Did anyone ever get a NICE view with an AKL standard room?

[musicfan]

We are going in late July and are staying at AKL for three nights at the end of a 21-day stay. The rest of the time we're splitting between a friend's condo (6 nights) and the ASMo (12 nights). We're doing this long vacation to squeeze as much as we can out of our APs, and because we haven't had a real vacation in a long time.

We're getting the AP rate of $129 ($137 with tax) on a standard. Upgrading the view is at least an extra $100 for the 3 night stay, which is going to be a stretch for us -- and I'm afraid if I upgraded and DIDN'T get a wonderful view I would be mad and end the vacation on a sour note.

Has anyone ever gotten a standard view room that was an OK view? For example, our standard room at the Poly had a nice view of the grounds. Even at the All Stars, the "parking lot" views are not really of the parking lot -- there are plenty of trees screening the view. Do the AKL standard rooms really look directly out on the parking lot? Are they really hideous? It seems like the only people I see on these boards are people who are staying in Concierge or suites or savannah view rooms.

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[Gillian]

They really do (mostly) look out on the parking lots. And some of them, on the 3rd floor, are right along the sidewalk to the bus area. Those would be the worst rooms. Request a high floor, away from the busses & hope for the best. You could also specifically request the trail that is on the other side of the lobby, Ostrich trail, away from the busses (but still facing the parking lot). They only thing I'm wondering is if requesting something specific would limit your chances of getting an upgrade.

Lots of people have been upgraded, mostly to a pool view, sometimes to a savannah view. We were given a pool view room that had decent shrubbery in front of it, giving us privacy. That room was on the second floor, which is the same level as the pool.

Have you looked at a map of the resort? here is a link to one
http://wdwig.com/aklmap3.jpg

Here are some 3rd floor ostrich trail room view pics:
http://wdwig.com/g_akl.htm#sv

 

[randy55]

My family, got a great AP rate of $124.00 a night at AKL for a standard view. We are not worried about what the view is out the window at that great rate, we don't expect it to be to good. We accepted the rate knowing we were exchanging the view for a very reduced rate at a great Disney deluxe resort.

We understand there are many places to go around the resort to sit and watch the animals. As well as a very nice pool with many lounge chairs to relax in.

So our approach to the standard view issue is that we got a great rate, give us the worst view you got, because we are not going to be in the room to not enjoy it. Instead, we'll either be exploring the AKL, watching the animals, be out at the pool or spending our extra room savings money at one of the great theme parks.

Please don't let the standard view issue have a negative impact on your great vacation.

Good Luck.

 

[musicfan]

randy55--

Yeah, that's definitely the philosophy we'll be going with. We're not the types who expect caviar at spaghetti prices -- I was just wondering if there was any hope at all. I actually feel better now that we've ascertained that there really AREN'T any decent standard views. As John Cleese said in the movie Clockwise, "It's not the despair, it's the HOPE."

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I stayed in a standard view room last May, and it was nothing special, that's for sure! We stayed on the fourth floor near the lobby. We had a view of the valet parking lot, and we could even see signs from the highway - I think it was a Days Inn sign was very visable. To top it off, there was a wasp's nest on the balcony so I spent no time out there anyways. It worked out fine, since we went to places around the Lodge to see the animals. So your philosophy is a good one!

<img src="http://home.att.net/~swill70/hugsmall3.gif">

 

[DisDee]

we were booked for a standard view last Jan. at a great rate of $103.00 (due to the PC delay). We were thrilled to be staying at AKL for so little, so the view didn't matter to us. Well, at check -in we were complimentary upgraded to a pool view , which was beautiful! We took advantage of the public animal viewing areas and were just in awe of the resort. You will love it!

 

[musicfan]

DisDee (and anyone else who was upgraded) --

Do you mind saying when you went? Was it at a crowded or uncrowded time? We're going in July, so it'll be crowded and I'm thinking they don't upgrade much at that time of year?

 

[Tinkbell]

musicfan,

There are only like 137 standard rooms (I think). With the summer discount code, I bet that many people booked standard. You may get lucky if most of the standard rooms are filled. They would have to upgrade you. I've booked standard in July too. I'm sure we'll have a blast no matter what the view is. The place looks amazing!

 

[musicfan]

Tinkbell --

I never thought of that -- that you might stand a better chance of an upgrade when it's FULL. Of course it makes sense when you think about it. But you're right, we're going to have an awesome time whatever happens. I really should not have started this thread, because it prolongs the hope of an upgrade, which I know we DO NOT DESERVE having paid a standard rate. It's a great resort under any circumstances, and they have viewing areas all over the place, so we'll definitely get to see the animals!

 

[RobinMarie]

We're doing this long vacation to squeeze as much as we can out of our APs, and because we haven't had a real vacation in a long time.

which I know we DO NOT DESERVE having paid a standard rate

I think you deserve a fabulous room with a fabulous view!

We went over to the Lodge for dinner at BOMA last week. We enjoyed viewing the animals being fed at the 5pm hour, storytelling at 6:30pm. I think a standard room will be great because the common areas and lobby are too fabulous to miss.

You deserve it!

 

[crusoemom]

We'll be there end of July as well (27-30) and have booked a standard view. We've stayed both standard and savannah views, and while I feel the savannah view is worth the extra $50 per night, dh has other ideas (namely, he's thinking the All-star resorts are fine with us). So the std view is our compromise.

Despite my preference for a savannah view, I'm thrilled to be going back even with a std view, and I'm sure you'll be most impressed by the resort with any view!

Maybe we'll see some lime green ribbons there!

 

[susy]

crusoemom,
I think our DH's were cut with the same cookie cutter!
We had ressies at ASMu (which is fine), but I really wanted a deluxe for my b-day. So finally he came home today and said okay, AKL...well, I booked it before he could change his mind!

We booked standard view for $129, but I am hoping for an upgrade and might even be willing to pay for one if I hate my room. We will probably check in at night, so I don't know if that will help or hurt our chances. This is a special trip for us. It is the trip to replace the one we couldn't do after some financial burdens (resulting from 9/11). I'm sure there are many of us out there...

 

[kerrynic78]

I was there May 25th and I got upgraded from standard to savannah. I'm not really sure how crowded it was, it didn't seem too bad. The resort is so beautiful, there is so much to do, and so many places to see the animals that I think a standard is worth it. Hope you have a great time.

 

[musicfan]

Well, whatever room we get, at least I can tell from these posts that the people who will be staying with us at AKL are the nicest! Thanks for all your posts!

 

[DisDee]

We were there in January-a very slow time. It seems like the majority of people who post here seem to get an upgrade, but of course that depends on capacity. A CM told us that AKL was about 40% capacity when we were there in Jan. You'll have a wonderful time no matter what view you have!

 

[maryj11]

I'am thinking of trying to stay at AKL. We would have to stay in a standard view room. I dont really care about the view out the window, but what location would be one close to the pool,food, and buses? Are the lobby room good choice? I see that the lobby is made like the WL lobby in layout. What are the lobby rooms like? Are they standard rooms? Also what is the lowest rate anyone has gotten for a standard view. I would love to see this Lodge.

 

[musicfan]

From what I've seen on maps, the Giraffe trail is on the pool side, and it has standard rooms. I would bet that the rooms facing into the lobby (if there are any aside from the suites) are higher priced than standard rooms, since they are everywhere else.

The best standard rate that this time of year is the $124 AP rate (turns out to be around $137 with taxes, etc.). That's what we're getting when we go in late July.