AKL Animal Viewing

[broncobill]

Outside of room balconies, is there very many areas where you can just sit and view the animals?

 

[DisDad4Life]

Yes, several. There are even covered patios where you can sit in large wooden rockers and view the animals, read, etc. Very peaceful.

 

[siskaren]

Absolutely. Basically, just go out the back of the resort. Check here for pictures:

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...things-to-do-and-location-and-transportation/

 

[chuckinthechat]

Exactly what the other two people said. You have main areas just outside and in the lobby where you can view the animals

Additionally by one of the hot tubs there is a viewing platform where they have the night vision goggles once it gets dark.

If I am not mistaken I think there are some walking paths through the resort too that you can use to see the animals.

 

[broncobill]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I'm just wondering if it's worth $111 more a night for the savanna view rooms.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I'm just wondering if it's worth $111 more a night for the savanna view rooms.

Worth is subjective as it's different for everyone, but for us, an extra $111/nt would not be worth it for savanna view. Having stayed savanna view as well as pool view, I loved our pool view just as much (which was quite a bit cheaper). It is nice walking out onto your balcony and seeing animals, but I don't think it's worth $100+/nt extra when there are several animal viewing areas around the resort.

 

[TwizzleMouse]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I'm just wondering if it's worth $111 more a night for the savanna view rooms.

Even though you can see the animals other places in the hotel, there are people like myself and DBF who will fork over the extra $ for the Savanna view room because I can't think of staying at AKL/AKV after my last stay in a Savanna View room without one. There is something to be said about waking up to the sound of the birds and other animals outside your window in the morning and just going out on your own private deck and watching them to your hearts content. But then again, I'm a huge animal lover. It's definitely up to you in the end, but this is all IMHO. Enjoy your trip, it's one of my favorite resorts.

 

[Sue M]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I'm just wondering if it's worth $111 more a night for the savanna view rooms.

Worth it is different for everyone. We've had 2 savanna views. Sunset and Arusha. Hands down Arusha was our fav. I enjoyed getting up and having my morning coffee on the balcony enjoying the view and also in the evening.
We also had a pool view which we enjoyed, just not as much as savanna view. There are large picture windows going down halls that look out at the savanna, the balconies off the lobby, in lower level a path around Arusha Rock, and a Uzima savanna area as mentioned by one of the hot tubs. So there are areas to enjoy the savannahs if a savanna view isn't in the budget, go with pool view.

 

[DisDad4Life]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I'm just wondering if it's worth $111 more a night for the savanna view rooms.

To me it would depend on when you are going. I absolutely love the savanna view rooms but will only book it if we're going over Spring Break in March when we can actually enjoy sitting out on the deck. I've had a savanna view room in August and quit frankly the heat was too much to be able to enjoy some relaxing time on the balcony, so I would go with a pool view during the summer.

 

[broncobill]

We will be there for 9 nights in August. I don't plan on being in the resorts much, but I'm thinking my wife may lag back a few days.
The whole story in short. Taking my daughter to Disney for her 16th birthday. Taking her friend who has never been to Disney.
They both play sports so we are booked at All Star Sports right now.
Standard view would cost $775 more and a Savanna view would cost $1894 more.
My wife has no idea I'm considering this.
In the "Savanna View" rooms, I think are the savannas on the outside of the resort, is there a lot of animals?
Or is there a lot more in the "Arusha View"

 

[Sue M]

There are different animals (and some the same) on each savanna. Look on the first page of the AKL thread to see if there's any info on what animals are in each savanna.

 

[cheryllarsen]

We stayed in a non-savannah view room and had a side window that the animals passed every morning and evening!

 

[cheryllarsen]

I think it was a better view of the animals than if we had a savannah view!

 

[broncobill]

I think it was a better view of the animals than if we had a savannah view!

Do you remember which room it was?
I just called and booked the standard view. I think for the amount of time we will spend in the resort, I could not justify the extra $2000+ for our stay.
Thanks every one for the help.

 

[maryandtyson]

Broncobill,AKL is an amazing resort, with or without Savanna view. Totally worth the upgrade! Take some time to talk to the cultural ambassadors from Africa. They are somknowledgable! The storytelling by the firefighters was fun (and, surprisingly, not hot!) great pools too!

Have an amazing trip! I'm so excited for your family that you upgraded them!!

 

[BuffaloJim]

In Broncobill's case, I would definitely upgrade to standard view AKL versus AS Sports. For$775 over nine days, I think that you'll find it's money well spent.

 

[Sue M]

I would recommend taking time to attend the evening Cultural Safari in Sunset Room just off the lobby. We always make a point of hearing 1 or 2 during our stay. The culinary tour is fun too.