I acted on a crazy idea, Need AKL Advice

[Tesabat]

I'm surprising my family (who thinks we are staying at CBR, as that's what I booked before I changed my mind) with two standard rooms at AKL. As I'm paying for two rooms, I couldn't swing the savannah rooms for 5 nights (it's about a $400 difference), but really want to try to keep this a secret right up until we are driving on to the property and give my family a BIG surprise. I'm even keeping it from DH!!

My DSis and DBIL who are suddenly traveling with us - and are the reason we went from VWL to CBR, and changed our plans around, but that's another story - are kind of derisive in their comments...and tend to be a little down on Disney. They will be sharing one of the two rooms.

So, my questions are:

1) Can we still be WOWED by AKL even if we are looking at a parking lot from our room? "I" can, because I don't intend on moping about it - but do you think it is hard for some people to stay there and NOT feel like they are "missing out" because they don't have a great view? So, in other words, my big surprise will backfire??

2) Do they ever offer a reduced rate to upgrade once you are standing right in front of them? I've read about free upgrades - and I've read that people asked but were not given an upgrade - but I haven't read if they ever offer you a special rate to upgrade. Depending on how well my BIG surprise goes over and how much I've saved before we go, I was hoping to splurge and upgrade to Savannah IF they are offering a special rate to do so. As we are going during late August, I'm hoping there will be rooms available to allow for a last minute upgrade. We requested connecting rooms - but they really aren't necessary if they are able to get us close to each other.

I've read so many posts about how you HAVE to get a savannah room if you are staying there and it's not really worth it to stay there if you don't, that I'm getting a little nervous. And, of course, not being able to talk about it with my DH is making me even more nervous! I've never surprised my family before, so, this will be really cool if I can pull it off - but I just don't want them to be disappointed that I didn't book the savannah rooms. It's driving me crazy!!

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

sounds like your sister and BINL are already down on Diseney so no matter what you do they may have a comment. I just got back from AKL and it was gorgeous. I did have a savanah room but they had viewing areas all around the hotel. You are booking the trip so you do best what fits your needs and budget and go and haaave fun, not your fault they are spoil sports.

 

[Bob NC]

We stayed in a Savannah view room last week. While walking around the resort looking at various views, we ran into a guy at one of the overlooks who told us he is staying in a standard view. He was very excited and said he was worried about the standard view until he got there and saw just how many places there are to overlook the savannahs. There really are viewing areas everywhere, even though they may not be in your room!

 

[Tinkbell]

I would be thrilled that someone would surprise me with AKL---ANY ROOM! You have to judge what you think these people are like. If I did all this planning and someone in my party said to me, "I wish we were in a savannah room", I'd be pretty mad. I have standard booked for my trip. My party and I are all prepared for parking lot/ bus stop/ everyone can see into your room view. We are fine with that. If someone in your party makes a rude comment, simply comment on the price difference. I've heard many reports that you can see the animals from many places in the hotel. If they are spoil sports, don't let them ruin your vacation.

 

[luvdzny]

The AKL is a BEAUTIFUL resort and we love it there. We have stayed in savannah view rooms both times, but I think a standard view room would be fine too. As everyone else has said, there are many places to see the animals through out the resort. We love just sitting in the lobby in the evening and just taking in the beauty. I say go and enjoy yourselves, if the others aren't happy let them plan their own vacation next time!

 

[sari80]

We returned two weeks ago from a stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort is just awesome and I do not use that term lightly. We did have a savannah view room, however we saw many animals when we were in other areas of the hotel. As others have mentioned, there are many common viewing areas -- shaded verandahs with rocking chairs and areas near the pool with cast members to visit with you about the various animals. The lobby is beautiful and there are many interesting sounding activities scheduled during the day and evening. Unfortunately, we were on a short trip and couldn't take the time to take advantage of any of them. Stay at the AKL and enjoy.

 

[DisneyMim]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents here also having stayed at AKL 2XS. Both times we stayed in a savannah view room but like others have said, there are tons of places at the resort to view the animals. AKL is a beautiful resort and I would be thrilled if someone surprised me with a visit there. I think you are a nice person to even think of other people's comfort, but it sounds to me that these people are not easy to please. I know people like that. I could put them in the castle and they would still complain. Don't let them ruin your trip.

ENJOY!!!

 

[WolfpackFan]

We just got back from AKL last week (seems more like a month ago though) and we had a Savannah room. There are many places that you can view the animals other than from the Savannah balconies. You can sit on the side porches on either side of Arusha rock, you can go out on the rock itself or you can walk out on either the Zebra or Kudu trails and there are several sitting areas with chairs along the trails. On the other side of the pool are several great viewing areas also. In fact that's where I saw giraffes each morning. I was with my DW and 22 yo DD who had a hard time getting up each morning (sheesh who wants to sleep while at WDW). Anyway, each morning I'd get up, try to shower quietly, dress and then sneak out of the room and take my refillable mug and go down and get my coffee from Mara and then just walk the trails stopping at each of the viewing porchs to see what animals are there. Plus a CM told my daughter about a "secret" viewing area that was great. Go up to the fifth floor and walk down the Zebra trail a good distance, you then take a right onto the last hallway and look for the fire escape exit. Go out on the fire escape (it's okay to do this) and you have a great view of the animals. This area overlooks the gate where they bring the animals in and out each day. And in the mornings you can see the animals come out. Really neat.

 

[snowwhitemom]

I did the same thing to my dd and dh...They all thought we were staying at CS and I switched to AKL . I made sure to tell the car service co. that it was a huge surprise and not to say anything about our destinastion....well the driver forgot, he felt teribble. But now we will only use Your Ride Transportation with Rabbitt anyway. AKL is so great anyway....there is always a chance of that upgrade. Have a wonderful stay!!!

 

[Tesabat]

I knew I could post here and feel better!

I think you are all right - I am worrying TOO much. This is going to be a great surprise...I can't wait to see the look on my 11 yo's face...and my DH and DB are going to flip!

I'm so glad that there are many places to enjoy the animals without the savannah balcony. We probably won't spend a great deal of time in the room anyway...and if it is a bus stop room - well then we'll just be adding some "people watching" to the animal watching!

Thanks for the great tips on the viewing areas and thanks for making me feel better. Now I need to kick my planning into high gear and make those PS's! Boma here we come...I can't wait!

 

[northernmouse]

Teasbat, we stayed at the AKL this past May. It was a total surprise to my DS, (who was in awe) and we were in a standard room. I'd stay in a standard room again, and not feel like I was missing out on a single thing at the lodge. We rarely spend much time in any room, other than to sleep and freshen up. The DS mostly uses a room to change back and forth and back and forth from his swim trunks!

Our standard was near the pool. (Ostrich trail). It looked over the pathway leading from the parking lot, but all we really saw was vegetation and the roof overhang. It felt dark, but that was kind of nice after the heat and sun of the parks. We wanted to make sure we saw every savannah, so we sought out all the viewpoints for the 3 of them. The views were as good, or better, than from any room, and they were never 'busy'.

The AKL is such an original resort -- even someone down on Disney has to appreciate the atmosphere of AKL. The pool and spa area is wonderfully themed, the architecture is stunning, the restaurants great. Enjoy the surprise, and don't worry about the DSis and DBIL -- if they don't enjoy it, they can't be helped ;-)

 

[allicat]

Tesabat- I just posted my review of AKL. We just returned from a 9 night stay and i can tell you, there is no way I was one bit dissappointed by not having a savannah view! There are plenty of viewing areas. I think you really will be happy at AKL with or without the view!

 

[lynr]

Tesabat, Ask about room numbers on here. I have read quite a few reviews where people said they had a nice view from a standard room. Then call and put in a request for those rooms. And also do forget to ask when you get there about a complimentary upgrade, don't expect anything but it doesn't hurt to ask.
I also have friends and relatives that are downers about Disney. It makes me crazy when I am paying for a trip and people complain, so now I don't take them anywhere at all.
Go and have a great trip. I sure your family will be thrilled.

 

[SnackyStacky]

A nice view is just that...nice. But not necessary, in my opinion. How much time are you going to be spending looking out of the window?

Yeah, looking at animals is nice, but quite frankly, after a long day of doing the parks (or anything else on the Disney property for that matter), I'm ready to go to BED!

 

[Janet2k]

Tesabat, I hope you all have a wonderful vacation. I think your surprise is just lovely. I wish someone would surprise me like that!

 

[Tinkerbell2]

You'll have a great time...who really cares about the view anyway...I too always book the cheapest...but those upgrades sure are nice. As far as requesting a room #...I wouldnt do that cause I think it would cut down drasticly on your chances of that complimentary upgrade

 

[Minnie's Mate]

We got upgraded from moderate due to renovation and got a pool view and loved it so much that we booked next trip there. I was not overly thrilled by video footage of AKL but told my husband and CM at desk their video does not do the place justice. We did get a great rate the second trip for savannah view, but quite frankly, like someone said, you don't spend a huge amount of time at window or on balcony when you are doing the parks. Mainly wanted it because children are so crazy about animals right now. Have a great time.

Only 17 more days until unexpected trip to WDW. Yippee!

 

[Amgrease]

Both times that I have stayed at AKL we have gotten a free upgrade. The first time we had two rooms and we got an upgrade for $10 extra per room to pool view from Standard view. We weren't on the same floor but the other room was below us and two over. This time was last year in June. The second time was this past May. We got a free upgrade from Standard view to Pool view. We would have gotten the Savannah view but there were four of us and only one room with a King Bed. So it is possible! Good luck!