Animal Kingdom Lodge

[ninahbear]

We have never stayed at AKL and are thinking about it for our May trip. The Savannah view rooms are more than what we want to spend. Are the standard rooms okay meaning are they worth the money? If they aren't we will probably stay at POFQ.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

How much are you in the room??

I stayed at POR in October and while I thought it was great for what we needed, I still love the deluxe resorts for my balcony and having the inside halls and lobby.

I love the feel of having everything in one building.

and not that you can count on this AT ALL..but I have always paid for a standard view and have been upgraded to a "view" room at most of the deluxes. Again, you can't count on this but it can happen.

There is probably a big difference between AKL standard and PO standard rate..but unless it is going to make a big difference in your budget, I would stay at AKL

 

[mickeynut1]

Some people won't stay at AKL without getting a savannah view, but we had a pool view last December and I was very pleased with it. Savannah view wasn't available with the pin code I had, so I was going to book a standard view until I priced out a pool view and found it was only $5 more a night. We had a great view of the pool and our room was very convenient to the lobby/gift shop and the elevator to take down to Mara. AKL is a beautiful resort and I would stay there again, even if it wasn't in a savannah view room .

 

[Alabama Minnie]

I would NEVER recommend a Standard-view room at AKL. Ours was AWFUL! It is better to book what you are willing to pay IMO. Not everyone is lucky enough to get an upgrade. We really thought AKL was over-rated. We had rather put our $$ into a Boardwalk room if it is close to the savannah rate. We also thought the rooms were no bigger than the ones at CSR, just no balcony.
I would either pay the upgrade or stay at one of the moderates.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Ninahbear:
Not sure how my post got to the top. Sorry!

 

[nemofans]

We had pool view on our last trip & liked it. The sitting area lookout over the savannah was across the hall from us so it was easy to hop over & watch the animals. We were on the 3rd floor close to the lobby.
AKL is our favorite resort & plan on staying again on our next trip. We are booking savannah view this time. Now we haven't stayed at an Epcot resort yet, but IMHO, AKL is better than the MK resorts!

 

[Havana]

We have stayed Savannah and Standard view at AK. Of course we especially enjoyed the Savannah. The standard view was a let down at first, but then we realized that we spent more time around the hotel looking around and enjoying the resort.
I would stay standard again.

 

[rentayenta]

SV or another resort for us. The view is totally worth it.

 

[DustyPixie]

If you don't want to stay in a Savannah View room, I would definitely encourage you to go with the pool view room. It's just slightly more than a standard room and the view is lovely and relaxing overlooking the pool. We stayed on the the third floor Zebra walk in a pool view room and absolutely loved it. There were plenty of opportunities to view the animals when we wanted to, and it didn't change our opinion of AKL at all, even though we have stayed in a Savannah View room a couple of times (once on a sweet free upgrade!) And unlike the mods and values, overlooking the pool at AKL does not mean a whole lot of extra noise. The room was quiet and sitting on the balcony was very peaceful. AKL is our favorite resort - absolutely love it there!

 

[sndral]

I have stayed @ POFQ once and AKL twice, once in a standard room (would now probably be pool view) and once savannah view.
Both resorts rely on buses to go to the parks. POFQ also has a boat to and from DTD - advantage POFQ.
AKL has balconies for all rooms, POFQ has balconies for none - advantage AKL.
AKL has a large pool and rather extensive pool grounds. I wasn't very impressed with POFQ's pool area. AKL visitors can use Kidani's pool, POFQ visitors can use POR's pool - slight edge to AKL.
POFQ is situated along the river and is nicely landscaped, AKL is situated on 3savannahs w/ viewing vistas along the trails (halls,) Arusha overlook, and out by the pool. AKL also has an outdoor fire - advantage AKL.
POFQ has a smallish lobby, and an active bar, AKL has a stupendous lobby, indoor firepit, Victoria falls bar, Boma buffet and Jiko signature dinning. Advantage - AKL.
AKL has behind the scenes culinary visits, jewelry making, kid's simba playhouse, pottery painting, etc - advantage AKL.
AKL has indoor corridors, POFQ outdoor corridors - even (for me.)
AKL has cs dinning as does POFQ, POFQ's is a tad better, IMO.

Just my 2cents. Personally, I'd pay for a pool view ($5 or $10 more per night) just so I wasn't looking out over the parking lot (although I'm not sure how much lot those rooms can, in fact see) if I wasn't able to splurge on savannah view @ AKL. But I wouldn't turn down a stay @ POFQ either.

 

[pandamom]

You might also want to check the price of club level rooms -- for my dates with the current gp discount club level rooms were cheaper than savannah view rooms. I'm assuming no savannah discounted rooms were available.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Am I correct that there are many places within AK Lodge to view animals without looking out from your room?

I was wondering if standard view at Animal Kingdom Lodge is fine. I don't have to sit on the balcony looking at animals. We will be busy at the parks.
I changed our reservation from Port Orleans Riverside to AK Lodge... we have visited the Lodge for dinner before and we like the theme. Also hoping the pool and water slide is nice but we will go to the waterparks too this trip so not the highest priority.

Our only choice (with military discount) is a standard view room unless we want a room with a king bed (we need 2 queens). I might call back and check if availability changes.

 

[Ambassador]

We just returned from our first visit to AKL with savanna view. We were pleasantly surprised by the changing scene of animals daily! We explored the entire hotel one day, and can see there are many less-desirable standard rooms. Also, even the week before Spring Break the hotel was at capacity, so no upgrades were available. Best to book the room one wants to get, than hope for an upgrade.

 

[nemofans]

Yes there are multiple viewing areas. We were on the 3rd floor w/a pool view & there was a savannah viewing area across the hall. I loved sitting on the rocking chairs & watching the animals! It was so peaceful & felt a million miles away from the bustle of the parks.

 

[momtwoboys]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the pool view at AKL! We are staying there for the 3rd time and booked pool view again. It is so lush, tropical and beautiful! Everyone is right, you can see the animals from various spots and it puts you closer to where the food court and elevators to the lobby and buses.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I would NEVER recommend a Standard-view room at AKL. Ours was AWFUL! It is better to book what you are willing to pay IMO. Not everyone is lucky enough to get an upgrade. We really thought AKL was over-rated. We had rather put our $$ into a Boardwalk room if it is close to the savannah rate. We also thought the rooms were no bigger than the ones at CSR, just no balcony.
I would either pay the upgrade or stay at one of the moderates.

We even had the Savannah view and weren't impressed with the whole resort, it's food or ambiance...and location..we saw 3 animals at the most and it was a long walk to the main lobby and pool....

We rather put our money in the WL, no animals, but how much are you going to sit on your balcony and look at them...plus we're a boat ride from the MK...and a boat ride to the CR to gain monorail access...just more in the thick of things with other resorts close by to spend some time in, shopping, dining, arcades......same rate as AKL but it's location for us....and being on the lakes is alot more refreshing to us....