Trying to choose a place to stay.

[beautybelle]

We have been to Disney multiple times in the past but the last time was in 2012 and we have never stayed on-site. We are all over the place with trying to decide. My daughter wants a Savannah view room at AKL but I have no idea what that would cost, but I'm sure it's not cheap since its deluxe. I have zero desire to stay at any of the values, but the family that is traveling with us wants to stay at ASMo. I wouldn't mind CBR but unsure of the construction.
We're going in April/May 2018. Any recommendations and estimates on costs would be sincerely appreciated. All the planning rests on me and I know you guys are experts since I used disboards years ago when going.

 

[M1ckeyM0use]

We are in the same boat!! I can give you quotes that I got from Disney this weekend on a few places we are looking to stay: Port Orleans French Quarter is about $1500 for a River View, Wilderness Lodge Standard is around $2600, and for Courtyard or Woods view they range between $3050 to $3090. These are quoted for Feb/March so I'm not sure what yours will be a few weeks later. We just stayed at CBR (pre-construction) and absolutely loved it. We were in Trinidad North 3109 and the room was perfect location (but not perfect air conditioning). Hopefully this helps!

 

[alliecat523]

A mod sounds like a good compromise for the group.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I would not stay at CBR with the construction, but maybe you all have a higher tolerance for that.

I know in April, we stayed at AKL in a standard view room for $318/night. If we wanted a Savanna view, it would have been approx. $450/night.

 

[VAfamily1998]

How many people are going? You mention another family you are traveling with that wants to stay at ASMO--so that means you are ok with staying at a different resort from them?

 

[beautybelle]

I would've liked to stay in the Savannah view room but there is no way I am willing to pay that per night. I guess I'll look at the ASMo.

 

[HopperFan]

We travel often with groups and the first thing we learned is let everyone stay where they want, it's everyone's vacation. I would hate to force someone my way and I don't want to give up what I enjoy. It's so easy to meet at the parks without the pressure of meeting at the bus.

If you will be happy at ASMo that is fine, but if you aren't, no reason you can't stay elsewhere.

 

[Skippyboo]

There are plenty of places in AKL to see the animals without paying for Savannah view. You can also request a partial animal view that's a standard room.

 

[beautybelle]

Oh I didn't know they even had partial view rooms. That would be nice too. I'd really like to stay there if we could this time because I half doubt we'll be back any time soon after this trip.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've stayed in a standard room (and savannah view) at AKL and standard was lovely. The resort is gorgeous and they have an amazing viewing area in the back of the lobby. If standard is what you can afford, I would encourage you to book it.

If you are considering a mod, I would recommend POR or POFQ.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Our standard room at AKL was way down the end of the Kudu trail. While we did have a view of some ugly fence and a large utility type building, there were also plenty of animals outside our room.

 

[Shanti]

We have been to Disney multiple times in the past but the last time was in 2012 and we have never stayed on-site. We are all over the place with trying to decide. My daughter wants a Savannah view room at AKL but I have no idea what that would cost, but I'm sure it's not cheap since its deluxe. I have zero desire to stay at any of the values, but the family that is traveling with us wants to stay at ASMo. I wouldn't mind CBR but unsure of the construction.
We're going in April/May 2018. Any recommendations and estimates on costs would be sincerely appreciated. All the planning rests on me and I know you guys are experts since I used disboards years ago when going.

I recommend a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge. They are much cheaper than Savannah View rooms, actually close to the cost of the best moderate resorts. Some of them have animal views, such as the ones on the Kudu Trail. I stayed on the 3rd floor in one of these standard Kudu Trail rooms last month, and we had views of giraffes, ostriches, zebra & more, directly outside our balcony. AKL is a fabulous resort and we loved our stay there.

 

[Beth Pagan]

We have been to Disney multiple times in the past but the last time was in 2012 and we have never stayed on-site. We are all over the place with trying to decide. My daughter wants a Savannah view room at AKL but I have no idea what that would cost, but I'm sure it's not cheap since its deluxe. I have zero desire to stay at any of the values, but the family that is traveling with us wants to stay at ASMo. I wouldn't mind CBR but unsure of the construction.
We're going in April/May 2018. Any recommendations and estimates on costs would be sincerely appreciated. All the planning rests on me and I know you guys are experts since I used disboards years ago when going.

We loved AKL and were upgraded to a Savannah room when we asked very nicely and enthusiastically. It is a beautiful resort. We have stayed at many resorts- CBR, YC,Poly,Fort Wilderness and POR. I would say that Port Orleans is the best bang for your money. We loved it. It is the best moderate. We stayed in the princess rooms but would stay in the Alligator Bayou next time, as it is much closer to everything. It is hard with a group and I bet that might work for everyone. Have a great time!

 

[beautybelle]

I have never considered POFQ as an option. I may just take a peek at it.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed in a standard room (and savannah view) at AKL and standard was lovely. The resort is gorgeous and they have an amazing viewing area in the back of the lobby. If standard is what you can afford, I would encourage you to book it.

I agree. We haven't stayed standard, but have stayed both pool and savanna view and while the savanna view was nice, I loved our pool view just as much. AKL is a beautiful resort with several animal viewing areas, so having a savanna view isn't a priority for us. Even though we haven't experienced standard, I would have no problem booking it as I think AKL is a great resort no matter what room type you have .

 

[HopperFan]

Oh I didn't know they even had partial view rooms. That would be nice too. I'd really like to stay there if we could this time because I half doubt we'll be back any time soon after this trip.

I have had Savanna room, and yes it's wonderful. The negative is we didn't want to leave the balcony, even to go to parks. Last time with a pool view room, we never even went on the balcony ... there are so many places to view the animals at the resort that next time I'll book standard. There are some hidden areas to sit and watch, lots of spots to see them. It's a stunning resort and I don't feel like I have to pay top dollar to have a wonderful trip there.

 

[Sue M]

I'd play around on the web site to see costs of the resorts you may be interested in. Our fav mods are Por and pofq. They are beautiful.
We've stayed in both savanna and pool view at AKL. Both were nice. We enjoyed our pool view on Zebra trail. It's a beautiful area. And loved our savanna views. Arusha was the best!
It's very easy these days to meet up at parks and for dining with friends or family with cell phones!

Keep in mind discounts will come out. I've never paid rack rate. You might consider using a Disney Specialized agent since this is your first time onsite. They will know when discounts come out and will be on the phone for you applying discount when they are released. I work full time and don't have the time to stay on hold for 2 hrs! And I may not know the day they are released until that evening, and discounted rooms sell out quick.
Having a good agent has worked for me.

 

[Haygar2]

I have had Savanna room, and yes it's wonderful. The negative is we didn't want to leave the balcony, even to go to parks. Last time with a pool view room, we never even went on the balcony ... there are so many places to view the animals at the resort that next time I'll book standard. There are some hidden areas to sit and watch, lots of spots to see them. It's a stunning resort and I don't feel like I have to pay top dollar to have a wonderful trip there.

This statement does NOT help me. We are booked at POFQ. I am really excited about it. And then.....I priced AKL and for an additional $249 we could stay there. I don't know what to do. I would love to sit on the balcony in the morning and just enjoy the quiet while waiting for my husband to get up. We are doing a short 3 full day trip. 2 park days and 1 pool/Disney Springs day. I think the AKL pool is amazing and would love to spend the day there. But then I hear the grounds at FQ are so relaxing that it would be nice to stay there as well.

 

[HopperFan]

This statement does NOT help me. We are booked at POFQ. I am really excited about it. And then.....I priced AKL and for an additional $249 we could stay there. I don't know what to do. I would love to sit on the balcony in the morning and just enjoy the quiet while waiting for my husband to get up. We are doing a short 3 full day trip. 2 park days and 1 pool/Disney Springs day. I think the AKL pool is amazing and would love to spend the day there. But then I hear the grounds at FQ are so relaxing that it would be nice to stay there as well.

Sorry??? I think....

If I'm making you doubt then please don't ask me about my POFQ thoughts and what I would do

 

[Haygar2]

Sorry??? I think....

If I'm making you doubt then please don't ask me about my POFQ thoughts and what I would do

Well now, of course, I am going to ask your thoughts on POFQ. HopperFan...what would you do?