Getting a Value Room at Jambo House

[Tom P.]

Hey folks,

We're looking at planning a trip to WDW in October, 2026 and renting DVC points to do so. That means we're just a few months away from the 11 month booking window for DVC properties.

One of our top possibilities is Animal Kingdom Lodge, which we've never even been to, let alone stayed at. We are a large family, so we would need a 2-bedroom villa which, of course, is not cheap even with rented points. So we've been exploring what our cheapest options would be which, of course, led to the "value" category.

I'm looking for some practical experience from folks here on whether it is actually possible to get one of the elusive "value" 2-bedroom lockoff villas if you try right at the start of the 11 month window. Any chance we could snag one, or is that pretty much a pipe dream given their limited availability? If you think it is possible, any tips for success?

Thanks much.

(P.S.: I did not know if the Resort Hotels forum or the DVC forum was the best choice for this. Feel free to move this if I picked the wrong one.)

 

[nickys]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your chances are slim to b-all.

Occasionally there might be a confirmed reservation for rent, but those tend to be for studios.

A standard 2-bed is a possibility though, especially if you’re willing to accept Jambo or Kidani.

 

[Calmdownnow]

Jambo DVC rooms will be under refurbishment from May 2026 - Jan 2027 (Kidani refurb earlier, Oct 2025 - May 2026) so there will be less availability during your dates and construction work on the DVC floor at Jambo House. But, on the positive side, if you can get a DVC rental at Kidani, the rooms will have been refreshed and in good condition.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Value rooms are an anomaly in the first place…just leftover space when they hastily threw the dvc in there in the first place.

I can’t imagine what the tab would be for a two bed room rented through a middle man…but I gotta ask: is that the best way to get the accommodation you need?

 

[poster]

We just returned from AKL Jambo 2 weeks ago. We rented points and reserved a 2 bedroom DVC , which in Jambo is a 1 bedroom with a connecting studio. We tried for the cheapest value and, as others stated, none were available. We did get a resort view, thinking we would be looking at the pool. What we got was a room with a savanna view, which was overlooking a maintenance area as well as the savanna. I guess they can't sell this room for the full price, but for someone who was expecting a pool, we were very surprised and happy with what we got.

This was our first time renting, and I know we will do it again. To make the money work for us, we did a split stay and spent 3 nights at Port Orleans, then splurged at the lodge for 4 nights.

 

[Tom P.]

Value rooms are an anomaly in the first place…just leftover space when they hastily threw the dvc in there in the first place.

I can’t imagine what the tab would be for a two bed room rented through a middle man…but I gotta ask: is that the best way to get the accommodation you need?

I think it is going to be the cheapest way to get us on-property, which is our goal if possible. We did off-property for the first time last year and really missed being on-property. Is there some alternative that you think I'm missing?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think it is going to be the cheapest way to get us on-property, which is our goal if possible. We did off-property for the first time last year and really missed being on-property. Is there some alternative that you think I'm missing?

No I get it

Just wondering how the cost breakdown is coming out over maybe port Orleans?

 

[Tom P.]

No I get it

Just wondering how the cost breakdown is coming out over maybe port Orleans?

Going with someplace like Port Orleans would definitely be cheaper. The problem is that we are a large family with six children. So we would have to have two rooms, there's no guarantee we could get them connecting, and it would still end up being rather cramped. That's why we ended up going off-property last time. We went over to Club Wyndham at Bonnet Creek. Don't get me wrong; it was really nice. And we'd do it again if it was the only thing that worked with our budget. But we really missed being on property.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Going with someplace like Port Orleans would definitely be cheaper. The problem is that we are a large family with six children. So we would have to have two rooms, there's no guarantee we could get them connecting, and it would still end up being rather cramped. That's why we ended up going off-property last time. We went over to Club Wyndham at Bonnet Creek. Don't get me wrong; it was really nice. And we'd do it again if it was the only thing that worked with our budget. But we really missed being on property.

In your scenario…I would recommend I’ll key or Saratoga…old key west in particular because of the pre nickel and dime space they give you

Obviously not the same wow factor for sure (I’m a crescent lake addict that has found myself around seven seas a lot recently)…but always get the “outside inside” feel at those two spots

 

[Worldlover71]

Our family of 7 recently rented points for a 2-bedroom villa at Old Key West because, like you, we were looking for the most cost-effective way to stay onsite. There was plenty of space for all of us and it is a very nice resort, though we did miss having a quick service option and the place is HUGE. Saratoga Springs is usually the next cheapest. The rooms are slightly smaller than at OKW, though there is a quick service option and you can walk to Disney Springs.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Going with someplace like Port Orleans would definitely be cheaper. The problem is that we are a large family with six children. So we would have to have two rooms, there's no guarantee we could get them connecting, and it would still end up being rather cramped. That's why we ended up going off-property last time. We went over to Club Wyndham at Bonnet Creek. Don't get me wrong; it was really nice. And we'd do it again if it was the only thing that worked with our budget. But we really missed being on property.

Hi Tom,
I am DVC owner(we bought resale so no blue card), and have done the 1 bedroom Value. Yes they are little smaller but not that noticeable. The one bedrooms were not as hard to book as the studios, but if you find someone to try to get the booking I don't see why it would be impossible.

 

[nickys]

Hi Tom,
I am DVC owner(we bought resale so no blue card), and have done the 1 bedroom Value. Yes they are little smaller but not that noticeable. The one bedrooms were not as hard to book as the studios, but if you find someone to try to get the booking I don't see why it would be impossible.

To have any chance at all he’d need to rent privately.

Booking through a broker gives more protection if something goes wrong or he has to cancel. The problem is very, very few owners with enough points available to rent out are going to want to be on right at 8am in the hopes of getting it.

As you also point out, a 1-bed value is slightly easier to book than a studio. But all Jambo 2-beds are lock-offs, so once the studios are gone so are the 2-beds.

You got lucky, but for value studios you usually need to walk. And whilst I have actually walked a room before for a renter, I’m pretty sure no one is going to do that if they’re renting points out through a broker; they’re doing it that way to make the process easier for them.

 

[Tom P.]

Our family of 7 recently rented points for a 2-bedroom villa at Old Key West because, like you, we were looking for the most cost-effective way to stay onsite. There was plenty of space for all of us and it is a very nice resort, though we did miss having a quick service option and the place is HUGE. Saratoga Springs is usually the next cheapest. The rooms are slightly smaller than at OKW, though there is a quick service option and you can walk to Disney Springs.

How did you find getting around the resort given its size?

To have any chance at all he’d need to rent privately.

Booking through a broker gives more protection if something goes wrong or he has to cancel. The problem is very, very few owners with enough points available to rent out are going to want to be on right at 8am in the hopes of getting it.

As you also point out, a 1-bed value is slightly easier to book than a studio. But all Jambo 2-beds are lock-offs, so once the studios are gone so are the 2-beds.

You got lucky, but for value studios you usually need to walk. And whilst I have actually walked a room before for a renter, I’m pretty sure no one is going to do that if they’re renting points out through a broker; they’re doing it that way to make the process easier for them.

I have never dealt with a private renting situation before specifically because of the protection factor that you mention. But I know many others have rented privately and been happy with it. Regarding the "walking the reservation" practice, I've seen that mentioned a few times, but I'm not really familiar with what that even means. Can you explain briefly?

 

[nickys]

How did you find getting around the resort given its size?



I have never dealt with a private renting situation before specifically because of the protection factor that you mention. But I know many others have rented privately and been happy with it. Regarding the "walking the reservation" practice, I've seen that mentioned a few times, but I'm not really familiar with what that even means. Can you explain briefly?

It means starting a reservation early and adding on nights until you reach the dates you need.
Some owners will do that for weeks to get the room they want. I think I did it for 5 days for someone.

 

[nickys]

I loved OKW. We didn’t have a car, found the buses find and happily walked to the Hospitality House area - took 10 minutes.

There again, we walk and use buses all the time at home. Stopping at multiple bus stops before the destination is what buses do! Some people seem to find that an inconvenience.

 

[Tom P.]

It means starting a reservation early and adding on nights until you reach the dates you need.
Some owners will do that for weeks to get the room they want. I think I did it for 5 days for someone.

You wanna secure me a value room at Jambo House? But, seriously, does that trick really help? Is it actually necessary? That seems an awful lot of work just to get a reservation.

I loved OKW. We didn’t have a car, found the buses find and happily walked to the Hospitality House area - took 10 minutes.

There again, we walk and use buses all the time at home. Stopping at multiple bus stops before the destination is what buses do! Some people seem to find that an inconvenience.

That's good to know. I'm not too concerned with a few extra bus stops. Mostly I just wondered about getting around within the grounds of the resort itself. We do tend to do some non-park days at the resort just to relax, and often make use of the amenities like the pools, the restaurants, etc.

 

[nickys]

You wanna secure me a value room at Jambo House? But, seriously, does that trick really help? Is it actually necessary? That seems an awful lot of work just to get a reservation.


That's good to know. I'm not too concerned with a few extra bus stops. Mostly I just wondered about getting around within the grounds of the resort itself. We do tend to do some non-park days at the resort just to relax, and often make use of the amenities like the pools, the restaurants, etc.

The buses circle the resort and I think they stop at Hospitality House first and last, so you can use them to get around the resort. Or you can walk.

And I don’t own at AKL, sorry. Not that I have points to rent out anyway.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It means starting a reservation early and adding on nights until you reach the dates you need.
Some owners will do that for weeks to get the room they want. I think I did it for 5 days for someone.

Ohhhh…not a fan of that

 

[Tom P.]

Sounds like Old Key West is very nice, has the roomiest rooms, and is more compact than Saratoga Springs. The only thing that's making me consider SSR is the fact that it has a real quick service dining location, rather than just a to-go window with outdoor seating. We tend to take advantage of the quick service at the resort and I'm not a big fan of eating a meal outdoors. But I'm not sure if that's enough to sway me to SSR.

If you all were considering actual time spent enjoying the resort, and not just being park commandos every day, what would you think about OKW vs. SSR?