AKL prices...OUCH!

[Schachteles]

OK, we almost always stay at our Hilton timeshare off property. But this time (in October) I thought that we might just take one night and go stay over at AKL to enjoy the scenery. It is like $460 a night. Is that how much it always is? Will there be any ways to get a deal?

Thanks for your input!!

 

[tallen429]

OK, we almost always stay at our Hilton timeshare off property. But this time (in October) I thought that we might just take one night and go stay over at AKL to enjoy the scenery. It is like $460 a night. Is that how much it always is? Will there be any ways to get a deal?

Thanks for your input!!

For what kind of room?? If you are travelling during non-peak times the cost of a standard is around $270 even if there are no applicable discounts.
Keep an eye out for room discounts. You might get as much as 30% and then it will be about $200 per night.

 

[Schachteles]

For what kind of room?? If you are travelling during non-peak times the cost of a standard is around $270 even if there are no applicable discounts.
Keep an eye out for room discounts. You might get as much as 30% and then it will be about $200 per night.

We are looking for October, looking at the Savannah view room. They are releasing the free dining now...so is there any hope of a 30% off? How do you get one of those? Thanks for the input.

 

[tallen429]

You may have a harder time getting a room only discount for Savannah View, but it's not impossible. The summer general public code was 30% off a standard room at AKL. Since I have an AP I tend to watch for those rates more than general codes.
Here is a little secret...if you don't mind taking a chance, you don't need to book SV. There is a whole block of very lovely standard rooms on the second and third floor that are considered "standard" but actually have a SV. They don't sell them as SV because there are some mechanicals etc blocking some of the view. The rooms are in a GREAT location just off the lobby. You have to be aware when you request certain rooms that you may not get one, but if you are ok with that it is a great savings.
They are the even numbered rooms between 2210 and about 2222 and 3210-3222.
In January we were in 2220 and it was PERFECT.

 

[Schachteles]

You may have a harder time getting a room only discount for Savannah View, but it's not impossible. The summer general public code was 30% off a standard room at AKL. Since I have an AP I tend to watch for those rates more than general codes.
Here is a little secret...if you don't mind taking a chance, you don't need to book SV. There is a whole block of very lovely standard rooms on the second and third floor that are considered "standard" but actually have a SV. They don't sell them as SV because there are some mechanicals etc blocking some of the view. The rooms are in a GREAT location just off the lobby. You have to be aware when you request certain rooms that you may not get one, but if you are ok with that it is a great savings.
They are the even numbered rooms between 2210 and about 2222 and 3210-3222.
In January we were in 2220 and it was PERFECT.

That is good to know about the room numbers, I just had to take the chance, since the plan would be we would spend the entire check in period there enjoying the room and lodge. Might just have to bite the bullet, just would love to be closer to $300.

 

[chalee94]

if you feel comfortable renting a stay on the timeshare side from a DVC owner, a savanna view studio at AKV costs 16 pts for a weeknight or 18 pts for a weekend night in october.

all studios at jambo house (AKL) are on the 5th floor - and there are fewer studios here than at kidani village, so you might need to book earlier if AKL (boma/jiko) is where you want to be. kidani village is all DVC villas.

you would be limited in some respects - dealing with an individual and not disney, cancellations limited or not allowed, paying earlier than with disney, limited housekeeping - but even if you use david's service, that would still be $234 per weekend night, tax included.

 

[Schachteles]

if you feel comfortable renting a stay on the timeshare side from a DVC owner, a savanna view studio at AKV costs 16 pts for a weeknight or 18 pts for a weekend night in october.

all studios at jambo house (AKL) are on the 5th floor - and there are fewer studios here than at kidani village, so you might need to book earlier if AKL (boma/jiko) is where you want to be. kidani village is all DVC villas.

you would be limited in some respects - dealing with an individual and not disney, cancellations limited or not allowed, paying earlier than with disney, limited housekeeping - but even if you use david's service, that would still be $234 per weekend night, tax included.

Are all of the DVC's savannah views?? And can you book just one night? I know with Hilton we have a three night minimum.

THANKS for the tip!

 

[Missytara]

Are all of the DVC's savannah views?? And can you book just one night? I know with Hilton we have a three night minimum.

THANKS for the tip!

Some discounts require a minimum night stay, but not all.

 

[Schachteles]

I just looked at the point rental site that was posted, unfortunately, it requires a 44 point minimum. So that won't work.

 

[vettegirl]

That is a lot of money for a night. Last November we paid $180 a night and had animals right outside our balcony. I did book a standard view, and was given an upgrade.

 

[Schachteles]

That is a lot of money for a night. Last November we paid $180 a night and had animals right outside our balcony. I did book a standard view, and was given an upgrade.

That is a LOT of money as far as I am concerned. I just don't want to risk not getting the upgrade. I am investigating into renting DVC points.

 

[Karabee]

This might not be a solution for you but I would book a standard room and then take advantage of the many, many viewing areas around the grounds to see the animals. There are also people there to talk about the animals with you. It's such a lovely resort so you won't want to stay in your room for too long!

 

[Schachteles]

This might not be a solution for you but I would book a standard room and then take advantage of the many, many viewing areas around the grounds to see the animals. There are also people there to talk about the animals with you. It's such a lovely resort so you won't want to stay in your room for too long!

Yeah the plan is to really just hunker down at the lodge and spend the time at the pool and checking it out.

 

[cwt580]

We are looking for October, looking at the Savannah view room. They are releasing the free dining now...so is there any hope of a 30% off? How do you get one of those? Thanks for the input.

U wont get free dining and discount both
1 or the other. Most fd will probably be std rooms at this point

 

[Schachteles]

U wont get free dining and discount both
1 or the other. Most fd will probably be std rooms at this point

I don't want both, have no interest in the dining. I just thought that Disney usually did one or the other.

 

[Samar]

Now that the baby is 3, the price soared on us. We'd have to stay at Kidani in a studio and while I'm not opposed, my husband will not plunk down the money for it. In 2010, we got like 40% off the room and got upgraded to a preferred room with bunk beds!

 

[scdufek]

We rented DVC points for one night Savannah view from someone on the DVC boards a few years ago and went very smoothly. I think it was around $140.00. We were in the main lodge and it was very beautiful!

 

[chalee94]

Are all of the DVC's savannah views?? And can you book just one night?

link to AKV point chart for 2012

there are both standard view (pool/parking lot) and savanna view options (the value and concierge villas are tougher to get unless you plan 11 months in advance.)

if you find an owner willing to rent a reservation that only requires 16-18 pts, it is possible to book DVC for 1 night. but now that i think about it, while it is possible to rent a 1 night stay on pts, but it is true that finding an owner willing to deal with only a small reservation might take time...

 

[Sue M]

The current 30% discount ends Sept 30. It is 30% for standard rooms (not views). Watch for the next round of discounts for your date.
I booked on a 35% discount offer for Aug, and for a pool view it was $178/night week day or $191 weekend.

It's an amazing resort.

 

[kddisney502]

Is a savanah view really important to you? They have great public viewing areas at the hotel where you can be much closer to the animals. There are also smaller and quieter public areas where you can sit in a rocking chair and watch the animals. (we were often the only ones there) We got a savanah view during our last stay and we felt that it wasn't worth the upcharge. The hotel even moved us to a room with a "better" savanah view and we still didn't think it was worth it. I guess the only plus of a savanah room is that is would be quieter than being by the pool. you can save a bundle by getting a standard view.