Did anyone NOT like having a savannah view room?

[AllieV]

Did anyone have a savannah view room and end up wishing they hadn't used up points on it? What was unimpressive? Where was your room (which building/which savannah)? What time of year did you go? If you wouldn't book a savannah view room again, would you bother to stay at AKV?

Thanks for any input. I hear so many rave reviews but I'm sure there's a flip side to consider.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Nope...they are wonderful! We have atayed in Savannah-view rooms at AKV three times and each stay was wonderful. Personally, I wouldn't stay at AKV any other way.

 

[disneynutz]

The only downside to a savanna view is that some folks think that there will be more animals than there are. Sometimes you only see a couple, sometimes more. It all depends on the weather, time of year, time of day, and location.

Bill

 

[MikeyNS]

We're not partial to them.

They're fine, but we're never like "Ohhh we MUST have a Savannah view" and would rather save on points. We find there are plenty of other places to see the animals and love exploring the resorts. We especially love the view from the Community Hall in Kidani.

 

[WolfpackFan]

We have to have a Savannah view while at AKV. DW loves animals and she could sit for hours out on the balcony watching the animals. That frees me up to go do other things I like to do (such as walking around Epcot and trying out the different beers ).

 

[AllieV]

The only downside to a savanna view is that some folks think that there will be more animals than there are.

OP here. This is what I was thinking might happen. I see cool giraffe pics then I see pics of a bunch of grass and a spec in the distance and someone commenting, "look it's a blah-blah beast" and I think, wow what a lousy view. But some might be cool. I think I'd be looking for a unique experience with a SV that I couldn't get by going to Animal Kingdom park.

I like the theme of the place and the pool looks good for my 4-yr old. But do I want to spend on the view?

 

[lucyem]

We have looked out over the buses at Kidani, had a Jambo non DVC concierge Savannah view which was perfect and a Jambo DVC Pool view from up high and a non DVC Jambo pool view on the first floor.

Personally I enjoyed both the (non DVC) concierge savannah view and the DVC up high pool view - lots of animals to watch If anything the up high pool view was more exciting

I am on the fence about the Savannah view. The points are more, the view can range from amazing to "I paid what/used points for this?". If I could be guaranteed a non bus stop view at Kidani we would not bother with a savannah view. But my DH still talks about his sleepless nights near the buses. Very light sleeper. So when we go back to Kidani we plan on a savannah view.

 

[jarestel]

The animals are free to roam the "savanna" at will, so they're going to be somewhere. The view of the savanna is always changing as animals move in and out of a particular area. It's been my experience that a bit of patience pays off.

I personally wouldn't stay at AKV without a savanna view since observing the animals from the comfort and privacy of my balcony while enjoying a beverage of choice is the reason I enjoy AKV. But as others have said, if all you want to do is see animals, there are plenty of viewing spots around the resort where you can do this.

 

[akl-fan]

If you own at AKV then try for a value villa - lots less points and you may get a SV - about a 40% chance. We had SV for 12 days last year in a value villa. They are only available at Jambo House - imo they are the best value villas in the whole of DVC.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Love the savannah but only use points when traveling with people who have never done the savannah. We've done it several times (always had a great view), but it's not a necessity for us anymore! Prefer Kidani to Jambo in all respect other than the Jambo lobby!

 

[CMOORE185]

The animals are free to roam the "savanna" at will, so they're going to be somewhere. The view of the savanna is always changing as animals move in and out of a particular area. It's been my experience that a bit of patience pays off.

I personally wouldn't stay at AKV without a savanna view since observing the animals from the comfort and privacy of my balcony while enjoying a beverage of choice is the reason I enjoy AKV. But as others have said, if all you want to do is see animals, there are plenty of viewing spots around the resort where you can do this.

This sums up how I feel. I bought enough points to get the views I want at the resorts. To me the view is most important at AKV.

 

[twinklebug]

We've always had a SV room but this upcoming trip I've opted for a standard view to save on points (we're only at Kidani 3 nights before moving over to VWL)

My thoughts for going standard are: I won't know what' it's like until I try it; I'll still have an excellent room layout; Might get a nice distance view of FL, or perhaps a pool view; We're out of the room for the bulk of the day anyway; and finally, the standard view rooms are all within 4 beads of the lobby at Kidani, meaning no incredibly long walks between the room and the store or those wonderful rocking chairs overlooking the savanna.

My second thoughts on it are not about view as much as comfort: I love hanging out with my coffee on the balcony watching the animals. When I'm on the balcony I, in turn, don't want to be watched from a bus stop or front entrance. I'll just have to cross my fingers and hope I'm not a spectacle of a sight as I step out with my PJs and coffee in the am... I refuse to get dressed until I've had my caffeine LOL

 

[jrtoastyman]

OP here. This is what I was thinking might happen. I see cool giraffe pics then I see pics of a bunch of grass and a spec in the distance and someone commenting, "look it's a blah-blah beast" and I think, wow what a lousy view. But some might be cool. I think I'd be looking for a unique experience with a SV that I couldn't get by going to Animal Kingdom park.

I like the theme of the place and the pool looks good for my 4-yr old. But do I want to spend on the view?

This has always been my concern as well. To see the marketing materials, it makes it seem like you're going to be sitting on your balcony having an afternoon cocktail with a giraffe, but I'd be afraid that it wouldn't really pan out that way.

 

[mjc2003]

We stayed Kidani and Jambo, both savanah view. We spent time on the balcony the first day, after that not so much. We tend to be out and about a lot so we sort of didn't have time to notice. That said, I wouldn't stay Kidani again with or without savanah views, it was too remote, too quiet and inconvenient with 2 kids to have no quick service or dining oprions. I did like Jambo.

 

[GEB@okw]

I actually prefer the standard view rooms with a view of the pool. All close by the elevator and some of the people at the pool look better than the animals.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have done two stays in 2BR standard views at Kidani over the past 2 years. The first was during the first full week of December 2010. We were on the 4th floor looking right out on the bus stop. It is basically a terrible view, but we were doing the parks commando, so by the time we were back in the room, it was already dark and we were too tired to sit out on the balcony. Additionally, that was the week in 2010 when it was freezing by evening, so nobody wanted to be on the balcony.

Our second standard view stay was Oct 2011. We had a pool view which was on the 3rd floor just a little outside of the fence at the end of the Pembe Savanna. This turned out to be a great location! We saw a bunch of animals; this turned out to be a good thing, since we were going on the cheap with some close friends, and I was feeling guilty that we did not get a savanna view.

That second experience is why I don't think I would ever go without doing a savanna view, with a few exceptions. The savanna view rooms are very peaceful and quiet, which is great at the end of a day in the parks. I would still consider a standard view if we knew we were not going to spend much time in the room, or perhaps during winter, when it's cold and dark in the evening.

 

[AllieV]

Are there lights on the savannah at night? I don't think I've ever had a room where you look out onto complete darkness at night. That might be weird.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Are there lights on the savannah at night? I don't think I've ever had a room where you look out onto complete darkness at night. That might be weird.

There is lighting on the savannas, but it's not like a parking lot or stadium.

 

[DizDays]

I find the pool view to be pleasant (at Jambo) and we love the savannah view (both Jambo and Kidani). The choice for us would come down to how many points we have and how much vacation time we have to spend. We would always prefer to do savannah view and are comfortable spending the points on it, but pool view at Jambo. We were fortunate enough to book a value 1 bedroom once and a value studio at another time. Those are the best use of points and you can't go wrong with whatever view you get.

To answer your question, we have never been disappointed with our savannah view the 3 times we've had one and would certainly recommend it. But, the public viewing areas offer enough of a taste if you didn't want to spend the points, I think you'd get a good experience.

AKV (either one) is worth staying at, IMO, regardless of the view you choose.

 

[ovalhead96]

We have done two stays in 2BR standard views at Kidani over the past 2 years. The first was during the first full week of December 2010. We were on the 4th floor looking right out on the bus stop. It is basically a terrible view, but we were doing the parks commando, so by the time we were back in the room, it was already dark and we were too tired to sit out on the balcony. Additionally, that was the week in 2010 when it was freezing by evening, so nobody wanted to be on the balcony.

Our second standard view stay was Oct 2011. We had a pool view which was on the 3rd floor just a little outside of the fence at the end of the Pembe Savanna. This turned out to be a great location! We saw a bunch of animals; this turned out to be a good thing, since we were going on the cheap with some close friends, and I was feeling guilty that we did not get a savanna view.


That second experience is why I don't think I would ever go without doing a savanna view, with a few exceptions. The savanna view rooms are very peaceful and quiet, which is great at the end of a day in the parks. I would still consider a standard view if we knew we were not going to spend much time in the room, or perhaps during winter, when it's cold and dark in the evening.

We are going in just over 2 weeks,with a standard 1 bedroom at Kidani for three days, and a studio standard for 5 days at Jambo. do you think requesting a pool view by the Pembe Savanna would be a wise request?