I'm booked for std.room at AKL--will I regret it?

[Polly59918]

I'm such a tightwad plus I got such a good rate ($109) at the Animal Kingdom Lodge but I keep reading about Savannah views, etc. and how wonderful they are. I'm not even sure what the upgrade would cost--what would you do? Will we get to see the animals from another vantage point in the lodge? We have a 7 and 5 yr old. Has anyone stayed in a standard room? Also, if I request the bunk beds , is there a good chance I'll get them?
Thanks--
Polly
heading out on Thursday!

 

[firstmickey]

We had a Savannah view upgrade when CBR closed in Sept., but we had more of a tree view room on the second floor. (2486).
We did not mind however because we were convenient to the pool and the Mara.
There are animal viewing areas all over the resort.
We saw most of our animals while going to the elevator.

I also saw giraffes one morning munching on a tree while I was sitting in the hot tub.

My kids are 8 and 5 and loved it there!
Make sure you check out all of the free activities for kids listed on the back of the resort map. I missed that until we got home

you will love it there!

Great bus service.
Nice CMs.
Great pool.
Animals everywhere.
Have fun!

Donna

 

[MLAinVA]

We had a savanajh room for the two nights we spent at AKL and loved it, but I can very easily see going back and staying in a standard room. The animals and the other wonderful things about AKL are available whether or not you have a savanah view. You will still enjoy your stay.

 

[Augustheather97]

How did you get AK so cheap I am going 3/1-3/9 and can't get it any less then $189 a night

 

[Polly59918]

As far as the rate--it's probably the time of year--it's the "lowest" season of the year, I believe and it was a "postcard" rate. I received a postcard in the mail with a code on it. I think anyone who called with the rate code quoted on many websites could have gotten at this time for $119, but I got $109 because of the postcard. I don't know exactly why I am on their mailing list==it could be several things: we've stayed on property before but it's been 3 years or maybe I ordered one of their vacation videos. Someone else can probably shed some light on how you get on their mailing list to receive their postcards with the good discounts.
Polly

 

[Dee & Greg]

We were there 11/21-11/26 (paid $119/night). It was our first visit to AKL (and a deluxe). We loved it! We were on the first floor, with a view of the pool. I thought it might be noisy, but it wasn't. We had a lovely balcony with a lot of foliage around it... and just around the corner was the hot tub and the animals. We thought it was a great buy for the money... and our room was always cleaned early. Enjoy your standard room!

 

[NLK]

The Savannah view is worth the money. Waking up and looking out the window to see the animals is unbelievable. They even have lights at nights so you can see them before you go to sleep. Your kids will love it . If you don't want to spend the money on the Savannah view, you can ask when you check in if the can upgrade. They will do this sometimes if they have the room. Did you find your deal on Mousesavers.com?

 

[Polly59918]

Actually I had been watching Mousesavers for the codes and then received the postcard at the same time so I got a slightly better deal ($10 less) with the postcard. I did fax them today and asked if at all possible to give us a pool view, though I'm not expecting it. I'll see how much it would cost to upgrade to Savannah, but I'm afraid I'm too cheap! We'll just have to go look at the animals in other parts of the hotel!
Polly
leaving tomorrow!

 

[April in Disney]

Waking up first thing in the morning and looking out and the animals are there. So quite and peaceful. I used to sit in the balcony with my 7 year old DD around 5.30 am and for an hour an so just be mesmerized and taken by the beauty and grace of these majestic animals. Needless to say my DD animal project this year kicked butt.

 

[WDW2000]

I stayed AKL Deluxe Savannah last summer, and the view of the animals was amazing - and they were always so close to the balcony. I definitely think it is worth the extra $$ to ugpgrade. But if money is an issue, then you will not be dissapointed in the AKL no matter what room you have. Such a beautiful resort, and plenty of places to view the animals. That is an incredible rate you got for a deluxe, so if you consider that you are staying at a deluxe resort for a value resort price - I'm sure the view won't be that much of an issue.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

One of those questions with strong opinions on both sides. It's going to depend on what is most important to you. Money vs atmosphere and convenience I would say, although many people don't mind getting the atmosphere from viewing the animals in the common areas . . .

I have read the posts from people who weren't pleased with the savannah view (obstructions, the corral, that kind of thing). Ours was wonderful and it would appear to me that most of the savannah views would be unobstucted but there's a chance always that you could get a bad one, I just would say the odds are in your favor of getting something nice. And of course you can always ask for another room . . .

Here's some of our savannah room pictures if you're interested:

http://stoneofark.com/dianne/page1.htm

I personally would not want to stay in a standard view room for three reasons:

I'm afraid of getting stuck with one of the std views that directly adjoin the bus stop. Or are directly over the valet area. I know odds are that I wouldn't and requesting an upper floor might solve that problem but taking the chance just isn't worth it to me. With my luck they wouldn't have anything else and I would stuck and not happy.

My kids are small and the convenience of being able to watch the animals from the comfort of our room just couldn't be beat. When the kids are ready to do something else they could play, watch tv, take their afternoon nap etc and I'm still free to relax and not worry about them while being able to view the animals.

We enjoyed the night time on the balcony SO much. It got quieter out there at that time. DH and I would get some kind of treat, sit outside, and just soak the atmosphere up while children are sleeping. You can see animals at night.

Now that we have experienced the savannah view I don't think we'd ever be happy with something else.

Sorry for the long post but I'm hoping you get opinions from both sides so that you will be able to make a decision for your needs and have an awesome trip. It's a beautiful resort, lovely CM's, so unique. Hope your family really enjoys it

 

[bratray]

hello, we stayed in a savannah room, 3rd floor, near marah in Jan 2003. as i posted before, i felt that if i went again i would get a standard view and hope for an upgrade. there really are many public viewing areas in the hotel that there really (in my opinion) is not a specific need to have a savannah room. sure the room was great and we did see animals in the day but at night we never, ever saw any. i don't know if it was too chilly for them or what?? we would leave for park early entry around 7:15 am and rarely even then did i see animals from my balcony. most days we didn't return to our room till after 5 or 6 pm and the animals were limited. when we came back to the hotel one afternoon around 1:00 pm we did see lots of animals. so i guess you have to gage how much time you will be spending in your room and if you would rather spend the extra money you will save on something else (like another trip to WDW)

either way you will just love AKL- i know i did!!!

lisa

 

[MinnieGi]

I also have standard view booked for our upcoming Feb. trip at the $109.00 AP rate. (Still available till 2/12 in case anybody else needs it). I've been debating also on upgrading, but think I will stay with standard and hope for a complimentary upgrade. I don't think the hotel will be that full (first week in Feb) so I'm hoping we have a good shot. Besides this is supposed to be an extra bonus, but budget trip for us. I originally tried to make a reservation at All-Stars for AP rate and they were sold out, then I booked CBR AP rate and realized it wasn't a whole lot more money to upgrade to AKL. I've read so many great things about the hotel, I don't thinkwe will be disappointed even in a standard view room.

Have a great trip Polly!

Gi

 

[Polly59918]

Thank you for all your replies! Lots of good info both ways! I will ask what it would cost to upgrade to a savannah (I seem to remember it would have been about $300 but I may be wrong). I don't think I will upgrade but I will post when I return and let everyone know how it turned out. WE ARE SO EXCITED.
Polly
Leaving tomorrow!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Polly -

I missed that you were leaving so soon in your first post.

Just wanted to say have fun, it's a great resort. Love to hear what you think when you return! You could ask for a complimentary upgrade - you never know, they might give you one.

Have a wonderful and safe trip!

 

[firstmickey]

If my view had been the same as yours, I would insist on Savannah view room too!
Great pictures!

Donna

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks Donna,

I'm sorry your view wasn't so good.

We really enjoyed our room. Hope to go back to AKL sometime!

Have a good evening

Oh, and have a great time on your upcoming trip!

 

[eshannon]

Hello, Was looking for some info on AKL and found this wonderful thread. I just booked today for five nights at AKL. We have stayed just about everywhere else but our favorite is POR. I too got the rate of $109. We ar going kind of spur of the moment because United offered double miles and we wanted to use our annual passes one more time before they expire on Feb.11th. We are going Feb 3rd-7th. Did any of you get a good rate on a car? Cheapest I have found is $117 at dollar. It will be my husband, myself and our two boys ages 11 and 6. Thanks for any more info you have. Elaine in Idaho

 

[Polly59918]

Well, we got back tonight from our trip. We were given a free upgrade from a standard room to a pool view room (our rate was $109). I must say, though, we were up at the crack of dawn every day to get to the park early and then we'd come back mid-day for the kids to catch a swim (in 50 degree weather). Then we would go back to the park so we didn't really have alot of time to gaze at the animals. Perhaps, if you were going to be spending some time at the resort, the view would be good, but since we weren't there much, it was fine. We went outside to watch them some. The resort is lovely--the lobby is grand and magnificent and there is no detail left undone. The bus service was quick but it was COLD! 33 DEGREES on our first day at Animal Kingdom! Try taking the Kilamanjaro Safari in that weather! All in all, it was a great trip, wonderful resort. I am EXHAUSTED!
Polly

 

[dgaston]

Polly

Did you get bunk beds?

Glad you had a great trip. It's been below freezing here in CT for over 2 weeks now. In Christmas 1999, we went on the Safari ride first thing in the am. It was very cold then, and the animatronics didn't work, not even the pot hole! Somehow I always expect WDW to escape colder than usual weather patterns. Oh well!