Did I make a WL mistake?

[lsep]

I got a great rate on a WL standard room in May with FL res. special. Will I be disappointed? Should I pay the extra money and request a woods or courtyard view? I'm traveling with my DH and DSs 5 and 2. I haven't stayed at WL since 1995 and really don't remember what kind of room we had. We normally stay at AKL in a savannah room but we want to be closer to MK because of the kids. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Personally, I would never pay for a view unless I were staying at the ocean. I'd keep the reservation for a standard view if I were you and hope for the best. BTW, Deb Wills' site (wdwig.com) lists some suggestions of standard view rooms that are pretty good.

 

[fireplug]

I'd keep the standard view. We have stayed there three times and just love it. We will probably stay there again in dec of this year. If you are spending a lot of time in your room you might be able to justify a view but we find it just as easy to get out of the room and enjoy the resort not look at it off the balcony.
Go and have fun it really is a beautiful resort.

Steve

 

[theaslip]

I would suggest that you check-in early. Couple of years ago we checked into our std. view room at the WL, and all I can say is - keep the window curtain closed. We overlooked a "service area" that was busier at 2AM than 2PM - lit up like an airport, trains (literally) of laundry carrying cars constantly moving, trash removal, trucks always coming and going.

We checked in around midnight - Upon reaching the room, I called downstairs and invited a manager to come share the beautiful view with me (figured maybe she could take her break and we could have a coke and watch the vast amount of boxes being removed from pallets at 1AM.

Anyway - she cam - admitted that although standard view can sometimes mean, "service area," it was not a magical view. Unfortunately - resort was full. Ended up being moved a couple of days later to "woods view" in an "accessible" room (sliding doors and such).

Prior to this I never paid for a view - my opinion changed after this experience.

Good Luck

 

[lsep]

Thanks for all your help. We check in early ( 11am), drop off our luggage and head to the parks. I always paid more for a better view because we felt it was necessary at AKL. We stayed there when they first opened with a standard view and were disappointed. The past 3 times we went we stayed in deluxe savannah rooms and loved them. I think I might just stay with the standard view in WL, request an upper floor and hope for the best. Any other WL help would be appreciated if you all have any tips.

Thanks, Laurie

 

[eeyore0062]

Isep, stay with the standard room but request it to be away from the service area...just tell them you all are VERY light sleepers.

Good luck!

 

[hallie]

I'd pay for the courtyard view!!!! It was awesome! We could sit and watch the electric water parade from our balcony at night and had a beautiful view of the courtyard with the waterfall and geyser. We kept our sliding door open most of the time, especially a night to hear the water fall ahhhhhhh...so relaxing!!!

It was well worth the money, I have never wanted to actually hang out in the room before that. we always rushed like crazy and came home so tired. Staying at the WL with the courtyard view changed the way we do Disney, it was so relaxing!!!

Also since you're used to the AKL savannah view, I'd definitely go with the courtyard view or I think you'll be very disappointed.

We're staying at the AKL in a few weeks, which savannah would you suggest we request? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!

Have a great trip!!

 

[lsep]

Thanks again for your suggestions. My DH thinks we should upgrade to a courtyard view (he thinks we might be disappointed if we don't) but I still am not 100% sure.

Hallie - I have stayed on Arusha savannah and Sunset savannah and liked them both alot. The only thing I would suggest is requesting a lower floor. The first 2 savannah rooms we had were on the 5th floor and sometimes the trees get in the way. The last room we had was on the 2nd floor and it was amazing. My boys absolutely love this resort and the animals outside the window are great for my early risers who don't understand the parks are not open when they get up. Makes for a stress free a.m. If you have any other questions, just ask.

Thanks again everyone. Laurie

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I would keep the standard.

 

[SilverCrab]

Isep, I agree with your opinion about the Savannah view being better at AKL. We had that view last June. When they came out with the Disney Web Site discount of $139.00 +11% tax ,I could not resist again this year. Even though it is a standard room. The savings are well worth not having it this time. Just being at the AKL lodge is a real joy. If you don't mind , where and how was your standard room . Was it near the bus stop ? etc.
I read where you are going to WL in Sept., But it is like going to the AKL for the first time. You will like the better view for the WL on your first stay. I personally found the Woodsview room better. I had a non -smoking room on the 5th floor. (Room#5035). This was a great room. You can see the Magic Kinkdom Castle and
monorail from your balcony. The castle changes color's at night.It is breathtaking to see. There is also a Otter pond just below the building. You can watch them play in the early morning and evening time. I guess what I'm really trying to say is, the first time you go to the different resorts you can enjoy the better view. I think for the second time around, just being in the resort and having a standard room is ok too. You might want to take a chance like I'm doing in June. Just ask for an upgrade. We were at the WL during the 4th of July last year. They had a lot of vacancy's. They even called my room the night before we were to leave and ask if we wanted to stay another night. ($140.00) . I could not refuse it. You probably can do this in Sept. as well.
Good luck! Feel free to e-mail me ....

Ronnie

 

[hallie]

Thanks for the advice on AKL!

Did you fax your request there beforehand? We'll be checking in fairly early, do you think this will up our chances of getting a better room? Thanks again!


Oh and upgrade to the courtyard. (Can you tell I loved the WL)






Hallie

 

[lsep]

I still have not decided if we are going to upgrade our room or not. I guess it will depend on if they have any upgraded rooms left for our dates (5/1-5/3) with the FL res. code. I'm going to call after this post.

Silvercrab- We had a standard room on the Ostrich trail the first time we stayed at AKL in May 2001. We had a view of the parking lot and we kept the drapes shut most of the time which made the room seem much darker especially because we had a queen/bunk bed room, but it was not noisy at all. We had received a rate of $149 + tax and we could not justify the extra $60 a night for savannah view. After we stayed at the hotel once we felt it was worth the extra money for us to stay in a savannah room all our following trips. I'll try to find my map with the room number on it if it helps.

Hallie- Living in FL we always drive up the morning of our trip (we live 2.5 hours south) and we always check in about 10:30-11:00 a.m. We have always gotten great rooms at AKL and I have never faxed a request. I always just do my normal requests with CRO and have always gotten what we wanted. They have always been really nice and we absolutely love AKL. We got such a great price at WL and we figure this trip will mostly be spent at MK with the kids and they are excited to take the boat to MK. We told them that WL will remind them of AKL and we will go to dinner at AKL so they can see "their animals". Do you suggest any of the WL restaurants?

Thanks again for everyone's help.
Laurie

 

[lsep]

One more question.. Is it better to request a higher floor with whatever view we choose?

 

[hallie]

I'd go with a higher floor so you can get a better view of the Water parade. We were on the 6th floor, which was good and bad. The balcony up there was solid so you had to stand up to see everything but the view was great. I think that the 5th floor would be a great spot, this way you have the regular balcony and the view.

The Roaring Forks was good quick food. you order and then they call your number and you go get it.

We ate at the Whispering Canyon cafe for lunch and dinner and really enjoyed ourselves. Mke sure to be there at the start of the meal because they ring one of those big dinner bells, it's pretty funny. They do all sorts of games and the servers tease people, one guest sang *You are my sunshine* for a free meal-lol.

We never ate at Artist Point but I've heard good things about it.

Thanks for the tips on the AKL!




Hallie

 

[hallie]

I'd go with a higher floor so you can get a better view of the Water parade. We were on the 6th floor, which was good and bad. The balcony up there was solid so you had to stand up to see everything but the view was great. I think that the 5th floor would be a great spot, this way you have the regular balcony and the view.

The Roaring Forks was good quick food. you order and then they call your number and you go get it.

We ate at the Whispering Canyon cafe for lunch and dinner and really enjoyed ourselves. Mke sure to be there at the start of the meal because they ring one of those big dinner bells, it's pretty funny. They do all sorts of games and the servers tease people, one guest sang *You are my sunshine* for a free meal-lol.

We never ate at Artist Point but I've heard good things about it.

Thanks for the tips on the AKL!




Hallie