Is AKL Savanna worth the money?

[sylvia2]

We are booked in a standard room at the AKL the beginning of May. After reading on the boards about the savanna rooms, I started to investigate. There are still some available, but at 50 dollars more a night. Is it worth it? We are traveling for the first time to WDW with our 2 children, ages 3 and 5. Part of me thinks I should just go for it. I doubt we'll ever stay here again, and we might as well do it right. The other part of me thinks "how much time are we going to spend in our room and maybe we'll get upgraded for free". I have a savanna room on hold and have 2 weeks to decide. Any input you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[ozzel]

Oh yeah - it's worth it.

I fear you'll get there and regret not having a savannah view - it was great when I did it back in October. To have those animals right off your balcony - it was great!!

-Kim

 

[Ted and Holly]

If I were in the same situation, I would go for it. If I was doubting whether or not I was going to stay there again, I would do it just to see the kids' reactions on the balcony.

AKL Savannah view is really a great experience. You wake up in the morning, head out and see all sorts of african wildlife walking around, grazing in the mist. Beautiful. In the afternoon, when the air cools off, you can catch the animals heading back out to their preferring grazing spots.

You may think that you will not spend a lot of time in the room, but since the animals are most viewable first thing in the morning or in the afternoon, you will see that their schedule fits your park time pretty well.

We went this past November and definitely did not regret it a bit.

Ted

 

[adams66]

I would say definitely YES! It's worth the money. I too wondered if we would be in the room enough to enjoy the view. What I found out was that I had lLESS desire to even leave the room or the hotel for that matter. It is such a relaxing place that you feel no need to rush out to go to the parks or anywhere else.

 

[donnamerry]

ditto! we couldn't wait to get back to our room and my son would run and open the shades to see what animals were out there! we'll be back in June!

 

[mouseclick1]

Another vote for YES! It was so peaceful to sit out there and watch the animals. I think you would be very pleased with your decision if you switch to the savannah view.

 

[skyhog]

For you, I say no... the rewards of savannah view are best realized if you will be in room a lot...

For those that have been there and done that in the theme parks, there is no better treat than savannah view - did it last May and will be back this May... but I have been a Florida passport holder for years and tend to stay "home" at the primo resorts...

For a newbie, the AKL is a spectacle showplace even without the 'savannah view' and you can really put the extra $50/day plus to work on other things... do eat at BOMA'S

The comp upgrade is not out of the question, especially beginning of May... and for a 3-5 year old there is so so much to see and do on a first visit

I agree with all the other posters in their enthusiasm for this resort and the 'savannah view'... but I have seen far too many weary park parents return to a magnificent resort... dead on their feet with either complaining or sleeping children... this Resort is BEST experienced as an end in itself... NOT that you won't really enjoy your stay there, I just think you will be glad you saved the extra money...

 

[rlyrehc]

good point, skyhog

 

[NicsMom1500]

Usually we book standard view at the resorts (Grand Floridian, Port Orleans, Wilderness Lodge) and hope for an upgrade.

We booked a Savannah view for our stay at AKL in January and I'm really glad we did this. In fact, this is the only resort that I wouldn't take my chances with an upgrade b/c the view is so spectacular.

Our 2 year old son's excitement was worth the cost of the view.

However this resort is beautiful and the views can be enjoyed from lots of viewing areas.

We are returning to AKL in December for 3 nights.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge last April and at that time my kids were 4 and 9 mos. The thing is I certainly do not think I'd get to relax and enjoy the animals while looking after them (my kids, not the animals) in the common areas. You're busy with your kids, not relaxing. I had such a WONDERFUL time after my kids went to sleep at night - my DH and I would get a nice desert from Mara, sit out and watch the animals in the peace of the evening. I stayed up until about 1 am a couple of nights, one night watching cattle, another night zebra and giraffe. During the day you don't have to worry about what your kids are doing, they can watch animals, play, watch tv, whatever while you enjoy the view. Actually my DS was very enthralled with it. As a parent of small kids we have to take those rest breaks you know? And it was a great experience to be able to see all the animals from our room.

I've posted the link to my pics several times but I never know who has seen them and who might want to so:

http://216.147.105.104/dianne/page1.htm

Some of these were taken with a zoom but some were not and you can see my DS in some pics to give a perspective.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[kimmar067]

...will your stay be at AKL? If you are concerned about spending the extra $$ for a certain view, why not just stay in a "savannah view" room for only the last day or two? Just a suggestion.....

 

[Babblin'Boo]

For you, I say no... the rewards of savannah view are best realized if you will be in room a lot...

Oh, come on now... Who in the world will plant himself and grow roots out in a balcony watching animals all day anyhow?
I booked savannah just for the special treat at the beginning and the end of the day. Because no other resort gives you that "into the wild" feeling like AKL, and because even 20 minutes of observation before you head out to the parks is a rewarding experience that not too many enjoy.

I say: It is worth it all the way, go for it.

 

[friskylady]

My teen daughter and I stayed in a savannah room last June. We loved it! There were giraffe feeding right outside! with a 3 & 5 yr old you can spend a lot of time at the resort entertaining them.
I'd say SLOW way down. Get park hoppers so you can go for short periods. Let them go swimming, walk around the resort, have frequent healthy snacks, and drink lots of water. Little kids get very worn out at Disney world, and then it's no fun for parents. You need a vacation too!
Think of the trip as a nice relaxing visit to a foreign country. You wouldn't try to learn everything there is to learn in one short visit would you?

Just my opinion, of course!

 

[ducklite]

IMHO if you don't want to spend the extra for a savannah view, you might as well save the money and get a room at a moderate, and just stop over to the AKL to visit and eat.

There are a few rooms at the AKL that have really bad views. Three actually look out over the walkway by the bus stop, and all day and night you'll have people walking within a few feet of you. The end one couldn't be more than twenty feet from the buses! We couldn't believe they were actually sleeping rooms, thought they were offices, until we saw people in them with the blinds open one night.

I can't tell you to gte a savannah view room or not. If you think you'll be spending every day from 8:00am until midnight at a theme park, then don't bother. But if you are planning some down time, relaxing at the resort, then a savannah view room at the AKL is a wonderful treat. With a 3 & 5 year old, I suspect you will be having some down time. Otherwise you'll be having meltdowns.

Anne

 

[cottontail]

Hi Everyone:

We are firsttimers to the ankl. We do have a savannah room booked.
If your doing a split ankl and the poly, how many nights should be booked to get the feel of the resort.
I was thinking three nights, and then to the poly. We will be going to the parks, but probably coming back for a rest. We have 8 or nine nights. Thanks,

Deb.

 

[adams66]

Cottontail-

I have never stayed at the Poly but based on my experience and reading the experiences of others here on the boards, I would offer the following advice:

Stay at the Poly first. You would have the convenience of being on the monorail and could focus on park hopping for the first part of your trip. Stay at the AKL at the end of your vacation. It is such a relaxing place to unwind after the hectic pace of the parks. It is also a great place to stay when you are just hitting your favorite things before going home. We would get up, go to whatever park we wanted to repeat before going home, then come back to AKL to swim in the afternoon before going back out to see whatever park closing we wanted to see again. It is very difficult not to "feel" like you're on vacation and relax at this place.

 

[NicsMom1500]

We spent 3 nights at AKL in January.

We go back in December and have planned to stay there our first 3 nights. We will get a Savannah view room again.

We will arrive on Friday by 1 p.m. And enjoy the resort. Maybe go out to Chef Mickey's for dinner.

Saturday, we will enjoy the resort. Shopping at Downtown Disney and visit Grand Floridian's Christmas decorations.

Sunday, we begin touring but will return in the afternoon to relax as we have a son who will be 3.

Monday, we will transfer to the Wilderness Lodge for 5 nights. We also stayed here in January and loved it. We will be touring on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. But Friday will be a day to enjoy the resort. Saturday, we head home.

I hope this helps a bit. We've learned that we truly enjoy taking time to enjoy the resorts. After all, we spend more money on the resorts than our park tickets!

 

[sylvia2]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input. We decided to stay in the savannah view room. I don't think we'll regret it, and I can't wait. Thanks to everyone. I appreciate all the information on these boards!