AKL-Parking lot view worth the extra $$$?

[Peter Pirate]

I just don't see that rationale. So what if you get a view of a wall or a 7-11 sign? You're also getting a deluxe resort unlike any other in every other aspect, at a deeply discounted rate. The budgets or any of the moderates simply cannot touch that, IMO.

I apppreciate the warning that this situation may be possible, but as was stated there are very few rooms with this problem, they (the AKL) are well known for FREE upgrades whenever possible and the room rate is (generally) spectacular...So I agree that yes this situation should be noted but it should not be made to look like it's a huge issue (just my opinion).

 

[freediverdude]

Well, like I said, it would depend on how much a view like that would bother the person. But, it's not just a handful of rooms, it has to be at least 50 rooms and probably more that have that view, however many face the parking lot, and your chances of having that view with a standard view room are good. And, I might add, I ASKED to be upgraded to either pool view or savannah view, and clearly told them I would pay for the upgrade and wasn't trying for a free upgrade, and they would not let me. So at that point it was either demand to be transferred to another resort or put up with the room. Since it was only 2 nights I closed the drapes and put up with it, but not ever again. When you stay in a Disney resort, I don't know about other people, but I expect to be insulated from the outside world. That's part of what I'm paying for to be onsite, instead of a motel on 192 down the street, where I would expect to see those billboards out the window. No other Disney resort rooms that I know of can see the outside world like that, and no Disney resort room should. That's the only point I'm trying to make, is the view from those rooms is unacceptable. The rest of the resort is very nice.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Point accepted, but once you realized the curtains would remain closed (as mine ALWAYS do when staying at Pop, PO, CSR or AKL std.) you must have realized that the rest of the AKL experience was truly second to no other?

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by freediverdude
That's the only point I'm trying to make, is the view from those rooms is unacceptable. The rest of the resort is very nice.

you got what you paid for. A standard view room. You should have booked the view you wanted to start with.

 

[freediverdude]

Why should I have to keep the curtains closed though? I would have accepted a view of the cars and some trees and actually sat out on the balcony. It basically prevented me from using part of my room. Anyway, the rest of the resort is well-themed. The cast members didn't seem overly friendly though, almost aloof. And even in the viewing areas the animals seemed pretty far away in the distance, although I'm sure others have seen some close up. Overall, I'd say the architecture of the resort is something to see, but the stay itself was just mediocre as far as service and friendliness and an ehh-not-so-welcoming atmosphere. I've had much better stays at the moderates and values, not to mention other deluxes.

And an edit here, Bojangles, when I booked standard view, I was expecting, and wouldn't have minded, the standard view you get at other resorts: namely, parking lot, trees, buildings, etc. But again the point has been missed- NO OTHER DISNEY RESORT ROOM HAS A VIEW OF A 7-11 SIGN, AND SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED WHEN EVEN BOOKING A STANDARD ROOM. HAS THE POINT BEEN MADE CLEAR NOW?

 

[BambiTamby]

our view from our 5th floor suite that looks towards the signage on 192.
I could make out some signs, but with all the other glorious surroundings, those signs just fade in with the greenery.

And believe me, our 2 bedrooom suite rack rate was a far cry from a discounted standard room rate.....but, no complaints here!

I wouldn't let a couple of signs keep me from enjoying this view!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Originally posted by freediverdude
Also, some of the 3rd floor rooms had a cement wall "balcony", if you want to call it that, that "overlooked" the walkway to the bus stops, and you definitely wouldn't want to get one of those rooms either, as you basically have a wall that you could barely peep over and not a view LOL.

This is true. Our rooms were in Ostrich Trail on the lobby level near the handicap parking and we had regular open balconies. It was also very quiet in that area. No bus noise. Also note, that up on the fifth floor there are three or four rooms that do not even have a balcony. It is only a cut out in the roof line. You cannot see anything unless you lean way out of the "port hole" or climb out onto the thatched roofing. No fresh air either. We were first put in these rooms and asked to be moved. The CM working next to the young lady who waited on us told her to give us an upgrade to pool view but she said she was sorry and that she would have to call the room assigner. He found us three other standard view rooms that we were satisfied with. I guess we should have gotten into the other line. {sigh...} LoL Next trip we are booking pool view from the start. I love the pool area at AKL. It is so pretty.

 

[airhead]

It was fine! Didn't bother us at all! Plus it was very quiet even though it overlooked the walk way to the bus stop. I would have no problem staying in this room again.

 

[freediverdude]

I can't even see the signs that BambiTamby is talking about in that picture. But my room faced out the other side of the resort and there were big signs that I could see clearly from way back by the bathroom area of the room. But I think BambiTamby and I agree that we like the Contemporary, anyway, hehe. I still think the view from those rooms is unacceptable, although I'll agree the stay was made worse by indifferent cast members at the time. The front desk lady was not very nice, bell services was indifferent, the hostess at Boma was almost rude, the people serving the food at Mara were indifferent. The only shining star during the stay was the waitress at Boma. She did do some chatting as time allowed, and was very nice (and I tipped her well for helping to brighten up the stay, too). Maybe it was a bad couple o' days for most of the staff there?? But if I do ever go back, I just don't think I can stay in one of the standard view rooms again.
I was thinking about it this morning, and AKL really missed a magical opportunity with me there. As I drove up to the resort and walked into the lobby and everything, all I could say was "Wow! Look at that!" and all smiles and everything, excited to be at a new resort. I really went into it excited and wanting to like it. But within hours, that had all changed to "This isn't a very good stay." And I think it was all preventable.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Originally posted by freediverdude
As I drove up to the resort and walked into the lobby and everything, all I could say was "Wow! Look at that!" and all smiles and everything, excited to be at a new resort. I really went into it excited and wanting to like it. But within hours, that had all changed to "This isn't a very good stay." And I think it was all preventable.

I know where you're coming from. The exact same thing happened to us at Wilderness Lodge. We were so excited about staying there and the trip was nearly ruined by rude and nasty CM's. The WL is gorgeous but frankly we're a little gun shy about even trying it again. Maybe someday. So sorry this happened to you too. I think there's nothing worse than having your excitement deflated in such a manner.

 

[freediverdude]

Sigh....thank you for commiserating with me....

 

[prairie]

It depends what's important to you and your enjoyment of your vacation.

Personally I loved AKL, standard view and all. It is a wondrous place.

We stayed there last August in a standard view room on the Giraffe trail, which in many guidebooks is considered to be the 'worst' wing of AKL. I, however, loved it for its close proximity to everything -- bus stop, lobby, gift shop, pool were all a quick 30 second jump away. With two kids 5 and 7 at the time this was most appreciated. One thing I hate is a long trek to get to a hotel pool.

The view is not as important to me; in this case I'd rather save the money and spend it somewhere else in Disney. Besides, the hotel has many lovely areas both inside and out to stroll and sit and enjoy the scenery, which we did.

Interestingly, our friends who vacationed there at the same time 'knew' someone who worked at AKL and got an upgrade to savannah view. At first she was pleased but then very disappointed due to the distant location of the room. She tired very quickly of the long trek to and fro with her two little ones and actually regretted the upgrade. So there you go.

Prairiegirl
03- AKL
WL next month!

 

[sjh801]

I would go with the AKL anytime. We had a standard room (one of the 10% without a view), but there were views a few steps from our door. You can't go wrong withthe AKL!

Absolutely loved the AKL!!!