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

[RickNJane]

Hey there! I'm looking to book at Jambo next year in November. Two questions for those that might have the inside scoops... 1. When does the Christmas tree usually go up? 2. Will there, or will there not be a refurb? I see it on the schedule but I havent heard of anything official. Thanks!

Our first trip to AKV is December 2025. All I have heard about refurb is it will happen in 2025. I wonder if the schedule will be announced at the condo association meetings this coming December. I am hoping it will be done by the time we go.

Anyone hear anything different?

 

[GCameron]

Our first trip to AKV is December 2025. All I have heard about refurb is it will happen in 2025. I wonder if the schedule will be announced at the condo association meetings this coming December. I am hoping it will be done by the time we go.

Anyone hear anything different?

Safe to say you’ll see the tree

 

[twinklebug]

Safe to say you’ll see the tree

Absolutely, by Thanksgiving Disney has the trees and decor up at all the resorts.
Regarding the schedule of when the tree goes up, I've heard it's reasonably random year to year. This year the trees at Jambo and Kidani did not go up until Monday of this week (thanksgiving week). More recent past, the trees were among the first at any of the resorts. I believe this has more to do with which decor is ready to go first than just a lottery.

 

[GCameron]

Bummer cause I’d be ending the trip the weekend before Thanksgiving to avoid crowds probably

 

[DisnEElove]

Our first trip to AKV is December 2025. All I have heard about refurb is it will happen in 2025. I wonder if the schedule will be announced at the condo association meetings this coming December. I am hoping it will be done by the time we go.

Anyone hear anything different?

Because of our allergies, we've been only staying in the hotel side until they pull the carpet and refurbish. There was so much dust and allergens we got bad infections during our trip yrs ago staying in the old rooms with carpet. In this Pic you can see the accumulated dust on the fixtures alone.

 

[CarolynFH]

Absolutely, by Thanksgiving Disney has the trees and decor up at all the resorts.
Regarding the schedule of when the tree goes up, I've heard it's reasonably random year to year. This year the trees at Jambo and Kidani did not go up until Monday of this week (thanksgiving week). More recent past, the trees were among the first at any of the resorts. I believe this has more to do with which decor is ready to go first than just a lottery.

I think the decor spends its “time off” in a warehouse and is pretty much ready to be put on a truck for delivery each year. The date on which it’s put on the truck really is based on a lottery. The dates for this year and the previous years are in the first post of this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/🎄...ey-resorts-thread-2024🎄-update-11-27.3932476/.

 

[bookbabe626]

I think the decor spends its “time off” in a warehouse and is pretty much ready to be put on a truck for delivery each year. The date on which it’s put on the truck really is based on a lottery. The dates for this year and the previous years are in the first post of this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-official-holiday-decorations-at-disney-resorts-thread-2024-update-11-27.3932476/.

^^ this

We toured the holiday decor shop and warehouse as part of an AbD trip. Wow. It’s kind of epic, and a year-round process. And very organized, they can lay their hands on any park’s or resort’s holiday decor at a moment’s notice. They have a system and a strict schedule for who gets new decor when, and spend the whole year repairing and manufacturing items. It was a really interesting visit.

 

[Nursejilly]

We are planning to stay at Kidani next Thanksgiving! Will be interested to see updates on the refurbishment when it gets started!

 

[marcar12]

Today someone in a Facebook group mentioned that there is CURRENTLY construction going on at Kidani. It's not the rooms (yet).... Maybe the lobby? or Sanaa? They said there are less animals around right now because of it. Does anyone know what is taking place currently, and when it will be finished?

 

[yaksack]

There was construction on the outside parts of the lobby when we were there in October.

 

[Lehuaann]

Here now. Construction and scaffolding outside of the lobby and Sanaa. We have not noticed less animals. The giraffes and zebras (with baby) have been laying nearby.

Rooms are in need of a refurbishment.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Here now. Construction and scaffolding outside of the lobby and Sanaa. We have not noticed less animals. The giraffes and zebras (with baby) have been laying nearby.

Rooms are in need of a refurbishment.

Thanks for the update-3 1/2 weeks to go. A baby zebra? Can't wait to see it!

 

[Dvc_queen]

Advice on best rooms to request ( I know it is just a request not a guarantee) for jambo Savannah view studio? I’m thinking sunset Savannah. Have been looking at touring plans but have never stayed here so figured I would ask the seasoned pros!

 

[Jonnnyap]

I agree with you, and we request Sunset Savanna when we stay at Jambo (and Kidani). It’s the largest savanna, and it seems to have the most animal activity (which I know can change).

Hope you get a great room/view and enjoy your trip!

 

[Dvc_queen]

I agree with you, and we request Sunset Savanna when we stay at Jambo (and Kidani). It’s the largest savanna, and it seems to have the most animal activity (which I know can change).

Hope you get a great room/view and enjoy your trip!

Thank you so much!

 

[jujubiee4]

Here now. Construction and scaffolding outside of the lobby and Sanaa. We have not noticed less animals. The giraffes and zebras (with baby) have been laying nearby.

Rooms are in need of a refurbishment.

How old are rooms looking? We have an upcoming stay (Kidani) and switched a stay here from Boardwalk.
Wondering if i should switch back?

 

[intamin]

How old are rooms looking? We have an upcoming stay (Kidani) and switched a stay here from Boardwalk.
Wondering if i should switch back?

Personally I would switch back until the refurb is completed and also the better location. Boardwalk also got refurbed recently

 

[TinkAgainU]

I just checked out of a Savanna studio in JAMBO - 5th floor DVC. Yes, we had to order mattress toppers as the beds were unsleepable - but they were brought and beds remade quickly. I've stayed at both Boardwalk and Grand Floridian since they were updated and while they felt "fresh" neither had anywhere near the cool decor of our AKL room. Did not notice anything beat-up or broken, and if you've not stayed there, you are in for a treat.

 

[Girlstar30]

I agree with this AKV was the first orlando dvc resort we stayed at and we were absolutely thrilled. We had no knowledge of more comfortable and modern Murphy bed options in other hotels so that didn't cross our mind. My spouse did make a comment that the pullout wasn't very comfortable, but in no way did that make us not want to go back, in fact she is requesting to go back again in September pre refurb

 

[Elephantay]

I've heard that the needs a refurb, does that include the regular rooms? Are they in rough shape as well?
Might we be better off staying at a regular room ( Jambo) instead of a studio? And are the one or two bedrooms any better?