AKL - Is it worth paying more for savannah view room?

[mommy2paris]

Hi! We just stayed on disney property last year for the first time, and enjoyed our stay at AS movies. We took our 2 1/2 yr old and 7 month old daughter, during free dining.

Our oldest dd loves animals, and we are considering staying at Animal King Lodge. I have read that there are several public viewing areas to see the animals.

So, hence the title, I was wondering if it really worth the price difference to stay in the savannah view room, vs just walking around and looking from the public areas?

I'd appreciate any input! Thanks!

 

[litlpixie]

My exact reasoning for NOT paying for a SV. You're guaranteed a SV, but NOT an animal view......with my luck the animals would always be right under my balcony during the times we were either down at the pool or out at the parks. I couldnt justify the price when there were so many viewing areas around the resort...so I paid for a club level, and got PV, but that was fine, the pool is very pretty

 

[calgarygary]

For us, when we stayed the two times at AKL, I can't imagine staying at the resort and not having sv. The real beauty of the resort is not vying for position to see the animals in public viewing areas but rather the quiet times in the evening and morning, drinking your coffee and/or wine out on the balcony and for a brief moment, forgetting that you are in Florida and losing yourself on the plains of Africa.

 

[JennyJ]

We stayed at the AKL in June07, we stayed concierge level w/ savannah view. My girls were both 2.5yo at the time.

For us, it was not worth it. I loved the view don't get me wrong, but with 2 yound kids we didn't spend much quiet time drinking coffee on the balcony watching the animals. The girls loved roaming the resort, checking out all the viewing spots...hanging out on the balcony was not fun for them, animals or not.

I am glad we did it, and it was beautiful...but if we went again, I'd not spend the extra $$ on the savannah view.

GL! Have a good trip!

 

[mars315]

We have stayed there three times, all SV. So I can't say what it would be like to have a non-SV room, except to say that the resort itself is just lovely. For us, and our girls were 8 and 12 the first time, we could not believe how awesome it was to just look out your window any old time (just about) and see a giraffe, or a zebra! It is just not something that I ever think I would be able to experience anywhere else, with the exception of a safari in Africa! Of course, everybody has their different standards for "Is it worth it?" It is definitely cool. Have a great time no matter what you decide. Life is short.

Michelle

 

[Wenda]

Yes, it was worth it for me. Stayed at AKL on an adults only trip with my sister. She only wanted to stay there because of the animals. In fact Animal Kingdom and AKL were the only reasons I could get her to Disney at all. We went in August so the best viewing was early in the morning. We had our coffee and breakfast on the balcony watching the animals eat and play. WE got our breakfast at the CS place (can't remember the name) and took it back up to the room. Also there is a coffee pot in the room and we took our own Starbucks coffee so didn't have to drink the Disney stuff for breakfast. We did not do concierge level because it is not worth it to us. I was to stay there again I would only do savannah view. The other viewing is great too and they have great story times for the kids.

 

[mickeybrat]

Thanks for this great stuff! We had booked a Stanard view at AKL, but just upgraded to a savanna view! I'm so excited. Thanks for helping with my decision.

 

[padisneylover]

You won't regret your upgrade. Staying there is just wonderful. Looking out at the animals is so great. Keep in mind though that the animals do return to the barn at times so early morning and late afternoon and evening are the best viewing times.

 

[vbilello]

The Savannah view is so worth it! We stayed there last year with DD2 and DD1. DD2 spent tons of time watching the animals from the balcony. We brought her a pair of small binoculars, which she loved using. It was a great, peaceful break from the madness of the parks! Since they leave food around by the balconies, the views from the rooms are great!
When we told DD we were going back to Disney again, all she said was, "will I get to see MY zebras at the hotel again?". That was the biggest memory of her trip at 2! Needless to say, we will be staying SV at AKL again!

 

[mpbs]

Yes, My family loved it!

 

[mommy2paris]

Thanks everyone!! Decisions, decisions, decisions, lol...

I do think that dd's would love it, but then again... Our 2 1/2 yr old thought the As Movies was Disneyworld, lol... If allowed, she would have spent days just playing in the little dalmation area or splashing around in the pools.

Thanks again!

 

[conmama]

I think with the ages of your children it will be worth it. When we stayed, it was not worth it. They were 11 and 8 at the time and did NOT want to stay in the room gazing on the balcony at animals. They wanted to be in the parks, or at the pool...anywhere but stuck in a 300 sq ft. hotel room. So, the $138/more per night was SOOOO not worth it.

However...if my kids were toddlers and babies, and i nnew that naptimes and quiet times would be important, I would say it is worth it. The kids can nap or sleep and you can quietly go and enjoy the animals.

Everyone has a different opinion...I really think it all depends upon the ages of your children and how much time you plan on spending in the room. $138 a day is ALOT of money for kids who peek out on the balcony, say, "hey cool", then dart back in an flick on the TV for a few seconds before you leave your hotel room again.

 

[nurse.darcy]

I would get the savannah view just for me. . .my kid is a teen and his friend who is comeing with us is a teen. . .I can meet up with them at the parks anytime, but my time with the animals is PRECIOUS. . .

 

[Disney Doll]

Yes. It is one of the few hotels where I would say it is worth it to pay for the view.