AKV -- What Savannah did you like best?

[dallasdisneymommy]

We are reserving a 2BR next December and I'm wondering what Savannah to request -- any opinions? Arusha looks cool because of the water, but we want to be as close as possible to as many animals as possible. Has anyone stayed there who can help?

 

[magicaldisney]

Bumping!! I'm curious about this as well.

 

[tjkraz]

From my perspetive, any savanna but the Sunset Savanna. That's where they put us for our 3-day stay earlier this year and it was a bust. Saw exactly two animals the entire time.

 

[AKV707]

Do you think that is because of the Kidani construction? Sunset will be the only savanna for Kidani. Now it will be significantly larger than it is now, but I have to believe that it will be pretty well populated with animals or tons of DVC members in Kidani will be very unhappy.

I am curious to see how Sunset was pre DVC construction at the lodge.

 

[tjkraz]

Do you think that is because of the Kidani construction? Sunset will be the only savanna for Kidani. Now it will be significantly larger than it is now, but I have to believe that it will be pretty well populated with animals or tons of DVC members in Kidani will be very unhappy.

I am curious to see how Sunset was pre DVC construction at the lodge.

My visit was back in Feburary--well before construction.

It just felt like we were overlooking this little dingy alley that the animals never bothered to venture down. When we first arrived we saw an ostrich walking around and then one morning there was some sort of bird sitting on a rock making a whooping sound. That was it.

Here's a map of that section of the resort:

Our room was in the area where I put the red dot. All we could see across the way was more guest rooms--it was very difficult to see out into the greater savanna from that angle and frankly there wasn't much to see. Perhaps guests in the area I shaded blue had a better view of animals that didn't want to get too close to us.

While I'm sure that not all experiences in this area were as bad as ours, I have yet to see anyone endorse the Sunset Savanna as a great place to request.

For me it was the biggest blemish on an otherwise great trip. At check-in I specifically told the Cm that the most important thing to me was having a good savanna view--walking distance and early access to the room were both secondary. Instead we got the opposite--immediate access to a room close to the lobby with no animals.

My kids saw the Disney planning video with all those romantic shots of waking up to animals just outside of the balcony. All I have to show for it are photos of my kids holding binoculars looking for animals that aren't there. While we've had some great Disney experiences, I really felt cheated after paying for the savanna view that wasn't.

Sorry for the rant. Bottom line is if we stay there again, I won't be taking a room in the Sunset Savanna.

 

[LisaS]

I've only stayed on the Sunset Savanna (once) and the Arusha Savanna (3 times). Of those two, the grounds of the Arusha Savanna are prettier. I like being further out along the horseshoe though because otherwise Arusha Rock blocks part of the view. You can also hear the people who are walking around by the Rock from your balcony. It's not loud, but you can hear them talking and you almost feel like they are intruding on your private savanna. The animal viewing was great -- giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, kudu and pelicans.

Our very first stay at AKL we had a room on the Sunset Savanna in the same area that tjkraz marked on the map. The view there is not particularly pretty (lots of dirt!) but we saw quite a few animals. There was a giraffe feeding station near that location. The keepers put browse out for them several times a day so the trick is to be on your balcony when that happens because the animals arrive minutes (or maybe seconds!) after the truck arrives. The keepers even came around about 10:30pm to put out branches for the giraffes so would sit out on the balcony at that time and watch the giraffes in the artificial moonlight. It was great! There is also a watering hole there and the ankole cattle often spent the night there. One night we heard the sprinklers come on and a small herd of "tommies" came running out of the brush (poor things!) There were also ostriches, crowned cranes, vultures and two hornbills. So while the grounds weren't as pretty there, we did see a lot of animals.

 

[buzz5985]

I only stayed at the AKL when DVC was not involved and stayed on the Arusha Savania - Zebra trail. At the time it was always better to stay on the same floor as the lobby or one floor up - because once you were up higher you couldn't see over the trees. And the Zebra trail - because that is where the zebra's and giraffes were. This is the only section of the savanah they were in. I believe sunset was for the birds.

 

[LisaS]

I only stayed at the AKL when DVC was not involved and stayed on the Arusha Savania - Zebra trail. At the time it was always better to stay on the same floor as the lobby or one floor up - because once you were up higher you couldn't see over the trees. And the Zebra trail - because that is where the zebra's and giraffes were. This is the only section of the savanah they were in. I believe sunset was for the birds.

Actually there are giraffes on all three savannas but I believe only Arusha has zebras.

 

[bobbiwoz]

In December, we were in a value studio across from where you indicated. We saw tommies(?) (small group of 5-8), saw and heard the crazy bird and watched an ostrich. I did see a zebra, far off to the left, toward Kidani construction, in the morning. There was a giraffe feeding station, or what looked like one, by our balcony, but it wasn't used.

We have visited AKL to see the animals, even when we haven't stayed there, and I have seen lots of animals from the observation room. Since you look at the Sunset Savannah from that room, I don't think they have far fewer animals there by design, but I too, was disappointed in the number of animals that I saw from our room in December. However, I also walked around the pool area, by the flamingos, and saw significantly fewer animals around that area as well.

Bobbi

 

[BCV23]

I stayed on Uzima savannah once and saw tons of animals.

Only other stay we had was 5th floor Zebra trail in a concierge room. We were a couple doors from the suite and so very close to Arusha Rock. We saw far fewer animals here. Lucklily, we couldn't hear people around the rock perhaps because we were on the 5th. That would be distracting.

 

[claire_ont]

We stayed on the Uzima Savannah and quite liked it. There were quite a few animals. We could however see fences and the animal care buildings, so if you are looking for that true Savannah feel it may not be for everyone.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Subscribing, because I will be staying in a AKV DVC Savannah View Studio for the first time Thanksgiving week this year. The person I rented points from made a notation on the ressie...any Savannah EXCEPT for Sunset Savannah.

Looking forward to everyone's opinions.

 

[BCV23]

We stayed on the Uzima Savannah and quite liked it. There were quite a few animals. We could however see fences and the animal care buildings, so if you are looking for that true Savannah feel it may not be for everyone.

Hmm, maybe I have the name of the savannah wrong then. Facing the entrance of AKL, it's to the right. At any rate, there weren't any animal care buildings visible when I stayed there.

Of course, maybe we were on different wings. I was on the short stub. Rooms on the other side of the hall overlooked the pool.

 

[claire_ont]

Of course, maybe we were on different wings. I was on the short stub. Rooms on the other side of the hall overlooked the pool.

We were at the end of the short stub on the 4th floor and it directly faces the fence. For DVC, I believe this is now a Grand Villa. Must agree though that we saw a ton of animals. Most other views of Uzima may have the fence view blocked by tress, shrubs or the lodge itself. All in all the fence visibility did not bother us.

 

[BCV23]

We were at the end of the short stub on the 4th floor and it directly faces the fence. For DVC, I believe this is now a Grand Villa. Must agree though that we saw a ton of animals. Most other views of Uzima may have the fence view blocked by tress, shrubs or the lodge itself. All in all the fence visibility did not bother us.

Oh, I could see the fence as well but no animal care buildings. I was on the 3rd floor and loved the location as well as the views. Very handy to the side elevator to the restaurants and not far from the lobby. Did you enjoy that as well?

 

[claire_ont]

Oh, I could see the fence as well but no animal care buildings. I was on the 3rd floor and loved the location as well as the views. Very handy to the side elevator to the restaurants and not far from the lobby. Did you enjoy that as well?

I was trying to find a copy of a picture with the building in it but could not quickly locate one. The rest of the family remembers seeing a building as well. It was not overly visible, and I suspect soon it will totally disappear behind the trees. Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me and it was not from our room that we saw it (could be having an "oldtimers moment"), either way, I would defibnately request the Uzima savannah on my next SV room (Dec 08).

 

[BCV23]

I was trying to find a copy of a picture with the building in it but could not quickly locate one. The rest of the family remembers seeing a building as well. It was not overly visible, and I suspect soon it will totally disappear behind the trees. Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me and it was not from our room that we saw it (could be having an "oldtimers moment"), either way, I would defibnately request the Uzima savannah on my next SV room (Dec 08).

Oh, I wasn't doubting you. Just doubting whether I had the right name for the savannah. But your stay was later than mine. I'd have to look it up but this was a solo 2 night stay in 2002 or 03 before my family joined me at the Polynesian. The buildings could have gone up in the meantime or it could be that they just aren't visible from the room I was in which was maybe midway down that stub.

Loved the location though. I hadn't requested any particular savannah.

 

[claire_ont]

Oh, I wasn't doubting you.

No worries. I wasn't taling it as you doubting me. After you commented, I started questioning my memory. I am unfortunately reaching the age where it is no longer quite as reliable as it use to be (Big sigh ...)

I just wanted to make sure I did not mislead people.

Claire