Akl-question

[FrankPooh]

Hi there,

we are planning our first trip to WDW and are thinking of book AKL.
But there are still a few questions. Hope you can help me

1. Does it has the same standart as the other deluxe-resorts? I saw
some pics, and some disn´t look like high standart....

2. Is it worth booking a savannah-view????

3. We would love to do "sunrise savari". I know, it´s only possible to
do the tour, when you are staying at concierge. So - my question:
We don´t have the money to stay concierge to whole time... so it is possible to book for example one night and do the savari???????

Thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx a lot

 

[Pooh1219]

I'm a big fan of AKL, so I might be a bit prejudiced! Although AKL is considered deluxe, I don't think it is quite as deluxe as GF or maybe YC or BC. However, I think it's every bit as nice, maybe even nicer, than Poly or Contemporary. I've stayed there several times, never had a savannah view, but it wasn't that important to me. We've always gotten pool view, and that suits us. There are many areas around the resort to view the animals so that's what worked for us. I know there are many people who feel that if they can't stay savannah, they would rather not stay at all. I guess it depends what is important for you and your family.

Although I would love to do the sunrise safari, the cost of staying concierge just doesn't justify it for me. I just feel that the price of concierge is way too high just so I can have access to snacks throughout the day and have someone make ADR's for me. I can do all of that for myself much cheaper. I think the sunrise safari only is operated on certain days, so you would have to check into the availability for you if you decided to stay just one or two nights concierge. Others on this board are probably a lot more knowledgable than I am about this. Whatever you decide, I hope you love AKL as much as we do.

 

[Plannergirl]

HI! Yes you can split your stay from standard room to con so you can do the safari tours. But as the poster before I would not pay just to do the sunrise safari. If your budget can swing it do the sunset safari (US$300 for 2 adults) its pricey but VERY VERY worth it.

We found the hotel to be even better than we expected from Disney. You had the feeling you were away from everything including the USA! SO very quiet and so comfy. The firepit, the stories, and the FOOD oh my god is it good.

You walk in the front door and the smell is out of this world yummy

But Im so in love with AKL I dont want to stay anywhere else again

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I may be wrong, but I think you have to book 2nights of concierge now in order to do the Sunrise Safari.

I think that savannah view is worth it. If you book standard view, you can still go out to the viewing areas to see the animals, but there's just something special about being able to lay in bed and see them out the window!

 

[Stitches]

1) The standard rooms at the AKL and WL are smaller than
the other deluxe resorts. Of course the price at these resorts is less too. If you want a larger room you can book a deluxe room for about the same price as the more expensive deluxe resorts. As for decor and amenities, I think AKL is the best.

2) I booked a savannah view for my first visit to AKL and loved it! I made a second trip and chose a pool view to save money. The pool view was very nice, and I expect to alternate in the future. I'd say the savannah view is definitely worth it for your first trip.

3) It is possible to book concierge for just one night to get the safari. I asked about this on my last trip and plan to do this in the future. It is also an option to stay in the same room but pay the concierge rate and get the concierge lounge access and safari for just the one day. At least this is what I was told by the front desk CM at AKL.

Happy planning!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

AKL is by far the favorite WDW resort of my family -- and we've stayed pretty much everywhere except the Ft. Wilderness Cabins. The theming is superb!!

As far as room view, I would not book anything less than a poolview and definitely would prefer a savanna view. We spent the first night of our May trip in a standardview (unable to book anything else for that night) and HATED it. Fortunately, we had a wonderful savanna view for the remainder of our 8 days at AKL.

 

[escape]

I stayed at the AKL in September for the first time. I absolutely loved this place! The animals, the atmosphere, the food....just incredible! I will definitely stay there again!

For my trip, I paid for a savannah view ... not depending on a possible upgrade with another view. However, I must say that not all savanah views are equally appealing. The first room I was given faced one of those "human" pits...a fenced in place to go in case of fire or other emergencies in the hotel. The first day, I did see some birds and I guess one of the elands....if I leaned over my balcony and turned my head a sharp left due to a big pole blocking my view. Now, September is a slow month so I assumed they would have more rooms available to choose from so I requested a room change and got one. I was telling the bell captain about my room change before going to the new room and he told that the new view wasn't any better and that I should go back to the front desk and ask for certain room numbers. So, I did as he said and got one of the rooms he mentioned. When my DH and I checked out the room, it had what I would consider a 'crappy' view. We were located on a corner but all we could see was the back fence of our savannah and a fence to the side of us looking into another savannah. I somehow felt cheated after paying so much money (I know, woe is me. , ) but I wasn't going to let it ruin my vacation.

Well, the savannah view we had wasn't the greatest as far as property goes but we saw a ton of animals up close. Apparently the location we were at is where a lot of the animals were fed. So, we saw giraffes, zebras, elands, exotic birds and other animals every morning and in the evenings between 5 and 7pm. It was great! I think if I would have stayed in the first room we were given, I would have been very disappointed for spending that kind of money with that particular view.

I guess my point of this message is that paying for a savannah view doesn't necessarily get you a good view and Disney never guarantees that you will even see any animals during your stay...from your room, that is. With that being said, I will probably pay for a pool view next time and just view the animals from one of the many viewing areas in the hotel...unless I can get a specific savannah view.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

So come on and share with us, what was the room number and location that had all of those animals going by?

 

[sgorman58]

I agree with what everyone else is saying. AKL is my favorite. And I wouldn't do anything but the savannah view. There is nothing neater than sitting on your balcony watching the animals on the savannah. We had 3 big ox sitting outside our balcony every night. Also, I really like having interior corridors. AKL is a "hotel" rather than a "motel" type. You don't have to worry about the weather to get to the restaurants or lobby. There are 2 fireplaces (one inside and one outside) and was really nice to sit by in the colder months. The restaurants, both Boma and Jiko were very good. The theming of the place is exquisite and interesting. It also has a good workout facility and offers some massages (cost less than Grand Floridian or Saratoga Springs). We keep trying to get back to AKL, but everytime I call, it's already booked. It is also a very quiet lodge since it's far away from everything in Disney except Animal Kingdom which closes at 5pm, so you don't get any noise or lights at the AKL.

 

[escape]

So come on and share with us, what was the room number and location that had all of those animals going by?

We had room 4391. It's a corner room at the end of two savannahs and not a pretty view at all but at certain times of the day... during feeding times ... we did see a lot of animals. If you don't like long walks, you won't like this room. It's completely at the end of a long hallway. The bell captain said that 4396, 4296, 4496 are the rooms to get. They are also on the corner but the view is much better and there are a ton of animals that go by that room and apparently stay around that area.

 

[FrankPooh]

Thanxxx a lot!
Is it right, that you can do the sunrise safari, if you pay a bit more, althought
you are NOT staying concierge?

 

[Ruth B]

Hi
We stayed AKL savanna view ,last oct and have just booked a pool view for next aug.
the sunrise safari runs on a sun and thursday morning. 7:30am start. I think it cost an additional $50 each(adult) to do it. best wishes, Ruth

 

[disneyholic family]

first of all, let me say that i am not a fan of the theming at the AKL (we live near africa and have been on real safaris, so the last thing i need at WDW is african theming)...
however, having said the above, i can honestly say that the AKL is a magnificent hotel....the theming is outstanding.....(though as i said, not the theming i personally like....but for anyone looking for african theming, it's superb)...

another nice thing about the AKL is everything being in one building....i like not having to switch buildings to go to my room...

the service is excellent, as are the CMs.....and there is also an interesting selection of restaurants (as well as a food court)....

we've stayed in both concierge and regular and they're both nice...
it's true the rooms are smaller than at other deluxe WDW resorts, but that didn't bother me.....if you have kids, it's nice getting the room that has a queen and a bunkbed...

we stayed in concierge at AKL one year just to do the sunrise safari (and then we moved to a different hotel - to the GF concierge)...
the AKL concierge lounge is very nice...one of the nicest of the concierge lounges...

as for savanah view....this is what made our stay...we tend to spend a lot of time in the room (my husband has to be online every day for a few hours)....so while he worked, the kids and i sat on the balcony watching the animals...it was very relaxing.....