Anyone 'underwhelmed' by the savannah view?

[spiceycat]

poggs you would have been much happier with a standard view.

they are close to the lobby.

sorry your visit was so bad. Did you call maintence about the problems in the room?

 

[pilferk]

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.

Just a quick point:

When it comes to vantage point, there are plusses and minuses to both views...and opinions vary wildly about which one is prefferential.

The views from the lower rooms are more intimate, but much less expansive and panoramic.

The views from the upper rooms are more panoramic and expansive, but further away.

Which you prefer (if you even have a preference) will be base largely on personal opinion. I like both, pretty much equally.

And note that eventually DVC members WILL have both offerings, once Kidani is opened.

 

[wildernessDad]

We very much enjoyed our view of the Uzima savanna from our studio villa. DW was on her cell phone immediately inviting her best friend and her husband to come down and see what it's all about. They are coming with us May 2009. It will be my wife's friend's first time to WDW. It should be quite an experience for her. Her husband has been a number of times, but not recently, so he should enjoy it as well. Here's hoping.

 

[pilferk]

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 think, again, it all boils down to personal opinion.

I don't call 15 to 20 min from MK, 10 to 15 min from Epcot and MGM, and 5 min from AK "the middle of nowhere".

But I also commute an hour 1 way to work, and 10 to 15 one way to the nearest grocery store. I think if you're used to being closer (ie: A boardwalk villas or beach club villas owner) your perspective might be shaped by that.

 

[crisi]

Just a quick point:

When it comes to vantage point, there are plusses and minuses to both views...and opinions vary wildly about which one is prefferential.

The views from the lower rooms are more intimate, but much less expansive and panoramic.

The views from the upper rooms are more panoramic and expansive, but further away.

Which you prefer (if you even have a preference) will be base largely on personal opinion. I like both, pretty much equally.

And note that eventually DVC members WILL have both offerings, once Jambo is opened.

I can see that - I think it also depends on which animals are on your savanna - and if you had the foresight to bring binoculars. We didn't, and had a savanna mostly of Tommys - so small gazelles from a distance. It was still amazing, but would have been far better from the third floor instead of the fifth. But we could see the whole of the savanna easily from the room.

 

[Kurby]

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 love that it's not in the middle of EPCOT or MK

i love that we can go to the parks and when we leave we are in a whole new world - it's like 2 vacations in 1

we never have a problem with the distance from AKV to MK and we've both driven and taken the bus. it's all part of the vacation.

everyone is rush rush rush - gotta get my coffee and run to work, gotta run to this or that meeting, gotta rush to the store to shop, gotta speed home to make dinner, watch tv or get ready to go out then gotta rush to get there.....

vacation is just that - VACATION - time to relax. so what if it takes 20 minutes instead of 3 to get to a park. it's a relaxing time for us to enjoy and really (not directed specifically at the person i quoted) i'm getting tired or reading posts from people who say AK sucks because it's in the middle of nowhere. obviously some people like it or it would be so popular. and by all means if you don't like it don't stay there but don't bash it because it's not your taste

 

[Lexxiefern]

I stayed at AKL a few times (all before DVC) and have had 3 different savannah view rooms. Only one did I enjoy. I really disliked the sunset savannah and another time had the very last room at the end of the arusha savannah and looked at a holding pen - no animals. I love the pool view there and have had that twice as well and actually prefer that to savannah view.

 

[pilferk]

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.

As a counterpoint:

We arrived on January 5th, got our 1BR on Zebra trail overlooking Arusha Savannah, near the elevator down to the pool (which was our request). 5525. It was well maintained, TV's all worked (though the High Speed Internet port didn't...they fixed it as soon as I called them about it), and we got a welcome packet and resort map. Great view, tons of animals to be seen, and the tub was big enough for me and my wife to fit in at the same time. I've heard the other villas have even LARGER tubs, which just boggles my mind. We LOVED the room, and having the commode in a seperate area was actually sort of nice with only one bathroom for the family to use. Gives those needing it some privacy and "protects the innocent" on the other side.

We used the buses a couple of times...and never waited longer than 10 minutes for a bus. We ate at the Mara and the food was great...as was Boma's (as usual). All the CM's were friendly, attentive...heck, the front desk CM who checked us in even went over to the concierge desk to get us a print out of our ADR's for the week (he offered, FYI).

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience, poggs. It really stinks that you were treated badly and got such a lousy view. But I did want to point out that, at least for us, what you saw wasn't the norm. Maybe you'll give AKV a try again someday and things will go better for you.

 

[pilferk]

I can see that - I think it also depends on which animals are on your savanna - and if you had the foresight to bring binoculars. We didn't, and had a savanna mostly of Tommys - so small gazelles from a distance. It was still amazing, but would have been far better from the third floor instead of the fifth. But we could see the whole of the savanna easily from the room.

We were on Arusha, this past trip. So tommy's, giraffe's, ankola cattle, zebras, and an impala who particularly liked our side of the resort (slept outside our room every night).

But I've stayed all over the resort, on varying trips. Both "types" of rooms. Sometimes I like the intimacy of the lower rooms, sometimes I like the expansiveness of the upper level rooms. Neither will satisfy me 100% of the time, so I use the public viewing areas to get whichever "type" of view the room doesn't provide. The only strong preference I have is to be overlooking the Arusha savanna. Zebra trail near the elevator down to the pool area is nice too, but that's more a matter of convenience over asthetics.

We never bring binoculars, either. Though I guess the telephoto lens on the camera might be considered comparable.

Also...I corrected my original post. I said DVC members would have both views when Jambo opened....but obviously meant when KIDANI opens.

 

[Dman67]

the view is fine, but nothing that wows me.

I couldn't agree more. We stayed at AKV last year and had a Savanna view room on the third floor facing into the center area. Not much to see with the animals pretty much keeping their distance. Occassionally the animal keepers would put out some food (hay or something) and the animals would come over to eat. Once they were done they moved back into the trees and out of view for the most part. Our friends did have a giraffe visit them. It scared their youngest daughter so the experience was as wonderful as it could've been. If we stay there again we'll definately save the points and view the animals from the viewing area.

 

[Chester's Mum]

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

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.

Everything else aside (view, lack of animals, maintenance concerns), the treatment you received by the customer service rep at the front desk was terrible. If I received that kind of "welcome" at my resort, it wouldn't matter if they put me in the presidential suite. It would sour my whole trip. There are so many more courteous ways to let a guest know that there is no opportunity to accomodate their requests. Saying "I don't care what you requested" was completely inexcusable in my opinion...and not apologizing for the mix up in rooms...well, that wouldn't have cost the cm anything.

I'm staying there in two weeks, haven't bought points yet. If I receive that kind of treatment, I'd be inclined to avoid the resort altogether in future, it would just give me bad vibes.

 

[Chloe'sMom]

We had a lovely stay at AKL, pre DVC days, and we had a standard view. I would never pay for the Savannah view - to me it isn't worth it. Part of what I loved about the Standard View is that it made you get out of the room to explore other areas of the resort.

My room opened to the lobby so it was nice and close to the front of the lobby leading to the bus stops and the resturants, and the food court. So I would wake up in the morning and take a short walk to the food court and get som coffee/hotchocolate - I would then wrap my way around to the savannah by the pool and check out what was going on there. There were chairs and tables available so I might sit there and read the paper for awhile. If I didn't like that view I would head back towards my room and stop at a public balcony looking over Arusha where again their were chairs available and I would watch the animals and read my book. By then an hour or so would have passed and I would go up one flight of stairs from the balcony that let me out right next door to my room - go inside and hubby would already be ready to go. It was the perfect room and only cost me $122.00 a night.

When we would come back in the evenings we would always go out to the Arusha rock and look through the night vision binoculars and talk with the guides. Or we would sit around the fire pit and visit with people.

We never felt like we missed anything staying in a standard view - in fact we loved it

~Amanda

 

[Tigger031266]

I think it is all about expectations. The savanah is either a bunch of boring animals orreally cool animals right outside your hotel window. It depends on your expectations.

This is a hotel, not at zoo. The fact that it has nice animals is a plus.

Some people think animals are cooler to look at than grass, water and trees. I personally think it is great. I love animals!

 

[Kurby]

It was the perfect room and only cost me $122.00 a night.
~Amanda

how did you get that for $122 a night? i thought the rooms started around $200 at AK

 

[Chloe'sMom]

how did you get that for $122 a night? i thought the rooms started around $200 at AK

This was back in the days where they would really lower prices in order to get guest to stay in the resorts. Post 9/11.

~Amanda

 

[crisi]

I couldn't agree more.

You misunderstood me - I actually think the view at AKL is wow - even from the lousy fifth floor I couldn't get enough of it. I don't think the Boardwalk View - which so many tout as "the best view at Disney" is all that.

However, for us the Boardwalk is all about location.

 

[Inkmahm]

This was back in the days where they would really lower prices in order to get guest to stay in the resorts. Post 9/11.

~Amanda

After 9/11 is about when I started to take advantage of a lot of the Disney A/P discount deals and we stayed quite a bit at AKL. LOVE the place and can't imagine NOT having a savannah view. We were so excited when it became part of DVC that we bought more points that we didn't really need just because AKL is our favorite resort!

 

[starbox]

Late July:

We saw lots of animals! the savanna view and HUGE balconies.

We did meet and chat with some of the animal keepers who told us that most complaints about not viewing animals are usually from people who spend very little time in the room and unrealistically expect the animals to be on their schedule. (They come back to the hotel mid-day to escape the heat and are ticked that the animals are also seeking shade and not outside their window - then they go back to the park and stay gone till after dark).

Mid-day is typically not the best viewing time - but early morning and evening are great!!!

 

[Chloe'sMom]

I am looking forward to my boardwalk view in April - if only for the reason of being able to sit on the balcony and hopefully (fingers crossed) be able to hear the music they pipe in along the boardwalk. I love that 20's and 30's dance music.

~Amanda

 

[Chloe'sMom]

After 9/11 is about when I started to take advantage of a lot of the Disney A/P discount deals and we stayed quite a bit at AKL. LOVE the place and can't imagine NOT having a savannah view. We were so excited when it became part of DVC that we bought more points that we didn't really need just because AKL is our favorite resort!

Our first, 2nd, and 3rd trips were in 2002 and early 2004 and I swear the prices were so low it was hard to pass up a trip every 6 months I almost go into sticker shock when people are happy they got a moderate at $120.00 a night! Which is why we bought DVC - we got so use to Deluxe accomodations but couldn't afford them w/o the discounts.

To be fair - I did love our stay at PO - French Quarter but we paid $69.00 a night for it!!!

~Amanda