Thanks everyone. We have a savannah view room, and it is 5th floor
DVC at Jambo House.
Although a bit old, here is my review from Dec 2007. we got a stinker of a SAvannah room. I wrote this 2 days after I got back and my emotions were a bit raw. Looking Back it was a bit harsh and perhaps I overdid it. However, I do stick by the room being a total disgracefull view. DVC have a cheek calling it a Savannah view. It top right hand corner as you look at a Jambo map, looking out towards the top right.
Tuesday 4 December to friday 7th December – Animal Kingdom villas.
Ok this is the one we really looked forward to. We added on 50 points here earlier in the year to enable us to guarantee our stay here. We loved the promo videos and the view over the savannah from the balcony. So stumped up the points to get the savannah view.
Got to the Animal kingdom lodge at 3.30. At the door the medal floor design of animals and the wooden panels surrounding it were roped off, making the entry door seemed really small. The lobby was also really cluttered with couches and other 'junk'. At least 10 people in line infront to check in. Only 2 people doing check in, but 5 or 6 at the concierge desk chatting and laughing with each other. Initial impressions were not good. Waited in line for about 30 minutes until we got seen. Really poor this. I had requested a room overlooking the central savannah, near to the lobby as possible. Never got this the CM whom I would characterise as rude said 'I dont care what you requested. Thats your room and I cant change it) She wrote 5548 on the a bit of paper and sent us on our way. I asked for the welcome pack, but she told me they were too busy to build them up and to come back later.
So walked up to the room. Took 3 breaks and aged a bit, but eventually got to 5548. put the key in. red light. Tried all three. All red light. Then the door opened and another lady said that this was her room. ARRGH!!!!!!! After that hike, She's given me someone elses room.!!!
So back to the lobby. Waited another 20 mins in line to get dragon lady again. 'I never said 5548' says Ros (nice monsters inc link there) . 'Yes you did says I' whilst showing her the room layout card that she had written 5548 on. Tut tut goes it and says, its 5549 and sends us off with a flee in our ear. Sorry? Not a chance.
Repeat 1 mile walk to the far end of the hotel to the worst DVC room on property. Remember the number. Its Room 5549.
So we walk in and the lampshade falls of the ceiling and smashes on the floor. Oh. There's an omen. So straight to the balcony. Its a 5th floor room overlooking a circular fenced of mud pit! Totally shocking and utterly unacceptable. I just cant believe they call this a savannah view. Never saw so much as a bird the whole time we were there. DW burst into tears. This hotel was her dream. So back to the lobby and after a 15 minute wait (see getting better) got Ros to get us the floor manager. He hid in the back for 10 minutes before being very sorry but there was nothing else he could do. We got the AKV version of the dumpster view.
The room itself was also pants. No en-suite and a toilet in a cupboard. Whats that all about. But, but,wheres the tub. Someone has shrunk it! Tiny wee thing.
Ok says DW phone up members services and get a move. I am not staying here. So I phone up member service and shockerooni, nothing available apart from Saratoga springs. Here was a dilema. Do we leave the 'mud pit view' for the poor relation of DVC? She hummed and hawed and decided that SS was a step too far. So we stayed put and tried to go to a park. Waited 40 mins on a bus to epcot. Waited 30 mins ona bus at 730pm to get back. Eventually got back to the room and thought we would try out the HD tv. Guess what only one remote. So tried it on the living room tv. Worked fine. Pulled out the sofa and put the wee man to bed. Tried the bedroom tv. Nope. Only 2 channels working. So its channel 2 or 3. Everything else is choppy and unwatchable as if the cable is not properly tuned in. Wife looks out the balcony and cries again. Went to find the Mara food place. Walked around for a while. No signs anywhere. Asked a Cm to be met with a shocked look. 'Its near the pool sir' Oh of course it is. How stupid of me not to know this. Had I had a welcome pack...... Got a rotten burger on stale brown bun (what is it with the brown buns now?)
So in the morning we phoned up member services to take them up on SS offer. VAK was that bad. But no, that room has been filled. Bah.
I would advise everyone to avoid the AKV until the new building is built. Its far too great a risk booking a savannah room right now in case you get the rotten views. There really are a lot of them.
) so I don't want to get to our room and have a pole or something in the way so our view is obstructed. Any advice? Also, I read about online check in. How early can I do that, and can I make a room request then, or should I do it ahead of time? thanks very much!!
