AKL - Standard Rooms

[SothrnChic]

I am trying to determine whether I want to spend the extra money for a Savannah view room or stay in a Standard room at AKL in Sept. Of course, my wallet screams for Standard but my heart wants Savannah. In looking at the Touring Plans room views, it appears that there are many "standard" rooms that have a view of the Savannah. Is this correct?? I have had good results using the Touring Plans room request feature, so I would definitely request one of these rooms if they are indeed viewing parts of the Savannah. Any information about this is greatly appreciated!!

 

[TsLoveMickey]

We stayed AKL standard in December. I went in knowing we might get a slight view or might not, and I was okay with either. I did request "partial savannah view" both via phone and at check in, and we received it. It was great! I will say there are so many public animal viewing areas at the resort I think I'd be willing to take the chance of standard view again; even if you didn't get a view of animals you would have so many opportunities during the day. Just my opinion! We loved AKL.

 

[kcpinwdw]

we stayed in a standard view room last may and had a good view on the savannah I think it was partially obstructed or something but the giraffes were outside out room all the time. I don't remember the room number but it was third floor, kudu trail. Our requests were close to lobby and kudu trail. Looking at touring plans we were around room 3255. I thought it was a great value.

 

[akl-fan]

I have stayed in both. Unless you are planning to be in your room for a lot of your trip I would not pay for Savannah View. Some standard rooms have a partial savannah view. I have also been given free upgrades from Standard view - i think they over sell these rooms. Be prepared for a car park view and be delighted when it is better!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was booked standard and was upgraded to Savannah at check-in. (Rumors are that free view upgrades like that are coming to a stop, so don't get your hopes up for that.) I had thought about it when booking the room but I couldn't pull the trigger at the cost of $100 more per night. I'm so glad I didn't pay to upgrade! I would have kicked myself the whole trip. The Savannah view we had was really sad. We saw a couple giraffes and some other animals in the afternoon/early evening but that was it. The giraffes were always in for their check-ups when we were getting ready in the morning. After that I decided in the future I'll save my money and stick with standard rooms & seeing animals from the hotel observations areas.

 

[Disney Ron]

We had a standard view of the parking lot and saw plenty of animals.

Broncos (Ford)
Impalas (Chevy)
Jaguars
Cougars (Mercury)
Fox (Audi)
Mustangs (Ford)
Rams (Dodge)
Road Runners (Plymouth)
Wildcats (Buick)
Vipers (Dodge)

Much better selection of animals than a Savannah View.

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

We stayed twice in standard rooms and had at least some view of the Savannah. While it's not guaranteed, we were thrilled and even if we didn't there are plenty of other opportunities to see the animals all around. I wouldn't pay for the Savannah.

 

[Shanti]

When savannah costs around 50% more than standard, and there are animals to be seen from all over the resort (and even from some of the standard rooms), no, I wouldn't pay for that unless I just had money to burn and no clue how else to spend it.

AKL standard rooms are the best Disney deluxe resort deal, in my opinion. Lovely and unique deluxe resort, at a price only slightly above the moderates.

 

[Babsy]

FYI
Pool view won't get you a view of the savanna, but it is very nice and not much more than the standard view. Standard view does run the risk of a parking lot view. We loved our pool view!

 

[jess20k]

We booked a std back in 2009 and were lucky enough to get a magical upgrade to a Savannah View. But, that is not something that you can ever guarantee of course. If you have your heart set on a Savannah View, I would just book it. Yes, it was incredible and if you do have the $$ to spare for it, I would book it in a heartbeat. However, if you cannot, then a std room is fine too. There are MANY MANY animal viewing spots all over the resort. I cannot wait to stay there again!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

When savannah costs around 50% more than standard, and there are animals to be seen from all over the resort (and even from some of the standard rooms), no, I wouldn't pay for that unless I just had money to burn and no clue how else to spend it.

AKL standard rooms are the best Disney deluxe resort deal, in my opinion. Lovely and unique deluxe resort, at a price only slightly above the moderates.

I completely agree. We are planning our third AKL standard view stay this summer because we can get it for about the same as we can get a preferred room at any of the moderates. It is a gorgeous resort. We have stayed standard twice and both times had a nice view of the animals. I would take a parking lot view room with a balcony at a deluxe resort over a water view moderate room with no balcony (if the price were the same - and it usually is).

 

[nkereina]

Have you considered renting DVC points? We stayed in a standard studio in Jambo House last October and had a great view of the savannah. From my understanding, there are only a few standard studio DVC rooms that do not have savannah views. It may even be cheaper to rent a savannah studio than it would be to book one through Disney. Worth looking into!

 

[kyleandconnorsmom]

We stayed at AKL last year. We booked late so there wasn't a standard or Savannah available for our entire trip. So we booked our first 2 nights in a standard and the last 4 in a Savannah. My only request was "near the lobby". Our standard room was right off the bridge that goes over the lobby and faced an enclosure. I actually thought maybe we had been upgraded because the view was THAT good, but I confirmed with the desk that this was, in fact, a standard room. We actually preferred it over our Svannah room that we switched to after two nights. So maybe request near lobby and partial view? Good luck!

 

[Heather0317]

I think it really depends. We went in December and stayed in the Savannah view. We have two young children and they absolutely loved waking up to the animals outside our room each morning. They were out there all different time of day as well. We love that resort and have another trip in December in a Savannah view again. We did spend a good bit of time in the mornings and early evenings sitting on the balcony. For us it was worth it.

 

[siskaren]

FYI
Pool view won't get you a view of the savanna, but it is very nice and not much more than the standard view. Standard view does run the risk of a parking lot view. We loved our pool view!

The only time I stayed at AKL I booked standard and was upgraded to pool view, and did get a bit of a savanna view off to the right.

 

[Babsy]

The only time I stayed at AKL I booked standard and was upgraded to pool view, and did get a bit of a savanna view off to the right.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I meant the full savanna views that are of the 'people pen' areas that used to be categorized as savanna view but are now considered standard view. Yes, you are right, you can probably see a bit of savanna sideways from some pool view rooms.

 

[mickeynut1]

FYI
Pool view won't get you a view of the savanna, but it is very nice and not much more than the standard view. Standard view does run the risk of a parking lot view. We loved our pool view!

I agree! We've had both pool and savanna views and while the savanna view was nice, I loved our pool view just as much and wouldn't hesitate to book it again .

 

[DisBuckMan]

We had a standard view of the parking lot and saw plenty of animals.

Broncos (Ford)
Impalas (Chevy)
Jaguars
Cougars (Mercury)
Fox (Audi)
Mustangs (Ford)
Rams (Dodge)
Road Runners (Plymouth)
Wildcats (Buick)
Vipers (Dodge)

Much better selection of animals than a Savannah View.

No Beetles (VW), Barracudas (Plymouth), Cobras (Shelby/Ford), Pintos (Ford), Thunderbirds (Ford), or Stingrays (Chevy)?

 

[Grumpy247365]

I stayed at a standard room in December and requested the Kudu Trail and it was awesome, except for the long walk.

 

[KristiK]

We stayed at AKL last year. We booked late so there wasn't a standard or Savannah available for our entire trip. So we booked our first 2 nights in a standard and the last 4 in a Savannah. My only request was "near the lobby". Our standard room was right off the bridge that goes over the lobby and faced an enclosure. I actually thought maybe we had been upgraded because the view was THAT good, but I confirmed with the desk that this was, in fact, a standard room. We actually preferred it over our Svannah room that we switched to after two nights. So maybe request near lobby and partial view? Good luck!

Do you remember your room number??? We are staying in a standard soon!