updated, which is what I usually use to check out rooms. TIA!

 

[Disfamwa]

What is the current condition of the Jambo house villas? Is the decor just outdated and a bit worn, but overall it feels clean? Or does it feel a little gross at this point? We would be staying in a 1 bedroom.

We have a mostly resort stay and I’m debating between AKL and BWV. I think we will really like all the resort aspects of AKL, but wonder if I should wait until a future trip after the refurb. We will be spending at least a couple of hours in the room every day, so I want to feel ok about the room.

 

[sndral]

What is the current condition of the Jambo house villas? Is the decor just outdated and a bit worn, but overall it feels clean? Or does it feel a little gross at this point? We would be staying in a 1 bedroom.

We have a mostly resort stay and I’m debating between AKL and BWV. I think we will really like all the resort aspects of AKL, but wonder if I should wait until a future trip after the refurb. We will be spending at least a couple of hours in the room every day, so I want to feel ok about the room.

Feelings are so subjective that’s a hard question to answer. Jambo villas are very beige/brown, dirt is brown - so a spotless villa could ‘feel’ dirty just because of the color scheme. They don’t feel ‘dirty’ to me, but they are definitely worn, some more than others. The sofa bed mattress is not comfortable, so if you intend to use it I might avoid Jambo until that is replaced. That said we’ll be using one for 2 kids to sleep on in a grand villa in Oct. & I plan to ask for an egg crate cover thingy.
BWV, OTH, recently completed a refurb & have the Murphy pull down sofa beds, faux wood vinyl floors, white cabinets, & lighter trendy colors, thus are likely to ‘feel’ cleaner.
Because I like to watch animals on the savanna more than people on the boardwalk I’d probably opt for Jambo for a resort heavy stay planning to spend time on my balcony spotting animals, visiting all of the savanna overlooks, & visiting both Jambo & Kidani’s pools, but if you will literally be relaxing inside your villa for several hours each day you might prefer the decor of BWVs.

 

[TexasErin]

Feelings are so subjective that’s a hard question to answer. Jambo villas are very beige/brown, dirt is brown - so a spotless villa could ‘feel’ dirty just because of the color scheme. They don’t feel ‘dirty’ to me, but they are definitely worn, some more than others. The sofa bed mattress is not comfortable, so if you intend to use it I might avoid Jambo until that is replaced. That said we’ll be using one for 2 kids to sleep on in a grand villa in Oct. & I plan to ask for an egg crate cover thingy.
BWV, OTH, recently completed a refurb & have the Murphy pull down sofa beds, faux wood vinyl floors, white cabinets, & lighter trendy colors, thus are likely to ‘feel’ cleaner.
Because I like to watch animals on the savanna more than people on the boardwalk I’d probably opt for Jambo for a resort heavy stay planning to spend time on my balcony spotting animals, visiting all of the savanna overlooks, & visiting both Jambo & Kidani’s pools, but if you will literally be relaxing inside your villa for several hours each day you might prefer the decor of BWVs.

Hello! We'll be there May 14 staying at Jambo. I didn't realize that we could ask for an egg crate cover. Is that just something I could call down to housekeeping and request before bed that night?

 

[Disfamwa]

Feelings are so subjective that’s a hard question to answer. Jambo villas are very beige/brown, dirt is brown - so a spotless villa could ‘feel’ dirty just because of the color scheme. They don’t feel ‘dirty’ to me, but they are definitely worn, some more than others. The sofa bed mattress is not comfortable, so if you intend to use it I might avoid Jambo until that is replaced. That said we’ll be using one for 2 kids to sleep on in a grand villa in Oct. & I plan to ask for an egg crate cover thingy.
BWV, OTH, recently completed a refurb & have the Murphy pull down sofa beds, faux wood vinyl floors, white cabinets, & lighter trendy colors, thus are likely to ‘feel’ cleaner.
Because I like to watch animals on the savanna more than people on the boardwalk I’d probably opt for Jambo for a resort heavy stay planning to spend time on my balcony spotting animals, visiting all of the savanna overlooks, & visiting both Jambo & Kidani’s pools, but if you will literally be relaxing inside your villa for several hours each day you might prefer the decor of BWVs.

Thank you! I’m having such a hard time deciding because I think AKL would be such a great resort heavy stay, but I know I do the love crescent area and the refurb looks great at BWV. Aulani has similar colors and tones as the rooms at AKL, so the color scheme doesn’t put me off! I think we might give it a go!

 

[sndral]

Hello! We'll be there May 14 staying at Jambo. I didn't realize that we could ask for an egg crate cover. Is that just something I could call down to housekeeping and request before bed that night?

I’ve not yet requested one - but yes, a call to housekeeping is what I intend to do.

 

[jess2022]

Hello! We'll be there May 14 staying at Jambo. I didn't realize that we could ask for an egg crate cover. Is that just something I could call down to housekeeping and request before bed that night?

Yes just call housekeeping. We did this last time we were there and it wasn’t a problem at all.