Disney Animal Villa for Interval Exchange Reservation

[pinetree1]

I just wonder how DVC treats Interval Exchange guests for Disney Animal Villas. Does Disney honor the villa codes on the Interval Exchange or just assign Interval guests to the least desired villas as some Marriott resorts do during the peak season.

 

[bizaro86]

I just wonder how DVC treats Interval Exchange guests for Disney Animal Villas. Does Disney honor the villa codes on the Interval Exchange or just assign Interval guests to the least desired villas as some Marriott resorts do during the peak season.

I traded into Animal Kingdom a couple of years ago and when we called to add names the rep indicated Savvanah view, which we received. I think many exchangers end up with savvanah view because the cost of upgrading with dvc points is so high that dvc bookers don't take them. We had a great view and a memorable stay.

 

[dioxide45]

They will keep you in the room type that was depposited. When you get the exchange, you can then add it to your My Disney Experience account (by calling DVC member services to get the reservation number). Once in your account, you can see the room type.

We also exchanged into AKV and had a savannah view. It is likely you will have a high floor. At AKV most guests want lower floors to be more level with the animals so that tends to be what owners will request.

 

[pinetree1]

Great! What kind of animals we can expect to see from our villa if it is a Savannah view villa?

 

[bizaro86]

Great! What kind of animals we can expect to see from our villa if it is a Savannah view villa?

They changed it up every day. We saw zebras, giraffe, long horned cattle, antelope, etc.

 

[pinetree1]

Thank you! @Biazaro86, @dioxide45. Looking forward to our visit.

 

[dioxide45]

Thank you! @Biazaro86, @dioxide45. Looking forward to our visit.

The important thing to do before your arrival is to contact DVC Member Services to add the guest names to the reservation. This will allow you to connect it to your MDE account and make dining reservations as an onsite guest.

 

[pinetree1]

Where does these 1-bedroom weekly deposits come from if most DVC owners only book a few days in Value/Standard view villas? From DVC own inventory due to no reservations by DVC owners?

What is Kilmanjaro Club?

 

[bnoble]

What is Kilmanjaro Club?

Something you never have to worry about as an exchanger!

Where does these 1-bedroom weekly deposits come from

DVC owners make exchanges by depositing points (not units) to II. As those exchanges are confirmed, DVC must supply counter-balancing inventory to "make up" for those exchanges. DVC, as the management company, gets to pick what that inventory is, and it is generally the least-popular units (1BRs), at the least popular resorts (mostly SSR and OKW), at the least popular times (generally not RunDisney race weekends, Fall Frenzy, etc.)

 

[ljmiii]

What is Kilmanjaro Club?

Some of the Disney resorts have Club level rooms which are nicer and provide access to a Club lounge that provides food and drink through the day - the one at Animal Kingdom Lodge is called the Kilmanjaro Club.

Uniquely among DVC resorts, a small portion of the Club rooms were converted to DVC - all of 5 lock-off 2BRs. But at this point they are more or less impossible to book even if you own at AKV - one of the reasons we ended up selling our AKV points.

 

[pinetree1]

Thank you @ LIMILL @bnoble.

You learn something every day. Love the forums where knowledge/insight is shared,

 

[DanCali]

Some of the Disney resorts have Club level rooms which are nicer and provide access to a Club lounge that provides food and drink through the day - the one at Animal Kingdom Lodge is called the Kilmanjaro Club.

Uniquely among DVC resorts, a small portion of the Club rooms were converted to DVC - all of 5 lock-off 2BRs. But at this point they are more or less impossible to book even if you own at AKV - one of the reasons we ended up selling our AKV points.

What's truly impossible is the Aulani 3BR Grand Villa Standard View...

For AKV Club, "impossible" is probably an overstatement, but it is one of the hardest room categories to book at 11 months out as an owner.

In fact, we have an upcoming stay there soon and also stayed there earlier this year. And we also have 3 confirmed stays for next year (may end up cancelling or renting one of them)

So It can be done both at 11 months with walking (requires perseverance and some luck), or by picking up dropped nights from the "walkers" (requires some availability "lurking").

Given the relatively small point difference between Savanna and Club Level rooms, it's definitely worth trying (even if you don't end up getting a Savanna View for the Club room - they are 60% Savanna and 40% Pool view)

 

[Huskerpaul]

OP was asking about the possibility of trading into a club room through Interval and getting that room type and I agree with @bnoble that just will not happen. If you own there you are correct, it can be done, but not through Interval trades.