Is Savanna View at AKL worth the extra $$?

[CampbellScot]

We are trying to make our decisions for our trip in August. I was just wondering if others who have stayed at AKL w/ either the standard view or Savanna view can tell me if the Savanna view truly is worth the extra money?

My little step son is just animal crazy, which is why we chose AKL! I know he would LOVE to see animals out his window...but it seems like a lot of extra cash for a possible glimpse when we spend most of our time in the parks anyhow!!

thanks everyone!!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

We've been to AKL twice and have had Savannah view both times. The first time it wasn't that much more than the parking lot view. The second time I booked Standard View but when we were checking in, I very nicely asked the CM if we could get Savannah view, and she said she had already upgraded us! I have never asked for an upgrade, but I really love the animal view. While we were checking in (between hurricanes in Sept. 2004) a couple came up and interrupted us to talk to the CM checking us in. After they left she explained that they had been staying at AKL during the recent hurricane, and had become attached to her. She thanked me for being patient, and that may have been why she upgraded us.

I haven't checked AKL rates lately, how much more is it? And how many days are you staying? Maybe you could split your stay between both views. I would do first part w/o view and then change to view room. That would save some $

One of my favorite memories of both our times at AKL are seating on the balcony, early in the a.m., eating our breakfast (cereal) while watching, and hearing, the animals eating theirs. It's a really unique experience.

Of course, thre are many viewing areas where you, and your DS, can see the animals around AKL.

If you decide to book standard room, don't hesitate to ask for an upgrade-you might luck out!

 

[LuvTigger]

I've only stayed in the savannah view, but in my opinion, it's worth it (although I have to admit that when I stayed there, I had a code that was worth about 40% off).

There are viewing areas all over the resort, but to me, there's nothing like being able to stand on your own private balcony and gaze as long as you want at the animals on the savannah.

 

[kujoman]

In my opinion, you are missing the best part of the stay there if you don't book it. We were lucky in that I tried to go the cheaper way and booked a pool view. Fortunately, we received a free upgrade and I couldn't believe I almost didn't have that view. Nothing better than sitting out on the balcony with a glass of wine after a day at the parks.

It would be like going to a world class steakhouse and ordering chicken.

 

[LakeAriel]

I've only stayed in the savannah view, but in my opinion, it's worth it (although I have to admit that when I stayed there, I had a code that was worth about 40% off).

There are viewing areas all over the resort, but to me, there's nothing like being able to stand on your own private balcony and gaze as long as you want at the animals on the savannah.

I agree with this..To be able to sit on the balcony and watch the animals is amazing..Keep in mind they are not directly under your window though..There was a giraffe there which we could call and he would walk over towards our room..Priceless. It is not a glance, there are always animals present.

 

[Gusteau]

My 2 cents...

We LOVE AKL... its our favorite.

The first time we stayed at the AKL we had a savannah view room and it was pretty neat. We really enjoyed checking out the animals. The one down side of the savannah view is that the animals are not always around and without the animals its not much of a view... just a lot of scrubby bushes and overgrown weeds.

The second time we stayed at AKL we had a pool view room and we actually enjoyed that view much more than the animals. We enjoyed it so much that we purposely booked a pool view room for our next trip. We find the view of the pool to be really scenic and relaxing.

There are many places in the resort to see the animals and the resort itself is spectacular even without the animals.

BUT... if it were my first trip I would go for the savannah view if you can swing the money. That way you can see what all the fuss is about and not feel like you are missing anything. If you are on a budget, I would still book one of the other views and know that you will see plenty of animals during your stay.

 

[louey]

We stayed AKL Savannah view Dec. 06 and love it!!! I would say it is definately worth it, we would sit out on the balcony in the morning or when we came back for showers in the early evening. If I ever stay there again it will be Savannah View for sure

 

[danielle782001]

Our kids (3 & 5) loved seeing the different animals out of our window... they feed them near the rooms and various animals will come/stay/go at different points in the day... It was sooooo exciting for them to look out the window when they woke up and when we came back to the room. They still pretend that they are at the lodge... they set up plastic, toy animals and pretend they can see them "out the window"... It is so cute... They have lasting memories of that stay!

One down side: My five year old did not want to stay at the parks... We would be in a park for an hour, do what was on his list, then he would ask to go back to the lodge.... He loved the place so much that he really did not want to do anything else but be there. So cute!!!

 

[CampbellScot]

Thanks everybody!!

This has been so crazy...we are starting our annual " Disney Plan for August" and we were going to stay at Wilderness Lodge. I'm a WL girl all the way...but just the other day my step son was building with his legos and he had all his animals out. I asked him what he was building and he said "A house in a zoo...wouldn't it be so cool to have a house INSIDE a zoo and then you could see animals out your window EVERY DAY!!!" Why YES little step son it would and I'll bet your Disney crazed step mother can find a way to give you exactly that!

Needless to say, my resistance to change melted and I started looking into AKL immediately! At the moment, the cost difference of a Savanna view w/ bunk beds vs. a Pool view w/ bunk beds is about $650! (We're staying for 10 days). To my husband that is a lot of money to pay for a room that we just don't spend that much time in. He's a very practical sort, bless him...as I am a Disney freak who needs some reigning in from time to time!!!!

SO...I am going to keep my eyes out for that elusive 40% off room code!

My step son will be thrilled either way, but I'd love to grant his wish of animals outside his "house"!!!

 

[dlz]

I have an idea, consider splitting your trip so you can at least get a couple nights at the AKL. We stayed in the 3 BR Grand Villa w/ Savannah room over Thanksgiving and it was the most spectacular place I have ever seen. The lobby is amazing, the animals are amazing, the restaurant and the gift shop-amazing. Worth every penny to see the look on your kids faces when they see a giraffe walking past your room! You will love it if only for one night! So glad we did it, we are DVC and it cost me 480 points to stay there. Incase you don't know about the points, that's a whole, whole lot! Enough for a cruise. The room would have been about $1500.00 per night, which is out even for my whole week. Maybe you should consider DVC that way you would have all of the options that my family has now which would never be the case if we had to pay cash. Good luck and have fun!

 

[dlz]

I have an idea, consider splitting your trip so you can at least get a couple nights at the AKL. We stayed in the 3 BR Grand Villa w/ Savannah room over Thanksgiving and it was the most spectacular place I have ever seen. The lobby is amazing, the animals are amazing, the restaurant and the gift shop-amazing. Worth every penny to see the look on your kids faces when they see a giraffe walking past your room! You will love it if only for one night! So glad we did it, we are DVC and it cost me 480 points to stay there. Incase you don't know about the points, that's a whole, whole lot! Enough for a cruise. The room would have been about $1500.00 per night, which is out even for my whole week. Maybe you should consider DVC that way you would have all of the options that my family has now which would never be the case if we had to pay cash. Good luck and have fun!

 

[danielle782001]

Thanks everybody!!

This has been so crazy...we are starting our annual " Disney Plan for August" and we were going to stay at Wilderness Lodge. I'm a WL girl all the way...but just the other day my step son was building with his legos and he had all his animals out. I asked him what he was building and he said "A house in a zoo...wouldn't it be so cool to have a house INSIDE a zoo and then you could see animals out your window EVERY DAY!!!" Why YES little step son it would and I'll bet your Disney crazed step mother can find a way to give you exactly that!

Needless to say, my resistance to change melted and I started looking into AKL immediately! At the moment, the cost difference of a Savanna view w/ bunk beds vs. a Pool view w/ bunk beds is about $650! (We're staying for 10 days). To my husband that is a lot of money to pay for a room that we just don't spend that much time in. He's a very practical sort, bless him...as I am a Disney freak who needs some reigning in from time to time!!!!

SO...I am going to keep my eyes out for that elusive 40% off room code!

My step son will be thrilled either way, but I'd love to grant his wish of animals outside his "house"!!!

DH and I love WL the most... Kids love AKL the most.... next August we are splitting our 9 night stay between the two.... Planning WL first half and going to MK (among others) those days.... AKL second half and not planning to visit MK because of the distance.... Yes, it is a pain moving resorts but this way we all get what we want out of the trip.

 

[mpbs]

Yes, Yes, And Yes.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I loved the pool view it was very pretty and relaxing but it really can not be compared to a giraffe in front of your balcony unless you are in Africa. LOL. Go for it you will love it. Just request Arusha Savannah Zebra Trail side

 

[Va-bear]

Thanks everybody!!

This has been so crazy...we are starting our annual " Disney Plan for August" and we were going to stay at Wilderness Lodge. I'm a WL girl all the way...but just the other day my step son was building with his legos and he had all his animals out. I asked him what he was building and he said "A house in a zoo...wouldn't it be so cool to have a house INSIDE a zoo and then you could see animals out your window EVERY DAY!!!" Why YES little step son it would and I'll bet your Disney crazed step mother can find a way to give you exactly that!

Needless to say, my resistance to change melted and I started looking into AKL immediately! At the moment, the cost difference of a Savanna view w/ bunk beds vs. a Pool view w/ bunk beds is about $650! (We're staying for 10 days). To my husband that is a lot of money to pay for a room that we just don't spend that much time in. He's a very practical sort, bless him...as I am a Disney freak who needs some reigning in from time to time!!!!

SO...I am going to keep my eyes out for that elusive 40% off room code!

My step son will be thrilled either way, but I'd love to grant his wish of animals outside his "house"!!!

WOW - Im soooo glad you asked this question and are getting such good feedback. We are going in August, for 10 days (we're trip twins!) and AK was LOW on DH's list. But the boys and I have worked on him in very subtle ways - mentioning how cool it would be to wake up to animals roaming about, mentioning how Boma's, his favorite, is in the same building, etc.) He now is VERY excited about it - but I'm not excited about the price. Man, if I could just get a 40% off rate we'd be there tomorrow!!! Well, August that is!

 

[mickey0930]

Does anyone have pics of thier view from these rooms?

 

[keylimepie]

I am glad to hear such good thinsg abotu it. We booked our trip last weekend for Aug, Savannah view. Dh said if we are staying there, we definitely needed to get the savannah room view! No complaints from me!

 

[MontanaZoo]

I had a pool view room and would have killed for a savannah view! I was in a comp'd room though since our company was having a huge convention at disney world and they toss in a certain number of free rooms for the company so couldn't really complain. I was glad I wasn't looking at the parking lot. The viewing areas are ok but the fences are (out of necessity) pretty high in the main savannah viewing area. They also had some of them closed off in the early morning which I was suprised at.

 

[plutospup]

I am sure a savannah room is great, however...
we had a pool view room, and we enjoyed it very much. There are many viewing areas throughout the resort. Since we didn't have a savannah room it forced us to look elsewhere, which led to checking out the animals on all savannahs! I think that some people limit themselves to the view from their savannah balcony, and miss the other animals on the other savannahs (there are different animals on each savannah). Whatever you choose your family will have a wonderful time! Be sure to check out the AKL children's programs. It sounds like your son would enjoy them.

 

[dclfun]

AKL really is a destination resort in itself, esp. with the great programs they have there for all ages. The kids activities are fantastic and my entire family enjoyed the stories around the fire-pit and night-vision goggles. While the pool view IS lovely, having the savannah view really tops out the experience. There's no other resort other than if you're in Africa itself that can offer such an amazing experience of seeing animals right outside your balcony. So to us, the extra $$ for a savannah view is well worth it and I'd rather make a monetary sacrifice elsewhere vs. wishing the entire time that I had the savannah view. Yes, there are plenty of viewing areas elsewhere but it was the personal, private experience and hearing the shrieks of wonder and delight from my kids that made it worth every penny. I don't think they would've enjoyed a pool view nearly as much since it's something you can see anywhere.---Kathy