AKL Pool View?

[plutospup]

We are considering AKL for our upcoming early December vacation. Can you see any animals in the distance with a pool view room? Budget says we can't afford Savannah View, but we thought we could swing pool view. Is it worth it, or should we save a few $$ and go with a STD view (parking lot)?

 

[twinboysmommy]

Hi!
Just a word about the "pool view" rooms . . . we paid extra for a pool view room and ALL we could see was trees. We complained - nicely, of course - and were moved to a new room (#4036). Our view from the new room was only of trees and a road used by the groundskeepers to enter the Savannah area. It was VERY disappointing! I'm sure years ago it was a great pool view, but it needs to be reclassified as a standard room now. The pool is awesome - be sure to plan plenty of pool time!

 

[scoutsmom99]

We are considering AKL for our upcoming early December vacation. Can you see any animals in the distance with a pool view room? Budget says we can't afford Savannah View, but we thought we could swing pool view. Is it worth it, or should we save a few $$ and go with a STD view (parking lot)?

You can't see any animals from the Pool View rooms. I booked a pool view last September and we really enjoyed it. I booked a pool view again for this fall because I enjoyed it so much. AKL offers quite a few different places to view animals. If you do not think you will utlize the balcony or care about the view then I would save the money and book a standrad room...you might get lucky and recieve an upgrade. I did read a post a few weeks ago or so where someone booked a standrad room and they ended up paying an additional amount for a savannah view (here is the link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=824291 )


Here is a pic of the pool view we had last September (it was Zebra trail room #4428)

 

[pinkpiglettlover]

Booked a standard room in January 2005 and were upgraded to pool view, it was the weekend of the marathon, so i was surprised they actually upgraded us complimentary. I enjoyed the pool view, also have stayed concierge level there. DH & I enjoys sitting on the balcony and sipping coffee, so the view is very important to us. You cannot see the animals, however, like mentioned above there are several viewing areas. This is a beautiful place to stay. Hope you enjoy yourself.

 

[mariamouse]

I would pay the extra for a pool view room.

We stayed at the AKL in a savannah view room and loved it, but walked around the pool area and thought that rooms with a view of it would be nice also. There are so many viewing locations around the resort that you don't feel removed from the animals at all. The AKL pool is very pretty and I would personally want to spend the $$ to see that rather than a parking lot. But if the budget is tight, definitely don't spring for the savannah view-- it's certainly the nicest, but not THAT much nicer. We were lucky to have a perfectly located room on the Zebra Trail of the Arusha Savannah, but I got a chance to check out the other savannahs and was not overly impressed. Had we not had a view of the savannah we did, I would have preferred the pool view. Plus, there is a possibility that you could get upgraded from pool view to savannah view anyway. Have fun!

And definitely don't forget to eat a dinner at Boma! It was truthfully one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The soups and desserts are to die for!

mariamouse

 

[plutospup]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts & suggestions! We're arriving the day after Thanksgiving so I'm not holding out too much hope for an upgrade, but of course you never know.

Scoutsmom99...the photo of the pool area is great! I showed it to DD7, and she said, "WOW, Daddy can we stay there next time"? Little does she know...YES!

MariaMouse...We'll try to schedule a Boma dinner. I'm sure it will be different! BTW...I love your signature (Spanish 'Please Stand Clear of the Doors'). It's about the only Spanish I know. One day, though, the fire alarm at work went off. A Spanish speaking family was standing in the doorway as the doors automatically closed. My coworkers turned to me and said "use your Disney Spanish!!! I did, and the family looked at me and then moved!

 

[jiminy14]

We just recently returned from the AKL and I had booked a pool view room since the Savannah view was a little more than I wanted to pay. When I checked in, I asked the CM if he could give us a nice room with a balcony. He then told me that we were in a very nice room with a Savannah view. We were upgraded and didn't even have to ask!
I have stayed in a standard view room only once at the AKL and will never do it again. We were right over the entrance and could hear cars coming and going all night long. We actually overlooked the area where there is temporary parking. The standard rooms on the lower level near the bus stop are even worse. The balcony area is walled in and there is no view whatsoever. On our walks back from the bus stops we would see peoples' towels and bathing suits thrown over the top of the wall. My DH would remark that he was glad we paid the extra money so that we weren't "stuck" in one of those rooms.

 

[Disney Ella]

We could see animals from a pool view room. Not close, but we could see them at around 4 p.m. when they were fed. Once we saw what I think were ankole cattle and another time giraffes. I don't remember what trail we were on, but if you are at the pool and look up, our room was on the left wing. We were on the fifth floor too, which probably made it easier to see.

 

[Marseeya]

For those staying in the pool view rooms, were they noisy at all? We spend a lot of time mid-afternoon in our rooms taking naps, so I don't think it would work that well for us to hear a lot of noise!

When we were upgraded to savannah on our last trip, we were way out near the tips of one of the wings. It felt like we had to walk for miles to get back to our room every day, but it was sooooo quiet That more than made up for the long walk.

 

[Cass]

The pool view is a lovely view... it is a gorgeous resort. You can see animals all around the hotel for different vantage points.

I think if I were you - I would book the standard view and cross your fingers you get pool or savanna... if they put you in a standard you can ask to be moved, even if you have to pay a little more.

Good luck!

 

[Disney Ella]

Marseeya, we could hear the pool noise with the sliding door open, but when we closed it, we heard nothing at all. We were on the fifth floor, don't know if that makes a difference in hearing the noise.

 

[susy]

Pool view is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Definitely worth it!!!!!