Piece of Advice about AKL

[freediverdude]

I just returned from two nights at the AKL in a standard view room. My advice would be to never book these rooms. Here is my story. I arrived at check-in, and asked out of curiosity how much it would be to upgrade to a savannah view room. The CM told me that the resort was sold out, so that wasn't an option. I thought, oh well, I'll save some money anyway that way, I've had a partial parking lot view before at other resorts, and it didn't bother me. I know that standard view can be parking lot view, so I was prepared for that. When I got to the room later in the day, I went out to the balcony to see what the view was. The parking lot part of the view actually wasn't too bad- I was in the Ostrich trail, one level above the lobby level, and there was some foliage, then one row of handicapped parking, then trees behind that which hid the main parking lot from view. What I wasn't prepared for, was to see above the trees, looking like it was about a block away, a 7-11 sign, a Citgo gas sign, some other sign that looked like maybe a Chik-fil-A, and several billboards, all along 192. I have never been in a Disney-owned hotel room, especially a deluxe, where I could see outside-the-World businesses, and I wasn't happy. I wasn't even on one of the top 2 floors, which must have an even better view of these signs. Having been told that the resort was sold out already, I knew my only option was probably to demand a move to a different resort. But since it was only 2 nights, and I hadn't even really walked around and seen the AKL yet, I decided to put up with it just this once to be able to experience the resort. But I had to pull the drapes completely shut and not use the balcony at all, because it gave a very offsite feeling looking out there. I could even stand back by the bathroom area, look through the closed sheer curtains, and still see that 7-11 sign, so I had to completely shut the heavy drapes. Since it appears that most of the standard view rooms seem to look out that direction, I most definitely would not advise anyone to book those rooms, unless that wouldn't bother you. I have booked standard view rooms at the Contemporary and other resorts, and was fine with those, but I for one won't EVER stay in one of those AKL standard view rooms again, even if they offered it to me for $49. I can at least stay in the All-Stars even, knowing that I won't have to look at a 7-11 sign and a bunch of billboards from offsite. I don't think this should be happening at a deluxe resort, I guess that's just my opinion, but just a word of warning for people booking those rooms. Oh, and by the way, it's even worse at night, when all those signs are lit up, and that's all you can see from your balcony are those lit up offsite signs and billboards.

 

[LvsTnk]

I wouldn't want to look at that either

 

[SamSam]

AKL is such a lovely resort, I can't imagine having the outside world intrude! I had no idea that you could see 'outside' signage from in WDW!

 

[Disneymoon04]

That stinks! Very disappointing...

One of the things that makes WDW so magical is being trasported to this wonderful place with no sign of the 'outside world' like at other theme parks.

 

[Gillian]

Could you see them from the room with the sheers closed?

 

[Mouseteacher]

I whole heartedly agree - seeing the "outside" world is NOT a good thing. Thanks for the heads up.

BTW, the parking lot view from CR Tower is the MK and the castle! Some standard view, huh?

 

[ducklite]

This is absolutely the case--you can see the signs from the rooms as well as parts of the parking lot

While I agree that it would have been better if the outside world wasn't allowed to interfere, I'm also not sure what WDW can do about it...the zoning laws are not set by them, and most of those taller signs went up AFTER construction at AKL began.

I believe that the very low cost of standard rooms at the AKL (which can be had at discounts for less than rack rates at the moderates) reflects the less than perfect views.

Hopefully as the greenery matures it will grow tall enough to block out most of the views of the outside world.

Anne

 

[susy]

I was going to say that maybe as the tress grow, you won't be able to see it, but STILL-that's horrible!!!!!!! If you got the room for $109, maybe... but anyone who pays rack rate (which with tax is over $200) and has to see that-well, it's unacceptable.

We booked a standard view there, but got upgraded to the pool view , which was fine and really beautiful at night. I would have a hard time going back there if I didn't have the savannah room booked. My mom stayed in a standard room and did not have much to say about it. Then she stayed at the BWI and couldn't stop talking about it!

 

[Schmeck]

Last October, we were lucky enough to get bumped from the CBR rehab to AKL, for $109 a night. We got a savannah view on the Zebra trail (not Arusha, the other side, and I can't remember the name of it, sorry!) with lovely giraffe, etc. But if I looked really hard (and listened early in the morning) I could see/hear the buildings and autos of 'the outside world'.

It was a bit of a surprise, but for $109, we could live with it. But if I had payed full price for that room, I would have been a bit upset. If we can afford to do AKL again (because now I'm spoiled by the deluxe!) I'll try for the inner facing rooms.

Schmeck, crunching numbers to create a budget that would allow us 10 nights at the AKL without having to declare bankruptcy,LOL!

 

[mars315]

I, while not having seen the view, have to believe that Disney is working on a landscaping plan, that is in the process of growing in, that, while not making it perfect, would be a vast improvement in terms of show.

Or maybe there is something else that the imagineers can come up with. How about a false, movie-type backdrop so when you look out your window you see savannah. I know that I would not like what the OP saw.

Michelle

 

[tonyk]

Originally posted by ducklite
This is absolutely the case--you can see the signs from the rooms as well as parts of the parking lot

While I agree that it would have been better if the outside world wasn't allowed to interfere, I'm also not sure what WDW can do about it...

Anne

Maybe they can stick up giant decals on the sliding glass doors similar to those you put on the back of a fishtank to "trick" the fish into believing they're really looking at a beautiful coral reef instead of a living room wall (or 7-11 sign).

 

[freediverdude]

Gillian, yes, I could even see that 7-11 sign during the day when the sign wasn't lit up, with the sheer drapes fully closed, all the way back from the bathroom/closet area. I wasn't happy that I actually had to keep the heavy drapes closed in order not to see those signs every time I glanced out. The Wilderness Lodge has the same pricing structure as AKL, even the very good rate for the standard view, without having to see the outside businesses like that, so I don't think the price reflects being able to see those businesses, only that you might see some parking lot area of the resort. I sure hope they do something about that, because to me that's not acceptable for any Disney resort, regardless of price. I don't mind seeing some of the guests' cars along with the theming and landscaping, but I'll be darned if I'm going to look out a Disney deluxe balcony to see a 7-11 sign- I don't think so!