Value room vs. DVC AK studio

[amyr1]

We usually stay Value at WDW. We enjoy Pop Century.

However I have been looking at renting DVC points and staying at AK in a DVC studio.

Besides just the fact of being able to stay at AK, what differences will we notice?

I think DVC rooms don't get cleaning and towel service every day?
and the DVC studios should have a kitchenette?

How much bigger would AK be? Are they farther from the bus stops?

Amy

 

[robinb]

We usually stay Value at WDW. We enjoy Pop Century.

However I have been looking at renting DVC points and staying at AK in a DVC studio.

Besides just the fact of being able to stay at AK, what differences will we notice?

I think DVC rooms don't get cleaning and towel service every day?
and the DVC studios should have a kitchenette?

How much bigger would AK be? Are they farther from the bus stops?

Amy

You have the basics, no housekeeping and a kitchenette. They also have a bed and a fold out couch instead of 2 beds. AKV Jambo is pretty spread out. You could get a room really far away from the front door and the buses. Luckily, those rooms are also often the best for views. AKV Kidani is smaller, but it lacks a CS restaurant. You have your choice of three "views", a savannah view, a standard view and a "value" view. The value studios are smaller and the cheapest and are only at Jambo House.

 

[twinboysmom]

If you rent points then you are correct, no daily housekeeping. Towels will be refreshed on day 4, trash emptied. Day 8 is a full cleaning. The studio will be a little bigger than the value room. There is a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, and I think coffee pot. The bed situation is a little different than a value room. One queen size bed and a couch that pulls out into either a double or queen (can't remember which). Jambo house villas are no further than the bus stop and Kidani village is all dvc units. Hope this helps some!

 

[haPevraftr]

One big difference is having everything under one roof. If you book Jambo House, you won't have to go outside to get to restaurants, etc. Resturants are another big difference since you have access to Counter service and 3 table service restaurants, and a lounge (which Pop doesn't have). There is much more to do at AKL in terms of organized activites for kids than at Pop.

 

[disneystick]

Amy i have stayed at both... Value 3 times at different resorts and now we own DVC at AKL.

BIG difference in feel in the resort and room. AK studio is very nice and a step above in quality vs Value. However the only down side to the AK studio is it does sleep 4, you only get one QBed and a pullout sleeper sofa. In the Value you get 2 full size beds that also sleeps 4.

AKL if staying at Jambo House you are in a one of a kind hotel/resort. No other hotel in the world has animals roaming the grounds that you can see right from your balcony....if you get a savanna view that is.

AKL has 2 table service restauarant and a quick service place to eat called Mara. Value resort has no table service restaurant. You also have a long walk to bus stop. AKL walk right out the hotel doors and walk left about 5 min casual to your bus stop.

Now if you rather not have a hotel/resort feel and all the activities offer there, but want still a nice place to stay at AKL....ask to be Kidani side. Which is more of a quiet DVC feel. It has its own swimming pool and it did not matter which side you stay at... you are allowed to use both pools. Plus AKL has the world's largest African artwork at one location. A musuem in its own right.

It is like comparing a 2 star holiday inn to a 4 star hotel. Sometimes renting points for the same price or a little more...I would pick AKL over Value any day! However for some, they dont care about the luxury a resort has to offer and just want a place to sleep and shower....then Value resort is just as fun to stay at.
But true no daily house keeping until day 4 and day 7...when they come in a change towels and sheets on day 7.

Just my two cents worth. However, any day at Disney is a good day. Have fun which ever you pick.

 

[momtwoboys]

anyone know if the pullout is a full size or queen sofa bed??

 

[buzznina]

anyone know if the pullout is a full size or queen sofa bed??

The pullout is just a full not a queen.

 

[catra121]

Just some other things to keep in mind in addition to the things already mentioned:

1. Make sure if you are renting DVC points that you book well in advance and realize that you will probably not be able to change or cancel your reservation. It's not like booking through Disney where you can cancel and get most/all of your money back. If something comes up, you will have to work with the DVC owner to see if they can make any alterations (which is not always possible, though some owners will). Realize that if you rent points and have to cancel that you may be risking losing all the money you have paid out. If you need the flexibility then this may not be a good choice for you.

2. Also keep in mind that you will need to pay it all off at once up front instead of being able to make payments like you can with Disney. This includes if you add on the dining plan or anything like that.

3. You will not be able to take advantage of any free dining offers or anything like that if a good discount comes out. The trade off is getting a great deal on the cost of the room by renting points.

4. Others have mentioned the room layout with the pull out couch...make sure this is something that will work for you on this trip. I am definitely looking into this for my next trip but it will only be me and my boyfriend. If you have kids, not everyone is happy with the pull out couch situation. For some people it is totally fine...just don't be expecting something different as I think most people who end up being disappointed by things like this it's only because they didn't have the right expectations going in.

5. Busses stop at Kidani first and Jambo second (except for the DTD bus which goes to Jambo first). Sometimes this makes a big difference to people and it's worth considering if you are trying to decide between the two).

6. If you are renting a car/driving, Kidani has covered underground parking (I think that's what I read somewhere). For some people this is a BIG deal...I personally always take the buses so it doesn't matter to me at all.

The first thing is really the biggest when trying to decide I think. Some people just think it is not worth the risk to rent points. Assuming all goes as planned it can be a fantastic deal (and I'm considering it myself) but for people who need that flexibility it just doesn't work.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you rent points then you are correct, no daily housekeeping. Towels will be refreshed on day 4, trash emptied. Day 8 is a full cleaning. ...

But true no daily house keeping until day 4 and day 7...when they come in a change towels and sheets on day 7.

Not quite. If you stay three nights or less, you get no service at all. If you stay four nights to seven nights, you get your trash removed and towels replaced on day 4 (check in is day one). If you stay eight nights or more, you get a full cleaning on day 4 and your trash removed and towels replaced on day eight. Then the cycle repeats.

You can pay for daily full cleaning but that will defeat your savings.

Most members will not offer any cancellation policy. If you cancel or request a change, they probably won't be able to do anything for you and will keep what you paid. More than likely no refunds at all.

Studios only sleep four. Most members book 11 months out, so hopefully you aren't looking for something in the near future. And you get no free dining, no 40% off, no kids play and eat free with DVC points stays.