AK Lodge Pool view or SV??? Help

[lisareneeo]

Ok, so I talked myself into staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge in June for 6 nights.
This is already costing me more than what I was planning to spend. My intentions were to stay at Riverside and it was n/a so I thought FQ......but I want to try AKL

So, should we stick with a pool view which is about $400 less than a savannah view? Or just splurge and go all out for SV? I do not think I would want standard view and risk the chance of a view of the parking lot.

This is a surprise trip for my daughter (age 17) Will also be traveling with son 20 and husband.

My husband is all about saving the $$$ and is fine with FQ but I really am not feeling FQ (stayed there before and liked it) I do want to have down time at the resort so I am thinking we would love AK.

Help me decide and tell me if I am going to regret not staying in a SV???? This will probably be my one and only time at AKL.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[magicaldisney]

The pool views are very nice views and if you are trying to save money that would be the way to go. There are animal viewing areas throughout the resort so you will have a lot of opportunities to view the animals. Don't forget to go out in the evening and use the night time binoculars provided by a CM to view them in the evening.

Now, that being said, if it was my first trip, I think I would always be wondering if I was missing out on something by not having a savanna view. Waking up and just looking out your window and seeing the animals right there is pretty cool.

 

[mickeynut1]

Ok, so I talked myself into staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge in June for 6 nights.
This is already costing me more than what I was planning to spend. My intentions were to stay at Riverside and it was n/a so I thought FQ......but I want to try AKL

So, should we stick with a pool view which is about $400 less than a savannah view? Or just splurge and go all out for SV? I do not think I would want standard view and risk the chance of a view of the parking lot.

This is a surprise trip for my daughter (age 17) Will also be traveling with son 20 and husband.

My husband is all about saving the $$$ and is fine with FQ but I really am not feeling FQ (stayed there before and liked it) I do want to have down time at the resort so I am thinking we would love AK.

Help me decide and tell me if I am going to regret not staying in a SV???? This will probably be my one and only time at AKL.

Thanks!!!!!

We've stayed both pool and savanna view and while the savanna view was nice, I loved our pool view just as much and wouldn't hesitate to book that view again. It is nice to sit on your balcony watching the animals, but as the pp mentioned, there are several animal viewing areas around the resort that are great. Some people won't stay at AKL without getting a savanna view, but for us, it isn't a necessity. Everyone's opinion is different, but if it were me, I'd save the $400 and book pool view. Good luck.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I am one of those who doesn't see the point of staying at AKL w/out a savannah view. Whether that's right or wrong, I'll find out in April. We are staying AKL CL, which comes with a savannah room.
It will likely be our ONLY time staying there anyway, so it was important for us to have a savannah view.

I have a friend who stayed pool view twice though and loved it. There are plenty of other viewing areas for the animals.

 

[pixarmom]

We've stayed both pool view and savannah view. I prefer pool view, but I far prefer a water view over a view of the animals, and I'm the most frequent user of our balcony. Our kids, definitely prefer savannah view, but they are only on the balcony for a few minutes each day, and they don't have to think about the cost difference. For me, there are many reasons to stay at AKL that are unrelated to the animals - I think both the AKL and Kidani pools are among the best on property, the lobby is completely relaxed and beautiful (and smells wonderful), and the dining options are spectacular. In our experience, the bus service has been quite good. The theming is really well done - not only when viewing the savannah, but throughout. And the price is usually the lowest of the deluxe resorts or very close to WL prices. Currently, our kids rank Poly as their favorite, WL as second and AKL as third because the theming and atmosphere is that well done.

 

[HopperFan]

Hated our Pool view and we never used the balcony, if I return I would book Savanna view again. Our Savanna view stay was just awesome, a great memory and we actually used and loved our balcony. Amazing to wake up and walk out to see the animals. I don't think there is anything like it in our country, what a special treat.

Given your kids are older, and traveling as a family may come less and less - I would totally spend the $400 for a special trip/memory!!

 

[brinkley07]

We prefer savannah view. For me there is something about waking up and looking out to see the animals. Although everything about the resort is lovely, and the pool view rooms are nice, I would be disappointed if I didn't have a savannah view. Have a great time!

 

[Sue M]

We've stayed in Sunset Savanna, Arusha savanna & pool view. If it's in your budget go for savanna, but if it isn't, we enjoyed our pool view on Zebra Trail. And I enjoyed our balcony. We were kind of over Mara. So set back from the main pool area. The pool area is beautiful and we enjoyed the view. There are many viewing areas of the savanna.

 

[mmmears]

I would go with what you are comfortable paying for... AKL is amazing even if you don't have a SV since there are places you can go and view the animals. How much time do you think you will be in the room/on the balcony during daylight? If you think you would use the balcony to look at the animals, then consider going for it. But if you will be in the park most of the time, and out of your room a lot, then it may not be worth the money. We have stayed AKL with an Arusha Savanna view many times, and I absolutely love sitting out there and watching the animals so I make sure to leave some time just for that.

 

[lisareneeo]

Ok, so I splurged and booked a Savannah view room. Now, next question.....which Savannah section would you all recommend or are all equally as wonderful?

 

[sheila14]

I will be staying at AKL for the first time and my first delux resort. I just booked a standard room bc I will be in the park all day. I viewed this resort through other websites and knowing that there are spots to sit and watch the animals, I can do this when I have time after park visiting.

 

[ZebraDomeCrazy]

In addition to Pool View saving you money, it also keeps you close to the lobby, pool, food options, and the buses! Jambo is shaped liked a giant U. If you get a room at one of the ends, (especially the left end), it can be a really, really long walk after a long day at the parks. If you choose Savannah view, put in a request to be close to the lobby, for sure!

 

[Sue M]

Ok, so I splurged and booked a Savannah view room. Now, next question.....which Savannah section would you all recommend or are all equally as wonderful?

Then you should go all out and book Arusha savanna! On Zebra trail. IMO it's the best savanna, and just an elevator ride down to pool and Mara. Have a look at resort map. We had last room in second pod on Zebra trail. Close to elevator. Great location. My friend was in 3 Rd pod and she enjoyed her view too.

Out first trip was on sunset savanna, in 3rd or 4th pod, can't remember. We still enjoyed it, but the way rooms stick out your looking at other peoples balconies. And you have to cross lobby and get another elevator or stairs to get to pool & food.

 

[mevelandry]

I've been to AKL twice. First time, Arusha view... Second time SV... We've tried two rooms, the SV sucked so much that we downgraded to standard and ended up having a better view of the animals that way. Go figure.

SV view can be very disappointing. If I had to go back, I would go Arusha or nothing.

 

[courtneybeth]

You have to get the SV! It was so lovely to have room service bring breakfast and we ate it on the patio while watching Giraffes and Zebras walk past our room. It's fun to look out for the animals and enjoy the view.

Make sure you request the bigger view area. More chance of seeing animals!