AKL Standard View?

[mask]

How is AKL standard view? I seem to remember some pretty negative comments about it. I tried the "search" function, but it has been grinding away for some time and bringing up nothing.

Tried the gp code for our WL woods view bunk bed package this a.m., but no go. I'm not surprised. We're there 1/1-1/6.

As much as I love the idea of WL, I'm finding it tough to justify rack rate. In order to make the trip pleasurable for all, I'm looking for options that provide separate sleeping spaces for ds13 and ds10 without breaking the bank. Don't want too much, do I?

Double beds at the mods would mean grumpy kids. ASMu Family Suites haven't been available for some time. I've been trying.

So, I'm thinking is staying onsite worth moving to AKL without a savanna view and bunk beds? Or saving a little bit over rack rate at WL by taking YC, with the kids sharing a queen bed. Again, it seems a waste to stay at YC with the likelihood that it will be too cold to enjoy SAB. If only the oldest weren't such an "active" sleeper.

Bottom line, convince me I shouldn't just book a larger room with 2 queens and a sofa bed in DTD. Either way, we'll have our own vehicle.

If you've read this far and followed my ramblings, Thanks!

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

When we stayed there on our honeymoon in 2005, I was especially upset because our TA told us that being newlyweds we would most likely be assured of a very good room, not a room overlooking the parking lot. Well we got there, and that is what we got- a room with a beautiful view of the PL. I called the TA infuriated and they tried to put the blame back on me....so needless to say I didn't use them on my last trip. Anyway to make this long story short, I upgraded to a savannah room, but be prepared if you do, it can be costly. If you can live with a standard room (I'm not neccessarily suggesting that every std room overlooks the parking lot because I'm just not sure how accurate that is) but I thought the standard room they initially gave us was very clean and had room to move around. I wouldn't categorize as much smaller than the savannah room we upgraded to. I do know if we pick AKL on our trip next October, we won't be getting a standard, I was too spoiled waking up to giraffe and zebra outside my balcony.

 

[mask]

Thanks for sharing your experience. The AKL is the one place, I think, the view would be important, especially for our kids.

I have been envisioning WL, but just really hate to pay rack rate when we usually don't spend much time at the room/resort. If I weren't tacking 4.5 days at Disney on to another trip, I'd be able to pick a better time with better rates/availability.

I found ASMu Family Suites available, no discount, through Southwest. I'm thinking that may be the way to go for this trip ... a little less cost, separate beds for my boys, a fridge and microwave for breakfast and extra space. For a few days in January, that's really all we need.

Decisions ... decisions ....

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

There is a big price difference in the two and while I love AKL if it meant I might have to make other things in the budget tighter I would gladly swap to a value. I would try to wait until you can get what you absoloutley want at AKL w/out having it be too much of a crunch. Plus the values are pure disney magic and your kids at the ages they are now will probably enjoy the theming. AKL is a little more sophisticated that they might appreciate when they are a little older. Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[EPCOTDUDE]

I booked a standard view for Jan. Im hoping for the best.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Last year we booked a standard room w/ an AP rate at AKL. We requested bunk beds (it was before you could book them). I don't know if we were upgraded - they didn't tell us we were at check in - but we had a great "standard" view. We were on the 5th floor directly over Jiko. We overlooked a lot of lower rooftops, which made me think it was still standard. But, we also could see the pool and a bit of savannah beyond the pool.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

We have stayed in a Savannah view room and pool view room at AKL in the past and have a standard view booked for Jan 2-6 this year with the visa package. I LOVE the savannah view...but can't justify the cost this year. I think the standard view will be OK...but it won't be quite the same. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[Mamakoala]

we're staying in a standard room too. sigh. we wanted a savannah room but the discount code only applied to the std. i think it will be okay. not great, but okay.

 

[dbarker]

Not all standard views at AKL are of the parking lot. We had a "standard" view in May that overlooked part of 2 Savannahs and the "people pen" (I think that is what it was). Anyway, we had more animal sightings there than we did in the Savannah view in December.

IMHO I would get a Bunkbed room, no matter the view at AKL. There are plenty of places to see the animals.

 

[LWcalif]

The first time we stayed at AKL we had a std. view. At the time, we didn't know anything about the resort. Requested a room away from the parking lot.

We had a wonderful room towards the end of Ostrich Trail. It was at the front of the resort and on the lobby level. Beautiful greenery view from the balcony and animal viewing areas as we walked back and forth to the room. Much better than the std. rooms on Giraffe Trail that overlooked the bus area.

Since we didn't spend much time in the room, we were really happy being able to see the animal viewing areas in the corridor and being so close to the entrance.

Next year we will have a pool view, but I would not hesitate to book a std. view at AKL again.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Just upgraded for POR to AKL standard view using the discount code for January and saved $60 - so for that i don't think we'll mind a standard view especially since this is our first time to WDW ever and we are staying at such an amazing place as AKL!!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I think standard view does not have to be that bad. While the majority will look out the front of the building and will see some traffic, there are other locations as well (rooftops, only partial savannah view) as some have mentioned. Even the ones at the front don't just look out over a huge filed of concrete with cars, there is some landscaping. Actually Allearsnet has a few pictures of views from standard view rooms. Have a look as those! And AKL is really such a great hotel, there are plenty of public areas to hang out, see the animals, relax by the pool, soak up the atmosphere in the lobby!