AKL...standard or pool view?? Upgrade??

[rosiejo]

Sorry to jump in this thread but we have booked a standard view for our honeymoon in a couple of weeks time (November 14-24 to be exact). We were going to stump up for savannah but then couldn't afford it so we went standard.

Someone mentioned if it was a low time of year there may be rooms available for upgrade - is my period low? I'm kinda hoping I can convince DH2B to pay for an upgrade to savannah when we check in - and I'd hate to get him to say yes and then find it's real busy and there aren't any!

RJ

 

[HarryLeg]

Our family experience with AKL upgrades: We have booked pool view on 5 seperate occasions and have never been offered an "upgrade" to Savannah view. However on the one occasion that a family member booked standard view, they were upgraded.

Also, I agree with a previous poster that the Savannah view is a tad over-rated. There are many areas in the lodge to view the animals from and, for a majority of the day, they are just not that active. Further, the pool view guarantees that you will be close to the lobby, resturants and bus stops. Some of the Savannah view rooms are a looong hike from the main areas.

Just my opinion.

Having stayed in a Savannah View and a pool view, I agree with the above post and will book pool view again for 2006.

 

[kimmar067]

Regardless of WHAT you've booked, when registering, politely ask if there are any upgrades available - don't automatically expect one. Sometimes, the CM will inform you that you have already been upgraded "complimentarilly" (is that really a word??). If not, they can offer you an upgrade at a reduced price and it will be up to YOU whether you want to pay extra or not....

When all else fails: Remember: you are at THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!

 

[wer14631]

Have you ever stayed in a Savannah view room? It kind of sounds like you haven't. That said, there is nothing neater that getting up in the morning, early, going out on the balcony in your PJs and watching the animals. It's quiet and kind of wonderful.

You are correct, we have never chosen to stay Savannah. I believe we just randomly got pool view on our first visit to the AKL because that is all they had available with an AP discount. After that, and after walking around the Lodge and checking out the animals from the many viewing areas, we were convinced that pool view was our preference. In addition to the guarantee of a short walk to the lobby, etc., we just prefer watching people have fun in the pool vs. the tranquility of the Savannah view. Again, this is just our preference, and our experience, and it is not meant to suggest that everyone should like what we like.

 

[John's Mom]

rosiejo,

When checking in, don't forget to mention that you are on your honeymoon.
Then politely ask if there are any complimentary upgrades.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I hope you get a savanna room.

Kathy

 

[crisi]

We were just there in a Savannah view room. Here are my thoughts:

Staying in a Savannah view room was a real treat. Seeing the animals in the morning from the balcony was wonderful. Its why we went. We booked the view on purpose.

I don't know if I'd stay at the AKL for a heavy park visit trip - transportation to anywhere is by bus (we aren't rental car people) its off the beaten track. We are quite spoiled by owning DVC at BWVs - so we are used to walking to Epcot - and even MGM. Found the lack of convinient restaurants annoying - although Mara was extensive and had great food - I wasn't impressed with Boma or Jiko (my husband loved Jiko though).

However, the amount of stuff going on at the resort - animal viewing, kids programs - exceeded expectations. A few days stay at AKL without park visits would be very cool. The resort public areas are beautiful and there are plenty of animal viewing opportunities outside your room.

The standard views at AKL looked to have some of the worst views of any Deluxe resort we saw. I wouldn't pay Deluxe rates to stay there - I'd rather be closer at at CBR - though that wouldn't have the cool kids programs. However, if you aren't going to spend a lot of time in your room - who cares what view you have.

The pool view at AKL actually looked very nice - plus all the rooms would have been relatively convienient (we were way down the hall as well). I wouldn't mind an AKL pool view room at all.

Book the minimum you will be happy in. Knowing what the standard view rooms are like there, I personally wouldn't risk it hoping for an upgrade. But I would be happy in a pool view room