Animal Kingdom Lodge

[ltrelles]

Just curious, we are seriously considering staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge for our trip in late Summer. Has anyone stayed in the Savannah rooms? I understand that there are view options for the Savannah - any suggestions on which is better and also is the extra $$ worth it for the views??

 

[ozzel]

Personally, I can't imagine why you would stay at AKL and not get a Savannah view. There is nothing like it without going to Africa.

The Savannah views can be sorted by height and savannah. Rooms range from level 2 to level 6. Level 6 is exculsively Concierge, so is most of level 5. Deluxe rooms are at the ends of all the "branches" of the buildings. I stayed on level 3 - which is also the lobby level. I found this to be just right - a combination of closeness and height to see across the savannah.

The Three savannahs are Sunset, Arusha and Uzima. Sunset has the "people corals" - fenced in areas where people will go if there is a fire/evacuation. So this can kind of throw off the view - unless you are at the end of Kudu trail (the trials are the 'branches' of the building - check out this map: http://www.wdwig.com/g_akl.htm) Arusha is the main, middle savannah, which is the one I was on. No corals, no pool, so it's often the most requested savannah to look at. Uzima borders the pool - but you won't necessarily see it.

Look over that map and pick some places you like to stay - so when you check in you can request those locals.

You can also find lots of great info on that site and trip reports.

-Kim

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Last night, a CM explained the difference between deluxe & regular savannah rooms to me. It is nothing but the room size! You can still request to be close to particular areas, queen & bunks, etc., either way.
So if you do not need a larger room ask for standard savannah rates and your preferences

Wanda

 

[jennymouse]

Haven't had the opportunity to stay at AKL yet........just wanted to welcome you to the DIS! You've stumbled upon the best place on the web for Disney info! Just ask away and you'll end up with all sorts of oppinions and tips!

 

[ead79]

We stayed in a savannah view room at the AKL this past December, and found it to be fabulous. It's so neat to see animals right outside your balcony. The resort is just a ton of fun. I do think it's worth the cost if it's within your budget. Give it a try! If you'd like to see pictures of our room, here's a link to my picture album on ofoto.com:

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=22718335303&n=131124532

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

You've gotten some good info already in this post - I have some pictures you might be interested in - from a second floor room on Arusha savannah, we were at the end of the first block of rooms.

http://216.147.105.104/dianne/page1.htm

I've posted this link several times before but since you are new to the boards thought you might not have seen them. We enjoyed this room very much. Some of the pics were taken with a zoom but you can see by the people in other pictures that they weren't zoomed and about how close the animals are. I LOVED the view, sat up late at night watching animals when it was quiet all around. Personally I would not book a standard view room as really these face the drive and parking lot but a lot of people argue that the animals can be viewed from common areas so . . . it's a personal decision. For me with small kids it's much easier to let them loose in our room and watch the animals whenever we wanted.

Hope you have a good time.