AKL anyone stay at VALUE LEVEL ? 1br vs studio

[kcandee]

As DVC guests renting points we stayed at the WL and BC last year - LOVED THEM BOTH! We are a family of four including two six year olds and while planning this years trip the Animal Kingdom Lodge looks like an experience not to be missed. BUT - there are so many choices - View - value, standard, savannah. Rooms - studio vs. 1 bedroom. We are hoping to stay three/four nights mid January and looking for suggestions - should we splurge on the 1 bedroom and forget about worrying about the view or is the money better spent upgrading the view and not worrying about being crowed. Any experience with a DVC Value 1 bedroom or Standard/Savannah Studio ? It could be cold in January and from what I hear the animals will not be spotted as frequently in cold weather - something to consider.
ANY HELP is greatly greatly appreciated.

After posting this on the main resorts planning page - I wanted to post here to see if anyone had experience with the DVC rooms/options at the AKL.
My latest plan is to try a 1 bedroom Value for two nights and then switch to a studio Savannah. We would only choose the dining plan for the first two nights - another bonus for switching rooms besides a guaranteed view of the Savannah. LAST - If AKL can't do this - AM I NUTS to maybe switch to OKW for two of the nights ?
Karen

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I think this is really going to be a matter of preference. For me, if the choice is good view vs. not being crowded, I would choose not being crowded. We're animal lovers and look forward to a stay at AKV, but it is not that important to us that we get to see animals from our room. Now, if I could feed them from my balcony that would change everything.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm pretty sure that the value rooms aren't available until December, so it's possible that no one has stayed in one yet to give a first hand report.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

No one has stayed in value rooms yet to my knowledge. I don't believe they are open yet. Don't worry about not seeing any animals. We stayed at AKL in January a few years back, and the animals were right outside our door all night long. The Ankoli cattle slept about 20 feet from our balcony, and the giraffe was hanging around all night as well.

Give a preference, I would probably go for a 2 bedroom Savanna view, but if that isn't in your point value, I'd probably do standard and be assured of the extra space. The savannas are all visible from plenty of spots all around the resort, so not having them right outside your window doesn't mean you wont see them. There are spots along the hallways where there are little alcoves bumped out with chairs etc, for animal viewing.

 

[salmoneous]

By the way, if you are talking about January 2008, it's probably too late to get a reservation for any DVC rooms at AKL, unless you can rent from somebody who made a reservation "on spec".

 

[kcandee]

You were right - it took some luck but we were able to get a 1 bedroom value at AKL for three nights during the time period we were looking for.
Thank you everyone who posted with information. We can't wait!!!!
Karen