I have AKL pool view booked..is that enough?

[LovinPooh]

I have been reading as much as I can on AKL. I have never stayed deluxe. Some sites say dont bother spending the money on savannah cause you might get a free upgrade or its jsut not worth it cause animals are everywhere. But then I read that AKL is no more than a moderate and if you dont have a savannah view then you might as well stay moderate. So I am thinking... Is it worth the $800 more it would cost me to go savannah view? Then I read that savannah rooms are further to walk from everythng.
My goodness...staying value was easier

 

[MickeyNicki]

I always wanted to stay at the AKL and when we toured the resort one year I wasnt that impressed but I did like the idea of down time with a view of the animals.

We finally booked a room but it was a great deal, CL savannah view for $180 a night.

Honestly, that is the only way you could get me to stay there again. I loved being on the balcony in the early am or afternoon and just watching the animals. And the CL was incredible because of the Sunrise Safari through AK

 

[PolyLover]

We went last summer and got a "pool view bunkbed" and loved it! We usually stay at the Polynesian so we loved all the tropical plants at the AKL. I didn't feel deprived not staying in a Savannah view room. We figured you aren't really in the room that much and there are animal viewing areas to get your animal sightings in. I didn't think the additional cost was worth it. (In fact they let us check out a Savannah View room--we peeked our heads in, looked out the sliding glass doors and didn't see any animals and decided we didn't need this and felt confident with our pool view choice).

Now as far as AKL being "no more than a moderate" I totally disagree. I just stayed at CSR for the first time. I liked the resort, for the money, but I missed the deluxe features. I prefer the indoor hallways in deluxe resorts and the dining options seem better. The AKL pool is lots of fun and I hear the pool over at the Kidani Village is worth visiting although we never made it over there. Enjoy!

PS I've been to Disney ALOT and I've never been upgraded but I hear it does happen. Good luck.

 

[Vidia1975]

AKL And AKKV are our FAVORITE place to stay. My son begs every year to go back to "The Resort w/the animals". We've had Savannah View both times we booked and it's worth it if you get the 2nd or 3rd floor but anything higher and all you'll really be able to see are the trees (and some giraffe). We were lucky enough to be on the 2nd floor right behind the lobby both times we were there. As stated in an earlier post, there are viewing areas (there's even some nighttime viewing available). also, you'll be able to see the Savannahs as you're walking down the hallways.
Also, I disagree w/whomever thinks this is a glorified Moderate Resort. Unless you have a Villa, the rooms themselves aren't that big but it's a gorgeous resort w/a wonderful homey feel and the dining is excellent.

 

[LovinPooh]

I am one of those people that if I didnt have bad luck I wouldnt have any luck at all... I am not counting on a upgrade LOL... but gosh, it would be nice.. I would love to get up and see the animals. But if I can get up and just sit on my balcony and see some palm trees this new englander will be happy.

Thanks for the input... much appreciated. I think I will stick with the pool view and spend my $800 is mickey money on something else. Unless I win the lottery, but the luck thing comes into play lol

CL savannah view for $180... That is incredible. I woould probably been doing cartwheels!

 

[ben1993]

LOVE AKL! We just had a standard view that looked right out onto the main entrance at Kidani so not exactly an amazing view, but it didn't matter to us, there are viewing areas over the savannah's everywhere that we're always quiet and not crowded with people. I'd love a savannah view but it's not a deal breaker, in fact the only bad word I have to say about AKL is he distance from the other 3 parks, but that's a minor issue for me.

 

[Vidia1975]

well, from 1 New Englander to another...i'll take the palm trees any day as well. Just for planning purposes, it can take a little bit longer to get around on the busses since that's the furthest resort from the Parks (w/the exception of AKP). We did find that traveling to and from that resort was a bit of a put off but still excellent trips aside from that. Just try to give yourself a little more time for travel.

 

[CanadianPaco]

I have been reading as much as I can on AKL. I have never stayed deluxe. Some sites say dont bother spending the money on savannah cause you might get a free upgrade or its jsut not worth it cause animals are everywhere. But then I read that AKL is no more than a moderate and if you dont have a savannah view then you might as well stay moderate. So I am thinking... Is it worth the $800 more it would cost me to go savannah view? Then I read that savannah rooms are further to walk from everythng.
My goodness...staying value was easier

I could've written this! Next Friday will be our first deluxe stay and it's at AKL!! Great thread and support!

 

[Sue M]

I don't understand why anyone would say AKL is no more then a moderate . With or without a savanna view. Go take a look at the resort accommodation pics on all ears.net. AKL is nothing like a moderate.

 

[nemofans]

We enjoyed our stay w/pool view. We had the perfect room location. We were on the 3rd floor (same as lobby) near the mid elevators. Those elevators were a short ride down to the pool & Mara so we felt very close to them. There are windows across from your room to see the savannah & a savannah viewing w/rocking chairs just a little bit down the hall. I was also impressed how you couldn't hear any noise from the pool area thru the closed sliding door.

 

[mickeynut1]

I also have to disagree with the statement that AKL is no more than a moderate. The deluxe resorts offer amenities that moderates don't and I don't think you can really compare the two categories as they are so different. With that said, we've stayed in both pool view and savannah view rooms and while it is nice seeing animals from your room, we liked the pool view just as much and wouldn't hesitate to book that view again .

 

[doughcwjt]

We spent 4 nights at the AKL in late July. We had never stayed here before. I was able to get a great rate on a poolview bunk bed room, however when we checked in we were upgraded to a bunk bed Savanna View Room. That was a first, we never had an upgrade before! It was wonderful! The giraffe visited daily and one afternoon a storm kicked up and the animals were running around enjoying the cool air. It was great!!

I too had heard the walk could be far to the lobby, however we did not feel that way at all. We had a Uzima Savanna View on the 3rd floor (lobby Level)very close to the elevators in the middle that take you to the Pool Area/Mara. The resort is beautiful. The detailing is amazing, take the time to really look around, you will not be disappointed.

Hope you enjoy the AKL as much as we did!

 

[glocon]

One of the unique things about staying at AKL is the view of the animals from your balcony. Personally I thought it was well worth it. But the whole reason we stayed at AKL was for the view of the animals. You just have to figure out what is most important to you, and that will help you figure out if it is worth it to you.

The whole of AKL is beautiful, and nothing like our experience at a mod (POR). Definitely an upgrade from POR, but that is the only mod we have ever tried. Thought POR was beautiful, but not as deluxe as AKL. Maybe some of the other mods are more deluxe than POR is all I can say, but AKL is definitely an upgrade from POR.

We would always choose a savanah view room, but that is just us. Might not be worth it to you. Whichever type of room you choose, enjoy!

 

[raven69david]

AKL is an awesome resort. While the Savannah view rooms may be far to walk to, in some cases, the view from the balcony more than makes up for it. The walk to the room is not that bad though. Most will make it sound like you're walking from Animal Kingdom to the hotel. It takes 2 to 3 minutes to reach the rooms at the furthest edge of the resort on either of the Savannah's.

We've received a Savannah free upgrade 100% of the time, even though we've always book standard view room. While these are not guaranteed, you have a better chance of getting one during Value season when the resort is not full. They will upgrade you in hopes you'll book a Savannah view room in the future.

Here's a picture from 2nd floor Kudu Trail. This room was at the very end of the wing. The walk doesn't seem far at all.

 

[diznynut]

Hi. We just got back from AKL club level last week. I would have to say pool view will be fine. We loved our savannah view and would book it again without hesitation. That being said the pool area is gorgeous and there are plenty of viewing areas around the resort to see the animals. We never got to use the night vision goggles, but were told it was really fun. Also ask the front desk if they know the schedules of when the animals go in from the different savannahs. They leave the animals out all night for guest viewing and stagger the times in the morning to bring the animals in for a couple of hours to rest. You could easily stay at the resort and never be bored because of all the activities. If you get a chance to go over to Kadini Village, go in the afternoon or evening, they have a baby okapi. I hope your family has a wonderful time. Mine did. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

Shondra

 

[si-am]

We have stayed AKL standard view several times, and We got upgraded for free all but once. I have to say, after experiencing a savanna view, getting a parking lot view was a bummer. We did not enjoy the public viewing areas. There are some nice overlooks with rocking chairs, but if you sit, there will be trees in your way and you can't really see. And standing isn't relaxing!

I think a pool view might be nice, though. I love the resort itself but wouldn't stay again without booking (and paying for) a better view.

 

[CanadianPaco]

We have stayed AKL standard view several times, and We got upgraded for free all but once.

I've read this a number of different times as well. We've booked pool view and I have to "will" myself not to hope for an upgrade. I booked pool view and will be thrilled with my choice (but still alittle pixie dust ...)!! Six days!

 

[Carlyluvsdisney]

We loved the pool view at AKL and we booked it again for a trip in September. I've never had a savannah view but we liked the pool view so much that I would prefer that even if they did offer us an upgrade. I know other people would disagree but we love the pool view. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I haven't stayed at AKL, but I'm sure the pool view will be fine and you'll still get that AKL deluxe feeling!

We stayed at WL last month, our first deluxe, and we stayed CL. It was amazing, and we had an incredible view of Cinderella Castle.

However, there was so much more to love about WL, that we are staying there again in April but not CL...just woods view with bunk beds....and I'm sure we'll be fine!

 

[Alabama Minnie]

I would NOT count on an upgrade and I would NOT book standard-view. Not everyone gets an upgrade and our balcony view of rooftops was very disappointing.

I have to agree that the room SIZE is not much more than the moderates. The balcony is the main difference IMO.

Next visit we are visiting AKL for dinner but we would choose to give our extra $$ to WL anyday. We felt we got ALOT more for our $$ there.