You will not be able to see animals from a standard view room. But , there are SO many beautiful places around the AKL to view the animals. If $$ is an issue, book standard and be happy with that view, but hope for an upgrade. The AKL seems to be the place a lot of people get upgrades. We booked standard and were put in a deluxe savannah view without asking....The resort is so wonderful that I would go back in a minute even with a standard view!!