AKL standard view-worth it?

[stanze5]

After much deliberating we decided to do two rooms at AKL vs. a one bedroom villa at OKW. The deciding factor was two bathrooms (my "kids" are 23, 25 and 16). Now with the budget we can only do standard view at AKL. Is it worth it or not so much? I cannot afford SAV view for two rooms so if not, we are looking at two rooms at a mod. If Standard view is okay, which rooms to request?

 

[pixarmom]

I highly recommend the pool view at AKL. Last year at this time, I read about the pool view here on the Dis, and called to upgrade our May 2011 reservation from standard to pool - SO happy I did! It was only a few dollars more per night, and guaranteed that we would not be overlooking a parking lot. So the pool view is definitely something to consider!

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

I think AKL is worth it no matter what room you're in! It's my favorite resort. There are so many animal viewing areas throughout the hotel and the pool area is so beautiful.

 

[sleeperclan]

Yes, the standard view is nice! We stayed in a studio standard view for the first time last year...previously, we've been in value studios with parking lot views (which wasn't too bad, either), but I really enjoyed having the pool view for a change. I'd take any opportunity to stay at AKL

 

[stanze5]

I may look into the pool view option. Its not that I mind a not great view if the rest of the resort is nice but if I am going to spend that much $$ I would like something nice to see while on the balcony...even if just foliage. Do you know if there are microwaves in the rooms? I have read conflicting reports.

 

[Missyrose]

I may look into the pool view option. Its not that I mind a not great view if the rest of the resort is nice but if I am going to spend that much $$ I would like something nice to see while on the balcony...even if just foliage. Do you know if there are microwaves in the rooms? I have read conflicting reports.

There would be microwaves only if you were staying in a DVC studio instead of a regular hotel room.

 

[LeahA]

We stayed last year in a standard view room on the Kidani side and we were totally happy with it. We had a balcony that overlooked a parking lot that we couldn't see when we were sitting, and if we stood up, maybe 4 cars were in it. We looked out at landscaping, gazebo, the main road between Kidani and Jambo. We have stayed Savanna, pool view and standard and we liked them all!

 

[TaraPA]

I've stayed in both standard view & savannah view & personally wouldn't pay for savannah view again. There is sooooooo much to see & do right outside your room & in the lobby area that you won't miss the animals out your window!

Did you check availability for a 1BR at Kidani or BLT - they would have 2 bathrooms, if that's your priority. They are the only 1BRs with 2 baths. That way you'd also have the full kitchen, and a washer & dryer. Might be more expensive than a 1BR at OKW or 2 rooms at SKL, but I'd check into it.

 

[gabzee]

I would choose AKL, 100%. I think AKL is overall a nicer hotel than OKW is. OKW is very spread out. AKL has a great atmosphere, great restaurants (Boma, Jiko, Sanaa), and overall is a beautiful resort. If you can't afford 2 rooms with savannah view then consider a pool view or standard. We have said in a pool view and savannah view and enjoy both. You are able to view the animals throughout the resort (not just from your balcony) so I don't think it is a reason not to stay there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You mentioned two bathrooms. Were you thinking about an AKV one bedroom villa? At Kidani Village the one bedroom villas have two bathrooms and sleep five (one king bed, one queen sleeper sofa and one twin sleeper chair). The standard view there will be the parking lot and pool.

 

[MrsNick]

I'd also like to chime in and suggest a 1BR at Kidani...yup, sleeps 5 and has 2 bathrooms.

In addition, they have standard view at Kidani which, in terms of points at least, are a very reasonable cost. We have a small-ish DVC contract and will be staying in a standard view 1 BR at Kidani soon. We're doing that to conserve points.

I bet if you look into renting points with a stay at AKV Kidani 1 BR the cost might be reasonable, especially compared to getting two hotel rooms at AKV or even a mod.

 

[TaraPA]

I wanted to chime in too that standard view at Kidani has been nice for us. The 1st time we overlooked the entrance & Disney Bus Transporation area, the 2nd time we overlooked the pool & could see the savanah to our right. There are no parking lot views at Kidani because the parking lot is underground at that resort. I suppose you could get a rooftop or backside of something view, but so far we've been lucky.

 

[mommycrawford]

I stayed at Kidani near the lobby, parking lot view, but DIRECTLY accross the hall was an amazing indoor animal viewing area, and easy access to the outside viewing area: had the best morning doing laundry and having the animals all to myself while it was spinning!

 

[Disney grandma]

We also have stayed savannah and standard view and loved both rooms. Our standard view was giraffe and just off of the lobby area. It was close to the lobby, bus stop and pool. We overlooked the front of the resort, and even with buses pulling up, with our balcony door closed it was very quiet.

 

[Fantasmiss]

After much deliberating we decided to do two rooms at AKL vs. a one bedroom villa at OKW. The deciding factor was two bathrooms (my "kids" are 23, 25 and 16). Now with the budget we can only do standard view at AKL. Is it worth it or not so much? I cannot afford SAV view for two rooms so if not, we are looking at two rooms at a mod. If Standard view is okay, which rooms to request?

I LOVE AKL, but mostly because of the savanna view, don't think I'd be bothered otherwise. It's far away from "everything", and too many bus stops now.
I prefer staying at a value resort these days, they're super fun, we hadly spend any time in the room anyway andI'd rather spend the money on a much longer holiday, better food and more shopping!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I LOVE AKL, but mostly because of the savanna view, don't think I'd be bothered otherwise. It's far away from "everything", and too many bus stops now.
I prefer staying at a value resort these days, they're super fun, we hadly spend any time in the room anyway andI'd rather spend the money on a much longer holiday, better food and more shopping!

I agree with your take on AKL/AKV. If you are not going to book a savanna stay, you might as well stay anywhere else. To us, the savanna is the draw for the resort.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

While I looove the savannah view, I'd totally stay at AKL even if they threw a cardboard box and blanket on the lobby floor and called it my room . I love, love, love AKL. With that being said, we're staying pool view this year. This trip was kind of impromptu, we're planning a big, long stay with my parents next year at Kidani but I just couldn't wait and my crying (seriously) prompted DH to surprise me with a 6 day trip this year. Since we're doing a big trip next year and this wasn't planned, we didn't have the budget for savanna so we're staying pool view. I'm so excited though. Like some PPs have said, there are sooo many great spots for great views that its so worth it!

Have fun, AKL is amazing and after we stayed there it was soooo difficult to stay anywhere else...and that includes general hotels anywhere else I've been since haha.

 

[TaraPA]

While I looove the savannah view, I'd totally stay at AKL even if they threw a cardboard box and blanket on the lobby floor and called it my room .

Same here!!!

 

[texasgirl73]

I stayed at AKL in 2 standard rooms in 2008. I had a 40% off pin that was not available for the Savannah View, so the price difference was staggering (almost $3000- and no view is worth that much to me.) I kept reading here that AKL wasn't worth it if you didn't have the Savannah View. I'm glad I ignored those comments and decided to stay with the Standard View. We enjoyed our stay, loved the resort, and our view was pleasant (we had a view of the landscaping and walkway that people used to get to the busstop.)

 

[Samar]

We stayed in a preferred standard room at AKL (upgraded from reg standard) and LOVED it. We were not at the resort much and in the evening, we'd "people watch" while the kids settled into bed and I'd read. It was quiet despite being near the entrance and we'd walk around to see the animals. I am hoping that a Deluxe resort PIN comes out for our dates because I love it to pieces at AKL