AKL: Savannah view or Pool view?

[skuttle]

DH and I are hoping to stay at AKL in May (hopefully AP rates will help make this happen! ). We're debating about which view...savannah or pool. The pool area at AKL is so beautiful...think we'd like almost any view in that area. We'd also really like a savannah view to watch the animals...but we're scared we'll get stuck w/ a "people pen" view!

So do we chance it and hope to NOT get the people pen, or do we just go for the "sure thing" with the pool view?

Thanks!

 

[lilboo]

Just thinking about this very thing-had a revelation-

Being a private person and not wanting to have other people overhear my conversations on the balcony-let alone be privy to theirs-
(a recent thread about how intimate it all felt in those Savannah views, clustered as they are in that horseshoe,people knowing the color of your pjs! ohno!)
COLOR=red](well, mostly eyes)[/COLOR]

I'm almost thinking I might PREFER a nice pool view away from the eyes and ears of neighbors-

that's just me...

I think Pool View would be wonderful...[

 

[goofyfordisney]

We had a savannah view on our stay this past November--I really liked being able to see the animals from our room and balcony...but...I didn't like the lack of privacy. You can see/hear your neighbors while you are on the balcony.

If there is a huge difference in price (and price is an issue for you) I would go with a pool view. There are plenty of ways throughout the resort to see the animals.

JMHO!

It's a great resort--spend some time exploring the resort and gift shop!
Have fun!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm more of the kind of person who would rather look at a pool instead of animals. But, I did hear that there is a savanna beyond the pool, so you might be able to see animals in a pool view room (by looking past the pool).

 

[mickey7861]

We just got back from 3 weeks at WDW and spent 2 nights at AKL and it was AMAZING. We had booked a standard view ($275 inc. tax for 2 nights) but at checkin we received a complimentary upgrade to savannah view. We were awe struck. Even my 17 yo DD couldn't tear herself away from the balcony. It was just unbelievable to see the giraffes, bongos, tommies, ostriches, zebras, etc. right outside our door. It really is a great experience. We've already decided that next year in addition to our DVC weeks we'll be staying a full week at AKL. You can stay in a pool view room anywhere, where else can you stay in a savannah view room.

 

[skuttle]

I would love to do savannah view...but I'm so scared that we'll get stuck w/ the people pen savannah. DH and I saw this savannah during our last trip to WDW and it is just awful! I would cry if I paid for savannah view and got the people pen savannah...worse than looking at a parking lot, IMO!

Does AKL normally satisfy room requests?

 

[lilboo]

Wow -WORSE than parking lot view-does anyone know where I can find an AKL people pen image online?

 

[corvair]

I would also like to stay there. I am thinking of pool veiw or savanah too. Where exactly are the people pens located? What are they?? thanks...corvair amy

 

[skuttle]

Lilboo...that's just my opinion. I would rather pay less and look at a parking lot than pay for a savannah view and get that savannah. JMO.

Here are a couple of pictures from Deb's site:

You can see the "pen" in the corners.

Here you can see a closer look at the "pen"

These pictures actually look a lot better than the way it looked when we saw it earlier this month. I'm not really sure what the "pens" are, but I've heard them called "people pens" here on the DIS. The savannah is "Sunset Savannah". We just really didn't like the look of it.

 

[milmore104]

The "people pens" are a place from guests to go incase of a fire. Seeing you can't just run out into the Savannah they designed the pens as a place for people to stay safe from the fire and the animals.

 

[pparring]

Originally posted by milmore104
The "people pens" are a place from guests to go incase of a fire. Seeing you can't just run out into the Savannah they designed the pens as a place for people to stay safe from the fire and the animals.

Wow, that is very intersting. Altough they do look kind of close to the hotel anyway. I'd hate to have to decide whether to jump the wall with the animals or get smashed by falling flaming debris!!

 

[mickey7861]

The pens are not on the same floor as the rooms. Are you afraid you'd get stuck on the side of a pen and your view would be obstructed? The rooms are above the floor of the pens. There aren't guest rooms on the sides of the pens. There was a pen in our savannah area but it in no way obstructed or diminished our view. Our room was on the 3rd floor (same as the lobby). We never saw anyone in the pens and the pen didn't get in the way of our savannah view.

 

[skuttle]

Mickey7861: No, I'm not worried about the pen getting in the way of our view. DH and I saw the savannah when we were at WDW earlier this month. We just really didn't like the look of that savannah at all...the pens took away from the view, IMO.