AKL, risking a bad room?

[Meriwether's Twin]

We're going to AKL for the first time in November. I've seen many different room recommendations on these boards, it's a little confusing. Am I risking getting stuck with a bad room if I DON'T request anything specific? Our reservation is for 7 nights Deluxe Savannah. We like to take advantage of resort amenities so the room is important to us.

 

[safetymom]

No I don't think you will get a "bad" room if there is such a thing at WDW. We let them assign our room and we haven't had a bad room yet.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Even if you are not pleased with the room they give you just ask them to change it. We had 3 rooms booked and they graciously moved all 3 of us to different rooms and even managed to get us right next to each other. They were very nice about it. They even called our room later on to make sure we were pleased with our new rooms. No problems at all.

 

[erikthewise]

You are assuming
(a) Everyone else will make requests -- not true
(b) Everyone who makes a request will get it -- not true.
(c) There are "bad" savannah view rooms -- not really.
(d) If you don't make a request they will intentionally give you a "bad" room to save the good ones for others -- not true.

You'll be fine!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi ~ Requests are not guaranteed ~ you can easily recieve the exact opposite of what you request anyway

I think you would only have to be concerned with the location of a standard room ~ you should be fine with a deluxe savanna view.

If you are going to make a request ~ I suggest requesting the arusha savanna view on the Kudu trail. (Personally I like this savanna better than the sunset savanna)

Other requests may be a centrally located room ~ the trails are really long and it can be a long walk to the ends of them.

You might want to request your bedding type as well (ie) 2 queens, or a queen and bunks or a King. (There are very few King bedded rooms)

Have a wonderful time at AKL ~ I have some photos of it on my website link below. Remember if you are not happy with your room or view you can ask nicely to be switched to another room.

>>^..^<<

 

[Meriwether's Twin]

I am so relieved, thanks all for your replies. We have just gotten back from a non-Disney vacation with a couple of marginal rooms and I guess I've forgotten how wonderful most of the WDW resorts are. Actually when you consider how many rooms they have on site it's pretty amazing that they are able to maintain most in such sparkling condition!

Anyway, I think I may go ahead and request a centrally located room, since DH sometimes has trouble walking. How long are the trails?

This was not a planned trip, got in right at the end of FTP, price to good to pass up and now I CAN'T WAIT until we get there in November!!!!

 

[>>^..^<<]

The trails are L-O-N-G... as in pack a snack to have half way through when you sit down for a minute.

I would say about 7 - 10 minutes to walk from the lobby entrance to the end of a trail - it may not sound like much, but it's a pain if you just want to run back from something, or change, or anything - back and forth back and forth - it's a long way. If you are at the pool and need to go get your sunglasses at the end of one of the trails you could be gone 20 minutes+++ !

Having said that - it is sort of neat as you can see the viewing windows that overlook different areas of the savannas along the way - but give me a centrally located room anyday!

Have fun at AKL

>>^..^<<

 

[kda]

If you're planning to use the pool a lot, you might request Arusha Savannah, close to pool and lobby. The pool is also by Mara's and the other restaurants.

We don't mind walking, but it was a little chilly walking almost to the end of Kudu trail in a damp suit. (Other than that, we loved being near the end of Kudu Trail, and the walk to the pool ---- it seemed only 5 minutes to me --- was just a minor inconvenience. No big deal)

 

[NALA 24]

We just returned from the AKL and loved it. We booked a Standard Room and at check-in we were upgraded to a fantastic Savannah View. The desk clerk asked if we minded having a "walk." Our room was the very last room on the trail. We always had a view of many animals from our balcony. However, one bellhop told us our room was 4 football fields from the lobby, another told us it was 1/4 mile to the front entrance. I loved the view and the walk was not a problem for us, but it is something to consider. I would definitely want to stay in that room again!

 

[georgina]

We were not all that happy with the sunset savannah either, and requested a move to the Arusha savannah.

The deluxe rooms are on the upper floors, and the views can sometimes be partially blocked by trees. We sometimes got better views by walking down the halls and looking out the viewing windows.

 

[georgina]

Originally posted by NALA 24
We just returned from the AKL and loved it. We booked a Standard Room and at check-in we were upgraded to a fantastic Savannah View.

Wow! That's great! Did you do or say anything to them on check-in to get the upgrade? Or did they just spring it on you?

 

[Meriwether's Twin]

What is the difference between the savannahs? Is it better or more animals, or something else?

 

[NALA 24]

I asked if any upgrades were available. The clerk told me she was already working on it. In the future, I would definitely let them know that I do not mind a long walk to the room if the view is good. (P.S. It also helps to speak a little Swahili.)

 

[Shells9]

We were just on 5th floor Kudu trail with a sunset savannah view. Having been our first time at AKL we had nothing to compare it to, but it was awesome! Every morning we woke up to 3 - 4 giraffe eating or sitting under the trees, along with kudu and bongo (I think!) strolling around, with ostrichs here and there. We were also treated to a few zebras on the other side of the fence now and then. (We were near the very end of Kudu trail).

We loved it. Everyone that has seen the pics of the animals said they look like postcards. DH had no idea of what to expect, and he was very impressed that it was so quiet on the balcony, he could hear the giraffe crunching the leaves and licking the feeders.

I agree, though, it was a long walk! Especially if you were tired!

Enjoy your trip!