AKL--Room type/view questions?

[wilwij104]

We have a couple of questions in reference to the AKL room types.

An upgrade from a standard view to a savannah view is an addition $730.00 for our stay. Is it really worth $730.00 for that view?

An upgrade from a standard view to a water view is approx. $230.00. I feel that this is worth the extra $. Can you actually any animals from a water view room?

These are rates off the WD website. We have AAA, so the above prices may be a touch cheaper if we book through AAA.

Anyone who has stayed at the AKL, please chime in. Any info or experiences will be appreciated.

Ron

 

[BostonRob]

I'll just say this. From what I've read, only 10 percent of the rooms at the AKL don't view a Savannah. If the money is a concern, I'd say book the standard room and hope for an upgrade. I've got to think that the low rate for standard rooms has got to be appealing for somebody who wants to stay in a Deluxe, but doesn't want to pay $300-$400 per night, so I'd think the standard rooms would book up pretty quickly, increasing your chances for an upgrade.

I'd never suggest somebody who really wants a view should book a standard and hope for an upgrade. But for somebody's who's prepared for a standard and is unsure about spending the extra money, you've got nothing to lose by booking a standard and a lot to gain, right?

 

[cdrn1]

We have stayed at AKL in pool and Savannah view. Though I know that others have very strong opinions to the contrary, I know that for us an extra $730 would not be worth the money. While we did enjoy the animals when we were sitting on our balcony, we enjoyed the view of the beautiful pool just as much (or more). And we could see animals in the distance from our pool view room one year (third floor above the spa). Be aware, though, that there are some pool view rooms that do NOT offer a view of the pool; our last trip we booked pool view and were on the first floor next to Mara. We could not see a thing; our balconies were practically entombed by bushes.

 

[wilwij104]

BostonRob,

You are right.

My wife has no issue spending the money for a Savannah view. I may have an issue with the extra $700.00 if a standard or pool room is two steps away from a "public" Savannah viewing area. Does that make sense?

Ron

 

[DisneyWisher]

Are the standard rooms closer to the lobby? If they are I wouldn't want to be upgraded. I heard some of the Savannah rooms can be quite a hike to Mara's and the pool. Does anyone know??

 

[Ilovestitch]

I kinda feel like if you are going to spend the $$ to stay at the AKL, you might as well pay the extra and get savannah view.

BUT- I most likely would NOT pay rack rate for savannah view. We are staying there in May at AP rate.

For the price you pay rack rate AKL savannah, I would rather stay at the Polynesian garden view and have the much bigger rooms and convenience of the monorail.

 

[golfgal]

Are you sure about your numbers? How long are you staying and when are you going? I am wondering if you priced a Deluxe Savannah View vs a regular Savannah view? A Deluxe room can accomodate 5 and is about $150/night more then the regular Savannah view that accomodates 4. I am pretty sure the view of the Deluxe isn't any better then a regular savannah view.

At AKL you can get a regular view (parking lot most likely), a pool view, a savannah view. With the pool view and the savannah view you can get a regular room for up to 4 people or a deluxe room for 5 people.

It sounds like many people get free upgrades from a regular view to pool or savannah view. It might be worth booking a regular view in hopes of an upgrade as long as it won't ruin your trip if you don't get the upgrade.

 

[wilwij104]

golfgal,

I double checked my numbers, it is a Savannah view, not a deluxe Savannah view.

Staying for 8 nights.

My wife is now talking about concierge! Maybe I better stop asking for advice from you guys!

Ron

 

[rgf207]

If the savannah view is that important to you, than book it. If you could live without it, than book a standard. You will save money you can use for other things like dining and maybe some specail tours. I booked a standard view and got upgraded on check in to a savannah view for free. You can take your chances but if you absolutely want a savannah view room than book it so you are guaranteed one.

 

[jl3614]

We were at AKL last week and were upgraded from a standard to a savanna view for free.

Unless you have your heart absolutely set on a savanna view, I'd take my chances. You may get a free upgrade, if not, unless they are absolutely at capacity you can decide at checkin time if you want to spend extra money for a pool or savanna room.

 

[kimmar067]

golfgal,

I double checked my numbers, it is a Savannah view, not a deluxe Savannah view.

Staying for 8 nights.

My wife is now talking about concierge! Maybe I better stop asking for advice from you guys!

Ron

..."DO" concierge for at least a portion of your vaca---it's WELL worth it!! (JMHO!)

 

[HopperFan]

Trip 1 - booked standard view and was upgraded to savanna view which was great !

Trip 2 - couldn't swing savanna and so decided to try pool view ($50 more per night than standard) and thought is was a waste of money. We were 4th floor overlooked roofs of restaurants and a sliver of pool view through the trees.

I don't think savanna view is worth an extra $700. There are so many public viewing areas, porches with chairs etc to see the animals, I don't need to spend that much to have it right off my room. Also it does seem like lots of folks get bumped up from standard (but I think if you book pool chances are you are getting pool). I do think the number of pool view rooms that can see some animals are very few and they are not right on top of the animals. Also you may want to check, I have read on here some people saying that concierge will not guarantee you a savanna view room.......that much money and no animals...

 

[BostonRob]

The more posts I read about this, the more I'm convinced that there's no right answer to this question. I see plenty of people saying that a Savannah view is totally worth the money and plenty of other people saying it is not worth the money. OK, there are some people who love the animals and would have it no other way. But I think for most people, it probably depends on what the money is worth to you. If the difference is $700 - well to a lot of people, myself included, $700 is a big chunk of change. That's like a mortgage payment (alright, a small mortgage payment). But there's plenty of people out there that earn $700 per day. Those people might be able to look at the situation differently.

So, as much of a lame answer as this is, I guess everybody needs to decide for themselves.

 

[rachael95]

BostonRob is right. It depends on what the money is worth to you. AKL is my favorite hotel at Disney. I would stay there in Savannah room in a heart beat. I really think it's great. BUT, i would not ever in a million years pay rack rate for AKL (or any other Disney hotel) no matter what the view was.

You might want to check through Dreams Unlimited, see what kind of deal they can get you. Maybe even ask them to look for AP rates. One of you can always buy an AP and see if you can get a good discount that way. Check and see what your AAA discount would be too.

 

[F1Julie]

I stayed AKL standard view in August. Unless I made a lot more money than I do, I wouldn't pay extra for a pool view or a savanna view. I just don't spend enough time sitting on my balcony to justify the expense. If you book standard, you may be upgraded, but you may not. Our standard view room was quite nice. It did face a parking lot, but there was a lot of foliage between the room and the lot. It was very quiet. There was a public viewing area just a few feet down the hallway.

 

[CBCit]

Part of my decision to do a standard room had to do with how much time,"in reality" we are really going to spend on the balcony. After the initial,"ooo,ahh"of seeing the animals I realize we will be rushing off to the parks,to the pool,to where ever. We never spend much time in our room at any hotel. A friend of mine pointed out that they could picture me gushing over the zebra just until I realized I was missing good tanning time and then rushing off to my lounge chair and cocktail! Our only child on this trip is my 14 year old son who will also not sit to long before heading off to eat,arcade,swim,etc.So we did the standard room and will admire the animals from all the viewing areas around the hotel and use the $ saved for more souvenirs,arcade $, or whatever. It will be a pleasure to stay in any room at this gorgeous hotel.

 

[wilwij104]

Thanks so much everyone.

We are not wealthy by any means, but $700.00 will not put a strain on us either. I just have trouble justifying $700.00 for a view of the animals. If I have to walk a few steps to a public viewing area from a standard room, then a $700.00 upgrade to view the animals just does not make sense to me.

I think I will continue to scour the boards for discounts, check AAA for rates, and I would consider an AP for a reduced rate (enough to cover the added expense of the AP as well).

Animal Kingdom Lodge does look beautiful though (from the pictures on various websites). I think we are set on AKL, but we are still flipping between room views. Whatever we chose, it is a win/win--we will be in Walt Disney World!

I may even buy the APs for my wife and I and tie two trips together in a years time. This seems like the smart way to do it!

Ron

 

[#1hockeymom]

Four trips to AKL:
1. regular savannah view. I took my mom for her first ever Disney trip and let her pick the resort. She loved it... and I fell in love with the place!
2.mixed trip of half savannah view half concierge with my son. WOW! Had to go do it again! Loved the sunrise safari
3. concierge with deluxe savannah and 2nd sunrise safari with DH and DS this time.
4. concierge two bedroom suite with DS/DD/DD's friend

Yes, there are viewing areas everywhere, but with your 14 year old running off to the arcade/swimming/checking out the resort, think of all that great time you can have lounging on your balcony watching the animals roam about? We always had a horrible time leaving the room on time as we wanted to spend just a few more minutes, turning into hours some days, watching the animals.

Good luck! Happy planning!
Debbie

 

[kimmar067]

Four trips to AKL:
1. regular savannah view. I took my mom for her first ever Disney trip and let her pick the resort. She loved it... and I fell in love with the place!
2.mixed trip of half savannah view half concierge with my son. WOW! Had to go do it again! Loved the sunrise safari
3. concierge with deluxe savannah and 2nd sunrise safari with DH and DS this time.
4. concierge two bedroom suite with DS/DD/DD's friend

Yes, there are viewing areas everywhere, but with your 14 year old running off to the arcade/swimming/checking out the resort, think of all that great time you can have lounging on your balcony watching the animals roam about? We always had a horrible time leaving the room on time as we wanted to spend just a few more minutes, turning into hours some days, watching the animals.

Good luck! Happy planning!
Debbie

....SHE said! I, too, thought the 'novelty' would wear off after a day or two, but NO WAY!! Even my DH couldn't wait to step out onto the balcony to catch another glimpse of a giraffe or zebra!