Animal Kingdom Lodge-giraffe trail or zebra trail better for standard view?

[polkadotsyellowheels]

We're going to stay at akl for the first time. We booked just a standard room because we've never been there and figure we can use the public outlooks to view the animals. Being close to the transportation is important to us more than the view. On the map, it looks like the giraffe trail is closest to the bus stops...but is it really? Is it as direct as it looks, or do you have to go through a beaten path from the giraffe trail rooms to the bus stops. Would I be better off requesting a zebra trail room with a standard view?

Also, any other sides notes or tips you have for akl first timer would be great and much appreciated!!!

Thanks so much for your help! I love this board and how all the disney crazies can come together to help one another out!!

 

[Sue M]

There's only one way to get to the bus stop, thru the Lobby. You could request a room close to the lobby and elevator.

We enjoyed strolling around Arusha Rock viewing area, taking the Culinary Tour. evening night time Savanna viewing with the night vision scopes, Cultural Exchange evening talks.

 

[aubriee]

I thought most of the standard rooms were on the Ostrich or Giraffe Trail. Zebra is mainly savanna and pool views. Most standard rooms will be overlooking that parking lot out in front.

Just FYI: It only costs like maybe $10.00/night to go from a standard view to a pool view. Definitely worth it in my opinion. Savanna rooms are alot more expensive, but there is not that much diffference in price between a standard and a pool view. We had a pool view room on the first floor on the Giraffe Trail, that we loved. We were only like three doors down from the health club, where the door is that leads directly out to the pool and hot tub. Plus all the restaurans are on that first floor. If we went down our hall, past the elevators and walked up the stairs, we were right at a doorway that is half way between the bus stops and front door, so we didn't have to walk all the way up to the lobby, out the front door, and then all the way down to the bus stops. We loved that shortcut at night coming back from the parks. That door opens with your room key and saved the long trek up to the lobby at night, making the rooms on the Giraffe trail much closer to the buses.

 

[LillsnJills]

Can anyone comment on how noisy rooms near the elevators tend to be? I might go with one just to help reduce the distance we have to walk to get to the bus, but the convenience wouldn't be worth it if we'd be able to hear the elevator coming and going at all hours.

 

[720L]

I thought most of the standard rooms were on the Ostrich or Giraffe Trail. Zebra is mainly savanna and pool views. Most standard rooms will be overlooking that parking lot out in front.

Just FYI: It only costs like maybe $10.00/night to go from a standard view to a pool view. Definitely worth it in my opinion. Savanna rooms are alot more expensive, but there is not that much diffference in price between a standard and a pool view. We had a pool view room on the first floor on the Giraffe Trail, that we loved. We were only like three doors down from the health club, where the door is that leads directly out to the pool and hot tub. Plus all the restaurans are on that first floor. If we went down our hall, past the elevators and walked up the stairs, we were right at a doorway that is half way between the bus stops and front door, so we didn't have to walk all the way up to the lobby, out the front door, and then all the way down to the bus stops. We loved that shortcut at night coming back from the parks. That door opens with your room key and saved the long trek up to the lobby at night, making the rooms on the Giraffe trail much closer to the buses.

Yes! You want your room by the "secret door" if you want to be closest to getting to the buses.

 

[CanadianPaco]

We were just there last month and I had requested close to the elevator, 3rd floor, pool view. We got Giarffe Trail, close to the elevator, 4th floor and pool view... room 4018. AWESOME!!!!!! Third floor would have been perfect as that is the lobby level but we loved being able to step out of the room,take the elevator down to the pool, The Mara! No noise associated with the pool or the elevator for us!