Quick analysis: AKL standard view not worth it?

[Fargoman2]

I've checked these boards and tripadvisor.com. Many rave about the amazing views and animal sightings. Of course, these are people blessed with savannah views. The standard view offers "parking lot" view and bus noise. So the actual animal viewing for the children would be rather limited.

I have seen some suggest that free upgrades are somewhat commonplace, but without the guarantee it sounds too risky for me.

Guess I should stay put at the Dolphin despite the cost difference (In my case 149 or 199 vs. 129 (AP).

Anyone care to "straighten me out?" Or am I right?

 

[Laurajean1014]

Which is $129, 199 and $149?

We opted for the savannah view, but the animals were limited where we were, but then again, so were we.

If you could clarify what the Dolphin offers at XXXX price and AKL at XXXX price, we may be better to help you.

Also, what view will you get at Dolphin?

 

[eclectics]

Hi. I don't know how long a trip you have planned, but if you don't mind doing a split stay, you could book the AKL Savannah View for just a couple of nights at the end of your stay. Or book Boma's for a meal and spend a couple of hours at the animal viewing areas. I'm assuming your kids want to see the animals?

 

[HopperFan]

There are many public viewing areas. There is the main Arusha rock area, with guides and night vision. There are numerous public porches with chairs http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/photoaklarushol.html and http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/photoaklarusha.html, there are windows along the hallways. There are the flamingo etc area by the pool http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/photoaklsav3.html, there is another viewing area around the corner from the pool that often has a guide http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/photoakluzsav.html.

Having stayed Savanna and Pool view, I wouldn't hesitate to get a standard view (and use my extra $ to eat at BOMA). When in pool view room, we never used our porch but went to all the public viewing areas and got to enjoy the animals. You have the opportunity to see plenty of animals without a savanna room. Even in the savanna room, we wandered all over to the other areas to see different animals. And there are so many organized activites for the kids to do at the hotel !!

 

[Densgirl]

I'd go standard again in a minute. The hotel itself in soo nice. As other posters have said there are tons of other places to see the animals and also an impressive african art collection located all over the resort. We got an area I've heard referred to as dreadful-right at the end of the trail overlooking the busstop and the front of the resort. Didn't bother me a SINGLE bit. I had gone hoping a little for an upgragde, but quite happy to be staying at AKL at all so I wasn't disappointed in the least. I'd try this resort out once at least. Good luck choosing.

 

[F1Julie]

We stayed at AKL in a standview last August and it was great. The room technically faced a parking lot, but there was a lot of foliage between the room and the parking lot. We couldn't see or hear any cars. There are plenty of public viewing areas to see the animals. I think the standard view rooms at AKL are one of the best values at WDW. I'd book standard again without a second thought.

 

[JenLynn]

We booked standard view for our recent 10 day trip and I was worried about it because my thought was "We are going to pay all of this money for a view of the street? Or a room overlooking the bus stop?" I was quite concerned. When we checked in I asked the CM "Is there any chance of a complimentary upgrade?" She nodded and said we had already been given one. I have to say (and DH agrees with me, I believe) that now that we have stayed there and seen what is available we would not have been happy in a standard view room (particularly since there were times when the kids napped and I was able to sit on the balcony and watch the animals or there were times when I took longer to get ready to go and the children sat on the balcony and watched). Our time spent at the animal viewing areas was quite limited due to our schedule. Before I left for our vacation, I was happy to see so many people comment that the standard view was nice, but now that I have experienced AKL I can say that a savannah view room would be our only choice for this resort (for my family).

 

[ciera321]

We booked a standard view and got an upgrade to savannah. The view was great, but since there are so many places to see the animals AND I've read several times that people were upset that not too many animals could be seen from their savannah view room, I will always book standard and if I get upgraded, great. If not, I'll visit all the beautiful viewing areas around the resort and spend the extra money and other things...

 

[septbride2002]

That's my balcony! Every morning I sat there for at least an hour drinking hot chocolate and watching the animals. I was never distrubed. I just walked down the stairwell camoflaged to the right of it. *sigh*

 

[SleepingUgly]

We stayed at AKL in a standview last August and it was great. The room technically faced a parking lot, but there was a lot of foliage between the room and the parking lot. We couldn't see or hear any cars. There are plenty of public viewing areas to see the animals. I think the standard view rooms at AKL are one of the best values at WDW. I'd book standard again without a second thought.

I agree with this statement 100 percent. I think of the savannah-view as a luxury, not a necessity, to my hotel room. It's not like the standard-view rooms are missing a toilet or a bed. It's not like you are treated differently because you have a savannah-view room. The rooms themselves are the same as the savannah-view rooms. You have to decide for yourself if the view of animals is worth $80-plus each night.

FYI -- We stayed in a fifth-floor, Giraffe Trail standard-view room in May. It was not dark, the room was very nice, mousekeeping was delightful, we had a great time, and the kids never whined about not being able to see the animals at all. We stayed eight nights, and the $800 saving was well worth it, IMO.

Linda

 

[jenjersnap]

I understand what you are saying, fargoman. We were upgraded from standard to savannah last December, but if we hadn't, my 4-year-old would have been devastated even with all the beautiful viewing areas. We had a much more relaxed pace at AKL than we have had at any other resort and spent much time on the balcony enjoying our view and the birds who would come to chat with us every morning. If you are going commando and won't be spending much time in the room anyway, it might not be as important if you have a parking lot view.

BUT, we just can't imagine ponying up so much extra for a savannah room! So, this December, we reserved a poolview room which was like $30 more per night with the AP Best Rates discount. I am hoping an upgrade is more likely (since it's only ONE upgrade and poolview rooms, like standard rooms, each make up only 10% of the total of all rooms with the remaining 80% savannah) or I will have to, gulp, ask for the upgrade which I have never done before, even if I hav to pay a few bucks for it at that time.

I think it is a decision only you can make for your family based on finances and your family's desires/touring style. AKL is one of our favorite places, esp. my kids - it is always their only real request. However, DS4 and I had a wonderful stay at the Dolphin last February so I know a great time can be had there too. Good luck deciding and have a great trip!

 

[Tinkaroo]

I agree that a savannah view room at the AKL is not a "do or die" situation. We stayed for a week in a standard view room in AKL, and loved every minute of it. As another poster said, we technically did have a view of the parking lot, but there was so much foliage surrounding it, we never heard (or saw) any real activity (and we were on 3rd floor - lobby level). If memory serves, we were on the Ostrich Trail, room 3125, which was a king bed.

Particularly with an AP rate, I think AKL is one of the best deals on property. The resort is so unique and exotic, the food options are amazing (save plenty of room for Boma!!), and we found all the CM's very friendly and accomodating.

Go - you won't be disappointed!!