AKL club level- help me decide

[totoro123]

I've been lurking here for quite a while, but this is my first time to post. I was hoping to get some help with a decision. I just found out that I might be able to book a club level room at AKL for about four hundred dollars more than the standard view room I have already reserved. I understand that all the club rooms have a savannah view, but the regular savannah view rooms are about twelve hundred dollars more. I guess I want to know from anyone why this might be and if the move to club level is worth the four hundred? Thanks

 

[reiella]

If I had to guess, it's discounts. The Club Level probably is eligible for a discount/pin or whatnot while the savannah is not. One thing I'd suggest checking is the price difference for an Arusha view [it's just one of the savannah specifically, it's rack rate is higher than savannah, but should be less than club].

And to clarify, the club rooms have Arusha views.

 

[tallen429]

For some bizarre reason I was just recently able to change from a basic Standard room I had booked with the 30% to a club level room for only about $90 more. It's only for one night and the next night was not available. It is available at rack rate but not at a discount. When I tried the same thing with my AP discount the rate was about $250 more.
I have no idea why I got that little random score, but it does happen.
This was less than a week ago.

 

[akl-fan]

If you will use the club level amenities then go for it. It is a great price for an upgrade. However if you are not fussed about the club lounge and were not that fussed about the animals then I would leave it. How much time you are planning to be at the resort will give you your answer. If you plan to sit out on you balcony each day then great, if you get back each day at park closing then it will be a waste of money. There are many many viewing opportunities at AKL to see all the animals. Use could use your $400 for souvenirs in the parks.

 

[DixieBelle]

how many people are in the room and how long is the trip?
we have done club level as a free upgrade and liked it. it was really nice to get the continental breakfast without having to go to a restaurant. grabbing sodas before hitting the pool was nice too. a couple of times we sampled the evening appetizers, but not that often. either we missed the timing or everything was empty (once) and we chose not to wait.
my sweetpeas liked the idea of being VIPs...having special access to them was almost as good as the snacks.

 

[totoro123]

thanks everyone for your replies. There will be two adults and two kids for 8 nights. It is in September using the 30% off special. My oldest daughter is an animal nut, but she is very mellow and would be ok staying anywhere. We did not do the dining plan so I was thinking the access to the snacks would be helpful and perhaps we could do the sunrise safari tour.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

thanks everyone for your replies. There will be two adults and two kids for 8 nights. It is in September using the 30% off special. My oldest daughter is an animal nut, but she is very mellow and would be ok staying anywhere. We did not do the dining plan so I was thinking the access to the snacks would be helpful and perhaps we could do the sunrise safari tour.

With four people in your party it is absolutely worth it! I spoke with a cast member at CRO last week and upgraded to Club Level for three of my five nights at AKL. (And there's only two people in my party.)

The cast member said that Disney made the decision to discount standard rooms at AKL. She said that although the Jambo House club level rooms are ALL savannah view rooms that they were included in the discount, too, because they are labeled "standard" club level rooms (and not deluxe).

She basically said that the discount was as good as it gets for club level at AKL. I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade my other two nights, as well.

Here is my dilemma: When I pay for club level, I like to stay at the resort to enjoy the amenities. So do I choose to go club level for my last three nights OR my last five nights? How many evenings should I spend away from the parks? We will be at Disney for a total of 14 nights, but do I want the last five of them to be resort days instead of park days (or just the last three of them)? Any advice as to what others would do?

Edited to add: We did the Sunrise Safari in 2008, and in 14 trips to Disney, it was one of the best Disney experiences of my life.

 

[totoro123]

thanks again. I went ahead and booked it, but I am not telling the kids so it will be a surprise. Now to try to get sunrise safari!

 

[Singinglizzie]

thanks again. I went ahead and booked it, but I am not telling the kids so it will be a surprise. Now to try to get sunrise safari!

Yob will get concierge services automatically by booking a club room and they can handle all the booking details for your sunrise safari as well as any dinning reservations you want. There was a particulary difficult ADR I wanted (I think O'hanas) and they were able to book for me! However, the concierge may or may not contact you right away. I would send an email, with all your requests. The safari has limited seating, so don't delay. Have fun - would love to stay Club again!!