Just back from AKL -- had booked a standard view room, did not request an upgrade but were given one automatically. Room was ALLLL the way out at the end, which was kinda nice (male and female giraffes were hanging over the fence making googly eyes at each other), but after a couple days of trekking out there with a 3-yr-old we asked to be moved. They gave us another savannah room about 6 doors off the lobby. MUCH nicer, esp when you need to get somewhere quickly. So yeah, they definitely give upgrades if they have them, BUT like the last poster said, if you want it just book one. Otherwise you're taking a chance. I figured there would be plenty of overlooks, which there were, so if you won't spend much time in your room and/or don't have much interest in watching the animals, it may be worth it to take the chance. I have to say, I had a great time watching the animals for long periods and got my daughter -- even though quite young -- really involved in it. The giraffes were fascinating, the ostrich was a "character", the vultures were doing some weird thing throwing and dragging around grass and twigs. For something that is already expensive, it made the experience really memorable.
