Upgrades at AKL?

[sjw4870]

I am staying at AKL next month - paid for a savannah view. I stayed there in the past and had a wonderful view of the Arusha savannah. I've only ever stayed in a savannah room and I've always paid for it (meaning - no upgrade).

I keep reading posts of people getting lousy savannah rooms - I've seen all 3 savannahs and in my opinion, the one in the center is the biggest (Arusha) and the one I'd want to be on.

Don't flame me for this, but since I am paying for a savannah view I would not be happy if I got a bad savannah view and someone else got upgraded to a better view (while paying for a standard view). If I was getting a free upgrade -I wouldn't care what I saw.

Does anyone know if they reserve the rooms with the better views for the people who booked the savannah?

 

[Mary Ellen]

Does anyone know if they reserve the rooms with the better views for the people who booked the savannah?

I don't believe so. Based on our rave reviews from 2 stays, our friends booked (and paid for) a savannah view, MANY months ahead requesting Arusha savannah. They ended up with a dreaded 'people pen' view. They were able to get the room switched and loved their second view (non-Arusha savannah), but they will NOT recommend AKL to anyone for fear of paying savannah view $$$$ and getting people pen view. It left a very bad taste in their mouth.

Frankly, I feel the people pen rooms are perfect for upgrading those who booked a standard (parking lot) view to. It is a better view than they booked/expected.

 

[Bojangles]

We've never gotten a bad savannah view.

 

[musicmom3]

Usually I book standard view, but for our upcoming trip to AKL I booked pool view. From what I have read on these boards, "standard" is pretty awful, and "savannah" is iffy. I figured "pool" was in the middle. From what I have been reading lately, I am sort of beginning to regret switching our rez from WL to AKL. AKL seems to be one place that people either "love it" or "hate it"!

 

[Dawnflower]

I completely agree with the OP reaying for a view, and someone getting an free upgrade with a better view than the person paying for it. That being said, I upgraded from a standard to a pool view just to make sure I was looking at something other than cars and if they want to upgrade me to say consierge, I will not refuse it!!! Or the presidential suite, or the vice presidential suite, or the speaker of the house suite, heck I would even take secretary to the presidential suite

I'm leaving in 22 hours!! whoo hoo!!

 

[sjw4870]

Originally posted by musicmom3
Usually I book standard view, but for our upcoming trip to AKL I booked pool view. From what I have read on these boards, "standard" is pretty awful, and "savannah" is iffy. I figured "pool" was in the middle. From what I have been reading lately, I am sort of beginning to regret switching our rez from WL to AKL. AKL seems to be one place that people either "love it" or "hate it"!

I agree - I NEVER worry about my view at any hotel other than AKL. I think this is because (for me) this is the place where I actually want to sit on my balcony and take in the scenary. I had a perfect view on my last visit - hoping for another one next month!

 

[musicmom3]

Dawflower: I really hope you get the Presidental Suite! Your post made me laugh! sjw4870: did you book savannah view or pool view? I hope whichever it is, you get a great view!

 

[Fromeurope]

I've stayed at AKL last month and had an amazing view. I paid for savanna view, so I wasn't upgraded. BUT I asked for a nice view when I checked in Better asking for a nice view than for an upgrade IMHO

 

[musicmom3]

Asking for "a nice view" instead of "an upgrade" is a wonderful idea. It is really more specific. I think I will try that when I go in February. As other posters have said, I never worried about view before, but I am finding myself a little obsessed with the AKL view.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

We stayed at AKL last month and booked a standard view. We were upgraded to a pool view. It wasn't great, but it was better than a parking lot. We were perfectly happy with it and we loved the lodge. It was fun to spot animals as we were walking down the halls. The decor was beautiful. We wished we had allowed a day just to visit the hotel and spend more time there. We would love to return, but I would also love to visit many more resorts at WDW.

 

[sbelyo]

In 2002 we stayed there and booked standard and were upgraded to savanah view. It was really nice and my wife always asks if we can get it again.

I have to ask what is the "people pen view"?

I'm going to get an AP for the discount on the rooms and right now I booked standard view, but if I can apply and AP rate I will upgrade to savanah view.

 

[cdrn1]

We booked Standard the first time we stayed and were upgraded to pool-view. We loved it. This time we booked pool-view and I am a little worried they will offer us a Savannah upgrade because we sooo liked the pool-view.

 

[musicmom3]

Cdrn1, what floor were you on? Just wondering if it would be better to be higher up. Thanks!

 

[Mary Ellen]

I have to ask what is the "people pen view"?

‘People pens’ are the enclosures that would be used in case the hotel guests would need to be evacuated (i.e. fire) to protect the animals on the savannahs. They are patches of dirt surrounded by bamboo/rattan looking fences. You can still see the savannahs and animals, but the (necessary) 'people pens' are not attractive IMHO.

 

[daisylove]

Do you guys really ask for an upgrade. I though they were given at the whim of the CM's. Don't they get annoyed with prople asking for one?

 

[cdrn1]

Musicmom, we were on the third floor on Giraffe Trail just above the pool slide. We could see most of the pool, one of the hottubs, and in the distance we could see some animals in the morning. It was a really nice view.
Daisylove, we didn't ask for an upgrade. When we were checking in the CM said "Congratulations! You have been upgraded to pool view."

 

[KimberlyB]

I have to laugh I thought those " people pens" were some kind of pen for the animals. We had a "people pen" view - Uzima savannah, just this past week. We liked it and were grateful because we were upgraded from standard. We could see the animals well and even saw one of the Ankole Cows ( the ones with the really big horns) produce a little one. Very exciting to watch and what was really exciting was the reaction of the other animals on the savannah. They came over one by one and sniffed the little one. Mom would drive them away if they got too close.

Hey if anybody reads this that just got back- let us know how the new calf is doing and if it is a boy or girl.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is our favorite. We love all of the activities - story telling around the fire pit at night(7pm), night vision googles behind Arusha Rock from 9-11pm. Pool games, slide, etc. - it is truly magical!!