Big $ difference btwn AK standard and SAV view, what to do?

[melbatoast]

Can't decide what to book. Going the week before easter, so I don't think there will be any discounts, and want to stay at Animal Kingdom. REALLY want Sav view, but w/o discount don't think it will happen. Do ppl really pay that much more for Sav view, or just book standard view and see the animals at various parts of the resort?

 

[monami7]

Look into club level. It is not much more than Savannah view and you get breakfast and some drinks apt as well.

 

[spiceycat]

cheap so always go with standard or value if I can get it.

AKL/V has plenty of windows to see the animals - most have seats - so you don't even have to stand. there are also some outside areas to see the animals from the savannah.

 

[RyMacJ]

If I ever get to book AKL, which is my dream resort, I'm definitely getting Savannah view. There would just be something about waking up and going out to my balcony and feeling like I was in Africa, or that is what I dream about anyway.

We're going this spring and taking our mothers, so we're staying in a suite at AoA. I'm so excited b/c I think my kids will LOVE this resort, but it does hurt just a little that for what we're paying for the suite, we could almost be in a Savannah view room at AKL.

I'm hoping that with this being the kids' first visit, DH will be more open to going back in 2014 and I'll get to stay at my dream resort.

So, I'm really just saying in a long winded way, that I think if you could swing it you should go for the Savannah view room! Though I'm sure whatever room you get will be beyond amazing.

 

[it's kelly]

We just returned from AKL and had savannah view only because a friend gave us her DVC points since she wouldn't be able to use them. It was nice to wake up early one morning and witness the giraffe's laying down since this isn't something that often happens.

But, there are plenty of viewing area's and windows along the halls to animal watch. And there is the chance you can still get partial savannah view.

 

[maxaroni]

We were torn as well. Our decision was to book a standard room as we traveled in August and didn't think we would utilize the balcony too much due to the heat. Upon check in we were upgraded to a savannah view, while we enjoyed it, we decided we were glad we didn't pay for it. We aren't in the room much, it washout and so many nice viewing spots throughout the resort both inside andoutside. However, it is a personal decision and we all travel differently

 

[Havana]

I have stayed at both a Sav. view and parking lot view. Yes Sav. view is amazing and nice to have! But, staying at AKL itself is wonderful regardless of the view! Being immersed in the Lodge is great.

 

[butsy113]

I have stayed at both a Sav. view and parking lot view. Yes Sav. view is amazing and nice to have! But, staying at AKL itself is wonderful regardless of the view! Being immersed in the Lodge is great.

 

[princessallegra]

We ended up with two extra nights that we needed accommodations for on this trip, we are splurging with AKL Savannah view! Our friend is a cm and gets us 40% off, and it's literally $570 for two nights! That's a LOT of money with a discount! We have money saved, and it's a dream for dh who is an amateur photog to be on the savannah, so we are doing it. Can't wait! We would never do it without a significant discount.

 

[spiceycat]

first - there are camera that will watch you on the savannah - they are there to make sure no one dumps anything on the savannah

there are windows along the resorts - you will see animals if you look.

did not think that AKL was still upgrading - but it definitely seems like it is - they don't for DVC.

 

[melbatoast]

Interesting about the camera's. How did you find that out??

 

[rznhal]

Interesting about the camera's. How did you find that out??

It's in all their printed material....I think I've even seen it on the Disney website!

Stayed there last February.

 

[it's kelly]

Interesting about the camera's. How did you find that out??

They have it posted in the room on the doors that go out to your balcony. Something along the lines there is use of cameras so close your curtains for privacy. They also have it on a flyer that was in the room.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We have stayed at AKL in a Pool View twice and loved it...much less than SAV view and only a few dollars more a night than standard. We LOVE this location! Super close to everything. And in case you have concerns about noise, we were on the second floor right near the pool slide/hot tub and never heard a thing..even on the nights we were there and they were playing the nightly movie on the inflatable movie screen near the pool.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed in both savanna view and pool view and while savanna view is nice, we thought our pool view was just as nice . Our room was very convenient as it was close to the lobby, gift shop, the pool, and Mara. We loved our pool view room and as the pp said, pool view is not much more than standard view. AKL is a great resort with alot of places to view the animals even without having a savanna view room .

 

[nolanboys]

I know it is different because we are DVC members, but it is similar because the points for standard view are considerably less than a savanna room. We stayed in a standard room and loved it. The resort is gorgeous and we had no problem walking to the public viewing areas to see the animals. We chose to book a standard view again, as we don't want to spend that many points for the view. We would feel the same way of it was on cash. Yes, you can't see the animals from your balcony, but there are great places to see the animals and the resort has such a great ambiance to it.

 

[kddisney502]

We've stayed at AKL in a savanah view. Our first room, the "savanah view" was awful. 3/4 of our view was the building next to us. We were also really far away from the animals. We complained and were put in a "better" view, still not great but better. We didn't think it was worth the price difference. There are great public viewing areas. If you go farther into the resort, there are more quiet public view areas with rocking chairs. We rarely saw people over in these areas and it was a better view but still peaceful compared to our room. In all fairness, we don't spend much time in our rooms. So we've found that views aren't that important to us.

Interesting about the camera's. How did you find that out??

There is a sign in your room that states this. The sign also suggests closing your curtains for privacy (like when you're dressing). check out this pic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eks2007/6577085371/
while I understand why they have to film, this made me feel a little paranoid.

 

[aubriee]

first - there are camera that will watch you on the savannah - they are there to make sure no one dumps anything on the savannah

there are windows along the resorts - you will see animals if you look.

did not think that AKL was still upgrading - but it definitely seems like it is - they don't for DVC.

We just got back from AKL Sept 8th. We booked a pool view room (only like $10.00 more a night than a standard) for our Sept 1st-8th trip. When we arrived we had been upgraded to a savanna view on the Zebra Trail, facing the Arusha savanna. I also booked a pool view room when we stayed there a couple of years ago. That trip I got exacty what I paid for (a very nice first floor pool view room on the Giraffe Trail). I stayed there back in 2005 and booked a Savanna view, but felt like the room was a mile away from the lobby and not worth the money. No way would I book a standard view though and take a chance of facing the parking lot, when a pool view is just $10.00 more a night.

 

[Cindie-rella]

If I couldn't stay in a SV room I would look elsewhere. To me, that's the greatest thing about AK. I know you can view the animals from all different locations throughout the resort, but there is nothing like sitting on your balcony watching the animals. We were placed on the 5th floor in front of a watering hole. We'd come back for an afternoon rest and there would sometimes be in excess of 20 animals in front of our room! Where else in the U.S. can you see that from a hotel room? We would order room service for breakfast and sit on our balcony sipping our coffee watching the giraffes. It was amazing ! It was just the hubby and me so it was perfect for us. In fact, we spent more time at the resort than we did at the parks that trip. We just love AK ! But everyone has there own opinion. I just feel I would regret not having a SV esp. after already experiencing the Savannah ! Good Luck!

 

[reiella]

It's really all about what you want. There are many great views available throughout the resort.

Also, the thing with AKL is that there aren't that many standard rooms, most of the rooms are actually Savannah category. You have a better chance than at most resorts of getting a 'free upgrade' from standard to savannah, that said, DO NOT count on it. Especially if it's a busier time period.

I will say, Club level is only slightly more than Arusha, but it is still fairly more than Standard .

Personally, from how I've read your post, I'd suggest going for standard booking, there are plenty of good viewing locations throughout the resort. Although to be fair, what other resort would you be looking at if not AKL-standard?