Savanna or Standard?

[discott71]

So, we'll be staying at our home resort for 9 nights in Nov/Dec. So excited about this time of year since we've never experienced Disney during the holidays. I have booked and re-booked about four times already!! Member Services probably thinks I'm nuts! We're a family of 5 (kids will be 11, 8 and 5 at time of travel).

I was in a 1 bedroom standard and this weekend changed back to a 1 bedroom savanna view. I know it's a personal preference, but would love to hear your input.

Here's some more info/questions:

1. I've booked 8 nights on points, but booked the 9th night in cash ($412.50 plus tax) !! Not too crazy about this, but will do it so we don't have to borrow points from next year. Do many people do this?

2. We have stayed in a savanna view before at Kidani. We totally loved it and that's why I'm afraid I will feel like we're missing something if we don't stay with this type of view.

3. How active are the animals in the savanna in Nov/Dec? If it's cold, are they still out there? Would hate to go through all this and not have the animals out there.

4. With all the holiday activities going on (which is our priority) will we really miss not having the animals outside our balcony? We are rope drop people so we won't enjoy first thing in the morning, but will enjoy during an afternoon break or in the evening.

I hate being so undecisive!

Thanks in advance for your input !

 

[GusMan]

Just my 2 cents...
1) We book cash ressies on either end of our points stay on a regular basis. Although, we tend to stay at other resorts to keep the cash cost down.

2) For me, if you can afford a SV room, go for it. But because there are so many places to see the Savannah's throughout the resort, you may not miss the view if you get a standard room.

3) My experience is that the amount of animal activity is somewhat random. However, I have seen plenty of activity in the Savannah's during the winter months.

4) As mentioned, there are so many places to see the animals, I personally dont find having a standard view to be a big deal. Besides, there is so much to see and do in the resorts, in addition to the Savannah's that I am sure you would not miss it.

Hope that helps.

 

[islandtimect]

1. We always borrow points and would never pay cash. For us, the whole point of owning a time share is so we DON'T pay cash.

2. We stayed in a 1br savanna view previously, but booked a 2br standard view for Christmas because the points are so high at that time. I'm also a little afraid I will feel like we're missing something. But the Christmas decorations will be up and it's a magical time of year so I'm not too concerned.

3. Regarding the animals in Nov. - During a Nov trip when the temps were unusually cool (32 degrees at 7am), the animals in the savanna were easy to see when they were eating. Saw them off and on at other times of the day, but feeding time in the morning was when we saw them the most.

 

[discott71]

Thanks for your kind replies so far .

Just bumping for some more opinions.

 

[lumpydj]

So, we'll be staying at our home resort for 9 nights in Nov/Dec. So excited about this time of year since we've never experienced Disney during the holidays. I have booked and re-booked about four times already!! Member Services probably thinks I'm nuts! We're a family of 5 (kids will be 11, 8 and 5 at time of travel).

I was in a 1 bedroom standard and this weekend changed back to a 1 bedroom savanna view. I know it's a personal preference, but would love to hear your input.

Here's some more info/questions:

1. I've booked 8 nights on points, but booked the 9th night in cash ($412.50 plus tax) !! Not too crazy about this, but will do it so we don't have to borrow points from next year. Do many people do this?

2. We have stayed in a savanna view before at Kidani. We totally loved it and that's why I'm afraid I will feel like we're missing something if we don't stay with this type of view.

3. How active are the animals in the savanna in Nov/Dec? If it's cold, are they still out there? Would hate to go through all this and not have the animals out there.

4. With all the holiday activities going on (which is our priority) will we really miss not having the animals outside our balcony? We are rope drop people so we won't enjoy first thing in the morning, but will enjoy during an afternoon break or in the evening.

I hate being so undecisive!

Thanks in advance for your input !

1 - Have you considered renting points and having them transferred into your account instead of paying cash? Although, depending on the number of points you need, it may not end up being much difference in price.

2 - Personally, I'm not sure I'd stay at AKV if I didn't have a Savannah View. I know there are places to see the animals when not in your room, but to me, that's the whole draw of AKV.

3 - We were at AKV in Feb and it was COLD!!!! Close to freezing some mornings and a high of 50's and low 60's. I don't think it gets that cold in Nov/Dec. There were plenty of animals outside our room to watch. There were more in the afternoon than morning.

4 - We always end up spending more time in our room than we anticipate. It was nice having the animals right there. Made for quite the relaxing trip - sitting out on the balcony watching the animals. It was so quiet and peaceful. Not sure I would have gotten that in the common areas.

Just my two cents! Hope you have a great time!