AKL Standard View Room (partial savannah view room request) vs Savannah View Room

disnmooner2013

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Joined
Dec 25, 2012
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Since the animals aren't always out is it worth booking a savannah view room? We have one currently booked. But now I am wondering if we should change to a standard view room with request for a partial savannah view; since it sounds like those rooms have good animal views. Our current request for best animal view,king bed (since we think that will give us more room for the pack n play), and close to lobby. We picked savannah view so we could take our 2.5 year old daughter out on the balcony in the early morning (before going to the parks), afternoon (when go back to the hotel for midday break), or evening to see he animals with such ease and convenience from the balcony. Is it worth the extra cost for savnnah view room for 7 nights? How many standard rooms have partial savannah views that you can see animals from? We would also like to be close to the lobby. What sanvannah is best for viewing animals especially in the early morning and early evening?
 
In your case I would keep the savannah view room. First visit to AKL, young child. You'll be able to see the animals from about nine am on. There will be lots to see. We are usually over at Kidani, so someone more familiar with Jambo can chime in on which savannah is best. Your requests sound straightforward and hopefully the room assigner can get you that perfect room. We love AKL. Enjoy.
 
Since the animals aren't always out is it worth booking a savannah view room? We have one currently booked. But now I am wondering if we should change to a standard view room with request for a partial savannah view; since it sounds like those rooms have good animal views. Our current request for best animal view,king bed (since we think that will give us more room for the pack n play), and close to lobby. We picked savannah view so we could take our 2.5 year old daughter out on the balcony in the early morning (before going to the parks), afternoon (when go back to the hotel for midday break), or evening to see he animals with such ease and convenience from the balcony. Is it worth the extra cost for savnnah view room for 7 nights? How many standard rooms have partial savannah views that you can see animals from? We would also like to be close to the lobby. What sanvannah is best for viewing animals especially in the early morning and early evening?
We stayed in a standard view room this April. It was 3rd floor (which is the Lobby floor) on the Kudu Trail, with a king bed, and we had a 24/7 view of the animals outside our balcony. We saw giraffes, ostriches, cranes, and more every day. Our room was also a leisurely 1 - 2 minute walk from the lobby, so if you choose a standard room I recommend calling in to request a room on the Kudu trail.
 
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Like Shanti, I also stayed in a standard view room on the 3rd floor of Kudu trail in April :)
However, our room was FAR down the hall, which was actually good for us because we requested something quiet.
While our room did have a view of some ugly fencing/utility building, there were TONS of animals outside our room. Even at 3 am--I was there to run one of the Disney races so we had a super early wake up!--I went out on the balcony to have my coffee and there was a giraffe sitting right in front of me!

In February 2016, I stayed in a savanna view room, and although the "view" was prettier (no ugly fences) there were lots of times with NO animals.

So in my experience, paying more for the Savanna room is not necessarily worth it.
 

I'd like to add that our particular standard view Kudu trail room had a nice view of another wing of the Lodge, in addition to all of the animals we saw. It wasn't a sweeping savanna view, but it was nothing unattractive, either.

The area outside of our balcony had some feeding baskets hanging from trees & a water hole. This is likely why we always saw animals out there. This might also be why the sweeping savanna view type rooms reportedly don't have animals outside of them at certain times. The animals might be away eating and drinking.
 
At Jambo the standard rooms have a good shot at getting a decent view. Kidani the standard views- a good amount face the road/parking. So Jambo, I'd book standard, but kidani I'd do savanna. I just booked savanna because I want to ensure a good view and not take a chance that I'd get the couple that have a good partial savanna view. Just go on touring plans room finder and look at them and you will see all the views.
 
I don't think it is worth it, IMO. Partial savannah view affords a lot of animals, and affords a lot more $$$ in your pocket. Plus, there are places all over the lodge to watch the animals, not just in your room.
 
I don't think it's worth it to pay extra for such a long stay. AKL is our first choice resort, we've only had savanna view once. It was pretty cool to watch the giraffes while we ate lunch, but not cool enough to pay the difference for it. The resort has lookouts that you can visit to sit and watch the animals. One of my kids has special needs and only manages half a day in the parks so we take turns taking him back to the room. Even though we do sit out on the balcony a lot, the extra money for the animal view just wasn't worth it for us. If it were a shorter trip, especially only weekdays, I might consider again.
 


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