AKL Standard View

[bjgrazi]

If you have booked this, were you upgraded to a savannah view? What are the chances of this happening.

I never thought about it, until I started reading the resort boards and upgrades.

 

[robinb]

Yes we have. Check out this poll:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=845615

 

[bjgrazi]

Thanks so much.

 

[aubriee]

Alot of it though may depend on attitude. When we were checking into the AKL last January there was a very rude, loud lady checking in right next to me. She had apparently sent her husband off to the Arusha Rock with the kids to look at the animals while she checked them in. Me and the CM checking me in, didn't mean to eavesdrop, but couldn't help it as she raised her voice. We heard her say 'No, I didn't reserve a savanna view, everyone knows you guys always upgrade'. I couldn' believe her gall and just looked at the CM checking me in who just shrugged his shoulders. At that point we both just stopped and listened. Anyway the CM offered an upgrade if she wanted to pay for it. That just made her angrier and she demanded a manager be called. When he came out he finally offered her a pool view, which she grudgingly took, but then said "When a savanna view becomes available I expect to be first in line to get it'. After she walked off, I looked at both CMs and said 'I can't believe she just did that'. The manager said it happens all the time, but he'd see her in h-ll, before she got that savanna room now. I then asked him why he gave her the free upgrade to the pool view then. I guess at that point he suddenly realized he was speaking to another guest and his whole demeaner changed, but he said it was their job to make the guests happy. Anyway the next morning we ran into the family at the bus stop and the husband was fussing at the wife for not getting them a savanna view and the wife told him that if he thought he could have done any better he should have checked them in and besides she quaranteed him they would have a savanna view by the end of the week. He said 'fine, just remeber I'm not gonna pay for it' and she said no problem and she couldn't believe they didn't give her one as everyone knows the AKL always gives free upgrades. She then noticed me from the day before and asked if we had a savanna view. I told her yes, but we had booked it. She said there was no way she was spending that much money on a hotel room and that the standard view rooms were too expensive anyway and she had no intention of settling for that pool room that manager palmed off on her and that by the end of the week she would have a savanna view. Again, I just couldn't believe her gall.

 

[bugbugmom]

I can't believe some people!

 

[SleepingUgly]

It's availability first, and then attitude. If you have a great attitude, but they have no rooms available, then you still get no upgrade.

Chances of upgrades increase if you booked for a slow period of time and if you are not staying for a long period of time. We stayed for more than one week that included Memorial Day Weekend, and our CM was actually apologetic that she could not upgrade us. If we had stayed for a shorter period of time, we would have been upgraded with no problem.

Linda

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Chances of upgrades increase if you booked for a slow period of time and if you are not staying for a long period of time. We stayed for more than one week that included Memorial Day Weekend, and our CM was actually apologetic that she could not upgrade us. If we had stayed for a shorter period of time, we would have been upgraded with no problem.

I hate to tell you this, but we had a savanna view room for 7 of our 10 days at WDW. The 3 rooms next to us were all occupied by folks who had been upgraded. 2 of the families were there for at least 5 days, and the 3rd was there longer than we were.

I've never been able to figure out what gets you an upgrade. I just consider myself lucky when it happens. However, when I visit a resort and a particular view is important (like when I take the kids to AKL), I splurge for the better view so I don't end up disappointed.

 

[SleepingUgly]

Three CMs actually checked the computer for me and told me that no upgrades were available, and the only room they could move me into was a conceirge room, but I would have to pay an extra $200-plus per night. The first CM checked for us voluntarily and said no savannah-view room was available at all for the Sat of Memorial Day weekend; the second CM was at the guest services desk who also voluntarily checked for us when she found out it was my daughter's bday (she even went to talk with a manager, who came and "apologized" for not being able to upgrade us for free, haha), and the third checked again for us when we returned to get our room keys (we had arrived early that morning). I got the exact same information from all of them -- no savannah-view or pool-view room available for the Sat of Memorial Day weekend. We checked in the Sat previous to Memorial Day weekend, so perhaps later on in the week, they were giving more upgrades, since some people may have called to cancel for that holiday weekend. Whatever the reason, I'm not upset about it at all, we still had a fabulous time. Like others have said -- If I really wanted a savannah-view room, I would have paid for it. It would have been a nice perk, but not receiving it definitely did not ruin our vacation in the least.

Thanks!
Linda

 

[magicaddict]

I don't know if it was because it wasn't too busy or because I was nice but we were upgraded to savanna view when we checked in June 12. My girlfriend (whose room I had reserved with my AP discount ) checked in early the next morning and was upgraded to a pool view room. It was just her and the baby and she requested a king which may have had something to do with it.

 

[Deweysgirl]

We are a very sweet and nice family~
We paid for standard view and got...standard view. After getting to our room we inquired about savanna room availability and we were told they had availability but it would be 60.00 extra per night to upgrade.

 

[KPeterso]

We are staying at AKL for the first time in September. I booked the savannah view because I did not want to risk not getting it. I realize a lot of people get the upgrade, but it is not worth the risk for me. I am staying there because I want to see the animals. AK is a favorite park for our family, so we all are looking forward to staying there. For me it is worth it to book for what I want and not hope for an upgrade.

 

[Kaybee]

I booked standard view when we went in May. Upon check in I just asked that the room we be given would be close to Mara and the pool. The CM was wonderful and asked my son if he minded a bunk bed room? My son didn't really want one...he was looking forward to a big double bed by himself. But he told him sure that would be okay. When we got to the room we were very surprised to find we had been upgraded to a savanah view. I would have been happy anywhere though in the hotel. The hotel itself is so beautiful. I wouldn't hesitate to have a standard room.