AKL Savannah View Question

[Anjelica]

OK...we just upgraded to savannah view and I was wondering for those that have done this - is it worth it? I know there are several different views, etc. but I know my daughter would love the zebra's and giraffe's - with any savannah view will we get to see these? Or will we only get to see some "birds" (not that birds are bad -but DD loves the bigger creatures).

Also - is there a Savannah View room that has the above views of zebra's/giraffe's but are also close to the main lodge/pool/restaurants?

Thanks in advance.

 

[johnsonet]

Anjelica You will LOVE AKL!!

Here is what I would do:
Request
#1 Arusha Savanna
#2 Zebra Trail

Arusha Savanna is the "Main" savanna and the only one with zebras. All three savannas have giraffe. I see the most giraffes on the Sunset savanna but you will see plenty on the Arusha.

Zebra Trail is the same side of the resort as the restaurants, pool, arcade...

Just call Central Reservations (if you have a room-only reservation) and add these requests. Good luck!

 

[John's Mom]

Anjelica,

I agree with everything Johnsonet said.

 

[MouseDogMom]

We were on the Uzima Savannah - at the far end (a LONG walk from the lobby) but definitely away from any noise and activity from the pool and restaurants. We had several giraffes, LOTS of animals (but no zebras) and a few birds. But we were able to see zebras from so many other places in the hallways, lobby, and overlooks, that we never really missed the zebras on our savannah. I'm not sure I'd recommend our location, but if you like being away from the main traffic, it was a great location!

You will love it!

 

[Nik's Mom]

We loved the savanah view. We had Uzima trail with giraffe, ankole cattle, etc. Giraffe are in each savanah. The Zebra are in the Arusha savanah. They are beautiful!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We just got back from AKL and loved it! We did a 3 way split stay with Beach Club and Saratoga Springs, ending at AKL. I would definitely go there again. I felt like I was in a museum with all the African art around, and seeing the animals up close was so neat. We had a savannah view, but probably not one of the better ones. We were on the tail end of the Zebra trail so our room faced the back fence. We saw a lot of animals, but seeing the fence made it seem less "real" if you know what I mean. Our room, however was quite convenient to restaurants, pool etc . . . But the resort isn't all that big, so I think you'd be OK with pool access etc . . . anywhere you stayed.

As to whether or not the savannah view is worth it, I would say it depends on who is traveling with you. I felt like the view from the special viewing balconies they have was much nicer than the ones from the room -- they had rocking chairs you could sit in and binoculars you could use for free. I also loved walking out on the elevated trail they had and talking to the African guide who was working there. If I was there by myself or with other adults, I'd probably skip the view and just head over to one of those. Ditto if my kids were older. But, since I'm a single parent with a child too young to leave alone in a room (he's six) I really liked having the savannah view. That way I could let him sleep in in the morning while I went out and watched the sunrise, or he could hang out on the balcony while I took a shower.

If I ever went to Disney on an adults only vacation I would stay at AKL without a doubt -- I could have spent hours just walking around looking at the art etc . . . With a child it was still wonderful, and I'd love to go back, but I'd be torn between the wonder of AKL, and the bigger pool/bigger rooms/ and greater convenience or an Epcot or Monorail resort. I'd probably end up doing another split stay.

 

[stacey_leah]

Husband & I are arriving at the end of September for 3 days in a regular view room & 4 days in a savannah view. This is the 2nd trip to Disney (5 years ago we stayed in ASMo) & we've never been to AKL.

When should I make my room requests? Should I make the one for our 1st room before we leave and then the other after we're there already? If they happen to upgrade our first room, should I request a better view for the second room or just stick with the first so we don't have to move?

Can't wait - less than 45 days!

 

[Harambe]

it really sums up AKL for those who've never stayed there.

We arrived late, so we grabbed something at the food court, and got settled in our savannah room. We watched from our balcony, and could see some horns shining in the distance and figured that some cattle may be out there. Anyway, we went to bed.

In the middle of the night I got up to get a drink of water, and went out on the balcony. The whole savannah is moonlit (a la Disney), and strolling right at me was a giraffe. Just strolling out of the shadows, majestic, beautiful! I woke everyone up to see him. My whole family stood on the balcony (yes, in our pj's and I didn't care who saw us! LOL!), not talking, just watching the giraffe.

Joke is - we had a bunch of giraffes outside our balcony all week - so we laugh everytime we think of me waking everyone up, just in case see a giraffe was a rare thing!!

The airport service is picking us up in 2 hours - and by this afternoon, I'll be on the balcony again!

You will love AKL!

 

[stashf]

My family and I were there in May and I had a savannah view, we saw all kinds of animals from our balcony. We requested 4th floor as I had heard that was the best floor for the view, it was pretty good. Apparently the majority of the rooms have a view, but we paid the extra because I wanted to make sure we got one as it was a surprise for dh's bday. There are so many other ways to view the animals, many opportunities so I wouldnt pay for the savannah view again next time, I'd rather spend that money in the parks!!! It's a beautiful peaceful hotel!