AKL Savannah view worth paying almost double over pool view?

[Masonmj84]

I'm an AP holder and priced out various different resort stays with the current AP room discount offer.

When I priced out rooms at AKL with the discount, Savaanah view rooms were nearly double the price of pool view rooms (with tax, about $480 a night for a Savannah view room and around $280 a night for a pool view room).

Basically, it looks as if the Savannah view rooms aren't discounted much at all whereas the pool view rooms have a decent discount applied to an already lower price (by way of further comparison, with the discount, even Poly garden view rooms were more than $100 a night less than AKL Savannah view rooms).

If staying at AKL, would you pay $480 a night for a Savannah view room when you could get a pool view room for $280? Is having a view from your balcony of the animals really worth $200 a night?

 

[NicoleLarson]

I would say, no way. There are tons of viewing areas within the resort to look at the animals I just don't see how on earth it would be worth an extra $200/night to see them from your balcony. There are even communial balconies/porches that have really nice rockers on them, that are hardly ever used. Did you happen to price out the club level rooms? They are all savannah view but are usually included and I have heard several times people saying that they can get them for cheaper than a regular savannah view...just a thought.

 

[Cindie-rella]

We stayed there twice, both times Savannah view. I don't remember it being that much of a difference but I had an AP at that time and our discount was a certain percentage off right across the board. It was like 40% (?) I believe at that time I think we paid about $265/nite. To answer your question is it worth it? IMO "Yes". Absolutely. That, for me, is an important part of our staying there. Many will disagree w/me, but I'm just telling you that if I couldn't stay SV I'd probably choose somewhere else to stay. We used our balcony all the time. Did room service breakfast most days on our balcony watching the animals. We are big time animal lovers and just really took time to enjoy this resort in every way possible. We spent quite a few resort only days while here as well. So I guess it will depend on your family's plans. This resort is a fairly long way from MK and kind of everywhere except AK park...so you might want to factor that in too if you have small children. One of our stays there we had our DGD 3 at that time, and we did alot of afternoon down time. For me and DH it was nice sitting watching the animals while she napped, gave us some great down time as well. Wish your discount for SV could be better...I'd just save the extra money somewhere else and give myself the SV treat...

 

[pixarmom]

It really depends. You'll need to take this for what it's worth because I'm not an animal fan at all, but I really enjoy AKL for so many other reasons. (My favorite resorts are BC, BWI and Poly . . . so you see where I'm going with this!) I love everything beach/water/pool, so I would prefer a pool view room regardless of cost. And for half the cost? Definitely! Our family was really happy taking a walk around, looking at the animals, and then getting back to the pool or sitting out on our balcony overlooking the pool. I think the AKL pool view is one of the best deals around!

 

[gwynne]

I was kind of surprised last trip when I booked a pool view room, and really all I could see was trees. The pool was nearly totally obscured by branches and leaves.
I don't know why they advertise rooms like that as pool view. Having said that, I'm sure they have some rooms that get a real view of the pool. I guess you take your chances.
Otherwise, it's a fabulous resort. If you decide to not book savanna view, as others have said, there are lots of viewing areas all around the resort.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've had both views and while the savanna view was great, we loved the pool view just as much and wouldn't hesitate to book it again. As the pp said, there are plenty of viewing areas around the resort to watch the animals. If it were me, I'd save the money and go with the pool view.

 

[cleophus12]

At double the price, I don't know. We loved our savanah view. Best view from a Disney hotel ever! However, if it was double the pool view, I'd have to think about it. As I recall there is an area near the pool that the animals come very close to, but may not be able to see that area from the rooms. How much will you be in your room. Because we had a savanah view, we spent more time than we might have otherwise. We ate breakfast on the balcony every morning as the animals were settling in for the day and it was great!

 

[AshleeH]

We loved our savannah view and I would recommend to any AKL fan at some point, but in general, there are a ton of viewing areas. It also depends how much time you spend in your rooms - we enjoyed early mornings out on the balcony (and late nights, even though most of the animals were asleep by then), so it was worth it for us.

 

[Donnainnj]

I slept better without the savannah view. With the Savannah view I kept waking up at night to look at the animals. On a Disney trip I find sleep important so I would choose the pool view. The last time we stayed in a standard 1br in Kidani, and loved it.
Donna

 

[MissionMouse]

...If staying at AKL, would you pay $480 a night for a Savannah view room when you could get a pool view room for $280? Is having a view from your balcony of the animals really worth $200 a night?

You are asking and you would be the one paying the extra $200/night if you select savanna view. My thought is that you are asking because you don't think so, but want to ask in case you are overlooking something. It sounds like the discounts savanna rooms are gone. Worth is defined by your wallet, desire to see animals from your room and what would be the impact of the higher rate room on your over all plans. Personally, we book early to get max discounts noting your nightly rate is more than we paid for club with savanna view/bunkbeds

 

[MushyMushy]

No! Not worth paying that much difference! We've done both pool view and savannah view numerous times. Although it's lovely to wake up to the animals, it would be far lovelier having that extra cash to spend on souvenirs!

ETA, just look at that pool in my sig! Is it not pretty?

 

[pepe of ohio]

No way no how.... Nothing is worth that much!

How much time are you actually going to lounge on the balcony in a day....

We most always have balconies at other resorts we stay at ( not AKL, hate the place) and a gawk out there a few times a day is it.... If we ain't at a park, we're at the pool!!

 

[hillc95]

We stayed at AKL pool view back in Jan. and thought we had a great room. There were plenty of places around the resort for us to get our fair share of animal watching. I would imagine if you were spending a ton of time in the room simply to animal watch then it might be worth it but for us we saw most of the animals when going to/from other areas in the resort.

 

[GoofyLo]

We loved having the SV but I don't think it's worth $200 more per night. I think someone else suggested checking the club level prices. We stayed there last spring break and saw giraffes below our room every day. I'm a giraffe lover, but if it wasn't club level with SV I don't think it would have been worth the extra cost.

We were there again in September and didn't have SV. Our view was of the bus stop. However we still enjoyed the animals around the resort. Every window we passed walking to our room my DD would look for animals, we used outside sitting areas to sip beverages and look at animals, and we used the outside observation desks. It's nice to enjoy them outside your balcony, but there are ample opportunities around the resort.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

For us - absolutely not. We have stayed at AKL in a Pool View room twice and loved it - never once felt like we were *missing* out. The Pool View rooms are all centrally located - We had a 3 minute walk to the pool - 5 minutes to the Mara and maybe 8 minute walk to our car. We were on the second floor by the hot tub and never once did we hear any noise from the pool.
We booked AKL under the current Spring Promo - and you are correct - the Sav. views are not included in the discount. In fact when the promo came out, the information said standard room only - we were very suprised when we called and it included Pool View.

 

[mmmears]

I'll start by telling you that my family loves AKL. We've stayed there several times -- all CL (w/savanna view). I don't think we've ever paid close to $480/nt. That's really high. (Like monorail resort prices IMO.)

As much as I love AKL and the savanna views, I will tell you that I don't think it's worth double over a pool view room. I'd take the PV and keep the money. There are so many lovely savanna overlooks (shady, with nice chairs) where you can sit and watch the animals.

 

[fozziepitysthefool]

We did a split stay two years ago... Two nights at AKL (with an arusha view I believe or maybe it was savannah)... and then the rest of our stay at our usual ASMu. I have to say that seeing a giraffe curl up and tuck her neck in and go to sleep literally right in front of us was just beautiful. Two zebras came along and fluffed up the sand pit and did the same thing. The next morning we got to watch them feed out of the trees. I have to say we didn't do any park visits those two days. Just stayed put and enjoyed the beautiful resort. I'm not sure though I would pay that kind of money if I were out at the parks for long days. Actually, if I could really, really afford it I would!!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Honestly I think I would take my chances and book a standard view - or pool view as it wouldn't be much more. There are so many lovely places to view the animals - I don't think I would spend double for a savannah view. The one time I stayed at AKL I booked a standard room and got an upgrade to a savannah view - I loved the savannah view but I decided then that I probably wouldn't spend the extra on it unless I had first time guests I thought would really love it. Of course purchasing DVC at AKL/AKV is now on my agenda - LOL!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We're AP holders too & have stayed at AKL 3 times with Savanna views. Unfortunately this time when we tried to book AKL after Easter we found that it was only discounted I believe 5% for savanna views. For us it wasn't worth it either and actually decided to give AKL a pass & go to POR instead. Maybe in the Fall we'll go back if we can get a decent price but this time I just couldn't justify the high cost for 2 nights.

 

[lissiesmum]

I was in the same boat with you when the Spring discounts came out! We decided this year was the year we were going to book our savannah view at AKL...and behold a discount was not offered for anything but standard view. I priced in savannah view just in case, and it was indeed double the price with no discount. Then I tried pool view, and it was only a little more a night. We weighed it over, did our research and decided we would still have lots of opportunities to view the animals and I've seen many pics of beautiful, serene pool views that I would love to look out on in the evening while I am winding down. I do not regret our decision at all, and am still looking forward to everything the AKL has to offer Good luck with your decision!