Is a Savannah View at AKL?

[birdiesunshine]

Really worth the money or go with a standard room and ask for an upgrade? If an upgrade is hard then am I better off at a moderate? We never stayed at AKL but we have stayed at WL. The grounds and hotels structurally look the same. Just thought it would be neat for my 3 yr. old daughter to see animals but some people say you don't see much . Please help as I have a great pass holder rate for March 23 - 27.

 

[Briarmom]

Since you are going during Spring Break I'd say book the Savannah. It is very nice to sit outside on your balcony and look at the animals. We were there in November and saw animals all the time.

 

[dundee10]

I'm not so sure. We realized after the fact that we didn't spend enough time in the lodge to benefit from our savannah view; we were in the parks most of the time. Secondly, there are public observation area which will give you good views. However, if you're wanting to be able to sit in your jammies and watch for the giraffes while enjoying a cup of morning coffee, you might want to get the better room. If we ever return to AKL, we'll plan on making enjoying the AKL a part of our vacation rather than just a place to stay.

 

[birdiesunshine]

Do you see more animals at different times of year or it doesn't matter. I will be going in march.

 

[Briarmom]

I'm not so sure. We realized after the fact that we didn't spend enough time in the lodge to benefit from our savannah view; we were in the parks most of the time. Secondly, there are public observation area which will give you good views. However, if you're wanting to be able to sit in your jammies and watch for the giraffes while enjoying a cup of morning coffee, you might want to get the better room. If we ever return to AKL, we'll plan on making enjoying the AKL a part of our vacation rather than just a place to stay.

Good point. We were at AKL at the end of a 12 night stay (stayed at a different hotel the first 7 nights) and since it was Thanksgiving, we really spent a lot of time at the hotel. We swam a lot and enjoyed the views from our balcony at all hours of the day.

 

[poohandwendy]

I definitely think it depends on how much you usually spend at the resort. we tend to hang out at our resort alot. So, from what I saw visiting AKL, I would definitely go for the Savannah view. I think it would be worth it.

To be honest, that would be one of the main reasons I would stay at AKL, for the ambience. If I was doing mostly park hopping, I would choose a more convenient resort.

 

[birdiesunshine]

We are more park people than hotel sitters but seeing how we have a trip in April and if we take this trip in March its because of cheap jet-blue tickets and annual pass rate at AKL we would spend time at the resort more than usual but I don't want to spend the money on a savannah view and see no animals like some people have stated. I would just try for an upgrade. But we like the Grounds at CBR so much that I don't know what to do . You can boat, bike and swim at CBR but I like the idea of seeing animals in and around the lodge at AKL. But again if we won't see animals or have to see them but they are 500 million miles away then I'll take CBR so we can relax before our April trip at GF.

 

[poohandwendy]

In your case, I would probably just book standard. If you get an upgrade, great. If not, then you will not be disappointed. And the choice between AKL and Cbr would be easy for me...definitely AKL. Neither are a 'convenient' resort...but the difference between moderate and deluxe, no question for me.

 

[birdiesunshine]

Thanks for your opinion I guess if I want to do some boating I could go to the park say magic kingdom them monorail hop to the contemporary. We have stayed at CBR and with this rate at AKL it would be a good oppurtunity to try the resort. We just got back from POFQ and noticed that the pools were heated to different temps. Our resort was much colder than Saratoga Springs so as DVC members we took a boat to Downtown disney and walked to saratoga and swam. I think I'll book AKL. and hope for an upgrade we could always use the observation points on resort property.

 

[denisem]

We've stayed at AKL twice and were told during the "Sunrise Safari" that you're most likely to see animals on the AKL savannah views early in the morning and late afternoon/night.

They "call in" the animals during the afternoons (when most people are visiting the parks) for feeding, check-ups, etc. Each species is trained to respond to a different sound. (This is the exact opposite of the animals at AK - they're out all day and "come in" at night).

So people expecting giraffes in mid-afternoon at AKL WOULD tend to report "no animals!" - whilst those enjoying their morning coffee or hangin' out at dusk would be treated to some amazin' sights!

Denise < --- now lives 1-1/2 hrs. from WDW and hasn't been to the AK since I lived in MI!

 

[Crankyshank]

These are the views from our Savannah view room at AKL in October
http://photobucket.com/albums/a369/evilmogwai/Disney Oct 05/Animal Kingdom Lodge/

We made sure to spend time in the room in the morning or evening admiring the view every day. DH and I enjoyed it so much that we honestly would go back and spend even less time in the parks.
In your case you'd probably be fine with a standard room and just check out the observation areas

 

[Toby'sFriend]

you also need to know that some of the Standard Room Views there are very close to the area where people wait for the busses. The "view" of the bus stop is blocked by a wall on the ground level, but if you sit out on your balcony you will definately hear the people. The other levels look out toward the parking lot.

 

[cardaway]

you also need to know that some of the Standard Room Views there are very close to the area where people wait for the busses. The "view" of the bus stop is blocked by a wall on the ground level, but if you sit out on your balcony you will definately hear the people. The other levels look out toward the parking lot.

That's the key IMO. Sounds like it's not worth staying there at all if you don't go for the view. Having walked the grounds it sure does look like it would be worth it. In fact, the only view I have seen that would be worth it. All the others are too far away form anything for the view to be worht anything.

 

[birdiesunshine]

That's the key IMO. Sounds like it's not worth staying there at all if you don't go for the view. Having walked the grounds it sure does look like it would be worth it. In fact, the only view I have seen that would be worth it. All the others are too far away form anything for the view to be worht anything.

So if I don't get the Savannah view secured I probably should stay at CBR for the grounds and other stuff to do?

Thanks for everyones input I still am confused but everyones info is helpful

 

[cardaway]

So if I don't get the Savannah view secured I probably should stay at CBR for the grounds and other stuff to do?

Thanks for everyones input I still am confused but everyones info is helpful

I know I would. So far we have been happy just making a PS for Boma and getting there early to take in all the AKL grounds. On our next trip we plan on getting the Savanah side of AKL and doing the monring Safari which I believe is open to only AKL guests.