Anyone 'underwhelmed' by the savannah view?

[TenThousandVolts]

I have never stayed at AK but have visited the resort for dining. Went out to 3 of the viewing areas and ,aybe I was there at a bad time, but we didn't see much activity. Just a few animals way in the distance. I am asking because I plan on staying there as I love the theming but I am wondering if I should save points and try for a standard view. I hear lots of people saying that sitting on the balcony watching the animals can't be beat- just wondering if there are any folks out there who thinks that particular aspect is overrated?

 

[Nikisha421]

I am staying there for the first time this summer with my soon to be 5 year old daughter I used the extras points and opted for the savannah view I will be so disappointed if we dont see many animals.

 

[ADP]

Watching the animals from your room is really what the resort is all about. There are other amazing aspects to the resort, but the main activity is watching the animals from your room balcony. I experienced it for the first time last year and we rarely turned the TV on in our room. We went from the door directly to the balcony to see what the animals were up to, or see what animals were roaming the savanna.

 

[crisi]

We stayed there a few years ago.

The top floors - where the DVC units are - are lousy - too far away for good viewing of the animals.

But there were animals out on our savannah all evening, all night, and all the next morning. Activity - well, there weren't any lions chasing gazelles - just Tommy's grazing and sleeping, giraffes waltzing by. I found it - even with our lousy fifth floor room - to be a awe inspiring. But if you aren't fond of watching gazelles graze - save the points and take your coffee out to the public viewing areas.

I think its a little like the Boardwalk View. Not much of a people watcher myself - at least not that sort of people watching....and the view is fine, but nothing that wows me. Other people claim its the best view at WDW. Now I'll take it every time over risking looking at the clown.....but unless we are taking guest, we save points and go standard.

 

[RLRDA]

We stayed at AKV in August and had a view of the Arusha savanna. While I'm sure everyone's opinion will vary, we were very impressed with the view that we had from our 5th floor villa. The animals were not far away at all. This particular savanna had giraffes, zebras, large oxen-type animals, gazelles, etc. They are not all out 24/7 but we loved to watch them throughout the day. We loved our savanna view....nothing like sitting on the balcony, drinking your morning coffee while watching giraffes eat their breakfast.

 

[pinktales]

We stayed at AKV 1 bedroom savannah view on the 5th floor last sept. I look forward to many more stays there as I really enjoyed it. The view of the savanna was beautifull. We did see many animals grazing by at different times of the day. Though like another poster said the 5th floor wasn't probably the best viewing out of the different floors. The tree tops blocked views of the animals alot since of course they like to rest under them and some (giraffes and 1 or 2 others?) get feed their food from the trees. But we brought binoculars and even without them enjoyed the view of the savannah and animals not to mention the relaxed atmosphere of looking out onto the savannah..... well except when you can hear people out on their balconies across the savannah shouting to look at whatever animal is walking by... sound definitely carries on that savannah! I can't wait to try out the new building when it is complete, or partially complete for people to stay. Anyone got a guess if the new building might be at least partially done by March 2009 to stay in? I am hoping.... if not I will push back the dates but really want to go there in March 2009.

Hope you enjoy your trip! It really is a unique resort.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I sooooo respectfully disagree with you...
I have stayed savanna view on the higher floors a few times (not all DVC), and it was INCREDIBLE.
Again, just my opinion, but I'm totally miffed how anyone could be underwhelmed.

MG

 

[pouncingpluto]

I prefer lower floors myself, which is why I'm looking forward to Kidani opening.

But beyond that, I wanted to say that both of my previous stays at AKL were wonderful in terms of animal viewing. That's not to say it's great 24/7. But if you poke your head out periodically to see what's going on, you'll definitely find times with several beautiful animals in plain view.

 

[tjkraz]

We spent 3D/2N there about a year ago and saw a total of two animals from our balcony the entire time. And that was after telling the check-in CM that our highest priority was getting a good savanna view (didn't care about the distance, floor, etc.) and waiting nearly 10 minutes while he checked different rooms available.

I'm sure we'll try AKL/V again, but the experience was one of our most disappointing with Disney thru all of our trips. After paying extra for the savanna view and seeing the excitement on our kids' faces, we spent 3 days looking at dirt.

Here's hoping the next experience is a better one.

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[deedeetoo]

We stayed at AKL several years ago (before we owned DVC). We booked a standard view room and got upgraded to Savannah view. At the desk they told us it wasn't one of the best savannah view rooms, so we weren't expecting much, but wow. It was great. As others have said, we were constantly looking outside to see what was there. The kids loved it.

Now, of course, there is no way I would book a room without a savannah view. That's how they get ya.

 

[gmboy95]

IMO...I have no love at all for the DZV (disney zoo villas)....I dont undertsand the fascination for a resort that is in the middle of nowhere....but I guess for each is own.

I do love , love BOMA, as it is one of the best restaurants in disney, and the hotel is beautiful, but I just dont get the whole zoo thing.....this probably has alot to do with my dislike for the park itself

 

[crisi]

We spent 3D/2N there about a year ago and saw a total of two animals from our balcony the entire time. And that was after telling the check-in CM that our highest priority was getting a good savanna view (didn't care about the distance, floor, etc.) and waiting nearly 10 minutes while he checked different rooms available.

I'm sure we'll try AKL/V again, but the experience was one of our most disappointing with Disney thru all of our trips. After paying extra for the savanna view and seeing the excitement on our kids' faces, we spent 3 days looking at dirt.

Here's hoping the next experience is a better one.

I hope so as well - I don't think that was at all typical.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I ended up in a savannah room for a week, and I wasn't impressed after the first couple of days. I wanted a pool view, got savannah instead, so that might have something to do with it. This time when I went I got a pool view, and I sat in the chairs at the end of the hall to watch the animals, and I liked that much better. I agree with "to each his own".

 

[PinkTink63]

I am staying there for the first time this summer with my soon to be 5 year old daughter I used the extras points and opted for the savannah view I will be so disappointed if we dont see many animals.

We did this too! I splurged on the extra points! I'm not flying all that way to maybe get a parking lot view! I suppose the pool view would be okay, but what the heck!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Maybe some of this has to do with WHICH animals you might see??
I guess if you were looking to see the big cats, hippos, rhinos or elephants, you might be a bit disappointed.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

We have stayed at AKL several times and to be honest...after the first savannah view room, I booked pool view for each subsequent visit. Why you ask?

Well, while it was very cool to sit and watch the animals, the appeal kind of wore off after a few days. I know that sounds wierd, but we loved waking up to the giraffes, then we would be gone most of the day (parks or pool), we might see some in the afternoon while getting changed for dinner, but then it would get dark. We just didn't spend that much time on our balcony after the first few days. We were also on a small savannah (the one behind check-in). That may have had something to do with it.

I am anxious to try AKV...may even add some points. Maybe my perception will change with a Villa stay.

 

[3DisneyKids]

We stayed on 5th floor (before it was DVC) and had a WONDERFUL view. Definitely not too high up. We saw a variety of animals...and they schedule the feedings, etc. so that the animals are right there at times when guests are most likely to be in their rooms (early morning, late afternoon), so you will always see something.

If you are a park commando, then I would say it is definitely not worth it.

One thing to be aware of...we did a split stay one particular trip...started at OKW and then moved to AKL. At OKW, we were in the way back of the resort with, basically, an overgrown foliage view ...with some water. But sitting out on the balcony was SO silent and peaceful. While at OKW, though, I kept counting the days until our AKL portion of our stay. I wanted a great view! Bored with the foliage at OKW.

So then we got to AKL--great view---loved it. The kids were on the balcony every second that they were in the room. BUT...realize that the view is "THE" reason for AKL, right? So that means that everyone else is on their balconies as well. It was actually LOUD out there. Not that people were yelling and screaming...but just lots of people chatting on lots of balconies, and lots of excited kids shouting..."Look at THAT."

Only then did we appreciate the tranquility of that OKW balcony....

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was less impressed with the view from the value studio of the Sunset savannah than I was from the view from our Arusha savannah balcony. The Arusha veiw was magnificent and the Sunset view was just not as nice, but it was quite a "Value."

Bobbi

 

[poggs]

Tuesday 4 December to friday 7th December – Animal Kingdom villas.

Got to the Animal kingdom lodge at 3.30. At the door the medal floor design of animals and the wooden panels surrounding it were roped of, making the entry door seemed really small. The The lobby was also really cluttered with couches and other 'junk'. At least 10 people in line infront to check in. Only 2 people doing check in, but 5 or 6 at the concierge desk chatting and laughing with each other. Initial impressions were not good. Waited in line for about 30 minutes until we got seen. Really poor this. I had requested a room on the 5th floor overlooking the central savannah, near to the lobby as possible. Never got this the Cm whom I would characterise as rude said 'I dont care what you requested. Thats your room and I cant change it) She wrote 5548 on the a bit of paper and sent us on our way. I asked for the welcome pack, but she told me they were too busy to build them up and to come back later.

So walked up to the room. Took 3 breaks and aged a bit, but eventually got to 5548. put the key in. red light. Tried all three. All red light. Then the door opened and another lady said that this was her room. ARRGH!!!!!!! After that hike, She's given me someone elses room.!!!

So back to the lobby. Waited another 20 mins in line to get dragon lady again. 'I never said 5548' says Ros (nice monsters inc link there) . 'Yes you did says I' whilst showing her the room layout card that she had written 5548 on. Tut tut goes it and says, its 5549 and sends us off with a flee in our ear. Sorry? Not a chance.

Repeat 1 mile walk to the far end of the hotel to the worst DVC room on property. Remember the number. Its Room 5549.

So we walk in and the lampshade falls of the ceiling and smashes on the floor. Oh. There's an omen. So straight to the balcony. Its a 5th floor room overlooking a circular fenced of mud pit! Totally shocking and utterly unacceptable. I just cant believe they call this a savannah view. Never saw so much as a bird the whole time we were there. DW burst into tears. This hotel was her dream. So back to the lobby and after a 15 minute wait (see getting better) got Ros to get us the floor manager. He hid in the back for 10 minutes before being very sorry but there was nothing else he could do. We got the AKVversion of the dumpster view.

The room itself was also pants. No en-suite and a toilet in a cupboard. Whats that all about. But, but, wheres the tub? Someone has shrunk it! Tiny wee thing.
Ok says DW phone up members services and get a move. I am not staying here. So I phone up member service and shockerooni, nothing available apart from Saratoga springs. Here was a dilema. Do we leave the 'mud pit view' for the poor relation of DVC? She hummed and hawed and decided that SS was a step too far. So we stayed put and tried to go to a park. Waited 40 mins on a bus to epcot. Waited 30 mins on a bus at 730pm to get back. Eventually got back to the room and thought we would try out the HD tv. Guess what only one remote. So tried it on the living room tv. Worked fine. Pulled out the sofa and put the wee man to bed. Tried the bedroom tv. Nope. Only 2 channels working. So its channel 2 or 3. Everything else is choppy and unwatchable as if the cable is not properly tuned in. Wife looks out the balcony and cries again. Went to find the Mara food place. Walked around for a while. No signs anywhere. Asked a Cm to be met with a shocked look. 'Its near the pool sir' Oh of course it is. How stupid of me not to know this. Had I had a welcome pack...... Got a rotten burger on stale brown bun (what is it with the brown buns now?)

So in the morning we phoned up member services to take them up on SS offer. VAK was that bad. But no, that room has been filled. Bah. So we simply checked out of Vak and checked into a nearby resort called bonnet creek and forgo the points at the VAK. I would advise everyone to avoid the VAK until the new building is built. Its far too great a risk book a savannah room right now in case you get the rotten views. There really are a lot of them.