Savannah View or Not?

[TagsMissy]

OK here's the deal... we are already borrowing points from 2010 as we are staying in 2BR's all through our vacation... Now my question to ask ((I've not confirmed if the SV is still avail but it was not long ago for our dates))... Should I borrow more points and get us the SV for 4 nights? We are staying in Kidani in a Std View currently.

Hubby and I have been to WDW multiple times but we there with my brother and his family for their first WDW vacation. I can't decide!!! I'd need to borrow 28 additional points... UUGH I CAN'T DECIDE!!!

Chances are we will not be going to WDW in 2010; DL who knows since it's only a couple hour flight from me.

We are torn as to what to do.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since it appears AKV is not your home resort...Yes, if it was available, I'd borrow to complete that ressie. Who knows if you'll have a chance to do it again.

 

[gojoe]

Savanna view is the only reason I would stay at AKV. To get up in the morning and have your coffee with a giraffe. What could be better.

 

[Ratpack]

I have to vote no, too many other opportunities to see the animals than to spend the points for them. I would take extra trips, more than see animals outside my room, but that is just me.

 

[AlexTina]

I would say yes, but ONLY because it is your brother's families first trip. I think the kids would love it (provided there are kids), if there are only adults then definately NO! We just returned from Kidani and had a savanna view for our entire trip (9 days), it was nice and we had a great time going out first thing in the morning and in the evening to watch the animals, but I wouldn't use the extra points to book it again. There are plenty of places to view the animals if you don't have a savanna view and I would save the points for another trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have to vote no, too many other opportunities to see the animals than to spend the points for them. I would take extra trips, more than see animals outside my room, but that is just me.

It's not just you, Ratpack. That's my vote, too, for those same reasons.

 

[tecodis]

I have to vote no, too many other opportunities to see the animals than to spend the points for them. I would take extra trips, more than see animals outside my room, but that is just me.

I would agree here. I've done the savanna view multiple times as an AKL guest and once as DVC, Kidani. Frankly, I'm over the savanna and the animals get pretty boring after awhile (they just sleep and graze most of the time - and way off in the distance sometimes). Great to see the first few times but I'll save the points and go standard view in the future.

 

[rentayenta]

Having just stayed at the AKV with a Savannah View, I can tell you it was awesome! No comparison to seeing them on the Safari Ride. Way cooler. As gorgeous as the AKV are on the inside are as ugly as they are on the outside (IMHO of course ) so without a Savannah View you may be looking at dry dirt. It surprises me really as they put so much work into the Villas and hotel. I vote SV!

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

Having just stayed at the AKV with a Savannah View, I can tell you it was awesome! No comparison to seeing them on the Safari Ride. Way cooler. As gorgeous as the AKV are on the inside are as ugly as they are on the outside (IMHO of course ) so without a Savannah View you may be looking at dry dirt. It surprises me really as they put so much work into the Villas and hotel. I vote SV!

I agree, they are some butt ugly buildings from the back, NOW if I could have pool view then yes, I would go standard, but to risk that parking lot and or dry dirt view is not worth it. I will (am using in Dec) use the extra points for a view...

 

[robinb]

I would not hesitate to borrow 28 points to blow your brother away on his first trip.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I have to admit that though my kids and hubby were excited about a savanna view, I wasn't sure how I'd feel. Well, much to my surprise, it was amazing! We really enjoyed it, and found ourselves out on the balcony almost as much as OKW!!! Based on my experience, I would definitely spring for the extra points.

 

[COACHSTING]

We are there now and did a walk-through of the Villas today. My first reaction was that it would really stink to use all those points to get a first floor view of the parking lot or bus stop. There are a LOT of those type rooms that you could get for a standard view. If I am going to ever stay at AKL Villas, it will ONLY and ALWAYS be for a Savannah view.

 

[ACDSNY]

If I am going to ever stay at AKL Villas, it will ONLY and ALWAYS be for a Savannah view.

Ditto!

 

[robinb]

If I am going to ever stay at AKL Villas, it will ONLY and ALWAYS be for a Savannah view.

Same for us ... unless we're staying concierge. We were lucky and got a SV on our last concierge stay and we are rolling the dice again in December. We may end up with a Pool View but the services and food up on the 6th floor will make up for it .

 

[starbox]

We've stayed at AKV - 3X with savanna views and 2X with a value room (during Easter break when the points per night are astronomical).

If it was not during Easter/Christmas when the points are simply outrageous for Sv - I would absolutely do it. When we stay value (and we've had a lovely pool view both times) we've found that we really don't see the animals that much - they are not near the dining or pool so it's an effort to walk back to viewing area. I've even gone to the overlook area with a book to animal watch and it is simply NOT THE SAME as chilling on your balcony. Plus - they may or may not be out when you happen to make the trek to the viewing spot. OTOH - in your room you pretty much always will see animals in the background. There is NOTHING like it.

I like the lodge, and I really like having an affordable room Easter week - but I don't feel like I really "experience" the resort without the savanna view. It's worth every point IMHO.

 

[SamSam]

If I am going to ever stay at AKL Villas, it will ONLY and ALWAYS be for a Savannah view.

Same here. I love starting my day sitting out on our balcony with a cup of coffee, and I love ending the day sitting out on our balcony with a glass of wine.

 

[TisBit]

I won't say yes or no. We did savannah view for a quick trip last year in a studio, I am glad that I did it, but I won't do it again. I am not patient enough to sit on the balcony and watch animals (mostly sleeping animals). I could do that home with my dog...LOL.

So long and short, I am glad we did it so we could say we did, but I am not interested in doing it again.

 

[murcor]

I would like to stay at AKL and it would be for the Savannah View. Since it is not our home resort the stay would be for the View. Drinking coffee in the morning and relaxing in the evening watching the animals is the reason I would be staying there

 

[Nikisha421]

go for it why not...i have borrowed all but 2008 of the upcoming years points just so i could stay concierge this july...so hey why not