AKL - Savanna View or Arusha View - Help Me Decide!

[BlondeAppetit]

Could some AKL lovers please help me determine the differences!

Which does you think is better for little kids!?

 

[sndral]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm
If you look at this map of AKL Jambo, Arusha savanna is the middle savanna partially encircled by the hallways named Kudu trail (on the left of the map) and Zebra trail (on the right of the map.) Before it became it's own booking category Arusha was the most often requested savanna.
To the right on the map beyond where the pool is is Uzima savanna, which can be seen from rooms on the hallway called Zebra trail. Uzima is 11 acres (as is Arusha.)
To the left on the map is Sunset savanna (the largest savanna at around 18 acres.) Rooms located on the hallways called Kudu trail and Ostrich trail can see Sunset savanna. On the far side of Sunset savanna is the DVC building - Kidani see this map - http://www.aklresort.com/content/akl-and-kidani-village-map-artist-rendering
All three savannas currently have giraffes and each have at least a pair of zebras (Sunset typically has several zebras) plus an assortment of other animals. Sunset and Uzima savannas also have the people pens (evacuation for people enclosures) see pix here http://www.disboards.com/threads/no-day-but-today-final-post-on-page-40.1286078/page-18
I personally am ok w/ any of the savanna views, and I believe that rooms located directly over the people pens were reclassified to standard view (eg: partial or obstructed savanna view.) If you have a regular room, then you will be no higher than the 4th floor and if you want a panoramic view of your savanna ask for upper floor, if you want more of an eye level animal view ask for lower floor.
Be aware that each savanna is emptied mid day for an hour or so to check the animals in the barns and that the animals move around during the day - so it pays to check on your balcony through out the day and evening to see what's there.

 

[johnsonet]

I doubt the children will mind which savanna, but the adult/s might.
There's a reason the Arusha view is more $$$. It's better. It's more impressive.
I have had rooms with views of all the savannas and every Arusha view has been better than any of the others.
Having said that, I often book pool view there to save $$$. The important thing is that you're staying at AKL

Arusha views:

 

[johnsonet]

Uzima views:
(still some great views of animals)

 

[johnsonet]

This is a picture of Sunset Savanna taken from a viewing area, about 5 years ago. You can see Kidani in background. This looks more impressive than it did before Kidani. Looking at this, I would actually be happy to stay in a room on Sunset Sav (Ostrich Trail).
I have had CMs tell me that Kidani's Pembe savanna is the greatest of all. I haven't yet stayed over there...

This is another photo of Sunset Savanna, taken from the Sunset Lounge (off the lobby, to the left)

I can't find any other pics from my actual 2 stays on Sunset Savanna but I will keep looking. I do remember having a BUNCH of giraffes outside our room one afternoon!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Great! Thanks everyone. I am a little confused. Are Standard rooms with a pool view in the same building (Animal Kingdom Lodge) as the Arusha Views and the Savanna views? Which savannas are is closest to the rooms w/ pool views?

We are trying to keep two groups fairly close together but not in adjoining rooms.

 

[johnsonet]

yes. the rooms in jambo are all under one roof. You could have a pool view room across the hall from a savanna view room. You could also have a pool view room across the hall from a standard view (parking lot) room,

Check out this map http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm
The pool view rooms are going to be on the right side of the resort. You could have a pool view on Giraffe Trail or Zebra Trail. Arusha Savanna view and Uzima Savanna view rooms could be close to Pool views. I know it's confusing if you've never been. I would just set your budget and decide on your room type and then call to book; if you're in two different categories and want to be close, just ask the person and they will (try and) help you! They can make a note of your needs/requests.

 

[johnsonet]

Uzima Savanna is where on the map it says "Welcome Friends of Wildlife"...
Sunset Savanna is where on the map it shows the illustrations of Marabou Stork, Ostrich, etc.

Good luck!

 

[sndral]

Great! Thanks everyone. I am a little confused. Are Standard rooms with a pool view in the same building (Animal Kingdom Lodge) as the Arusha Views and the Savanna views? Which savannas are is closest to the rooms w/ pool views?

We are trying to keep two groups fairly close together but not in adjoining rooms.

I would note each reservation as 'traveling with' the other. In Disney speak 'adjoining rooms' means near each other. Connecting rooms are the term Disney uses for rooms that share an inner door which can be unlocked and opened between rooms so it's probably ok to ask for adjoining rooms because with 2 different room categories the closest you'll be is across the hall from each other (unless they give the pool view room an upgrade to savanna view.)
To be near each other with one pool view room and one savanna view room (Arusha view or regular savanna view) you want both rooms to be on Zebra trail and ideally on the same floor. If you opt not to pay more for Arusha view and go for regular savanna view then the savanna you'd be on would be Uzima which is adjacent to the pool.

 

[Jennifer Brown]

Great! Thanks everyone. I am a little confused.